Eyes Ears or Tastes or by species taken in by the Sense and imprinted on the phantasie which are thence offered to the Understanding or else by Faith and the report of others or by discourse and ratiocination He knoweth one thing by another the Conclusion by Mediums and Premises the Causes by the Effects and the Consequents by the Antecedents Saints and Angels in Heaven know things in God not in themselves God knoweth all things in themselves and seeth all things in himself as in a Glass Man in this World must have a two-fold Light to see by A light in his Eye and a light in the Air But the Father of Lights needs no light to see by Darkness and Light are both alike to him Psal 139.12 His Eyes are as a Flame of Fire He seeth in the Dark Revel 1.14 God knoweth all things at once uno actu uno ictu as they say Creatures know one thing by another and one thing after another Their Understandings are unable to take in many Objects at once much less able to take in all Objects at once but God seeth all things at one View The Lord looketh down from Heaven he beholdeth all the Children of Men's From the place of his Habitation he beholdeth all the Inhabitants of the Earth Psal 33.13 14. The Eye of Man may see many things at once as an Hive of Bees but if it will see other things it must remove the sight though the Mind of Man can take in more then the Eye as a whole Country or World at once yet 't is onely the lumpe of gross if it would take the distinct knowledge of them it must remove from thought to thought but God takes all distinctly particularly at once God knoweth all things from everlasting before ever the World had a Being Men and Angels may know what is when it is but cannot know it as God doth before it was Acts 15.18 Known to God are all his Works from the beginning of the World Before he erected the curious frame of the World he knew all the Rooms and Furniture in it all the motions and actions of all the Inhabitants of it He doth by one pure simple undivided eternal act of his Understanding know all things perfectly immediately distinctly every moment 6. God is incomparable in his Truth and Faithfulness Truth is that Attribute in God whereby he is in himself as he reveals himself to be and in his sayings and doings as he speaketh and acteth God is Truth in himself and Truth towards his Creatures He is Truth in himself 1. As he truly is and really existeth Hence he is stiled the true God Jer 10.10 John 17.3 in opposition to Idols or false gods 1 Thess 1.9 So he is truly infinite truly all-sufficient truly eternal truly immutable c. 2. As he is the unchangeable Archetipe and Idaea of all true things without himself so all created things are true as they answer their patterns in his mind 3. In his immanent Actions as his Decrees and eternal Resolutions are all certain and attain a punctual accomplishment Psal 33.11 He is never deceived nor disappointed in his Purposes God is Truth towards his Creatures 1. In his Works as all his Actions of Creation Preservation Government Redemption are real and not chimera's or appearances Rev. 15.3 Psal 111.7 Deut. 32.4 Psal 25.10 2. In his Words all he saith is Truth His Precepts are true a perfect Rule of holiness without any defect Psal 119.86 All thy Commandements are Faithfulness verse 142. Thy Law is the Truth All his Promises are true and shall be performed Not one good thing faileth of all that the Lord our God hath promised Josh 23.14 Hence the Gospel the compendium of all the Promises is often called The Word of Truth James 1.18 And the Covenant of Grace is called Sure Mercies Isa 55.3 All his Praedictions are true and come to pass in their Season Hab. 2.3 Rev. 22.6 7. These are true and faithful Sayings Gen. 49.10 His Threatnings are true and fail not Rom. 2.2 of their accomplishment 2 Kings 9.26 36. He is Truth it self John 14.6 John 17.6 Abundant in Truth Exod. 34.6 Truth Truth The Lord God of Truth Psal 34.5 A God that cannot lie Titus 1.2 All lying ariseth either from forgetfulness Men break their word because their Memories are slippery but Oblivio non cadit in Deum He is ever mindful of his Word Luke 1.72 To remember his holy Covenant Psal 106.46 Psal 111. 5. He will ever be mindful of his Covenant Or from weakness some would but want power to make good their Promises though they were able when they promised yet they are by some Providence or other disabled before the day of performance comes but the strength of Israel cannot lie 1 Sam. 15.29 The Rock the eternity of Israel cannot lie Or from Wickedness some can but will not make good their words but God cannot be charged with any wickedness Psal 92. ult There is no unrighteousness in him 1 Kings 22.23 Ezek. 14.9 Men may be true Psal 15.4 Angels are true but neither Men nor Angels are true as God is let them be put in the Scales with God And Men of high degree are Vanity and Angels of the highest degree are a Lie to be laid in the Ballance they are altogether lighter then Vanity Psal 62.9 Read over God's Truth in himself and you will see how far Angels come short thereof Are they the Exemplar of all things are all things true as they agree with the Idaea's in their minds Consider his Truth towards his Creatures Can it be said of an Angel as of God The Angel that cannot lie hath promised Titus 1.2 Are they under an absolute impossibility of deceiving Surely if they be considered in themselves it was as possible for them to lie as for the Father of Lies It 's said of God It is impossible for him to lie Heb. 6.18 But this cannot be spoken of Elect Angels considered in themselves God is so true that he onely is true all to him are Lyars Rom. 3.4 Revel 3.7 14. CHAP. IX God incomparable in his Mercy and Patience 7. GOD is incomparable in his Mercy Mercy is an Attribute of God whereby he pittieth and relieveth his Creature in misery It 's an Attribute which relateth to the Creature onely God knoweth himself and loveth himself and glorifieth himself but he is not merciful to himself It is an Attribute that relateth to the Creature in misery Justice seeks a worthy Object Grace is exercised towards an unworthy Object but Mercy looks out for a needy an indigent Object God is bountiful and gracious to Elect Angels because they could not deserve that perfection and happiness which they enjoy but he is not merciful to them for they were never miserable Fallen Man is the proper Object of Mercy as being not only undeserving of the least good but as also having plunged himself into all evil Mercy is an Attribute whereby he pittieth his
