Right-hand Can theiâ— be greater Honour confer'd upon them Sirs whâ—â— would not adventure up this Ladder when theâ—â— is such such Glory It is indeed the way thâ— only way to possess those Crowns of immortaâ— Grandure that are prepared in Heaven Thirdly By this advancement i.e. by beinâ— Espoused and Married to Jesus Christ all thaâ— Christ hath is theirs they have not Honouâ— only but much Wealth and riches also 1. The Righteousness of Christ is theirs to Justifie them that is the white Raiment oâ— glorious Robe with which they are cloathed 2. His Graces to adorn them In Christ are unsearchable Riches Riches and Righteousness are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness Hence it is that the Apostle would have the Saints know the greatness of their Riches That ye may know what is the hope of your Calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Here is Riches in this Inheritance Many have Riches and no Glory others have Honour prefer'd upon them but have no Riches Ignoble Spirits scrape a great deal of Wealth together in which they place their vain Hope and Hapiness in but die without Honour like the Beasts that Perish Alas their Wealth is but for a Day but this is Lasting Durable Eternal as is their Honour the Crown of Glory fadeth not away it is in Heaven and Saints are a going to it on Jacob's Ladder it is in their view they see it and therefore climb up and shall in due time reach it Happy are they that are called up this Ladder to such a hope it is called the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus Fourthly The Saints are not only the Adopâ—ed Sons and the Spouse of Christ but they are â—orn of God they are begotten and born of God born from above they that are thus called have an heavenly Birth therefore it is an high-calling this gives them meet and fit frames of Spirit such which become their noble Station and blessed Relation What would a relative Change signify without a real Change I mean a Change of State without â— Change of Heart Can a carnal heart see Beauty in Christ or in heavenly things Can â—n earthly Spirit prize or value spiritual Honour or Riches No no a Swine may as well take delight in the Glory of a King's Palace Alas â—e had far rather be on a Dunghil or wallow 〈◊〉 the Mire Moreover much of the advancement of Believers lies in their heavenly Frames and nobleness of their Spirits Works Ends and Aims In this the Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour 1. He hath a Heavenly a Humble a Meek a Publick a Merciful an Inlightened a Free a Firm a Sublime a Sanctified a Raised an Actâ—ve and a Faithful Spirit and all this proceeds from that New-birth which he is passed under or it is the fruit or effect of his being born of God or regenerated by the holy Spirit These Persons have other Principles also than the rest of Mankind have Every Life hath Principles according to the Nature of it a Vegetative Life according to the Nature of it a Sensitive Life according to the Nature of it and the Rational Life according to the Nature of it So the Life of Grace hath Principles according to the Nature of it A Saint acts for God from a principle of Faith and Love this make the ways of God easy nay sweet and pleasant to him 2. These Men have other work also or imploy themselves in other Business than ungodly Persons do their New-nature prompts them on to make Religion their main Business and they also act freely voluntarily and with a great and strong Propensity in the things of God others act in such matters as Men without heart they must put a force on themselves if they meddle with heavenly Duties and heavenly things because of the earthly and carnal temper and frames of their Hearts But as to heavenly born Souls it is below them to be continually a digging in the Earth and loading themselves with thick Clay or to heap up the dust of the Ground or to take their chiefest Delight in eating and drinking or in pleasing their sensual Lusts No they are going as fast as they can from these things in their Hearts and Affections Love and Delight and Desires they see the Beauty of God and the Excellencies of Jesus Christ they pry into the Mysteries of the Gospel and of that Redemption which is by Jesus Christ They mind eternal things 3. Moreover this new Nature which is wrought in them causes them to have more noble high and sublime Ends and Aims than all others have 'T is not their own honour nor their own profit they seek but it is the honour and glory of God they Aim at God who is at the Top of the Ladder as the end of their Journey as is said before God beloved iâ— their last end it is to reach him enjoy him for evermore they mount up on high Fifthly They are Elivated or highly Advanced and Exalted in that they have such a Sublime Mystical and intimate Union with God and Jesus Christ He that is Joined to the Lord is one Spirit There is saith a Reverend Writer no stricter Union in the World than that of Christ and Believers it is therefore compared to all sorts of Unions Natural and Political He is the Head they the Members he is the Root they the Branches he the Husband they the Wife 'T is so firm so strong a Union intensively that Christ and a Regenerate Man becomes one Spirit as if there was but one Soul in two Bodies what the Spirit doth in Christ it doth also in a Believer acâ—ording to the capacity of his Soul I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in One. This shews it is a wonderful and mysterious Union more to be admired then it can be explained And the spring of it rises from the hypostatical Vnion of our Nature with the Divine Nature in the Person of Christ O how doth this exalt Believers Sixthly They are not only elivated advanced and lifted up on high by vertue of this Union but also in that they are allowed and daily have Communion with the Father Son and holy Spirit But without Regeneration or our Natures being first changed this could not be What Communion can there be between a living God and a dead Heart Or between a holy God and a filthy and polluted Creature God hates Sin and he loves it God loves Holiness and he loathes it Justification changes our state that discharged us from the Guilt of Sins but Regeneration changes our Nature and makes us fit to converse with God For as God can take no pleasure in us until his Image is stampt upon us so we can take no Delight nor pleasure in Him Without this Change Heaven would be no Paradice or Heaven unto us
But by being Renewed we are capable and do enjoy sweet Fellowship with the Father and the Son Believers walk with God and God with them Jesus Christ and Believers set together dwell together walk together yea sup together and daily visit each other Christ and they mind the same things the interest of Christ and Believers are one and the same Christ Sympathizeth with his Saints in their Afflictions and Rejoyces with them in their Consolations such a high Priest became us But O what an high Advancement is this that such a low base and contemptible Creature as Man is as in himself should be allowed to have Communion and Fellowship with the great and most glorious God of Heaven and Earth and with Jesus Christ the only Potentate and Prince of the Kings of the Earth Seventhly The Saints in Christ are so exalted and lifted up in Grandure and Honour that they are God's choice and precious Jewels or his chiefest Treasure They shall be mine saith the Lord in that day I make up my Jewels They are the Favourites of Heaven the Lord saith They that touch them touch the Apple of his Eye No King hath such a value of his greatest Favourites as God hath for his Saints they are the Persons that the King delights to Honour What is it to be honoured by poor Mortals to this honour If any Man serve me him will my Father honour He honours them here he gives them honourable Titles What are the airy and empty Titles of Earl Marquiss Duke c. that pull up Ambitious Spirits to those high and honourable Titles God confers on believers as Sons of God Heirs of God most excellent or most magnificent He hath made us Kings c. and Princes These are high Titles indeed when conferred upon us by the eternal God My Brethren they are not only hâ—noured with the highest Titles but also beloved with the highest Love I gave Egypt for thy Ransom Ethiopia and Sâ—ba for thee since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee He loves them with the love of Complacency he rejoyces over them as the Bridegroom rejoiceth over the Bride Nay he loveth them with the same Love wherewith he loves Jesus Christ And hast loved them as thou hast loved me And as he loveth and honoureth them so he will also cause all Men yea Kings and such that now hate them to bow before them The Sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all that despised