contrariety of things that stands out in these Gospel-dayes and rises so stoutly for one against another amazes the best heads and staggers yea confounds the stoutest hearts that are by place and office to manage them here are with us in one womb the old revived strugglings of the holiest and profanest the purest and the subtlest the most for power and the most denying of the power of godlinesse the most zealous and the most formal and richly goodly luke-warme the weightiest grain and the lightest chaffe the deepliest poor in spirit and the loftiest proud in the flesh the heaven-born Sons of marvelous light and the hell-born brats of thickest darknesse these cause difficulty to rule so as to foster the gracious and discountenance the wicked severing the precious and the vile Faith an active faith the faith of the Lords Heroes is the one only helpe this keeps with God in his Word for principles of Policy for upright wayes for support and courage in both against carnal counsels courses confidences and fears the worst of Counsellors These Considerations possesse whil'st with joy in God through Jesus Christ glorying in his works all honourable and glorious and in his wayes all righteous and holy with fears sorrows and prayers because of judgements impendent for the wickednesses of errors divisions profanenesse abounding and for the Magistrates sake and their concernments and for Common-weals and Kingdomes the Innes of the Church for as for the Ministers sackcloth cannot hinder the efficacy of their Prophesying and Witnesse-bearing salutiferous and destructive nor their slaughter do any more than issue forth their resurrection to the fall of the tenth part of the City to be visited and the ruine of seven thousand of men of name let the earth-dwellers the merry world of them beware For the Publishing of this Treatise besides the Importunity of many of the Commissioners of Surrey for the ejection of ignorant and scandalous Ministers who heard part of it delivered in Sermons which wrested from me a concession to their desires two things swayed with me First that in this sleight age tossed to and fro with puffes of windy vaporings which blow high and big and take with many the wholsome old everlasting and absolutely necessary truths of saving doctrine might be laid again before all mens sight to cure if the Lord will this giddinesse of head and secondly that in this notional high-flown conceited age wherein nothing is esteemed but that which goes under the name of Mysterious of a more spiritual dispensation and above Scriptural and the plain truthes of the Scripture are overlook't called low carnal and fit for none but Saints under the lowest dispensation It might be manifest that these truths only are truly heavenly spiritual Gospel-mysteries of the highest dispensation that ever shall be in this world and that upon the review and Christian-experience all might see that the other Novel speakings are low carnal beggarly things belly-breaths the issues of fleshly tumors indigested waterish tympanies and crackes of clouds without rain That I prefix your Highnesses name is an act of boldnesse for which pardon is humbly craved I adventured on it that I might acknowledge the encouragement given to my Ministery two years since at a needful time by your Renowned father now with Christ who openly and really owned it almost opprest by willing my labours at Kingston of which poor labours as they are mine these are some of the fruits presented to your most serene aspect and offered to the service of your faith What remains but prayers promised that your life may be bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord your God your person may abide in the secrets of the most High hid there even in his bosome-love in Christ your heart may remain large wise holy humble and believing your eyes may see the great Council in Parliament assembled full of grace and peace the Lords and yours to his glory and your abundant joy for the good of these Nations and of the people of Christ in all the world In you also through the advice of that your great Council it may be manifest that God doth and will still bless these Nations and make them instrumental to the ruine of Romish Babylon with all that belongs thereto and that out of illuminated zeal for the Gospels the Saints injuries and blood till the vengeance and recompence be rendred to her double which work shall be fulfilled in its time by the Lamb and his called and faithful and chosen On which work your heart set you have the Hosanna of him that waits for the mighty thunderings of the Hallelujahs and is Your Highnesses most obliged for the Gospels and the Publique good Richard Byfield The CONTENTS Chap. 1. AN Explication of the Text in its dependance and manner of laying down with three special observations giving further light to the words and with the foure great truths of doctrine three of them expressed and the fourth strongly implied in the Coherence Chap. 2. The first great truth which is this that there is no salvation by the Law or by any other means save by Jesus Christ Chap. 3. The second great truth The fulnesse of salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ and that set forth by many choice truths which the Apostle in this Text takes for granted Chap. 4. The fulness of salvation by Jesus Christ expressed in the person who is the first efficient cause he that provides this salvation God even God the Father Chap. 5. The fulnesse of this salvation in the Person who undertakes to work it out even Gods own Son Chap. 6. The fulnesse of salvation manifested in the way God taketh to save sinners by his Son Chap. 7. The fulness of a sinners salvation evinced in the outward cause moving God to give his own Sonne and to take such away to save which was the impotency and impossibility of the Law to save and the lost estate of the sinner Chap. 8. The fulnesse of this salvation in the end of Christs mission intended and attained which was the expiation of sin and the fulfilling of the righteousness of the law for and in the sinners that shall be saved Chap. 9 The fulnesse of salvation shines in the person who maketh saving application thereof dethroning corruption of nature and ruling the whole man even the Spirit the holy Ghost the Spirit of the Father and of the Son Chap. 10. The third great truth the lively description of the persons that shall be saved and do partake of this salvation by Jesus Christ viz. They are such who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Chap. 11. The fourth and last great truth which is The fulnesse of the assurance and of the consolation of those who are in Christ and walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit THE Gospels GLORY ROM 8. 3 4. Ver. 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own
5. â—1 4. 9. of the salvation of Gods people for 1. In this Son is our eternal life placed This is the Record the summe of Gods Testimony witnessed in the Bible that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Sonne God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that we might live through him In this Sonne the beloved Pro. 8. 30. Mat. 3. 17. the Sonne of his bosome his eternal delights God the Father doth rest well-pleased for ever 2. This assure the absolute sufficiency of Christ Jesus for his Office he is the Mediatour who is the Son of God The Son is the Prophet he declares the Father Joh. 1. 18. Joh. 3. 32. 6. 68 96 Joh. 5. 25 28. Heb. 1. 8. Joh. 1. 49. 10 30. he testifies what he hath seen and heard he hath the words of eternal life his voice raiseth the dead the dead spiritually out of their sinnes the dead Corporally out of their graves The Sonne is the King greater than all who hath all Soveraignty authority and power The Sonne is the Priest who is consecrâ—â—ed Heb. 4. 14. 7. 28. for ever more who hath the heart and eare of the Father alwayes 3. This puts a value and worth of infinite price upon all that he hath done or 1 Joh. 1. 7. doth for us now in heaven into his sufferings and into his intercession The blood of Gods Sonne clerâ—seth us from all sinne the Sonne is consecrated for evermore 4. He can do all that we stand in need Joh. 1. 51. 3. 13. of because he is the Sonne of God He can create the heart anew and give the Holy Ghost He baptizeth with the Holy Ghost and with fire He opens heaven and brings in the Angels-service that they may minister unto us He seeth the truth of grace in our hearts He knoweth the workings beatings and breathings of our Joh. 1. 47 48. 10. 28 29 30. Joh. 5. 26 28. Heb. 12. 16 23. Psa 89. 27. Jer. 31. 8. Exod. 4. 22 Psa 89. 19. spirits and all our secret duties the guilelesse spirited Nathanaels their most retired meditations and prayers under the fig-tree He gives the power or priviledge to be Sonnes of God he makes free indeed he gives life to whom he will he preserveth the life spiritual given and gives eternal life he fetcheth out of the graves he makes us a Congregation of Gods first-born God hath laid help for us upon one that is mighty 5. There is no danger to adventure Jer. 17. 7. Joh. 3. 16. 36. Joh. 14. 9. here No feare of that curse Cursed be the man that trusteth in man for Jesus Christ is the Lord Jehovah It is no fault to believe on him to worship to serve to call upon to obey him There is no perishing to a believer There is nothing but wrath to him that believeth not on him Here is the only way to see the Father SECT 4. For the Application and Use Improve it The Use thus 1. By this Doctrine Inform thy self 1. Of Information First of the excellency of the word of Scripture which revealeth this truth and especially of the glory of the New Testament which is the Gospel of the Sonne of God Secondly of the honour conferred on sinful men called to the faith of Jesus Christ they are called to fellowship with the Sonne of God Thirdly 1 Cor. 1. 9. of the faithfulnesse of God in the wayes of his free and saving grace he failed not to send his own Sonne into the world according to his promise We may trust him to make good all that he hath spoken the heaven of heavens and blessed life and immortality there is not too much nor too good for believers It is not so good as his own Son 2. Be perswaded to dwell upon these 2. Of Exhortation Ephes 4. 13. Gal. 2. 20. meditations untill thy heart be winned and perswaded first to believe in the Sonne of God secondly to seek growth in the knowledge of the Sonne of God and then thirdly to live by faith of the Sonne of God and fourthly to digest this truth in the power of it that thou mayest triumph over all Brethren beloved look above all to this faith that Joh. 20. 31 1 Joh. 5. 12. you may receive and have the Sonne in you and that you may know you have him Let there be the hearing of faith the Confession of faith the emptyings of faith to reject all for him to forget all for him the application of faith that makes us apply our selves to him to draw near to the saving of the soul and not to Mark this distination of the applying act of faith draw back that applies him to our selves in desires of the hungry and thirsty and in high prizings of the poor in spirit and in the repoâ—e of the weary and laden and in the breathings and aspirings of the lowly and in the waitings of those that know no other door of mercy till we come to the applications of comfortable perswasions the obedience of faith the betrothed Mat. 22. 12 love which faith worketh and the wedding garment of all Gospel-dresse that may become the Espousals of such a Bridegroom 3. And why should we not delight our 3. Of Consolation Isa 8. 9 10 9 5 6. Psa 2. 1 2 5 6. 1 Joh. 5. 5. souls in this glorious principle of Christian Religion which leads us unto the holy One the mighty One of Israel for here we see and from hence we meditate and threaten terrour to the associations of all enemies We carry victories over the world's lusts and lyes errours and terrours vanities and violence We know the advancing and amplitude of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ We are confirmed Psa 2. 6 8. Ro. 8. 32. Heb. 2. 2 3 12. 25 26. 10. 29. Joh. â—7 26 1 Joh. 4. 9. Rom. 8. 31. 32 39. in the stability of all the promises and in the greatnesse of the sin and misery of all the disobedient and contemners of the Gospel We have the love of God manifested the love wherewith he loves his own Sonne reaching and clasping us A love that cannot but freely give us all things a love that assures God is for us a love from which nothing can separate us CHAP. VII Treateth of the fulnesse of salvation manifested in the way God taketh to save sinners by his Son SECT 1. 3. THe third truth demonstrating the 3. The way God took to condemn sin in the flesh of his Son and so to take it away provs the salvation full perfect fulnesse of salvation by Jesus Christ cometh now under consideration which is from the way and course God in his good pleasure took and held in saving sinners by his Sonne This is held out in these words Sending his own Sonne in the likenesse of sinful flesh and for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh which