and so many Ears to hear for him and so many Hands to work for him but it is a greater Honour to him that he needeth none of them He can do all without them that though they are serviceable to him yet they are not necessary to him For God and all his Creatures do no more can do no more then God without any of his Creatures CHAP. XIV God is incomparable in his Word He speaketh with incomparable Authority Condescension and Efficacy Fourthly GOD is incomparable in his Word He speaketh after an unspeakable manner Never man spake like him no nor Angel his Enemies themselves being Judges John 7.46 Men may speak high and speak holily Angels may speak higher and holier but neither speak like God Behold he exalteth by his Power who teacheth like him Job 36.22 Behold I wonder at it he exalteth by his Power is good at acting who teacheth like him Is good at instructing and best at both and beyond all that ever were Who teacheth like him The words are a Challenge to the whole World Bring forth the Man let me see the Angel that can speak or teach like God He doth not not say Who teacheth beside God There are many Teachers beside God the inanimate Creatures are Teachers the Heavens by their constant regular motion the Earth by its fecundity and fruitfulness according to the law of their Creation teach Man Obedience and Proficiency Isa 48.13 The irrational Creatures are Teachers Man is sent to School to the Ant and Swallow and Oxe and Ass to the Beasts of the Field and the Fowles of the Air to learn Providence and Prudence to learn Wisdom to discern and improve his Opportunities and gratitude to his Father and Benefactor Prov. 6.6 Jer. 7.7 8. Isa 1.5 Job 12.8 9. Men are Teachers one to another Parents and Ministers do or should teach those that are committed to their Charge or Trust Prov. 22.6 Ephes 4.6 Angels are Teachers The Angel taught Daniel and helpt him to understand Dan. 10.14 And surely of all finite they are the most learned and able Masters But he saith Who teacheth like him Though many teach beside God yet none teacheth like God none speaketh like him whether you consider the manner the matter or the effect of his Speech 1. He is incomparable in the manner of his speaking 1. He speaketh authoritatively and in his own Name Good Men and good Angels may command but it must be as subordinate Magistrates in the Name and Authority of their Prince and Soveraign but God commandeth in his own Name and Authority God gives Authentity to what-ever he speaks and he speaks with Authority when he speaks God speaks as one that hath Right and Power to Command and as one that upon his own account expecteth to be obeyed I am the Lord is enough to warrant Obedience to the whole Decalogue Thou shalt have no other God Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image c. For I am the Lord thy God His Authority is the highest the greatest reason of any Precept and the strongest warrant for Obedience Therefore Thou shalt not swear by my Name falsly why I am the Lord Thou shalt not curse the Deaf nor lay a stumbling block before the Blind why not the Deaf cannot hear if I do curse them nor the Blind see if I do lay a stumbling-block before them I am the Lord c. Levit. 19.12 c. It 's said of Christ He taught as one having Authority and not as the Scribes Matth. 7. ult He did not beg attention but enjoyn it nor beseech Obedience but command it As when Princes Enact Laws they do not intreat but require Obedience at the peril of their Subjects This is the Word of the Lord and Thus saith the Lord and the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it is sufficient to awe and require Subjection from all that hear it God is his own Authority not so Men or Angels They speak from God but he from none but himself His Word is a Light Psal 119.104 105. that discovers it self And therefore it is called The Testimony of the Lord Psal 19.7 Because it beareth witness to it self and needeth not testimony from Men or Angels What the essential Word speaketh may be spoken of the declarative Word It receiveth not Testimony from Man John 5.34 Men need Grounds and Reasons and Witnesses too to prove and vouch what they say to be true and to be so as they speak but the Word of God is a sufficient authentick Testimony to it self It 's his own Proof because what Truth it self speaks must of necessity be true 2. He speaketh condescendingly to the condition and understanding of those to whom he speaketh He considereth the Natures and Tempers and Capacities of his Hearers and accordingly speaks to them He doth not as some Ministers speak in an unknown Tongue or soar into the Clouds exceed the Capacities of his Hearers that he might be wondred at not understood but he observeth their Weakness and Infirmities yea their dulness and incapacity and teacheth them as they are able to hear him There are Depths in his Word for Elephants to swim in to tell the World what and how he could speak to exercise our industry and prevent our contempt of it for its plainness and there are Shallows for Lambs to wade through that none might be discouraged Christ is our Priest and the Priests Lips teach knowledge and he is a merciful Priest Heb. 2.16 Condescending in what he teacheth and in the way of his teaching to the capacities of his Hearers In what he teacheth How chary was Christ of charging his Disciples with any thing that they could not brook John 16.12 I have many things to say unto unto you but ye cannot bear them now I have some harder Lessons to teach you but ye are young Schollars and not able yet to learn them till ye have been longer in my School and have attained more ripeness of understanding therefore I will not trouble you now with them but leave them to my Spirit who shall prepare you for them and enable you to learn them Your Stomachs are weak and yet must have that onely which is of light Digestion Milk not strong meat 1 Cor. 3.2 Your Backs are not strong and therefore I will lay on you none but light burdens But ye cannot bear them now and therefore ye shall not hear them now least ye should be offended and discouraged at them When the Jews enquired of Christ why his Disciples did not fast often as well as the Disciples of John and the Pharisees Observe the reason our tender-hearted Lord gives Math. 9.15 16 17. No man saith he puts new Wine into old Bottles least the Wine burst the Bottles or soweth an old Garment to new Cloth least the rent be worse Alas saith he my Disciples are young Beginners Babes in me at best but little Children not strong Men or Fathers and therefore they must not be
