understanding made uselesse or distracted So that this knowledge or knowing here meant is not such as slaies or makes the other altogether uselesse As for that doting upon naturall or artificiall knowledge the humane wisdome or the wisdome of the Rabbies and Prince of this world by which many so magnifie it as the only or necessary or at least the best mean to find out and discover the things of God It is a grosse and Idolatrous conceit and God hath executed judgment on that Idoll and stained the pride of that glory and so will do still in that the wisdome of God is hidden from them Matth. 11.25 Luke 10.21 and they know it not 1 Cor. 2.7 8 14. And few of them are called to it 1 Cor. 1.26 And those that are have their former wisdome befooled and they abased in the acknowledgment of the vanity of it before they receive the spirituall wisdome 1 Cor. 1.19 20. And the truth is this magnifying of humane wisdome and knowledge is the very enmity of Christ and the very Spirit of Antichrist Mat. 15.4.9 2 Thes 2.4 that moves to the building of Babell to Idolatry or Superstition to be as God in the Temple of God to appoint Doctrines Lawes Officers and to persecute the Truth and the Children of the Truth As for that saying that this naturall and artificiall knowledge this humane learning and wisdome is an Handmaid to Divinity Though this be but the Doctrine of men and no where affirmed in the Word of God yet if it be rightly understood it might by collection appear agreeable thereto for if it should be meant an handmaid or help to find out and attain Divinity that were rather to be a Mother then a handmaid and this is before proved false And if any object in men sanctified it may that is also false Job 11.7 8 9. Prov. 30.2 3 4. He that hath seeing eyes will not be befooled to take a candle to find out the Sun And again if by handmaid should be meant a guide and help to limit order and better the teaching of the Spirit the divine light knowledge and motions of grace that they may be more profitable and effectuall this is rather to be a Mistâ—is then a Handmaid and if suffered in this it would soone corrupt from the simplicity of Christ Prov. 30.22 23. And against this the Apostle hath protested 1 Cor. 2.1 4 5. But if by a handmaid bee meant a handmaid indeed that which is taken of its Throne and submitted to Divinity even to the Divine Spirit and grace of Christ to use as a Servant according to its pleasure and divine wisdome and motion for translating etymologizing and discanting on words for analyzing places comparing places using Similies c. Then if keeping the servants place is usefull as grace leads to the use of it And in this sence I conceive some godly men have used this saying and where it is so used it may be included in this saying Psalm 103. Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me blesse his holy Name 4 But the knowledge or knowing here meant is supernaturall spirituall and divine and that appeares in three things that are together in this knowledge though distinct yet never separate in this knowledge or knowing First that the Giver or Teacher of this knowledge is the holy Spirit even God in Christ and the Spirit proceedin from both Prov. 2.6 For the Lord giveth wisdome and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding Isa 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Isa 54.13 All my children shall be taught of the Lord Iohn 16.23 When the Spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all Truth and this is in a heavenly manner as the Scripture shewes 1 By a divine not bodily but spirituall light shine or revelation in unbaring or manifesting to the soul or mind the things of Christ Heb. 10.32 In which after yee were illuminated 2 Cor. 4.6 hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God Math 16.17 Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven 1 Cor. 2.10 God hath revealed to us by his Spirit 2. By a divine infusion or inspiration to the heart of a Spirituall streame motion or evidence and perswasion of the truth and goodnesse of that of Christ discovered Isai 44.3 I will powre my Spirit upon thy seed Job 32.8 The inspiration of the Almigty giveth them understanding Isai 30.21 Thine eares shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way Isai 50.4 The Lord hath given mee the tongue of the learned saith Christ that I should know how to speak a word in season Isai 52.6 They shal know in that day that I am he that doe speak behold it is I. 3. By a Divine power or Spirituall strength so as he causeth the blind to see and the deafe to heare Isai 29.18 and openeth the heart to attend Act. 16.14 whence he is called The finger of the Lord c. Mat. 12.28 Such is the Teacher and teaching by which this knowledge is attained Secondly the Object of this knowledge That which the holy spirit teacheth and glorifieth in teaching is Christ and the things of Christ as the verity ends necessity excellency and vertue of Christ and his pretious Blood and Sacrifice the infinitenesse and freenesse of Gods love appearing therethrough and the promises and hope given therein yea Christ the wisdome of God and the power of God and wisdome c. to us 1 Cor. 1.24.30 John 16.14 He shall glorifie me for he shall take of mine and shall shew unto you John 15.26 he shall testifie of me John 14.26 hee shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you And so 2 Cor. 3.18 4.6 Thirdly the manner of knowing is likewise spirituall and that is both 1. By that new light disposition and spirit he hath put in the heart which is as a new and spiritual eye to see spirituall things which is not by a humane discourse collecting one thing from another judging to know unseen causes from some seen and sensible effects like humane wisdome and the spirit of the world but spirituall discerning in the very light and of the very evidence of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.12.16 so as they may prove the effects sound from their knowledge of the cause 1 John 4.19 So John 1.14 We beheld his glory the glory of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Psal 36.9 In thy light we shall see light And in this as no mans humane wisdome and learning doth further his discerning so no mans ignorance or want thereof shall hinder Psal 119.130 The entrance of thy word giveth light and giveth understanding to the simple Matth. 11.25 Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast tevealed them unto Babes 1 John 5.20 we
in all that he doth to us in mercy for his Sonns sake his love and goodnesse appeareth therein Psal 136. And his goodnesse is his glory Exod. 33.18.19 and so 1 His love mercy and goodnesse appeareth in this that by Christ and for his sake the earth and the Inhabitants thereof are upheld the Sunn to shine c. continued mercy shewn c. All witnessing his goodnesse and leading to repentance as is foreshewn and so it is said Psal 19. The heavens declare the glory of God c. And thus all his workes prayse him Psal 145.8.9.10 And thus for Christ his sake his love and glorious goodnesse appeares to all in his workes 2 Yet his love mercy and goodnesse did more specially appeare to Israel in giving them his Oracles his Covenant and Ordinances and though but in Promises Prophesies and Tipes of Christ as then yet to come yet his glory appeared therein and such speciall love as it might then be truly said he had not dealt so with any Nation Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 Psal 147.18 3 But now in this giving and setting forth his Sonn who hath come and dyed for our sins and with the vertue of his own Blood entred the heavens and offered himselfe a Sacrifice to God and received Spirit and sending him forth in the word of Salvation which himselfe wrought and first began to preach and so God speaking to him by his Sonn who is the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse Image of his Person Heb. 1.2.3 and 2.3 The wisdome of God and the power of God yea wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption to them that believe 1 Cor. 1-24 30 In which face of Christ the light of the Knowledge of the glory of God yea his face shineth and is beheld 2 Cor. 4 6. and 3.18 Oh the Infinitnesse of the Breadth Depth length and height of this love of God appearing herein Ephes 3.18.19 In which still the Excellency and Dignity of this Sacrifice appeareth 4 In respect of the great hope this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice giveth and engendereth in all that in believing receive the same as 1 Remission of sinns and acceptance into favour and peace Act. 10.43 Rom. 5.1.2 2 Purgation of Conscience and Sanctification of the whole man Heb. 9.14 3 Seasonable victorie over all enemies and Temptations 1 Iohn 5.4.6 Rom. 16.20 1 Thes 5.24 4 The Holy Spirit to teach guide and conforme to Christ and so bring to the Kingd ome and inheritance Iohn 14.26 and 16.13.14 1 Pet. 1.5 5 And to say all in one word eternall life 2 Pet. 1 23. 