Scriptures He shall teach you all things and shall bring my Words to your Remembrance he shall take of mine and shew it unto you c. that is he shall open and explain my Word and Doctrine to you How ignorant are some Men of the Scriptures and of those glorious Mysteries contained therein notwithstanding all their humane Learning or that Knowledg they have of Hebrew Greek and Latine for want of the Spirit 's Teaching VIII So the Holy Ghost exerciseth much Patience towards Sinners whom he comes to teach and instruct in the way of Salvation Mankind being generally very dull and unapt to learn the Knowledg of themselves Sin Christ and Salvation therefore he drops now a Word and then a Word for their Conviction IX So many Men that the Holy Ghost hath shewed much Love unto and laboured greatly with have notwithstanding slighted and disregarded all his Counsel and Instruction like as Israel did of old Thou gavest them thy good Spirit to instruct them and withheld not thy Manna from their Mouth c. X. So the Holy Ghost who laboured to instruct the old World finding they were grown to a fearful degree of Hardness Rebellion and Obstinacy utterly refusing to return or be reformed after he had waited many Years upon them left them to perish in their Sins God declaring sometimes before the Flood came upon them That his Spirit should not always strive with Man and in like manner the Spirit deals with stubbâ—â—rn obstinate Sinners for after long-waiting and abused Patience he leaves them and gives them utterly up to their own Heart's Lust and to walk in their own Counsel XI The Holy Ghost is such a great Blessing to the Church and People of God nay and unto Sinners too that there can come no greater Judgment upon them than to be deprived of this sacred and heavenly Teacher tho it is sad with the Church When her Teachers are removed into a Corner and her Eyes see them not yet we had better lose all other Teachers and that utterly than lose this great Teacher only for tho he is pleased to make use of them he can teach effectually and savingly without them were they removed and taken away but they cannot teach without him unto the least spiritual Advantage and those who pretend to be Teachers of others and yet despise his Teaching-Assistance will once find they undertook a Work which was none of theirs Inferences IS the Holy Ghost the great Teacher how dare any then reproach and villify him or slight his Teaching or those who are lead and instructed by him 2. It may also stir up all Persons to a readiness and willingness of Heart and Mind to be taught and instructed by him Quest. How may we know say some the Spirit 's Teachings who are they that are taught and instructed by him Answ. This you may take as an undoubted Truth that The Spirit never teacheth any thing contrary to the written Word because so the World might be at a certainty about a good and true Teacher in matters of Religion the Spirit hath left us the holy Scripture and he always teacheth as that teacheth opening and explaining what dark and obscure things are contained therein so that he that walketh faithfully up to the written Word is lead and taught by the Spirit Quest. But doth not the Apostle say We have an Vnction from the holy One and know all things and need not that any Man teach us We need no other Teacher therefore but the Spirit Answ. That is a great Mistake and apparent wresting of the Text for the Spirit of God that holy Unction was in the Primitive Saints in a more glorious measure than he is in any now and yet Christ called forth and ordained divers other Teachers for them who were to build them up in their most holy Faith And the things saith Paul to Timothy that thou hast heard of me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to Faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also A Gospel-Ministry is to abide till Christ's second Coming they are appointed for the gathering together building up and perfecting of the Saints until we all come into the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man c. Therefore the meaning of the Holy Ghost in that Place is this We need not that any Man teach us but as that Anointing teacheth if any Man teach us such and such things that are not written things that the Spirit never taught in the Word of God we ought not to hearken to them we need no Teaching but that which is according to the Spirit 's Teachings and agreeable to its Blessed Rule left upon Record viz. the Holy Scriptures of Truth The Holy-Spirit compared to a Dove Mat. 3.16 And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighted on him The Holy-Spirit is represented by a Dove or appeared in the shape of a Dove and may in some things be resembled thereto Simile A Dove is a Bodily Substance or hath a Subsistence of his own II As at the beginning of the Creation saith a Reverend Divine the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incubabat came and fell on the Waters cherished the whole and communicating a prolifick and vivifick Quality unto it as a Fowl or Dove in particular gently moves it self upon its Eggs until with and by its generative Warmth it hath communicated vital Heat