have of the answer of mercy and of the treasures riches and wisdome of Christ is because that through the infinite worth of Christs death and bloud they are absolutely reconciled to GOD the Father Col. 2.2 That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. Col. 1.21 22. Yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight Contemplation THe saying of Ahaziah King of Israel to Jehu was Is there peace His answer was What peace The reply of the wounded Conscience is Is there not peace The answer is given there is peace God who was an enemy is now become a friend his hatred against sinne was so great that it could not be pacified or asswaged by any humane creature The barres of Hell the gates of death the iron bands of sinne the fiercenesse of the Morall Law is removed by a person infinite the same vertue and worth which hath procured Redemption hath procured Reconciliation The strength of Sampson was more then the gates of Azzah the vertue and worth in Christ hath been above the enmity betwixt God and man What is like to this great and wonderfull worke of Reconcilement As nothing can parallell the work of Redemption and Union with GOD through Christ so nothing can equall the work of Reconciliation to God by the hand of Christ When we see the Rain-bow we admire yet wee cease to admire when we consider the hand that made it When we behold the famous work of Reconciliation we may wonder yet cease to wonder when we consider the hand that did it How comfortable is the calmenesse of weather after stormy times How passing comfortable is the peace of Conscience from Reconcilement to God after the stormy times of temptation Out of the sweet comes Corroboration and out of this comes the greatest consolation When Balacke saw the standing of Israel in the Wildernesse he said How comely are thy tents O Israel and thy habitations O Jacob When the faithfull through the eye of faith behold the fruits of reconciliation to God they say how great delight and comfortablenesse ariseth from that peace which is made betwixt God and their soules Hence from the worke of Reconciliation comes the worke of a Christians moving to God-ward with freenesse of spirit Hence comes the Gospell of Reconciliation which speaks better things then the Law the Law speakes evill as Micah against Ahab as Doâ—g against the Priests of the Lord as the Jewes against our Saviour but now the Gospell speakes graciously and sweetly of peace of grace of mercy being that man to God is reconciled through the hand of the Mediator Jesus Christ turne therefore thine eare from the Law to the Gospell and walke thou in the comfort thereof till thou come to see thy Redeemers face in Sion and the brightnesse of the countenance of thy loving God and Father blessed for evermore Then shalt thou be satisfied with his favour filled with joyes and his sight and Image shall be thy great contentment Then shalt thou say with the Psalmist Psal 16 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulnesse of joy at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore CHAP. X Concerning Justification Definition 1. ZAdick Just in hiphill signifieth righteousnesse in hisdiâ—k justificare that is to account some man just or righteous Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his righteousnesse that he might be just and the justifier of him which beleeveth in Jesus 2. Justification is the gracious sentence of God through Christ apprehended by faith whereby he doth free the sinner from sins death and condemnation and repute them just to life glory and salvation Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 5. ult That as sinne hath raigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. This gracious sentence in Justification proceeds from Gods decree that it might be pronounced in Christ our Saviour to his people and virtually sealed to the soule by the holy Spirit that the Saints might be assured of the condonation of iniquitie and the imputation of divine and heavenly righteousnesse Micah 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Rom. 5.18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life 4. By the same grace wherby Christ was called unto the office of a Mediator the elect are called to union and communion with Christ and by that accounted just in the sight and presence of God Hebr. 3.1 2. Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus Who was faithfull to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithfull in all his house 1. Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord. 5. The efficient cause of our justification is the rich and free grace of God the mereitorious cause is themerit of Christ the instrumentall cause is faith apprehending and resting on the promises of God the end is the glory of God the salvation of beleevers and the illustration of divine mercy Rom. 5.17 For if by one mans offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gifts of righteousnesse shall reigne in life by one Jesus Christ 6. Christ is dead and all are dead that the righteousnesse of one might be imputed to all 2. Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Rom. 4.24 But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we beleeve on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead 7. Christ willingly died and was willingly crucified and willingly bare the sence of his Fathers wrath for our sakes that he might break the bonds and chains of death that he might satisfie the justice of his Father and bring in everlasting peace attonement and reconciliation Isa 53.6 7. All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned everie one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquitie of us all He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lambe to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumbe so he opened not his mouth 8. Christ changeth our estate and condition and clotheth us with his pure
