in the former verse where Christ is called the head of all things being the head of his body hee hath made a passage both for himselfe and his members How doth Christ open heauen for vs oh that we could see such a sight Christ openeth heauen 1. by the merit of his obedience vnto the death so saith S Paul Col. 1. 20. By the bloud of his crosse he hath set at peace all things Meditate on his death 2. By the donation of his Spirit who worketh faith in the heart of Gods child which is as an hand wherby Christ with all his benefits is receiued and a mouth whereby he is eaten so is it an eye cleered to see thorow the clouds God sitting in his glory vpon the Propitiatorie and Mercy-seate and sometimes vpon the throne of his iustice Heb. 11. 27. By faith Moses departed Egypt and feared not the fiercenesse of the King but endured as one that sawe him that was inuisible By faith Henoch walked with God hee had him euer in his eye heauen was euer open and vndrawne vnto him Ioseâ—h saw on the throne of his iustice and said Can I sinne and doe this great wickednesse against God Thus the godly in this life haue heauen after a sort opened so as they haue God euer present with them Steuen being full of the holy Ghost saw heauen open get faith and thou shalt see it open too 3. By the benefit of his intercession Ioh. 17. Father I will that where I am they also be to behold my glory Now he was heard in all that he prayed for so as by vertue of the merit of his intercession all the elect shall be gathered in soule and body into heauen after this life This same key openeth heauen to our prayers and persons Heere is the comfort of the godly that whereas the first Adam hath shut heauen on them and set hell wide open and armed all the creatures against them this second Adam hath opened heauen againe and reconciled all things there is now passage from man to God from earth to heauen by the prayer of faith and betweene God and man while hee heareth prayer and bestowes heauenly blessings a passage for the Spirit and for Gods helping hand in trouble there is a beaten way betweene heauen earth in which Gods Angels are continually mouing as diligeÌ„t ministers to the heires of saluation Here ye may see Iacobs ladder which reacheth from earth to heauen on which the Angels are continually ascending and descending this ladder is Christ himselfe who by his humanity toucheth earth and by his diuinity reacheth vp to the heauens and so hath made heauen earth meete together And as this comforteth vs through our whole life so especially in the houre of our death it is of exceeding vse then happie is he that can see the heauens opened by Christ for him as Steuen did he shall lay himselfe downe in rest and assurance that though his body shall be inclosed in the earth for a time yet his soule shall ascend to God and both soule and body in the Iudgement day shall partake of the glory vnto which Christ the Head is already ascended and the same power which made the heauens themselues now at his baptisme set themselues open to strengthen encrease the grace of his Saints shall then set them wide open to confirme them for euer in glory And Iohn saw the Spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him Sect. 7. THis is the second diuine testimony whereby God the Father would make euident to all the world that Christ the Sonne was the Messiah anointed with the gifts of the holy Ghost for this purpose Where for the meaning of the words must be knowne 1. What is heere meant by the Spirit of God 2. How the Spirit could descend or be seene so to doe 3. The manner of his descending like a Doue 4. Why hee lighted vpon Christ. 5. Why it is said Iohn saw all this 1. By the Spirit of God is meant sometimes the whole essence of the God-head as it is common to all the three Persons as Ioh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit Somtimes the gifts and graces of the Spirit as Luk. 1. 15. Iohn was filled with the Spirit that is spirituall gifts by a Metonymie of the cause for the effect And Act. 6. 5. Steuen a man full of faith and the holy Ghost Somtimes the third Person in Trinity as 1. Ioh. 5. 6. and that Spirit is truth and thus is the word here vsed not the gifts and graces of the spirit nor taken essentially or commonly for the whole Trinity but personally for the third Person in Trinity who is distinct from the Father and the Sonne equall vnto the Father and the Sonne and the same God in Nature and Essence with the Father and the Sonne though not the same person And the third person is called a Spirit because he is that essentiall vertue proceeding and as it were spired or breathed from the Father and the Sonne or from his effect who bloweth where he listeth and inspireth holy motions and graces into the hearts of the elect 2. How can the holy Ghost be said to descend `who is God omnipresent and filling heauen and earth Psal. 139. 7. Whither shall I goe from thy Spirit Answer True it is that this descending of the Spirit was a locall motion from heauen where it was opened vnto earth to the very head of Christ and yet wee may not conceiue any locall motion in God or any of the persons but in one word The signe or siymbol wherein the holy Ghost pleased to testify a speciall presence or efficacy doth take the name of the thing signifiyed the Doue a signe of the Spirit is called by the thing signified the Spirit it selfe not that the blessed Spirit was changed into a Doue or any similitude whose nature were it not immutable he could not bee God but because it pleased him retaining his owne vnchangeable nature to appeare vnder this forme and likenes and thus Iohn also seeing this shape and appearance descend froÌ„ heauen is said to see the Spirit which is inuisible the Doue signifying called y e Spirit signified by a figuratiue kinde of speech common in the Scriptures The Ark was called The Glory of God because it was a speciall signe of it Three Angels came to Abraham one of them seeming to be more glorious then the other is called by the name Iehoua a name proper to God and not agreeable to any Angel further then he representeth the Sonne of God as that did The right interpretation and vnderstanding of such phrases would cut off infinite quarrels about the reall presence which is onely held vp because by this same figure the bread signifying is called the body signifyed which if it necessarily imply a change of the bread into the very Body of Christ then because the Spirit of God is called a Doue