unto them III. A Dove is a meek harmless and innocent Creature Be ye as harmless as Doves IV. A Dove hath a quick sharp Sight or Eye as it is hinted Cant. 1.6 chap. 4.1 V. A Dove brought Tidings to Noah of the ceasing of the Flood of Waters and so consequently that the Wrath of God was abated likewise VI. A Dove is a most swift Creature hence David crys out O that I had the Wings of a Dove then would I fly away and be at rest Parallel SO the Holy Ghost hath a personal Existence It was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a bodily Shape and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a Dove II. So now saith he at the Entrance of the new Creation the Spirit comes as a Dove upon Christ who was the immediate Author of it and virtually comprized it in himself carrying it on by virtue of his Presence with him and so this is applyed in the Syriack Ritual of Baptism composed by Severinus And the Spirit of Holiness descended flying in the likeness of a Dove and rested upon him and moved on the Waters III. So the Holy Spirit is of a most sweet meek pure and Dove-like Disposition the Perfection of all excellent Qualities being in him as well as upon the Dove Christ as he was figured forth thereby IV. The Holy Spirit hath a quick and sharp Sight can discern the very Thoughts and Intents of the Heart what can be hid from his Eyes before whom all
We shall here only speak of the Word as it is compared to a Hammer Simile A Hammer is a fit Instrument to break Rocks and beat Stones in pieces c. II. A Hammer can do nothing of it self without the hand that uses it III. According to the Strength Design and Wisdom of the Work-Man a Hammer doth effect this or that c. IV. A Hammer is not only a fit Instrument to break things in pieces withall but also to drive home Nails c. and to clench and fasten them also Parallel THe Word of God is prepared by the Almighty as a fit means to break in pieces the stony and rocky Hearts of Sinners II. The Word of God cannot of it self break in pieces the Sinner's Heart God must use it by the hand of the Spirit if ever it accomplish that for which he sent it III. So according to the Design Wisdom and Strength the Holy Ghost is pleased to put forth upon the Heart of a Sinner is the nature of the VVork that is effected or accomplished thereby VI. So the Word of God in the hand of the Spirit is very useful to drive home and fasten 1. The Nails of Conviction 2. To drive home and fasten Precepts 3. To drive home and fasten Promises God is the great Master of Assemblies who fastens the Words of the Wise as Goads and Nails given from one Shepherd Inferences EXamine your selves have you experienced the Word to be like a Hammer 1. Have you been broken in pieces by it have you been under Grief and Trouble for your Sins 2. Are you broken off from your Sins 3. Are your Hearts soft 4. Hath the Word and Spirit of God fastened Convictions so upon you that you cannot get free of them Do they abide like a Nail in a sure place Have the Precepts of God in like manner been drove home that you cannot rest till you have submitted to them Have Promises been so fastened as that you do believe and stedfastly apply them to your own Souls II. If you would have the Word of God break your hard and rocky Hearts then 1. Consider the Severity of it touching the Threatnings thereof Gal. 3.10 Mark 16.16 Luk. 13.5 2. Consider what hath been executed upon such who break the Word 1. Adam 2. The old World 3. Korah and his Company Those that broke Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy under two or three Witnesses Heb. 10.28 3. Consider the Truth of the Word Mat. 5.18 Job 36.17 Luk. 21.22 4. The Power and Authority of the Word 5. The Torments of the Damned 6. Read often and consider the Sufferings of Christ. 7. Cry to God that he would be pleased to take the Hammer of the Word into the hand of his Spirit and smite your rocky Hearts See Simile stony and rocky Heart The Word of God the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God TWO things may be inquired into and in both these respects we shall run the Parallel 1. Why the VVord of God is compared to a Sword 2. VVhy the VVord is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. Some take as Mr. Gurnall observes the Abstract here to be put for the Concrete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sword of the Spirit for the spiritual Sword as if it were no more but take the spiritual Sword which is the VVord of God according to that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty that is spiritual VVeapons Indeed Satan being a Spirit must be fought with spiritual VVeapons and such is the VVord of God viz. a spiritual Sword but this tho true reacheth not the full sence of the Place where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken Personaliter for the Person of the Holy Spirit METAPHOR A Sword is a Weapon generally made use of by all Souldiers of every Rank and Quality the Captain as well as the ordinary Souldier hath and ought to have his Sword II. A Sword is a Weapon by which they do not only defend themselves but also do great Execution upon their Enemies III. A Sword is a