Sanctification infancy and strong age the one is in the estate of grace the other in the estate of felicitie and glory 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 3. In Sanctification there are two parts considerable 1. Mortification 2. Vivification 4. Mortification is the first part of Sanctification through which sinne is mortified and the force thereof weakned and abated Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we might not serve sinne 5. Vivification is the second part of Sanctification through which the Image of God is restored and renewed 1 Cor. 15.49 And as we have borne the Image of the earthly we shall also beare the Image of the heavenly 6. The efficient and absolute cause is the Father of eternall grace and mercies 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soule and body be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7. The meritorious or formall cause the precious deare bloud of the Lord Christ that bought us Heb. 10.10 By the which will wee are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb. 10.29 Oh how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under-foote the Sonne of God and hath counted the bloud of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace 8. The instrumentall cause of our Sanctification is the precious and sanctifying Word of the Lord Jesus Joh. 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth 9. The spirit of life and glory is the cause principally working and perfecting of our Sanctification Hence the Spirit of Christ is tearmed the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 10. There is an inseparable lincke and conjunction betwixt the act of Justification by or through the righteousnesse of the Lord our righteousnesse and the act of Sanctification through the Spirit of life and Adoption The ground is this Sith the end of Justification through the love of God and righteousnesse of Christ is the holinesse of our lives and conversations 11. Whilest the inabilitie of man is insufficient to mortifie sinne transgression and iniquitie the Spirit of life and consolation worketh faith in the hearts of the faithfull which layeth hold on the deare bloud and precious death of the Lord Christ which draweth strength from thence to the utter subduing and mortifying of corruption Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the bloud of Christ who through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your conscience from dead workes to serve the living God Rom. 6.8 9 10. Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion over him For in that he dyed he dyed unto sinne once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God 12. Whilest man is insufficient to restore againe the Image of God which he lost in Paradise to him is given the Spirit of life through which he is freed from the Law of sinne and death and raised againe to live by the life and resurrection of Christ Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death Rom. 8.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you 13. The New Creature reconciled through bloud justified through righteousnesse and sanctified by the Spirit is really absolutely freed from blame reproofe and sinne in the sight of God the Father 2 Cor. 5.17 Coll. 1.22 Vide. 14. As God hath glory by faith in his promise love to his Name and hope in his salvation so he hath glory by holinesse and sanctitie in our lives and conversations Rom. 4.20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbeliefe But was strong in faith giving glory to God Joh. 17 10. And all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 15. Though the Father of glory and God of all consolation give us life eternall without the desert of holinesse and sanctification yet he doth not give the joy of the Spirit supply of grace without the meanes of sanctimony or sanctification Act. 10.43 44. Vide. 16. Answerable to the sence of Gods divine favour the apprehension of the divine love of Christ and the over-fillings and over-flowings of the joy of the Spirit so is the faithfulls progresse to the high calling of God in Christ Phil. 3.14 I presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 17. So farre as our sanctification or holinesse is an assurance of our glory and blessednesse hereafter that it shall receive the crowne of hope and approbation in the day of Judgement and that through it we glorifie our heavenly Father before the sonnes of men we may rejoyce before God with an assured confidence Act. 24.14 15 16. But this I confesse unto thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers beleeving all things which are written in the Law and the Prephets And have hope towards God which they themselves also allow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience voyde of offence towards God and men 18. Not the terrors of the Law the feare of hell the dread of Justice nor the affrightment through condemnation ought to move the Saints to the obedience of the Gospel of life and salvation sith they are bound to the obedience thereof by the love of God a reconciled Father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 15.12 This is my Commandement that yee love one another as I have loved you Joh. 14.15 If yee love me keepe my Commandements 19. Though the Saints for their sanctitie and holinesse are not assured of life and immortalitie yet without sanctitie and holinesse they are not assured of beatitude and glory Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. 20. When the faithfull doe not consider their justified estate and condition and their glorious presentation through the act of reconciliation but opposeth and compareth their works with the Commands and Precepts of the Morall Law It doth possesse them with dreadfull griefe and woefull sorrow Heb. 12.18 19 20
