the Priest in one person Hee offered Himselfe as Man through the aeternall Spirit that is By the vertue and power of His owne Godhead by which Hee preached before His Incarnation to Sinners I. PET. III. 19 2. His Sacrifice was without spotte Hee was that spotlesse Lambe in whome was no sinne nor imperfection nor defect of anie thing that the Sacrifice requyred 3. The vertue of the Sacrifice which made it to purchase aeternall Redemption vnto vs floweth from the infinite worth of His aeternall Godhead 4. Albeit CHRIST'S two natures haue their distinct respectes in the actions of His Office yet CHRIST is one and vndivided in the execution of His Office 5. The fruite and force of the Sacrifice is set downe in this that this Bloode shall purge our Conscience from dead workes to serue the living GOD That is Shall both absolue a man from by-gone Sinne and also inable him to serue GOD for tyme to come THEN 1. Sinnes are but dead workes flowing from nature dead in sinne and not onelie deserving but also drawing on Death vpon the Sinner 2. The Conscience lyeth polluted with the filthinesse of dead workes till the vertue of the Blood of IESVS applyed bring intimation of Absolution 3. Christ's Bloode doeth not purge the Conscience from dead workes that a man should goe wallowe in them agayne but that hee may serue the living GOD more acceptablie 4. The purging vertue of Christ's Bloode is joyned with the Sanctifying and Renewing of the absolved Sinner and what GOD hath conjoyned let no man put a-sunder Vers. 15. And for this cause Hee is the Mediator of the New Testament that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions which were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receaue the promise of aeternall inheritance NOw lest anie man should stumble aâ— Christ's Death hee showeth a necessitie thereof in respect of His Office of Mediation and the Purchase to bee made by His Redemption The force of the Reason is this Remission of Sinnes could not haue beene given vnder the Lawe except the Mediatour had beene to pay the pryce of the same vnder the Gospell Nor could the Faythfull and called Ones eyther then 〈◊〉 now obtayne aeternall Lyfe for an Inheritance otherwayes than by the Mediatour's Death Therefore it behooved the true Mediatour by meanes of Death to pay the promised Pryce of the Purchase of Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe THEN 1. The Remission of Transgressions and the Inheritance of aeternall Lyfe are both Fruits of Christ's Passion 2. The Fruites of His Passion extended themselues vnto them who were vnder the Olde Testament as well as vnto vs vnder the New 3. The Way of Purchase of these Benefites was by Redemption that is to say by lawfull Purchase such as might satisfie Iustice. 4. The Way in speciall was by Meanes of the Mediatour's Death His lyfe was layde downe to redeeme ours His one lyfe as good as all ours 5. For this cause Christ â—â—oke the Office of a Mediatour vnto Himselfe that Hee might haue Right and Enteresse by Death to make this Purchase 6. And therefore except Hee had reallie died the Purchase could not haue beene lawfullie made Vers. 16. For where a Testament is there must also of necessitie bee the death of the Testatour ANother Reason to prooue the necessitie of Christ's death from the force of the word COVENANT which signifieth also a Testament The force of the Reason is this CHRIST IER xxxj 31 promised to make a New Covenant and therefore also a New Testament and if to make a New Testament then also Hee promised to die The Articles of the Covenant also evinceth it to bee a Testament and the Promiser bound to make His Word good and so to die For IER xxxj the Lord Christ promiseth to reconcile his People to GOD to take away their sinnes and to bee their GOD. Iustice requyred satisfaction of them before they could bee reconciled Satisfaction they could not make themselues therefore hee who promised to make the Reconciliation with GOD was bound to make the Satisfaction for them to GOD and if Satisfaction for them then to vnderlâ—e the Curse of the Lawe for them and so to die THEN 1. The Newe Covenant is of the nature of a Testament and the Benefites promised â—herein to wit Remission of Sinnes Reconciliation Sanctification and Lyfe aeternall are Legacie freelie left vnto vs by our Defunct LORD who was dead and is alyue to execute His owne Will for evermore The Scripture is the Instrument and Evidence the Apostles Notares the Sacraments are Seales Witnesses from Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit Witnesses on earth the Water the Bloode and the Spirit 2. Christ Iesus is both the Maker of the Covenant which is in Iâ—REMIE xxxj and the Mediatour thereof also the Testatour and Executour of that blessed Testament 3. Christ's Death was concluded and resolved vpon and intimated before Hee came into the World Vers. 17. For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwyse it is of no strength at all whylest the Testatour liveth HEE cleareth his reasoning from the nature of Testaments amongst men