keen sharp piercing Weapon it will enter into the Body and pierce the very Heart of a Man IV. A Sword is an honourable Weapon and of great Antiquity it hath been in use from the beginning a Weapon that no Enemy hath any just cause to quarrel with V. Some Swords have two Edges they will cut both ways they will cut backwards and forwards as they go in and as they come out VI. A Sword will cut off a Member many a Leg and Arm have been cut off therewith VII Some Wounds of a Sword are so mortal that there is no cure for them VIII A Sword is born oft-times before a Magistrate to signify Authority and Justice He bears not the Sword in vain IX A Sword is a very victorious Weapon it hath done great Execution in the World Joshua made great Slaughter upon the seven Nations of Canaan with the Sword it is said he put all the Souls in several Cities to the Edg of the Sword Parallel THE VVord of God the spiritual Sword every Christian of what Rank or Quality soever maketh use of and cannot ought not to be without it the Captain General fought with this VVeapon himself Ministers as well as every private Christian ought always to be armed herewith II. So the VVord of God is a spiritual VVeapon by which a Christian doth not only defend himself from the danger of Sin and Satan the VVorld c. but by it he offends yea cuts down and overcomes and vanquishes all these and other cruel Enemies of the Soul 1. The VVord is a defensive VVeapon Saith David By the Word of thy Lips I have kept me from the Paths of the Destroyer Vnless thy Law had been my Delight I should have perished in my Affliction 2 Offensive by it our blessed Captain made the Prince of Darkness fly It is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God III. The Word of God is sharper than any Sword If the Spirit uses it it will soon enter into and pierce the Heart of a Sinner as appears by that notable Instance concerning those Jews that put the Lord Jesus to death whilst Peter preached the VVord to them it is said they were pricked in their Hearts IV. The Word of God is an honourable VVeapon our Saviour and all holy Prophets and good Men would never else have made use of it it is also of great Antiquity the Writings of Moses as it is observed by divers were before any humane Records No Devil nor vile Heretick hath any cause to except against it or to quarrel with the Holy Scripture V. The VVord of God is quicK and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword it hath a twofold Operation at one time as it is used by the Ministers of the Gospel it wounds the
to be better rooted in Grace and strengthned in Holiness VII So when the Word of God is early received in the Love of it when a young Person is sanctified in the Bud Grace many times flourishes more abundantly Such have treat Advantage above others Long Experience tends much to the strengthning of Grace enabling the Soul to hold out in an evil Day It was a great Advantage to Timothy that he knew the Holy Scriptures from a Child VIII The Seed of God's Word which the Son of Man by his faithful Ministers soweth in the Ministration of the Gospel falls oftentimes upon a hard and rocky-hearted Sinner who tho he receive the Word with much seeming Joy yet in time of Persecution falls away Because of the Word be is offended Others like thorny Ground receive the Seed but the Cares of this World and the Deceitfulness of Riches choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful The other hear the Word and understand it not then cometh the Devil called the Fowl of the Air and catcheth away that which was sown in the Heart This is he that receiveth Seed by the High-way-side IX So the Fruitfulness of the Word in Mens Hearts depends upon Christ's gracious blessing and shining upon it and the Spirits bedewing and watering it 'T is God that gives the Increase X. So when the Word of God is received in truth into the Heart Sin and Corruption will if not carefully weeded out spring up and hinder the Growth of the spiritual Seed Hence the Apostle gives charge to the Saints That they should look diligently lest any fail of the Grace of God lest any Root of Bitterness spring up and trouble them XI So none but honest and sincere Christians stand in the Day of Trial and bring forth Fruit unto Eternal Life XII So such as God hath sent to preach his Word do diligently attend their Ministry early and late in season and out of season as knowing that their Labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. XIII Even so hath the Seed of the Word been sown in all Ages notwithstanding the Storms have beaten and the Wind of Persecution hath blown very roughly sometimes one way and sometimes another yet this hath not in the least prevented the sowing of the spiritual Seed of the Word XIV How plentifully hath the Word of God been preached in England and in other Countries and how plentifully was this spiritual Seed dispersed by the Apostles and Servants of Christ They went every where preaching the Word Which is come unto you as it is in all the World and brings forth Fruit as it doth also in you since the day ye heard of it and knew the Grace of God in truth METAPHOR SOme Men either through