forth into singing and cry aloud thou that didst not travell with child for more are the children of the desolate then the children of the married wife saith the Lord. Rom. 10.6 7 8. But the righteousnesse which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above 7. Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring Christ again from the dead 8. But what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach 4. They had the grace of God darkly and obscurely we plainly and apparently 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 5. The communication or gifts of the Spirit under the Gospel of reconciliation are more excellent then those which have been communicated under the Law Act. 2.17 18. the 17. And it shall come to passe in the last dayes saith God I will poure out of my Spirit upon all lesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams The 18. And on my servants and on my hand-maids I will poure out in those dayes of my Spirit and they shall prophesie 6. The old Covenant was given by Moses this by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 7. The old Covenant binds us over to absolute righteousnes the new commands us to seek it in Christ the Lord our righteousnesse Joh. 6.40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and beleeveth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his righteousnesse that he might be just and the justifier of him which beleeveth in Jesus 8. The old Covenant was given to impell men to Christ the new to hold forth and exhibite Christ Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternall life and they are they which testifie of me 9. The proper object of the old was to consternate and humble the new to comfort them who are consternated and humbled Matth. 11.28 29. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavie laden and I will give you rest 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls 10. They differ by accident and through our infirmitie for the Law without the Gospel is insufficient to salvation Rom. 8.3 For what the Law could not do in as much as it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 11. The Lord Christ is the Mediatour of the new Covenant not onely because the Covenant is made with his for his sake but because through the vertue of his mediation this Covenant cannot be disanulled Hebr. 8.6.9 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministery by how much also he is the Mediatour of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises 9 Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord. 12. The supereminent superabundant and superexcellent grace of God our dear and propitious Father is manifested to his poore servants in that he hath established the everlasting Covenant of free grace and mercie in the hand of Christ Mediatour 2. Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us Hebr. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance 13. The Covenant of grace is an everlasting and perpetuall Covenant sith the foundation of that Covenant is the free grace of God and the ratification and confirmation of the same is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ Hebr. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel 14. The supereminence of divine grace and favour hath not only appeared in this that he hath established this Covenant in the hand of a Mediatour but also in this that he hath smitten a Covenant with the immeriting and undeserving Hos 2. the last And I will sowe her unto me in the earth and I will have mercie upon her that had not obtained mercie and I will say to them which were not my people Thou art my people and they shall say thou art my God 15. The grace of God is the ground the blood of Christ the matter the end eternall life and beatitude made over to the faithfull in all ages that they might be certainly and fully assured that God will be their God and Father everlasting Hos 2.19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in loving kindnesse and in mercie 16. The true and solid knowledge of this free Covenant of grace bountie causeth the beloved Saints and beleevers to hate all Pharisaicall performances or the righteousnesse of Justiciaries Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him not having mine own righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is by the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of God through faith 17. The benefits of the free Covenant of pitie and clemencie are the remission of sinnes and condonation of transgression the donation of the Spirit everlasting and continuall communion with the Lord Christ in the kingdome of felicitie perseverance in the state of grace by the all-sufficient hand of God our clementious and heavenly Father Jer. 31.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord For they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquitie and I will remember their sin no more 1. Joh. 3 24. And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1. Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation to be revealed in the last time 18. The intrinsicall seal of the Covenant of grace and salvation is the Spirit of glory and obsignation the extrinsicall is the Lords Supper Baptisme 1.