thee shall bow themselves at the soles of thy Feet The Gentiles shall see their Righteousness and all Kings their Glory Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of thy God Nay the Lord Jesus himself will honour them Verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them Eighthly and Lastly He honoureth them with his own glorious Train or Noble Retinue He commands his Servants those glorious Courtiers that attend and wait round about his Throne to wait on them to administer unto them and continually to be a Guard unto them that love and fear his Name they ride as I may so say in his own Chariots The Chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels And these are on this Ladder they ascend and descend upon the Son of Man But more of this hereafter They encamp round about such that fear the Lord and are sent to minister unto them that are heirs of Salvation VSE 1. How may this raise the Hearts of Believers Alas they little think what glory God hath in Jesus Christ conferr'd upon them How would they lift up their Heads and rejoyce did they contemplate on that great Dignity they are raised unto 2. And what Reproof may this be to the ungodly World who slight despise and hate these honourable Ones as if they were the Off-scouring of all things and not worthy to live on the Earth when indeed the world is not worthy of them These precious Sons of Sion comparable to fine Goâ—d are accounted as Earthen Pitchers Moreover it may reprove those for their horrid Folly who esteem and value the vain Honour of Men above the Honour that comes from God That had rather be Great in the Sight of Men than Great and Glorious in the Sight of God 3. This also may cause us to admire Jesus Christ who hath raised us to sucâ— Dignity and Honour his Exaltation Beloved is our Exaltation we had never been raised to this Honour had not he been Abased and then highly Exâ—lted Christ's Exaltation was only a mediatory Exaltation he was not advanced in respect of the essential Glory of his God-head for as so he was always possessed with that so that their could be no Addition of Glory made to that but it was a Glory or Exaltation of his Person as God-man the Glory of Christ as God is the same from everlasting with the Father therefore it was the exaltation of his Person as Mediator as he is our head and blessed Representative he is Exalted that we in him may be Exalted also As he Beloved was raised up from the dead so were we in him and as he was Justifiâ—d so were we in him and as he Ascended up to Heaven so did we Ascend in him and so also assuredly shall all his Elect be raised spiritually from Sin to a state of Grace here and in â—oâ—â—y and Soul to an eternal State of Glory hereafter If Christ be raised we shall be raised because he was raised as our publick Head and is ascended into Heaven as our Fore-runner 4 This may be also for Tryal By this we may know my Brethren who they are that are upon Jacobs Ladder or in Jesus Christ see what Spirits what Hearts what Principles what Ends and Aims you have and what Liâ—eâ— you live Do you dwell on â—igh yet pray labour to ascend higher and higher every day but is your Conversation in Heaven do you mount up as with Eagles Wings 't is thus if you are true Believers Earth is behind your backs and all the things of the World are little in your sight if you are elivated on high But to proceed there is one or two things more concerning this Ladder that I must take notice of Mind well the word behold and behold a Ladder this as I hinted is a word that sometimes calls for Observation and Attention Behold I am at the Door and knock sometimes it calls for Commiseration Behold is there any Sorrow like my Sorrow Sometimes it calls for Imitation Behold the perfect Man Sometimes it calls for Admiration Behold what manner of love is this c. Sometimes it calls for Faith and Dependance Behold the Lamb of God c. I said behold
Holy-Ghost for every sacred Person of the blessed Trinity shines forth in equal Glory in the Contrivance and Accomplishment of our Salvation by Jesus Christ. 1. The Glory of the Father is manifested in Election or in Chusing all that shall be Saved in Christ. 2. The Glory of the Son in Redemption or in dying to redeem them 3. The Glory of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification or in Renewing and Regenerating of them So many the Father Elected so many the Son Redeemed and so many the Spirit Sanctifies So in Justification Christ's Righteousness being called a Robe the three Persons are equally Glorified and Exalted 1. The Father prepar'd the Matter out of which the Robe of Righteousness is made viz. The Body of Christ. 2. The Son wrought it by his own active and passive Obedience 3. The Holy-Ghost puts it upon us by working Faith in us And not only the Glory of God personally consider'd but also the Glory of all the divine Attributes or Perfections of the blessed God-head are Magnified and Exalted also hereby 1. The Glory of his infinite Love Mercy and Goodness which you have heard is the grand Motive that moved God the Father or put him upon this glorious Contrivance which is the rise spring and fountain of all our Happiness 2. Moreover the Glory of his infinite Wisdom Truth Justice Power and Holiness The Glory of his Justice God is Just he can as soon cease to be as cease to be Just. God declar'd if Man Sinn'd he should dye therefore either he must destroy Man to preserve his Truth and Justice and see his Law not violated and turned upside down and so conceal his Mercy or else find out a way to satisfy his Justice and preserve his Truth that his Love and Mercy may appear therefore his VVisdom found out a way for the Honour both of Justice and Mercy by laying our Sins upon his own Son as our Surety and to undergo that Wrath and Punishment which we must otherwise have undergone for ever Here is Brethren no changing the Sentence against Sin but of the Person our Sins and Punishment are transferred upon Jesus Christ and since it was infinite Justice our Sins had wronged an infinite Punishment must be Suffered which none but one that was God could bear nor satisfy for and now the full Payment or Satisfaction Christ made to divine Justice put a Bar or delivered hâ—m from the eternal duration of the Punishment for the cause why Sinners lye in Hell or in Prison for ever arises from their inability to satisfie or pay their Debts but from the worth and dignity of Christ's Person Justice is Satisfieâ— and he acquitted and discharged out of Prison and we in him Besides none but God could be a proper Judge what could be a sufficiâ—nt Satisfaction to his vindictive Wrath and Justice but when God declares that in his Son he is well pleased and satisfied who shall say this could not be a proper and legal discharge for us Moreover this discovers Goâ—'s infinite Holiness and hatred of Sin more than if we had suffered for ever in his making his own Son a Sacrifice for our Sins and not sparing him when he stands in our Law-place Here as one observes was the Beauty of his Holiness as well as the exactness of his Justice with the vinâ—â—cation of the Honour of his Law displaying the Purity of his Nature by sheathing his Sword with Indignâ—â—â—on in the Bowels of Sin while he pierced the Heart of his beloved Son The like I might speak of all God's other blessed Attributes his end was to magnifie them hereby as well as his Wisdom Love Mercy and Justice But to proceed Secondly His Design herein also was to magnify the Law and make it honourable the law looses none of it Sanction by Jesus Christ the law required Man to keep it Man to yield perfect Obedience to God therein and Man to dye and bear the Penalty for the breach of it But lo here is a Man nay one more then Man even God-Man the Son of God made Man made of a Woman made under the Law come on purpose to stand in our Law-place to honour this Law to yield active and perfect Obedience unto it and to dye for our breach thereof This is more than the Law could or did require the law hath more then it 's just Demand for by Christ's keeping of it and dying for our Sinâ— he hath meritted as well as satisfied he hath meritted those things of God which the Law could not have given us had we never broke it that could not have made us so near to God so great so glorious and so happy for ever as we are made by the merits and purchase of Jesus Christ. But more of that by and by Do we make void the law thro' Faith God forbid Yea we establish the law In that by Christ's Obedience to the Law or by his perfect active Obedience and Death apprehended by Faith we are Justified and the Law for ever silenced Christ having satisfied the Justice of God broke the Thunders of the Law and dissolved the frame of all its Anathema's He being made a Curse for us