want of Judgment or to save Charge sow bad Seed such as will not bear much Fruit although the Ground whereon it is sown be never so good II. No Seed that Men sow can be at all fruitful or yield encrease except the Plow go before to break up the Ground which the Seed cannot do of it self by any Art of Man III. Many Men have sowed good Seed and that upon good Ground and it hath taken Root and flourished and yet by some Accident or other they have had a bad Harvest brought but little Corn into the Barn or sometimes none at all IV. The Seed which Men sow is not quickned except it die Disparity But the Seed of the Word of God is good Seed and was never sown into good Ground that is a good and honest Heart but it took Root and became fruitful as all true Believers have experienced II. But the Word of God through the mighty Operation of the Spirit is not only Seed but also the spiritual Plow by which the fallow Ground of the Heart is broken up and made fit for it self to sink into and take deep Root there III. But never was the Seed of God's Word sown in a good and honest Heart taking Root there and flourishing but a blessed Harvest always followed nay tho they sow in Tears they shall reap in Joy He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious Seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his Sheaves with him IV. But the Word of the Lord dieth not but liveth and abideth for ever The Words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life Inferences IT may inform us that the Cause why some Persons fall away and turn with the Dog to his Vomit and with the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire is Because they were never sincere nor upright in Heart The honest and upright Soul falls not away cannot fall so as never to rise again but brings forth Fruit to everlasting Life as our Saviour clearly shews II. O then let Men and Women take heed to their own Hearts and see whether they were ever throughly broken in the sight and sence of their Sin The Word and Gospel must first be as a Plow unto them to break up the stony and fallow Ground of their Hearts before like Seed the Word can be received by them III. Remember that notwithstanding a poor Soul may meet with many Storms and go through much Difficulty and Trouble both within and without rise early and lie down late whilst he keeps his Hand on the Lord's Plow in this Seeds-Time of the Word yet the Harvest will make amends for all You that have sowed in Tears shall reap with Joy Nay the Day is at hand wherein both the Sower and the Reaper shall rejoyce together The Word of God compared to Rain Deut. 32.2 My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain c. Simile RAin is the immediate and proper Work of God He gives us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons Are there among the Vanities of the Gentiles they that can cause Rain Or can the Heavens give Showers art not thou he O Lord II. Rain falls by divine Direction and Appointment God causes it to rain upon one City and not upon another You often see a Cloud dissolve and spend it self upon one place when there is not a drop within a few Miles of it one Land may have Rain and a fruitful Season when another may have none III. There is a great deal of difference in the Showers of Rain that fall upon the Earth sometimes you have it in small Drops a drisling Rain which comes gently but continuing long it waters the Earth and the Fruits thereof throughly going to the very Root at other times it comes down in a hasty and violent manner causing the Streams to run but it is gone presently and doth but little good IV. Some People in the World have no Rain as the Egyptians for it is said that it seldom or never rains there V. Rain comes down successively and gradually now a little and then a little it doth not fall all at one time before it gives over but
the quality of man who is no Judge of what God sayes or does but ought rather to be a supplicant and attend his dispensations with Reverence and Adoration And as Hillary words it when the discourse is of the affairs of the great God we must yeild him the Prerogative of knowing best what he says or does and instead of carping pay him veneration The Mysteries which God proposes to be beleived in his holy word as they are in themselves most true and best although all humane Reason which Judges by its own wisdom or carnal conclusions should otherwise determine So their Eloquence an inseparable companion of Divine Wisdom is to be esteemed the best and most elegant by the faithful unless we suppose that God who immediately dictated them to his Amanuensis spoke nonsense and is inferior to his Creatures in that qualification which is down right Blasphemy and any asserting that deserves not only derision but the severest castigation The peculiar Idiotisms and most pure character of speaking which the Holy Spirit used in the publication of the saving word of Truth are by the excellent Glassius a man for his singular pains and exquisite Learning to be celebrated by all posterity as he himself modestly says in part for what mortal can express its whole energy delivered in his Gram. sacra a