that he is very pitiful and of tender Mercy 4. We must always imprint this as an undoubted Truth and sure Maxim in our Minds That tho God sometimes afflicts 〈◊〉 may afflict his Children as a bare Act of his Sovereignty Sin being not directly the Occasion thereof yet nothing God doth or can do is unjust I know O Lord that thy Judgments are right and that thou in Faithfulness hast afflicted me All his Ways are Judgment a God of Truth and without Iniquity just and righteous in all his Ways That is his Administrations or his Doings as Mr. Ainsworth noteâ—â— are Judgment that is judicious equal A God of Truth or Faithful without Iniquity or there is in him no Iniquity no injurious Evil Right or righteous is he Consider further 5. That the greatest and sorest Afflictions that godly Men may meet with are no sufficient Ground to conclude they are cast out of God's Favour For the best of Saints and dearest Servants of God have been from the beginning under the greatest Exercise of Affliction As many as he loves he rebukes and chastens 6. Another thing that we should premise is That the Afflictions which we meet with in this World come not by chance They are all measured out by God's ordering Providence in matter and manner for kind and quality And tho the Judgments and Dealings of God are sometimes very secret and hard to be understood at first we ought with Patience to bear them and humbly wait till God is pleased to shew us his Mind and Pleasure in them 7. We must consider that it is our Duty to acknowledg all our Troubles and Afflictions and whatever they be as coming from God and look beyond Instruments and secondary Causes Is there any Evil in the City and I have not done it He breaketh me with Breach upon Breach and runneth upon me like a Giant He Why some may say It was the Devil and his Agents viz. the Sabeans and Chaldeans c. Job knew that no Devil or wicked Man could hurt or touch him if God did not give them leave and open the Door for them These things being premised I now shall give you five or six Reasons why God ran thus upon Job or breaks forth after this manner upon sincere Persons when Sin is not the Cause It is necessary to note this by the way That God doth frequently single out the most eminent and choicest of his Children to undergo the sharpest and sorest Affliction because they have the greatest Strength Joseph excelled for Grace and Vertue and therefore he is singled out from all his Brethren to hard Works and Sufferings No Man like Job in all the Earth in his Day for a perfect and upright Man and what a Man of Sorrows and Afflictions was he Those that have received most Grace from God are able to bear most Afflictions from God A General of an Army chuseth out the most valiant and experienced Souldiers to put them upon hard Adventures It is not prudent to put a Fresh-water Souldier upon difficult Service As Christ saith I have many things to say unto you but you cannot bear them now and therefore deferred till they had got more Strength So God saith of a young Christian one that is newly converted Thou hast great Afflictions to undergo before thou diest but thou art not fit to bear them yet I will defer thy Trial till thou art grown more hardy and fit for that Encounter as our Saviour told Peter John 21.18 1 Reason One Reason why God ran thus upon Job like a Giant or brings sore and severe Trials upon his dearest Servants is That he may fit them for eminent Work and Service Hereby they learn Experience and Knowledg not only how to carry themselves in dark and dismal Days but to teach others also how to behave themselves under Trials 2. That God might crucify them unto all the things of this World They do not only this way come to see the Vanity and Emptiness of them but to be dead unto them In Prosperity the Hearts of the best of Men are ready to be ensnared with the World therefore God brings Adversity upon them And indeed it is every way as good and useful for a Saint as Winter and sharp Frosts are to the Fruits of the Earth which kills the Worms and Weeds that otherwise would greatly hurt and injure them God's Jobs have a Body of Sin and Death in them as well as others and nothing like Affliction tends to destroy it The Corruptions of our Hearts are compared to Chaff and Dross which the Furnace of Affliction burns up and purges away No Man is so pure and clean but he needs to be made more pure and more holy Job was very good before but God made him much better by the Rod before he had done with him He was Gold before his Trial but afterwards refined Gold When I am tried I shall come forth as Gold to wit refined Gold 3. God brings his Jobs under great Exercises and Afflictions for the Trial of their Graces Grace never shines forth in its real Splendor and Glory until it comes to be tried A Saint knows not what his Faith can do until it is brought under Exercise Abraham knew not the Strength of his Faith and Love until he was called to offer up his Son Isaac He with-held not his Son his only Son Isaac whom he loved such was his Love to God And if we respect his Faith 't is said He believed in Hope against Hope that he might become the Father of many Nations According to that which was spoken so shall thy Seed be He being not weak in Faith considered not his own Body being now dead when he was about an hundred Years old neither the deadness of Sarah's Womb He staggered not through Vnbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God By Faith he offered him up accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the Dead From whence also he received him in a Figure How did Job's Patience shine forth when it came under Exercise by all those sore and bitter Afflictions he met withal The greater the Temptation or Trial is if the Soul can resist it and bear up under it the greater Demonstration there is of the Strength and Power of that Grace the Soul possesseth The Almighty shews hereby the Strength and Unmoveableness of Faith how unconquerable it is what kind of Omnipotency there is in Grace He would have all the World know that a godly Person is in vain assaulted by Friends or Enemies by Men or Devils by Wants and Wounds tho he be even benighted in his Spirit tho God himself takes away the Light of his Countenance from him and runs upon him like a Giant yet that over all these things God's Grace can make him stand and cause him to be more than a Conqueror For in the Book of Job we may say is an