which not before but after a man's death haue force But heere it may bee objected How can this bee seeing by vertue of the Testament of Christ Benefites not a fewe were bestowed vpon the Church before his death from the beginning of the Worlde not onelie Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe but also manie Graces and Blessings in this lyfe both bodilie and Spirituall I aunswere Albeit CHRIST'S death was not accomplished in act till of late yet for the certayntie of his death to followe and the vnchaungeablenesse of his Mynde towardes his Church before his death hee was reckoned both with GOD and the Church for dead and the Promise of laying downe his lyfe for his People accepted for the tyme as if it had beene performed For which cause hee is called Revel xiij 8 The Lambe slayne from the beginning of the worlde And Christ was still represented as a slayne man in all these Sacrifices which the Apostle poynteth at as meeting this Doubt in the next words which follow heere-after Vers. 18. Vers. 18. Wherevpon neyther the first Testament was dedicated vvithout blood HEE prooveth the necessitie of Christ's death yet farther Vnder the Law his Bloodshed was represented by types of bloodie Sacrifices therefore it behooved those Types to bee aunswered by his reall bloodshed and death THEN 1. What the types of the Lawe did signifie Christ behooved to accomplish in veritie 2. The Olde Church was taught that by vertue of the blood signified by these types the Covenant stoode betwixt GOD and them Vers. 19. For when Moses had spoken everie Precept to all the people according to the Lawe hee tooke the blood of Calues and of Goates with Water and Scarlet Wooll and Hyssope and sprinkled both the Booke and all the people Vers. 20. Saying This is the Bloode of
now Hee hath declared His last Will gloriouslie by His owne Sonne God and Man in one person Vers. 2.3 who is as farre aboue not onlie the Prophets but the Angels also as the natiue Glorie of His Person and Office is aboue theirs Vers. 4. For He is of the same Substance with the Father Vers. 5. and partaker of the same Worship with Him Vers. 6. The Angels but servantes to Him Vers. 7. Hee is eternall GOD and Kiâ—g over all Vers. 8. and in regard of His Manhead and Office filled with the Spirit Vers. 9. Yea Hee is Creator vnchangeable and everlasting Vers. 10.11.12 Ioyned with the Father in the governament of the Worlde Vers. 13. The Angels but servantes both to Him and to His Children Vers. 14. The doctrine contayned in Chap. I. Vers. 1. God who at sundrie tymes in diverse manners spake in tyme past vnto the Fathers by the Prophets ALbeit the Apostle was willing that these Hebrewes should vnderstand that this Epistle came vnto them from him as appeareth Chap. x. vers 34. yet doeth hee not prefixe his name in the bodie of it as in all his other Epistles that by the prudent dealing of these faythfull Hebrewes as wee may thinke others who kept prejudice agaynst his person might bee drawne on to take notice of his Doctrine more impartiallie and know his name after they had tasted of ebe trueth from him in a fitter tyme. Whence we learne 1. That it is lawfull for godlie men to dispose of the expression of their names in their Writinges as they see it expedient 2. That it is not much to bee inquired who is the Writer of anie purpose till wee haue impartiallie pondered the matter written 3. That it is not alwayes necessarie that wee should know the name of the Writer of everie part of Scripture for the authoritie thereof is not from men but from GOD the Inspyreâ— thereof 1. Hee sayeth not simplie The Prophets spake but God spake to the Fathers by the Prophets Then 1. GOD was the chiefe Doctor of His owne Church from the beginning 2. And what the Prophets conveyghed from GOD to the Church by Scripture as it is called heere the speaking of GOD so it is to bee accounted of still and not as a dumbe letter 2. Hee sayth GOD spake at sundrie tymes By manie partes as the word importeth now a part of His will and then a part farther at another tyme yet a part farther Then The LORD was in the way onlie of revealing His whole Mynde to His Church before CHRIST came letting foorth Light by little and little till the Sunne of Righteousnesse IESVS CHRIST arose and had not tolde His whole will 2. And for this reason the Iewish Church was bound to suspend her determination of the vnchangeablenesse of her Leviticall Service till the Law-giver spake His last word and vttered His full Mynde in the fulnesse of tyme. 3. Hee sayeth before CHRIST came GOD spake in diverse manners Not revealing his Will after one manner but sometime by viue voyce sometime by vision or dream or inspiration or Vrim Thummim by signes from Heaven by types and exercyse of shadowing Ceremonies Then No reason the Iewes should sticke so fast to the ordinances of Levi they beeing instituted in the tyme of the alterable courses of the Churches pedagogie as not to giue way to the abolishing of them by the MESSIAS Which to show is a part of the Apostles mayne scope Vers. 2. Hath