work well worth Translating And the Lights of speech that is the Tropes and Figures there are in this sacred Rhetorick treated of being indeed the substance of what he writ in Latin upon that Subject we hope faithfully Translated The Tropes in this Volume and the Figures in the second Only the Reader may Note that we have not absolutely tyed our selves to his words but have to the best of our abilities exprest his sence abridging where need was and supplying out of other Learned Authors to which be referr'd or who had written of the same thing in our Language which we consulted and inserted what was judged necessary for the compleating of this work Which Does not only open that part of Scripture which is Tropical and Figurative but may teach the Reader if ignorant of it Rhetorick in general an Art of such General use that no writing can well want it I mean not a jingling affectation of Words or Sentences but the use of Tropes and Figures which nervate sence and move the affections of the Hearer or Peruser Although the design of this work was principally intended to open Scripture Metaphors yet many express Similitudes and other Terms borrowed from an humane custom of speech or appellations obvious in and proper to common Earthly things are improved Parallel wise in the Second Part for common Edification at which the Learned and Candid Reader will not Carp For we bring not all as Metaphors but as Terms that may be used as advantageously and as much to profit though in the strict notion of that Trope not agreeing with its definition which we give in its place of which we caution our Reader under their respective heads In the First Book the Texts alledged are cited from the very original Hebrew and Greek because there are many Tropes peculiar to those sacred Languages which our excellent English Translation rather expounds than renders verbatim We have taken Care to make necessary Tables for both Parts and we purpose with Divine help to continue our Labours in another Volume which you may in page the last of the First and p. 76 of the Third Book of this Volume have a brief account of Our design being to compleat this said Philology for the benefit of such as want the acquirements of humane Literature and are Students in sacred Learning 'T is certain that no sort of men have more need of Learning than the Ministers of the Gospel because their Employment is of the highest concern viz. rightly to divide the Word of Truth and therefore that Sacred Office is not to be intruded into but by Persons duly qualified and called And most certain it is that humane Literature without Grace is a dangerous Enemy to the true Christian Religion and barely considered in it self gives no Right to the exercise of that sacred function any more than the meanest of Mechanick Arts For as Doctor Carlton formerly Bishop of Chichester well says A Lay man that hath the spirit of God is better able to Judge of the Church and its Members than a Man in Ecclesiastical function that hath not the spirit of God And Justin Martyr excellently Infelix est sapiâ—â—ntia extra verbum Dei sapere so that it is not the formality of Academical Degrees nor any Philosophical dexterity which is to be exercised in the things that may be known by the light of natural Reason nor variety of Languages that qualifies a Preacher for if things will travel beyond their Road and must needs be defining things beyond their sphere or reach they become extravagant and sawcy He that Ministers the word ought principally to experience the Grace of God in his own heart and the power of it in that grand and Evangelical work of Regeneration as also to understand those blessed Mysteries of the sacred Scriptures that he may unfold them to others and have a Lawful call which altogether constitutes him in his Office though he never sawVniversity this being the reason given by the Royal Psalmist I have recieved saith he which is an equivalent term and therefore have I spoken his Faith being his Authority for his Preaching that is the primary or Chief Yet we would not be understood to disparage humane learning as a thing of no use for it is of excellent benefit in its place when rightly employed and the knowledge of the Original Languages in which the Scriptures are penned is of very great necessity that we might converse with that sacred Book in its own Emphatical and native Idiom So that this kind of Literature is good as a Hand-maid Hagar-like but if it must needs be Mistress and Vsurp Authority in the Family if like scoffing Ishmael Gen. 21.9 Gal. 4.30 it will mock at the Spirit and the simplicity of the Gospel let it be cast out c. To accomodate therefore such whose Christian minds incline them to Instruct others and need those aids which the want of Languages or this kind of Literature has deny'd them not to instruct the Learned was this work Compil'd and to that end is recommended to the Christian Reader by Benj. Keach Tho. Delaune An Alphabetical TABLE of the most memorable Things and Words Expounded in the FIRST Book A. ACtion Page 27 Affections 26 An Age Ages 23.196 Allegories 202 All 193 Altar 151.186 Anger 7.51 Ancestors 4 Answering 56 Annoint 61.189 Angels 99 Aquatiles 159 Argument 20 Armour 70.179 Arrows 71 Ariel 151 Arm 45.162 Ashes 131 An Ass 154 Author 4 Ax 193 B. BAal 172 Barak to bless and Curse 31 Bald 59 Banner 75 Back 163 Bars 177 Baptism 189 To go backward 175 A Bear 152 To bear 59 Beam