inanimate things in Nature and transferred to God do belong either universally or severally to those things To the former Classe belongs When there is a certain Dimension ascribed to the Infinite and Unmeasurable God and a comparison with this whole Universe whereas betwixt Finite and Infinite there is properly no proportion Job 11.8 It is viz. Jehovah the heights of Heaven The Deeps which is the perfection of God as ver 7. beyond Hell what canst thou know ver 9. The Measure thereof is longer then the Earth and broader then the Sea By which the infiniteness and immensity of God and his Wisdom is intimated of which ver 7. Canst thou by searching find out God others render it canst thou find out the Depth viz. of the Wisdom of God Canst thou find out to the perfection of the Almighty others say canst thou find out the end of Almighty Wisdom To this belongs that Sacred Mathematical expression of Paul speaking of the Love of God and our Saviour Christ Eph. 3.18 That ye may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth the length and depth and heigth viz. Of the Love of Christ as verse 19. Which passeth knowledge shewing by an Anthropopathy the unmeasurableness and immensity of that Love as if he had said it is higher then the Heavens deeper then the Sea larger then the Earth longer then any time enduring even to all Eternity Upon which place Osiander says the sence is I pray God that ye may be able with other sincere Christians after a certain manner to comprehend the unmeasurable Love of Christ towards you which that I may use a Metaphor extends it self to all Dimensions And Hyperius in his Comment very excellently The sence is says he My prayer is that you may have a full certain and absolute knowledge of the Love of Christ in all its parts Geometricians are wont to observe these differences of Dimensions when they inquire into the magnitude of solid Bodies Such therefore as belong to coporeal things the Apostle artificially compares with things incorporeal and spiritual and signifies that he earnestly desires that they should arrive to an equal certainty and perfection in the knowledge of spiritual things chiefly of the Love of Christ as Mathematicians do in the measure of solid bodies c. Here we are to note that when Magnitude is attributed to God not the quantity of a corporeal or bodily size and bigness but the very infiniteness of his Essence and essential proprieties is to be understood Exod. 15.16 and 18.11 Numb 14.19 Deut. 3.24 Exod. 5.8 Psal. 48.1 2. and 147.4 5. Jer. 32.17 18 19. Dan. 2.45 Mal. 1.14 c. Job 33.12 There is a comparison of God with man with respect to greatness whereby the unsearchable Immensity of God is intimated as if he had said God not only in Majesty and Power but also in Truth Justice VVisdom and Mercy infinitely excells all Mortals therefore thy presumption is unjust to contend with him 1 John 3.20 It is said that God is greater then our Hearts when the Speech is of a guilty Conscience as if he had said if Conscience which in many is blind convinces us of Hypocrisie how much will God who is the greatest of all things and infinite in knowledge charge us in his Judgment 1 John 4.4 God is said to be greater then him that is in the World that is Antichrist as ver 3. Whom believers by the power of the infinite and invincible God dwelling by grace in them do overcome John 10.29 God is said to be greater then all that is that he beyond comparison excells the whole Universe in Power and Majesty By the same reason a discretive quantity or plenty is ascribed to God as Psal. 86.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much or plentiful in Mercy and Truth Psal. 103.8 Great or plentious in Mercy Psal. 130.7 With him is plenteous Redemption by which is noted the infiniteness of God and his attributes as it is described Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great Power and of his understanding there is no number So the Hebrew See Psal. 36.6 Rom. 11.33 1 Cor. 2.1 In Speaking of things inanimate severally we will distribute them 1. Into things Celestial And 2. Things Elementary To the first kind belongs when God is said to look down from Heaven and sit in or inhabit Heaven as his Throne Of which before Also when God is called Light 1 John 1.5 By which his Majesty Holiness Perfection and Blessedness is noted as when celestial Light is transmitted to us there is nothing Fairer Clearer Purer or more comfortable whence it is said Eccl. 11.7 Truly the Light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the Eyes to behold the Sun The Greeks had an Adagy or Proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dulce lumen solis sweet is the Light of the Sun 1 Tim. â—â— 16 God is said to dwell in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lucem inaccessibilem inaccessible or unapproachable Light or as our English Translation renders it The Light which no man can approach unto that is to act with that Glory Majesty and Felicity which no Creature either can have or comprehend Upon which Chrysostom says The Apostle says that God dwells iâ—â— inaccessible Light which is more then if he had said incomprehensible for that which by inquiry and search we cannot find out we call incomprehensible but that which prohibits all essay of search and to which none can come near we call inaccessible Some with inaccessible Light compare an opposite phrase where the difficulty of fully knowing God in his Majesty and Essence is described by his dwelling in Mists and Clouds for every corporeal Light which for its exceeding brightness cannot be beheld may be truly stiled a Mist and therefore inaccessible c. To this is referred where God Jam. 1.17 is called the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning in which phrase is denoted his essential Majesty and Immutability in acting Some and very fitly judge that the phrase Father of Lights is a Periphrasis of the Sun attributed to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or after the manner of men For as that super-celestial Sun is distinguisht from the corporeal and visible Sun it is added that with him is no variableness nor shadow of turning When the Sun is in the opposite Hemisphere it leaves ours darkned and obscure which vicissitude of darkness and light agrees not with God for he is never the Cause of Sin and Death which are noted by the term darkness but always the Authors of Good and Life noted by the term Light and this is the scope of the Apostle as ver 13. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God For God cannot be tempted of evils neither tempteth he any man c. Salmeron upon the words says in the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 viz shadow of turning he alludes to the
Deliverance will soon follow the Church Vse IT shews the great Affection and Love of God to his People the Truth and Certainty of their Deliverance and the utter Confusion and Downfall of their Enemies God a Shield Psal. 84.11 The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield Psal. 18.2 The Lord is my Shield THis Term Shield is Metaphorically attributed to Princes and great Men Psal. 17.10 Hos. 4.18 because they protect and defend their Subjects or Dependents from Injustice and Violence as a Shield does the Body from Blows For this reason God is called a Shield because he protects and secures his People from the Attempts of Spiritual Adversaries as well as Temporal Metaphor I. A Shield or Buckler is for Defence and Safeguard of the Body in time of Battel II. A Shield or Buckler is not only to defend and preserve one Part of the Body but every Part and not the Body only but the whole Armor also that a Man hath Hence it was made very large and for its largeness called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Gate or Door denoting that which is large and broad enough to hide or cover the whole Body and shelter it from Harm III. A Shield is used to keep that part of the Body that is struck