hee must necessarily bee turned into a Doue of a creating God become a creature which is high blasphemy 3. The manner or forme of the Spirits descending was in the shape of a Doue Quest. Whether was this a true materiall Doue or an appearance of a Doue only Answ. It is enough to conceiue the presence of the holy Ghost vnder the forme of a Doue and it is no article of faith whether it was or no But yet I thinke it was a true reall body and corporal Doue 1. Because Luke addeth in a bodily shape implying that there was a body 2. Because none of the other signes were imaginary or appearances but reall things whence some of the Fathers conclude that it was as true a Doue as the Spirit was a true Spirit Obiect But if it were so how came it into heauen Answ. He that created of nothing all things created it at this time not for common vse but for this vse and purpose which when it was accomplished hee could bring it to nothing or resolue it into the first matter whereof it was made as it was with those bodies in which the Angels appeared Obiect But the text is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like a Doue therefore it was but a similitude and appearance not a true body Answ. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not to be referred to the Doue but to the Spirit who manifested his presence in this likenesse 2. The phrase doth not alwayes note likenesse and similitude onely but verity and identity as Ioh. 1. 14. Wee saw his glory as the glory of the only Sonne of God and Phil. 2. 7. Christ was in the shape of man and like man shal we thence conclude that he was not a true man but one in appearance onely Why did the holy Ghost appeare in this shape For sometimes hee appeared in mighty winds as to the Apostles sometimes in burning fire wherein he seemes to be contrary to himselfe These diuers symbols and testimonies of the presence of the Spirit argue diuers but not contrary effects all of them his wisedome made choyce of according to the occasion and present vse There was great difference betweene the ministery of Christ and Moses betweene the Law and the Gospell and accordingly the Spirit manifesteth himselfe The Law was confirmed with terrour feare but to ratifie the Gospel the Spirit appeares in the shape of a Doue Act. 2. 2. Hee is noted to come like a mighty rushing winde to shew the mighty power of the Gospell in the ministery of the Apostles who were now to bee sent out so in the shape of tongues to shew the vtterance giuen by the Spirit to the Apostles in the shape of clouen tongues to note the variety of tongues and languages wherewith they were indued in the shape of fiery tongues to shew the fruit and efficacie of their ministery and doctrine which should bee as fire to seuer betweene drosse and pure metall So heere the Spirit would appeare in the shape of a Doue to note 1. what kind of Spirit Christs was 2. what kind of gifts they were which were collated and bestowed vpon him and 3. what was the fruit of those gifts For the first in the Doue obserue two things 1. Of all fowles it is the most mild without gall 2. It is most innocent and harmlesse not rauening and hurtfull Which signifieth that Christ should be indued with a mild meeke and gentle spirit so it was prophesied of him Isa. 42. 2. That he should not cry nor lift vp his voice in the streets a brused reed hee should not breake and how it was accomplished the whole story of the Gospell witnesseth Math. 12. 19. So also that he should be most innocent blamelesse of a most pure spirit In him was no guile no deceit in his lips Who could accuse him of sin being the spotlesse Lambe of God 2. As the Doue hath many excellent properties patience simplicity sincerity tendernesse to her young faithfulnes to her mate c. Euen so God the Father hath fitted Christ with all profitable and necessary gifts humility and patience holinesse and integrity loue and tendernesse constancy and diligence in working out the good of his members 3. The fruit of these gifts is the appeasing of his Fathers displeasure conceiued against the sinne of man for looke as the Doue which Noah sent forth out of the Arke returning with an Oliue branch which argued the ceasing of the deluge brought newes that Gods wrath was now asswaged and decreased with the waters so the Spirit of the Lord is vpon Christ in the form of a Doue sending him out to preach the acceptable yeere of the Lord and good tidings of liberty to captiues the opening of the prison to them that are bound forgiuenesse of sin and conferring of grace life c. Isa. 61. 1. Now this being the end of the Spirits appearing in this shape separating and sending Christ to his ministery that onely for this time and not reserued out of this time and vse it is not now lawfull for any man to represent the holy Ghost by this shape or make an image thereof for this is to make an Idoll as the Papists doe not onely in this but in painting God the Father like an old man because he is called the Ancient of dayes Dan. 7. 