two heads Gods manifestation in Christ and Christs manifestation in us God in Him and He in us and both these are laid out to the full in the Text. We may well admire the fullnesse and shortnesse of Divine expression in the Scripture that so much should be wrapt up in so little more then to have Homers Iliads compriz'd in a nut-shell Turn over all the Volumes of Nature all the large writings of Prophane or Divine Authors they containe not so much matter as one of these expressions will hold forth unto us That which I shall begin with is the generall description of Divinity which is laid down in these words Great is the Mystery of Godlinesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wherein you have first the thing described that is Godlinesse or else you have The subject Godlinesse The predicate Mystery The adjunct a Great Mystery 2. The description it selfe it is a Mystery 3. The adjunct our Title to expresse by it is a Great Mystery The Apostle cannot containe himselfe in ordinary expressions to say it was a mystery is an exceeding large expression beyond our apprehensions but in that he cals it a great mystery he raiseth our thoughts and loseth our understanding This observe by the way you can never speake too high of nor admire too much any thing of the Gospell when you have spoken to the utmost and have lost your selfe and your hearers yet then you are below what glory is conteined in them you may speake too much of any creature and presently transgresse in your commendations but it is impossible that ever any expressions should reach Gospell-mystery Hyperboles in the world are the excretion of our frothy wits and serve but only to indulge our corrupt affections but as one saith Deus Coelum non patitur hyperbolen all the height of expressions and wit strained through the narrowest and purest fancy can never be too high in expressing Gospell-glory Gods own spirit is as it were streightned and at a losse for expressions to set forth the deep mysteries of the Gospell and though what is spoken of them be proper yet they are far under the things themselves and no more than Pictures and Phantasmes to the reality of those things themselves What words can be given to set forth invisible and immortall and immense glory God hath help'd our senses and understandings by those expressions though in all that is written he hath spoken below himselfe if a man should paint the glory of the sun what colours could he use or how would he limb out the nature of a soule why spirituall mysteries are far more invisible and glorious 1. I shall begin in the first place with the subject of the proposition that it Godliness 2. Shew that it is mystery 3. That it is a Great mystery That every word as well single as compounded may have its weight For the first the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the right worshipping of God in the generall signification of it and it is used by the heathens to expresse the worship of their Gods But in that notion it is not meant here besides what was said the last time of the nature of Godlinesse in regard of the communion of the two expressions truth and godlinesse I shall proceed more particularly to express the nature of it It is used three waies in Scripture 1. For the whole doctrine of the Gospell as a generall word which containes whatever is demonstrated concerning God so it is called the doctrine which is according to godlinesse 1 Tim. 6.3 thus godlinesse is truth 2. It is put for the inward worke of all these truths on the heart for the gracious qualifications of a soule sutable to the truths of the Gospell they are put both together by the Apostle Tit. 1.1 2. the acknowledgement of the truth which is after godliness it imports the inward frame of the soule in conformity to the truths which are godliness 3. It is put forth the holy walkings of a Saint in the world from the patterne of these spirituall truths 1 Tim. 4.7 exercise thy selfe in godlinesse that is in all the waies of holiness by godliness here is meant the whole sum of divinity the circumference of all Religion especially that which contains the great contrivance of Gods wisdome and love in the Gospel and the manifestation and working of it in us It is not meant barely of the truths themselves but of the workes of these truths in the Saints So that godliness consists in the light of truth and in the life of grace God manifesting himselfe in the light of truth and working in the life of love and grace in the heart There is a forme of godlinesse which the Apostle speaks of 2 Tim. 3.5 a meere externall profession and garbe of godlinesse there is no mystery in that men may take up a curious picture of holiness without much ado nature can reach that mystery but there is a power of godliness which consists in the life and spirit of truth in the soule that is a mystery Will you know then what godliness is It is the openings of Gods glory in its selfe and the workings of it gloriously in the soule Godlinesse lies not in the bare expression of words nor in the externall forme of profession of these words But it lies in the divine glory of God which is wrapt up in these words and the gracious dispositions and affections of the soule to these things What a great matter is it for a man to confess Jesus Christ to be the Son of God to pray and express outward words accordingly But to see the mystery of that glory which is in this that Christ is Gods Son and to have the powerfull influence of it in the soule this is godlinesse and that which is