in these last dayes spoken vnto vs by His Sonne whom He hath appoynted Heyre of all thinges by whom also He made the worlds 1. Hee sayeth GOD who spake to the Fathers hath spoken to vs. Then The same GOD who is Author of the Olde Testament is also Author of the Doctrine of the New Testament and the Church of olde and now is taught of the same GOD that the fayth of the Elect might depende vpon the authoritie of GOD onlie both then and now and not on men 2. These are called the last dayes Then The fulnesse of tyme is now come The Law-giver of the Church hath spoken His last Will His Mynde is fullie revealed setled course for the Fayth and service of His Church is taken after which no new alteration of His Constitutions is to bee expected 3. Hee sayeth GOD spake to them by the Prophets but hath spoken to vs by His Sonne Then 1. As the Sonne is aboue the servants so is CHRIST aboue the Prophets And no reason that the Iewes should thinke so much of Moses and the Prophets as for them to misregard CHRISTS Doctrine and sticke to the Leviticall Service vnder pretence of esteemation of the Prophets 2. The Glorie of the Gospel is greater than the glorie of the Law 3. The glorie of the Ministeriall Calling of Preachers of the Gospell is by so much the greater as it hath the Sonne of GOD First-man in the Roll thereof as first Preacher and Prince of Preachers 4. CHRISTS Sermons are all of them directed vnto vs and so much more highlie should the Doctrine of the Gospell bee esteemed of by vs. 4. In describing CHRIST bee sayeth the Sonne is Heyre of all thinges that is Hee hath received a Domination over all creatures from the Father that as Hee is LORD over all so is CHRIST Then 1. CHRIST is Heyre of all thinges in the Church also LORD of the Sabbath and of all the Service annexed to it to whom it is lawfull to chop and change the Leviticall Ordinances at His pleasure 2. And Heyre of all the Prerogatiues and Promises made to the Iewes or others through whom onelie as the righteous Owner of all thinges both Iew and Gentile must seeke and keepe Right to what they haue or can clayme And therefore it behoved the Hebrewes to enter themselues Heyres to their Priviledges by CHRIST or else to bee disinherited 5. Hee sayeth GOD by His Sonne made the Worlds So hee calleth the World for the varietie of tymes ages and fleeces of the creatures one succeeding another Then 1. CHRIST is GOD Creator of all thinges 2. Hee is a distinct person from the Father by whom the Father made all 3. That which the Father doeth the Sonne doeth the same yet so as in order of working the Father is first and the Sonne is next working with and from the Father Vers. 3. Who beeing the Brightnesse of His Glorie and the expresse Image of His Person and vpholding all thinges by the Word of His Power when Hee had by Himselfe purged our sinnes sate downe on the Right Hand of the Majestie on high IN describing CHRIST hee vseth borrowed similitudes for what proper word can bee found to expresse so great a Mysterie And what can wee conceiue of His Godhead but by resemblance Yea hee vseth moe similitudes nor one for it is but little wee can conceiue of Him by one and what wee might misconceiue by too hard pressing of one similitude by another is corrected and so
2.7 and 2. SAM 7.19 But the Bodie of the Truth aimed at signified was Christ resembled by them as here wee see Whence wee learne That typicall speaches in Scripture haue not their perfect meaning neyther can bee fullie expounded nor truelie vnderstoode till they bee drawne to Christ in whome they haue their accomplishment and of whom they meane to speake vnder the name of the Types And therefore neyther could the olde Church of the Iewes nor can wee get comfort in anie of them till Christ in whome all the Promises are YEA and AMEN bee found included in them Vers. 6. And agayne when Hee bringeth in the first begotten into the worlde Hee sayeth And let all the Angels of GOD worship Him 1. HEe sayeth that is The Father sayeth PSAL. 97.7 Then The Scripture which elsewhere is called the Speach of the holie Ghost is also the Speach of the FATHER 2. Hee bringeth in his first begotten into the Worlde Then 1. The Father is the Author of Christ's Incarnation and of his Kingdome amongst Men and of Divine Glorie given to him in his Kingdome 2. Christ is the Father's first begotten both for the eternitie of his Person begotten without beginning before the Worlde was and for the excellencie of his Person beeing more glorious than all Angels or Men which get the name of Children eyther by Creation or Adoption 3. The Father commandeth Let all the Angels of GOD adore Him Then 1. The Father communicateth to Christ as his owne Nature and Godhead by Generation so also his owne Glorie by commanding the creatures to adore him 2. What the creatures adore they acknowledge by adoration to bee GOD so GOD esteemeth 3. And Christ is the Angels GOD because they must adore Him Vers. 7. And of the Angels Hee sayeth Who maketh His Angels Spirits and His Ministers a flame of fire Hee maketh his Angels