Scripture this work is ascribed to the Father * Act. 2.24 who is said to raise his Son and to the Son a Rom. 1.4 Joh. 10.18 who by his Divine power or as the Apostle speaketh by the eternal Spirit raised up himself I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it Of his infinite love towards his Elect hee laid down his life and of the same love and affection toward them hee rose again which is more evidently seen in this that hee did vouchsafe to call them brethren with which sweet name full of love hee had not before saluted any man As hee suffered the most grievous torment for the salvation of the Elect his chosen people so for the glorification of his Spouse that is the Church hee rose again that hee might inrich and beautifie her with spoils taken from the enemy The Causes lead us to consider of the End why Christ rose again for every proper efficient intendeth an end which is ever good and that most excellent as the worker is of greatest wisdome and excellency Now therefore since Christ rose in special love to his peculiar people it must needs tend to their special exceeding great good By his Resurrection the glory of Christ which hee had with the Father before the foundation of the world was manifested which the world would not acknowledge by his Sermons nor by miracles confirming his Doctrine By his Resurrection he obtained those glorious Titles with which the Prophets foretold that the Messias should bee adorned such as bee Act. 3.15 1 Cor. 15.20 Col. 1.15 18. Apoc. 1.5 Rom. 14.9 The Prince of life the first-fruits of them that sleep the first-born of every creature the first-born from the dead and the first-begotten of the dead and the Lord of Dead and Living By his Resurrection hee shewed himself to bee the Conquerour of Death Sin and Satan meritoriously hee triumphed over our enemies upon the Cross actually hee began his triumph at the Resurrection Col. 2.23 24. Now when the powers of Hell could no longer hold him under it is manifest that they are subdued and conquered By his Resurrection hee declareth that his satisfaction is fully absolute Had the least penny of our debt remained upon the score not discharged hee could not have loosed the sorrows of Death Christ died for our sins and rose again for our justification By the Resurrection hee prepared himself to the glorious function of a Mediatour As hee suffered without the gate to pay the price of our Redemption So did hee enter into Heaven to appear before the Father for us Hee died once for our sins and now liveth for ever to make intercession for us By his death hee purchased life and salvation for his people and now sitting in glory at the right hand of the Father hee doth communicate the blessing that hee hath procured for them Christ rose that wee might rise For hee that raised up the Lord Jesus 2 Cor. 4.14 shall raised up us with Jesus and set us together with him Early in the morning upon the third day after hee was buried our Saviour rose out of the Sepulchre in which hee was laid at which time there was a mighty Earthquake and an Angel descended from Heaven to rowl away the stone at which glorious apparition the souldiers that kept the Tomb were sore affraid and became as dead men The death of Christ wanted not signs of Majesty nor his Resurrection tokens of exceeding glory when the Earth was moved at his presence and the Angels descended from Heaven to do him service The effects of this Resurrection are far more glorious than the signs that did accompany it for unless his Resurrection had followed his cruel death all his benefits appropriated to us had layen buried together with him 1 Cor. 15.17 Rom. 6.8 9 1 Cor. 15.55 1 Pet. 1.3 1 Cor. 15.21 22. The Resurrection of Christ is a notable confirmation of his Doctrine the abolition of sin and death regeneration unto life eternal and vivification of our bodies are the fruits of it It was necessary that Christ should rise in regard of the excellency of his person for being the proper Son of God it was impossible hee should bee held of the sorrows of death being just and innocent as man it could not bee that hee should lye under the power of the grave and dying to overcome hee could not bee vanquished of the enemies It was also necessary in respect of the Covenant hee had made with the Father the dignity of his high office of eternal Mediation and that the truth of those things which were foretold concerning the glory of the Messias might bee fulfilled Many admirable things are spoken touching the Messias and the glory of his Kingdome who was first to lay down his life and then to take possession of his Kingdome in glory where hee shall live for ever to make intercession for his people which hee could not have done if hee had not risen It cannot bee that the Word of God should take none effect but it was foretold that the Messias should rise again in which respect his Resurrection was necessary Christ not as a private person but as a publick person Hee died for his Elect and virtually they rose in him when hee rose from the dead of whose Resurrection they partake actually when by lively Faith they are made one with him This Resurrection was exceeding glorious in respect of the power by which it was effected the life into which hee rose and the things that accompanied or followed after the Resurrection For the graves did open and many bodies of them that slept in the earth arose Whereby the grave did witnesse that its power was taken away and clean vanquished Jonah's deliverance out of the Whales belly was wonderful and miraculous the Lord was gracious in sparing Isaac and raising him as it were from death who was a slain Sacrifice in his Fathers account But these were only types and shadows of Christ his Resurrection the life and glory of the other The elect and faithful shall rise to glory at the day of judgement but