for Tryal of a thing by him not certainly known as D. Chemnitius In his Evangelical Harmony says cap. 19. viz. The Devil had a double purpose 1. To know whether Jesus was really the Son of God by this Reason that if by his bare Word or Command he could turn Stone into Bread then of certain he is the Son of God therefore he says not Pray but Command but if in the extremity of his hunger and necessity he cannot do this then he cannot be the Son of God and therefore Satan would take occasion to despise and mock him thus in vain do you trust to that heavenly voice Matth. 3.17 and believe or hope that others shall beleive thee to be the Son of God 2. By that Temptation the Devil endeavours to intice Christ into some sin or distrust of the Divine Oracle or into a vain ostentation or empty Glory if by the Devils suggestion he should work a Miracle c. John 18.38 Pilate said unto him what is Truth In which words some say there is an Irony But in exact speaking of this Trope there appears to be no repugnancy betwixt the words and the mind of the speaker but rather a supine or careless contempt and disdain of truth in the Heart of Pilate who argues by way of diminution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or slight the matter as if he had said if there be a dispute betwixt the Jews and thee about the Truth of Religion I do not Judge it of that weight as to lose my time to hear your altercations or frivolous contentions c. John 14.14 And he Pilate saith unto the Jews Behold your King which is taken as Ironically spoken by many as if he had mocked the Jews then accusing so abject low and contemptible a man that would aspire at the Government and threaten the Monarchy of the Caesars But it is more proper to say that Pilate had respect to the publick acclamation of the People four days before when they saluted Jesus as their King Luk. 19.38 John 12.12 13. In this sence they are the Words of the Excellent D. Gerhard Jam olim expectatis Regem vobis promissum c. For some time past you have expected your promised King but so soon as he appears do you wish him dead Consult your own honour and let it not be said that you furiously persecuted him to whom you have given Royal Honour Caesar does not fear this King do you rather pity him and give over your thoughts of Crucifying him If he be really your King why with so great fury do you design him for such heavy punishment whom you ought rather to defend But if he hath falsly boasted himself to be a King dismiss him with stripes which for his temerity will be enough to the sufferer So therefore by a secret instinct of God Pilate confesses Jesus to be a King even before his crucifixion as he afterwards attributed a Royal Name and Honour to him in the inscription upon the Cross that we may understand that he therefore died because he is our King and that the Goverment is upon his Shoulders Esa. 9.6 c. Acts 23.5 Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High Priest upon which words we will transcribe the paraphrase of the learned Rivet I know there are many who assert that the Apostle spoke this by an Irony because when he lived among the Pharisees and being himself a Pharisee although the person should be unknown to him yet by the manner of that Courts sitting he could not but Judge who among them was Cheif or High Preist having said ver 3. That he sate to Judge him after the Law But to me it seems more probable that Paul hearing a voice from some of those that sate to Judge for the Priests and all the Counsel came as Acts 22.30 and not knowing from whom it came spoke so He judged it not to come therefore from the High Preist because so hasty and rash a signification of offence did not become his Office and Authority nor was such a speech of at least dissembled Sanctity like to proceed from him It is therefore plain that this Councel was not convened in the accustomed place where the Judicatory order and debates was defined or assigned to be according to every ones dignity and merit but near the Tower whither they were called from the Tribunal where Paul was which is indicated in the 30 ver of the preceding chapter And he Commanded the Cheif Preist and all their Councel to appear in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to come Paul therefore hearing a voice from that Company denounces Gods punishment to the speaker for all they that came with the High Priest sate to Judge See also Fr. Junius paral 1.98 c. 1 Cor. 6.4 If then ye have Judgement or Judicatories of things pertaining to this Life set them to Judge who are least esteemed in the Church Some say that these Words are an Irony because Paul says verse 5. I speak to your shame or blushing But it is more probable that the Apostle spoke seriously Erasmus upon the place says The Apostle speaks thus because he would not have Christians to contend before the wicked but that they should rather choose the meanest