Spirits c. PSAL. 104 5. THEN 1. GOD made not the Angels to get anie parte of Christ's rowme in the Churches worship but to serue Christ as lowlie as anie of the meanest creatures 2. And the Angels indeede are as readie to doe so and as swift and actiue in their service as the Windes and fire-flaughts Vers. 8. But vnto the Sonne Hee sayeth Thy Throne O GOD is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of Thy Kingdome Vers. 9. Thou hast loved Righteousnesse and hated Iniquitie therefore GOD even Thy GOD hath anoynted Thee with the Oyle of Gladnesse aboue Thy Fellowes 1. BY this place cited out of PSAL. 45.7 it is evident that the PSALME 45. is a Song of the mysticall Marriage of CHRIST and his Church and in this Passage a number of notable Doctrines concerning Christ are poynted at 1. Hee is called GOD and so is fit to reconcile vs to GOD able and all-sufficient to accomplish our Salvation a Rocke to leane vnto 2. A King enthroned not onelie over the Worlde but in a gracious manner over the Church which hee marrieth to himselfe in this PSALME and therefore shall his Church haue Lawes and Direction and Protection from him 3. Hee hath a Throne for ever and ever and therefore shall his Church which is his Kingdome endure for ever and ever 4. Hee hath a Scepter to rule with and therefore power and authoritie to take order with his Subjectes and with his enemies also 5. His Scepter is a Scepter of Righteousnesse because hee can not abuse his power to doe wrong to anie but will doe right to all yea and leade on his Subjects to Righteousnesse of Fayth to justifie them before GOD and Righteousnesse of Conversation to adorne them before Men. 2. Hee loveth Righteousnesse and hateth Iniquitie And therefore 1. His Scepter can not bee sweyed but righteouslie 2. And so must his subjectes set themselues to doe if they will please him 3. Therefore Christs God hath anoynted him with the Oyle of Gladnesse aboue his fellowes Then 1. As Christ is God himselfe so also is hee Man vnder God in regarde of his Manhead and Office therein 2. And God is his God by Covenant Christ as Man is confederate with God 3. And hee hath FELLOWES in the Covenant that is others of mankynde with whome hee is part-taker of flesh and blood Fellow-brethren and Coheyres Shares-men in all the Fathers Goods with him 4. Hee is anoynted with the Oyle of Gladnesse furnished with the Spirit that bringeth joye vnto him and all his subjects who get conveyed vnto them by Christ Righteousnesse and Peace and joye in the holie Ghost 5. Hee is anoynted aboue his fellowes The rest of the confederate Saynctes are anoynted also yet by measure receiue they the Spirit But Christ is anoynted aboue them the Spirit is not given to him by measure but to dwell bodilie or substantiallie that wee of his fulnesse may all receiue Grace for Grace 4. Because hee loveth Righteousnesse c. Therefore hee is anoynted Then The righteousnesse of Christ is the procuring and meritorious cause of this joye to him and his Subjectes Fellowes in the Covenant Vers. 10. And Thou LORD in the beginning hast layde the Foundation of the Earth and the Heavens are the Workes of Thyne Handes Vers. 11. They shall perish but Thou remaynest and they all shall waxe olde as doeth a Garment Vers. 12. And as a Vesture shalt Thou folde them vp and they shall bee changed but Thou art the same and Thy Yeares shall not fayle 1. ANother Testimonie of Christ from PSAL. 102.25.26 wherein hee is expresselie called 1. IEHOVAH GOD in essence the same GOD with the Father and the holie Ghost who giveth Beeing to the creatures and Performance to the Promises 2. Who layde the Foundation of the Earth c. and so Creator of Heaven and Earth 3. And by consequence who can create in vs a right Spirit and make vs of naughtie sinners Sonnes 2. They shall perish waxe olde and bee changed Then The Heavens and the Earth nowe subject to corruption shall both not continue and yet they shall not vtterlie bee abolished but changed into an incorruptible estate for mans cause Rom. 8 21. 3. Christ remayneth and is the same and his Yeares fayle not Then 1. CHRIST is eternall and our Mediator can not bee amissing can not die 2. Constant and immutable and can not change his purpose of loue to his called Ones whatsoever changes befall them And this is the Rocke of the Churches Comfort when shee looketh to her owne frayltie and changeablenesse Vers. 13. But to which of the Angels sayd Hee at anie tyme Sit on My Right Hand vntill I make Thyne Enemies Thy Foote-stoole Psal. cx 1. TO which of the Angels sayde hee Hee asketh for Scripture to show what is due to Angels Then 1. The Scripture must determine what is due to Angels and other creatures what is to bee thought of them and done to them also 2. And no word in Scripture doeth countenance the giving of the glorie of the Mediator to