but Jehovah onely is the most high Eccles 5.8 He that is higher then the highest considereth For the explication of this Doctrine the truth of it will be evident if we consider the true God and compare him with the highest and most excellent in Heaven and Earth 1. In his Being 2. In his Attributes 3. In his Works 4. In his Word 1. God is incomparable in his Being God hath not onely a Being but an excellency in his Being therefore he is called His Excellency Should not his Excellency make you afraid Job 13.11 And he is said alone to be Excellent Thy Name alone is Excellent Psal 148.13 By Name is meant sometimes any thing whereby God makes himself known Exod. 20.7 But here the Being of God or God himself as Prov. 18.10 The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower i. e. God himself is a strong Tower Psal 76.1 His Name is great in Israel i. e. The Being of the great God is magnified in his Church or among his Chosen Now his Being alone is excellent because there is no such Being as his There is no Being excellent besides his because there is no Being excellent like his He is excellent in all above all and beyond all His Being is such a Being that he alone is and all besides are non entities and no Beings in comparison of him His Name speaks the incomparable nature of his Being And God said unto Moses Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel I am hath sent thee I am I a Being that really is beside whom there is none hath sent thee What Prince what Potentate can say I am What Angel what Arch-Angel can say I am No this is the proper name of Jehovah Therefore when he promiseth himself to be the Reward of his People he doth promise himself under the Notion of Essence Being Substance in opposition to all others which are but Shadows and Nothings to him Prov. 2.7 He layeth up sound Wisdom Hebr. essentiam Essence for the Righteous Prov. 8.21 I will cause them that love me to inherit Substance Junius reads it Vt posside aut id quod est I will cause them that love me to possess that which is God is and all other Beings are not in comparison of him Dan. 4.35 All the Inhabitants of the Earth are reputed as Nothing God is and all others are Nothing yea if it were possible to apprehend it less then Nothing It 's a notable expression of the Holy Ghost to set forth the excellency of Gods Being and the pitifulness meanness and nothingness of all other Beings Isa 40.15 16 17. Behold a note of Attention and Admiration the Nations the Chaldeans that are our Lords and Masters or all Nations of the World be they never so high great strong or glorious are as the drop of a Bucket which falleth from the Bucket or hangeth on it when the water is powred out yet diminisheth not the measure and the small dust of the Ballance which cleaveth to the Scales when the Spice is put out yet altereth not the weight it is so little Behold wonder be amazed at it he taketh up the Isles the great large vast Islands of the World as a very little thing as poor small inconsiderable things All Nations before him are as nothing Not onely the great Islands but also the Continents with the several innumerable Creatures in them are not onely little to this God but as nothing as no Being to his Being and they are counted to him less then Nothing and Vanity Put them in the Scales with God and they are not only leight and without any weight Nothing at all but if Men were capable of concieving any thing less then nothing such were all the World to God Though the World be absolutely somewhat yea very great yet comparatively to God it 's nothing less then Nothing and Vanity CHAP. III. The incomparableness of God in his Being It is from its self for its self and wholly independent THe incomparableness of the Divine Being will appear in several particulars 1. His Being is from himself No Being in the World beside his is its own Cause or Original Angels Men the highest yea the lowest Creatures are derivative Beings They have what they are from another even from God They are drops that flow from the Ocean of all Beings they are Rays derived from the Sun the Fountain of Light and Entity The Apostle tells us That Men are beholden to God for their Beings Acts 17.28 In him we have our Beings They were nothing till he spake them into something He formed and fashioned their Bodies Psal 139. 13 14 15. He created and infused their Souls He put that Heaven-born Inhabitant into the House of Clay Gen. 2.7 Job 10.11 12. The whole visible World is his Workmanship Acts 17.24 God that made the World and all things therein The invisible World are also the effects of his powerful word Angels as well as Men may thank him for what they are The greatest Angel is as much bound to him for his Being as the smallest Atome Coloss 1.16 For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers But God is beholden to none for his Being He was when none else was even from eternity Psal 90.1 Therefore none could contribute the least to his Being I am Jehovah and there is none else besides me Isa 45.5 6. I am he that giveth a being to himself that am what I am from my self and of my self and there is no such Being beside me 2. God is Being that is for himself as he is his own first Cause so he is his own last end as he is wholly from himself so he is wholly for himself All other Beings are not for themselves but for another All things were created by him and for him Coloss 1.16 Since all are from God it is but reason that all should be for God The Rivers that run from the Sea return to the Sea again owning and acknowledging their Original Eccles 1.7 Good Men are for God None of us liveth to himself or dyeth to himself but whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we dye we dye unto the Lord and whether we live or dye we are the Lords Rom. 14.7 Good Angels are for God for his glory Isa 6.3 Evil Men evil Angels are for God though not in their intentions and purposes yet in his intention and by his wise powerful Government of them and their practices Prov. 16.4 The Lord made all things for himself even the Wicked for the day of Slaughter Good Beings are for him intentionally and evil Beings are for him eventually Nay all Beings are for him Of him and through him and for him are all things Rom. 11.36 But God is altogether for himself as his highest end and not for any others He is his own end as well as