carnally politick temper of the soul and be in us the Spirit of power of love and of a sound minde and by giving suffering 2 Tim. 1. 6 7. graces and comforts fitted to the present suffering condition whatsoever it be Lastly by enabling â—o come to God in prayer when the extremities of sufferings the darknesse of Gods wayes in that dispensation and the difficulties of the times in which we are placed and the perplexednesse of our and the Lords cause we are to stand for by mens subtleties or otherwise is such that we know not what or how to ask as we ought yet even in this case the Spirit it self maketh intercession in us with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed this is the proper sense of the Apostle in that place to the Romans Chap. 8. verse 26. 11. The making us Gods habitation he makes first his own way into the sinful Eph. 2. 22. secure proud hard stony and dead heart and then he prepares for God an habitation there he makes us a spiritual house and an holy Priesthood in that spiritual house he builds us to be a Temple to God that he may walk in them and 1 Pet. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 16 dwell in them this he doth by building us as lively stones on Christ the choicest foundation stone by furnishing us with the Temple-furniture through the doctrine of Christ received and by consecration And he maketh believers Priests by consecâ—ation with the anointing and by the besprinkling of the blood of Christ by cloathing with the Priestly Robes of justification and sanctification and by bestowing on them the hearts and dispositions of consecrated Priests 12. Mansion or abode for ever in Gods people This work is most comfortable the world cannot receive the Spirit they know him not Christs true Disciples John 14. 16 17. know him and receive him and he comes and not as a guest for a night or so but as the inhabitant that dwells in them as in his house and Temple and abides therefor ever he dwells in them as the Comforter and the Spirit of truth he supplies Christs room and presence therefore they are not Orphans here is the anointing the Chrisme that abideth in them teaching 1 Joh. 2. 27. with ver 20. 24. them of all things that are delivered in the Scripture in which doctrine of the Word of truth the true Christian maketh conscience to abide and continue as ever they would continue in the Sonne and in the Father 13. The uniting them to Jesus Christ the husband of the Church and to all true 1 Cor. 16. 17. Christians as all of them make up one body and Bride of such a Lord the only Sonne of the living God and God blessed Rev. 22. 17. for ever in uniting true believers to Jesus Christ as Bridegroome he raiseth in them espoused conjugal love and fidelity vehement desires after his love-tokens the kisses of his mouth familiar talkings and confabulations walks together feastings mutual and imbraces these are set forth in that most spiritual book the Song of Solomon and the more they enjoy this hidden communion with Christ the more the Spirit raiseth in them desires unfeigned and fervent after with love of and waiting for the presence of Christ in his second coming which is the marriage-day the nearness of this union is such that it is thus expressed he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit and that is far nearer and more excellent than to be one flesh as man and wife are one the work of the Spirit is also to unite to Christians in such wise that they are all one body this is called the fellowship of the Spirit and the unity of Ephes 4. 4 Phil. 2. 1. Ephes 4. 3 the Spirit union with Christ and with Christians is the glorious work of the Spirit the ground of communion of communication and of sympathy or fellow-feeling These are the saving works of the Spirit in the Elect and Redeemed thus enumerated Arrha docet renevat juvat obsignatque salutem Spiritus ecce docet renovat copulatque regitque consolatur Arrha salutifera for the help of memory but not determining that they are wrought in this order there is an old received verse a pair of verses which name some of them but I hope none that are judicious will either say that there are none else or that these above-named so fully described in plain Scripture and so comfortably experienced by the Saints are not the saving workings of the Spirit but how lively quick significant and discriminating of this saving work are the Scripture expressions and praises attributed to the Holy 2 Cor. 4. 13 Zach. 11. 10. Isa 4. 4. Ghost they are these the Spirit of faith the Spirit of grace and supplications the Spirit of judgment and of burning the Spirit of holiness or of sanctification Rom. 1. 4. 8. 5. Rev. 11. 11 Rom. 8. 2. Eph. 1. 17 Isa 11. 2 3 2 Tim. 1. 7. Joh. 14. 17 Ps 51. 11 12. Eph. 1. 13. Psal 45. 7. 1 Joh. 2. 20 27. Joh. 14. 16 1 Joh. 5. 6 10. Eph. 1. 14. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 23 Ezek. 36. 25. Joh. 4. 10 14. 7. 38 39. Cant. 4. 16 Hos 14. 4. Mal. 3. 11. Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thess 2. 13. Ro. 8. 26. Joh. 14. 26 1 Joh. 3. 9. Joh. 15. 26 27. the Spirit of adoption the Spirit of life the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of Christ the Spirit of wisdome and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord the Spirit of love power and of a sound minde the Spirit of truth Gods holy Spirit Gods free or princely Spiâ—it the holy Spirit of promise the oyle of gladnesse the anointing the comforter the witness the earnest the seal sealing for the Saints are the seal sealed the first fruits clean water water of life a well-spring of living water the North and South wind that blowes upon the gardâ—n the dew and fire the renewing of the Holy Ghost the sanctification of the Spirit he that maketh intercession in the Saints he that brings all to their remembrance the seed that abideth in them he that enableth the belieer to bear witnesse to the truth of the Gospel with the spirit of a Martyr All this glory manifested in these saving works the children of God do feel and have the joyful experience of it in this life 14. The last saving work is for and in another world to be done at the last Rom. 8. 11 day and that is The quickening of their bodies out of the grave they shall be raised by the Spirits quickening of them as members of the body of which Christ is the head this is peculiar to the Saints who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ the Spirit which now dwells in them will in
the senses Secondly this pollution is innate and connate it is born in us and born with us It is as old as we are It was in us in our very conception it is bred up with us It discovers it self as we discover the use of our reason and it will be in us while we are in this frame and building Thirdly because we are as tender of it as we are of our very flesh Fourthly because there is a body of it a whole consisting of many members joynted together and ministring nourishment to every part for the encrease of the whole A whole composed heap not only spreading it self through the whole man and discovering it self in every member of the body but having also all the several wickednesses which ever were committed in it in the seed and spawn of them It is not some one transgression but many as the body is not one member but many and these many are knit together in an hellish order Fifthly because this is propagated as our bodies and flesh is propagated but our souls are not God is the Father of our spirits but men the fathers of our bodies therefore it may well be called flesh Sixthly because the motions of this original pollution are in the members of our bodies By spirit is meant not the soul nor the mind or understanding faculty the highest that is in man nor conscience the Character of the reasonable creature But by spirit is meant the Spirit of Christ sanctifying the man and dwelling in him through the Word of God engraffed and the regenerate part the Divine nature or disposition wrought by the Spirit of God the holy Ghost and conformable to the Image of Jesus Christ Iâ— this work there is the seed first of all grace and that under the New Testament in a largenesse Secondly it is in the whole man in soul spirit and body Thirdly and that too in truth or sincerity Fourthly it is of God in Christ for its original And fifthly for its continuance it is of incorruptible seed and abideth for ever Sixthly for its piercing effectualnesse in operation it leavens the whole man It is deepest and chiefest in the soul It is spreading and thorow in what it works It is active according to its own sphere which is supernatural and celestial yea supercelestial and according to its rise which is from the Spirit for whatsoever is of the Spirit is Spirit After notes the rule and guide and from that rule the force which swaies and carries out the man in his actions Walking notes 1. The course taken upon choice and 2. The progresse in that course or way with 3. Pressing on still forwards and 4. With perseverance and constancy till we come to the end Not after the flesh but after the Spirit That is refusing that and choosing this for guide and removing from the wayes and walks of the flesh to go in these that are after the Spirit Walking after the flesh is mentioned to shew that Original sinne is the sinne that reigns every actual sinne hath its strength in the corruption of nature Thither we must ascend in the work of mortification if we would kill sinne dead the root Crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof The lopping of a tree destroyes not the tree he that would not serve any sinne must destroy the body of sinne and not some one or two members only and he that would destroy the body of sinne must crucifie the old man Walking after the Spirit sheweth that all grace is brought into us from without from above from the holy Ghost It is not from a seed in us which is born with us and lyeth as the seed of Corn doth awhile buried in the earth It is not from any power or spirit that is in the Creature or in this visible Globe or in the Creatures Angelical It is from the Spirit of the Father and of the Sonne Again this sheweth that all grace is yet truely in us from the holy Ghost dwelling in us through the Word engraffed or the revealed truth of the Gospel from the holy Ghost thus dwelling in us and renewing sanctifying acting and leading of us And lastly that we are born anew of the Spirit are in the Spirit do live in the Spirit and are after the Spirit and then we walk after the Spirit We must first be and live and afterwards walk Thus you have the force of the words SECT 2. The particular truths or doctrines which 2. The words taken asunderin nine doctrines are wrapped in this description are these 1. In those that are in Christ in them there is the Spirit of Christ The Spirit in renewing unites to Christ their union with Christ is spiritual not physical not moral alone not personal at all The Spirit of Christ is in them and uniteth them to Christ and Christ and they are one Spirit as Man and Wife are one flesh this truth ariseth from this description as it is referred to the words before in ver 1. of this Chapter To them that are in Christ there is no condemnation Now this is to be understood of the holy Ghost as he is the Anointing wherewith Christ is anointed even Jesus Christ not considered as he is the Sonne of God simply and absolutely but as he is the Christ God-man and wherewith from Christ that Holy One they are anointed the work is the work of the third Person but not a work that makes a personal union of them to the Holy Ghost 2. Where the Spirit of Christ is in any there is also flesh whiles they are in this life where there is grace there is corruption though it holds not on the contrary where ever there is corruption there is grace also Nay it is far otherwise untill regeneration there is nothing but corruption in any or all the men in the world no not in the elect of God but where the Spirit is there is flesh although not walked after This is gathered from the description as made up of a negative first and then of an affirmative which sheweth a nature or disposition in the described here which is declining and renouncing one principle and cleaving to and following sweetly another principle Therefore with the regenerate it is thus their works are mixed their actings of their graces are mixt and maimed All their best duties smell strong of the flesh therefore the Regenerate ought to be watchful and jealous over themselves humble to God-ward meek towards man and making use of Christ and faith in him in all doing all in his name or mediation and looking for acceptation of all in him alone 3. That flesh even in the regenerate and spiritual is so sinful that if it were followed it would destroy them therefore it is sinne in it self and in the lusts of it even in the regenerate for if it were not sinful why should it be renounced why should it not at some times and in some cases be allowed 4.