anie Angell 2. The Father hath sayde to Christ Sit Thou on my right hand vntill I make thyne enemies thy Foote-stoole THEN 1. Christ's Kingdome will not want enemies 2. Yea his enemies shall bee such as there shall bee neede of divine wisedome and power to overcome them 3. GOD professeth himselfe Partie agaynst all the enemies of Christ's Church and Kingdome 4. GOD will put them at vnder piece and piece and altogether at length 5. Their opposition and overthrow shall serue to glorifie Christ's Kingdome and Governament they shall bee his Foote-stoole 6. In the meane time of this Battell Christ in his owne Person shall continue equall in Glorie and Majestie with the Father beholding the Victorie brought about and bringing it about with the Father vnto his Souldiours comfort Vers. 14. Are they not all ministring Spirits sent foorth to minister for them who shall bee Heyres of Salvation 1. THE Angels are all ministring Spirites THEN 1. Angels are not bodies but their substance is invisible 2. They are all of them even these that are called Arch-Angels the greatest of them but servantes to Christ and none of them must haue their Master's honour that is anie religious worship of prayer or invocation made to them 2. They are sent foorth for Service or Ministring THEN Their employment is about God's Children to attende vs and serue vs at Christ's direction not to bee served by vs by anie devotion 3. Christ's Subjects are called Heyres of Salvation THEN 1. They are Sonnes 2. And what they get is by Heyrship by vertue of their Adoption and Sonneship not by merit of their workes 3. And they shall surelie get Salvation as an Heritage never to bee taken from them The Summe of Chap. II. FRom the former Doctrine hee inferreth seeing Christ is so glorious let his Gospell bee steadfastlie believed Vers. 1. For if the disobedience of the Law given by the Ministerie of Angels was punished Vers. 2. Farre more the disobedience of the Gospell so gloriouslie confirmed Vers. 3.4 For Christ is greater than the Angels even as Man and hath all thinges in subjection to him Vers. 5. As David witnesseth speaking of elected Men with their Head the Man Christ Vers. 6.7.8 And albeit wee see not that subjection yet fullie accomplished Vers. 8. Yet it is begun in Christ's personall exaltation And for his short humiliation vnder the estate of Angels by suffering wee must not stumble For it is both glorious to himselfe and profitable for vs Vers. 9. For God's glorie requyred that our salvation should bee wrought by sufferinges of the Mediator Vers. 10. And to this ende hee behoved to bee part-taker of our nature as was foretolde Vers. 11.12.13 That hee might take on our due punishment that is Death Vers. 14. And deliver his owne from the feare thereof Vers. 15. And herein wee haue a Priviledge aboue the Angels in that hee tooke on our nature and not theirs Vers. 16. And by his sufferinges a ground of so much greater Comfort in Him Vers. 17.18 The Doctrine of Chap. II. Vers. 1. Therefore wee ought to giue the more earnest heede to the thinges which wee haue heard lest at anie tyme wee should let them slip 1. THerefore wee ought to giue heede c. From the Excellencie of Christ's Person hee vrgeth the Beliefe of his Doctrine THEN 1. CHRIST must bee esteemed of as becommeth the Excellencie of His Person 2. The way howe CHRIST will bee respected of vs is by respecting His Doctrine And the Excellencie of His Person should procure our reverend receiving of His Word and steadfast holding of it 2. Hee will haue vs to take heede lest wee should let it slip The word is borrowed from rent and leking Vessels or sandie ground THEN 1. The Gospell is a precious Liquor worthie to bee well keeped And wee of our selues are as rent Vessels readie to let it slip when wee haue heard it or lyke sandie ground which keepeth not the rayne 3. For this wee ought to giue the more earnest heede THEN The Conscience of the worth of CHRIST and His Gospell and of our owne vnfitnesse to retayne it should sharpen our Vigilancie and Attendance to keepe it else wee will doubtlesse let it slip 4. Hee sayeth not lest shortlie but lest at anie tyme. THEN It is not sufficient to belieue the Word for a whyle and for a whyle to remember it but wee must gripe it so as never to quyte iâ— by misregarde or misbeliefe For Fayth and loue of the Trueth is the good memorie that speciallie hee requyreth heere Vers. 2. For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast and everie transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward 1. HEe reasoneth from the Law spoken by Angels THEN The Angels were employed in giving of the Law they did blow the Trumpet they from GOD vttered the Word to Moses 2. The word spoken by them was steadfast THEN What GOD delivereth by the Ministerie of Messengers is authorized and ratified by GOD. 3. Everie transgression was punished THEN The punishment of transgressours of His Law is a proofe of GOD'S authorizing the Doctrine 4. Hee calleth the Punishment a just Recompense THEN There is no evill befalleth sinners more than they doe deserue None hath cause to complayne of injustice Vers. 3. How shall wee escape if wee neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to bee spoken by the LORD and was confirmed vnto vs by them that