they shall rise by the power of Christ Christ arose by his own power they shall rise as the Members of Christ but Christ rose as the first-fruits of them that sleep they shall rise as private persons but Christ arose as a publick They shall arise from corruption but Christ his body did not see corruption They shall rise to immortality and glory for themselves but Christ rose to glory that hee might govern his Church in glory and bring his Elect unto himself that where hee is there they might bee for ever Quest How are these things to bee pressed upon the heart Answ Wee must stir up our selves to behold and rejoyce in the Lords love towards us and fly unto Christ by Faith that wee might feel the power of his Resurrection quickening us to newness of life and comfort our selves against the fear of death and rotting in the grave with an assured hope of Resurrection to immortality and eternal glory FINIS Courteous Reader These Books are printed for and sold by Henry Mortlock at the sign of the Phoenix in Pauls Church-yard near the Little North-door Folios A Commentary upon the whole Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians wherein the Text is learnedly and fruitfully opened with a Logical Analysis spiritual and holy Observation Confutation of Arminianism and Popery By Mr. Paul Bain A Commentary on the Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles and the Major Prophets By John Trap M. A. Quartos An Exposition of the Prophecy of Ezekiel By William Green-hill The dividing of the Hoof or seeming Contraditions throughout sacred Scriptures distinguished resolved and applied By William Streat M. A. Some Sermons preached upon several occasions By Peter Sterry Large Octavos A Treatise of the Divine Promises in five Books In the first A general Description of their Nature Kinds Excellency Right Use Properties and the Persons to whom they belong In the four last A Declaration of the Covenant it self the bundle and body of all the Promises and the special Promises likewise which concern a mans self or others both temporal spiritual and eternal By Edw. Leigh M. A. of Magdalen-Hall in Oxford The Hypocrites Ladder or Looking-glass or a Discourse of the dangerous and destructive nature of Hypocrisie the reigning and provoking sin of this age wherein is shewed how far the Hypocrite or formal Professor may go towards Heaven yet utterly perish by three Ladders of sixty steps of his Ascending By John Sheffield Minister of the Word at Swithins London An Improvement of the Sea upon the nine Nautical Verses in the 107 Psalm wherein among other things you have a very full and delightful Description of all those many various and multitudinous Objects which they behold in their Travels through the Lords Creation both on Sea in Sea and on Land viz. All sorts and kinds of Fish Fowl and Beasts whether wilde or tame All sorts of Trees and Fruit All sorts of People Cities Towns and Countries By Daniel Pell Preacher of the Word Small Octavos Several Treatises useful for Christian Practice viz. Warning to Backsliders The way to true Happiness Mercies Memorials A Sermon preached on the fifth of Novemb. Milk and Hony first and second Part Orthodox Paradoxes The New Commandement Divine Similitudes or Mysteries and Revelations By Ralph Venning The Exceeding Riches of Grace advanced by the Spirit of Grace in an Empty Nothing-Creature viz. Mris. Sarah Wight Published by H. Jessey A Servant of Jesus Christ A Latin and English Grammar By Charls Hool M. A. Physical Rarities containing the most choice Receits of Physick and Chirurgery for the Cure of all Diseases incident to mans body Hereunto is annexed the Physical Mathematicks of Hermes Trismegistus Published by Ralph Williams Practitioner in Physick and Chirurgery Twelves The Saints Desire or Divine Consolations being a Cordial for a Fainting Soul containing Observations Experiences and Counsels The Saints daily Duty the Life of Faith and how a Soul may live in the sweet enjoyment of the Love of God c. By Samuel Richardson A Receipt for the State-Palsie or a Direction for setling the Government of the Nation delivered in a Sermon upon Proverbs 25. v. 5. FINIS
are these things to bee laid to heart and pressed upon the soul Answ Wee must stir up our selves to desire full knowledge of God and free communion with him to trust love reverence glory in his name and to walk before him in all humility of mind Blessed is the man that knoweth the Lord and cleaveth unto him in love fear and affiance yea happy is the man whose God is the Lord. Look unto God Oh my soul observe his waies seek his face and labour after more intire fellowship and familiarity with him The knowledge of God is excellent easie comfortable it perfecteth the understanding seasoneth the will changeth the affections rejoyceth the heart The worth and excellency the profit and delight that knowledge bringeth is answerable to the object which is apprehended in which the knowledge of God hath infinitely the preheminence Nothing can rejoyce the heart in which the goodness of God is not felt nor his power wisdome and mercy seen Oh how sweet and delightsome is it to behold the face of God as it shineth in Jesus Christ to contemplate the happy Reconciliation of justice and mercy by his unsearchable wisdome to think upon his long-suffering tender love and never-fading compassion Love the Lord Oh my soul and trust in his mercie serve him with fear and rejoyce in his holy name for hee is thy strength thy rock thy portion thy salvation His favour is better than life in his presence is fulness of joy hee is goodness it self the highness of all good things that can bee desired The pleasures of the world are vain earthly gain breeds great vexations Trial. worldly honours vanish and come to nothing but God is our pleasure glory gain everlasting immeasurable But woe