called a great mystery Thus then the whole manifestation of God in the Gospell all the actings of his glory in truth and all those truths wrought in the soule is this godlinesse which the Apostle well cals a great mystery though this must be added that the Apostle especially aimes here at the truths themselves and Gods manifestation of his glory in them Now secondly This he cals a mystery It is a high expression and worthy to be appropriated unto godlinesse and the Holy Ghost ever makes use of it when he would set forth the unexpressible nature of gospell-Gospell-truth therefore to open it 1. It signifies some secret and hidden thing that is above vulgar apprehension its word that comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to shut up and hide a thing that none may find it and know where it is as men hide jewels and precious things from common hands therefore Daniel saith It is God in heaven that reveales mysteries or secret things Dan. 2.28 Thus godlinesse is a mystery hidden from the eyes of thousands hidden in Gods own breast from everlasting and as the Apostle expresseth in Eph. 3. hidden from generations of men The
the Scripture but is matter enough for a whole Age to Comment upon so that thou needest not leave old principles for new discoveries for in them thou mayest find successive sweetnesse The Apostle in the 2 Colossians v. 2. speakes of a full assurance of understanding which the Saints may come unto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is the same with what the Text saith To be so fully assured in our understandings of all the truths of the Gospell that nothing can shake us To have all things so demonstrative and cleare and our judgements so convinced and setled in them that we may see round about all the objections that can be made of them Doubting in judgement makes doubting in conscience and Faith As your principles are so your practise will be therefore you had need have them cleare The holding of some things are so odious that a Saint should not answer them but contemne them So Paul when this objection came in that we might sinne because grace abounded Rom. 6.1 What doth he stand to confute it no he will not honour it with an answer but abominates the thoughts of it God forbid saith he To conclude this with a ground of comfort to all Saints Your salvation is without controversie the grounds of your eternall peace are not to be so much as questioned All things are carryed on in a mystery yet so sure as that it is death to question them You may as well doubt whether there be a God as doubt whether the everlasting foundation of your peace can be removed There is nothing for you to doe in this but to believe as these things in themselves are past dispute so doe you believe that they may be without doubt to you Get your assurances as unquestionable as Gods foundation for that stands sure and hath an eternall seal unto it put your propriety in this mystery out of dispute that you may be able to say without all controversy this mystery is in me and as God was manifest in flesh and I may not doubt it so God is manifest in me and I dare not deny it Art thou in Iesus Christ who is the summe of this great mystery why then let Devills and men question thy salvation it cannot hinder thy comfort Beloved get things at such a passe in your soules that all things are beyond dispute in your hearts either concerning the principles or the application of them to your conscience that you may come to the full assurance of Understanding in the mysteries of the Gospell not to doubt of the truth of them so come to the full assurance of Faith not to question your part in them That as this is sure that Christ is so you may be as sure that you are in Christ God hath not left the things of salvation the great truths of his Gospell to be judged by the pur-blind eye of a probable judgement but by the cleer and open eye of Faith And though they seem to lye never so contrary to the received principles of reason yet if they have God's stampe they must be beleeved by our Faith If we may but guesse and conjecture at things of the Gospell what a miserable condition were we in what a disparagement to the divine light of Truth that it is not so demonstrative and fit for knowledge as the maximes of Nature Indeed as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 2.8 The naturall man with all his accomplisht parts and light of reason cannot perceive the things of God the utmost of his knowledge is but conjecturall and common he sees not into the nature of these truths But the poorest soule which hath the least beame of supernaturall light in his Understanding beholds such infallible cleernesse in the mind of God that his whole soule fals down before the manifestation of it Ob. But can a soule be as much without controversy and doubt of his own salvation and of his being wrapt up in in that Mystery as he is of the truth of the things themselves Sol. I answer Yes the same that reveales the one reveales the other the same un-erring spirit that revealed the mystery in it selfe reveales it to the soule and the same closeth with the light of the one as with the other why may not a soule be assured that what the Holy Ghost hath written in his heart is as certaine as what he hath writ in the word Doubtlesse the worke of the spirit in the fleshly tables of our heart is as certaine and I may have as sure knowledge of it as of the writing in Tables of stone or in paper for the Mistery of God in the heart is but a transcript of what is in