heard Him 1. HOw shall wee escape The Apostle joyneth himselfe with them in the Threatning THEN So should Preachers threaten their people as willing to vnderlye the same punishment except they flee the sinne for which they threaten others 2. Hee reasoneth from the punishment of the Law breaking to proue the punishment of misbelieving the Gospell THEN 1. The not-embracing of the Gospell is a greater sinne than the breach of the Law The despysing of Forgiuenesse is much worse nor the making of the fault 2. Examples of judgement vpon Transgressours of the Law are Evidences of greater judgementes to come on the misregarders of the Gospell 3. Hee calleth the Gospell so great a Salvation because of the free Offer of Remission of sinnes and eternall Lyfe in it THEN The greatnesse of the Benefit to bee gotten by the Gospell aggreageth the sinne of the misregarders of it 4. Hee sayeth not If wee reject denye or persecute the Gospell but if wee neglect THEN The neglect of the Doctrine of the Gospell the carelesse receiving of it the not-studying to know it is sufficient to draw downe heavier judgementes than ever fell on the breakers of the Law albeit a man bee not an Vnder-myner or open Enemie to the Gospell 5. Hee descrybeth the Gospell to bee that Doctrine which Christ himselfe preached and his Apostles from him THEN Wee are not bound to belieue anie more for Gospell than that which is made cleare vnto vs by His Apostles word And the misregarding of other doctrine which is not
endure to thinke of a separation will not quyte the true Religion nor anie knowne poynct of CHRIST'S Trueth and is vsing the meanes to get GOD'S Peace albeit it might seeme to it selfe because of the present sense of wrath to bee in the selfe-same estate that is heere descrybed yet is it free as yet of the sinne agaynst the holie Ghost and not to bee reckoned amongst Adversaries but amongst the Friendes and Lovers of CHRIST howe vehementlie so-ever Satan's suggestions beare in the contrarie 3. In that by setting before them the fearfull estate of Apostates from the knowne Trueth of the true Religion hee laboureth to strengthen them agaynst the feare of persecution WHENCE WEE LEARNE That if Apostates before they make Apostasie from the true Religion did fore-see their owne daunger as after Apostasie they are made to fore-see their owne condemnation all the terrour of all the torment which man could put them vnto and all the allurementes which this worlde coulde giue them would not mooue them to quyte the least poynct of the Trueth of true Religion Vers. 28. Hee that despysed Moses law died without mercie vnder two or three witnesses Vers. 29. Of howe much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthie who hath troden vnder foot the Sonne of GOD and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith hee was sanctified an vnholie thing and hath done despyte vnto the Spirit of Grace HEE prooveth the equitie of their judgement by the proportion of their punishment who despysed the Law of Moses THEN As sinnes are greater so must the punishment bee greater and the Conscience beeing posed as heere can not but subscrybe to the proportion 2. To make the Sinne appeare the better hee poyncteth out some particular sinnes involved within this great Sinne. For clearing whereof it may bee asked Howe can the Apostates treade the Bloode of the Sonne of GOD vnder foote c. I ANSWERE They can not indeede by physicall action but by doing the equivalent sinne they are accounted of GOD to doe it by judiciall interpretation Their Apostasie importeth their agreeing to doe CHRIST as much indignitie as if they did offer Him this personall violence Their deedes showe that they haue this base esteemation of CHRIST and His blood and no better For what sayeth the Apostate of CHRIST by his deede but That Hee is not worthie to bee professed or avowed or followed And what is this in effect but to treade Him vnder all these base thinges which the Apostate preferreth before Him And so is to bee vnderstoode of the Bloode of CHRIST and His Spirit QVEST. But howe can the Reprobate bee sayde to bee sanctified by the Bloode of the Covenant I ANSWERE There is a sanctification to the purifying of the flesh and a sanctification to the purifying of the conscience from dead workes to serue the Living GOD HEBR. ix 13.14 The sanctification externall to the purifying of the flesh consisteth in the man's separation from the world and dedication vnto GOD'S service by Calling and Covenant common to all the members of the visible Church and it is forcible thus farre as to bring a man into credite and esteemation as a Saynct before men and vnto the common Priviledges of the Church wherevpon as Men so GOD also speaketh vnto him and of him as one of His People and dealeth with him in his externall dispensation as with one of His owne People In this sense all the Congregation of Israell and everie one of them is called holie yea Core also and his followers Numb 16.3 The Sanctification internall by renovation consisteth in a man's separation from the