he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law He hath abolished the Obligation of the Moral Law as to its Condemning Power and hath by his blood sealed another Covenant a New-Covenant a better Covenant the first hath been perfectly kept and the sentence of it hath been undergone and its killing power is taken away to all that are in Christ Jesus And thus see how the Law is magnified lifted up and made Honourable i. e. rather then that shall loose any of its Honour the Son of God will become Man and answer all its Demands in doing and suffering what we ought to have done and suffered and for our default must have endured for ever Thirdly God's design hereby also was to destroy the Works of the Devil in respect of Original Sin which was Satan's Work and of all actual Sins which are his cursed works also i. e. such works that he imploys all Men in and stirs them up to do until they are delivered out of his Kingdom For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Who is the Author of all Sin and the Worker of all Iniquity and as God's design was to destroy Sin the work of the Devil so it was also hereby to destroy Satans Design likewise which was to rob God of the Glory of his own Work and Purpose in creating of Man he thought to have utterly ruined Mankind and laid him for ever as low as Hell but God by this means by this Spiritual Ladder shews his purpose is to raise hiâ— up to the highest Heavens This brings me to the last thing Proposed as Gods design hereby Fourthly Gods design hereby was to raise up poor fallen Man into a more happy and glorious State than he was
is corruptible because there is no Composition and so no Separation But the Scripture concludes this best in assimulating the state of Immortality in which we shall be like the Angels I shall speak no more now as to the first thing proposed viz. of the Nature of Angels Secondly I shall open a little of the Work and Office of the good Angels 1. The Work and Office of the Angels of God is to minister unto Christ or attend upon his glorious Person as Mediator as indeed they did in the days of his Humiliation A Reverend Author saith upon the place this ascending descending of the Angels upon this Ladder it does intimate and declare unto us their special regard and respect to him namely Jesus Christ which is very eminent in them these blessed glorious Spirits are very remarkable in their Observation of Christ it is that which we may take notice of in every Mistery and passage concerning him how the Angels were still imployed about him and subservient to him upon all occasions whatsoever Which is indeed very clear from his very Conception to his Ascension Nay the Angels fore-tells to Mary his very Conception Behold thou shalt conâ—eive in thy Womb c. Also the Angel appeared to Joseph and said Joseph thou Son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife c. Moreover an Angel appeared to him again to fore-warn him of that Herod who sought the Life of Jesus and so commanded him to take Mary and the Child and to fly into Egypt See how careful the Angels were of our Lord that he might be preserved until his time was come to be offered up a Sacrifice for our Sins The Angels appeared likewise to the Shepâ—erds and published to them the birth of our Lord in a glorious Hymn of Praise Glory unto God on high on Earth Peace good will to Men When God brought his only begotten Son into the World all the Angels of God worshipped him The Angels moreover were instruments in his Preservation when his Life was sought and they also ministred to him in his bloody Agony and comforted him My Brethren Jesus Christ was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted therefore might need like Succour Safety and Comfort from the Angels as we do Also the Anâ—els ministred to him in his Temptations in the Wilderness and at his Resurrection they rol'â— away the Sâ—one from the Sepulchre and brought the tidings of his being risen to the Women Likewise in his Ascension the Angels attended and assured the Disciples of his second Coming they also ascended with him and shall also descend with him at his second Appearance He shall be revealed from Heaven with all his mighty Angels If he be pleased to descend in his Abasement the Angels descend with him if he be pleased to ascend in his state of Exaltation then the Angels ascend with him And thus they may be said to ascend and descend upon the Son of Man personally considered and this out of that great Affection and Love to him but not only so but also in point of Duty and special Obligation to him he being their Lord and Sovereign He is the head of Principalities and Powers As Christ is God they owe to him their very being For by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and that are on Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him And by him also the holy Angels are confirmed and so abide in a happy and unchangable condition and hence the more Obliged to adore and worship him 2. And as the Office and Work of the holy Angels is to minister to serve and wait upon Christ so also upon his Spouse and on every Member of his mystical Body True they are called Powers Mights Thrones Dominions c. which shews their Glory Dignity and excellent Power and Authority Some think that there are divers Orders of Angels and some superiour to others beâ—ause we read of Angels and Arch-Angels there are seven Names given to them viz. Seraâ—â—ims Cheâ—uâ—â—â—s Thrones Powers Mights Domiâ—â—ons Princâ—pâ—lâ—ties Angels and Arch-Angels Some add more But no more of this we know but little of the inviâ—iâ—â—e World But let their Dignity and Glory be what it will as to their Office they are all miâ—â—string Spirits none of them no not the mighty Aâ—gelâ— who excel in strength do think it too much or below them for to attend upon the meaneâ—â— Saint Are tâ—ey not all 〈◊〉 Spirits sent forth to ministâ—r unto them thâ—t sâ—all be heirs of sâ—lvation Which words 〈◊〉 be denote that they are sent forth to protect preserve and keep such that are not yet â—â—eirs or to the Elect not yet called and converted but shall be Children begotten and adopted of God in due time and so be Heirs of Salvation Which shews God's great Love to and Care of his Elect before Grace or whilst in their Sins and Unbelief 3. They all wait upon God and behold his Face and Glory they are round about his Thrâ—ne they all worship and fall down before their blessed Lord and attend on him as Servants of their most glorious and blessed Master their most high and exalted Sovereign I saw also the Lord sitting upon a 〈◊〉 high and lifted up and his Train fiâ—â—â—d the Templâ— verse 1. And above it stood the Sâ—raâ—hims and one cried to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hostâ— c. Called Scrapâ—ims signifying fire or burning 1. Denoting their Nature is bright and glorious subtil and pure 2. Their Property full of zeal and fervent 3. Their Once which here was to execute God's vengeance upon the Jews and to burn them up and consume thâ—m as dross Some assert that the highest Angels do not minister to the Saints but only and immediately wait upon God himself and on our Lord Jesus Christ. But this cannot be true because the Angel Gabriel who stands before the Presence of God was sent to Daniel and to Zacharias and to Blessed Mary 4. They declare the Glory of Almighty God and also ascribe equal Glory to all the Three Persons which as I conceive is hinted in that Text 〈◊〉 6.1 Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts â—oly is the Father Holy is the Son and Holy is the Hâ—ly Spirit and yet as Moses saith Hear O 〈◊〉 the Lord our God is but one Lord i. e. one in Esseâ—â—e c. yet Three Persons 5. They hearken to God's Commands and do his Will with all imaginable chearfulness love delight alâ—crity and swiftness Hence said to have the face of an Eagle the swiftest of Fowls and also to have Wings Tertullian saith every Spirit is winged they can fly in a moment into any part of the World and that swiftly And yet Mr. Greenhill saith as Astronomers observe That