John 5.8 And there are three that bear witnesse in earth the Spirit and the water and blood and these three agree in one 1. Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ 19. Whosoever are under the Covenant of grace are not under the Law but under grace not under the jurisdiction of the devill but under the rule and command of Christ not under the dominion of sin and transgression but under the Regiment of the Spirit of life and adoption Rom. 8.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God 20. The faithfull after the time they are assured that God is their God through the Covenant of free grace and mercie are wholly removed from the barre of justice to heare what tydings of peace mercy and salvation shall come from the throne of grace and mercie Hebr. 12.18 19 20 21 22 23 24. 21. The Covenant of grace is smitten with the faithfull in Christ the onely and absolute Mediatour before they come to the true and effectual assurance thereof in their hearts and consciences 22. The joy of the holy Ghost doth then fill the hearts of the faithfull when in the receiving the seals of the Covenant they through the act of faith do firmly and strongly behold the marvellous and exceeding freenesse of that to them undeserving 1. Tim. 1.14 15. the 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 15. This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 23. If any man would have assured confidence that he shall live immortally and that grace communicated to him shall never be removed or extinguished let him turn his eye upon the freenesse and newnesse of the new Covenant established and confirmed to him in the hand of a Mediatour Hebr. 8.6 24. The Morall Law is no part of the new Covenant in equalitie and substance it is the same which was made with Adam in his innocency and integritie Gal. 3.12 And the law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall live in them 25. As the Father of admirable love and kindnesse makes his covenant with his in Christ so doth every Christian make his covenant with God in Christ sith that in himself there is nothing but indigencie want and deficiencie and that through Christ the fountaine and well-spring of fulnesse and excellencie he may receive sufficient to performe what he hath promised to God-ward for his own particular Joh. 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing 26. Our covenant is an holy resignation of soule and body to serve obey feare and love God our deare and loving Father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent in answer to that free Covenant which he hath made to us in Christ when he chose us to be a peculiar people zealous of good works Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service Tit. 2.14 Who gave himselfe for us that he might redeeme us from all iniquitie and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Contemplation THe eye that seeth the eare that heareth the mind that conceiveth the immense and incomprence love of God to his may admire that God through grace should make a new covenant of grace to his people undeserving grace he saw them in their blood defiled stained spotted and impure yet he chose and did not refuse them in that wofull state and condition Though they were unfaithfull to God in the first covenant he is faithfull to them in the second through the breach of the first they lost all through the help of Christ in the second they recover all in that they stood not in the first they shut the gates of heaven upon themselves through or by vertue of the second heaven is open for them to have free entrance though the Law of works speak bitter heavy and terrible things to the conscience yet the second speaks not of bitternesse dreadfulnesse or terriblenesse but of favour bountie and benignitie to the soule or spirit The first was in the hand of man the second in the hand of Christ Hence it is so fast strong and permanent that neither heights nor depths principalities nor powers neither dominions nor the prince of darknesse with all his rabble can anihilate disanull or bring to nothing O Christian whilest thou art comprehended behold that which is incomprehensible whilest thou art measured behold that which is immeasurable whilest thou ponderest of something ponder of that which is unutterable Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out CHAP. IIII. Concerning Vnion Definition 1. VNion is the work of the Spirit of Christ through faith whereby the Saints are united unto Christ and to the Father in Christ to the end they may enjoy communion in the promises and benefits of Christ in the state of grace and in the estate of glory everlasting beatitude and perfection 1. Cor. 6.17 But he that is joyned unto the Lord is one spirit 1. Cor. 3.22 Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 2. The faithfull are not onely united to Christ by faith as the instrumentall cause by the Spirit the cause principalliter operans but also by the blood of Christ as the cause materiall Ephes 2.13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ 3. It hath not onely been the divine pleasure or benevolence of our heavenly Father that we should be united to his dearly beloved Son by nature but that we should be united to him by a secret and mysticall union Joh. 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me 4. The Son of God took upon him the humane nature of mankind through which he is joyned to all men but that is infirme and weake and not able to bring us to eternall glory without the union mysticall I in them and they in me c. Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold
sufficient to salvation and my Vine to make me abundantly fruitfull through fruition am I not bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Should I not enjoy the benefit of his mediation the fruit of his glorification and the priviledge of glorious and sweet Communion who shall separate me from the love of my sweet Saviour shall Satan No shall imperfections and infirmities No shall the Law or the Gaoler of hell No they are of no force to disjoyne them whom God hath joyned by a bond inseparable Now I am assured he will fill me with love confirme with his promise love me with his beloved ones watch over my soule and deliver me from the roarings of the devill though the Charets and horsemen of hell pursue me I shall possesse his glory of inheritance Though I fall I shall rise againe though I was in the vaile of death I would not be afraid for his sweet streames would comfort mee Hence will I take up the resolution of the Psalmist Psal 46.2.3 Therefore will we not feare though the earth be moved and though the hills be carried into the middest of the Sea Though the waters thereof rage and swell and though the mountaines shake at the tempest thereof CHAP. V. Concerning Vocation Definition 1. VOcation is a gathering of men unto Christ by the Gospell of life and everlasting salvation that they may be united unto him by a happie and perpetuall union 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom we are called unto the Communion of his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord. 2. Vocation is efficatious or inefficatious 3. Efficatious vocation is that through which the faithfull are called from Satans Kingdome to the Kingdome of grace and glory by the sanctifying Word of truth and the effectuall work of the Spirit that they may not want in the appointed time that glorious salvation which Christ their Lord hath purchased Act. 26.18 That thou mayest open the eyes of the blind and convert them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive the remission of sinnes and an inheritance amongst them who are sanctified by faith which is in me 4. Inefficatious vocation is when the sonnes of men are under the sentence of the Gospel of atonement and reconciliation yet never find the effectuall operation of the holy Spirit unto an absolute Conversion Hence many are called and few are chosen 5. Vocation is Universall or Speciall 6. Vocation universall is that whereby God invites all men through the ministery of peace and propitiation that they would come to the knowledg of himselfe and Jesus Christ the appointed Redeemer of his elect and peculiar Col. 1.23 For which cause I Paul am made Minister to preach the Gospel to every creature under heaven 7. Speciall vocation is that whereby God doth dignifie his owne peculiar whilest he doth illuminate their minds working in their hearts effectually by his Spirit Rom. 5.5 Moreover hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by his holy Spirit 8. Universall Vocation hath been shadowed out by Types or divine Oracles 9. By Types Melchesidecke although he was a Gentile and without the promises of Abraham nevertheles he was the Priest of the most high GOD Heb. 7.1 10. By Oracles he shall be the expectation of the Gentiles Mat. 12.21 And in his Name shall the Gentiles trust 11. In vocation there is Christs oblation and the Christians reception considerable 12. Christs offer is that he will be a sufficient Redemption Reconciliation and Salvation to every one who beleeveth and resteth on him as his assured refuge and eternall Sanctury 1 Joh. 4.14 Whosoever shall drinke of the water which I shall give unto him shall not thirst againe but the water which I shall give unto him shall be in him a fountaine of springing water unto eternall life 13. Christs proffer is internall and externall 14. Christs externall proffer is when by the Ministers of the Word of truth and salvation he proposeth himselfe the onely and absolute salvation in heaven and earth Act. 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other neither is there any other name given under heaven by which we must be saved 15. Christs internall proffer is when Christ proposeth himselfe effectually to the hearts of the faithfull through which they have assured confidence that Christ hath redeemed and saved them from sinne Satan the Law hell and destruction and that the Lord Christ will communicate to them eternall life peace joy and everlasting reconciliation Col. 2.2 That their hearts might be comforted and they knit together in love and in all riches of the full assurance of understanding to know the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ 16. Reception is through which the faithfull doe not refuse the proffer of grace but receiveth it through the help of the Spirit of glory Act. 10.43 44. To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his Name whosoever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of sinnes While Peter spake these words the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word 17 Sometimes there is a reception of the Word of mercy and propitiation which is not operative or effectuall to salvation Mat. 13.20 21. And he that receiveth seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the Word and anon with joy receiveth it Yet hath not roote in himselfe but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is offended 18. Reception is either taken actively or passively 19. Actively when the heart resteth on Christ the blessed Redeemer of his redeemed reconciled passively when there is a spirituall being of grace in the hearts of actuall Beleevers 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that yee may grow thereby 20. Sometimes the Saints are called alone by the efficacy of the Spirit of obsignation Sometimes by the Word and efficacy of the Word of Life and Redemption The Word and the Spirit are not seperated in the vocation of the Saints Ephes 1.13 In whom also yee have trusted after that yee heard the Word of truth even the Gospel of your salvation wherein also after yee beleeved yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise 21. All the faithfull have been effectually called from eternall by vertue of Gods decree notwithstanding the Declaration thereof is as it may make for their good and the glory of God their heavenly and gracious Father Ephes 1.11 12. In him I say in whom yee have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the councell of his owne will That we may be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. 22. God calls not all his Elect and Adopted in the same moment to the knowledge of his sanctifying truth and the sence of free and benignous favour and experience Mat. 20.5 6. 23.