22. Both of them flat Idolatry God is aboue his Law if he make shapes Cherubs or bodies it is iust because hee doth it but wee are borne vnder the Law which expresly forbids the making or hauing of any Image of God in any vse or any at all in religious vse and enioynes vs to worship God in spirit and truth onely in the Image of his Sonne And it will strongly follow that if wee may not reserue the shapes which God himselfe hath vsed to manifest his presence much lesse vpon any colour any Images or Idols deuised and beautified by Idolaters abused in times past and in present and for time to come subiect to be abused to the maintenance of Idolatry Heere come all Popish pictures to bee defaced whose Idolatry is as grosse as euer the Heathens was a lamentable thing y t any Christian can feed and please his senses in the cōuicted instrumēts of Gods dishonour in so high a kinde A chaste heart will make a chaste eye The 4. point is the Spirits descending vpon Christ for these reasons 1. To shew that Christ was set apart to his great work not onely by the ministery of man but by the holy Ghost 2. That hee was now endued with gifts fit for such a worke for this was the vnction or anoynting of Christ to bee the King Priest and Prophet of his Church as Isa. 61. 1. The Spirit of the Lord is vpon mee hee hath anoynted mee to preach Obiect But Christ was filled with the holy Ghost from his infancy Answer He was endued with such a measure of the Spirit as was
pure heart Psalme 24. 3. What other spirit hath lighted vpon them then the spirit that beareth rule in the world The spirit of lying railing swearing slandering hath light vpon their tongues the spirit of reuenge wrong and wickednesse vpon their heads the spirit of fornication vncleannesse wantonnesse vpon all their parts and members and the spirit of errour delusion desperate impenitency hath settled vpon their hearts all this because they haue grieued this holy Spirit and made this Doue betake himselfe to his wings and left them to bee haunted with an euill spirit as Saul was when God had forsaken him A third quality of such on whom this Spirit of Christ hath lighted is chastity sincerity and singlenesse in heart and life in body and soule the Doue is a most chast bird truly keeping her to her mate and this is required in all the members of the Church Cant. 4. 1. Thine eyes are like the Doues that is single chast beautifull This eye of faith beholds Christ and him alone acknowledging all perfection of beauty and sufficiency in him it keepes the heart into him alone in the purity of his worship it keepes the affections vnto him as the chiefe of ten thousand it watcheth against all vnchast lusts and abandoneth all vnlawful strange and stolne pleasures called in 1. Cor. 7. 34. The holines of body and spirit Of spirit when it is not tempted to vncleannesse or being tempted yeeldeth not or hauing yeelded reneweth it selfe to repentance Of body when as a fit instrument to a chast soule it neuer exciteth nor being excited executeth vncleannesse Whence it followeth that those that goe a whoring from God as all Idolaters that seek to many louers or are bawds to their owne lusts and sinfull pleasures of any kind or prostitute their bodies to any vncleannesse or their members as seruants of vnrighteousnesse are not possessed with the Spirit of Christ. Idolatrous eyes adulterous eyes couetous eyes euill or enuious eyes blind eyes or wanton eyes are not the eyes of Doues A fourth quality in Isa. 60. 8. is this They al fly to the Church of God and ioyne together in his pure worship Who are these that fly like the Doues to the windowes A prophesie of the Gentiles conuerted that shall in such flockes come into the Church as if a whole flight of Doues driuen by some Hawke or tempest should scoure to the columbary and rush into the windowes The Church is compared to Gods culuer-house thither the Doues fly together feed together roost together which signifies the Communion of Saints who are of one heart and soule and which worship God purely with one shoulder It is no receptacle of Eagles and rauenous birds which deuoure one another and the reason is because the Spirit lighting vpon Christians tyes them together with fast bands of peace called The bond of the Spirit And hence it followeth that whosoeuer neglecteth the ministery which is the chariot of the Spirit the Spirit lights not vpon him whosoeuer ioyneth not in this society of Saints and carryeth not himselfe as one liuing with other the children of God vnder the same roofe of one Father he hath not the Spirit of God and consequently is none of his What may wee thinke of him that is an enemie to the Church that malignes the members of it that opposeth the pure worship and worshippers that flies from the culuer-house but to be an vncleane bird no Doue This is one speciall note of the presence of the Spirit which I would not omit because many may come to see themselues better by it Vers. 17. And lo a voice came from heauen saying This is my welbeloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Sect. 8. HEre is the third sensible testimony of Christs most solemne setting into his office and that from heauen also as the other were and that by an audible voice wherein are two things 1. The circumstances three 1. Whose voice it was The Fathers 2. The place whence it came From heauen 3. The manner It was a sensible and audible voice II. The substance in which are three particulars 1. That Christ is the Sonne of God to note the relation between God and Christ. 