at by the Enemy 't is a moveable Piece of Armour that a skilful Hand can turn this way or that way to take the Blow or Arrow according as he sees 't is directed against him Parallel I. GOD is the Defence and Safeguard of his Saints in all their Spiritual War and Conflicts with the Enemies of their Souls II. God defends every part of the Soul he preserves our Judgments from Corruption our Wills from growing stubborn and rebellious our Affections from being misled and ensnared with worldly Objects our Consciences from Defilement and so the whole Soul from the Venom and Poyson of Sin and Satan and not only so but he preserves and keeps our Graces from Decays and Witherings Thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with Favour thou wilt compass him about as with a Shield III. God keeps off the Blows and fiery Darts of the Devil from wounding that Part or Grace of the Soul which is in the greatest Danger Sometimes Satan strikes at the Faith of a Christian God presently appears by his Word and Spirit for the strengthning of that Sometimes the Grace of Love is struck at God then presents immediatly Divine Objects before the Soul and shews it more and more the Baseness Deformity and Emptiness of this World and thereby increases and preserves the Love of the Soul to Himself and to Jesus Christ. Again the Will is aimed at some Temptations are laid to catch that Some Commands of God cannot be obeyed without much Self-denial because they cross us in that which our own Wills are naturally carried out very strongly to desire so that we must deny our Wills before we can do the Will of God A Temptation comes very forcibly when it runs with the Tide of our own Wills when 't is to save our Estates Children or Lives from the Danger of Enemies What saith the Devil wilt thou serve God when he thwarts thee in every thing that thou takest delight in If thou lovest any one thing more than another presently he must have it from thee No Lamb in all the Flock will serve for a Sacrifice but Isaac Abraham's only Child must be offered up No Place will content God that Abraham should serve him in but where he must live in Banishment from his Father's House and all his dear Relations Wilt thou saith Satan stoop to these low and contemptible Ordinances be a Companion to these base despised and persecuted People What follow God and yield to such hard Terms as these be Now God directs himself strait-way by his Word and Spirit to preserve the Soul from this terrible Arrow shewing what reason there is that his VVill should be done rather than ours and that we shall lose nothing by suffering for his sake and so makes the Soul willing to yield to all his Pleasure as Abraham did And this indeed of God's being a Shield unto him was the Motive that induced him not to fear After these things the Word of God came unto Abraham in a Vision saying Fear not Abraham I am thy Shield as much as if he should say I will defend and save thee from all the Darts and Arrows of thine Enemies By this Shield every Faculty of the Soul and Grace of the Spirit is preserved Metaphor I. A Shield is a Defence or Safeguard for the Body II. A Shield or Buckler cannot defend every Part of the Body at once III. A Shield may be beaten out of a Man's hand and be rendred wholly unserviceable to a Man IV. A Shield can however preserve from Temporal Enemies only Disparity I. GOD is a Defence and Shield for Soul and Body both II. God is a Buckler that saves and defends every Part and Faculty of the Soul at one and the same time he is an universal Cover III. God is a Shield that can never be rendred useless or unserviceable to a Christian that keeps close to God IV. God is a Shield or Defence that preserves from the Power and cruel Assaults and Temptations of the Devil Inferences 1. IF God be the Saints Shield let them take heed that they never engage their Enemies without God 2. This may greatly encourage the Godly in their Spiritual Warfare they have a sure Shield and Buckler that will never fail them 3. Moreover it may direct them to the right use of their Shield 't is a great part of Wisdom to know how to defend our selves by our Shield from Satan's Assaults and the Temptations of this evil World God a VVall of Fire Zech. 2.5 Thus saith the Lord I will be unto her a Wall of Fire round about I Will be unto her that is unto Jerusalem or the Church of God a Wall of Fire This Metaphor is taken from those Fires that People make round themselves when they are cast into a howling Wilderness to secure themselves from fierce and devouring Beasts and they being within the said Circle or Wall of Fire no wild Beast dares approach them c. The Speech is a Metaphor and the Epithete of Fire is added to denote that God is the Defender of his Church and a terrible Avenger that will consume its Enemies as Fire does any combustible Materials c. Metaphor I. A Wall of Fire is made for Defence and Security from Adversaries that are cruel brutish and merciless as Lions Bears Dragons c. II. A Wall of Fire is a Defence and Security to People that live in a Wilderness where they are in danger of wild Beasts it abounding with such devouring and ravenous Creatures III. A Wall of Fire is for Defence and Security when there is no other Security to be had IV. A Wall of Fire is both for Offence
only endued with natural Wisdom and that far beyond Solomon A greater than Solomon is here but hath had the Advantage also of such Education that none ever had being brought up with God himself He hath all the Treasures of Wisdom in him is skill'd in all Politicks hath knowledg in all Laws nothing passeth his Skill Thou knowest all things He is called the Wisdom of God Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God III. Jesus Christ was chosen to be King by God the Father as 't is said I have exalted one chosen out of the People And tho the Fathers or Elders amongst the Jews refused him yet the Children gave their Vote for him crying Hâ—â—sannah to the Son of David IV. Jesus Christ was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows He was by the Holy Spirit consecrated King for ever The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me c. V. Jesus Christ was likewise proclaimed first by the Angels To you is born in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Afterwards by the Wise Men at Jerusalem and at Herod â—â—s Court by a Star and by the Shepherds at Bethlehem VI. This did Jesus Christ in three eminent Cases 1. In speaking comfortably to all his Loyal Subjects as you may see in Mat. 5. at large 2. In giving Laws and expounding Difficulties as you may see in Mat. 6. at large 3. In bestowing his Bounty upon the Poor releasing Prisoners that were bound and in appointing an Hospital for the Sick VII Jesus Christ hath a Right to the highest Palaces in this World as he was born Heir to the Universal Emperor by whom he was at last advanced to the great Palace of the highest Heavens called the holy Palace VIII Jesus Christ our great King had the Attendance of Angels who shewed their Allegiance and paid their Homage and Service at sundry times as there appeared Occasion for them 1. They proclaimed him 2. They attended his Person to assist him in