1 Iohn 2.25 All which shew forth the Excellency and Dignity of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ besides the vertue and power now to be spoke of CHAP. 8. Of the vertue operation and prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ And first As offered to God THE vertue operation and prevalency of the Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is very great so as that which was prophesied concerning him is and shall certainly be fulfilled Esa 53. When thou shalt make his Soule an offering for sinn He shall see his seed so great a Generation as none of us can declare He shall prolong his dayes live ever and cause his seede to live for ever with him And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands his workes and Judgements acceptable and prosperous He shall see the Travell of his Soule even be the Lord of all and be acknowledged Lord by all By his knowledge shall my righteous Servant justifie many even all that believe on him through his teaching And this is the ground for he shall beare their iniquity therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoyle with the strong he shall have the Kingdome and be the judge and give to each their portion and Doome Because he hath powred out his Soule unto Death c. All which is true in Christ who is the truth And in a measure true too and in all that believe on him and shall one day appeare true to all men 1 Iohn 2.8 Phil. 2 7-11 And that the Truth of the vertue Power and Prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ may be rightly and profitably understood and believed by us let us consider what is said thereof by the Spirit of truth in the Scripture or word of Truth concerning the vertue power and Prevalency of this Pretious and Sacrifice of Christ 1. As it was presented and offered to God 2. As grace is therethrough shewn and tendered to men 3. As it is spiritually applied to and worketh in the hearts of those that through grace believe 4. And as he testifieth and exerciseth the power of it upon them that have persisted in obstinacy and refusing to believe In all which its power and prevalency doth appeare and shall by all men be one day confessed 1. As this pretious Blood and Sacrifice was presented offered to God it hath so verily and mightily prevailed with him that he hath obtained and received of the Father the first next and immediat end of his suffering and Sacrifice and also the Father hath filled and fitted him for the second ultimate and utmost end of his suffering and sacrifice In both which the prevalency and effectualnesse thereof with God for men is evident and manifest let be considered The first next and immediat end of the suffering and Sacrifice of Christ was to work a salvation for mankind with God And that himselfe might be the Lord the Saviour and the Judge John 3.17 Rom. 14.9 1 John 4.14 Psal 2 9. And this first end containeth and may be comprehended in these particulars 1. To put or take away sin even the sinne of the world that was in the way between God and mankind out of the way by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.26 Joh. 1.19 1 Joh. 3.5 as is fore-shewne That so he that was made sinne and a curse for all might himselfe in the room of all be justified as the publick man with such a full and fruitfull justification that all may be so farie justified in him that whosoever of them are by his grace and Spirit brought in believing to be one in and with him shall also in their own particular persons be justified in with and through him Ephes 2.4 10. Joh. 3.15.16 Acts 10.43 And hath not his Blood and Sacrifice offered to God prevailed with God for and effected all this doth not the Spirit in the Scripture affirm plainly and expresly 1 Joh. 3.5 In him is no sin Heb. 1.3 And that when he had by himselfe purged our sin he sat down on the right hand of c. with Heb 11.12 And doth not God affirm him to be the just 1 John 2.1 and the holy one vers 20 and his righteous servant that by his knowledge shall justifie many Isa 53.11 And saith not the Scripture expresly Rom. 3.23.24.25 All have
faith come to him are said to come to the blood and sprinkling Heb. 24. And of the vertue power efficacy and prevalency of this pretious hlood and Sacrifice of Christ in and with beleevers when in their believing it is thus spiritually applied it is that in this consideration wee have to take notice of and it is already in some measure shewn which may be here recalled And so 1. It verily and indeed crucifieth the flesh with the affections and lasts Whence they that beleeve are said to have done it Gal. 5.24 It breeds inward sorrow for and loathing of ones sinfulnesse Zach. 12.10 and takes down pride breeding a low estimate of ones self as the sinner and cursed one for whom Christ was made sin and a curse 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Tim. 1.13.14 and it makes all worldly and Pharisaicall excellencies appeare contemptible Phil. 3. 7 8. and maketh dead to sinne Rom. 6.4.11 and saveth from the pollutions that are in the world through Lust 2 Pet. 1.4 2.20 2. It also verily speaketh and giveth peace yea even the peace of God which passeth understanding and that will keep and guard the heart and mind in Christ Heb. 12.24 Rom. 5.1 2 11. Phil. 4.7 And so freeth from the Law of sinne and death Rom. 7.24.25 8.2 3. It verily redeemeth and purchaseth from among men to God so as iâ— prevailes with the beleever to be the Lords and for the Lord and so makes him of one mind with God and Christ Acts 20.28 Rev. 5.9 1 Cor. 2.16 4. It washeth comforteth and reneweth the heart and all the powers to bee conformable to Jesus Christ Tit. 3.4.5 2 Cor. 3.18 5. It firmeth the heart in confidence in Christ and expectation of his giving in Spirit according to his Promise to teach comfort preserve and guide into all truth Rom. 5.5 10. Gal. 5.5 Rom. 8.32 Gal. 2.20 6. It inflameth with love to God and Christ 1 Pet. 1.8 1 Joh. 4.19 and moveth love to men 2 Cor. 5.14.15.19 and especially to brethren 1 John 4.21 5.1 And in this charity it springs up joy patience c. Gal. 5.22.23 7. It fits and makes ready to beat the reproach of Christ and to suffer for him and his people 1 John 3 16. Rev. 12.11 8. It saves from falling and gets victory in temptations 1 Cor. 15 1-14 9. It preserves from vain glory and makes fruitfull in good words and works to glorifie Christ Phil. 2.1.3 and 1.20.21 John 15. 10. It breeds humble and great boldnesse to approach to the throne of Grace and have accesse to God Heb. 4.16 10.19 1 John 2.1.2 Rom. 5.2 Eph. 2.16 11. It fits the heart for a sweet humble and profitable receit of spirituall visits and entercourses of love and a profitable use in venting them seasonably 1 Tim. 1.13 16. 2 Cor. 4.7 13 12.1 10. 12. It leads to a holy use of all Gods Ordinances Creatures and dealings with us Heb. 10 12-24 1 Tim. 4.4.5 Rom. 8 32-36 13. It prepares to enter through sufferings into glory and sealeth to the same 2 Tim. 2.11 12. 2 Cor. 1.5 Rev. 14.15 And these and such like are the efficacies of the spirituall application of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ which efficacies are in beleevers and in none else what ever appearances any frame to themselves CHAP. 11. 4. Of the vertue and operation of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ upon them that have perished in Obstinacy and refusing to beleeve JEsus Christ is the Son of God and shall see of the travell of his soule and so the fruit of his pretious Blood and Sacrifice even upon them that would none of him The Lord Jehovah having in acceptation of his sacrifice given over all into his hands and set his delight on him so as all shall submit and those that will not willingly shall yet be subdued to acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God when also the vertue of his Blood and Sacrifice shall reflect on them like the heat of the Sunne on sore eyes to afflict them So as all his enemies shal be found liers and made his footstool Isai 53.11 12. Phil. 2.10 11. Deut. 33.29 Psal 110.1 And this may be evidenced 1. By the greatnesse of the grace that was procured for them by this pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and received for them into his hands to dispense as remission of sins justification eternall redemption and life Rom. 3.24 5.18 1 Ioh. 5.10 11. And that so verily that in refusing they are by the Spirit that discovered grace through the vertue of this Sacrifice said Iona 2.8 to forsake their own mercies Ma. 16.26 to lose their own souls 2 Pet. 2.1 to bring upon themselves swift destruction It was great grace at first to make man in the Image of God and a world of creatures for him and to put him in Paradice and to give him a tree of Life c and to depart herefrom and sin against it a great transgression But man fallen to worke redemption for him in such a way and therethrough to extend mercy and meanes to win him in to partake of it was much greater grace and so greater transgression to turn from it and abuse the same and refuse the offers of it These are the ungodly indeed in a high degree 2 Pet. 2.1 Iude 4.5 2 By the greatnes of the wrath this sin provoketh fire it kindleth It did deserve death and provoke wrath when man first sinned fell from God but that wrath God executed on his Son in our nature and herein dying for our sinnes and rising for our justification and offering himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us hath put away sinne and abolished death and satisfied justice and so hath appeased that wrath and quenched that fire 2 Cor. 5 19.21 Iohn 1.29 Heb. 1.3 9.26 1 John 3.5 2 Tim. 1.10 Col. 2.14 1 John 2.2 It doth deserve death and provoke wrath and kindle a fire in judgments on men that by the mercies means by vertue of the Sacrifice of Christ procured for extended to them men do not seek God by repentance faith come in to him to live to him but still go on after their own lusts chosing their own wayes and living to themselves notwithstanding all his goodnesse extended through Christ to them to lead them to repentance Act. 14.17 17 26-31 Rom. 2.4 5. But this wrath is appeaseable and this fire quenchable And for such as in the day of their visitation when Spirit comes forth in the meanes doe receive his reproofes and obey his call and are prevailed with to belief of his Testimony repentance of their evils and faith in his goodnesse and sabmission to him to live to him to such this wrath also is appeased and fire quenching and will be altogether Acts 10.43 Rom 3.25 5.1 2. Isai 54 1-10 in due season But when God and Christ by his Spirit in the means used and through