infinite being should much affect our hearts Praise ye the Lord Praise him O ye servants of the Lord Praise the name of the Lord Blessed from this time forth and for ever From the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same the Lords name is to be praised why the Lord is high above all Nations and his glory above the Heavens who is like to the Lord our God who dwelleth on high Psal 113.1 to 6. Praise him for his incomparableness in his attributes for the incomparableness of his power O Lord God of Host who is a strong Lord like unto thee Psal 89.8 For the incomparableness of his holiness Who is a God like unto thee glorious in holiness Exod. 15.11 For the incomparableness of his mercy Who is a God like unto thee pardoning iniquity and passing by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage because he delighteth in mercy Praise him for the incomparableness of his Words O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men Psal 107.8.15 21 31. Psal 72.18 Psal 136.4 Praise him for the work of Creation Psal 114.1 2 3 4 5. Job 38.4 5 6. Praise him for his works of Providence Psal 97.8 9. Psal 136. throughout Psal 107. Praise him especially for the work of Redemption Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath visited and redeemed his people Luk. 1.68 Psal 9.1 Rev. 15.3 Praise him for the incomparableness of his Word Wonderful are thy Testimonies Psal 119.129 How often doth the sweet Singer of Israel praise God for them as a singular kindness Psal 147. two last verses He gave his Statutes to Moses his Laws and Commandments to Jacob He hath not dealt so with every Nation Praise ye the Lord. Praise him by admiring him Wonder at his being As they of Christ What manner of man is this that the winds and seas obey him Math. 8.27 What manner of God is this who knoweth no bounds no beginning no succession no addition An amazing admiration of him is an high commendation of him And indeed our silent wondering at his perfections is almost all the worship we can give him Psal 65.1 Praise waiteth for thee O God in Sion Heb. Praise is silent for thee O God in Sion not that praise was dumb or tongue-tyed in Sion for praise in no part of the world speaks higher or louder than in Sion but to shew that when the people of God set themselves to praise him they are struck with amazement and wonder at his matchless being and beauty at his infinite excellencies and perfections and wanting words to express them they sit down in a silent admiration of them Thou wouldst wonder at Adam if he were now alive for his age O wonder at him that is from everlasting to everlasting that is the cause and original of all things that is what he is that is and nothing else is that is all he is in one indivisible point of eternity Wonder at his attributes admire his holiness Behold he putteth no trust in his Servants he chargeth the Angels with folly Job 4.18 Behold wonder at it Again Behold he putteth no trust in his Saints the Heavens are not clean in his sight Job 15.15 Admire his wisdom cry out with the Apostle O the depth of the wisdom and knowledg of God Rom. 11.33 Admire his love Behold what manner of love hath the Father loved us with 1 Joh. 3.1 Admire his power that he can do what he will do Who is a strong Lord like unto thee Psal 89.8 Wonder at his Works Thou art ready to wonder at the rare works of some curious Artist alass all their works are toyes to the works of the mighty Creator and Possessor of Heaven and Earth O Lord how marvellous are thy works Psal 104.24 His work is honourable and glorious Psal 111.3 and worthy thy greatest wonder What a piece is the Creation how marveilous how mysterious Psal 8.1 2 3 4 5. The Heavens declare his glory Psal 19.1 and the earth is full of his goodness Psal 104.24 What a work is Providence read Psal 104. and 107. How many rarities curiosities mysteries are wrapt up in it which are only seen in the other world Psal 77.19 What man is this say they for he commandeth with authority and the unclean Spirits come out of men Mark 1.27 What a Master-piece what rare workmanship indeed is Redemption a work that the Angels are alwayes prying into and wondering at Eph. 3.8 1 Pet. 1.10 Wonder at his Word When thou hearest it dost thou not perceive a Majesty and Authority awing thy Conscience accompanying it And they were all amazed and astonished at his Doctrine Luk. 4.32 The very Officers who were sent to apprehend Christ could not but wonder at his words and returned to them who set them a work Never man spake as he spake Joh. 7.47 There are great things in the Law of God Hosea 8.12 things that are wonderful Psal 119.18 which may well be wondered at And all saith the Evangelist bare him witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth Luk. 4.22 Praise him by speaking alwayes highly and honourably of him If his name alone be excellent take heed that thou dost not take his excellent name in vain Thy apprehensions of him must be ever high and thy expressions of him honourable Thy Tongue is therefore call'd thy glory because therewith thou mayest glorifie thy God Psal 57.8 Never speak of God rashly or at random without a serious consideration of whom thou speakest and let thy expressions of him and to him be becoming his vast perfections Ascribe greatness to our God Deut. 32.3 Speak honourably of his being So Moses Exod. 15.11 Who is a God like unto thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises So Solomon 1 Kings 8.23 Lord God of Israel there is no God like unto thee in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath So David 1 Chron. 29.11 Speak honourably of his attributes Psal 68.34 of his power mercy truth justice wisdom and holiness Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts Isa 6.3 Speak honourably of his words Psal 86.8 Among all the Gods there is none like unto thee neither are there any works like unto thy works Psal 145.10 Speak honourably of his Word The Commandments of the Lord are pure Psal 19.7 Thy word is very pure The Statutes of the Lord are right Psal 19.10 The Law is holy just and good Rom. 7.12 Though Paul's corruption took occasion by the Laws prohibitions to become the more unruly as the water at a Bridge roars the more for the stop yet he dares not lay the least fault upon the Law but layeth all upon himself was the Law Sin God forbid v. 7. Far be it from me to have the least such thought No the Law is holy but I am carnal sold under sin v. 14. So when he speaketh of the Gospel how honourably doth he speak of it