state of Nature to the state of Grace from his olde conditions to bee a new creature indeede By this latter sorte a Reprobate can not bee called sanctified but by the former hee may bee called sanctified and that by vertue of the Bloode of the Covenant albeit hee should not get anie farther good thereby For as the Bloode of CHRIST hath vertue to cleanse the Conscience and renew the Soule which commeth vnto it truelie and spirituallie So it must haue force to doe that which is lesse that is purifie the flesh and externall condition of the man who commeth vnto it outwardlie onelie as the Types did vnder the Lawe wherevpon an hypocrite in the Christian Church must bee accounted one of the Congregation of the Saynctes as well as an hypocrite vnder the Lawe was so called because Christ's Bloode can not bee inferiour to the Types which were of this force to sanctifie men to the purifying of the flesh Or wee may say more shortlie There is a sanctification by consecration when anie thing is devoted or dedicated vnto GOD and a sanctification by inhabitation of the holie Spirit 2. Cor. vj. 16.17.18 Of the former sorte the Censers of Core Dathan and Abirim are called holie And the reason is given Because they offered them before the LORD therefore they are halowed Numb xvj 38 And in this sense all the members of the visible Church even such as afterwardes doe prooue Apostates are sanctified because they are offered and offer themselues vnto the LORD But the inhabitation of the holie Spirit is proper onlie to the Elect and GOD'S Children HENCE LEARNE 1. That all the members of the visible Church are so confederate vnto GOD that it is sacriledge for them not to seeke GOD'S Honour in all thinges or to bestowe themselues anie other way than for GOD. 2. Men are reckoned by GOD so to deale with CHRIST and His Blood and Covenant and Spirite as they make account thereof as they haue esteemation of CHRIST and His Bloode and Spirit 3. And their esteemation is not reckoned by their wordes or pretences but by their deeds as these doe importe so are they judged to esteeme 4. Because Apostasie from CHRIST importeth as much as Hee and His Doctrine are vnworthie to bee avowed or mayntayned by consequence it importeth also that CHRIST was not the Man Hee called Himselfe and that all His Spirite had taught them was vntrueth and therefore justlie heere doeth the Scripture challenge the Apostate of counting CHRIST'S Bloode no better than the blood of a common Malefactor and of giving the Lie to the HOLIE SPIRIT So fearfull a thing is it to make Defection from anie knowne parte of true Religion Vers. 30. For wee knowe Him that hath sayd Vengeance belongeth vnto Mee I will recompence sayth the LORD And agayne The LORD shall judge His People IN that hee prooveth the certayntie of their punishment out of Deuter. xxxij 35.36 LEARNE 1. That the justice and constancie of GOD'S Trueth in generall threatninges is sufficient to prooue the certayne punishment of particular sinnes 2. The punishment of Apostates of one kynde may evidence the punishment of Apostates of another kynde For it is the IEWES Apostasie to Idolatrie and worshipping of Images which in that place the LORD doeth threaten 2. Hee maketh the knowing of GOD who speaketh a proofe sufficient
Vers. 3. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners agaynst Himselfe lest you bee wearied and faynt in your myndes HEE poyncteth foorth a speciall parte of His Suffering namelie The contradiction of sinners willing them to ponder this well for their Vpholde THEN 1. Nothing more forcible to discowrage a persecuted Christian than Contradiction A man will suffer much if hee knowe it bee for Trueth but if the Trueth for which hee suffereth bee called in question and Scrybes and Pharisees and chiefe Church-men shall contradict him and brangle his Fayth in the Trueth it is more paynfull than a Rack-stocke vnto him 2. The consideration of our LORD IESVS His beeing exercysed this way is a speciall Meane to guarde vs in such a Temptation 3. If wee be not armed agaynst Contradiction by certayne knowledge of the Trueth and Fayth in IESVS wee can not beare out but neede-force wearie vnder the Crosse and bee loosed or dissolved lyke water and fall by as the word importeth Vers. 4. Yee haue not yet resisted vnto blood stryving agaynst Sinne. THese Hebrewes were somewhat dashed and discowraged by the persecution which they had alreadie bâ—rne and were lyke to faynt Therefore hee setteth them on to prepare for suffering to the blood that everie suffering lesse noâ— that might bee the more tollerable in their eyes 1. Hee maketh their Partie Sinne. THEN 1. Christians must remember in their Troubles that they are tryed whether they will choose to sinne or to suffer 2. When they disobey their Persecuters they must not bee interpreted to be stryvers agaynst them so much as agaynst sinne 3. With what colour or pâ—eâ—ense so-ever sinne bee vrged vpon Christians they must not yeelde but resist in a Christian manner and fight Christianly agaynst that sinne wherevnto they