finners 1 Tim 1.15 That is In the nature of man subjected to humane infirmities Heb. 10.5 To be made under the Law to redeeme such as were under the Law Gal. 4.4 And so to bear their sins Psasm 40.12 And suffer their Curse Gal 3.13 And dye the death of and for All 2 Cor 5.14 Heb 2.9 And so dying for their sins to rise for their justifieation Rom 5.25 And so he said Iohn 10.14 I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it again This Commandement have I received of my Father And so he dyed and rose to the ends fore-shown page 2 and 3. And in respect of this mission his death and sacrifice was to take away and be the propiation for the sins of the whole world Heb. 9.26 Iohn 1.29 1 Iohn 2.2 He came and was sent into the world to bear witnesse to the truth Iohn 18 37. And so to be a Preacher of the Gospell in the Declaration of this great Grace and Salvation Heb 1.2 and 2.3 And by his good workes and miracles to winne men to the beliefe and receipt thereof Iohn 5.36 and 14.11 And to give the promises of the New Testament and of eternall life to those that were prevailed with to believe on him Iohn 17.6 7 8. and 14.26 and 16.7 And of his mission to this Ministration it is said Rom 15.8 That Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision that is of the Jewes for the truth of God c. And of this mission when some came to him for some fruits of the ministration thereof it is that he said Matth. 15.24 I am not sent but unto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel And larger Commission he gave not to his Disciples till he had finished his own course Matth. 10.5 6. But then he enlarged this mission for all Nations All the World Matth. 28.19 Mark 16.15 And sent them into the world even as the Father had sent him into the world Iohn 17.18 which can be understood but of this his mission for ministration for onely himself is the propitiation Ioh. 20.21 And of this ministration also he saith John 12 49 50. I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me a commandement what I should say and what I should speake And I know that his commandement is life everlasting whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so I speake John 14.10 And thus he dyed in testimony of obedience love and faithfulnesse to his Father Phil. 2.8 10. And of love and faithfulnesse to his sheep that had been taught by him John 10.15 And so to confirme the truth of his Doctrine 1 Tim. 6.13 And to give us an example to follow his steps in teftifying love and faithfulnesse to God and Brethren John 15.12 13. 1 Pet 2.21 1 John 3.16 Not to make propitiation for hem for be it but to confirme the truth testifiâ— love and faithfulnesse and give good example Ephes 5.2 But now if wee consider of Jesus Christ according to both his Missions together as to make Propitiation And in preaching the Gospell to give the Promises of the New Testament to his Disciples Then we shall find also that he so dyed to confirm ratifie and seale the New Testament of precious Promises and so it was for his called and chosen ones Luke 22.20 Heb. 9.15 16. Gal. 3.15 And thus of his mission into the world 2 In respect of his businesse in leaving the world and offering himself to the Father it was also two-fold as Scripture sheweth 1 It was to present himself as the ransome and sacrifice with the vertue of his bloud to God for Mankind and thereby to obtain and receive to himself or into his owne hands to dispose as the publike person in the roome of Mankind remission of sins justification fulnesse of spirit and authority and to bee the Mediator between God Mâ—n Heb 9.12 14.24 1 Tim 2.5 And so to be our Peace Ephes 2.14 16. The propitiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world 1 John 2.2 And Wisdome Righteonsnesse Sanctification and Reslemption for men and to all that believe in him John 1.4 1 Cor 1.30 2 It was to take on him and execute his office of Lord and Mediator and high Priests c. To send forth tender and dispense of the grace and Spirit which he as the publike person hath received in the humane nature glorified to enlighten convince and draw even the rebellious that they might believe c. Psalm 68.18 John 1.7.9 and 16.8 9 10. And to sprinkle and wash the consciences of Believers with the spiritnall application of his precious bloud and shedding abroad in the heart of Believers the free and rich grace appearing there-through renewing comforting and leading them into all truth Heb. 12.24 and 9.14 Rev. 1.5 Tit. 3.4 5. Himself remaining a husband and Advocate for them Ephes 5.25 26 27. 1 Iohn 2.1 In both which appeares a two-fold end of his blood sacrifice offered The one the obtaining redemption c. to make known tender to men that they might believe Iohn 3.17 Ephes 2.5 6 7. The other The communication thereof too and effectuall operation in Believers Iohn 17.3 Ephes 5 26 27. 2 Concerning Mankind in respect of the double misery and enmity against God which by falling into sinne they fell into 1 The first is the misery and enmity in the very state and condition into which mankind by sinne were fallen which was such as stood crosse to the merciful God to keep him back from shewing any favour or grace at all to mankind for the Truth of God requites the Death of man sinne being entred Gen. 2.17 And the Iustice of God requires the execution of the Curse on man that hath fayled of his duty Gal. 3.10 And so though God did not upon the fall of man turne enemy to mankind But in his bea rt did pitty him Tit. 3.4 And his bowels of compassion moved for mankind so as hee would not for that fall make him as the Divell and his Angels something like that said of Israel Hos 11 6-9 Yet Truth and Iustice stood against the shewing forth of this mercy and extending of peace to man-kind yea had not the nature of man-kind been polluted and filled with aversnesse and eumity against God upon the fall as indeed it was yet by reason of sinne committed though it had been but once and passed leaving only guiltinesse behind it even that put such enmity in the state and condition of mankind and made such a pertition between God and mankind that Truth and Iustice would not without a satisfaction that any mercy should be shewed or peace given him who had by that offence sold himself from God to Sathan and thrown himself under guilt of sinne and desert of Curse and Death so as it brought a necessity of inflicting curse and death upon him which if men suffer in their
the first Testament or the Law A Perfect image made by a curing limmer may clearly present the visage complexion of him whose Image it is though it have no life and so neither see nor breathe c. But a shadow or the first rude draught will not doe so much onely may discover that it is to be of a man or a woman and not of a beast but whether man or woman or whom it sheweth not as the Image finisht in which the shadow passeth doth Now the law had the shadow of good things to come but not the very image of the things they were paterns and figures of heavenly things for the time present but not a full demonstration of them Heb. 10.1 9.9.23 Now then if we call to mind 1. The offering for sin to make Atonement was first slain and after that the blood sprinkled at the Altar and on the Atonement-day before the Mercy-seat and the people afflicted in themselves and blessed by the Priest Lev. 9. 15.22 16. per totum shadowed Jesus delivered to death for our sinnes and presenting himselfe with the vertue of his blood to the Father to make the Atonement obtain redemption for us and his blessing us in sprinkling his blood on our hearts melting and purging the conscience Heb. 1.3 9.12.14.24 10.1 19. The Passover a Lamb without blemish slain and then the blood wth a bunch of hyssop dipt therin sprinkled on the two side-Posts and the upper doore Posts that the striking Angel might passover Exod. 12. And then the flesh roasted with fire eaten Shadowed Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world John 1.29 Heb. 9.26 His dying for our sins 1 Cor. 15.3.4 And by his Spirit sprinkling the vertue of his blood on the beleeving heart without which no safety Heb 12.24 and our feeding on him by faith without which no eternall life John 6.35.36 so that bloodshed presented to the Lord and applied to such as come to the Sacrifices are all held forth distinctly as distinct and divers works 3. For the people that came to these Sacrifices for whom blood was not onely shed but presented to God and who had the atonement and such reconciliation as was thereby affoorded there was yet provided a water of Purification to cleanse them from defilements when they befell them and the defiled person not cleansed with it might not approach to the holy things without danger of death now it was not enough There was for them a water of purification and it was right nor that it was put in a vessell and running water put thereto unlesse a clean person dip with a branch of Hissop and sprinkle him that is uncleane hee remains unclean and must die by Sprinkling is Cleansing And doth not this shadow out Jesus Christ the fountain of cleansing and Laver of regeneration and purification right with with God yet cleasing none in their own hearts c. without application and spirituall sprinkling Heb 9.13 14. 