ever gave to him They who give to him their Love and Fear and Trust and Names and Estates give nothing to him We can give nothing to him to whom we owe all Besides all we have and are and do and suffer for him addeth nothing to him His declarative glory may but his essential glory or glorious essence admits not in the least of any increase or decrease But no other Being is absolutely perfect Men are exceeding imperfect since their Falls They are so far from being above all additions that they stand in continual need of Additions They need the Air to breath in the Earth to bear them Food to strengthen them Rayment to cover them Fire to warm them Sleep to refresh them They want Righteousness to justifie them the Holy Ghost to sanctifie them Love to comfort them and Mercy to save them Man is an heap of Infirmities an Hospital of Diseases and a bundle of Imperfections He is so far from being absolutely perfect that in a moral consideration since his Apostacy he is not perfect in his kind And though Angels are more perfect then Men yet they are imperfect to God Angels 't is true are perfect in their kind but not perfect in all kinds something may be added to them something may be taken from them The highest Angel may be higher and the holiest Angel may be holier and the best of them may be better Though the Stars differ from each other in brightness and glory yet none of them is a Sun Though Angels differ from Men and each from others in honour and excellency yet none of them is a god none of them is absolutely perfect 5. God is an universal Being he hath all good eminently and virtually in himself Whatsoever excellencies are scattered and dispersed among the Creatures in Heaven or in Earth they are all united in and centered after an infinite manner in the Creator It 's a true Rule in Phylosophy Quod efficit tale est magis tale Whatsoever good is in the effect is more abundantly in the cause Now God being the principle and cause of all the good and excellency that is in every Creature it must of necessity be more abundantly in him As some Potions have the quintessence of many Herbs many Drugs in them so God hath the quintessence of all Creatures and infinitely more in him For this cause he is called by and compared to whatsoever is good and answerable either to necessity conveniency or delight Sometimes to that good which is necessary as to life John 1.4 To the Fountain of life Psal 36.9 To Light John 1.9 To the Father of Lights James 1.17 To Food as to Bread yea living Bread John 6.51 To water yea living water John 4.10 To Rest Return to thy Rest O my Soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee Psal 116.7 He is the onely Ark wherein alone the Dove wearied about the waters of this World can find rest Sometimes he is compared to that good which is convenient as to an Habitation Psal 90.9 10. O Lord thou hast been our dwelling-place from all Generations To Health Psal 42. ult To Peace 2 Cor. 13.11 To Protection or Defence as a Shield which defends the Body from the shot or thrusts of men Gen. 15.1 To a Wall of Fire which defends the Traveller from the fury of Beasts Zechar. 2.5 To a Refuge which secures the Army when 't is foy'ld by the Enemy Psal 57.1 To a Rock a Fortress an high Tower Psal 18.2 Sometimes he is compared to that good which is delightful As to Riches Job 22.24 25. To unsearchable Riches Eph. 3.8 Durable Riches Prov. 8.18 To Honour and Glory as a Royal Diadem He is called a glorious Lord Isa 33.21 Said to be the Glory in the midst of his People Zach. 2.5 To joy and pleasure Psal 43.4 To Relations he is a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 An Husband Hos 2.19 To a Feast of fat things of Marrow and Fatness of Wine of Wine on the Lees well refined Isa 25.6 Which are the delight of the Pallat To Beauty which is the delight of the Eyes Cantic 5.10 ult To sweet Smells which are the delight of the Nostrils Cantic 4.10 Cantic 1.3 To the most harmonious Musick which is the delight of the Ears His mouth is most sweet or sweetnesses Cantic 5.16 My Soul failed when he spake so ravishing was his Voyce Cantic 5.6 To Truth which is the delight of the Understanding Psal 31.5 John 14.6 To Good which is the delight of the Will Math. 19.17 Thus God is not one good but all good The truth is all the good all the excellencies that are in Men or Angels are not worthy to be a shadow or foyl to set off those excellencies that are in God All good is in one God Mark 10.29 30. But Creatures are but particular Beings Man is but a particular Being a low limited Being What is Man that is a Worm or the Son of Man that is a Worm Job 25.6 There is some good in one man and some good in another man but not all good in any man no not in all men Angels are but particular Beings little Beings One Angel is one drop another Angel another drop a third Angel a third drop every one is but a drop None of them is an Ocean as God is which containeth all those drops and infinitely more 6. God is an unchangeable Being not only without but uncapable of the least alteration He is the same Yesterday to Day and for Ever Heb. 13.8 He is what he was and what he will be eternally He is the same since the World was made that he was before the World and that he will be when this World shall be no more With him is not the least variation or shadow of turning James 1.17 No 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or variableness It is an Astronomical word taken from the heavenly Bodies which suffer many Declensions and Revolutions which they call Parallaxes Though those heavenly Lights are variable have their increases and decreases their times of rising and setting yet our Father of Lights is not variable He knoweth no rising or setting no increasing or decreasing but shineth alwayes with the same light and lustre with the same beauty and brightnesse Nor shadow of Turning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The lesser Luminaries or Stars according to their different Postures have divers shadowings or obumbrations according to their nearness to or distance from the Sun their shadows are greater or lesser but our Sun is still the same knoweth no clouding no shadowing no eclipsing When God hates those Angels as Apostates whom first he loved as created pure and holy he is still the same the change is not in God but in them Bring Clay to the Sun it hardens it bring Wax to the Sun with the same influence it softens it without any alteration in the Sun When God punisheth a Man that is wicked and prospereth the same Man becoming a Penitent he