the word yea doubtlesse it is more glorious then the bare expression of the mystery in words What makes the soule be fully perswaded that this in the Bible is the word of God that these truths are certaine but because of that light and demonstration of the spirit which accompanies it every one sees not that infallible glory and beauty in these things only takes them up in a generall and customary notion but in the Saints they know it is so as they know that snow is white and the same light and power of the spirit assures their soules that what is written in their hearts is as absolute an undenyable truth The inequality of light from the spirit causeth the inequality of knowledge and assurance concerning them both And the Apopostle speaks as confidently of his own salvation as he speaks of the Truth of the Gospell we know that if this earthly house c. 2 Cor. 5.1 And we know we are of God though all the world lyes in wickednesse And there is a full assurance of Faith as of understanding Oh look therefore to come into an unquestionable condition once thou hast it demonstrative that thou art in Christ take heed of questioning it As every word which God hath spoken shall not passe away unfulfilled so every worke which God hath wrought in thee shall be perfected God giving the same assurance to thy spirit as he doth to his owne Truth SERMON II. 1 TIM 3.16 And without controversie great is the mystery of godlinesse c. IN these words there is a full and summary comprehension of the deepest divine truths that ever came out of Gods heart and a seale of confirmation added to the assurance of them they are not things which hang on uncertaine grounds but have such demonstrations within themselves that they are without all controversy confest absolutely by al Saints not but that some doe deny them but that in themselves they are to be beleeved by the Saints There is no place in all the Scripture that in one verse doth Epitomize all Divinity as this that I may call it a Map of both worlds wherein at once you may behold all that which would cost you all your life to travell over and see in the fulnesse of its Glory All Divinity may be reduced to
leave impressions of an immortall nature on their spirits How can soules see Jesus Christ as the manifestation of God behold him as one received up into glory and sitting at the right hand of God and have it as truth within him and not be drawn out in strong desires of Communion with him and have the reflexions of his holiness and glory on the heart What is godliness but God shining in light and working in life in the soule Take thy picture of truth which thou thinkest thou hast in thy understanding and sit down and rejoyce in the high-flown notions of God and Christ thou knowing Professor while poore soules enjoy the life and power the beauty and substance of all truth within their hearts Obs 2. The second thing of worth is this How full Pauls heart is when he begins to speake of the things of the Gospell like a man that is full of griefe or joy longs to have vent and breakes off on a sudden from his former discourses so doth the Apostle he was to swim out into a great deep and his heart cannot hold he speaks as a man overmatched with matter that is faine to speake broken expressions without controversie c. High manifestations of God should be expressed with great affections as God let out himselfe so our hearts must be taken a little love and admiration will not serve when God manifests himselfe in a mystery the best frame of spirit a soule can be in when he is meditating or to speake of Gospell-mysteries is to be astonished at them as one that knows not where to begin or end you never have known the mysteries of God which have not admired them Use All the use I would make of this to you is to get affections sutable to manifestations to rise as God rises Oh let not your hearts be low when God is high in love and glory Souls which are wrapt up in the bosome of glorious enjoyments that apprehend God in his discoveries of himself cannot but be lost in the thoughts of them then are your soules in a spirituall frame when they worke in the sight of God in Christ and sutable to the openings of his heart the more your hearts are full of these apprehensions the more you will breake forth in admirations But now to the words themselves and in them first of the Preface without Controversie c. The Apostle speaks as one so confident that all did grant it to be truth that there need no farther debate but the laying down the very things themselves The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an absolute and cleare confession of a thing without doubt or scruple and it is as much as if the Apostle had said by the confession of all it is so it is a confessed truth by all the Saints not one disputing or denying it that godlinesse is a great mystery in all these particulars I need give you no confirmation at all of it it is without question to deny it is to be wilfully blind and desperate Obs That there are principles and mysteries of godliness cleare and undeniable to all the Saints He doth not say I confess it is so and all that I have conversed withall but all that have had any light of the spirit confesse this to be true it is a thing generally received without any controversie at all In the opening this I shall shew 1. That there are principles of godliness as of other things 2. That they are confest by the Saints For the first As there are principles in every Art or Science which are as the foundations of other things so likewise in divinity such as the Apostle Heb. 6.1 cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the foundation and Heb. 5.