his Straits 3. They assisted his other Servants 4. They declared his Resurrection from the Dead 5. They assured his coming in Glory after his Ascension 6. They are appointed to bear him company and to attend him at his coming from Heaven the second time The Son of Man shall come and all the holy Angels with him IX Jesus Christ is invested with Power All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth tho at the first entrance upon his Kingdom in the days of his Flesh his Power did not appear so splendent and glorious as it will hereafter X. Jesus Christ hath many Subjects assigned him by God which subscribe to his Power Some voluntarily as the Angels others by force as the Devils and by virtue of his commanding Power as the Winds and Seas which obeyed him XI Jesus Christ received Commandment from the Father from which he would never swerve and also published and established Laws to be observed as Rules of Government to the end of the World XII Jesus Christ rules and governs so well that his worst Enemies could not cannot charge him with Evil yet they did not do not love and honour him but the Sons of Wickedness rose up and still do rise up in Rebellion against him I honour my Father but you dishonour me a Man which hath told you the Truth this did not Abraham Bring out those mine Enemies c. XIII Jesus Christ hath great and large Dominions all Power in Heaven Earth and Hell He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers in Heaven he is the Head of every Man on Earth and hath the Command of all the infernal Spirits in Hell XIV Jesus Christ hath this great and high Prerogative to make Peace or to proclaim Peace to all the Sons of Men upon Submission and to send a Sword where his just Prerogative is resisted In whatsoever House ye enter first say Peace if the Son of Peace be there c. I came not to send Peace but a Sword XV. Jesus Christ that was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of Death is crown'd with Glory and Honour c. The Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter As I have overcome and sate down with my Father upon his Throne XVI Jesus Christ hath the Father and Holy Spirit without whose Counsel he acteth nothing either in the Affairs of Heaven Earth or Hell There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one Of this Council Offenders are in danger and to this Council grand Criminals are delivered up for Punishment XVII Jesus Christ hath the peculiar Prerogative to send Embassadors He sent the twelve Apostles to the World who said We are Embassadors for Christ. And He sent his Angel to the Churches to treat with them about their present and eternal Welfare I Jesus have sent mine Angel c. XVIII Jesus Christ makes Substitutes to this end By him Kings reign and Princes decree Justice By him Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the Earth these for the World And when he ascended up on high he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for his Church by this shewing that He is supreme Head in all Causes Ecclesiastical as well as Civil XIX Jesus Christ saved the Gospel-Church before the Destruction of Jerusalem by giving them counsel to flie upon the sight of Signs and the Legal Church in the Wilderness by the convenient Providences of a Pillar of Fire by Night and a Pillar of a Cloud by Day He was the Angel of God's Presence that saved them and marvellously hath he and doth he now save and preserve his Church from Popish Rage and Cruelty in this and other Nations XX. Jesus Christ hath a high Court of Judicature in Heaven where he judgeth Emperors and Kings that are out of the power and reach of a human Hand from whence he sends Angels who are higher than they to punish them for Pride and Oppression as in the Case of Nebuchadnezzar who was by the holy Ones cast from his Throne and Herod who was smitten by an Angel for his Pride And a lower Court where his Church for him and in his Name judgeth Delinquents of a lower Rank XXI Jesus Christ hath many great Prerogatives Rights Privileges and Excellencies pertaining to him 1. He receives Petitions Lord Jesus receive my Spirit 2. He pardons Offenders The Son of Man hath Power to forgive Sins 3. He confers Honour I thank Christ Jesus who hath put me into the Ministry 4. He gives Commissions Go ye into all the World 5. He receives Tribute The honourable Women ministred unto him not without reason for he was Lord of all 6. He keeps an Exchequer called the
respect of his Prophetical Office is hinted in the Particulars following Prophet I. A Prophet is a Mouth to others to speak forth what is the Sence and Mind of God to them And the Lord said unto Moses See I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh and Aaron thy Brother shall be thy Prophet and speak unto Pharaoh II. A Prophet speaks not of himself but the Word of God comes to him to teach him what he shall say For when David was up in the morning the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Gad David 's Seer saying c. III. A Prophet doth anoint others and install them into Office as Samuel did Saul and as Nathan did Solomon IV. A Prophet gives direction for cleansing from Filthiness Uncleanness or Leprosy The Servant of Naaman came near and spake unto him and said My Father if the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing wouldest thou not have done it How much rather then when he says unto thee Wash and be clean V. A Prophet was to pray for the People as the proper Work of his place hence Samuel saith God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you c. VI. A Prophet tho never so good or great is slighted by his own Neighbours and People he is without Honour in his own Country VII A true Prophet is ordained of God is sent forth to do that Work and Business Before thou camest out of the Womb I ordained thee to be a Prophet unto the Nations VIII A Prophet is anointed to do and perform the Work proper to his place as 't is said Elisha the Son of Shaphat thou shalt anoint to be a Prophet IX A Prophet is the Leader and Guide of the People as 't is said By a Prophet the Lord led Israel out of Egypt X. A true Prophet ought to be believed Believe his Prophets so shall you prosper XI A Prophet bears witness to the Truth To him give all the Prophets Witness XII A Prophet is a Man of God a Servant of God and knows his Secrets XIII The Prophets of God laid a Foundation for the Church to build upon in respect of Faith and Doctrine And that the Church is built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets XIV The Work of a true Prophet is to perfect the Work appertaining to the Church as well as to lay the Foundation of it He gave some Prophets c. for the perfecting of the Saints c. XV. Prophets are to be Examples to others Take my Brethren the Prophets for an Example XVI Prophets gave forth Scripture by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit for Men to have recourse to at all times for Quickning Comfort and Instruction in Righteousness As it is written in the Prophets According to the Scriptures of the Prophets The Prophecy came not in old Time c. XVII Prophets do not only expound and shew what is past and already fulfilled but foretell and predict things to come which they all did more or less as a proper part of their Work Parallel I. JEsus Christ is the Mouth of God who speaks forth his Mind and Will unto the Sons of Men. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son The Words which I speak are not mine but the Father 's that sent me II. Jesus Christ speaks not of himself as he was Man but the Word of God came to him to direct him what he should speak I speak not of my self The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his Servants things that must shortly come to pass III. Jesus Christ doth anoint others and install them into Office of whom it is said We have received an Vnction from the Holy One that teacheth all things I thank Jesus Christ who hath put me into the Ministry IV. Jesus Christ gives direction for cleansing from all Uncleanness both in respect of Body and Soul He said to the Leper I will be thou clean c. And when he saw the Lepers he said unto them Go shew your selves to the Priests and it came to pass that as they went they were cleansed Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you He doth not only direct but giveth cleansing Having wash'd us from our Sins in his own Blood V. Jesus Christ did eminently answer the Work of a good Prophet in praying for the People 1. For his Friends I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter 1. That they may be kept from Evil. 2. That they may be sanctified through the Truth 3. That they may be brought to an inseparable Vnion Nay more than this 2. He prayeth for his Enemies Father forgive them for they know not what they do VI. Jesus Christ tho he was the greatest and best of Prophets that ever was sent to the Children of Men yet was he slighted by his own People and rejected by his near Neighbours He came unto his own and his own received him not Is not this the Carpenter's Son whose Father and Mother we know c. VII Jesus Christ was ordained and sent of God to do the Work and Office of a Prophet I came not of my self but the Father sent me He was faithful to him that appointed him as Moses also was VIII Jesus Christ is anointed to be a Prophet and to perform the Work proper to his place as it is said Because thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows The Lord God hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor c. IX Jesus Christ is the Leader or Guide of his People called the Fore-runner and Captain of our Salvation He shall feed his Flock like a Shepherd and gently lead those that are with young c. Behold I have given him for a Witness to the People a Leader and Commander to the People X. Jesus Christ ought to be believed God commands all Men to hear him and unless they believe in him they shall die in their Sins For Moses truly said unto the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things he shall say unto you And it shall come to pass that every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the People XI Jesus Christ did bear witness to the Truth He witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate and is called the faithful and true Witness and First-begotten from the Dead XII Jesus Christ is a Man of God indeed a Servant of God whose Meat and Drink it was to do his
unto the World in sending such a Prophet after the great Abuse of others that went before a good Prophet a great Prophet none like him that went before him or should come after him The Son of God Emanuel God with us II. This informs us also how exceeding useful our Lord Jesus Christ as a Prophet is to his Church having compleated what others left undone shewing the Riches Glory and Duration of the World to come and indeed in declaring the whole Counsel of God and bringing Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel III. Moreover you may seee the absolute Necessity the Church has of such a Prophet without whom the People would have sate in Darkness and in the Shadow of Death and have been left to stumble upon the dark Mountains IV. From hence we infer the infallible Certainty of what he has declared for it could not be that such a Prophet should deceive the World These things are true and faithful V. Behold the strong and forcible Obligation that is upon the World to believe his Doctrine where it is preached and to reject all Doctrines that are repugnant to it VI. How inexcusable will all those be who reject his Gospel and despise his Ministers It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for them VII Let the Christian Church from hence learn to hold fast what she hath received for the Truth as it is in Jesus had a great and faithful Witness who confirmed it by mighty Miracles and sealed it with his own Blood Christ a Shepherd John 10.11 I am the good Shepherd c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphor I. A Shepherd is chosen and appointed to take care of the Sheep being a Man skilful in doing that Work and Business II. A Shepherd knows his Sheep he knows their Number and knows them particularly from Sheep that are none of his and one from another III. A Shepherd marks his Sheep whereby they are distinguished from others IV. A Shepherd feeds his Sheep he leads them to green Pastures and Springs of Water Should not the Shepherd feed the Flock V. A Shepherd preserves his Flock he takes care they do not feed in unwholsom Pastures and defends them from Enemies VI. A Shepherd hath a Fold for his Sheep whither he brings them for their better Security and his own Profit VII A Shepherd keeps his Sheep together suffers them not to stray and straggle abroad lest they should be lost VIII A Shepherd if any of his Sheep be set upon by Dogs or Wolves will venture his Life for them to defend and rescue them from those Beasts of Prey as David for a Lamb fought with a Lion and a Bear IX A Shepherd is very tender of his Flock will not over-drive them takes special care of the Lambs and those that are weak and feeble X. If a Shepherd has lost one Sheep if one Sheep or Lamb be gone astray he will seek it and when he hath found it he brings it home with abundance of Joy saying to his Neighbours Rejoyce with me for I have found my lost Sheep XI A Shepherd heals the Diseases of the Sheep The diseased saith God to the Shepherds of Israel have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick XII A Shepherd judges between Sheep and Sheep between fat and lean Ones and if any push the weak and hurt or wrong his Fellow or would thrust and shoulder him out of the Fold the Shepherd takes notice of it and accordingly orders such who do the wrong XIII The Shepherd watches over his Sheep because of the Dangers that might otherwise befall them in the Night And there were in the same Country Shepherds abiding in the Field keeping watch over their Flock by night c. XIV Shepherds are to give an account of their Sheep to see that none are lacking XV. A Shepherd washes his Sheep in convenient places from all Filth and Soil which they are subject to contract to themselves XVI A Shepherd delights much to see his Sheep and Lambs thrive XVII A Shepherd if he sees one or more of his Sheep are infected with any Distemper so that they may endanger the rest he separates such from the Flock XVIII A