called presently to the Austerities or Severities of Religion least they poor Souls should be discouraged in their Work and faint under it I must proportion their Burden to their Backs and lead them their own pace as they are able to go at present Hereafter indeed they shall be called to suffer great things for my Names sake they shall be hated and persecuted of all men but then they shall be fitted for those Severities and undergoe them with courage but yet such deep Points and obscure Notions must not be offered to Novices In the way of his teaching he is very tender and condescending He accommodates his Discourse to their Apprehension Mark 4.33 He spake as they were able to bear it Not as he was able to speak he was able to read Lectures above the capacities of Angels but as they were able to bear it Therefore he spake so much to them in Parables because they might the better understand him For though a Parable would make Truth more obscure and so Parables and Dark-Sayings are conjoyn'd Psal 7.78 and to speak in Parables is oppos'd to speaking plainly John 16.26 John 16.29 yet a Parable reveal'd unvail'd as Christ did usually to his Disciples Matth. 13.17 37. makes Truth more clear It gives us the advantage of viewing heavenly Truth in earthly Glasses the Species and Reflections of which we are most able to conceive Therefore our Saviour saith If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not or cannot understand how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly John 3.12 The Instructions of Christ were like Water Deut. 32.2 which he powred into those narrow-mouth'd Vessels by little and little as they were able to receive it or as Rain which he distil'd on his Hearers as Rain on the mown Grass by drops and drop after drop to refresh them not by Floods to drown them Jacob consider'd the Children were young and the Cattel were with young therefore drove gently least by over-driving he should wrong them Gen. 33.13 So our Lord Jesus considereth what Men are how impotent and infirm and will not over-drive over-do least he should undo them Isa 28.9 10. He gives Precept upon Precept Line upon Line Here a little there a little Will Men or Angels teach with such compassion with such condescension It is a Rule of one of the Ancients That he who will teach Children must himself be a Child He must frame and fashion himself to them and be as one of them or else he will never teach them How soon would the dulness and untowardness of Man tire out the patience of Men and Angels and provoke them to give over teaching them God's incomparableness herein is fully proved in the incomparableness of God in his Patience in Chap. 10. 3. He speakes effectually As he hath Power to command us so he hath Power to enable us to obey his Commands Men and Angels may tell Men their Duty but they cannot teach Men their Duty they cannot strengthen them or impower them to obey He speaketh so as Men hear and believe and live He that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me John 6.45 We have a saying Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius Every man will not make a Mercury Some so dull and blockish that none can improve them or do good upon them i. e. no Creature can Isa 32.4 but God can make the dull the blind the most ignorant to conceive and consider and apprehend and understand the darkest and most difficult Points by speaking to them Isa 48.17 He teacheth to profit There is a Power that accompanieth his teaching that doth the Work When he saith Let there be Light in a dark Mind there is Light it is so He is a God that commandeth Light to shine out of Darkness 2 Cor. 4.6 When he saith Let there be life in that dead Soul there is life it is so John 5.24 Men and Angels may call long enough to the Blind to see and the Dead to live and all in vain But if a God say to a Sinner that lyeth rotting in the Grave almost eaten up of the Vermine of Lusts unsavory and stinking in the eyes of all men Lazarus Sinner come forth of thy cursed carnal condition The man that was bound Hand and Foot manacled and fetter'd by the Devil his Jaylor comes forth is loosed of his Bonds and lives for ever As the Mariners said of Christ He speaketh with Authority and commandeth the Winds and Seas and they obey him What manner of Man is this Math. 8.27 So I may say O what manner of God is this for he speaks with Authority and the high winds of violent Passions and the fierce Waters of boisterous Corruptions and they obey him they fly they fall before him Can Men or Angels speak at this rate will Sin die at their word will the Soul live at their command How long may they call to Sinners to arise from the Dead before they will before they can answer their call But if God speaks the most obstinate hardened Sinner obeyeth his Voice submitteth to his Will and yieldeth himself up to his Word nay the very Devils are forced to leave their beloved Mansions the Souls of Men and to seek and setttle their Habitations elsewhere He commandeth and the unclean Spirits come out of Men Matth. 8.32 If he please but to say Get thee behind me Satan that Prince of the Powers of the Air that god of the World who crows so much on his own Dunghill the Hearts of the Unregenerate sneakes away like a Coward and must in spight of his Teeth obey his Command Math. 4.10 11. Yea God ejecteth him with a word speaking out of his strongest Holds the Souls of old sensless seared Sinners and leads Captivity captive and makes this Jaylor who laid so many in Irons his Prisoner and Captive CHAP. XV. God is incomparable in his Word In its Purity Mysteries Prophesies 2. GOd is incomparable in the matter of his speech as well as in his manner of speaking If you consider the Purity Mysteries or Predictions thereof 1. The Purity of its Precepts His Word is the most pure perfect exact Rule of Righteousness that is imaginable It commandeth good nothing but good and all good at all times It forbiddeth evil all evil and nothing but evil and alwayes The Commandment is holy and the Law is holy just and good Rom. 7.12 Holy as it is a Copy of the Divine Will Just as it is correspondent to the highest reason Good as it is most beneficial to the rational Creature It is holy as it relates our Duty to God Just as it respects our Duty to our Neighbours Good as it concerns our Duty towards our Selves It is Holy as consecrated to the Service of God Just as a transcript of the pure Law of Nature Good as it is the measure and standard of all goodness in the Creatures It is Holy in what it enjoyns us to do