12 24. Zach. 13.1 Tit. 3.4 5. Ezek. 36.25 Consider and compare the Scriptures and say 1 Did not the red Hyfer slain without the Camp and her flesh burnt Numb 19.2.3.5 Numb 19.2 3 5. shadow out Jesus that knew no sin made sin for us and suffering without the gate and after in the power of the Spirit and fire of his love offering up his whole selfe a Sacrifice to God for us 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb 9.14 10.12 13.12 2. Vers 9. Did not the remainders or ashes of the Heyfer shadow forth the remaining Records Testimonies and vertues of the death and sacrifice of Jesus who died for our sinnes and rose for our justification Vers 4. and presented his sacrifice to God and applieth it to us as was shadowed by the blood sprinkled before the Tabernacle 1 Corinth 15 1-4 Heb 9.12.13.14 And is not this the water of Separation or Purification from uncleannesse Ezek. 36.25 Rev. 1.5 3. Vers 9. Did not the clean Place without the Camp where these ashes were kept for a purification for sin shadow forth the Gospel of Christ or word of grace which J. Christ by his Spirit hath breathed and caused to be written and therein declared and testified and kept as in record the truth and vertue of the blood-shed death and sacrifice of Christ and the offering it to the Father and its prevalency with him and for whom and his tender and application of it and the vertue thereof and in whom Are not all the sayings hereabout plain 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Cor. 3.12.13 1.2 Faithfull 1 Tim. 1.15 True 2 Pet. 1.16 19. And in righteousnesse nothing froward perverse equivocall or wreathed in them Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 That we may rather take those sayings as they expresse the matter then any other sayings or glosses they are very righteous and faithfull his word is very pute Psal 119.138 The inspiration of the Spirit of truth 2 Tim. 3.16 4. Did not the ashes of the burnt Heyfer of Purification for sinne and running water put thereto in a vessell shadow forth the Word of Grace setting forth the vertue of the death and sacrifice of Christ inspired and put in the hearts of the servants of God 2 Cor. 5.18.19 and his free and rich grace and love appearing therein shed abroad thereby by the holy Ghost in the heart of those whom he hath brought to beleeve in Christ and so united them to him 1 Cor. 1.30 and so filled them with his love that it springs up like love in them that constrains them to declare this grace and beseech others to accept it 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 1 Pet. 1.21 22. for which cause they are called Stewards and Ministers of this grace 1 Cor. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.3 and said to have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may appeare to be of God and not of them 2 Cor. 4.7 and so are called chosen vessels unto God to beare his name Act. 9.15 5 Did not the clean person taking Hissop dipping it in the water sprinkling the unclean shadow forth Iesus Christ the just who by his own Spirit stirreth this grace in the hearts of his servants and giveth them what to speak 2 Cor. 4.6 5.14 1 Cor 2.12.13 and giveth proof of his own speaking in their ministration 2 Cor. 13.3 Making manifest the savour of his knowledge by them 2 Cor. 2.14 and himselfe by his Spirit turning the heart of men to God Acts 11 21. and weighing his mind in the heart of these so turned to beleeve in him 2 Cor. 3.3 further minding and teaching them that they have heard John 14.26 and taking off the things of Christ and shewing to them John 16.14 and so sprinkling and washing them with this water of purification the vertue of the pretious blood of Christ and his infinite love streaming there-through melting cleansing comforting renewing c Heb.
misery by having his being from Adam and partaking of his nature he may partake of justification and lyfe by having his being in Christ and partaking of his Divine nature without this new Birth he cannot enter the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3.5.6 2 Cor. 5.17.20 2 Pet. 1 2 3 4. Tit. 3.3 4 5 6 7. And indeed till so borne from above men are Aliens from God and Christ and the lyfe of God in Christ Ephes 2.12 and 4.18 And however it be true that in Christ and that he hath done obtained and received God hath given us eternall lyfe and this life is in his Sonne yet this is also true that whoever of us hath not the Sonne the same hath not lyfe lyfe is received and enjoyed onely in the receite and enjoyment of the Sonne 1 Iohn 5.11.12 And that is when through his spirituall Discovery and sprinkling of his Pretious Blood and Dispensation of his grace there-through to the heart a man is brought to believe on him And so quickoned borne and renewed Ephes 2.5.10 Esa 55.1 9. And so such he gives the priviledges of the Sonnes of God who to receive him and are so borne Iohn 1.12.13 2 Thes 2.13.14 So that the truth is the necessity in respect of mens personall entrance into the Kingdome and being eternally saved to be spiritually sprinkled and washed with the Blood of Christ is so great as there can be no greater there being no other way to the enjoyment of remission of sins Humiliation for sinn Justification before God wisdome righteousnesse Sanctification and redemption nor any fruitfulnesse that God will accept But by this pretious Blood of Christ which he shed and with the vertue thereof offered himselfe to God by his spirit sprinkled on the conscience And his rich and abundant grace manifested through the same by the same spirit shed abroad in the heart and so leading to God in which respect Christ onely is the way for all accesse to the Father and without whom there is no coming to God nor doing any thing he will accept Iohn 14.6 Rom. 3 25. Ephes 1.7 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 15.4 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Ephes 2.17.18 Heb. 10.10 19. This necessity of Christ his sprinkling his Blood on the Conscience the whole Gospel and all the writings thereof and Testimonies and examples therein do shew and so doth the Law also rightly understand CHAPTER 6. A digression to shew how the Law shewes the necessity of this Blood-shedding Death and Sacrifice of Christ BEfore in Chapter 4. was shewn how the ends of the suffering Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ was shaddowed in the leviticall law and types of old and the necessity of the acting presenting and applying the same now if we view the morall law even the law of workes the holy and righteous law of God It also will shew and urge the necessity of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ in all the respects aforesaid and that every way If we consider this holy law 1. In respect of it selfe 2 In respect of the ends of giving it and 3. In respect of the power it hath in this lyfe in the consciences of men till set free by Christ 1 The Law it selfe is holy spirituall and righteous Rom. 7.12 Mat. 22.38.39 1 Iohn 3.4 Rom. 7.7 Iam. 2.10 Mail. 1.6 It is a holy Law pointing us all to live to God the holy one and according to his Will and Commands enjoyning to love God with all our heart soule and strength and our neighbour as our selves and to walke in that love of God and our neighbour and so it forbiddeth every sinn and commandeth every Duty And it is a spirituall Law requiring the Inmost heart and Spirit And the utmost and perfect obedience of the whole man so as the least rising motion to any evill it forbiddeth and concludeth it sinn yea and the least want of the through spirituall and perfect performance of all or any one point it condemneth for sinn and for that sinn putteth under the guilt of the breach of the whole Law And it is a righteous law requiring of man noe more then is due from man to God and which shall be the righteousnesse of a man before God if he fulfill it so as the law find no fault in him Rom. 2.13 and 10.5 Gal. 3.10.12 Rom. 6. Deut. 27 15-26 and it promiseth life to the observers and will performe it that being the righteousnesse of the Law and it sentenceth to death and curse every one that sinneth against any point or cometh short of the least title it requireth so that this Law is holy spirituall and righteous in its Commandements of Duty In its Justifying the doers of it in its convincing the Transgressors and in its leaving Transgressors to the curse And indeed so holy spirituall and righteous is this law that in their own persons and performances noe one man since Adam fell but onely Jesus Christ our Lord hath fulfilled it to every Jota or can be Justified and have lyfe by it For. 1 Though a man had such knowledge of the Law that he could see all his Duty therein required And had also such a heart to keepe this Law that he had respect to every Commandement in it and did his utmost to avoid every sinn and to perform every duty and that constantly in all his conversation yet if he attaine not to the utmost the Law requireth but fayle of that if it were but once and but in one point the Law puts him under the guilt of sinn and danger of Curse and Death Rom. 6.23 the wages of sinn is Death and James 2.10 whosoever shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one poynt he is guilty of all and Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the booke of this Law to do them and Rom. 5.12 all have sinned Iames 3.2 In many things we offend all so that by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified Rom. 3.20 2 A man having once sinned and fallen under the guilt of sinne and so into the desert of death and curse as all men have there is no after-righteousnesse of his performance that can take away that sinne which unlesse it be taken away he cannot be justified before God though in his after righteousnesse he could answer the whole Law but onely for that one offence whence those sayings Job 9.15.20.21.22 nor can any teares confessions or washing themselves with snow water take off this sinne that they may appeare righteous before God Job 9.30.31.32 Nor can any gifts or sacrifices of Bulls and Goats Heb. 10.4 nor of thousands of Rams or ten thousand Rivers of Oyle or the first borne of Beasts or of a mans body satisfie for and take away sin Mich. 6.6.7 3. Neither can there be any mangling impairing or abating much lesse abolishing of this holy and spirituall law that the Almighty will tolerate nor did Jesus Christ come to destroy