on the judgment to come but in this way nothing so delightful as the presence of God and the light of his countenance gives peace and joy against which is no Law and which no death nor guilt of sin can destroy The Law is delightful death desirable and sinne it self made humbling and profitable because now hateful and abominable to us by how much the more we believe and know that thus God is love 3. All here is kid untill God reveal All here is mysterious 1 Cor. 2. 7. All James 1. 17 18. is heavenly all from above from above Creation from God under another notion 1 Cor. 2. 12 14. then as a Creator The animal or natural man cannot receive these things when told him cannot finde them out till they be told him but the spiritual only who hath received the Spirit of God and not the spirit which is of the world Nothing suits with these things of the Gospel but what is from above the born from above can alone close with these things They are too high for the unregenerate man who is the fool under the power of folly and values them as the Swine doth Pearls A double revelation of the Spirit is absolutely necessary to the discerning of the things of this salvation the one of the Holy Ghost inspiring the Prophets and Apostles to preach and write them the other of the same Holy Ghost as he is the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation inlightning the eyes of our understandings to know them when in and by the Word they are declared to us 1 Cor. 2. 10. Ephes 1. 17 18. 4. Here is truth of salvation and here is strength of salvation truth of salvation for God is the rock his work is perfect all his wayes are judgment A God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32. 4. And strength of salvation when he giveth quietnesse who then can make trouble and when he hideth his face who then can behold him whether it be done against a Nation or against a man only Job 34. 29. 5. Here is satisfaction and assurance to the soul satisfaction for the Lord laid on his Sonne our iniquities the Lord bruised him God gave his Son nothing can satisfie the awakened soul nothing can set down the doubting soul but God who is above the soul and above the Law above sin and Satan And assurance is here it is no venture but a state in which we may glory to cast our selves on God we Ps 62. 7. 56. 10. Rom. 8. 31 33 36. may say every one for himself in God is my glory in God will I praise his Word in God we are more than Conquerors 6. Here is irreversiblenesse God cannot lie God cannot deny himself God is not as man that he should repent he hath blessed and who shall curse Tit. 1. 2. Numb 23. 8 19. His gifts and calling are without repentance he will never repent of them Rom. 11. 29. 7. God is in Christ in Christ and in him alone is God reconciling the world to 2 Cor. 5. 19. himself he is not nor can be found in the whole work of Creation reconciling a sinner and not imputing trespasses no science of the nature of the creatures no knowledge of the connexion and rational mutual chaining of the several creatures in this whole globe as so many parts of the universe having dependence one upon another and influence into each other by way of cause and effect no knowledge of the Deity that made all and rules all no principles and seeds of virtue and righteousnesse there learned and thence gathered by all the strength of the principles of reason and light in man and improved to the utmost for the framing of thoughts desires gestures words and deeds none of these nor all these nor whatever other manifestations of the infinite invisible eternal God-head as the invisible world of Angelical spirits be they Thrones Dominions Principalities or Powers none none of them have God in them reconciling a sinful man to himself not imputing trespasses In none of these nor in all these layed together hath God set forth a ransome for a sinner a price of a redemption for a soul that hath sinned a sacrifice and sin-offering or himself appeased propitious and merciful forgiving sins and receiving the sinner into his favour or any of them set forth as a propitiation or in them as on a mercy seat as upon a throne of grace no no but God is in Christ merciful reconciling pardoning accepting into a state of grace and favour Christ Jesus God hath set forth a ransome a price of redemption a sin-offering and a propitiation for our sins Christ is the Lamb of God God hath provided the Lamb for sacrifice as Abraham answered his son Gen. 22. 7 8. Isaac who said to him My Father behold the fire and the wood but where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering to whom Abraham said My son God will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering Behold the Lamb of God as John the Baptist Joh. 1. 29. cryed 8. All things are of God 2 Cor. 5. 17 18. that is all things in the regeneration in the Kingdome of Christ in the businesse of Redemption in the Church of Christ as it is his Church are of God of God not in the way and the putting forth of his power and the manifestation of his glory as he is the faithful Creator but they are of God as he is the God and Father of Jesus Christ oâ—r Lord as he is pleased to set forth himself his power and glory in the way of Redemption here they are all of God and nothing of Angels or Men or of any other whatsoever Whatever is not of God in this work but of men or any other is altogether disagreeable to be rejected unprofitable and shall be rooted out 9. Here we see it makes nothing at all neither is it a pin to choose what or which of the twain befall us to be blessed of the world or to be cursed to be blessed of evil Ministers of Balaams or to be cursed to blesse our selves or to have misgiving thoughts of our selves We stand or fall to God and not to man or to our selves Heark what God saith of thee and to thee and not what man or thine own heart saith as David said of old I will hear what God the Lord Psal 85. 8. will speak 10. Here we see believing is the work that God would have of us He findes out in his own wisdome of his love and good pleasure within himself all that concerns this work it is the mystery of his will his bosome secret and counsel Ephes 1. 10. his Spirit must reveal and tell it if he speak not if he give not out his Word none can dive into it now then he testifyeth and we are to receive his testimony and to believe his Word he that believeth sets to his seal that God
who speaketh is true John 3. 33. He that believeth not maketh God a liar 1 Joh. 5. 10. Because he receiveth not his testimony or witnesse he that receiveth Christ Jesus receiveth God that sent him he that rejecteth Christ rejecteth God All respect or neglect in this great businesse runs up so high as to God himself SECT 3. The use of this point is to call upon us to entertain these thoughts digest this The use hereof truth and it will work warme it and rub it in by meditation and it will enter into thy soul First believe this truth in the general that GOD doth thus tender the everlasting salvation of poor sinners great sinners and then bring it home unto thy self that GOD offers life to thee a sinner Dwell awhile on these if we lay away the principles of sound doctrine and care not to know them if we stick in an overlie knowledge and do not believe them with the heart receiving them as the saving truths revealed by the Spirit of God and testified to the children of men as Gods own Record and Testimony there is no talking of the application of faith upon them to our own souls Quest But some may say how may one know that he hath apprehended aright this truth that it is GOD that hath provided the way of salvation Answ In general thus if rightly apprehended then every word of this salvation will come to the soul as the Word of God not as the word of a man though never so worthy credit not as the word of a King yet power goes with the word of a King not as the word of an Angel it is more than so when it comes to thy heart as the Word of God It 1 Thes 2. 13. will come to thee in the power of God in divine life and strength it will work effectually in thee Gods Word-runneth very swiftly he commandeth and the thing is done Again it will come to thy soul as the good Word of God the Word and Message in which thy good thy everlasting good doth lie to such a r Thes 1. heart the Gospel comes in much assurance and in the joy of the Holy Ghost the Gospel now stands to thee as an undoubted unmovable truth now it is the best news that ever came into the world the glad tydings of great joy the onely light and life of thy heart In special attend that God the Lord is the first and principal Agent or Worker here 1. It layes down in the heart of a sinner a possibility of his salvation That which to the Law to man whiles he stands to the Law is impossible that GOD will yet do it it becomes very possible with God all things are possible say to thy self before the Lord it is possible that such a sinner as I am or as thou art mayest be saved for GOD sends a Saviour for sinners you this layes down a possibility above all difficulties the difficulties are great our innumerable sinnes the bortomlesse depth of the deceitfulnesse and the desperatenesse of the wickednesse of our hearts the impenitency of an hard heart that cannot repent the death in sâ—n and trespasses the alienations withdrawings and gain-sayings of an heart that cannot believe the cursed barrennesse in the heart and life of all grace and good fruit the defilement and contagion of sinne as a leprofie and as the plague of pestilence the guilt and condemning power of sinne the distance and separation yea the enmity between God and man which sinne hath made the great enemies such are the Law the Curse Mortality Death the Grave Hell Satan Tentations Persecutions the world with all its lusts and errours the body of sinne called the body of this death Rom. 7. 24. the Back-slidings and Apostasies which we are subject unto Satans strong holds within in false principles high thoughts and devised devotions depths carnal reasonings foolish and snarling objections besides the wisdome of a conceited the pride of a presuming and the dejections of a despairing heart If these Armies of difficulties and of impossibilities to created means should beset thee yet that GOD should reveale himself in a saving way stayes the heart and renders all of them Conquerable 2. It awakens it shakes the carelesse soul and fills with trembling It saith with Jacob God is here in this Word of the Gospel and I was not aware little thought I of such a presence in this contemned Word 3. It layeth a basis a foundation unmovable thus we have him to believe on who supports Heaven and Earth who is the Rock of Ages 4. It sets another face on God and on all things God is in Christ reconciling the world God at peace and all things become full of peace Behold all 's new there is now a new face of 2 Cor. 5. 18. things In this light we see light and have life there is a blessing in all through Gods blessing the worst and most deadly are not onely harmlesse but medicinal and helpful the heart begins to live at this presence a heavenly calme passeth bespreadeth and dwelleth upon the soul Tranqâ—illus Deus tranquillat omnia 5. It heals the heart of hard thoughts of God and of alienations from God then I perceive saith the soul the holy God will yet look after me 6. It sets the heart on God is there hope yet for such a one as I am surely it is good for me to draw near to God 7. It prevents and allayes the over-much grief for sinne or for afflictions and miseries our own or the Churches overmuch in both is hurtful to our soules dishonourable to God scandalous to men this delivers I even I am he that comforteth you saith the Lord Isa 49. 14 15. I blot out your transgessions Isa 43. 25. 8. It makes to cry to God out of the depth of our hellish filth and guilt Psalme 130. 1. It boiles up the spirit to fervency in Prayer 9. It puts an Awful Reverential Uniting feare into the soul Psalme 130. 3. There is forgivenesse with thee that thou mayest be feared 10. It enclines the soul to believe hope wait and love Psalme 130. 4 5. 11. It comforteth with comforrs rational and real from grounds in God from the presence of God 2 Cor. 6. 17. I will dwell in them I will walke in them I will be their GOD and they shall be my People 12. It devotes it assures it raiseth to Triumph What shall we say to these things If GOD be for Rom. 8. 31. Eph. 1. 3. 1 Pet. 1. 3. us who can be against us What shall separate us from the love of GOD it fills with praise and with gloryings and humble boastings in God This GOD is our GOD GOD is become my salvation Thus of the person who is the first mover in the great work of a sinners salvation CHAP. V. Treateth of the fulnesse of the salvation of a sinner in the person who undertakes to work it out even Gods