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first principles and now cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the mystery and to prove 1. Because divinity or godliness is the most demonstrative and certaine knowledge of things that can be now principles are the foundation of all demonstration if there were not principles there could be no certainty of knowledge No man could speake any thing no man could beleeve any thing if there were not common and generall foundations or principles to build upon therefore this must be granted that God hath left something in Religion which is without dispute 2. If there were not set and absolute principles there could be no common faith or common experience among the Saints none could know the condition of one another or be able to judge of one another neither of things themselves Now the Apostle speakes of a common faith and in another place there is but one faith one baptisme one hope among all the Saints 2 Pet. 1.2 That other Foundation no man can lay than what is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 in Gal. 1. no preaching of anothor Gospell no though by an Angell from heaven But I need prove that no farther 2. These principles are confest by all the Saints this is that the Apostle aimes at that none of the Saints scrupled this That Godlinesse was a great mystery in every one of the particulars mentioned Consider 1. That which belongs to a Saint as a Saint to his very being he cannot be ignorant of as that Jesus Christ died and by his merits we are pardoned that from him is all life that God was manifested in him and accepts us by him that we come to him by faith and enjoy him by our union these things go to the constitution of a Saint faith towards our Lord Jesus and repentance towards God he is not a Saint which knows not this for they are the principles of his being indeed the largeness and extent of these principles The priviledge of his being he may be ignorant for they are successively manifested as the glory of his union and the fulnesse of grace and the rich assurance of it to his own soule these he may be doubtfull in but to question this whether Christ be the Son of God hath died and is risen againe these he cannot be ignorant of for his faith is vaine if these things be not true and granted by him he is no Saint if Christ be no Saviour but for the manner of making out this of what full efficacy Christs Death and Resurrection is and the like and the manner of applying this he may be exceeding darke in 2. The principles of godliness are laid down so positive and so plaine that the light that every Saint receives makes him beleeve them these things are exprest in absolute termes that Christ is the only Saviour and nothing to be joyned with him that justification is freely by grace that in Adam all have sinned that all which are in Christ are new Creatures with such like expressions so that the first and most common light of faith assents to them there be some things in the Word in which there lies a great deale of beauty and glory not so nakedly exprest nor so obvious
to every understanding as of the time of justification the manner of our union many things of the Kingdome of Christ and other things which may admit a Controversie they being not so cleare in themselves 3. Principles that are absolutely fundamentall God hath set them down as the objects of faith to be beleeved on not disputed And though we cannot see the reason of them yet we are to beleeve them their demonstration lies in Gods testimony of them Gods word for things is a Christian reason Vse Oh that in this sceptick age we would but observe this rule to hold to principles men are grown to question every thing fundamentals cannot scape some mens questions most mens criticks are above their judgements Some thinke Religion lies in a questioning all things That good notion of searching after truth deceives many by misapprehension the way to lose truth is to question the principles on which they are built the Apostle speaks unto Timothy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to strive about words which tend to no profit 2 Tim. 2.14 and to hold fast the forme of wholsome words of doctrines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 1.13 an express systeme of principles In all Sciences something must be taken for granted Philosophers have made a just Law Contra principia non est disputandum they hiss at men that shall deny principles received by all Schollars grounded on the absolute Law of Reason for there must be some granted rules and principles that men dispute by else it will be but a babble no dispute all argumentation is concerning the application of rules and deductions from principles So it is in divinity there be some truths are as foundation stones must not be touched lest the whole building fall with it I blame not Saints for searching after truth but condemne that stint of mens spirits to looke after no more than they have known great and noble spirits love to be reaching after perfection there is much to be discovered of the mystery of the Gospell of the glory and beauty of truth But this I urge that there are some things must be without controversie some truths that are written as with a Sun-beame confest and acknowledged by all that must be beleeved not argued There is a twofold questioning of things 1. Doubting whether