me behold me what is that but to believe in him lastly and sometimes for Consolation Now the Word here no doubt calls for Observation for Admiration for Faith and Dependance and also for Consolation Behold a Ladder set upon the Earth and the top of it reacheth to Heaven Of what a length is this Ladder Astronomers according to Reverend Greenhill observe 't is 160. Millions of Miles from Earth to Heaven A wonderful thing An amazing height so it is a wonderful thing to behold Christ Jesus the Way to Heaven Behold with Admiration be Astonished who could have thought of such a way to the Father to be Saved by a dying Jesus by a poor Man hanged on a Tree to be Justified by his Righteousness and by his Death to be delivered from Hell this is a marvelous thing Angels wonder beholding this Person Observe from hence DOCT. II. That the way which God hath found out to save lost Man namely Jesus Christ ought to be beheld with the greatest Care or utmost Diligence and with the greatest Admiration and Wonderment 1. I shall shew wherein in speaking to this Proposition the wonderfulness of this spiritual Ladder doth consist 2. How we should behold Jesus Christ. 3. Shew you why we should behold him 4. For what Sinners should behold Christ or look to him 5. Apply it To the first of these 1. To behold this spiritual Ladder in respect of the Cause or Motive that moved God to make or prepare it 2. In respect of the Wisdom of God that did prepare it 3. In respect of the Matter of which it is made or doth consist 4. In respect of the great and glorious Design of God in making or preparing of it First we may well admire this spiritual Ladder Jesus Christ in respect of thâ— Motive which moved God to prepare it which was his infinite Love Mercy and Goodness to Sinners to shew so great Compassiâ—n towards sinful and râ—bellious Creatures who deservâ—d instead of being raised up to Heaven to be immediately cast down to the lowest Hell What is Man that thou art mindful of him that thou shouldst magnifâ—â— him and set thy heart upon him Sirs it was the love of God the Father I say that tâ—is way was prepared it sprang or proceeded from the greatness of his love God so loved the Wâ—rld if it had not been the product of the Father's Loâ—e it wâ—â—lâ— not be to the praise of 〈◊〉 Grace the love of the Fâ—ther in this case in Moving was as great as the 〈◊〉 in Consenting O how did his Bowels work and move in him O the miraculousness of divine goodness by the law we had broke we were guilty insolently taking up Arms against our Maker plunging ourselves into a Sea of divine Wrath and Vengeance guilty of Millions of Sins meritting Millions of Deaths yet has love would not let him rest until he had found out a way to raise us up from the lowest Hell to the highest Heaven And in making his Son his only begotten Son the way and that by Abasing of him making him so Poor that was so Rich so Low that was so High and Glorious so Cursed that was so Blessed yea Blessedness it self nay so miserable for a time to make our way to Heaven thro' the rending his Flesh and taring his Soul to pieces and pouring forth his most precious Blood and this for such who hated him and were cursed Traitors against him well might the holy Ghost say Behold a ladder behold a new and living way which he hath provided and consecrated thro' the Veil that is to say the Flesh of his own Son O my Brethren the way to enter into the Holiest is by the blood of Jesus Doth not God hereby shew greater Love and Grace than if he had saved lost Sinners on a way of simple Mercy without the Death of his own Son Therefore as one Observes God resolvâ—d to signalize his Love to us he would have it reâ—ch the highest Note and it could not be screw'd up to an higher Peg than to Sacrifice his Son for us with his own Hand it pleased the Lord to Praise him Be astonished both Men and Angels Now may our Meditations swim in this boundless bottomless bankless Ocean of the Fathers Love God spared not his own Son Brethren the Love of the Father was the Motive that moved him to contrive this way to Heaven yea and the fullest the freest and the most amazing Love that ever was shewed free to us but expensive to him it cost him the Blood of his Son more costly than the making of Millions of Worlds he lay in his Bosom and there was none besides him from Eternity to put up a request it was the Result of his own Bowels before the being of any Creature 't was the effect of his Power Tho' our Justification Sanctification and eternal Blessedness be the Fruits and Merits of Christ's Death yet whatsoever is Meritted for us by Christ it is all the Fruits of God's Love Christ did not merit the Fathers Love nor did he merit the Office of being a Mediator no this sprung only from the Love of God to us Christ did not I say dye to procure the Fathers Love tho' thereby he makes us more lovely unto him by washing us from our natural Filthiness and by the fruits of his Death thro' the Spirit by stamping his Image upon our Souls Brethren God could not shew greâ—ter Love to us as Abraham could not to God than by the Offering up his own Son Isaac whom he so dâ—arly loved Secondly Admire this Sacred Ladder in respect of the Wisdom of God in contriving of this way to Heaven As it exceeds the Art and Wisdom of Men to make a Ladder to reach up to Heaven so it far surpasseth the Wisdom of Men or Angels to contrive such a way to Heaven that God may be glorified in all his Attributes to the highest Perfections and yet we Saved Sin Punished and yet the Sinner Justified Besides God had lost the glory of his work in making of Man and this World for his sake and Satan would have insulted over him had he not contrived a way to restore him It would have been to the Disparagement of his Wisdom who pronounced all the Works he had made to be Good and when he had made Man very Good to see himself so soon disappointed and his work marr'd I mean the noblest part thereof all other Creatures being made for Man's use and so for lower and baser and more unworthy ends Brethren Christ the way not in vain called the Wisdom of God because in him God displays the highest acts of his divine Wisdom the holy Angels are amazâ—d at this Wisdom they pry into this depth this profound mystery of God manifested in the Flesh. There is a wonderful Mystery in our way to Heaven by Jesus Christ as well as in the Fellowship of this Mystery or in the
believe in God and come to God not directly to God without eyeing of this Medium no no God out of Christ is an angry God a consuming â—â—ire therefore we must come to God by Christ as our Mediator and coâ—mit our cause to him to plead at God's Bar. Thirdly Why we should behold this Ladder or look unto Jesus Christ 1. Because he is the way to Heaven which infinite Wisdom hath found out nay the result of that glorious Counsel held between the Father and the Son from eternity Not to behold this Way this Ladder this Mediator is to cast contempt on God in his contrivance of Salvation by Jesus Christ. 2. Because there is so much divine Love Grace and Goodness shewed to us in Jesus Christ. 3. Because this Sight is so Wonderful a Sightâ— Christ Brethren is the wonder of both Worlds O 't is an amazing thing to see such a Way such a Ladder prepared for us to go to God! 4. Christ should be beheld because of the Loveliness as well as the Wonderfulness of his Person There is no such Object to be seen in Heaven nor Earth 5. Because there is in him all Fulness We beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth The Word as one observes is Emphatical itheasametha we beheld as in a Theatre as Men behold things presented to them on a Stage with great earnestness and delight even as the express Image of the Father's Person it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should â—aweâ— He received the Spirit of Grace without measure and 't is in him to be Communicated to all his Elect or Members of his mystical Body as fulness of Sap is in the Root to supply all the Branches 6. Because this of beholding or looking to Jesus Christ is the way God hath appointed for our Reception or Participation of all the Benefits and Merits of his Blood nor is there any other way but thro' believing in him for any Adult Persons to be Saved 7. Because of the absolute necessity Sinners have of him they are sick and he is their Physician c. Fifthly For what or to receive what should we behold Jesus Christ. 1. For Recoâ—ciliatâ—on and Peace with God All thiâ—â—s are of God who reconciled us unto himself 〈…〉 To 〈◊〉 thâ—t God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their Tresâ—asses unto them This is the meriterâ—ous cause of our Reconciliation God in Christ or by his Blood is Satisfied and Reconciled and all that would have peace with God must Believe or look to Christ to receive the Attonement Christ hath received an actual discharge for Sinners from his Father and you must come to him for it and receive the Benefit and Evidence of it to your own Consciences All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me and whosoever cometh unto me I wiâ—l in no wise cast out There is an infallible Connexion betwixt Faith and eternal Life and betwixt Election and the Collection of special Grace and as Election is first special Vocation will follow and as many as were ordained to eternal Life believed For the Father's gift of the Soul to Christ and of Grace to believe in him is no doubt here ment by his giving them to his Son 2. â—herefore you must first look to him for Grace for Faitâ— God pours ouâ— the Spirit of Grace and Supplicatâ—on first and then a Sinner looks to him wâ—om he pierced that is then and not till then he will believe or savingly behold Jesus Christ. 