Christian as an arbitrator of their Cause then wrangle before those Tribunals Aretius upon the place says The Apostle delivers his mind about what they should do for they alledge thus you prohibit us to try our controversies before the Heathen Tribunals but where shall we have a competent and capable Judge The Church not only wants a Magistracy but also Persons fit to determine and compose such differences as ours The Apostle answers that the latter is untrue because the meanest Christian in these matters have a right of equality with the greatest The dignity of the Church is great for Paul judges the meanest worthy of the Office of being Judges rather then appeal to a Heathen Judge What shall we not therefore hope from Superiors But that phrase ver 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I speak it to your shame is thus well expounded by Aretius This is a new Argument taken from publick shame for to wrangle or go to Law before a Pagan Judge was no less then to bring a scandal upon the Church Therefore there is a caution given against that and because brought occasion of shame upon the Church therefore the Apostle says deservedly I speak it to your shame c. CHAP. VI. Of a Metaphor in General OF a Metaphor in general let the following things be noted 1. As to its Definition it is said to be a Trope when a word is transâ—â—ated from its proper and Genuine signification to another less proper Or when like is signified by like Fabius lib. 8. c. 6. calls it a short similitude There are other Definitions but all to this sence Some in handling the Definition of this Trope tell us that a Metaphor may
for evil c. Lam. 4.16 The Face of the Lord hath divided them c. 2 Thess. 1.9 1 Pet. 3.12 Sometimes the Grace Favour and Mercy of God is exprest by it as Dan. 9.17 Psal. 13.2 Ezek. 39.24 Psal. 31.20 Psal. 17.2 2 Chron. 29.12 Num. 6.25 26. Psal. 4.7 and 31.17 and 67.1 2 3. Psal. 80.4 8 20. 'T is said of men to seek the Face of God that is his Grace and favour by Prayer Psal. 27 8. 2 Chron. 7.14 17. Esa. 18.3 c. God is said to have Eyes by which we are to understand his most exact knowledge Psal. 11.4 His Eyes behold-his eye-lids try the Children of men In the word Eye-brows there is also a Synedoche Job 34.21 For his Eyes are upon the ways of man and he seeth all his goings that is he clearly discerns and understands the ways of man which intimates 1. A present act they are 2. A continued act his Eyes are never off the ways of man 3. An intentive and serious act this denotes not only a bare sight but also that which is operative as being done with most exact scrutiny and disquisition God looks through and discerns men to the utmost he beholds not only the external acts of men but also the soul and Spirit of them Esa. 1.16 Put away the evil of your doings from before mine Eyes that is be ye pure inwardly as well as outwardly for I see through you c. It is said Hos. 13.14 Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes that is they do not Repent at all therefore will I not respite the sentence but execute it certainly for that which is hid from the Eyes or knowledge of the Omniscient God is not nor can have existence Psal. 110.4 Rom. 11.29 Esa. 65.16 Heb. 4.13 All things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred in our Translation opened is very Emphatical for it signifies a dissection quartering or cleaving asunder through the back-bone as they do in Anatomy wherein they are very curious to find out every little Vein or Muscle though never so close so as nothing can be hid The Apostle therefore translates this word to his purpose to signifie that all the secrets of Hearts are so exposed to the notice and view of God as if all were dissected and opened like a meer Anatomy 2. By the Eyes of God may be understood his providential Grace and divine benevolence to men Deut. 11.12 A Land which the Lord thy God careth for or seeketh the Eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year that is he graciously cherishes takes care for and defends it 1 Kings 9.3 I have hallowed this house which thou hast built to put my Name there for ever and mine Eyes and mine Heart shall be there perpetually that is my presence and blessing shall be there with you 2 Chron. 16.9 For the Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose Heart is perfect towards him and Ezra 5.5 The Eye of their God was upon the Elders of the Jews c. that is they are under his care and gracious protection while they build the House of the Lord Psal. 32.8 I will guide thee with mine Eye that is I will inform thee by my spirit and will lead thee in a right way See Psal. 34.15 1 Pet 3.12 Ezek. 20.17 and 5.11 and 7.4 Deut. 32.10 Psal. 17.8 Zach. 2.8 and 3.9 with 4.10 3. Sometimes the Eye of God signifies divine wrath and punishment as Amos 9 4. I will set mine Eyes upon them for evil and not for Good And Esa. 3.8 Their Tongue and their Doings are against the Lord to provoke the Eyes of his glory Ears are attributed to God which denotes not only his knowledge of all things done on Earth but also that he understands approves of and gives gracious Returns to the Prayers and Applications of his