shall glorifie thy name Thus must all come before him one day and then he shall separate and dispose of them Matth. 25.32 33. 4. Another particular end in this first next immediate end of the suffering and sacrifice of Christ offered to God was That hee might shew forth to men this rich and abundant grace Eph. 2.4.7 And so it was 1. That this full Gospel and therethrough repentance and remission of sinnes might be preached in his name among all Nations Luke 24.46.47 And for this he hath prevailed so as himself came and preached peace Eph. 2.17 And first began to preach the Gospel of this salvation himselfe Heb. 2.3 and then left the commission for preaching the same unto his Apostles and faithfull Disciples that by grace come to be united to him and endued with spirituall gifts John 17 18-21 2 Corinth 5.18.19.20 1 Pet. 2.3 9. And left his charge to preach it to all Nations Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.13 2. And also that by his laying down his life in witnessing to the truth of the Gospel he taught and the Fathers acceptance of his sacrifice the truth of the Gospel might bee confirmed for all that heare it that they might beleeve John 18.37 1 Tim. 6.13 And in this also he hath prevailed and so it is said he spake the truth which he heard of God John 8.45 And the Apostles have said They spake the words of truth Acts 26.25 and that with great plainnesse of speech 2 Cor. 3.12 by manifestation of the truth 2 Cor. 4.2.5 for saith Peter 2 Pet. 1.16 We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made knowne to you the power and comming of the Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his majesty for he received from the Father honour and glory when c. 3. And also that himself might be the prime motive and example to us for faith and love and walking in both conversation and ministration in patience and meeknesse through sufferings in hope to the death 1 Pet. 2.21 John 13 1-15 And in this also he hath prevailed so as himself points to himselfe for the prime motive and example Joh. 15.12 .20 And the Spirit in the Scripture sets him forth to us for motive and example Col. 3.12 14. and bids us looke to him and consider him Heb. 12 2-7 and follow him Eph. 5.1.2 4. Yea and that he might ratifie the New Testament of pretious promises for all that in the heavenly call are brought in to believe in him that they through the Spirit may wayt for the same through faith Heb. 9.14.15.16 Matth. 26.28 In which also he hath prevailed as Heb. 9.15 sheweth with Gal. 3.15 26. and 5.5 And so the whole Gospel is by the blood and sacrifice of Christ confirmed and sealed for truth 5. That he might also having life in himselfe quicken whom he will and so give eternall life to all that beleeve on him and leave and give up such as will none of his counsell and so persist in refusing to beleeve on him In which also he hath prevailed John 1.17 3.18.19 5.20.28 6.37.40 6. That he may at the last judge all men according to the Gospel which himself first began to preach and then gave his servants to preach And in this also hee prevailed as is evident in that himselfe said John 12.48 He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shal judge him at the last day And his servant by the spirit said Rom. 2.16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel And so it is said of God Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom hee hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance or offered faith unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead And so as Rom. 14.9 to this end he both died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord of both dead and living So it is affirmed on that very ground vers 11 12. 2. Cor. 5.10 We must all appear abefore the judgment seat of Christ c. yea and such as come then to be condemned by him that so died for them and offered himselfe a Sacrifice and ransome for them and used mercy and extended meanes to call them to repentance are charged with sinne for that they have not believed John 16.8.9 and that they have troden under foot the Soone of God counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing and offered despite to the Spirit of grace at least that he called and they refused Heb. 10.29 Prov. 1 24. And this shall be their condemnation light came and they loved darknesse rather Iohn 3.19 They by following lying vanities have forsaken their own mercies Iona 2.8 And lost their own souls Matth. 16.26 And by denying the Lord that bought them brought upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet 1. and so are rightly called * Jude 12 Frees twice dead And the destuction and torment into which they shall be cast is called the second death Rev. 20 6.14 And thus mightily and verily hath the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ offered to his Father prevailed with God so as indeed Jesus Christ hath thereby put away sin abolished death removed enmity out of the condition of mankind bought all men of God and obtained eternall redemption so as he is become the Lord of all and hath remission of sinnes and life to dispense And through him the earth is upheld for men mercy shewed to and means used towards them to draw them to repentance and faith and they all given of God into his dispose and he hath power and shall raise them all from the dead and judge them all according to the Gospel such as have in beleeving been brought to him and abidden in him in the day of grace hee will sentence to eternall life and such as have through the day of grace persisted in refusing him or departing from him he wil sentence to a second death And that men might have knowledge hereof and faith herein to bring them in to him and confidence to abide in him and bee left excuselesse in their refusall he hath also sealed and confirmed the Gospel for a certain truth in the report of the Propitiation and life on beleeving for all men and the New Testament for beleevers And all this true whether men believe it or no. And so far hath the sacrifice as offered to God prevailed and yet further in his having a fitnesse for that to be after said And in respect of all hitherto said the light shineth in the darknesse but the darknesse comprehendeth it not Iohn 1.5 7. And now to remedy this also that the light may be seen and known through the means used there is yet another end of his Sacrifice offered namely that hee might fit
at his Fathers right hand and receive and bee filled with the holy Gost in our nature glorified to send forth to the sonnes of men and to fill and lead his people and so to be as in his own place a reprover of the world and an advocate and comforter of his people Himselfe when he was in the world did testifie of it That the works thereof were evill Iohn 7.7 And hee declared himselfe the Bread of life Iohn 6. the Son of God and Doore of the sheep Iohn 10. yea the Way the Truth and the life Iohn 14.6 and did teach his Disciples and keep them and manifest his Fathers Name and Words to them Iohn 17.6 7 8. and hee being in that estate and manner of ministration not long to abide in the world did promise to send them another Advocate and Comforter to bee in his stead with them for ever Ioh. 14.16 and that this holy spirit should beare witnesse of him Iohn 15.26 and convince for reprove the world Iohn 16.8 9 10 11. and guide his Disciples into all truth Iohn 16.13 mind them of his sayings teach them all things Iohn 14.26 c. yet even when while Christ in his own personall body was in the world he told this for truth unto his Disciples Iohn 16.7 It is expedient for you that I goe away for if I goe not away the Comforter will not come unto you But if I depart I will send him unto you And when he promiseth such portion of Spirit it was at that time said The H. Ghost was not yet given because Jesus Christ was not yet glorified Iohn 7.39 Now in his ascending and offering himselfe in Sacrifice to God for men hee hath prevailed for this also as appears in that is said Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts in the man that is in the humane nature and for men to give gifts to men Eph. 4.8 yea the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them And so where there was a performance-evident and eminent in visible descent divine operation through some to the convincement of many and drawing in many Acts 2. totum It is said This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the H. Ghost he hath shed forth this which yee now see and hear and so the Spirit of the Lord doth rest on him Isai 42.1 and he is annointed with it to preach good tidings c. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. So that as himselfe hath made peace so he hath received Spirit to preach and give peace Eph. 2.14.16.17 As he hath procured meanes to be used to call men so hee hath received Spirit to send forth according to the means to breath and operate secretly therein towards and with men Gen. 6.3 to enlighten every man Iohn 1.9 to manifest the being and goodnesse of God to them Rom. 1.19 to reprove their evils Pro. 1.23 to lead to repentance Rom. 2.4 that they might seek and find God Acts 7.26 and hee opens his words and gives his Spirit to to them Pro. 1.23 And as he hath himself preached the Gospel and confirmed the truth of it with his blood left it with his servants to minister so he hath received and is filled with Spirit immeasurably Ioh. 3.34 to send forth in the ministration thereof to cenvince the world Ioh. 16.8 9. to bring down every high thought 2 Cor. 10.4.5 to discover grace to men that they might believe Ioh. 1.7 and come to Christ Isai 55.5 to purge the consciences of beleevers Heb. 9.14 and witnesse their sonship Rom. 8.16 And as hee hath shed his blood and presented himselfe with the vertue of it in offering himselfe a sacrifice to God for men and so made a purgation of sinnes and wrought salvation and righteousnesse and obtained eternall redemption for men so hee hath received an office and spirit at his Fathers right hand to offer and call men to to the receite of the same Pro. 8.4.7 Esa 45.22 And by the same spirit to apply the same grace sprinkle the vertue of the same Blood and Sacrifice on such as believe to wash cleanse sanctifie and conforme them to himselfe therewith Esa 61 1-5 Ephes 5.25.26 whence they that come to Jesus are said to come to the Blood of sprinkling Heb. 12 24. And to say in a word As himselfe is the gift of God Iohn 4.10 and full of grace and truth Iohn 1.14 and eternall life is in him and given us in him that whosoever hath him hath it 1 Iohn 5.10.11.12 So is he filled with the abundance of spirit to discover and dispence this gift grace truth and eternall life Esa 42 1-8 and 61 1-4 whence also grace mercy and peace are mentioned for the Holy Ghost coming downe from the Father and the Sonne discovering giving to and effecting in believers grace mercy and peace as is seene by comparing Rom. 5.1 5. and 1. Iohn 5.6.7 with Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.3 2 Cor 1.2 Gal. 1.3 Ephes 1.2 Phil. 1.2 Col. 1.2 And so in all the Apostle Pauls salutations to the Churches 2 Pet. 1.2 Rom 4.5 And so and in every respect as a foresaid hath the Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ prevailed with God for men and this set forth in the Gospel for men as a very truth yea to and for such as do not yet believe but are yet impenitent and disobedient that they might believe and repent it being the foundation of and Door to repentance and faith And so of the first consideration of the vertue efficacy and prevalency of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ even as it was offered to God and hath prevailed with God for men Now let us consider the efficacie in the three following considerations CHAP. IX 2. Of the vertue operation and effectualnesse of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ As through its prevalency with God grace and mercy is shown and extended to men and how fit and forceable to prevaile with them IT is before shewn that through the prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ with God for men mercy is shewn and meanes is used towards men And that though men are so dead in sinne that they have no power spirit or will to discerne God or come into him by these meanes yet Jesus Christ by his Sacrifice hath prevailed with God and received of him in the humane nature the spirit to send forth in and according to the meanes to discover the grace procured by his Blood and Sacrifice and so to call and draw in men to God as is shewn And of the Prevalency of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ with men towards God in this Discovery of grace by his spirit is that here to be noted not what humane studdies artificiall knowledge and forced motives effect But what by vertue of the
the redemption and purgation wrought by Christ hath been visiting enlightning moving at their hearts and striving with them to effect repentance and faith in them and so to bring them to himself and they after the knowledge of the truth refuse resist or depart from it willingly and will none of God none of Christ will not be brought in to him this way to have all their life and confidence in his grace and guidance by it but persist in their wilfull refusall or Apostasie till he leave striving and give them up to their own lusts and Satan This deserveth kindleth such wrath as wil not be appeased and such a fire as will not be quenched Gen. 6 3 Prov. 1.23 24 c. Psal 81.11 Ezek. 24.13 Matth. 23.37 38. Heb. 6.4 5.2 Pet. 2. Jude totū And the execution of this is called The wrath to come Luke 3.7 1 Thes 1.10 fire unquenchable Luke 3.17 Mark 9.48 hell fire Matth. 18.9 Mark 9.47 the second death Rev. 20.14 3 By the greatnesse and inexcuseable folly rebellion and filthinesse of this sinne it being an under-valuing neglect and refusall of so great salvation and redemption first obtained and then first preached by the Lord himselfe yea a denying him that bought them and so a treading under foot the Sonne of God Heb. 2.3 2 Pet. 2.1 Heb. 10.29 a hardening the heart against the mercies and meanes that through the pretious Blood Sacrifice of Christ was procnred for and extended to them to lead them to repentance and so counting the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing Rom. 2.5 Heb. 10.29 a turning from him that speakes from heaven and so resisting and offering despite to the Spirit of grace that strove with them to bring them to God Heb. 12.25 10.29 Act. 7.51 In a word by their preferring darknesse before light when light came John 3.19 exalting their own wisdom workes and choyce and objecting and taking offence at the means Doctrine and Spirit of Grace and turning from it after it hath so farre been extended to them they crucifie again make of no account and efficacy to themselves the Sonne of God and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 A great ingratitude and fearfull rebellion against so great and gracious a God and Saviour and Spirit and so reall an offer and tender Psalm 81.11 Great folly and madnesse to refuse so great and reall mercy and salvation and altogether excuselesse they cannot say we fell and were loft in Adam no redemptiō was wrought for us wherby we might have been saved Our Fathers have eaten sowre grapes and the childrens teeth are set on edge Ezek. 18.2 Rom. 5.12 18. for the later part of the plea is false God wil punish it for though they were lost in Adam and could no way redeeme themselves yet in Christ redemption was again wrought for them Nor can they say this mercy was altogether hidd and no meanes used towards them that they might have sought and found him Act. 14.17 and 17.26 nor will this pleasure we had in our selves no will or power to choose lyfe For though it was not in them yet it was in him And his spirit by which he tendred grace wanted not power Mich. 2.7 He doth not looke to gather where he hath not sowne though wicked Servants so say But on his examination they will be dumb Mat. 25.26 and 22.12 Sinnes of ignorance and weaknesse to which through the fall men are necessitated and for which yet there is a remedy though they are directly against the Father and indirectly against the Sonne and holy spirit sinnes against the meanes procured by Christ and extended through him to lead to repentance and faith and so against ordinary light warnings and motions are against the Father and directly against the Sonne yet all manner of these sorts of sinne shall be forgiven unto men but the willfull and rebellious sinning in refusing and opposing the grace it selfe in Christ and evidenced by the spirit after light obstinately refusing to have all life in and guidance by that grace the spirit discovers in Christ But blaspheming the same This sinning is directly against the Father and the Sonne and the Holy Ghost and shall never be forgiven Mat. 12.31 Marke 3.28.29 4 By the evilnesse and remedilesnesse of the state and condition such sinning throwes these men into And that may be seene in two things 1 That whereas they were once dead through Adam and a ransome was given for them by Christ and life procured for them and this set forth in the Gospel and in the meanes tendred to them with some quickning motions of the spirit and hope of life there being no other meanes or Sacrifice They having wilfully cast aside this have rent themselves out of this booke of life renounced this life that was set in hope before them and are become Trees twice dead and pluckt up by the rootes so as there is no more hope for them Jude 12. 2 That whereas when they were fallen in Adam though truth and Justice pleaded for their Death yet mercy was for them and found out a ransome in which truth and justice did meete and joyne with mercy nor their good And though Justice might have risen against them for their strayings in ignorance and unbeliefe yet compassion and mercy had patience and forbearance to waite for them but now by his spirit he hath been striving with them and they will none of Christ but harden themselves against him and oppose and offer wrong and violence to Christ and his word and people even mercy also with Justice and truth is turned against them not that there is any change in God but they have put themselves into such a condition that his mercy becomes crosse to them the light is pleasant to the eye and that it troubles the sore eye the change is in the eye not in the light so Gods love and mercy is the same for ever His delight is in his Sonne and his pleasure in his people made one with his Sonne yea so great that when men harden their hearts against his Sonne the Gospel and spirit of his Sonne and turne to oprresse those that are vessels of mercy The more he loves his Sonne and the dearer his people are to him the more doth his mercy move him to plead their cause and plague their enemies and so he smote Egypt overthrew Pharoh and his Host in the sea smote great and mighty Kings c. For his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136.10.20 Oh heavy when mercy stands against them 5 By the greatnesse of torments and punishments to be executed on such sinners which as the Scriptures sets it forth is very terrible for it is the same that at first was prepared for the Divell and his Angels who sinned freely and without a Tempter or any cause Iude 6. Mat. 25.41 So it appeares that 1 The Death on mankind for the first transgression was an Allenation from God a