3. Sinners must behold Christ look to Christ for Vnion with him and to be espoused to him Look till they Love behold him till they fall in Love with him The holy Spirit is the bond of this Union by which Christ takes hold of us and Faith is that Grace by which we take hold of him 4. For Justification Whosoever hath Union with Christ receives their personal Discharge from the Law-Sentence that bound them over to Wrath and Condemnation and are actually pronounced Acquitted and Justified for ever 5. For Acceptation with the Father who hath made us accepted in the beloved Christ's acceptance by the Father is the Spring or Fountain of our Acceptance he being accepted for and in the behalf of all his Elect And no sooner is a Sinner in Christ but he stands personally Justified and accepted with the Father and he being accepted all his Duties and Services are accepted also that he performs in Faith and by the assistance of the Spirit of God 6. For Pardon of Sin and to have it evidenced unto their Consciences In whom we have Redemption thro' his Blood even the forgiveness of Sins 7. For Strength Surely shall one say in the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Righteousness to Justifie me and Strength to Support me and Assistance to bear all Burdens resist all Temptations to strengthen all my Graces and to perform all holy Duties 8. For all divine Comforts and Consolations If there be therefore any Consolations in Christ if any comfort of Love if any fellowship of the Spirit c. Tho' many may be in Christ and find no such Consolations which others meet with yet there are most precious Consolations in him and we should look to him for them Lastly We should behold him look to him for eternal Life Eternal Life is purchased by Christ and 't is to be had in Christ and all that believe hâ—ve an undoubted Title thereto APPLICATION First We Infer from hence that great blindness and ignorance hath siezed upon most of Men in that they care not to behold Jesus Christ they can see no Beâ—uty in him to desire him nor do they marvel to behold this sight Secondly Sinner will you not behold this Christ thy Saviour Let me Exhort you to behold the Lamb of God that takes away the Sin of the World and O cast a right look unto him Motives 1. It will cause or work godly Sorrow in you fâ—r all your Sins They shall look unto him whom they pâ—ercea and shall Mourn c. 2. It will cause in you Self-loathing and Self-abhorrance I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ears but now mine Eyes see thee therefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes When the Prophet saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne high and lifted up and his Train filled the Temple he cryed out I am undone mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts 3. It will cause you to behold great Beauty and excellencies in him To you that believe he is precious Yea doubtless I count all things loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord. You will say then that he is the chiefest among ten Thousands and altogether Lovely 4. It will change you into his own Image
of Grace Christ is not a common head to all Adam's Seed no but only of them that the Father gave to him 2. So many as were ordained to eternal Life shall by Christ be saved True the Blood of Christ hath vertue or worth enough in it to save the whole World but it can be effectual to none but to those for whom it was shed or to them to whom the Holy Ghost doth apply it which is to all that do believe all that Christ died for he prayed for and doth now interceâ—d for that they may receive of the Merits of his Blood but he did not pray for the World yet he tis able to save to the uttermost even to the last round of the Ladder all that come to God by him seeing he ever lives observe it to make intercession for them No Man can ascend this Ladder without the mighty power of God nay no Man can come to it except the Father draw him the Election of the Father the Redemption of the Son and the Application of the Spirit are of like and the same Extention All that the Father hath given to me shall come unto me the Holy Spirit will enlighten them work Faith in them bring them all to take hold of and ascend this Ladder So wide as the speâ—iâ—l love of God is so wide is this spiritual Ladder and it is indeed so broad that Three Thousand Persons could set their Feet upon it and ascend up at one and the same time no ' Man ever by an act of true and saving Faith attempted to ascend thereon that found it too narrow and straight for him tho' the way to Heaven comparatively is narrow Fifthly A Ladder which reacheth from Earth unto Heaven ought also to be exceeding strong and firm Now Jesus Christ this spiritual Ladder tho' he be Man yet he is also God the most high God Co-eternal Co-essential and Co-equal with the Father and therefore he is mighty strong he is able to bear the weight of all our Sins and of our Persons and Infirmities He is mighty to save Cast thy Burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee Though he is represented in our Text by a Ladder yet he is also called a Rock a strong Rock a high Rock an everlasting Rock and pray what is firmer than a Rock A Rock is locus exelus a high place Rocks as One notes tho' they have their Roots very low and deep yet their Tops are high and â—o â—ring and lifted up above the surface of other paâ—â—â— of the Earth Some Rocks reach to the Cloudâ— the Lord Jâ—sus is a high Rock in regard of the Dignity of his Person He that cometh 〈◊〉 Hâ—aven is above all He is the brightnes◠〈◊〉 the Father's Glory God hath exalted him and given him a Name above every Name A Roâ—◠〈◊〉 locus stabilis a place of Firmness and Stability Rocks keep their place and move not Now this Ladder is as firm as a Rock Christ is the power of God Originally Essentially 〈◊〉 Perfectly without Alteration without Diminition 1. In Christ all the Attributes of God are united together to save all that venture on him Justice and Mercy in him are met together and Fiss each other He is the Man of God's Right Hand made strong for himself as well as for us 2. Christ is not only Strong as Mediator in respect of his Person but also by God's Eternal Deâ—ree and Purpose God's absolute Decrees are compared to Mountains of Brass he is fixed and stands firm and sure by God's Eternal Purpose hence called a sure Foundation No need to fear venturing up upon such a Ladder should Millions of Sinners at once get upon it 't is strong enough to bear them tho they are never so heavy laden with Sin and Iniquity He that hath born the weight of Divine Wrath and Vengeance can bear and sustain the weight of all that come unto him and venture themselves upon him by Faith and Dependance tho' never so vile and notorious Sinners Sixthly A Ladder so exceeding high must have many Rounds or Gradations to ascend by So Jesus Christ in undertaking our Salvation proceeded gradually Step by Step. 1. He came down from Heaven to fix his Foot in our Nature upon the Earth 2. He was Incarnate or assumed a Body prepared for him by the Father A Body hast thou prepared me 3. He was Born of a Virgin tho' without Sin That 's the third Gradation 4. He lived a Holy and Spiritual Life in exact Conformity to that holy Law which we had broken and violated to procure a Title for us unto Eternal Life 5. He died the Cursed death of the Cross to satisfy divine Justice for us and in our stead 6. He Rose again from the Dead the Third Day for our Justification 7. He Ascended up into Heaven there is the top of the Ladder there he is now in Person tho' he is with his People on Earth by his spirit Lo I am with you alway 8. He makes Intercession pleading the Merits of his Blood for us These are some of those Gradations or Steps of Jacob's Ladder by which all Believers ascend to Heaven Seventhly He that would attain to what he desireth by climbing or descenâ—ing up upon 〈◊〉 Ladder must first come to the Foot of it anâ— so Gradually ascend Step by Step. So that Man that would go to Heaven musâ— be first brought to the Foot of Jesus Christ i. e. he must see his own lost and miserable Condiâ—â—on and know the Impossibility of getting to Heaven any other way All Self righteous Person were never brought to the Foot of this Laâ—deâ— to the Foot of Jesus Christ to acknowledgâ— themselves wretched and undone Sinners◠〈◊〉 No Alas they seeâ—inâ— Necessity of Christ nor oâ— his Righteousness They like the Jews of Old being ignorant of God's Righteousness go abouâ— to establish their own Legâ—â—â— or Inherent Righteousness He that thinks he can get Wings tâ— fly up to Heaven or can build aâ— Tower witâ— his own hands whose Top shall reach thither so that he can that way be saved will neglect nay slight this glorious Contrivanceâ— of God 〈◊〉 infinite Wisdom of Saving Sinners by Jesus Christ and so never come to Christ's Foot 〈◊〉 it is â—aiâ—â— God called Abraham to his Foot A 〈…〉 maybe said to be brought to the Foot of 〈◊〉 Christ who is effectually Convinced of the 〈…〉 he is in without Christ and of 〈◊〉 own I â—ability any other way to Step one Steâ— towards Heaven but with the Publican cryâ— out Lord have Mercy upon me a Sinner Brethrâ—n there are none but sensible Sinners meaâ—â— and heavy-lâ—deâ— Sinners that will come to Christ the â—leâ—t before called are in the same Condition â—or state of Wrath with the rest of Mankinâ— and are enlightned