Shepherd separates the Sheep from the Goats XIX A Shepherd leads his Flock to some sweet shady Place where he makes them rest at Noon when the Sun shines hot Parallel I. JEsus Christ is chosen of God and appointed to take the Care and Charge of the Church and very capable to undertake that blessed Work II. I know my Sheep saith Christ and am known of mine He takes special notice of every particular Saint he knew Moses by name He knows their Wants their Sufferings their Weaknesses their Sicknesses and whatever Service they do for his holy Name-sake III. The Lord Jesus hath set his own Image upon his People The Mark which they always bear upon them is Holiness Meekness Obedience by which they are distinguished from the World Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn Christ's Sheep are sealed in their Foreheads and Hands 1. For Distinction 2. Secrecy 3. Security IV. Christ feeds his Flock like a Shepherd his great care is to put them into good and fat Pastures and leads them by the still Waters He gives them good Doctrine feeding them with Knowledg and Vnderstanding V. The Lord Jesus to preserve his Church doth often charge and caution them to beware of and avoid all pernicious and evil Doctrine false Teachers c. And he continually defends them from Sin Satan and all other Enemies VI. The Lord Jesus hath his Church for his Fold whither he brings his Elect for their better Security and his own Glory The Lord added unto the Church daily such as should be saved Glory to God in the Church throughout all Ages VII The Lord Jesus frequently assembles his People together and will not allow any to straggle abroad or be like Lambs in large Places Exhort one another daily c. VII Christ laid down his Life for his Sheep exposed himself to great Sorrows and Miseries for their sakes and engaged with the cruellest of Enemies who sought to make a Prey of and devour his Flock which all the Malice of wicked Men who lay Snares to entrap them cannot accomplish IX Christ is exceeding tender of weak and feeble Christians He shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his Bosom and gently lead those that are with young Strengthen ye the weak Hands and confirm the feeble Knees X. Christ the good Shepherd came to seek and save that which was lost his great Design is to bring home Sinners and such as have gone astray as David Peter and other Saints have done When he finds them broken for their Sins how is he pleased He takes up the lost Sheep upon his Shoulder as it were
Nations and also King of all the Kings of the Earth be that comes from above is above all The second Man is the Lord from Heaven the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth having the advantage of the greatest Honour and highest Education being by the Father brought up with him and daily his Delight II. Jesus Christ is qualified and fitted every ways with heavenly Learning for the highest Undertaking of this kind whatsoever having been with God and also is God knows every thing that is done in Heaven and Earth knows the tempers and manners of all People He hath Rules of Judgment above others he hath received the Gift of Oratory from the greatest Master of Tongues and Languages in the World The Son doth whatsoever he seeth the Father do The Lord God hath given him the Tongue of the Learned c. so that he can understand without an Interpreter and speak without humane Assistance III. Jesus Christ is a Man of worth most fit to be Counsellor in the high Court above and that in these four following respects 1. In respect his great Wisdom 2. The Knowledg of all Laws and Customs amongst Men. 3. Of his long Standing and Experience 4. As he is united to the Ancient of Days who is the Center of all Perfection IV. The Lord Jesus was a Man of a great and noble Spirit not busied about low and inferior things of a mean Consideration but about Matters of the most weighty moment to establish Principalities and Thrones in Heaven to reform Nations and Kingdoms to reclaim the whole World and bring Heaven and Earth into an amicable Correspondence That he might gather together in one all things in himself whether they be things in Heaven or things on Earth Eph. 1.10 V. Christ the great Counsellor was elected and chosen by God himself to act in this high Sphere and Capacity called The Man of his Right-hand His Elect in whom his Soul delighteth One chosen out of the People VI. Jesus Christ was admitted into the hight Court of Heaven took his place there at the Right-hand of the Majesty on high in the presence and view of all the Angels and the seven Spirits that are before the Throne He is entred into Heaven and is set down at the Right-hand of God VII Christ that great and wise Counsellor is made acquainted with the great and wise Purposes of the great and wise King of Heaven and Earth nothing is hid from him as God without him there was nothing created or done No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten that is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel VIII The Lord Jesus is God's Familiar and Companion Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and the Man that is my Fellow Who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.6 IX The Lord Christ is of the highest Rank not of Men only but is indeed exalted above all his Fellows whether Men or Angels hath no Superior as Mediator but the Father The Head of every Man is Christ. He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers The Father is greater than I. The Head of Christ is God X. Jesus Christ is concern'd in the agitating of the greatest Affairs of Heaven and Earth such as immediately concern God himself and the good of all his People the Proclamations and Tenders of Grace Peace and Pardon come through his Hands He hath the Approbation of all Ministers that are imployed in the Business of the great King either in Matters Civil Military or Ecclesiastical viz. Kings Princes Rulers Deputies Judges Generals of Armies Apostles Bishops Embassadors and the like All suiters to God for Favour whether Ministers or People for the Soul or the Body their Petitions come to the hands of Christ. By him we have access to the Father of him all receive even Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 XI Christ is the Delight of the Father and as a wise worthy and good Counsellor he is a Glory to Heaven it self and Heaven is the more longed for for his sake This is generally acknowledged by all that have the Knowledg of him or Interest in him So much may suffice concerning Christ as compared to a Counsellor of State I shall now speak concerning him under the other acceptation of the Word viz. Counsellor at Law c. I. The Lord Jesus Christ is a publick Officer belonging to Heaven the highest Court of Judicature I am not of this World glorify me with the same Glory that I was glorified before the World was c. II. The Lord Jesus gives the best Advice and Councel and most worthily deserves the title of a Counsellor I will bless the Lord who hath given me Councel Go thy way sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the Fire and white Raiment that thou mayest be cloathed c. III. Jesus Christ makes known the Law of God to