not called from Pharaohs dungeon but from the dungeon of darknesse to be a sonne of God the Father and a brother to the Prince of grace and glory therefore I shall see my Fathers face and behold his glory Rev. 22.4 And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads Verse the fift And they shall reigne for evermore CHAP. VI. Concerning Adoption Definition ADoption is the gracious sentence of God through which he doth accept of the faithfull for sonnes and daughters in Jesus Christ 1. Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not In Adoption there is a gracious manifestation of the good will and pleasure of God that he would adopt us in Christ for his peculiar who by sin were the children of wrath and of the devill and were by nature the children of wrath as well as other Ephes 2.3 4. But God who is rich in mercie for his great love wherewith he loved us Ephes 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Adoption proceeds from Gods decree it is collocated in Christ and sealed to the Saints through the Spirit of adoption Rom. 8 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Adoption is not onely for Christs sake who hath merited the same for us but it flows also from Gods benignitie and bountie towards his elect and chosen Galat. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Abba Father The faithfull do not onely look for eternall life through the title they have by redemption but also through the title they have by adoption Rom. 8.23 And not onely they but our selves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groane within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our body The sweetnesse and consolation of the faithfull ariseth when instead of the sons of the devill they through faith apprehend themselves to be the sonnes of God Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that beleeve on his Name 7 As the Lord Christ in justification is applyed as a garment to cover sinnes so in Adoption he is applyed as the Prince of our life and salvation Hebr. 2.10 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings 8. This conjunction is so strong that although Christ is properly the Son of God by nature hence tearmed the first begotten of God notwithstanding by this grace of adoption and communion with God in Christ all the faithfull are called the sonnes of God 2. Cor. 6.18 And I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almightie 9. Although Adam was the sonne of God by creation yet not by the mysticall conjunction and union with Christ as we are by adoption Joh. 17.21 That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may know that thou hast sent me 10. The dignitie which we have through adoption doth not onely superabound that common relation which every creature hath to Godward but also that which Adam possest before he relinquisht his puritie and integritie 11. God hath taken the adopted into the number of his own flock or family and given to them his name and hath undertaken to be their eternall protector in the time of danger Revel 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the Name of my God and the name of the City of my God which is the new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new Name Isa 4.4 5. the 4. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement and by the spirit of burning The 5. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Sion and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glorie shall be a defence 12. The inheritance to which the faithfull are adopted is eternall life glorious communion and everlasting blessednesse Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him 13. That blessednesse which belongeth to the Saints redeemed and beloved is not communicated to them for their merits or deservings but through free grace through which they have obtained the dignitie of sons through adoption or filiation Isa 56.3.5 Neither let the sonne of the stranger that hath joyned himself to the Lord speake saying The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people neither let the Eunuch say Behold I am a drie tree The 5. Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better then of sonnes and daughters I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off 14. Divine Adoption is not ordained to succession but to the participation of an inheritance assigned Ephes 1.18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glorie of his inheritance in the Saints 15. The proper adjunct of adoption is the testification of the holy Spirit which is given to the faithfull Hence they are said to be sealed by the Spirit 2. Cor. 1.21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God The 22. Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts 16. God hath adopted his elect unto himself not that he had no other Son for Christ was tearmed his beloved and onely begotten Sonne but amongst the sons of men he had no other untill they were adopted to be beloved in Christ Gal. 3 26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus 17. Through the Spirit of Christ we have faith through which we lay hold on the death of Christ Mediatour and the promise of God our benevolous and gracious Father by which we are adopted to be sons and daughters Galat. 3.26 vide 18. By Adam we were alienated from God wherefore God hath sent his onely begotten and beloved Sonne that through him he might chuse many sons out of humane generation Hence