did in his Name 2. By his Power 3. To his Praise and Glory 4. Also in shewing all Knowledge Learning Parts Righteousness moral Vertues Gifts and all Duties of Religion are Nothing or avail Nothing to a Man out of Christ because it is his Righteousness his Mâ—rits exclusive of all or any thing else that is the matter of our Justification before God 3. All the holy Angels likewise exalt Christ adore and magnify hiâ— Thirdly God haâ—â— exalted him from Earth to Heaven in respect of his Office in which alsâ— he is the Antitype of Jacob's Lâ—â—deâ— whâ—c◠〈◊〉 I have hinted at already yet I â—â—all add 〈…〉 1. Christ is chosen of God aâ— I said to be the only Mediator between God and Man our Days-Man that lays his hands upon both and as Mediator he is a King Priest and Prophet First He is a Priest excelling the High-priests under the Law being the substance and Antitype of all those Priests he is both Priest Altar and Sacrifice they were made Priests by men he is made a Priest by God himself they without an Oath he by an Oath they had Infirmities he had none The Priest under the Law could not continue by reason of Death he abideth a Priest for ever They offered up Sacrifices that could not take away Sins but by his one Sacrifice all sins are done away for ever He bore the sins of his People indeed he entered into the holiest of all he appears before God indeed they only Typically He made Attonement indeed they but Typically and Ceremonially He Judgeth of Uncleanness indeed they but Typically he maketh true Judgment because he knows all mens Hearts He offers up unto God the true Incense he blesseth the People by conferring Grace and divine Habits to them and by turning them from their evil ways He beyond the Priests under the Law doth determine all yea the hardest Controversies he resolves all doubts between God and Man such as these following 1. How God is Just and yet Gracious or how an offended God can and doth justify guilty Sinners 2. In and by by him we see how Justice and Mercy meet together and Righteousness and Truth kiss each other The one exalting the highest Satisfaction on terms of pure and severe Justice and the other crying for infinite Mercy 3. He resolves this Question viz How an unrighteous and ungodly Man can be justified with God 4. How Sin can be Punished and yet Pardoned 5. How the Debt can be Paid and yet be freely forgiven Brethren Christ is a Priest and as a Priest he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and as so considered he is exalted on high for in and by this Office he brings God and Man Heaven and Earth together I mean by that Attonement he hath made by his bloody Sacrifice It pleased the Father by him to reconcile all things to himself whether they be things on Earth or things in Heaven Heaven and Earth are not at a farther distance from each other as Naturally we are unto God in respect of our state and Spirits such Enmity is in the hearts of all unrenewed Sinners against God but saith the Apostle But now in Christ Jesus ye that were afar off are made near by the Blood of Christ. The way is by his Death by his Blood which was shed upon the Earth here we were and here is the Foot of the Ladder God's Justice requires an infinite Satisfaction and Christ being God reached Heaven i. e. the full demands of divine Justice Such a Days-Man we needed who layeth his hands upon both By his being a Priest in his oâ—â—ering up that one Sacrifice he reconciled God to us and by his Spirit he reconciles us to God by his applying and making the Attonement efficacious or effectual to us that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ. This is done in him even in Christ alone none but he hath done it or could do it God by him who stands at the top of the Ladder comes down to us as well as we go up to God it is by Christ that God comes down to us in a way of Mercy Peace and Reconciliation and it is by Christ we go up to God in a way of Faith and dependance Beloved God and poor Sinners meet together on this Sacred Ladder or blessed Medium and contrivances of infinite Wisdom in Christ we who were Strangers and Enemies meet with a holy and just God with joy and comfort You that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your Minds by wicked Works hath he reconciled in the body of his Flesh through Death When we were Enemies we were reconciled unto God by the Death of his Son Now this is done by Christ as a Priest in dying But Secondly He is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder as our High-Priest also by his Intercession now in Heaven 1. He interceeds with God for us in Heaven also 2. He interceeds by his Spirit in us By his Intercession in heaven he prevails with God for the Blessings of his Attonement and by his Spirits intercession in us all those Blessings are applyed and so made effectual to us By vertue of his Satisfaction God is brought near to us and thro Application of his Blood by his Spirit we are brought near unto God And thus is Christ the blessed Medium or Way by which Peace is made between Heaven and Earth or God and Sinners Moreover by this glorious Meâ—ium we have free access unto God which is the effects of Christ's Priestly Office It is on this Sacred Ladder we come with holy boldness to the Throne of Graâ—e It is by the blood of Jesus through him by one Spirit we have both that is Jews and Gentiles access unto the Father Again he saith In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence through Faith of â—im Christ is the Way of our Union with God and also of our Comâ—union All that divine and blessed intercourse that passeth between God and us is in and by Jesus Christ Seeing then we have a great High-Priâ—â—t tâ—â—t is passed into Heaven let us therefore come â—oldly to the Throne of Grace c. Again he saiâ—h Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Secondly Christ is exalted as he is a King and also as King he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and in this respect wonderfully exalted Him hath God exalted at his Right-hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and remission of Sins Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords the only Potentate It is by him Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment He pulls down one and sets up another as it pleaseth him 1. Christ my Brethren is the Father's Heir his First-born 2. He is also qualified with all Princely Wisdome
and so fit to reign over all Angels Men and Devils are subject unto him 3. He is chosen-King 4. He is by the Faâ—her anointed King with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows 5. And he is proclaimed King for ever 6. He has the Government on his Shouldâ—rs he rules in us and subdues all our Enemies he bows and bends our Spirits and stubborn Wills to submit to his Soverâ—ignty he mortifies all our Coâ—ruptions and brings us out of the Prison-house and spoils the strong Man armed he has conquered the World Sin and Devils for us and doth and will also subdue them iâ— us he is both King of Saints and King of Nations Thirdly Christ as he is a Prophet is also the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and as thus considered he is exalted 1. He received his Doctrine from Heaven and brings it down to Earth He is said to speak from Heaven and yet he spake on Earth and when he spake on Earth as Man he was in Heaven as God And thus the Foot of the Ladder was on Earth and the Top reached to Heaven Moreover by his Speaking he makes such Hearts of men as were earthly to be heavenly and lifts us up in our Desires Meditations and Affections from earth to heaven Christ is lifted up and exalted as a Prophet and higher in Glory than all the Prophets of God A Prophet is the Mouth of God to the People Now Jesus Christ received his holy Doctrine from God and spake as his Father gave Commandment Moreover he excels all other Prophets 1. All the Prophets of God besides him were inspired by him 2. They received the Spirit but by Measure but he