2. That hee is his beloued Sonne to note the neernesse of that relation 3. The fruit of it in whom I am well pleased 1. The Person whose voice it was is God the Father for he saith Thou art my beloued Sonne Euery testimony receiues validity and authority from the Testator therefore this must needs be sound and good God had giuen testimony to Christ by many famous men euen all the Prophets and now lately by Iohn Baptist who was greater than a Prophet that Christ was greater than he yea more had giuen testimony of him by a multitude of heauenly Angels Luk. 1. 30. and 13. But not content with all this he giues from heauen his owne testimony of him 1. To strike vs with reuerence in receiuing this testimony which hath this priuiledge aboue other parts of Scriptures that it was vttered by Gods owne mouth not by men or Angels 2. To confirme vs in the truth of the testimony proceeding from him who is prima veritas Truth it selfe not onely true in his Essence and much more in his words and workes who cannot bee deceiued nor deceiue vs. 3. To shew the necessity of beleeuing this testimony being the first and onely principle in Christian Religion without which foundation laid can bee no religion nor saluation as we see in the Iewes and Turkes That we might more firmly beleeue in the Sonne of God for life Gods owne mouth testifieth so honourably of him 4. That such a glorious commendation of this testimony might stir vp our best attention and affections in the vnfolding of it wee haue heere the word of a King which was neuer stained and that not vttered by any Herald or a Lord Chancellor but from his owne mouth which carryeth more waight with it if God speake woe to him that heares not 2. The place whence from heauen for these reasons 1. For more authority to the Person of Christ whom God from heauen doth honour and if God thus honour him how ought we to honour him 2. Pet. 1. 17. Hee receiued of God the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloued Sonne which was verified not onely in the time of his transfiguration but here also 2. Because the testimony containes the summe of the whole Gospell to declare that the doctrine of the Gospell which Christ deliuered to the world was from heauen because God from heauen so testifieth it to bee wherein it differs from the doctrine of the Law which although God renewed from heauen in the Tables of stone yet was it written in the heart of man by nature so was not the Gospell but as after y e fall it was immediately deliuerd by God to Adam in the promise
is exempted from the common condition and obligation of all other men and freed from the common bond of obedience Thus our comfort is euery way enlarged in that Christ did all for vs not by any such necessity of nature as wee but by free choyce and election of will by which his whole obedience was a free-will offering Heereby Christ is concluded to bee perfect God for hee cannot be a naked man that can perfectly fulfill all righteousnesse and y t not for himselfe directly but for all the Elect he is not only iust but a iustifier Isa. 53. 11. by his knowledge Who could obserue all the precepts of the Law Who could vndertake vpon himselfe and foile and ouercome all the curses of the Law due to the sinnes of the Elect Who could merit all the promises of the Law that they should be yea and Amen to beleeuers but this second Adam our Emmanuel God with vs and in our nature as well as in our stead Ier. 23. 6. The name wherby they shall call him is The Lord our righteousnesse and 35. 16. He that shall call her is The Lord our righteousnesse And hee that can thus iustifie beleeuers is God because hee can both merit and impute a perfect righteousnesse and by renewing their nature and donation of the Spirit begin and accomplish the same in themselues Secondly obserue the goodnesse perfection perpetuity and strength of the Law seeing Christ must come from heauen to fulfill it not a iot of the Law shall passe away when heauen and earth passe away How little doe men thinke heereof that let passe the precepts promises and threats as if they were things not at all concerning them Whereas if a man could ouerthrow heauen and earth he could not diminish one tittle of the Law The wickedest wretch that liues and sets his face against heauen and glories in his defiance of the Law shall fulfill it in the curse and plagues of it as hee that will transgresse the Lawes of the King by felony shall fulfill the law in the penalty of death Thirdly if Christ haue fulfilled all righteousnesse and satisfied Gods iustice then haue wee found comfort 1. Our whole debt is paid hee hath payed the vttermost farthing for euery beleeuer here is a stay to him that sees his insufficiencie banquerupt estate 2. If Satan set vpon the beleeuer and come vpon him for the breach of the law which God will stand so strict for here is a full answere Christ hath fulfilled all righteousnesse Fourthly heere is a Cannon and battry 1. Against all Popish merit and humane righteousnesse and satisfaction it must be Christs righteousnesse that must be meritorious and satisfactorie his who can fulfill all righteousnesse which we cannot doe neither neede to doe after him 2. Against all workes of hypocrites and vnregenerate ones who being without faith in Christ all they doe is sinne no fulfilling of righteousnesse 3. Against loose Christians who because Christ hath fulfilled all will doe nothing for to whom Christ fulfilleth all righteousnesse for iustification he renueth their hearts and giueth them his Spirit that they shall endeuour to fulfill the Law not to satisfie for or to iustifie themselues but to testifie their thankfulnesse for such a free and vndeserued grace Further as Christ our Lord had respect to fulfill euery duty that God had commanded him in his place and calling so must euery Christian Housholder endeuour to do all the things that God hath enioyned him by vertue of his calling generall or particular Deut. 5. 