is mee my sight is dimm my judgement vain my heart carnal my affections disordered my thoughts loose I know little of God I have been very negligent to seek acquaintance with him These vain things below the gifts of Gods bounty have stollen away my heart from the giver of every good and perfect gift If men speak I tremble if they smile I rejoyce in their presence I am reverent if superiours chearful if friends if absent I long for their company if present I desire to give them content if in distress I mourn if in prosperity I rejoyce when separated from them in body I am with them in spirit If I bee ignorant of the things of this life I inquire after them if I have sustained loss I fall out with my self for it am pinched at the heart learn wisdome against another time and labour by double diligence to redeem it again But I have greatly neglected the knowledge of God when hee threatneth I am senseless in his presence I am irreverent dead-hearted when I appear before him lumpish in Prayer loose in Meditation scarce lifting up a thought to Heaven soon tired in the Meditation of heavenly things never well till my thoughts bee set at liberty to range up and down not moved to hear thy name dishonoured little affected with grief when I have offended Taking shame I am ashamed and confounded in my self to hear and see the wisdome of worldly men in the affairs of this life when I am so rude and ignorant in the things that concern my eternal happiness The Oxe knoweth his owner and the Asse his Masters crib but I am not acquainted with the Lord my life my light my portion from whom I have received what I am in whom I look to bee eternally blessed Ah wretched man that I am I look for reverence from mine inferiours for love from them of whom I have deserved little to whom I can shew small kindness If men give not credit to my Word I take it grievously but in these things I have offered wrong to the Lord of life who is glorious in Majesty dreadful in power plentious in goodness Hearty wishing most constant in his promises Oh that mine eyes were open to behold the glory of God and my heart inclined to love him unfeignedly intirely above all things Oh that my soul were close united to his fear that I could solace my self in his favour and stand in awe of his displeasure that I might not sin against him Awake Stirring up our selves Oh my soul rouze up thy self to seek the knowledge of God in Christ whom to see is eternal happiness What contentment canst thou take in any thing if God bee not seen in it If the eye of the body wherewith wee behold this light bee annoyed or dimmed wee will seek far and wide for help and shall wee not labour to have the eye of our spirits cleared wherewith we see the Lord the Son of Righteousness the light and joy of every Christian Raise up thy self to love reverence and trust in the Lord Thou canst not comprehend his goodness which is immeasurable his power which is unsearchable his truth which is firm and immoveable as his infiniteness passeth thy conceit covet the more inseparably to cleave unto him Couldest thou comprehend his nature hee should not bee all-sufficient in himself nor able to satisfie thy desire But as God is infinite and never to bee comprehended essentially so is our joy in him bottomless our help from him most certain and our love to him should bee above measure our confidence in him without wavering Humble acknowledgment Oh my God I do confess before thee that I am miserably stained with ignorance unbeleef irreverence I am full of carnal wisdome harlotry love vain fear fleshly confidence corrupt joy But grievously wanting in true knowledge sound faith sincere love and holy reverence of thy holy Majesty Nor is my want greater than my inability to help my self the dead cannot restore himself to life nor the blinde to sight supernatural graces must come from above Petition Therefore unto thee O Lord do I direct my supplication give mee grace to know thee as my chief happiness to love thee as the perfect good unite my heart unto thee in Faith and Reverence that nothing may draw mee aside from thy testimonies Confidence It is thy promise to write thy Law in my heart and to put thy fear in the inner man Oh Lord thou art able to do what thou wilt and thou wilt accomplish what thou hast spoken unto thee I commend my soul and upon thee I will relye as long as I live Quest Let the holy Angels be a second instance how are wee to proceed in the Meditation of that subject Answ Wee must consider their author nature properties estate end and offices The Angels are more excellent than man but inferiour to the Almighty from whom they received their being in time according to his good pleasure and by whose goodness such as abode in the truth were still preserved in their being and blessed condition The truth hath taught us to define them to bee spirits finite compleat immortal made after the Image of God who through
his grace and goodness abode still in the estate of innocency and blessedness they are created spirits limited in essence compounded of subject and accident act and possibility immortal by participation mutable by creation but established by grace in their first state As spirits they are invisible immaterial incorruptible intelligent as chief instruments of Gods providence they are furnished with great power incredible swiftness singular wisdome burning zeal and undoubted faithfulness as blessed Ministers that ever attend his Throne they are indued with clear knowledge of God inestimable love exceeding joy and admirable glory Their life is spiritual their state blessed and permanent for they stand ever in the presence of God behold his glory and rest in him with full delight Their End and office in respect of God is to praise his Name and execute his Commandement in respect of Christ to minister and attend upon him in