the Resurrection at the last day quicken their mortal bodies These are great things but most sure and certain for the Holy Ghost who is the power of the Highest undertaketh this work as his Office which is the third thing proposed to be unfolded SECT 4. 2. That the Holy Ghost is in Office to do all this saving work and is faithful in this his Office Here are two things to be considered 3. He is in Office to do this work the office of the Holy Ghost and his faithfulnesse 1. The holy Ghost is in office to make good this work this is manifest first because he is sent sent of the Father sent of Christ sent into the hearts of believers Joh. 14. 26 15. 26. 16. 7. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rom. 8. 26. sent upon these works Secondly He hath names which denote this his Office He is called the Comforter Another Comforter Jesus Christ he is one Comforter an Advocate with the Father now in heaven appearing for us And the holy Spirit he is not Christ he is Another he is another Comforter An Advocate in us he encourageth backeth us exhorts helps to hand over and puts into us desires and makes intercession ayding with groans unspeakable He is called The unction the anointing or Chrisme 1 Joh. 2. 20 Joh. 16. 13 Rom. 8. 15. He is called The Spirit of truth the Spirit of Adoption 2. The holy Ghost is faithful in this his Office this fidelity is many wayes expressed first in actual performance in Joh. 16. 13 14 15. us of those works for which he is sent and in regard whereof he bears his names He the Spirit of truth he will guide into all truth as in John 16. 13. in like manner is it true of every other work he is the Spirit of Adoption and he enables to cry in prayer Abba-father that is to call on God with fervency of faith so as to expresse the heart of a child towards God as to a father in Christ promised in the Old Testament an t sent accordingly in the New Testament In both Testaments together is set forth the glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ his Sonne to the full written in the Old Testament in Hebrew and in the New Testament in Greek and the Spirit frames the heart of a child and fills with the cryes of a child in prayer answerable to both Testaments manifestations and therefore it is said the Spirit causes them to cry Abba ho Pater Father Father Secondly In speaking nothing of himself he took on him nothing apart from or otherwise than what he had in charge from the Father and the Lord Jesus but what he hears of the Father and the Sonne that he speaks Even as Jesus Christ shewed his faithfulnesse to the Father that sent him in that he spake nothing but what he had heard of the Father he spake altogether what was agreeable to the old Testament Doctrine ver 13. Thirdly in glorifying Jesus Christ He shall receive and take of that which is Jesus Christs and shew it unto us John 16. 14 15. and hereby we may know the Spirit of truth from the 1 Joh. 4. 3 4 5 6. spirit of errour as the Apostle John gives the rule to try the spirits by SECT 5. 4. The peculiar works of the Spirit in order to the saving work Moreover great must needs that 4. Peculiar works of the Spirit in order to the saving work work be which hath marvelous works of the holy Ghost to be wrought and wrought every day and perfected long agoe that it may be performed now in order to the great saving work there are peculiar and wonderful works and they are manifold some respect Jesus Christ some the Scriptures some the Church and some the Ordinances take a brief of them under these four heads 1. Such works of the Spirit as respect 1. Respecting Jesus Christ Jesus Christ And so 1. The holy Ghost formed Christs humane nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary and of her seed this the Angel Gabriel declared in his answer to her enquiry the holy Ghost shall come upon thee Luk. 1. 35 36. and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 2. The holy Ghost anointed Jesus Isa 61. 1. 11. 2 3. Act. 10. 38 Joh. 3. 34. Luk. 4. 14 18. Joh. 1. 31 32 33. Mat. 3. 16. Christ as he was man with gifts and graces so that he had the Spirit not by measure And having thus consecrated him and furnished him for the great office and work of Mediatour he with God the Father sent him 3. The holy Ghost by descending from heaven and resting upon him visibly in the shape of a Dove did publiquely shew him and seal him in his Baptism 4. The holy Ghost witnesseth that Jesus Christ who was crucified is the Sonne Act. 5. 31 32. Rom. 1. 4. of God the true Messiah he also witnesseth to the doctrine of Christs resurrection in which the deity of Jesus Christ is declared with power and likewise to the doctrine of his exaltation at the right hand of God the Father 2. Such as respect the Holy Scriptures 2. Respecting the written word 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Act. 1. 16. Mark 12. 36. as 1. He inspired the holy men of God and infallibly dictated unto them and guided them in committing the Word of God unto writing No Scripture is of private motion the holy Ghost spake by David by Moses that faithful servant of God in all his house by Isaiah and by all the Prophets of the Old Testament Heb. 9. 8. Act. 28. 25 1 Pet. 1. 12 Luk. 1. 41 67. Act. 2. 1 Cor. 2. 10 13. the holy Ghost speaks by them so he inspired Elizabeth the Mother of John the Baptist and Zachary his father the holy Ghost came down from heaven upon the holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost the fiftieth day after Christs Resurrection induing them with power from on High and revealed to them all the deep things of God all the mystery of his will the Spirit both revealed to them the things of the Gospel and gave unto them the words in which they should speak them and leave them in writing and these words from his own teaching 2. He quickens the Word so that the Word is Spirit and life the Word is his Joh. 6. 63. Ephes 6. 17. Heb. 4. 12 13. 1 Cor. 2. 4. sword he puts an edge upon the Word making it quick and lively in operation to the dividing between the soul and spirit of man and to the searching of all the secrets of his heart that all may be naked and bare before him with whom he hath to do in the Word 3. He maketh the word to be with demonstration of the Spirit and of power that is with such power and efficacy in
nor hear of saving good or salvifical upon the face of the earth shall we that are a spiritual Priâ—â—t-hood let this heavenly fire go out for want of stirring it up and of fuelling it Now as fire so the Spirit may be quenched It's workings of a lesser and lower degree than of renewing grace may be utterly extinguished its gifts may grow rusty and the Spirit in that working may depart wholly as it did from Saul and an evil spirit come in the room of it His peculiar works and saving may be weakened and lost for acts and degrees and sensible feelings as in David Take not thy holy Psa 51. 11. Spirit from me Restore me tâ—e â—oy of thy salvation 2. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God Eph. 4. 30. with the context in ver 25. to the end of the chap. by the usual and accustomary evils of the tongue in lying and corrupt communication by the sins of unbridled passions of idlenesse and whatever it be that breaketh out against kindnesse tender-heartednesse and readinesse to forgive A gracious and pure language a diligent and liberal hand that labours to have whereof to give to him that needeth a calm and quiet breast a loving heart full of the bowels of Jesus Christ these rejoyce and glad the Spirit of God All the other which are sinnes that discover themselves after calling do sad the Spirit whom we should make joyful as our best guest our best friend who comes and dwels in us purposely to seale us up unto the day of redemption these and all sinnes unmortified I mean not singled out particularly and brought under the work of mortification and put into that furnace after conversion do spoile the sealing of the Spirit that it cannot come off faire and full these also are against the comfort we should have in the day of redemption when Jesus Christ shall come in glory to receive his redeemed ones to himself and manifest to all the perfection of that work in righteousnesse how shall he condemn the world for idle words and his Redeemed ones live with idle hands and filthy rotten discourse or shall he receive those for adopted sonnes and daughters when they are of spirits as implacable proud passionate and malicious as those who are without Christ in the world in whom the spirit of Satan works effectually 3. Resist not the holy Ghost much lesse for that is a higher degree of sinning to resist is out of an uncircumcised natural heart and eare to rise up and to be of an hostile mind and behaviour against the ministery and to fall fowle upon the doctrine delivered according to the Word of the Old and New Testament or upon Act. 7. 51. the Ministers for their doctrines sake 4. Tempt not the holy Ghost by pretending Act. 5. 1 2 3 4 9. such works of faith love and obedience which are most eminent fruits of the Spirit in the truely and eminently gracious answerable to the times of light and the state of the Church which we live in when indeed it is but a pretence and we know that we play the hypocrites lying dissembling and dealing falsely therein as if we had not to deale with God with God the holy Spirit but with men whom we may easily deceive 5. Defile not his Temple that is pollute 1 Cor. 3. 17 neither your own selves nor other Christians neither yours nor their souls or bodies either with corrupt and unprofitable doctrine or with corrupt and vain manners or with dividing principles or practices causing rents and schismeâ— parties and factions in the Church of Christ Again that we may be rightly ordered In five rules to shew the virtue of the Communion of the holy Ghost Jude 20. Eph. 6. â—8 1 Cor. 2. 4. Col. 1. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 7 Gal 5. 25. Act. 9. 31. towards the Spirit we ought to shew forth the power of his Communion the manifestation of his residence in us and the glory of his name put upon us in our Baptism in these duties following 1. Perform all duties and exercise all graces in the power of the Spirit pray in the holy Ghost Preach in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit love in the Spirit let the exercise of all gifts be the manifestation of the Spirit live inwardly in the Spirit walk in the strength of the graces in the power of the spiritual Gospel truthes the articles of faith and in the comforts of the holy Ghost even of the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel quickened upon the heart by the Holy Spirit of promise 2. Be filled with the Spirit here can be no sinful excesse excessive fulnesse is â—ph 5. 18. 〈…〉 â—3 â—2 the just and due measure and proportion in which we should desire the Spirits presence and working The Holy Ghost sometimes fills with special force and poâ—eâ— to some particular Acts of duty So Pâ—tâ—r and all the Apostles after solemn prâ—â—er were silled with the holy Ghost enabling to speak the Word with boldnesse with liberty of Spirit and of speech Sometime he fills with great joy as in the Disciples when they saw the courage of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas under expulsion and the wise and gracious guidance of Gods expelled servants for the spreading of the Gospel and propagating thereof to other parts of the world Act. 7. 55. Act. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 5. 2 Cor. 8. 7. Sometime with the might of patience and power of hope and of all graces fitting for Martyrdome as in Stephen Sometime he fills some members with special abilities and gifts as with wisdome with utterance with all knowledge with all diligence All this fulnesse of the Spirit God keeps in his own hand to give when he pleaseth and it is of reward but all graces that accompany salvation that have salvation in them of them we should eâ—pecially desire to be full as of faith of love to God to Christ to the Word and to the Saints and of a lively patient hope this is our work and is of the ordinary working of God through Christ in his live-members And not only should we seek to be full of these graces but of them and of the holy Ghost as in all the places above mentioned the words runne and not in vain that is filled full of a singular presence force and working of the holy Spirit acting and directing the mind and heart unto that which is good and holy with efficacy and power 3. Preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace this we ought to be endeavouring Ephes 4. 3 Phil. 1. 27. though we cannot effect what we would by reason of the destroyers of this unity and though we have many failings unbeseeming this unity It is an Evangelical command and endeavour we may we ought to stand fast in one spirit striving together for the faith of the Gospel when the faith of the Gospel is opposed and is in the conflict we