are tempted 4. The more steadfastlie they resist they must prepare themselues for the more suffering and resolue at length to laye downe their blood in suffering No yeelding to sinne must bee whyle lyfe is in vs. 2. Hee maketh the greater Sufferinges which remayne a Reason to make them beare the present the better THEN 1. Suffering in a man's person is the highest degree of suffering 2. Resolution for the worst that can come maketh lesser troubles more comportable 3. Except a man prepare himselfe for the worst that can be done vnto him by man for the Trueth hee will faynt in lesser sufferings Vers. 5. And yee haue forgotten the Exhortation which speaketh vnto you as vnto Children My sonne despyse not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faynt when thou art rebuked of Him FRom the generall Doctrine of bearing Afflictions Prov. 3.11.12 he stirreth them vp to Christian patience in Persecution and everie other Trouble THEN Persecution for Righteousnesse commeth in the Account of Chastisement and is appoyncted amongst other endes to amende our Faults 1. Hee maketh these Hebrews the partie to whom the Proverbes were directed and GOD the speaker thereof THEN 1. Whosoever be the Pen-men of the Scripture it is GOD who speaketh in it 2. The Scriptures doe direct their speach to everie Age and Church and Person no lesâ—e than to those who lived in the Church of olde when it was first written 2. Hee chargeth them for their forgetting of such a kindlie speach as is the styling of the Afflicted by the names of Sonnes THEN 1. The speciall poynct of Fayth which the LORD will haue fostered vnder the Crosse is the Fayth of our Adoption That wee never misstake our Father's Affection nor our Gracious estate by Calling for anie hard dealing wherewith possiblie wee may bee exercised 2. Hee will haue vs assured of our Adoption by GOD'S manner of speaking vnto vs as a Father to his Children 3. He showeth vs That the not-remembering of the Word of GOD speaking vnto vs according to our estate is the cause of faynting and of misstaking 3. The Exhortation dischargeth despysing of the Rodde and faynting vnder the Rodde THEN 1. These are the two evils which we are inclyned vnto Eyther to harden our selues agaynst Corrections and count light of them or else to be discowraged and casten downe by them Both of which we must eschew 2. Though the LORD both stryke and rebuke for sinne yet esteemeth He vs to be Sonnes not the lesse Vers. 6. For whom the Lord loveth Hee chasteneth and scourgeth everie sonne whom Hee receaveth HEe giveth a reason to confirme the afflicted in the certayntie of their Sonship TEACHING VS 1. That neyther Chastisement yea nor Scourging which is the sharpest measure of correction is a signe of Gods hatred but of His loue rather 2. That Gods dealing with al His ChildreÌ„ in general being considered may mitigat the case of any of them in particular Vers. 7. If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sonnes for what sonne is hee whom the father chasteneth not FRom this he vrgeth the patient bearing of Gods chastisements that they may know adoption the better THEN Though God be th' afflicted persons Father yet is he not perceaved to deale as a father but when th'affliction is patientlie borne and endured Vers. 8. But if yee bee without chastisement wherof all are partakers then are yee bastards and not sonnes ALbeit men desire naturallie to go free from trouble yet he showeth that this is not to be chosen And to this ende teacheth 1. That it is the common lot of all God's Children without exception to bee acquaynted with some Crosse and exercysed with some Correction of one kynde or other 2. That to bee exempted from the Crosse and common handeling of Gods Children is to be put out of the Roll of Children 3. That in the visible Church all are not free borne Children but some are Bastardes which the Church holdeth possiblie for ChildreÌ„ but God reckoneth to be none 4. That amoÌ„g other marks this is one of a Bastard If God let him alone and suffer him without Discipline to follow his owne wayes Vers. 9 Farthermore we haue had fathers of our flesh which corrected vs we gaue them reverence shall wee not much rather be in subjection vnto the Father of spirits and liue FRom submitting to our Parents correction he vrgeth to beare the Lords correction Whence we learne 1. That as it is a part of the Parents duetie to correct their Children so it is a part of that reverence due to Parents that Children receaue their correction without change of affection towards their Parents 2. That God is the Father of Spirits in a speciall manner because they are immediatlie created by Him do not run in the materiall channell of fleshlie descent and because they haue a more neare resemblance vnto His Divine Nature 3. That receaving correction is counted subjection to God and refusing correction is refusing of subjection 4. That submission to chastisement is the way to Lyfe Vers. 10. For they verilie for a few days chastened vs after their own pleasure but Hee for our profit that we