regard of men to rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner to guard and protect the faithful against the dangers of this life and the assaults of Satan to curb bridle and destroy their enemies and to gather the elect together at the day of judgement Quest How are these things to bee pressed and urged and applied unto the heart Answ 1 Wee must stir up our selves to admire the power goodness and glory of God in himself his tender care over us rouze up our souls to the obedience of Gods will and respect of his children and take courage to rely upon God in the midst of dangers that compass us about who would not fear thee O Lord our God glorious in Majesty dreadful in Holiness wonderful in Power Thine holy Angels excel in strength are cloathed with glory that man cannot behold but all their might and goodness is derived from thee a drop of thy Ocean a beam of thy Sun if the glory of the creature bee so great the glory of the Creator must infinitely surpass all comprehension Oh how blockish am I that in the view and contemplation of the work have not enlarged my heart to laud and magnifie the work-man Arise my soul and gird thy self to the chearful sincere faithful obedience to Gods Commandement To do the will of God is Angelical preferment a divine and heavenly exercise the greatest freedome and perfection Make haste delay not to exercise his good pleasure Loe the Angels in Heaven are thy samplers whom thou oughtest to follow Let not that seem irksome to thee that is delightsome to them esteem it not a burden which is to them an heavenly solace and refreshing Ah wretched man why should I grudge to yield obedience to my heavenly Father or do his will negligently by the halves when those Noble spirits and heavenly souldiers do alwaies stand in readiness to receive his commands and execute their commission Doth the world despise the poor Saints of God for their outward baseness yet I will honour them as the onely excellent for God is their Father the Angels their Attendants Wee cap and bow to them that are nobly attended gorgeously arrayed honourably served but herein the Saints excel if the thing bee well considered They are esteemed the scum of the world but respected of God in such manner that hee hath given his Angels charge over them the guard that attends upon his Throne is assigned to watch over them Walk on couragiously O my soul walk on couragiously in the waies of piety Fear not the assaults of Satan the fury of any adverse power that shall oppose it self for more are with thee than can be against thee If Satan with his bands endeavour thy destruction The troops of heavenly Angels do watch for thy defence yea the Lord himself is thy keeper and stands at thy right hand to save thee from all them that rise up against thee How great is the clemency and tender care of the Lord over his poor people what tongue can express what heart comprehend his infinite goodness hee sends from on high his mighty souldiers to encamp about us watch over us preserve and save us from them that lye in wait to vex and annoy Oh my Father what can I render unto thee for this thy great kindness and unspeakable mercy I have nothing to give but my heart which here I offer unto thee and because I am weak exposed to the temptations of Satan and allurements of this wicked world I pray thee give mee thy grace confirm and strengthen mee that I may imitate those pure spirits every day more and more that I may praise thy Name execute thy Commandements love thy Children rejoyce in the conversion of them that go astray and fight thy battels against sin and Satan Quest Let man bee the third example how must wee proceed to meditate on that Subject Answ For the better information of our judgement wee must consider these particulars the Author the Matter Form End Properties and Effects what are like and what opposite Man is inferiour to the Angels but of earthly creatures most excellent The Author of this principal work is God himself Father Son and Holy Ghost and that in special manner for other creatures were made by a simple command man not without a divine consultation Gen. 1.26 others at once man hee did first form then inspire others in several shapes like to none other but themselves man after his own Image others with qualities fit for service man for Dominion Hee was made the last of the creatures and brought as the Lords Vicegerent into this world as into a parlour ready trimmed and prepared for so worthy a guest Man consisteth of two parts Matter and Form Heaven and Earth a humane body and divine soul and well may be called a little abridgement map or table of the whole world In his soul is the nature of Angels though not so active and extensive In his body are the Elements Meteors Minerals as may appear both by vapours fumes and spirits Hee lives the life of plants hee hath the senses of beasts and above all the addition of reason His body was framed of the dust of the ground in more exquisite manner than any other furnished with most excellent instruments absolutely composed both for beauty and duty in all the works of holiness and righteousness For variety of parts sweetly knit together and orderly disposed it was wonderful for temperature exact for form erect and streight In the whole beautiful glorious strong subject to no annoyance most artificially fashioned that it might bee the neat stately Palace of a Divine Noble reasonable soul In every part beauty strength convenience meet together The distinct consideration of every member with its temper proportion placing figure and use might well astonish The soul of man was immediately created of nothing and being indued with most excellent faculties and gifts natural and supernatural was infused into the body and inseparably knit had not sin made an unnatural divorce to give life motion and sense unto it