29. Oh that there were such an hart in them to feare me keepe all my cōmandements and ver 32 33. You shal not turn aside to the right hand or to the left you shall walke in all the wayes which the Lord your God hath cōmanded you Phi. 4. 8. Whatsoeuer things are honest iust true of good report thinke on these things and doe them 1. The whole Word of God calls for it the Law whereof euery iot must be fulfilled and the fragments of it gathered vp curseth euery one that continueth not in all things and the Gospell teacheth to obserue all things Math. 28. 20. 2. The worke of grace disposeth the heart and soule equally to one good thing as well as to another the sound grace of Regeneration changeth the whole man and reneweth the whole nature with all the powers thereof And indeede heere lyeth a maine difference betweene a sound heart and an hypocrite one will seeme to doe many things with Saul but Agag shall be spared yea and can doe many things with Herod but will hold his Herodias the other hath respect to all the Commaundements and hateth all the wayes of falshood Giue thy selfe liberty in some things and in the end thou wilt take liberty in all 3. The eye of the Lord is vpon euery man to watch him how farre hee is wanting in any good work which he hath giuen him calling meanes vnto and as he is ready to commend the presence of any true grace to encourage it so taketh he notice of that which is wanting partly to reprooue the want and partly to prouoke vs to the purchase of it Thus he testifieth of many of the Kings of Iudah who were highly commended in some things but failed in others either the high places were not taken away wholy or some league was made with Gods enemies or some forgetfulnesse ouertook them So the Spirit in the new Testament writing to the Churches speaketh plainely I know thy workes c. but this I haue against thee This thou hast and this thou hast not 4. As it yeelds thee comfort of soundnesse here so it aduanceth and furthereth thy reckoning and prepareth a comfortable account for hereafter How rich might a man be in good workes what an Haruest might hee make account of what a crowne of righteousnesse might he expect that were carefull in this endeuour to looke to doe one duty as well as another 5. This was the commendation of sound Christians in time past Zacharie and Elizabeth walked in all the ordinances of God without reproofe first they framed their liues to all Gods commandements and then they are said to keep them or to walk in them 1. Because Christs keeping of them was imputed to them 2. Because themselues were renued by the Spirit to keepe all not legally in the perfect act but euangelically in the endeuour to keepe them and griefe in failing Thus Paul encourageth and commendeth the Romanes chap. 15. 4. that they were full of goodnesse and Dorcas Act. 9. 36. that she was full of good workes Wee must therefore account the whole word of God our rule of life as well as the ten Commandements and so respect greater duties in the first place as we neglect not the least for is not euery word of God a binder of conscience to obedience or to punishment No man can be an imitator of Christ herein
hath appointed thou commest vnto him to receiue the fruit of righteousnesse Then he suffered him Sect. 4. IOhn hearing Christ giue such a sound reason for his fact he disputeth no longer nor resisteth but cheerfully admits him to his baptisme for 1. Now he knoweth that whom he beleeued firmely to be the Sonne of God and Sauiour of the world all his commaundements and preceptsmust needs be iust wise and onely good 2. His spirit could not but reioyce that he would vouchsafe him to bee the minister in his fulfilling this part of righteousnesse 3. He is now in expectation of that promise to be accomplished Ioh. 1. 33. and to see the Spirit visibly descend vpon him which was as glorious a sight as any mortall eye could euer behold therefore vndoubtedly he now most willingly permitted him Whence note the singular modesty of this holy man hee yeeldeth vp his error at the first so soon as Christ letteth him see it and teacheth vs that it is a point of Christian modesty to be willing both to see our error and to forsake it vpon the sight of it Iob was so desirous to see his error that he would learne it of his seruant and maid Cha. 31. 13. And seeing his error chap. 39. 38. He professed thus of himselfe Once haue I spoken but I will answere no more yea twice but I will proceed no further The like we see in Dauid when Abigail met him and perswaded him from his purpose 1. Sam. 25. 32. Blessed be the Lord that sent thee and blessed bee thy counsell and blessed bee thou that hast kept mee from bloud Thus did the Israelites at at the counsell of Obed the Prophet concerning the spoiles and captiues 2. Chron. 28. 13 14. 1. This is a signe of humility to be ready to acknowledge humanity and weakenesse pride will not giue ouer a conceit 2. It is a note of the loue of truth which a man magnifieth in his iudgement and practice with denying himselfe 3. Continuance in a knowne error addeth wilfulnes to ignorance and when men see and wil not see God giues them vp to hardnes of heart Isa. 6. 9 10. and to strong delusion 2. Thess. 2. 4. The Lord noteth it for the way of the foole to bee wise in his owne eyes and that there is more hope of a foole then of him that will leane to his owne counsell First then in hearing the Word bring teachable hearts which is the way to profit in Gods wisedome for hee teacheth the humble in his way Psal. 25. 9. and the wise in heart will receiue commandements Prou. 10. 