least conduce to thy comfort or happiness Now possibly thou canst be merry enough without God thou hadst rather have his room than his company preferrest a life without him before a life with him and sayest unto him Depart from me I desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 21.14 And the reason of this Atheism and Prophaneness is thine ignorance thou knowest not what a fountain of life what bowels of love what an hive of sweetness what an ocean of happiness the blessed incomparable God is neither believest what Scripture speaks hereof but when once thou enterest into the other world and hast lost this God irrecoverably thou shalt know what thou hast lost but then if ever that saying of the wise man will be verified He that encreaseth knowledge encreaseth sorrow Eccles 1.18 And then thou shalt believe the truth of the glass of Scripture in its representations of the beautiful face of God though thy faith will be the faith of a Devil to thy terror and torment Ah Sinner when thou shalt know and believe what a vast treasure what a River of pleasure what a perfect good what fulness of joy what solid comfort what real satisfaction what a weight of glory thou hast lost for ever without the least hopes and possibility of regaining and lost for base vile sordid lusts for a little foolish brutish momentany pleasure what thoughts thinkest thou will then seize thee what anguish and remorse surprize thee Ah how wilt thou loath and hate and curse thy self for thy folly and madness thou wilt gnash thy teeth for envy at them that sit at Heavens Table feasting with the fruit of the tree of life and drinking of the pure Rivers of water which flow from the throne of God and the Lamb and thou wilt weep and wail for thy own distraction that thou shouldst refuse the offers of all those dainties and delicates and delights when they were made to thee in the day of thy life that thou shouldst shut thy own mouth and wilfully refuse all those rich and costly Cordials and shut the door of heaven and happiness against thee with thine own hands Ah Sinner little little dost thou know at the present what it is to lose this God Other losses may be corrective but this is destructive God whips in others but he Executes in this Other losses may be the part of his Children but this is the Portion of Devils All joy all comfort is stab'd to the heart pierced through the heart blood of it is let out with this one word sharper than any two-edged Sword Depart Write this man comfortless as it was said of one Jer. 22. ult a man that shall not prosper all his dayes Write this poor Soul comfortless a Soul that shall not have a bit of bread a drop of water a glimpse of light a moments ease or crum of comfort all the long day of eternity Ah Friend think of it betimes Woe be to thee if God depart from thee Hos 9.12 2. Their misery consisteth in this also that they shall have this incomparable God for their enemy As there is no friend like God and therefore their privative misery must be great exceeding great unconceivably great so there is no enemy like God and therefore the positive misery of Sinners must be matchless and beyond all comparisons The greater any ones power and anger are the greater their misery is who fall under the stroak of that power and the force of that anger God is incomparable in power he worketh arbitrarily irresistably omnipotently he hath a mighty and an almighty arm God is incomparable in anger his anger roots up pulls down kills makes horrid slaughters removeth the mountains shaketh the foundations of the earth is a consuming fire burning and wasting all that comes near it Thou even thou art to be feared Psal 90. for none may stand when thou art angry Woe therefore to them that have this God for their Enemy it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 12.23 David chose rather to fall into the hands of God than men 2 Sam. 24.14 because he was a child of God though afflicted sharply by him for love can consist with anger though not with hatred and therefore desired since he must be scourged to be whipt by a loving Father who would consider his strength what he could bear as well as his fault and offence and accordingly use his rod rather than by a cruel enemy who hated him and had not the least mercy or pity for him Beside this world is the Stage whereon the mercy of God acteth its part Justice must have its course and solemn triumph in the other world He is here good to all his Sun shineth and Rain falleth upon the just and unjust Ps 145.9 Math. 5.45 Therefore it 's better for any man upon earth to fall into the hands of God than the best Friend or nearest Relation in the world But the Sinner is the object only of Gods wrath of his hatred of his abhorrency after death God then puts off all pity all tenderness all bowels towards him and the other world is the place wherein his Justice that is now clouded and eclipsed shall shine forth in its full force and strength and appear in all its beauty and brightness And therefore it must of necessity be a fearful thing for a poor creature to fall into the hands of the living God to have nothing but his naked flesh his own weak Soul to bear the stroak of infinite power set on and urged to strike home by infinite anger and that for ever All the wrackings and torturings the extream pains and aches the violent Convulsions and consternations the dreadful horror and anguish the everlasting chains of darkness the never dying worm and the fire that never goeth out of the Devils and damned are but the expressions and fruits of the matchless power and anger of this incomparable God Therefore they are called Wrath Rom. 2.4 the wrath of God John 3. ult and wrath to come 1 Thess 1. ult Reader think of it if the wrath of a King a man like thy self though cloathed with more civil power and strength be as the roaring of a Lyon which makes all the Beasts of the Forrest to quake and tremble Amos 3.6 Prov. 10.12 what then is the wrath of an Almighty infinite God If he wound his friends the objects of his eternal choice the travail of his Beloved Sons Soul those on whom he intendeth to glorifie the riches of his love and grace for ever in the day of his anger for their disobedience with the wound of an enemy yea with the wounds of a cruel one Jer. 30.14 if he break their bones and cause the Arrow of his Quiver to enter into their Reins if he fill their Souls with bitterness and make them drunk with wormwood if he makes them water their Couches with Tears and go mourning all the day