they shall reap in joy they shall doubtlesse come again and bring their sheaves with them they shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting SECT 9. Come hither all you to whom the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ is come The uses 1. Of information in foure things and inform your judgments in these following truths which arise from this comfortable doctrine 1. Consider what is wrought for and in a poor sinful creature before he can attain to this to walk after the Spirit First the Word of Gods grace the Gospel of salvation is preached by the Apostles with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven and by Pastours and Teachers sent of Christ who in his exaltation to glory in heaven hath received and given these gifts for men this Gospel is brought even unto thee in its truth and purity in these latter difficult times although false teachers have and do abound It is the first step of Gods approach in his way of saving mercy coming down from heaven to bring thee to glory Then secondly God by his Spirit through the Gospel preached which is his testimony illightens thee and reveals the things of salvation the mysteries of hidden wisdome unto thy soul Thirdly he enables thee to choose Christ Jesus and his Gospel above all other Religions whatsoever abominating them and above thine own carnal thoughts inventions lusts and ways and above thine own reason and thine own righteousnesse and the righteousnesse which is of the Law Fourthly the Spirit in and by the Gospel coming into thee sets thee free from the reign and dominion of the flesh of its mindings of its wisdome and of its wills desiâ—es affections and lusts and turns thee from its walks in which thou didst before walk and live and in which still the world lives and walks Fifthly the Spirit quickens the and gives thee life a new life life from above the life of grace which will be glory a life which is eternal in the beginning of it and being quickned and raised together with Christ sets thee on thy feet takes thee by the hand and teaches thee to go Sixthly the Spirit gives thee an heart to order thy conversation aright acording to the holy Commandments as becometh the Gospel from the power of faith and hope which set thee on high even to sit together with Christ in the heavenly places from whence thou lookest for him insomuch that thy conversation is in heaven Seventhly he gives thee power to walk after him going before thee in the Gospel engrafting the Word on thy heart and thereby counselling teaching exciting and inclining or bowing thy will as powerfully as sweetly drawing and making thee to runne in Gods ways Eighthly and with this power he gives a quick discerning and sense of the flesh and of its motions counsels and ways with resolutions mighty and prevailing to the framing of the course of the life not to walk after the flesh but to hold on thy walk after the Spiâ—it though the flesh be still contrarily lusting and working plotting and warring Thus the regenerate and spiritual though hampered and toyled with his corrupt nature walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit Doth so much go to make thee a holy liver and is not the work very great oh have not any low thoughts of this high mercy for which thou canst never sufficiently blesse the Lord nor canst retain the thankful sense thereof further nor longer than thou keepest up the thoughts of thine own and all mens alienations by nature from the life of God Believe it brethren it is not a mean despicable work to frame the conversation or walk according to the Word of Christ It is not little in it self although it seemeth to thee a small and little thing through vehement desires and longings in thee after greater progresse in the way called holy in which thy soul finds such pleasures that thou art impatient of contrary workings and of interruptions let me tell thee who thus walkest the work is so great that it carries the heart to the leadings of the Spirit and the heart is powerfully wrought upon and changed which none can bow and turn but God that made it or else it could not so powerfully order the conversation This is more then to delight in Gods Word and ways and yet that is a mighty work of grace observe for this Davids prayer Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments for therein do I delight Ps 119. 35. Ro. 7. 22 18. To will is of Gods gracious work To delight in Gods Commandments is the top and that which shews and proves the truth of the work of grace upon the soul enabling to will but to do to performe is more by farre God and Christ by the Holy Spirit have the last Phil. 2. 13. hand put to the work of salvation as farre as agreeth to his Saints in this life when the Spirit rules thy walk 2. Behold here the worth of such a Christian He is Gods workmanship in Christ Jesus created again unto good works which God hath fore-ordained that he should walk in In this walk see the man come out of Gods hands in the regeneration This is a choice creature made up to and by the will of the Spirit and his walk speaks it Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile God hath set out two admirable sights once in this sinful wicked world unto which all eyes should be turned the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinne of the world and the Israel of God delivered from this evil world redeemed from all iniquity purified to be a peculiar people to himself zealous of good works This a choice creature as for priviledges and dignity so for heavenly qualifications 3. Take here the maine reason why many under the Gospel attain not to a holy life which is this they take up with that light and with those gifts which will not subdue mortifie and crucifie the flesh they professe the Gospel but the Gospel is not the principle they live by and no other no lower will destroy the reign of sinne the holy Law will not therefore no other Religion no Institutions of Philosophy no light of the Law within man can subdue the flesh the Gospel alone if received into the heart will do it because it gives the Spirit now they by the Gospel never received the Holy Ghost the Spirit of renovation of Sanctification and of Adoption Untill this be had none can attain to an holy life 4. Take hence also the main reasons why the regenerate attain unto so little comfort for first they place not as they should the ground-work of their comfort in this That they are in Christ which this their walk doth evidence but they seek it in their walking which accompanied with sinnes and contrary lustings will beare no higher than to the power of an evidence and to a begunne work which is true but yet but in a part and
foundation of the Apostles argumentation this is taken for granted that God of his infinite goodnesse was resolved to save some sinnets out of fallen mankind and to give unto them eternal life Of this the beloved disciple speaketh in 1 Joh. 5. 11. This is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and the reason thereof is nothing in the creature but it is that in them whom he shall save Ephes 1. 6 7. 2. 7. Ephes 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Gen. 17. 1. Heb. 6. 18. he might shew forth the glory of his mercy love and grace the glory of his manifold wisdome of his power of his holinesse and justice while his grace doth superabound Rom. 3. 24. and in all the glory of his immutable counsels and decrees which no length of time wickedness and unfaithfulness of man power and policy of Satan cords of death depth of the grave and hell can hinder from taking full effect and accomplishment The summe is this sinne is sinne the Law is the Law God is God the persons to be saved as miserable vile filthy and guilty as any and yet Gods mercy magnified Christs grace exalted the sinner saved and while saved not left carnal but all that is done for him hath its holy and blessed work in him These things premised consider now the six particulars expressed by the Apostle and then you will see here omnimodas salutes all sorts of salvations salvation from sinne the curse of the Law death the grave and the wrath to come salvation of the soul and of the body salvation eternal salvation to the uttermost salvation full and attaining its end CHAP. IV. Containeth the fulnesse of salvation by Jesus Christ expressed by the Apostle in the person who is the first efficient cause he that provides this salvation which is God even God the Father SECT 1. THe first truth the Apostle fixeth us upon 2. By six truths expressed as 1. God is he that provides this salvation expresly demonstrating the fulnesse of salvation for sinners to be had in Jesus Christ is this God is the first mover the primary efficient of the wonderful work of saving a sinner God sent his own Son Here begins the excellency and fulnesse of salvation for sinners through Jesus Christ that it is God that provides it Isa 43. 13. If he work who shall let it what God doth is for ever what God doth is done Eccles 3. 14. indeed his work is perfect nothing can be put to it nor can any thing be taken from it upon this word GOD must we must put our accent it is written with emphasis as the Apostle in ver 33. of this Chapter fastens us upon this thought saying it is GOD that justifieth so here GOD sending his Sonne condemned sinne this then is of high and serious thought What hath this of consideration in it and what conclusions flow from hence dwell awhile on these two 1. What matter of due and high What matter of highest consideâ—â—tion is in this seven fold Ps 83. 18. Rev. 1. 4 8 Exod. 3. 14 consideration is there in this that GOD is the worker here this word GOD carrieth our thoughts 1. To the true God Jehovah the one only God whose name alone is Jâ—hovah the force of which name is delivered thus in the New Testament which is which was which is to come who is I am that I â—m who hath his being of himself and giveth to all things their being who gives a being to all his words which he speaketh and to his gracious promises in their season so that no tittle of 1 King 18. 39. them shall fall to the ground this Jehovah he is the God he is the God All other whom men call God are not God by nature they are but either the creatures or the inventions of their own braines the work of their own hands they are Idols and an Idol is nothing in the world it hath no deity at all and therefore as such 1 Cor. 8. 4 5. it hath no being at all and having no being it can do neither good nor evil it is profitable and good for nothing God Jehovah he who is and none besides him he gives this Saviour and therefore his who are taken into this Covenant of Mal. 3. 6. salvation are not consumed nor can ever perish 2. To God as the Majesty offended as he against whom all our sinnes are who might have glorified in his justice upon the sinner but mercies to forgivenesse and to eternal life do please him Who can of right remit because the wrong is against him against him onely if he acquit and justifie who can lay any thiâ—g to their charge if he be for the sinner Psal 51. 2. Rom 8. 33 31. who can be against him 3. To God as cloathed with all his Attributes with all his Essential glory In this salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ look upon his Almightinesse or All-sufficiency he cometh forth and saith to his poor cteature the sinner whom Gen. 17. 1. he calleth I am God Almighty I am God All-sufficient to me nothing is hard nothing impossible have me and thou hast enough thou hast all thou needest not go out to any other nor be to seek and at a losse for any thing or in any estate look upon his Infinity or Infinitenesse the Alpha and Omega who hath Phil. 1. 6. begun and will perfect his work Behold his Eternity is he not from everlasting Hab. 1. 12. the Lord their God theâ—r holy one they shall not dye All the greatest enemies the mighty Lord God hath ordained and established but for the correction of his people Behold his Vnchangeablenesse Heb 6. 17. Numb 23. 19 20. the immutable God is willing here to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his Counsel by interposing himself by an oath he will not repent of this his Word and no conjuration can reverse it hear what he saith I will ransome them from the power of the grave I will redeem them from death O death I will be thy plagues O grave I will be thy destruction Repentance shall be hid from Isa 64. 5. mine eyes this unchangablenesse causeth continuance in his saving wayes when his people raise his wrath against them and they ought to say thereupon we shall be Jer. 31. 20. saved this unchangeablenesse shines in the sounding of his bowels towards them repenting and though their provocations are such as would weary and tire out Hos 11. 8 9. any created patience yet he is God and not man the thoughts of giving them up turn his heart within and his immutable counsel makes his repentings to be kindled together so far is repentance from God his gifts and calling are without repentance Rom. 11. 29. Mat. 3. 17. 17. 5. Zeph. 3. 17 Tit. 1. 2. Isa 54. 9 10. Jer. 31. 35 36. Psal 89. 33 34 35. Isa