those that are ignorant and unlearned he illustrates all the parts of it and sheweth to what degree it extends c. He also shews what are the Priviledges of keeping it and what are the Damages of breaking it For if you forgive Men their Trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive you c. IV. Christ resolves doubtful Cases that other Men cannot in that he saith Son be of good chear Daughter be of good chear thy Sins are forgiven thee c. V. The Lord Jesus makes over the heavenly Mansions to Men and no Man can have a good Title to this Heavenly Inheritance unless Christ makes the Conveyance As the Father hath Life in himself so hath he given the Son to have Life in himself and hath power to give Eternal Life to as many as are given unto him VI. Jesus Christ hath great respect amongst Men the Turks own him for a great Prophet the Papists for the Son of God but his own Disciples that see an Excellency in him and an absolute necessity of him make use of him own him to be their Saviour Yea and doubtless I count all things but loss for the Excellency of Jesus Christ my Lord c. Phil. 3.8 He is the Chiefest among ten thousand Cant. 5.10 VII The Lord Jesus puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Devil and all other Adversaries of the Soul in their own Plea I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not My Grace is sufficient for thee c. And the Dragon and his Angels were thrown out of Heaven c. To this end was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil VIII So Christ makes Contracts between the great God and his People in that weighty Case that concerns their Salvation and mediates and
want of the Spirit for not coming to these Waters VIII The Spirit of God allays that great Drought that is in Men and Women naturally after perishing things But whosoever that drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst c. It greatly satisfies the spiritual Desires of the Soul giving Peace inward Contentment and Joy through believing IX The Spirit and the Blessings thereof are free Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters Whoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely X. The Spirit quenches the Fire of Lust the Fire of Pride the Fire of Passion which Satan and our own treacherous Hearts are ready at every turn to kindle in us and which would were it not for this sacred Water burn and consume our Souls and bring us to utter Desolation METAPHOR OTher Water many times doth prove prejudicial to the Body when it is received at certain times too freely it surfeits and indangers the Life II. Waters whether taken in the common Acceptation elementary Water or cordial Waters or Spirits prepared by Art are not Waters of Life no Water can beget Life nor give Life to the Dead III. Water may be defiled made muddy and become unwholsome and unfit to drink or wash in Disparity THe Spirit never hurts any who drink thereof though in never so great a heat you may freely take down this Water and not be hurt thereby it surfeits none no danger of drinking to excess here II. The Spirit is called the Spirit of Life and Water of Life and may fitly be so termed 1. Because it begets spiritual Life in all poor dead Sinners 2. Because it maintains Life that which gives Life and Being to us as we are Men or Christians preserves the same Whether it be natural or spiritual 3. Because it makes the Hearts of Christians lively and increases Life in them 4. 'T is called Water of Life because it brings unto everlasting Life The Water that I will give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into Everlasting Life III. The Spirit ever remains pure and admits of no Filth 't is impossible to defile this Water or make it unfit for the Souls of Sinners See River Inferences FRom hence we may infer that those who have not received of the Spirit or drank of this sacred Water have no spiritual Life in them If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Those that have not this clean Water sprinkled upon them their Filthiness remains II. What Fools are those Men who refuse to drink of the Water of Life 't is but drinking and live for ever III. Be exhorted to pray earnestly long for and endeavour after a Participation of the Spirit How ready are Men and Women to go to this Well and that Well to drink Water for the help and healing of Bodily Distempers go many Miles dispense with all other Affairs that they may be recovered of external Diseases But how few inquire after the Water of Life or leave all their secular Business for the good and health of their immortal Souls To perswade you to acccept of a word of Counsel take these few Motives You are invited Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters c. These Waters are free you may have them if you have a Heart and Will in you to them the Well is open and Christ stands with his Arms spread forth to call and embrace you If any Man thirst let him come to me and drink The Holy-Spirit a Witness 1 Joh. 5.6 10. It is the Spirit that beareth Witness because the Spirit is Truth He that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness within himself Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirit c. Rom. 9.1 My Conscience also beareth me Witness in the Holy Ghost c. A Witness is absolutly necessary for the keeping up of Justice deciding of all Matters of Moment or to the putting an end to Controversies that may arise between Parties and for the confirming and establishment of Truth METAPHOR WItness imports something to be done that is to be attested when it shall be required or when there is need of it II. A good Witness is a just and impartial Person one that will tell only the Truth III. A good and faithful Witness decides Controversies upon Trial the right way IV. One Witness is not sufficient to the deciding of some Differences in some Cases there should be more than one Witness In the mouth of two or three Witnesses shall every Word be established V. A Witness is highly esteemed and his Testimony prized by a Man falsely accused when his Life lies at stake thereby especially when such clear Evidence is given in for the Defendant that tends to the clearing up his Innocency and absolutely to acquit him and to his great Honour set him at liberty notwithstanding those cruel and false Accusations of his Enemy VI. A good Witness many times gives in such clear Proof and Circumstances to the deciding of Controversies and ending Differences that the Matter appears exceeding plain in the sight of all Persons VII A good and faithful Witness brings a Man sometimes off triumphantly that all were ready to conclude was a dead Man VIII A Witness is so necessary to confirm Bonds Contracts and solemn Covenants that they are not look'd upon Authentick and good in Law without Parallel THere is somthing done by Christ for us and in us which it is needful there be a Witness of to confirm and establish both 1. Whatever the Lord Jesus did in the days of his Flesh as the sent one of the Father was born witness to by the Holy Spirit by those mighty Works which were done by the means and power thereof 2. The Lord Jesus hath also done great things in those who do believe the Truth of which the Holy Spirit beareth Witness II. The Holy Spirit is a just and impartial Witness The Spirit beareth Witness because the Spirit is Truth III. So the Holy Spirit decides and ends the great doubt that arises in the Heart about the work of Grace the right way will not speak Peace to him to whom it doth not appertain will not clear the Guilty viz. him that believeth not notwithstanding his seeming Zeal Holiness c. nor condemn the holy and sincere Person notwithstanding the Weaknesses and Infirmities of his Life IV. So in the great case of Interest or no Interest in Jesus Christ or about Faith and Regeneration there must be two or three Witnesses no more is required First The Spirit of God And secondly Our Spirit or the Testimony of our own Conscience The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God V. When the Spirit of God with a Man 's own Conscience gives in Evidence for him touching his Sincerity when accused by Satan and by wicked Men and