Christ reconciling the world unto himselfe not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation 4. The ends of Reconciliation are the peace of Conscience the dignitie of Christ our Mediator and the faithfulls fruition of Gods presence which was obscured or hidden from them by reason of iniquitie Ephes 2.14 For he is our peace who hath made both one and broken downe the middle wall of partition betweene us 5. Whilest the soule apprehendeth not this reconciliation with God in Christ there is nothing but disturbance but when the Spirit of God doth assure us of our Reconciliation with him wee then enjoy the peace of Conscience Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee 6. The sence of Reconciliation through the hand of Christ Mediator is the beginning of tranquilitie of mind and the upholder of the Spirit against the feare of the houre of death and Judgement Isa 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also bast wrought all our works in us Isa 25.8 He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will wipe away teares from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the carth for the Lord hath spoken it 7. The more a Christian hath the sence of this estate and condition he is more heavenly in his meditation more comfortable in declaration and holy in conversation The ground is this sith the deare love of God in the act of Reconciliation is the ground of our affection to Christ in the heavenly places and of obedience to Gods blessed and sacred Majestie 8. It is impossible he should loose Gods favour any more who through the death of Christ is to God reconciled sith that sinnes hand-writing is wholly removed and that this precious death is a sufficient ransome from all iniquitie Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nayling it to his Crosse Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised againe for our justification 9. The faithfull under the Law did not onely looke for salvation but also for reconciliatiō by the hand of Christ Isaiah 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our workes in us 10. God was reconciled to man before it was vertually manifested and after vertuall manifestation he is reconciled before of his it be received The ground is this Sith it is the wisdome of the Faether that in himselfe there should be the primary ordination afterwards answered by Christ in the act of Reconciliation and conferred to the Saints by way of Reception 11. For as much as it hath been impossible that any creature could reconcile himselfe to God infinite in nature it hath been the free grace of God to send his beloved Sonne that being infinite he might answer what infinite Justice did require Isaiah 63.3 I have troden the Wine-presse alone and of the people there was none with me 12. He that supposeth that by answer to the morall Law he either pacifieth Gods Justice procureth Gods favour or maketh peace with God is deceived for there is no other meanes under heaven to give us rest in the day of great necessitie or peace in the depths or gulfes of misery save by the death and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Isaiah 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed 13. To attribute Reconciliation to any Creature save unto Christ Mediator is blasphemy and a point of high Arminianisme 14. Although we have been estranged from God through sinne heires of anger of eternall death subject to destruction shut out from all the hope of salvation and alienated from the blessings of God and under the yoake and bondage of the Morall Law notwithstanding such hath been the love of God unto us in Christ that he would remove all these and not onely reconcile us unto himselfe by the bloud of Christ but also by his death Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enemies wee were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life 15. By the knowledge of Gods anger against us we come to the knowledge of our misery and of his mercy and unlesse we know how great a sepation or distance there is betwixt GOD and us we can never value or prize the exceeding or excellent vertue of our Reconciliation by Christ 16. As God first loves us before he doth redeeme us so doth he love us before he reconcile us unto himselfe albeit we have no assurance of his love untill wee through faith apprehend him to be reconciled unto us through Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.18 And all things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himselfe by Jesus Christ and hath given us the ministery of Reconciliation 17. Incomprehensible and immutable is the love of God that although we were not reconciled actually through the bloud and death of his Sonne yet he loved us before the foundation of the world Ephes 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 18. As Redemption Adoption Union and Communion can never be disannulled sith they are obtained by Christ and in him established so reconciliation being the worke of God in Christ and procured both by the precious bloud and vertuall death of Christ can never be annihilated 19. Not onely the presentation of the chosen of God but also the glory of God the honour of Christ Mediator hangs upon the everlasting reconciliation of the faithfull to God Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it selfe now to appear in the presence of God for us 20. The infinite worth and power of Christ in matter of Reconciliation is so sufficient to answer Gods infinite puritie that Gods pure nature desireth no more in matter of Reconciliation 2 Pet. 17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased 21. Though there is a participation of the vertue of Christs Reconciliation in this vaile of misery yet the full fruition is not enjoyed of the faithfull untill they come to the Heaven of felicitie 1 Cor. 2.9 For it is written eye hath not seene nor eare heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 22. The assurance that the faithfull
precious in prison as in the heavenly places and the chain of Christ in prison more rich then a chaine of pearls and jewels therefore the Apostle gloried in this chain Phil. 9. Yet for loves sake I rather beseech thee being such a one as Paul the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ Of CHRIST 1. CHrist is our glory and our strength for ever A help at need a hold that faileth never 2. When darknes is the Sun appeareth bright The darknes past the Sun we have in sight 3. And though the darknes for a time remain It passeth over light springeth again 4. And light appearing Christ came from on high Passing his word to be our Suretie 5. To answer what of man the Law required Or Justice plea of right the truth desired 6. By worth of death and blood to satisfie His Fathers wrath sins most hainous cry 7. So heaven did its drops to earth distill And with its springs the vast places did fill 8. When heaven high adjoyn'd it self so lowe All fluent favours on it to bestow 9. Distance of place prevents not influence The eye may see a love incomprehence 10. The height the depth the faithful do admire With serious thoughts within themselves retire 11. To think such favour kindnes free grace Laid up for them in the celestiall place 12. Obtain'd by Christ the Lord of peace life Shedding his blood that he might end the strife 13. Hence then Christ pleads saith that al is mine My blood and death it hath redeemed thine 14. For to enjoy the fulnesse of my store For them laid up of old for evermore 15. With Angels Saints songs of celestiall praise Mention thy bounty favour eke alwayes Of Faith 1. THy suit pursuit after the place celestiall Thy highest thoughts do leave the place terrestriall 2. Thy sweet repose and stedfast acquiest In God through Christ for everlasting rest 3. This faith of thine is placed in intellect Ever on Christ thy object doth reflect 4. Which changeth nature old age reneweth Altring the will and will obeyes the truth 5. To truth consenting and doth not gainsay What divine truth will have it to obey 6. God ours in Christ through faith we do assent By it from Christ our ioy and complement 7. Our hope through faith looks unto God future To be perswaded of a kingdome sure 8. Sith promise faithfull is our faiths foundation Assuring us in Christ our great salvation 9. Faith saves it's true yet not without Christs blood Though it conduct us to eternall good 10. And though we are the sons of God most high Yet that 's through faith the truth doth not deny 11. Whilest we are just through royal righteousnes From Christ not man our faith doth that confesse 12. Whilest we are holy by Christs Spirit free Our faith applyeth Christ to thee and me 13. Whilest we adorn and reverence his Name Faith gives the vertue power to the same 14. Whilest we do mourn faith causeth to repent Moving the vitals yet not to relent 15. And whilest we have a glorious rich reward Faith saith that God our works doth not regard 16. But looks to Christ who hath obtain'd the Crown Obtained honour conquest and renown 17. It never leaves to bring the gray and heary Vnto the place of their celestiall glory 18. Where sing they shall and evermore remain Halelujahs song and nevermore refrain 19. Sith lot is good a portion them befall To be with Christ who is theirs all in all T. BATT FINIS