sinne a body of death a body of sinne 5. The Law the strength of sinne 6. The Laws weaknesse to deliver the sinner 7. God offended these are the seven cords of man distresse answerably here is 1. The Sonne of God made man and so man punished sinne punished in the nature that sinned as God is holy he is an adversary to sinne as just he punisheth sinne as true his threatning before the fall could not be made void it must fall on man for to man was the Law given to man was death threatned to man as the first Adam on man must the punishment light now here is a man an Adam the Sonne of God taking to him mans nature of Adam though not by him hath somewhat to offer and God through his Christ the second Adam and through him crucified receiveth a sinner into favour remaineth holy just and true 2. The Sonne of God made man sent for sinne so that here is in this Christ in his low humiliation a propitiation a mercy-seat here is the Lamb of God in whose flesh sinne was damned the sufferings due to sinne he bears GOD suffers the Sonne of God doth all in the flesh for actions are of the person therefore here justice is satisfied sinne is taken away and death is unstinged 3. In the flesh the humane nature of the Sonne of God sinne is condemned and a perfect conformity to the Law in original and actual righteousnesse is performed and brought in before the Lord therefore here is the sinner justified and healed health and soundnesse restored by curing the disease in the very cause and the flesh is delivered and recovered thorowly Here are the Priestly Robes and the Royal change of rayment to cloath a poor naked sinner withal 4. In this Jesus Christ the flesh and sinne are separated Adams sinne and Adams nature divided and mans nature made a Fountain of holinesse and life wonderful high and heavenly things 5. Here is the Law answered in the Comminations and in the Commandments by Christs obedience passive and active 6. Here God by his Son doth that in weak flesh which the eternal Law could not ever be able to do 7. Here is â—od in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself God provides the Lamb God condemns sinne God prepares a righteousnesse fulfilling the Laws righteousnesse and if God be thus for us who can be against us if God justifie who shall condemn SECT 3. For the use of this 1. This precious truth in viteth us to behold Use 1 again the love of God to man Here To invite to contemplation 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. Tit. 3. 4. Eph. 2 4 7. Eph. 1. 7. Tit. 2. 11. is love here is love manifested here is bountifulnesse of love shining never the like love manifested never did God manifest the like love to this that appeared in redeeming in mankinde It is exceeding kindnesse Gods great love wherewith he who is rich in mercy loved us the riches of his grace the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindnesse the glory of his grace abounding the grace of God that bringeth salvation Our blessed Saviour speaks of it with emphasis and admiration God so loved the world Paul speaks of it as alone peerlesse God commended Joh. 3. 16. Rom. 5. 8. love to us and John with an index in this was manifested the love of God herein is love All other manifestations of love are not comparable to this great was Gods love to man in the Creation to place him Lord of the visible world to indue him with a soul bearing on it his Gen. 1. 2. own image and likenesse to seat and plant him in a Paradise to provide him a Sabbath to give him Sacraments the Sacrament of life to establish him and of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil to warn him where his danger lay and to blesse him with conjugal society great is his love in his daily providence over him great in the Covenant made to all Nations in Noah great in the particular experiments Psal 36. Gen. 8. 21 22. Ps 107. 8 c. Psal 104. 27 34. men feel in sicknesse and health at Sea and Land great to all creatures his mercy reacheth to the heavens all wait on him for seasonable food David saith hereupon my meditation of him shall be sweet Great was his love to the Elect Angels whom he hath established about his Throne who alwayes behold his face but to whom gave he his own Son what nature did he ever unite so near to himself where or when did he ever such works for any as in earth to condemn in hell to dissolve all the Divels works in heaven to provide Mansions and all in by and through the flesh the flesh of his own Sonne the similitude of sinful flesh flesh indeed but like sinful flesh for a sinful childe of disobedient Adam justly a childe of wrath All creatures here below are for this ransomed captive sinners rightful new and pure use Angels that fell are reserved in chains of darknesse to the judgment Jude â— of the great day no Saviour afforded them but they are set forth to warn us to flee the wrath to come the blessed holy and elect Angels the innumerable company of them are made ministring spirits sent forth for the good of the heirs Heb. 1. 14. Heb. 2. 8. Rom. 8. 16 of this salvation the world to come is put in subjection to man in Christ we are joint heirs with him of all things This love decâ—ared is the powerful way to work on a sinner Hell and wrath the Law and sinne without this proposed do terrifie and vex but the heart flees God and loaths All other love of God is abused by the deceitful wicked hard heart but let this love be set forth and now sin and all the deserts of it wound stab and gore pierce and tear to pieces and yet the heart draws near and drawing near melts down dissolves desires pants after longs for Christ and God in Christ judges it self justifies God while he judges him trusts though God kill him cannot think or say any thing is ill that this God sayes or does This love is the fatnesse of Gods house the River of Gods pleasures the light the life better than life it self this love fills with love this love makes gracious zealous tender of heart noble of spirit and truly lovely this sweetens the crosses sanctifies afflictions and makes out blessings to be blessings 2. Hast thou informed thy judgment 2. To exhort and taken a view of Gods love in this way of salvation Now then let this doctrine come in the power of it to perswade exhort thee to believe to meditate with admiration and to ascend to fixed contemplation 1. Believe this truth this is the work Joh. 6. 29. of God the work that God requireth since we cannot work the righteousnesse of his holy Law that we believe there is no other
this care and concerning whom he had all these thoughts of peace for good Hitherto of the third special truth demonstrating that the salvation by Christ is a full salvation the fourth followeth CHAP. VII The fulnesse of a sinners salvation evinced in the outward cause moving God to give his own Sonne and to take such a way to save which was the impotency and impossibility of the Law to save and the lost estate of the sinner SECT 1. 4. THe outward impulsive cause of Gods giving his Sonne in the flesh to redeem and save is in these words what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Sonne c. these words considered of themselves as one entire proposition namely this the Law could not deliver a sinner for it was weak through the flesh do contain that first great truth handled before in the second Chapter of this Treatise but now take them as the Apostle here puts them in their Syntax in the Contexture woven in together with that which followeth to this effect what the Law could not do that God did by sending his own Son and then we have that which moved God to set forth this way of Redemption by his own Sonne God gave the Law and sin was provoked and the sinner dyed the sinner looked to it stood convinced it was holy just and good but the more seeking righteousnesse and life by it his weaknesse the more appearing and he unable to keep it the more he lay under the curse of it God then takes this course he 'le send his own Sonne and he shall bring righteousnesse and life to this helplesse sinner hence a fourth special doctrine offers it self proving the second general which sheweth that this salvation in Christ must needs be compleat and admirable It is this The very impossibility of the justification 4. The impotency and impossibility of the Law to save and the lost estate of the sinner is the outward thing that moved God to save him by Jesus Christ Proved ten wayes life and salvation of a sinner by the Law and the sinfulnesse of miserable fallen man which brought that utter weaknesse upon the Law was that and that onely from without that moved God to justifie and save a sinner by Christ and therefore it is a salvation glorious gracious and all-sufficient This truth is evident divers wayes 1. That which is the help when the Law cannot help must needs be high and powerful for first The Law is the only way of life which God as Creator doth give to a reasonable creature and secondly The Law is so able that being perfect and Gods own Covenant it cannot be weakned but onely by accident not by its own failing but by ours it is weak but through the flesh 2. The Law for righteousnesse and Christ for righteousnesse do stand in direct Gal. 2. 16 21. opposition yet the Law is not against the Gospel the Law drives to Christ alone the Law is fulfill'd when Christ is Gal. 3. 21 22. received the Law comes in that the offers of Christ might be esteemed which else a proud sinner would wholly neglect Rom. 10. 4 or pervert and never understand aright this is the help given of God which is the end of the Law 3. That help that is able to set flesh sinful weak flesh right in Gods High Court of Justice recta in curiâ as Lawyers speak and to put strength into it and so make up the breach so that both the Law shall stand in its full force and strength and yet the sinner be righteous and live that is altogether a Soveraign salvation but such is the help which Gods grace in Jesus Christ doth bring it puts forth its power gloriously efficacious for and upon and in sinful weak flesh 4. When that which deserves that God should cast off reprobate and condemn to hell for ever and so glorifie his justice is made the ground of giving Christ what now can be alledged to hinder if the Omnipotent All-wise and All-gracious God be able to save a poor perishing creature if Christ the Sonne of God be able to help sinfulnesse of flesh is the very ground It deserves damnation as we see in the righteous sentences of the Law in the casting away of Angels fallen in men whom God reprobates the same reprobablenesse is in the very Elect men in all of them and therefore Isa 43. 22 25. Eph. 2. 1 2 3 4 5. is this Saviour given The Prophet Isaiah pleaded for God with Israel long ago bringing in the Lord speaking in his own words on this wise Thou hast not called upon me O Jacob thou hast been weary of me O Israel thou hast made me to serve with thy sinnes thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sinnes 5. When this that all help failes and through mans own fault shall be the rise and advantage that God will take to give Isa 63. 5. his Sonne to be the Christ and Saviour this answers all objections Now thus it stands here none to help none to uphold therefore saith God my arme Isa 41. 27 28. saves No intercessor no man what no counsellor Behold saith the Lord I give one that bringeth good tydings what can no God Idol god no worship no sacrifice Lambs Rams Bullocks Rivers of oyle no price of silver or gold nor prayers nor tears of blood give help Isa 45. 20 21 22. behold a just God and a Saviour I am and there is none besides me look unto me saith God and be ye saved all the ends of the earth behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world 6. Therefore mercy was the onely motive mercy hath the miserable for its object An unchangeable purpose of love within God himself according to the good pleasure of his will was the onely proper cause causing salvation and therefore it must needs be firme as a foundation of God by grace are we saved above and against desert It is the glory of free-grace and 't is to the glory of free-grace to save Gratia non est gratia ullo modo si non sit gratuita omni modo Rom. 5 20. 3. 27 Eph. 1. 6 7. 2. 8 9. a sinner Grace is not grace any way if it be not frank and free every way 7. It must needs be done thus to shew the glory of grace superabounding when sinne and the Laws curse cannot hinder but where sinne hath abounded grace aboundeth much more and to exclude boasting that glorious superabounding grace may have the praise for ever 8. If it had been grounded upon any thing in us as the cause of this saving love we should never have dared to come near unto the holy God because we are sinful nor could our hearts have stood stable in his presence because