without Measure 3. Other Prophets only could speak to the Ear he speaks to the Heart 4. Other Prophets could cause Men only to hear that were alive but Christ can make them that are deaf and dead to hear 5. Other Prophets can teach men Wisdom who have Uunderstanding but Christ can Teach Fools to Understand as well as give Understanding to the Heart Who teacheth like him 6. He can open the Ear as well as give Instruction 7. All the Teachings of other Prophets and Teachers are in vain without his divine Teachings 8. He can cause such whom he Teacheth to remember what they hear 9. He Teacheth powerfully and instructs with a high hand and yet he Teacheth sweetly 10. He Teacheth not only Efficaciously but also Infallibly and removes all Obstructions that hinder Sinners from hearing and receiving what he saith unto them He can teach men Wisdom as you have heard when they are asleep O who teacheth like him Christ is lifted up to Heaven in that he is the Sum and Substance both of Law and Gospel I mean the Antitype of all Types and Substance of all Shadows He is the great Subject of Gospel-ministration What have Ministers to Preach but Jesus Christ I have formerly shewed you what it is to Preach Christ so as to exalt him and lift him up in the ministration of the Gospel First 'T is to Preach the Excellencies of his Person 1. To Preach that he is GOD God by Nature not a petty-god a god by Office but the most high God the eternal God Co-essential Co-equal and Co-eternal with the Father 2. To Preach that he is MAN truly Man made of a Woman of the same Flesh and Blood that the Children partake of 3. That he is GOD and MAN in one Person both Natures making but one Christ by a wonderful and hypostatical Union Secondly To Preach Christ is to Preach his Incarnation his Birth his Life his Death his Resurrection his Ascension and his Intercession Thirdly To Preach Christ is to Preach his holy Doctrine and his exemplary Life in his sweet Spirit great Condescension wonderful Abasement infinite Love Mercy Faithfulness Meekness Charity c. 4. To Preach the Preciousness of Christ is to Preach Christ. 5. To Preach Christ is to Preach the necessity of Christ and of his Death And that 1. Because of that voluntary obligation he entered into with the Father in behalf of the Elect from Eternity that holy Covenant and Compact â—aid a necessity upon him to dye in our stead 2. In respect of God's eternal Decree and purpose he being a Lamb slain before the beginning of the World 3. In respect of those ancient Prophesies concerning him and of his Work and Office which must be all accomplished 4. In respect of all those Types and Shaddows that pointed to him which must be fulfilled in their Antitype c. 5. And in respect of all the Saints who lived under the Old-Testament who ventured their Souls and Salvation upon him as to come and was to dye for them 6. In respect of the Nature Holiness and Justice of God and of his absolute Threatning pronounced against Adam and all Mankind in him 7. In respect of the Sanction and perfect Holiness of the Law and of that Curse it laid all Men under 8. Moreover there is an absolute necessity of Christ and of Faith in him in respect of God's Revealation there being no other Way Person or Means found out or revealed to redeem fallen Man but Jesus Christ only Fourthly To Preach Christ is to Preach the power and ability of Christ to save all that believe in him or that come to God by him Fifthly To Preach Christ exalt him and lift him up is to Preach his Readiness and Willingness as well as his Power and Ability to save Sixthly 'T is to Preach the unsearchable Riches of Christ. Seventhly To Preach Christ is to Preach Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God i. e. in whom all the glorious Attributes of God are united in sweet Harmony and shine forth in equal Glory and Strength to save Sinners lost and undone Sinners Eighthly To Preach Christ is to preach him not only the one Mediator between God and Man but also our blessed Surety or the Surety and Testator of the New-Covenant Ninthly To preach Christ is to preach him in all his offices as you have heard Tenthly To Preach Christ exalt Christ alone is to preach his Satisâ—action or that full and compleat Reconciliation he hath made by his Obedience and suffering our Faith and Holiness adding nothing thereunto Eleventhly To Preach Christ is to Preach Justification only by him i. e. That he and his perfect Righteousness alone is that which Justifies us as it is Imputed to us that believe his active Obedience being that whiâ—h is our only Title to Heaven and that his Death he bearing all God's vindictative Wrath for our Sins is that only which delivers us from Hell Twelfthly To Preach Christ exalt Christ is to Preach him the Way the only way to the Father No Man cometh to the Father but by me To preach him the Truth that all truth is in him centres in him found and experienced in
Communication of it it is called the manifold Wisdom of God To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God The Angels who are said to ascend and descend up this Ladder are not a little astonished with the whole Oeconomy of Man's Redemption or with this way of raising us to the highest Glory from hence Paul speaking of our Redemption thro Christs blood saith Wherein God hath abounded towards us in all Wisdom and Prudence Brethren God hath abounded in all Wisdom towards us in contriving of this way for us to come to himself and his Prudence in ordering and disposing the means consonant thereto Wisdom saith one in drawing the Platform and Prudence in Digging thro all Impediments and making even the seeming Obstacles serve as Steps to the Execution of it Brethren God hath discovered greater Wisdom in restoring man by Jesus Christ then in his Creating of him God's Wisdom howbeit shines in the works of Creation and in his works of Providence in governing the whole Creation is very great but his greatest Wisdom appears in the work of his Redemption both in respect to the work it self together with his design and purpose of God therein well might it be said Behold a Ladder c. Wonder Oh the depths of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! 'T is called the Riches of God's Wisdom and the Wisdom of God in a Mystery But Woe to such as contemn this Wisdom slight this Wisdom or assert there is nothing in it a Mystery above humane Reason how for God thus to love Man for God to bring his Glory out of the Ashes wherein it seem'd buried and to raise Man so high that by Sin and the Devil was laid so low to cause Light to shine out of the thickest Darkness and to bring Heaven and Earth together again is Wisdom to be admir'd As reverend Charnock observes It is accounted an admirable point of Wisdom among Men to unite two Princes at variance without invading either of their Rights but intirely preserving them and to link them together in Bonds of stronger Peace than they were in before they fell out By Jesus Christ Brethren God's Right is preserved he loseth nothing of his own Glory of his own Honour but it is more enlarged and manifested than if Man had never fallen and Man is restored to a better and more lasting State of Happiness Thirdly The way to Heaven by Jacob's Ladder ought to be beheld with the greatest Admiration in respect of the Matter of which it is made all Ladders as well as all other things consist of matter and form But O what is the Matter with which this divine Ladder is made I answer it is the Son of God made Man even he that made the Woman made of a Woman is not this wonderful to see the Ancient of Days become a Babe of a Day Old is it not a marvellous thing To see him that was in the form of God and that thought it not Robbery to be equal with God to be in the form of a Servant and to lye in a Manâ—erâ— To see him that made the Creature to be trod underfoot of the Creature and helâ— in scorn and contempt and dishonoured to raise such as we so the highest honour Is it not an amazing thing to see Jesus made a Curse to raise Sinners from under the Curse to eternal Blâ—â—â—edness We account that a marvellous thing that is New a thing that none ever did nor could do the like For the Lord hath created a new thiâ—â— in the Earth a Woman shall compass a Man A Child Created not Begotten but Created in the Virgin 's Womb by the Lord is not that a marvellous thing and above the Reason or Understanding of men though of the deepest Judgment Wisdom and Knowledge that ever lived upon the Earth But suâ—h is the Incarnation of Christ and the Hypostatical Union of the Two Natures in that One Person no man by reason can Comprehend hâ—w thâ—s could be My â—â—â—thren this is a mysterious Ladder and made of a â—â—â—derful Materials Is it not an amazing thing that God should give his own Son a Sacrifice