they be so or no that is dangerous because men shall never want their scruples if they will dispute those things which are supernatural what God hath by his owne testimony in the Word and in the hearts of all the Saints put out of question It is Crimen laesae Majestatis but to name in doubting 2. Men question things to be more cleered and confirmed in them not so much for satisfaction of the truth of them as desire to see the farther beauty and excellency of them this is commendable for Saints to study all the principles wherein God hath manifested himselfe that he may have his heart more set upon them So the Bereans they were more noble they would enquire into the Doctrine that Paul preached and Paul commends them for it and saith they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of better breeding whatever comes from men you may question and search againe whether it be so or no but what you find in the Word laid down in express termes you may not question but beleeve though yet you may labour to be more cleare and to have the same thing more demonstrative and more spirituall to you the Apostle unto Timothy that the things he had heard of him among many witnesses he should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commit unto faithfull men who may teach the same to others 2 Tim. 2.2 the Apostle would have the same Doctrine to go from hand to hand and be transferred unto others for new principles to be revealed I expect not but those in a new way more of truth in a new kind of glory more full and enriching the light that the Saints have received is the same for kind and nature but not for degree therefore the Apostle saith If we or an Angel from heaven shall preach another Gospell that is different from what is preached in the revelation of Christ let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 9. It is one thing to preach another Gospell and another thing to have that same Gospell opened more gloriously and to have the sparklings of it more strong and glorious He that will know no more than he hath known is proud and knows nothing and he that will know any thing contrary or more than these principles of godlinesse containes and will by improvement come up to will be as one in the darke that knows not where he goes to stick on the bare principles and go no farther is as a child that learnes his Catechisme and thinks he needs no more learning and to seeke to know much with casting of principles is as one that would learne the Hebrew or Greeke and yet will cast aside the Characters and Rules That soule can never miscarry in divine knowledge that holding the foundation builds according to that Let your structure be as high and glorious as can be so your foundation be sure for a man to make a long and mysterious discourse and accent every expression with the best language and yet neither he nor any that heares can tell neither what he aimes at or to what head or principle naturall to reduce it how ridiculous is he in all wise mens eyes all the fine and curious webs of speculation which men spin and these stately structures in their own fancies will all be cut in sunder and fall down if they be not founded on the first same and eternall principles of godlinesse God hath saved all the Saints by one and the same way Christ and faith And though these things are more gloriously exprest now than before and the same heart more opened in the same Christ and faith acted with greater strength and cleereness than formerly yet the same love and faith and Christ continues still It is a pittifull thing to see soules stick still on the bare principles and not launch out into that deep mystery which is conteined in them and as sad it is to see men leave these principles and hug their own fancies Oh Beloved that unity in the spirit lies much in the onenesse and union of the foundation This one Principle That God was manifest in flesh and this Christ made a Mediatour of soules what an eternall ground of comfort doth it afford thou needest not goe seek a new manifestation of this God the studying but of this one may take up all thy thoughts every minute and moment of thy life and entertain thee with fresh and new wonders of Glory Every one of these Principles are a mystery and mysteryes though about the same things are opened but by degrees Angels desire to let out their thoughts in the reviewing of these unsearchable riches There is not a line or expression of Christ in
Gospell is Gods secret that which is his bosome counsell Angels nor men could not have known it if God had not revealed it so that it is a mystery which without revelation is unknown that which cannot be demonstrated or argued out but its nature consists in revelation Among the heathen they had their mysteries in their temples which they must not discover therefore there was an Image before the Temple with his finger before his mouth shewing that they must be silent in discovering hidden mysteries Though the Gospell be now revealed yet it is a mystery because once it was kept so secret 2. And which follows from thence that is a mystery which hath any thing in its owne nature which is not obvious and which lies not open to the quick and present apprehensions of men as some things in nature are said to be mysteries and in government there are arcana imperii hidden things of state that the vulgar cannot pry into secret wheeles that move many actions which they cannot see move only do behold the outward action the things of the Gospell are arcana Dei though we see the