8. and he that heareth counsell is wise Consider how dangerously Moses replied vpon God againe and againe till the Lord was very angry and so did Peter once and againe Ioh. 13. 6 8. till Christ told him in earnest that if he washed him not he should haue no part in him Therefore let all flesh stoope to the wisedome of GOD in his Word Secondly this conuinceth the obstinacie of men who hold it a poynt of wit and learning to defend euery nouell opinion they take vp and not yeeld an inch to any man what euer bee brought to the contrary And indeed if a man bee resolued to hold and maintaine an error hee will be hardly ouercome for the diuell and his own wicked heart will suggest words and colour as for substance and soundnesse they care not the contention is for victory not for truth but all this is the way of one wise in his owne eyes a proud folly an ignorant learning leading into strength of delusion This folly is now set on horsebacke as the numbers of strange questions not in ceremony or circumstance but in the substance of religion daily forged out of conceited braines doe witnesse and it is the vnhappinesse of many a man that he cannot rise into request but by the fall or foyling of some truth or other Thirdly priuate persons especially must take heed of stifnesse in opinion a spice of pride and the mother of schisme not to be reeds shaken with the winde in fundamentall and more necessarie poynts grounded in Scripture but in things controuerted and of lesse consequence to beware of vngrounded conceits to suspect their iudgemeÌ„ts and be of the yeelding hand to better reason and for this let Iohn be an example But alasse many are so stiffe and wedded tâ—â—â—â—nions as neither priuate 〈◊〉 â—ublike persons can stirre 〈◊〉 out of them Vers. 16. And Iesus when hee was baptized came straight out of the water and loe the heauens were opened vnto him and hee saw the Spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him Sect. 5. NOw followeth the solemne inuesting of Christ into his office by three wonderfull and admirable effects first the opening of the heauens secondly the desceÌ„ding of the holy Ghost in a visible shape vpon him thirdly his Fathers voyce concerning him But first it is said that Christ so soone as hee was baptized came straight out of the water and this not without iust reason for 1. whereas Iohn in his baptisme of others preached vnto them and admonished them to looke to their faith and repentance and before they came out of the water instructed theÌ„ in the doctrine of Baptisme and exhorted to bring forth fruites worthy repentance vers 8. so as they were stayed awhile as it seemeth after their baptisme Christ presently asceÌ„ded where Iohns wisedome is commended in putting difference betweene the person of Christ and others he knew that though Christ must be baptized with his baptisme yet he needed not his instruction and teacheth Ministers wisely to see into the estate of their people that they performe duties to them according to their seuerall necessities 2. It sheweth the willingnes of Christ to vndertake his office he staied no longer than he must needs and indeed all his obedience was most voluntarie teaching vs also to make haste not delay in doing the worke which God hath committed to vs. Psal. 119. 60. and ver 32. I will runne the way of thy commandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart we loue quicke seruants and so doth God 3. Christ stayed not in the water but hasted to receiue the Spirit promised in his baptism and teacheth vs not to stay in outward washings but hasten our selues to the Spirit without which all externall washings auaile nothing it is meet to vse the outward meanes as Christ did but not to stay in them for further than the Spirit accompanies them they are but dead and powerlesse 4. This speedie comming out of the water was a type of his rising from vnder our sinne which his baptisme washed away and of ours in him Againe the Euangelist Luke hath another circumstance chap. 3. 21. That Christ as he was baptized did pray It is vndoubted that Christ both before and in the time of baptisme did lift vp his heart in requests vnto his Father
fit for his priuate estate yet now entring vpon a publique office and a worke after a sort infinite he needeth more grace and receiueth according as his calling required Obiect But then Christ had imperfection in him if hee wanted some grace Answ. It implies a degree but not imperfection hee was perfectly graced so farre as his youth and priuate estate required yea as much as that was capable of it being with him as with the Saints in heauen among whom are degrees of glory but not want nor imperfectiō And 3. to shew that the Spirit did perpetually rest with Christ therefore Ioh. 1. 32. the Spirit abode vpon him This was prophecied Isa. 11. 2. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest vpon him the Spirit of counsel and vnderstanding of wisedome and strength the Spirit of knowledge and the feare of the Lord. Obiect But the Spirit of God dwels in the Elect therefore this was no priuiledge An. Neuer did or can the spirit rest with Saint or Angel as hee did with Christ. 