this faith closing with and the believer therein united and become one with the object of faith it is still one and then stable and sure to abide Heb. 4.2.3 And this is the faith Scripture speaks of Fourthly for the remembrance here spoken of it is not that humane exercise of thoughts in running over and recording the words stories severall doctrines reasons and uses c. that one hath heard and read thereby to habituate them in memory that one may have them to think and speak of at all times though there bee a good use of such remembring notwithstanding some turn it to an evil Mat. 27.63 But the remembrauce here spoken of is a beleeving remembrance when in this faith the death resurrection and Sacrifice of Christ with the vertue of its presentation to God and of its application to us 1 Cor. 15.3.4 2 Tim. 2.8 the love and power there-through testified and dispensed the hope therein given and that therethrough tendered to be wrought is believingly 1. In the discoveries testimonies and sayings thereof noted observed and heeded diligently as Jacob observed the saying Gen. 27.11 and Lydia on the opening of her heart attended to the things c. Acts 16.14 As Moses said Set your hearts to all the words which I testifie Deut. 32.46 2. The grace consolations hope and instructions tendered in their discoveries to accept and retain in the heart with the choyce estimate love desires and submission Luke 8.15 Prov. 6.20.21 22. as Mary kept the saying in her heart Luke 2.51 and David Psal 119.11.16.24.72 3 The motions and teachings of this grace yeeld up to and vent forth Rom. 12.1.2 Phil 2.1.2.12.13 Tit. 2.11.12 Gal. 5.24 as David Psal 16.7 4. The taking all occasions and being minded by all occasions for the revived remembrance of these things in and of Christ Psal 16.8 By the creatures of God the heaven the earth and the inhabitants which being by sin dissolved are through the Sacrifice mediation and power of Christ upheld Psal 75.3 Col. 1.17 and so shewing forth his glory Psal 19 1-6 2. By the particular mercies of God extended as a fruit of the Sacrifice of Christ and that life that is in him John 1.4.5 carrying forth some testimony of his goodnesse Acts 14.17 and leading to repentance Rom. 2.4 These give apt occasions to remember these things 3 By the chastisements God layeth on men especially the sufferings of Believers for the Gospel apt to mind us of him that bare all our sorrowes Isa 53.4 And hath sanctified sufferings for us to whom we are to be conformed and who is ready and able to do us good by them and to deliver c. Rom. 6.4 5. Heb. 12 2-7 4 The Word of God minding us of these things In Moses writing Iohn 5.45 In the Shadowes and Sacrifices of the Law Heb. 9. and 10. In the Prophecies Act. 3.24 Rom. 1.2 3. In the Doctrine Invitations and Promises Isa 53 1-6 with Act. 13.34 In the full and plain Narration 1 Cor. 15.3 4. 5 The Ordinances of God mind us of these things as Preaching 1 Cor. 2.4 and 15 1-4 1 Iohn 14.14 Writing Iohn 20.31 1 Iohn 1 1-5 Confirming Jud. 20.21 1 Thes 4.18 and 5.10.11 Prayer c. The Dore for which is opened by Christs sacrifice and mediation Heb. 10.19 20 22. and 4.15 16. 6 The grace of God with the fruits thereof given by the Spirit of Christ into the believing heart aptly mindes of these things Rom. 5 1.5-11 7 The beholding believers through grace brought out of the state and fellowship of the world into union and fellowship with Christ and one another in him mindes us not only of the bloud of Christs shed and his ransome given for all men by which he hath bought all of God but of the vertue of his bloud also by his Spirit discovered and applyed and they there through redeemed and purchased from among men unto God Act. 20.28 Rev. 5.9 8 Yea even the beholding men as men though in their naturall condition doth aptly mind of these things Rom. 8.3 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 2 Cor. 5.14.15 20. 9 Yea even the follies disobedience c. of such men are fit occasions to put these things to remembrance Tit. 3.2 3 4 5. 10 Yea even our own sins being that for which he was crucified Isa 53.6 and the combates within all freedome being given in and through him doe give occasion of remembrance of these things as is seen Rom. 7.24 25. and 8.1 2 3 4. and so wee might proceed So that in the believing the truth and goodnesse of the things of Christ set forth in the Gospel with such a love retaining them in the heart as by all occasions to be stirred up to this receiving attending accepting and yeelding up thereto is the remembrance here meant And to have the word of Christ dwell plenteously in us teaching c. Col. 3.16 The way to this remembrance is in the acknowledgment of our own weaknesse and the vanity of all humane helps through the beliefe of his love towards us and what he hath done for us when we were enemies and his more speciall love in making his grace known to us to depend on him for his spirit to mind us of him and his words Rom. 5 6-11 Gal. 5.5 for which he hath given us his promise Iohn 14.26 and 16.7 15. And this remembrance in the believing heart is profitable 1 To preserve and save from falling 1 Cor. 15.2 3 4. 2 To return and raise out of falls and decayes Rev. 3.3 3 To meet with comforts teachings c. Psalm 63.5 6 7. And thus of the faith and remembrance here meant CHAP. XIV Of the usefulnesse here meant what and how manifold it is THE usefulnesse of the pretious bloud and sacrifice of Christ believingly remembred so as there-through God is depended on Is in and to the believer two-fold 1 In respect of themselves 2 In respect of others and both wayes manifold First In respect of the Believer himself it is four-fold 1 Receiving 2 Springing up 3 Streaming forth And 4 waiting 1 The first use is receiving and so believing and receiving are used one for another Iohn 1.12 And the receit in believing view and remembrance is manifold as is fore-shewn namely 1 Of the Word of Christ the Record and Testimony God gave of him 1 Cor 15.1 2 In receit of his testimony is received the mind of Christ so far as to receive information light and discerning in some measure of 1 That which Christ hath done in his death resurrection ascension and sacrifice offered to God what for all men and what for all that by the heavenly call believe on him as is shewne before 2 That which by vertue of this which he hath done he is become and that in generall for all men as that he is the propitiation for their sins 1 John 2.2 And the Mediator between God and them procuring for them patience mercies and some meanes for their Call
his words Mark 1.15 Iohn 2.22 and 5.47 And so this faith and trust is in praising God in his Word Psal 56.10 and glorifying his word Acts 13.48 And so the object of this faith is God in Christ in and according to his word The first next Instrumentall and outward mediate object of this faith is the word and Gospel with the promises thereof which discovereth Christ and God in Christ and that in which and for which we are to trust in him Psal 119.49.50 The second inward inmost and absolute mediate object of this Faith is Jesus Christ in that which hee hath done is become doth and will doe which the Word reporteth and assureth Phil. 3.3 The last inmost and utmost object of this Faith is God in Christ in his infinite wisdome love power c. which appeareth in and through Christ 1 Tim. 4.10 And so the object of faith altogether in one is God in Christ as discovered in his Word by his Spirit This and this onely is the object of this faith So that no Arme of Flesh or device of men not multitude of men Ammunition or Forts not riches nor strength nor wisdome nor any self-wrought righteousnesse or workes can be in any sort the object of Faith Jer. 9.23 Job 9. 1. Either the inmost and utmost object of faith and trust God onely is that Mark 10.24 1 Tim. 6.17 2. Or the inmost and absolute mediate object through which men beleeve and trust in God Christ Jesus is only that Luke 18.19 2 Cor. 10.4.7 18. 3. Or the Instrumentall and outward mediate object through and according to which men beleeve and trust in Christ and in God in Christ his Word onely is that Psal 56.4.10 As for prayers and endevours in use of means when they issue from and be the fruits of this faith and confidence in God in Christ according to his Word then in this confidence blessing may bee expected in them 2 Sam. 7.27.29 But they cannot be the object either as Rule or Medium or Object as aforesaid Rom. 9.32 10.2.3 The Word the Rule Christ the Medium God the Object and so God in Christ according to his word is onely and altogether the object of this faith Secondly for the Mover or Worker of this faith that which produceth it and in and by which it is raised and wrought it is not the force of any humane discourse reasoning or Argument 1. Cor. 2.1.4.5 nor is it the issue or birth of any fervent endevours or workings of men in and according to the law of works Gal. 3.2 yea though endeavoured and done to get Christ the righteousnesse of God thereby Rom. 9.31.32 and 10.2.3.4 neither yet is it a conclusion or spring from the appearance of any inward or outward changes effected in a man by any such reasonings or endeavourings Luke 18.11 12. 