ought to strive and wrestle taking the Gospels part against the adversaries thereof and this we should do together with all the Saints and faithful especially with those with whom we live and with them let us stand fast in one Spirit The unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God in his Gospel which is but one and the same word of truth should unite us in love and bind us to the peace with lowlinesse and forbearance and with due respect to the variety of the gifts of the Spirit which are the Spirits rich embroidery the ornament of the Church no way of themselves hindering unity and orderly employed and improved are to the singular profit and benefit of all and every one of the members of Christs mystical body 4. Sow to the Spirit lay out your substance Gal. 6. 8. and your worldly goods to spiritual uses to the maintenance of Christs Ministery and Ordinances to the promoting of the Gospel the Church all grace and holinesse and the hopes of glory Seek first Gods Kingdome and righteousnesse Mat. 6. 33. buy the truth and sell it not say not I must provide estates for my children maintain my family raise my posterity God cannot be mocked if thou honour not the Lord with thy substance thou doest but sow to the flesh and of the flesh thou shalt reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Say not I have already done this and that good work hast thou an opportunity do still more with thy wealth and temporals be not weary of well-doing the reaping time will come in due season Faint not therefore neither flag in the sowing time there is now the seed time the harvest day is to come in another world 5. Lastly as it is in this Text Walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh this duty makes up the description of the spirituals of the true Christian the person whom God hath loved to life everlasting and for whom the Sonne of God came into the world and gave himself to the death This is the second Consideration of the words of the Apostle which now cometh to be perused and that as they give us the third Doctrine which is the more necessary the more excellent than the two former are and the more desirable the more searching and differencing the children of God from the men of the world CHAP. X. Treating of the third great truth The lively description of the persons that shall be saved and do partake of this salvation by Jesus Christ viz. They are such who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit SECT 1. Doctrin 3. The persons for whom God gave his Son and the Son came into the world and gave himself are those that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit THe third great doctrine delivered by our Apostle in these verses this They that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit these are they for whom God sent his own Sonne to become flesh in the likenesse of sinful flesh to be a sacrifice for their sinnes and whose sinnes God condemned in the flesh of his Son that in and for them the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled or take it thus Those in whom the Spirit dwels applying savingly the love of the Father and the grace of the Sonne in them he so mightily rules that they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit That we may not be deceived in a matter of such importance as this is of let us 1. Understand the force of the words 2. Take them asunder in particular Opened in six particulars doctrines 3. And then Consider the Regency of the flesh 4. The Regency of the Spirit 5. The walk after the flesh 6. The walk after the Spirit And seventhly the uses of the whole First for the meaning of the words By flesh is meant the unregenerate part 1. The meaning and force of the words Col. 2. 18. Mat. 15. 19 20. in the sanctified believer the man as defiled with sinne the nature of man of man corrupted by sinne By flesh is not meant 1. Flesh in the substance of it the body opposed to the soul but both body and soul made flesh and carnal as carnal is opposed to spiritual there is the fleshly mind the soul as well as the body is defiled with sinne and depraved the soul defiles the body out of the heart cometh that which defiles the man by flesh therefore we must not understand the substance of flesh which is Gods Creature and therefore good and hath no cause of sinne in it for God is not the Author of sin neither may his workmanship be blamed without committing that great wickednesse of casting reproach upon our Maker This is to be held firm against the vile and pernicious opinions of all ancient Heretiques and our newly up-start erroneous spirits and against the received sayings of Philosophers and the dangerous tenets and expressions of some Divines as if the mind and soul were pure and receiveth its defilement from the body By flesh is not meant 2. Flesh in the natural desires of food sleep generation rayment recreation motion rest and if there be any thing else that accompanies the life of man in this world These are not evil in themselves it is inordinacy that makes them evil faulty and sinful Nor doth flesh note out 3. Humane wisdome and reason and the moral actings and projectings thereof All which kept within their own sphere and acting regularly are most useful to societies commendable among all and serviceable to the Kingdome of Jesus Christ Nor much lesse by flesh may be understood 4. The sparkles of the light that is born with us and in us or the reliques of Gods Image in body or soul or in the whole man Nor yet under the word flesh may we understand 5. The necessary helps of this present life as lands money friends with the like subsidiary ayds Nor 6. Natural diseases infirmities or defects of body or mind In this sense there is an honour due to the flesh and a lawful satisfying of its desires and needs and to deny them to it though Col. 2. 23. upon devout pretence is sinful and falls under that Commandment Thou shalt not kill But by flesh is meant the sinful disposition and this is called flesh not as if this sinfulnesse were first in the body for the soul the fairest part of it the top of it the mind is polluted we are strangers from God in our mindes the spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 4. 23. Col. 1. 21. of the mind must be renewed ere ever it will be good Quest Why then may it be said Is corruption of nature which is first and most notably in the chiefest faculties of the soul called flesh Answ First Because the very soul is flesh that is it is defiled with sinne and tyed down to
in the love of sin lyes the dominion of sin and it will enable to mortifie the deeds of that body of death It fills with the fruits against which there is no Law and it sets the soul at liberty 4. They are no debtors to the flesh they owe it neither suit not service but they are debtors to the Spirit they owe all they are and have towards salvation unto him 5. They are servants to righteousnesse the Covenant of their hearts when Ro. 8. 17. they first knew the grace of God in Christ to sinners in truth and they first saw the Son in the Gospel and believed on him was to be bound servants to righteousness and disavow the service of sinne And the Covenant of grace sets them free from sin that they might be the more servants of righteousnesse which is absolute and perfect liberty and this it doth for those that were servants of sin and free from righteousnesse which is absolute and perfect vassalage Who would run from his liberty to his bondage Who would be at full liberty who is daily and hourly threatened and dogg'd by that which would bring him into bondage and slavery A slave in the gallies would give himself up with all his heart to one able to give full deliverance and the more he hath felt and tasted such a powerful gracious hand the more so long as he is in any danger would he give himself up fully into such a hand Quest But do those that retain their integrity do as well as they can and as they might according to the measure of grace received and according to the means of grace which they do enjoy because some Ministers urge this much and do lay some stresse upon it when they exhort Christians to do what they can and comfort them if they do what they are able and it is usual with all in whom no work of grace discovereth it self in the conversation to plead and rest much upon this that they do and will do as God shall give them grace as if there were no fault in them and as if rather the fault were in God who giveth them no greater a measure Answ This is a certain truth There is no man that ever lived since the fall of our first Parents that walketh up to the light he hath received of God or to the means which God hath given him or hath done all that he might according to the gift and ability which he hath received he is a sinner against his light he Ro. 2. 3. hath his own thoughts accusing many times he pollutes himself in his own gifts Both Jews and Gentiles are guilty in this kinde and as for the regenerate First They have a will graciously inclined so to walk but this will is yoked with another backward crosse and thwart will which although it be subdued and be as it were under tribute yet it is not quite destroyed and sometimes it is up in rebellion and leads them Captive they cannot do what they would Secondly Their renewed will doth rule their walks and that so farre as to the measure of grace received and of the means enjoyed in a prevailing proportion I say prevailing so farre as to a greater strength than they themselves had before they had that measure and enjoyed that means but not to a proportion of strength that answers fully the measure received and the means enjoyed No Saint on earth which doth all that he ought to do No Saint on earth that doth all that he might do and therefore we must be humbled for our failings stirre up the gifts that are in us watch against spiritual slothfulnesse and negligence suffer the word of exhortation take heed of quenching the Spirit and of despising prophesying or faithful preaching and live by faith in the Lord Christ for righteousnesse and for strength Hitherto of the explication of this comfortable truth SECT 8. The demonstration of this doctrine The demonstration of rhis truth four ways in the general is worthy consideration or the reasons why comfort and assurance are not destroyed by the sinnes found upon those who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit 1. Because of the Covenant of Grace under whâ—ch they are If they were under the Law if they were to stand or fall by the Covenant of Works their sins would condemn them but they are under the Gospel the Law of faith and that proclaims a Jubilee unto them Not that the Gospel allows of any sinne it forbids all sinne These things saith John I write Isa 61. 1 2 unto you that you sinne not It is as full and strict in forbidding all sinne and as severe in condemning all sinne as the Law is or can be and that to those who have received the free-gift even the justification of life and the Spirit of Grace and of Adoption It is the voice of the Gospel Abstain from all appearance of evil from all kinde of sinne and from all appearance of sinne of what sort soever it be It destroyes the dominion of sinne which thing the Law cannot do because the Law neither knows of a Ransome nor giveth the Spirit to renew sanctifie and priviledge and form to Adoption but the Gospel ptoclaims a Jubilee in that it brings in Christ a sinne-offeriâ—g a Ransome an Advocate with the Father and a Propitiation and in Christ it brings in God reconciling them to himself not imputing trespasses God in Covenant merciful to their transgressions and remembring their sinnes no more and through Christ God pouring out the Spirit of grace and supplication and sending the Spirit of his Sonne into their hearts God accepts them in Christ the beloved and by his Spirit through the Gospel he is perfecting that which concerns them never forsaking the works of his own hands in the regeneration he is accomplishing all the good pleasure of his goodnesse towards them and the work of faith with power in them 2. Because of the indissolublenesse of the chain of salvation in which in their effectual calling they are actually taken half off and in their justification they are actually acquitted from their sinnes and from damnation and adjudged unto everlasting life 3. Because it is not they that do commit sinne it is their flesh that Ro. 7. 25. Gal. 5. 24. doth them which they hale to the Crosse and have and do crucifie And while the Spirit leads them and hath the guidance of their conversation what ever sinne there is with them it is but of an enemy troubling and yet kept under 4. That which any man soweth that Gal. 6. 7 8 shall he reap now these believers sow not to the flesh but to the Spirit but because they yet have many sinnes and many a brush by them they sow in tears neverthelesse they go forth they carry precious seed with them sowing Ps 126. 5 6. they will be while they have time be the season a dirty winter season therefore