1. In respect of his humanity the Spirit is euer with that working in y t nature all diuine vertues graces glory both in nūber degree perfect as fitting the Head wheras the members haue some not all and in some small degree not in all perfection of degrees as hee was being anointed with y e oyle of gladnes aboue al his fellowes 2. In respect of his Deity the spirit the third person is perpetually present with the Son as ioyned vnto him in the admirable vnity of one the same nature yea so ioyned as he proceedeth from the Son as frō the Father and hath his subsistence from the Son as frō the Father by the vnspeakable cōmunication of one and the selfe-same nature In which respects the Spirit neuer lighted nor did rest with any but with Iesus Christ alone 4. Some adde a fourth reason of the Spirits lighting on Christ not only to designe Christ but to distinguish him by an apparent signe from Iohn lest any should thinke that the voyce following This is my well-beloued Sonne was vttered of Iohn and not of Christ himselfe The fifth point is Why it is said that Iohn saw all this this was 1. that the Word of the Lord might be accomplished who had promised Iohn that he should certainely know Christ by this signe Ioh. 1. 33. 2. That Iohn might beare record of the trueth heereof not onely in his age but to all succeeding ages so it is said Ioh. 1. 32. Iohn bare record saying I saw the Spirit c. Hence was it that it did so openly appeare because it was not onely for Christ who as hee was man and had taken vpon him our infirmities had need of assistance but for Iohn also and the people of God see Iohn 12. 30. 1. Note that the Spirit of God is no quality or created motion in the minde of man for then hee should not exist without the mindes of men for the accident cannot be without the subiect to which it cleaueth and much lesse could the Spirit appeare in a visible and distinct forme as he did heere and in the feast of Pentecost 2. Hee is here a distinct person from the Father and the Sonne and yet ioyned with the Father and the Sonne 3. He is called God Act. 5. 3 4. To lye to the holy Ghost is to lye vnto God and 1. Cor. 12. 11. Hee giueth gifts to euery one according to his will as heere hee anointeth Christ the head consequently is the Author of all good gifts with the Father of lights and not the gifts themselues 2. Note as Christ was set apart both by the ministry of man and by the Spirit by the visible appearance of which God would manifest that hee was fitted thereunto so in all those that are set apart by man to the ministry must be an apparant descending of the Spirit though not in visible shape yet in euident gifts and graces The reason is sound if Christ himselfe must not take this honour vpon himself but the spirit of the Lord must be vpō him to preach much more must it be so with those that come in his name Adde hereunto these arguments 1. If God when hee had set down the frame parcels of the materiall Tabernacle did set apart a Bezaleel and fill him with the Spirit of God in wisedome vnderstanding in knowledge and all curious workmanship and ioyned an Aholiah vnto him into whom he put wisedome to make al after his draught Exod. 31. 3 6. And if when Salomon is to build the material Temple he must haue his Hiram sent for a man full of wisedom vnderstanding and knowledge to work all manner of worke in brasse 1. King 7. 14. much more the true Salomon in building his spiritual Temple makes choice of men filled with the spirit c. 2. If the Prophets Apostles performed euery thing by vertue of their extraordinary calling by God then must Pastors Teachers also by vertue of their ordinary calling by God They spake wrote as they were moued by the holy Ghost 2. Pet. 1. vlt. they reuealed and fore-told things by the Spirit 1. Pet. 1. 10 11. The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets searched and signified the time and passion glory of Christ the Spirit was promised to teach the Apostles what to speake and to leade them in all trueth Ioh. 14. Yea the Spirit shall teach you in that houre Luk. 12. so must we be furnished by the Spirit to our duties 1. Cor. 17. 7. The manifestation of the Spirit is giuen to euery one to profit withall to one a word of wisedome to another a word of knowledge Whence the Spirit is said to send Pastors Act. 20. 28. Pastors at Ephesus were made ouer-seers by the holy Ghost because he fitteth them to the Church and commendeth them by gracing them to the vse of it 3. This sitting of the Spirit giueth a mans selfe much comfort 1. That hee is lawfully called of God who sendeth not his message by the hand of a foole for this is as he that cutteth off the feet but he sendeth a learned tongue an Ezra an Apollos mighty in the Scriptures This was signified by the consecration of Aaron and his sonnes who must be 1. washed purged from whatsoeuer might blemish their calling 2. Arrayed with new garments signifying their furnishing and instructing with graces of wisedom knowledge c. 3. Perfumed with a sweet smell of the holy oyle noting the sweetnesse the sweet sauour by holy doctrine and life which they were to diffuse into the Church This when it was done then were they set apart by the Lord and not before Leu. 8. 3. 2. That God who hath graced him will protect him and carrie him thorow the troubles of his calling which Satan and the wicked of the world whom hee is to encounter with will raise against him which promise of speciall protection while the sonnes of Sceua wanted Satan