things done yet we see not these invisible glorious wheels which did act them and thus though the thing it selfe be revealed yet because the reasons of them lye under ground they are called mysteries thus the conversion of the Gentiles and the calling of the Jews are both called mysteries Rom. 11. thus divine truths are mysteries thou hearest of Christ and hast manifestations of God to thee but alas the infinite reason God hath acted from the secret wheels that have run along in every veine of Gods love that is unknown who hath searched his counsels saith the Apostle All Gods actions to us they have come from infinite and unsearchable counsels go into a Chymists shop there thou findest severall extractions of mettals which thou seest and tastest but how he did it thou know'st not that is a mystery to thee what art he used in so rare a thing which to thy eye seemes contrary and impossible godlinesse hath been acted in such an invisible way that it may well be called a mystery How hath the Load-stone pusled all the heads of the greatest ones in the world that they have left it as a mystery a thing only to be beleeved but the reason not known only have reduced its power under a generall notion of Sympathy and all because men knew not the occult reasons of its nature That God should carry himselfe in such a hidden way of glory that none can find out his steps but only by the effects of it and that we can only say it is so but not how or why it is so is the mystery of godlinesse 3. That is a mystery whose inward nature and excellency cannot be expressd but is wrapt up in outward figures and representations that which is so glorious in its own Nature as it cannot be seen or manifested to us but by the intervention of some externall medium Thus marriage is said to be a great myst'ry because it is set to convay the hidden and mystical Marriage between Christ and the Church Eph. 5. One would have thought all along that Chapter he spoke in a literall sence of marriage but at last he sums up all this a great mystery But I speak concerning Christ and the Church Thus all the Gospell in generall and in particular is full of mysteryes It s owne Nature is vailed in words and outward Types Gods relations to us and Christs under the notions of Husband and Wife Father and Children God compared to light Christ set out by a Lyon a Lambe a Shepherd Grace express'd by gold and silver and precious stones Heaven by Paradise All which things doe rather vaile then expresse these hidden glories in them and all these titles which are so many mysteries of Christ in which are contain'd the Nature of things far above them And under all these is covered the realtie that God is to the soul As Hieroglyphicks doe denote something that is internall so doe all the expressions of Scripture and all the manifestations of God but represent some hidden glorie that at first we cannot perceive Therefore Christ delivers the Gospell in Parables and tels his Disciples Unto you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdome God makes many shapes and appearance of these inward beauties that we may come to learn what they mean by these sensible things As some stately pictures are covered over with a Curtaine that every one that comes into the room cannot see them So is it with the things of Heaven they are represented in grosse bodies which is as a Curtaine before them and untill that be drawn none can behold them The Sacraments they are outward signes of an invisible glory in Water and Bread and Wine are represented and vailed Christ in his person and merrits in all his holinesse to the soule he that comes and touches these things and tasts them may see but little in them more then in ordinary bread but only God discovers a mystery under these signes unto a Saints Faith makes the soule see Christ in his Nature and Merits and feel him in his Vertue So in preaching the high and unexpressible love of God is to be let forth in the words of a Minister which words can never expresse what that love is And soules may heare a thousand of the most Gospell-Sermons that can be preach'd and yet understand nothing of Divine Truth only there is a mystery vailed in these words and the great and inward things of God are manifested thorough these words And this is one great respect wherein the godliness is call'd a mystery because its own Nature is not to be exprest though it be represented by outward things 4. It is a mystery because of the fulnesse and vastnesse and variety of its manifestations it is so ful as that it cannot be discovered at once it is so vast as that it cannot be lookt into but by degrees the variety of its actings are so many as that you have it open'd in severall parcels As some looks that you have seen have so many several wards and turnings in them that though they be in one peece yet you must have divers keys and divers turnings to open it as severall artificiall Boxes folded in one another so is the mystery of the Gospell though one intire peece of Heavenly light yet interwomen with such varietie of turnings and spreading it selfe abroad into so vast a circumference that you cannot see but a little of its glory as you can see no more of the Sun then in your owne Horizon So saith the Apostle Rom. 1. The Righteousnesse of God is revealed from Faith to Faith And in the Revelations The Book of the Lambe had seven Seales Take godlinesse in its selfe and the whole bulk of it and it is so large as it reacheth from everlasting to everlasting and all along it is manifested