somtimes he calls it the glorious Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 the mysteries of the Gospel Eph. 6.19 the word of Truth 1 Coloss 5. Praise him by walking circumspectly and closely with him Live alwayes as one that believeth he hath at all times to do with this incomparable God and is created and preserved and redeemed to shew forth the praise of this God When the Psalmist had admired the incomparableness of this God in his being and doings Psal 86.8 he presently subjoyns v. 9. All Nations whom thou hast made shall come and glorifie thy name and worship before thee For thou art great and dost wondrous things thou art God alone O Friend this incomparable God must have incomparable obedience Be still and know that I am God Psal 46.10 Be still be quiet O sinner cease forbear any farther to offend me and know that I am God incomparable in knowledge acquainted with all thy wayes and works inward outward secret private publick incomparable in holiness and perfectly hate all thy wickedness incomparable in power able to revenge my self on thee every moment to turn thee body and soul into hell incomparable in justice and will by no means clear the guilty yet incomparable in mercy and will accept and receive Prodigals that sensible of their folly and filthiness return home to me their Father in the Son of my love Be still sinner Know this that I am God and obey my Laws But I have spoken more fully of this in the informations only remember that the praise of thy life is the life of thy praise because hereby thou dost in some measure represent the excellencies of this incomparable God visible to the world 1 Pet. 2.9 Math. 5.18 Offering praise and ordering the conversation aright are joyned together by God himself and let not us part them asunder Psal 50. last verse but one To help thee a little that thou mayst give God the praise of his incomparable perfections Consider 1. This God is excellency it self he is not only excellent Psal 8.1 and alone excellent Psal 148.13 but excellency Job 13.11 Should not his excellency make thee affraid nay he is greatness of excellency Exod. 15.7 nothing but excellency 1 Joh. 1.6 Now think with thy self what honour is due to one that is excellent alone excellent excellency it self and nothing but excellency Can thy highest honour be high enough or thy most excellent praises be excellent enough for such an excellency 2. This God is the standard of all excellency Nothing is excellent but because of its relation or likeness to him Every thing is more or less excellent as it is more or less related or conformable to him Saints are the excellent of the earth Psal 16.3 more excellent than their neighbours Prov. 12.26 but it is because of his affection to them Since thou art precious in my sight thou art honourable The excellency of Jacob whom he loved Isa 43.4 and because of their relation and likeness to him Deut. 33.29 1 Pet. 2.9 Psal 48.2 3. The Scriptures are the most excellent of books none like them I have written unto thee excellent things Prov. 22.20 But what 's the reason Surely because they are the word of God Eph. 3.16 his mind 2 Cor. 2. ult All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.18 The Sabbath is the most excellent of days the queen of days the golden spot of the week because it is his day set apart by him and devoted to him My holy day the holy of the Lord honourable Isa 58.13 Grace is excellent the beauty and glory of the creature Prov. 4.7 2 Cor. 3.18 more excellent than gold or fine gold than rubies or pearls Prov. 3.14 15. but why because it 's his Image it 's a conformity to his nature 2 Pet. 1.4 2 Cor. 3.18 When the Holy Ghost would render any thing excellent he mentions it with relation to God The Cedars of God the City of God the Trees of God the Mountains of God c. that is the most excellent Cedars Cities Trees and Mountains 3. He is so excellent that even Angels vail their faces in his presence The excellent Cherubims Seraphims who are spotless in their natures and faultless in their lives who are the highest and honourablest and ancientest House of the Creation who as his special friends and favourites are allowed to wait on him continually to behold him face to face and to enjoy him fully and perfectly yet these Angels vail their faces before him as it were ashamed of their Star-light in the Presence of the Sun and their drops in the presence of the Ocean Isa 6.1 2 3. I saw the Lord sitting on a Throne high and lifted up about it stood the Seraphims each had six wings with twain he did fly with twain he cover'd his feet with twain he cover'd his face To cover the face is a sign or fruit of bashfulness as in Rebekah Gen. 24.65 The face of an Angel is void of all spots and wrinkles it is full of beauty and brightness a most excellent face And all the Councel looking stedfastly on him beheld his face as if it had been the face of an Angel Acts 6. ult yet this face as excellent as it is they cover as it were ashamed of it before that God who alone is excellent 4. He is so incomparably excellent that he humbleth himself to take notice of his perfect Spirits his heavenly host and their perfect Service in Heaven It is not only great and infinite condescention with him to observe the highest persons on earth as Kings and Princes and the holiest persons on earth as the most eminent Saints and the highest and holiest performances of these Saints but it is boundless humiliation in him to look upon with the least respect the perfect Spirits of just men the Principalities and Powers that are in Heaven and their pure perfect Worship and Service Psal 113.5 6. Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven 5. He is so incomparably excellent that he is above the highest adoration and worship of his Creatures Worship is the most high and honourable of all our works Blessing and Praising God is the most high and honourable act of worship therefore this is that part of worship which suits the highest and honourablest state of the Creature in Heaven and must continue for ever As all our graces of faith and hope and patience c. shall e're long be melted into love and joy and delight so all our duties of Confession Petition Hearing and Reading the Word receiving the Sacraments shall all be melted into Praise and Thanksgiving Rev. 7.11 12. And the Angels and Elders that stood about the throne fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped saying Amen Blessing and honour and thanksgiving be unto our God for ever and therefore David calls upon Angels and the Heavenly Host to praise God Psal