God Promised to give the Land of Canaan and rest therein to his seed how punctual was he in performing of it as Solomon well observes 1 Kin. 8.56 Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest to his people Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one word of all his good promise c. it was declared to Abraham that his seed should be strangers in the Land of Egypt four hundred years and Moses shews that at the end thereof nay the very self-same day the Lord brought them out of the said Land Exod. 12.41 4. God promised to send a Saviour and accordingly when the fulness of time was come he sent him into the VVorld 5. And that Gospel Promises might be firm and sure to all the faithful and Covenant People of God they are put into Christs hand who having shed his Blood to procure the good Promised hath Received the Promises for us as our Trustee Acts 2.33 Therefore being by the Right hand of God Exalted and having received the Promise of the holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear 6. That the Promises might be made sure to all the seed Christ hath brought himself under an Obligation to make them good And the Lord Jesus is not only ingaged but the Father also 1. In respect of his Goodness and Mercy Heb. 10.23 1 Joh. 1.9 2. In respect of his Faithfulness and Truth 1 Cor. 10.13 3. Nothing can hinder or obstruct God in accomplishing whatsoever he hath promised 4. They must be made good because of the nature of the Covenant 't is ordered in all things and sure 'T is unto God as the waters of Noah Isa. 54.10 They are left in Christs last VVill and Testament that was confirmed by his blood See Testator And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might Receive the promise of eternal inheritance 5. But if all this is not enough God hath ingaged himself by oath to make them good he hath if I may so speak pawn'd his own Being Life Power Truth and Holiness upon the performing whatsoever he hath promised to his own Covenant-people for when God made a Promise to Abraham because he could swear by no greater he swore by himself Gen. 22.16 17. Saying surely in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thee And so after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise for men verily swear by the greater and an oath of confirmation is to them an end of all strife Wherein God more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed by an Oath ver 17. That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have strong consolation who have fled for Refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us May not this cause a Believer to venture upon a Promise of God and to rest satisfied until it is accomplished 10. Gospel Promises are glorious promises because they are generally and more especially Soul or spiritual promises What is it to have a promise of such or such an Estate or Lordship or to be blessed in the Basket and store or with all earthly good things these are the blessings it is granted that worldly men seek after I have goods saith the Rich Glutton laid up for many years blind wretch but how poor and miserable was his Soul Now gospel promises are of a spiritual heavenly and sublime Nature as you have heard before soul-food soul-strength soul-health soul-riches soul-peace soul-liberty soul-life a Christ a Kingdom and Crown that fadeth not away for the Soul This is the Tenth 11. Gospel promises are glorious promises because 't is by vertue of these thou comest to take hold of and obtainest an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Is not that a precious promise that will make thee sure of a Saviour a bare Promise for of his Interest is security enough tho' he has condescended in a gracious manner to us not only to make over himself and eternal Life to our Souls by Promise but hath given us an earnest also into our hearts nay more then that Sealed us also by his Spirit unto the day of redemption See earnest and Seal under the head of Metaphors respecting the Spirit The Promises are the ground of Faith and Hope that Faith is a Fancy and that hope will be but as a spiders Web that is not grounded upon the Promise of God 12. Gospel Promises are glorious in a comparative sence above the Promises of the Law 1. Better in respect of perspicuity or clearness of them those were Promises under obscure Types and shadows Justification was held forth by several Sacrifices burnt-offerings and sin-offerings c. Sanctification held forth under several Ceremonial washings 2. Better in regard of the Nature or Quality of them the former were generally promises of Temporal or Earthly things 3. In respect of the Efficacy and Power that is in these o're what was in the other The Law made nothing perfect many blessings were made indeed in case of Obedience but the Law gave no power to perform the Condition or help the Soul in that Obedience 4. They are better in regard of extent and Duration 13. Gospel Promises are glorious in respect of the variety of them there is variety of all good things promised therein answering to every condition the Creature may be under They tend in a sweet manner to remove all objections doubts and discouragements of the Soul whatsoever as you may perceive by taking a brief Taste I am a vile sinner saith the Soul mine Iniquity is gone over mine head as a heavy burden they are more then can be number'd and are ever before me I have sinned against Light and Knowledge and hated Instruction Is there any Hope or Promise for such a wretch such a Rebel and Monster of wickedness as I am See the promise How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and ye scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge turn at my reproof Behold I will pour out my spirit upon you I will make known my words unto you Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God and he will abundantly pardon Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Here are promises that may be grounds of encouragement to the vilest sinner Were there no Promises but to righteous Persons or to men and women so and so qualified it were sad But through Christ and in closing with him in the Gospel there is pardon offered to sinners as sinners tho' they have been very vile and