2 Cor. 10.7.12.18 But this Mover and effector verily is 1. The appearance of the grace of God in and through the Gospel even of that free and immense love of God in the gift of his Sonne to be the Saviour of the world and the satisfaction made by Christ and the fulnesse of grace and truth in him This grace of God appearing in and through Christ moveth to believe encourageth and draweth thereto whence this faith is called The gift of God by grace and not of works Eph. 2.8.9 and they that have it are said to have believed through grace Acts 18.27 2. The Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne in discovery of this grace effecteth this faith and so the hand of the Lord that is the Spirit of the Lord or the demonstration of the Spirit and power is said to bring to believe in God Acts 11.21 1 Cor. 2.4.5 And in respect of both these this grace and Spirit working faith it is said After the kindnesse and love of God to manward appeared he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3.4.5 And so the beleevers are said to be borne of water and of the spirit Iohn 3.5 And so as the spirit worketh faith so for working it he doth not glorifie the workes of the Law or any frames or workes of men But he glorifies Christ and Gods rich grace in Christ to beget faith and hope in men Iohn 16.13.14 1 Pet. 1.21 And so to say in a word It is the spirituall appearance of rich grace in and by which this faith is wrought Grace is the mover 3 For the nature and Act of this faith There be three things together meeting in one in this Act of believing or this faith of which is here teached as Scripture and experience of Believers shewes that is to say 1 An assent and credit-giving to the report or Testimony of the Gospel and that which by the spirit is evidenced and appeareth through the same report the want of which the Prophet complaines of Esa 53. Who hath believed our report which not-believing the Apostle calles making God a lyer 1 John 5.10 And this assent and credit-giving to the report of the Gospel was in those Act. 13.48 They magnified the word of the Lord counted it good and true and so received the Testimony and so did the Thessalonians likewise 2 Thes 1.10 And this is the first Act without which no faith at all Iohn 5.47 and 8.24 2 An inward and hearty approbation of the goodnesse of that reported in the Gospel in respect of that Christ hath done and that he is become and that he doth and that he is ready to do And in respect of the rich free and great love of God appearing therein so as all other Excellencies are but losse and Dung in comparison of it 1 Pet. 2.7 Phil. 3.7.8 9. 3 Through this assenting and believing-approbation there is an inward and hearty resting and relyance upon Christ and God in Christ for the dispensation of this grace and perfecting that which appertaines to him to do Rom. 5 1.2.5-10 First creditting the savings of the Gospel and through those sayings Believing Christ himselfe and the spirits Testimony of him and in that believing trusting in God in Christ for that promised and so believing the sayings receiving Christ and trusting in God through Christ is the nature and Act of this believing 4 For the motions orstrings in this believing or faith they are 1 An inward and hearty acknowledgement of and submission to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour and so to this grace appearing in him 2 Cor. 5.15 He dyed for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose againe and so Rom. 14.8 Whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we die we die unto the Lord c. verse 9. and 1 Cor. 6 19-20 Ye are not your own yet are bought with a price c. Rom. 6.17 Ye have obeyed from the heart the forme of Doctrine to which ye were delivered True it is that all men
shall one day be brought so farr to the knowledge of the truth that they shall therein be brought to confesse Jesus the Lord to the glory of God 1. Tim. 2.4.6 Esa 45.23 Phil. 2.10.11 But now in this day of grace from the appearance and force of his loving kindnesse in beliefe of his goodnesse to submit to and acknowledge the Lordship and grace of Christ is the motion and string of this faith Hosea 3.5 2 An inward and hearty acceptance and receiving of Christ and this grace of God in Christ for Pardon Peace righteousnesse and life so Iohn 1.12 As many as received him c. Col. 2.6 Received Christ Jesus the Lord Act. 26.18 Receive forgivenesse of sinnes Rom. 5.1 We have Peace c. verse 11. We have received the Attonement verse 17. Receive the Abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse 1 Iohn 5.12 He that hath the Sonne hath life And this accepting and receiving is another motion in this faith 3 An approach accesse in coming or nigh-drawing to Christ and this grace in him and for farther onenesse and enjoyment thereof he also herein building farther upon himselfe Rom. 5.2 By whom also we have accesse by faith into this grace c. Ephes 2.18 Through him we have both accesse by one spirit unto the Father 1 Pet. 2 3 4. Ye have tasted that the Lord is gratious to whom coming as unto a living stone c. And this approaching is another motion in this faith 4 A hearty content and well-pleasednesse takeing in and with Christ and this grace in him which is a feeding thereon Phil. 3.3 And rejoyce in Christ Jesus Col. 3.4 Christ who is our life Psal 16.5.6 I have a goodly heritage Iohn 6.56 57 58.68 69. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me c. And thus doth this faith move in a submission to and acknowledgement of Christ receite of the grace in him approaching to God through him and well-pleasednesse takeing in him our Portion Psal 15.5.9 Such the moveings in and of this faith 5 For the subject in which this faith is the Instrument with which it moveth and worketh in and to all this beholding assenting believing trusting acknowledgement receite approaching content-taking It is the heart the principall the choyce and inmost strength of the minde will and affection even the spirit of all which is usually called the heart in Scripture Rom. 10.9.10 And shalt believe in thine heart for with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith so that this faith is not in or with the minde or conception onely or with a light affection but in and with the whole heart Act. 8.37 And so it is with 1 The minde and understanding highly prizing Christ and this rich grace in him as the most excellent pretious and choice Pearle and Riches Phil. 3.7.8 1 Cor. 1.24 Col. 2.3.10 2 The will resolutely chusing receiving and accepting Christ and this grace in him as that which is most pleasing and welcome Psal 73.24.25 and 119.30.37 3 The affections closing therewith as that which is most desirable and satisfying Psal 16.5 6 7. Cant. 1 2 3 and 2 3 4 5. 4 A springing and reviving apprehension of truth and goodnesse of that believing however fainting before Psal 116.10.12 As old Iacob though before fainting at the newes yet when he believed the report of Iosephs being alive Gen. 45.27.28 His spirit revived he said it is enough my son Ioseph is yet alive c. And as Mary Luke 1.46.47 My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour and as David Psal 103.1.2 3. Thus is this faith in the heart and with the heart man believeth not only righteousnesse but unto righteousnesse and so with the heart moveth as aforesaid 6. For the strength power and principle in and of this faith It is the divine power and spirit of Christ entring with his motion or infusion effecting and spirituall seed or dispofition in the heart in which the divine power and spirit of Christ that wrought this faith operateth in and with this faith which faith is therefore rightly called Col. 2.12 The faith of the operation of God who hath raised Christ from the Dead and the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead is affirmed to worke in those that by it believe Ephes 1.19.20 And by reason of this spirituall disposition effected in the heart of the Believer it is called The spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 And by this spirit of faith it is that the believer in believing is enabled 1 To behold and discerne the object of faith Christ in his fulnesse and beauty and the rich grace of God in him Iohn 1.14.16.18 Mat. 16.17 1 Cor. 29. 1 Iohn 3.1 2 Moved and overcome in the appearance of this grace to believe 1 Pet. 1.21 Tit. 3 4 5. 3 Enabled to assent to and receive the Testimony 1 Thes 1.5 And to believe and accept the grace it selfe 2 Thes 2.13.14 And to depend on God for all the hope to come Rom. â— 5.10 Gal. 5.5 4 Prevailed with in the motions to the submission to and acknowledgement of Christ 1 Cor. 12.3 To receiving him Iohn 1.12.13 To approaching to God in and by him Ephes 2.18 and to Content-taking in him Col. 3.10.11 5 Hath the new minde spirit and heart effected Ezek. 36.27 1 Iohn 5.20 And the minde and law of Christ written therein 1 Cor. 2.16 2 Cor. 3.3.18 6 The springs fruits and operations of love joy peace c. Rise up Gal. 5.22.23 Diffusing the vertue and operation in all the powers and faculties of he man Mat 13.33 Purifying the heart unto unfained love of the Brethren 1 Pet. 2 22. Rasing up motions and so springing forth in prayer praise confession works of mercy c. 2 Cor. 4.13 And all notions about the Doctrine of faith and Profession of faith where this spirit of faith is wanting is but dead faith Iames 2.17.26 And all workes wrought by humane force not produced by this spirit of faith are but dead workes Heb. 6.1.2 Tim. 3.5 but this spirit of faith is the life of faith and that which makes faith lively in all that is said of it Rom. 8.2.4.14 7 For the one-nesse of this faith in the diversity of the Degrees and Acts of it the Scripture sheweth That there are divers degrees of this true and Divine faith the first Degree is little and small in comparison as a graine of Mustard-seede Mat. 13.31 Luke 17.6 And called little or weake in faith Mat. 6.30 Rom. 14.1 The second Degree is stable stedfast or strong faith abiding in Christ endeavouring temptations and tryalls Col. 1.23 and 2.5.1 Thes 3.7.8 The third degree is effectuall and victorious working faith and overcoming 1 Thes 1.3 1 Iohn 5.4 Though there are diversity of measures or Degrees and Growth therein in each