own Son SECT 1. THe Person that undertaketh to work out the salvation of a sinner 2. Gods own Son undertaketh to work out the salvation of a sinner who he is Gal. 4. 8. Heb. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 32 1 Joh. 4. 9. Joh. 3. 16. Rev. 1. 8. 22. 13. is Gods own Son The Apostle is expresse God sent his own Son his Son by nature taking the word nature in that sense in which the Apostle taketh it when he saith of Idols thâ—y by nature are no gods His own Son distinguished from all other and dear unto the Father the expresse Image of the Fathers person He spared not his own Sonne his onely begotten Son who was not made nor created but begotten the eternal Son of God who of his grace assumed and took to him a true humane body and soul of the seed of the Virgin Mary and united it to his person even this person the Sonne of the Father this person the own only begotten Sonne of God the Father is he whom God sent he who is by grace of personal union and by conception of the Holy Ghost as he is man the man Jesus of Nazareth the son of Mary the Son of God also But this Son-ship if it may be so called is of grace not of nature and not the thing intended here and because the humane nature of the Sonne of God is of Adam though not by Adam he is also in that respect the Son of God Luk. 3. 38. by Creation But when it is said here expressely God sent his own Sonne this notes out the person who is the Son of God by nature who that he might perform the work of salvation did take to him that humane nature a creature of God and did unite support and Individuate it of his grace by his own person inseparably and for ever The glory of this act is unconceivable but that belongs to the work of salvation and is not of consideration in this saying He is called the Son of his self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because he is Gods Son not by grace neither of personal union as the humane nature of Christ his Son not of Creation as Angels Adam and all men are Sonnes of God nor of Mal. 2. 10. Communication of beams of Dominion as Magistrates are Sons of God Nor of Psal 82. 5. Ephe. 1. 6. Joh. 1. 11. Adoption or of regeneration as are all the Elect believers No he is one greater than all these Gods own Son This is the undertaker of our salvation And this is the second Medium which produceth that grand conclusion afore delivered A demonstration thereof Divine and Apostolical that is that the salvation by Christ is full and absolute the Alsufficiency of our salvation appears abundantly Joh. 6. 96. Mat. 16. 16 1 Joh. 5. 7 9 10. in the person that undertakes the work the Son of the living God This is a doctrine of faith of necessity to be believed Gods own Sonne see here his glory and from thence the alsufficiency of our salvation SECT 2. Behold his Glory for His glory 1. He is of the same essence and nature with the Father the brightnesse of his Fathers Heb. 1. 3. 5 glory the expresse Image of his person This honour and excellency is above all Angels he is very God of very God as the Nicene Creed hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same substance with God the Father not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a like substance but the very same not of another substance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not of unlike substance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not of the same kind of substance not of the same species 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that very essence coessential as the Creed of Athanasius hath it The God-head of the Father and of the Son is one In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and Joh. 1. 1. 1 Joh. 5. 20 Phil. 2. 6. the Word was God and therefore being true God he is Co-equal with the Father and it is no robbery at all He is God of himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though he be not Son of himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but Son of the Father he is life of himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is righteousnesse it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is also between him and the Father a mutual Joh. 14. 11. Joh. 8. 58. In-being the Greek fathers call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Father is in him and he is in the Father He is Eternal before Abraham was saith he I am He is Alpha and Omega the first and the last And this his eternity is the foundation of his eternal Kingdome of whom it is said Thy throne O God is for ever and ever And again Heb. 1. 8. Heb. 1. 10 11 12. Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thine hands they shall perish but thou remainest thou art the same He is Omniscient he knowes all things Joh. 2. 24. 1. 47 48 49. Rev. 2. 23. all men all that is in man neither needs he that any one should testifie of man for he knoweth what is in man all their reasonings all their thoughts all their wayes He searcheth the heart and reines He is Omnipresent he is in every place Lo saith he I am with you to the end of Mat. 28. 20 the world His presence everywhere is that which gives the ground of the promise of his gracious presence with all his Ministers in all their Ministerial performances in all ages and places to the worlds end He is Omnipotent Whatever the Father Joh. 5. 19. doth that doth the Son likewise He is the Creatour of all things visible Joh. 1. 2. and invisible In him all things consist He is the Vpholder of all by his mighty Word of Command Col. 1. 16. He changeth all things at his pleasure Heb. 1. 12. Heb. 1. 3. To him is due from men and Angels Divine honour and worship and Faith Heb. 1. 6. Joh. 14. 1. Psal 2. 12. In him we should believe him we should kisse and do homage unto He is God Rom. 9. 5. Tit. â— 13. blessed for ever the great God our Saviur 2. He is aeternally and only begotten Joh. 1. 1. Pro. 8. 22. Col. 1. 13. Mat. 17. 5. Joh. 1. 18. The word the wisdome of God and therefore he is the Son of Gods love the eternal delights of the eternal Father In whom he is well-pleased He that is in the bosome of the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and now he is neither lesser nor lower in the favour of his Father because he hath stooped so low as to become flesh and to be the Messiah SECT 3. 2. From his truth behold the alsufficiency The Alsufficiency of salvation by him in five things 1 Joh.
work sutable to Gods dealing with us he sends his Sonne we are to receive him whom God hath sent and believing is receiving he tells and testifies this unto the world we are to believe his Word and Testimony there is no other work left Christ hath done and suffered all for us believing is the acceptable work it gives glory to God and destroyes boasting utterly this faith doth all the work by faith Christ is revealed conceived formed born lives and dwells in the heart faith makes the sinner mourn pray wait at wisdomes gates confesse Christ contemn and overcome the world deny himself exalt God lay under the creature resist the Divel live holily and heavenly and dye in hope peace and joy faith purifieth the heart worketh by love circumciseth the heart to love God makes to fear the Lord and his goodnesse frames to the life of a pilgrim and stranger on earth and enables to do and suffer and labour and grow vigorous in the midst and strength of all that opposeth like men heaven-born born from above as men heaven-aspiring as bound for and tending to the Countrey above This is the will of God the Father that sent Jesus Christ his Sonne that every one that seeth Joh. 6. 40. Joh. 17. 3. the Sonne and believeth on him should have everlasting life This is Eternal life 2. Meditate Say with thy self Lord what is sinne what is man who art thou sinne it is the mischief that which destroyes the work of Gods own hand and that which ruines the choicest creature which no holy Law can abolish which no sacrifice but that of Gods own Sonne can expiate that which condemns the Sonne of God and can never be condemned in it self and in the heart of the sinner but by such a way and as for man what is he even dust and clay at his first and best raised out of the dust of the earth a very rebellious lump a masse of rebellion a lump of rebellious clay a leprous heap a putrified sore a hateful and hating enmity proud conceited brutish foolish sinful flesh that is not subject to the Law of God nor can be unlesse mortified crucified and created again but as for Thee O Lord God what is this name of Father what is this thy Sonne what is thy Sonnes name Oh that we could tell dost thou make thine own Sonne to be sin and condemn him as a sinner and condemn sin in his flesh is this the manner and Law of thy love to the sonnes of men to sinful man what manner of love is this Now stay make up what is wanting in thy conceiving of these things in admiration in the administration of faith which makes us draw near to God which transforms us into the image of Gods love 3. Fasten thy thoughts know thy self and God in Christ more behold his glory to make thee like him in this his love Take the Gospel glasse and while in the glasse of the Law thou seest thy self to just detestation and shame of face with open face behold the glory of God in his grace in Christ his Sonne crucified in that mitrour view it freely to transform thee into the image of this his love and grace from one degree of glory to another degree of glory Let Gods love work in thee such love to thy own soul first and then such love to the souls of others their salvation dearer to thee then thy own things temporal than thy temporal life A pure love sinne the enemy and the sinner the object of thy love sinnes against thee not hindering thee seeking of their good Love that is in deed and in truth love to die for the brethren love making willing to part with lay down lay out expose to the utmost of sufferings whatever is dearest willing to be counselled appointed and sent no envy no ambition nothing of self The greatest and lowest service proves the greatest love love bearing one anothers infirmities and temptations Behold this love to the espousing of thy soul to Christ for ever and adjure all not to disquiet him who is the love Cant. 2. 7. 3. To convince 3. Suffering the Word of exhortation Consider also how this doctrine is full of conviction It convinceth of the great sinne and misery of all men yea of all Christians that refuse Jesus Christ their refusal is of the onely remedy of a poor guilty sinner it 's the refusal of the Son manifesting the greatest love 't is the refusal of God the Father coming to undone man in a way of salvation as mysterious as salvifical as full of glory as of grace the more exalted in lofty height the more it is matchlesse in lowest condescensions of free grace their refusal is a Prov. 8. 36 degree of hatred of Christ and this hatred of the Sonne is the hatred of the Father they love death they love to be damned they love to go to hell they love that which will bring them thither they passe not for that which would deliver them thence they have not the Word nor the love of the Father abiding Joh. 5. 38 42. 8. 41 42. in them for then they would receive him whom the Father hath sent and all this hath the greater aggravation in that every one so knows his sicknesse and seels his wound that he will go out for some or other and any one that comes in his own name whom God the Father never sent nor sealed him he will receive every one will have his way of Religion but this way of God he will not own 4. This doctrine also giveth ground of 4. To humble deep humiliation even to the godly who do believe yet are guilty of much neglect of three things 1. Of the riches of assurance both of full assurance of understanding to the acknowledging of this mystery of God even Col. 2. 2. of the Father and of Christ and of the full assurance of faith that they might in God all day long and night glory in the Lord Christ alone and rejoyce in him for evermore 2. Of enjoying God in Christ in all other their enjoyments 3. Of the high valuations of Jesus Christ when you hear these reproofs say Is not this a part of that love in Christ to the Elect Vessels of mercy that God condemns my sinne but yet he condemns not me he condemns my sinne that he might save me 5. Lastly This ministers strong consolation to the humbled every one that 5. To comfort desires to be found in Christ that seeks his righteousnesse that owns his own want of all righteousnesse and takes his own sins as the detestable and deadly thing to thee is this Saviour sent for thee did he come into the world to thee doth God come in every step of this way to thee belongs this grace of God bringing salvation Go over the whole of this truth and put in thy self thy name thou art the man or woman for whom God took all