who easily spied their want of commission mightily preuailed against them Act. 19. 3. That God will blesse his labour and the workes of his calling and make it powerfull and fruitfull because it is his owne worke whereas such as haue not their commission sealed from the Lord finde not their sacrifices burnt by God but often labour all day and night and catch nothing A caueat not to runne vpon mans calling without Gods as the false apostles did against whom the Apostles opposed themselues see that the chiefe Bishop of soules send thee that he hath laid his hands vpō thee that hee hath bid thee receiue the holy Ghost as for the order and ordination of the Church it is onely a manifestation and declaration of him whom God hath fitted Let euery Minister be able to say as Christ himselfe did Isa. 48. 16. The Lord God himselfe and his spirit hath sent me namely to declare what Cyrus in his time was to performe to the Church And here he that would haue good and assured comfort of his commission must examine what kinde of gifts they be which he hath receiued of the Spirit for they be of two sorts 1. Common to good and bad as those of knowledge tongues interpretation eloquence to which if working of miracles if a man haue no more were added while he might much benefit others himselfe might remaine a reprobate For Saul and Iudas had the Spirit of God 2. Proper and peculiar to the elect as iustifying faith true loue inuocation repentance vnspeakable groanes and mourning of the Doue innocencie meeknesse sinceritie and such like testimonies that God hath sent the Spirit of his Sonne into the heart purifying it making it cry Abba Father These are gifts worth hauing making all the former not onely profitable to others but truly comfortable to himself and acceptable to God Now shall a man speake powerfully feelingly and conscionably and resemble those holie men of God who wrote the Scriptures in interpreting thē they shall speake and do as they are moued by the holy Ghost men shall perceiue and after a sort see a fiery tongue vpon their heads such shall be the efficacie and power of their ministerie in separating the precious from the vile 3. Note wheresoeuer the Spirit descendeth on any Christian it descendeth like a Doue that is maketh a Christian resemble the Doue Whence it is that the holy Church or company of beleeuers is called by Christ his Doue Cant. 2. 14. 1. Because the same sweet oyntment as that of Aaron runnes downe from the head to all the mēbers the same graces which this Spirit in the shape of a Doue did fill Christ withall aboue measure hee doth also bestow in measure vpon Christians Thus are we said to receiue of his fulnesse A fountaine sends the same water into the streames that it self hath 2. The Spirit of God is euery-where like to himself both in the head and members as the same iuyce is in the roote and branches in the tree and fruites looke what were the fruites of the Spirit in Christ the same also are in the members Gal. 5. 23. To examine whether we haue receiued this Spirit or no by the properties of a Doue 1. Meeknesse is an essentiall mark of one of Christs Doues and on whom the Spirit of Christ is descēded as himselfe witnesseth Learne of me for I am lowly and meeke 1. He in heart neuer conceiued fierce or reuengefull thought 2. In word being reuiled he reuiled not againe 3. In action hee was led as a sheepe to the slaughter and was dumbe before the shearer 1. Pet. 2. 23. Moses was the meekest man on earth but not like him If any be a rough Esau of a froward and peruerse disposition the Spirit of Christ hath not sate and lighted vpon him for in the kingdome of Christ the lyon and the lambe shall feed together Let vs therefore put on and decke our selues with meeknesse Col. 3. 12. A most beautifull grace much set by of God How glorious a sight was it and how delightfull to God his Father as the voyce witnesseth when the Doue sate vpon Christ and euen so the Apostle commendeth this grace to women as a most precious garment to set them out to God and make him set by them as their most costly garments doe set them out to men neither is it a garment proper to the women as distinguishing the sexe which the cloathing of our bodies doe or ought to doe but the condition between a naturall and spiritual man an old and new creature for this makes difference before God when none is betweene male and female And though we take little notice of a meeke-hearted Christian yet God doth so account of it as he doth denominate the righteous by it and maketh it a speciall title of the iust Zeph. 2. 3. Seeke the Lord ye meeke of the earth as though none were fit to seeke him and he would be found of none else A second qualitie of those on whom the Spirit is lighted like a Doue is simplicitie innocencie commended to vs also by Christ Be wise as serpents but innocent as Doues enforcing it plainly to be a qualitie of those who are baptized with the Spirit of Christ To which purpose he knitteth these two together Cant. 5. 12. and 6. 8. My Doue my vndefiled Elsewhere he calls the Church faire as the Sunne pure as the Moone the Lords holy ones vndefiled in their wayes Saints pure not only in regard of their iustification by the bloud of Christ clensing them from all sinne but also of their endeuour in sanctification These Doues of the Lords Culuer-house are cleane fowles not of the vncleane birds Vultures Crowes and Hawkes that can smell a carrion a farre off to flye to it and feede vpon it the Spirit neuer tooke such a shape Let vs be carefull of our wayes not to foule our selues with sin which is the most filthy vncleannes but rather when the Spirit sate vpon Christs head make knowne that it sate like a Doue on our head by purging our selues euen as he is pure 1. Ioh. 3. 3. as it is a marke of our adoption in that place He is not capable of any grace that endeuoureth not in this wil the Spirit of God dwell in a stye or will hee powre his gracious liquors into fustie and filthie vessels What may wee thinke the hire of those that moyle themselues in all filthie lusts and tumble like swine in their sinnes and in the meane time scorne at those who desire to bee more free and innocent from the riots of the world seeing GOD is good to none but the pure of heart heareth none pray but such as lift vp pure hands accepteth no seruice but a cleane offering and from a cleane offerer admitteth none to the blessed vision of God but the pure of heart and much lesse to stand in his Holy place but hee that is of innocent hands and a