for Rebels such that hated him and that God should purchase the Church with his own Blood Is it not a marvellous thing that the King upon the Throne should lay aside his Robes and dye for câ—rsed Traytors and contemptible Beggers Is not that a wonderful thing which Non-plusses all the Wisdom of Men and Angels Is it not a wonderful thing that God and Man or the divine and humane Nature should be so united to be but one Person and is it not strange and wonderful that vile Sinners should be made Righteous by the Righteousness of another and that sinful Man should be cloathed with a more glorious Robe than any of the holy Angels of Heaven have Is it not a marvellous thing that Death should be overcome and destroyed by Death and that a Man should Dye and yet be capable to raise himself from the Dead Behold this Ladder is it not made of beaten Gold Is it not a costly Ladder of more Worth than ten thousand Worlds What are Pearls or Diamonds to this Pearl What precious Stones may be compared to this precious tryed Stone This Ladder is made of one precious Stone yet so made that there is firm and sure Footing in it for all that venture thereon to carry them to Heaven Fourthly It should be beheld with Admiration in respect of the Design of it O my Brethren never was a Ladder made on so high so sublime and on so great and so glorious a Design as this is 1. For to manifest the Glory of God or to advance his own Honour in the sight and view of all his elect ones 2. To magnify the Law 3. To destroy the work and design of the Devil 4. And to raise up poor fallen man into a most happy and glorious State and Condition for ever Certainly to behold such a Ladder that is set upon the Earth and the top of it reacheth up to Heaven it must needs denote some wonderful and glorious Design and End of the blessed God It shews that hereby God would have Jacob know and all his true Seed that man's happiness doth not consist in any earthly Blessings it is not below but above yea that it lyes only in hiâ— self and that we must observe the way know well the way he hath prepared for us to attain to that true Happiness and that it is to be had in Union and Communion with himself But to proceed First The Design of God the Father in the contriving this way this glorious and wonderful Medium or this spiritual and mystical Ladder is to magnify and advance his own Glory in respect of his own Person and the Glory of his Son and the Glory of the
of Kings to attend upon us O! we must live as such who are so born so honoured and also as so guarded And now O ye Earthly Muckworms ye Dunghil-Rakers what signifie your Silks and Sattins your Golden Chains your Bags of Money and great Possessions What alas are Crowns and Scepters or the Guards of haughty Monarchs What 's their Majesties their Highnesses their Excellencies The meanest Saint is higher and greater than you all and hath a more glorious Attendance But to return to Believers Prize your Privileges ye Saints ye the most excellent ones in all the Earth that are more honourable than your Brethren more excellent than your Neighbours Angels administer to you at Christ's Command Are you ignorant of your Honour and blessed Safety or will you still hang down your heads and go drooping because you are poor afflicted and despised O this grieves Christ grieves the Spirit and grieves the Holy Angels Consider you are not at home you are a going into your own Country to be crowned you are not yet come to Age but as Heirs of Glory God cares for you succours you defends and keeps you you have a Host a mighty Host to fight for you mighty and skilful Guides to lead you a most noble Guard to watch over you and minister to you and Chariots beyond those of beaten Gold to carry you the mighty God is your defence and his Angels are a Wall of Fire round about you no Devils can hurt you no utter ruine can come upon you get the World therefore under your Feet Your Souls are justified all your Sins pardoned and you are sanctified and shall for ever be saved God is your Father Christ is your Bridegroom the Spirit is your Sanctifier the Saints are your Companions the Angels your Guard and Heaven is your Inheritance O be humble and lie at Christ's feet What hath he done for such unworthy Creatures Let us love God honour Him worship Him in and by Christ and through the Holy Spirit To whom be Praise and Honour and Glory for ever and ever Amen An Hymn of Praise MOunt up ye Saints O still ascend O soar on High and sing Ye Darlings of the Lord above Sing Praise to your Great King See see what Honour God confers How Angels do attend And wait on you continually And will until the End See how the Cherubs do rejoice In all the Work they do O learn of them lift up your Voice Mount and sing as you go Our Life should be a Life of Praise Who are redeem'd from Earth Lord let 's exalt Thee all our Days And set thy Glory forth Thy Servants which do wait on Thee In thy High Court above Are sent to wait on such as we This shews thy Matchless Love To us below who nothing are What is Man what are we That thou such Honour shouldst confeâ— And wilt t' Eternity FINIS The Parts of the Text Opened and Terms Explained 1 Joh. 3. â— Job 1. â—1 Heb. 10.5 〈…〉 Joh. 1◠◠〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 â—3 15 â—â— The nature and 〈…〉 Dreams Opened 〈…〉 Eccles. 5.3 â— Isa. 2â— 7 〈…〉 Perkins Vol. 1 p. 203. What God speaks to Men by Dreams Gen. 1.24 Gen. 31.24 Iob. â— â—â— 14 Dan. 7. â— Gen. 15.12 See Caryl on Iob cap. 13. 'T is dangerous to regard all sorts of Dreams How to know Diabolical Dreams Heb. 1.1.2 God doth not now speak often by Dreams 1. Tim. 3.15 16 17. The main Doctrine raised A parallel betwen Christ and a Ladder especially Iacob's Ladder Gen. 11. â— Rom. 9.31.32 Rom. â—â— 3 Ioh. 14.6 Heb. 9.12 Rom. 3. â—6 Rom. 3. â—â— 24 2â— 2â— 1 Pet. 2.24 Act 4 1â— Ioh. 1.1.2 Prov. 8. â—7 1 Tim. 3 1â— Ioh. 1.14 Heb. 2.14.15 Christ GOD and MAN in one Person ☞ Heb. 2.17.18 Why Christ is MAN Heb. 4.14 15 Heb. â— 17 1â— Why Christ musâ— be God Act. 20 2â— Rom. 8.7 Arâ— whâ—â—th on Iohn 1. chap. 14 â— p 〈◊〉 Heb. 2 16 Act. 13 4â— Heb. 7.25 Iâ—â— â— 36. Act. â— 4â— Ioh. 1.1.2 Phil. 2.6 Isa. 53.1 Exod. 1â— 6 Numb 20.11 1 Cor. 1. â— 4. Robinson Ioh. 3.31 Heb. 1.2 Phâ—â— â— â— 1 Cor. 1 24. Psal. â—5 1◠◠〈…〉 Zeâ—â— 6. â— Isa. 28 16. Psal 55 22 Ioh 6 58. Heb 10 5. Heb. 7 26. Gal. 4 4 5. Rom. 4.25 Rom. 8.34 Mat. 28.20 Zeâ—â— 12 1â— Mat. 11 2â— Aâ—t 2.36 Aâ—t 16 3â— 31. Rom. 10 3â— Isa. 41.2 Mat. 11 2◠〈◊〉 2 2 3◠〈◊〉 â— 31 â— Ioh 3 3â— Some woâ—ld begin at the Top of the Ladder Ephes 2 3. Joh. 3 18. 2 Cor. 5.17 ☞ Mat. 11.29 〈◊〉 2.41 Psal. 54. â— 2 Pet. 5.6.7 How Sinners ascend on this Ladder Col. 2.12 Gal. 5.22 Tit. 1.1 A mis believer as bad a◠〈◊〉 unbeliever 〈◊〉 6â— 1 1 Coâ— 3.11 2 Tim. 1. â—â— Psal. 71.2 Psal. 31.6 Psal. 16.1 1 Cor. 1.23 Act. 4.11 Isa. 41 1â—.14 Ioh. 1â— â— Mark. 〈…〉 〈◊〉 11 2◠〈◊〉 2.13 Râ—â— 1â— â—◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 3â— 16 Rom. 8.8.9 1 John 1.2.3 2 Cor. 4.18 Admiration Gen. 28.13 Iob. 23.24 Repâ—â—oâ— Rom. 10.3 Gal. 5.21 Gal. 2.21 Examin Rom. 1.17 Phil. 3.12.13.14 October 27. 1695. 2 Cor. 4.18 Eph. 1 1â— Col. 3.2 Heb. 11.27 Rom. 8.5 1 Cor. 15.19 Mat. 7.13.14 Joh. 6.36 Heb. 7.25 What 's meant by the narrowness of the Way to Heaven Mat. 7.13.14 1 Cor. 2.14 1 Cor. 1.18 Mat. 16.24 25. Rom. 8 1â— cap. 1â— 14 Heb. 12.14 Psal. 119 133. 'T is dangerous to look back Luk. 9.62 Luk. 17 3â— Heb. 10.38 Deut. 32.1â— Why some fall away or draw back 〈…〉 〈…〉 Mediaâ—â—r â—â—ands 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 â—3 2. 〈…〉 〈…〉 Luk. 22.32 1 Joh. 2.1.2 Heb 8.12 Isa. 43. â—5 Rom. 8 38.39 Rom. 8.1 Almighty power 〈◊〉 forth in â—aising Christ this spiritual Ladder Rom. 6.4 〈…〉 The elivation or exaltatiâ—n of Christ. Isa. 52.13 Christ exalted as Mediator Col. 2.9 Heb 1.3 Isa. â—2 â—â— Joh. 5.23 Divine worship due to Christ. Isa 48.11 Isa 42. Rev. 19.10 Math 4.10 Heb. 1.6 〈…〉 Joh. 14.1 vers 6. Joh. 5. â— Pro. 8 1â— Mat. 28 2â— Col. 3.11 〈…〉 Ioh. 15.6 Col. 2.19 Who or what Persons exalt Christ. Act. 5.31 Phil. 2.9.10 â— Cor 2.2 〈◊〉 1. â—◠〈◊〉 â— 33 Christ exalted in his Offices first as a Priest Heb. 10.14 Acts 3 26. Psal. 2.85.10 Col. 1.20 Râ—m â— 7. Eph. 2.13 Heb. 1â— 14 Eph. 1.20 Heb. 10.20 Col. 1.21 Rom. 5.10 Christ is oâ—r Highpriest in his Intercession Heb. 7.25 Rom. 8 2â— Heb. 4.16 〈…〉 〈…〉 Heb. 4. â—5 1â— Heb â—â— 19 Christ is exalted as a King Acts 5.31 Heb 1 â—2 Heb. 1. ◠〈…〉 Isa. 6â— 1 Mat. 12.49 Iohn 10.33 Christ is exalted as a Prâ—phet Ioh. 1â— 49 Iohn 5.25 Iob 36.22 1 Cor. 3.4.5 What 't is to preach Christ. Reader this was not delivered when I preached on this subject but it is the substance of another Sermon preached at another time and place which for some Reasons is added here Iohn 1.14 Heb. 2.14.15 phil 2.5 6. Phil. 3.8