people Psal. 10.17 and 31.3 and 55.1 2. and 71.2 and 130.2 By the Ears of God we are to understand that 2. He knows the sins of men which are said to Cry and enter into the Ears of the Lord Jam. 5.4 Esa. 5.9 There is a very Emphatical phrase of the promise of the Messiah Psal. 40.6 Mine Ears hast thou digged that is thou hast markt me as a faithful servant to thy self by this the most perfect servitude and obedience is noted from the Son as incarnate or made flesh to the Father The metaphor is taken from a Custom amongst the Jews that the servants Ear should be bored through with an awl and serve for ever unless he would be made free the seventh year Exod. 21.6 Deut. 15.17 See Esa. 50.4 5. Heb. 10.5 A Nose is attributed to God Deut. 33.10 They that is the Levites shall put incense before thee in the Hebrew to thy Nose some interpret it to thy Face that is before thee Chaldee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The LXX 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ezek 8.17 And lo they put the branch to their Nose this is rendred and lo they send a stink to their Nose which the textual Masora says should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My Nose viz. Gods Nose which opinion is taken up by Galatinus Vatablus and Schindler but the word translated stick signifies also a Branch so that the meaning of the text as Jerome says must be It was a custom for 25 men in the likeness of Idols to hold a branch to their Noses doubtless of palms which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it may by these be signified that they worship the Idols See Ez. 15.2 A Mouth the instrument of speech is attributed to God by which his Will Word Sentence Command c. is understood As Josh. 9.14 1 Sam. 15.24 2 King 24.3 Esa. 30.2 c. There is a notable place Deut. 8.3 Man doth not live by Bread only but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of the Lord doth man live that is as God hath appointed and administred the means of living whether ordinary or extraordinary as that in the Desart was when they were fed with Manna upon which place Vatablus says thus Some understand these words of spiritual life as if it had been said that souls are not fed by visible Bread but by the Word of God which indeed is true in it self but Moses had another meaning for whereas no person had Bread he alludes to the Manna which was sent as an extraordinary supply to the People that it might be received as an evident truth in all Ages that mans life depends not upon Bread or any external provision but upon the good pleasure and providence of God which preserves natures order and the Creatures being So that the Word of God is not put for Doctrine but the Decree published
Sun which by a certain vicissitude and declination of it self from one Tropick to the other begets shadows of a different size and the nearer it is to us the greater are the shadows but these vicissitudes are not compatible with God But the first interpretation is more conformable to the Apostles scope From this Denomination of Light attributed to God with respect to his Essence and Majesty the Son of God is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The splendor or brightness of the Glory of God Heb. 1.3 The primary reason of this appellation is in respect of the heavenly Father from whom he by ineffable generation as it were shined from Eternity as Light does from Light For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a shining again or a resplendency as it were from the Sun beams and so by the force of the proposition his Eternal Original from the Father is indicated or shewen Brightness cannot be separated from the Sun and is of equal age with it so from the Father of Lights of whom on Jam. 1.17 we have spoke this brightness viz. the Son can never be separated because co-eternal with him John 14.10 Lyranus thus expresses himself The Son proceeds from the Father as Light or splendor from the Sun Which splendor is of the same Age with the Sun and would be Eternal if the Sun were Eternal A secundary reason may be in respect of men and that manifestation which the heavenly Father made to us by the Son The Light of the Sun is sent on the Earth to cherish vegetate and render it fruitful Christ the brightness of the Fathers Glory is sent to illuminate vivifie and save us God is said to be a Light and a Sun with respect to his energy or power and operation amongst men Psal. 27.1 The Lord is my Light that is who gives the true and saving Light of his Spirit unto me where the Psalmist exegetically or by way of exposition adds The Lord is the strength of my Life Psal. 84.12 The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield the exposition is annexed The Lord will give Grace and Glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Esa. 10.17 And the Light of Israel shall be for a Fire and his Holy One for a Flame that is God shall illustrate and sanctifie the Israelites From hence arise those different phrases wherein the Light of God signifies 1. His Favour and Grace as when his Face is said to shine Numb 6.25 Psal. 80.3 c. Or 2. His Saving Revelation of Light and Truth by the Word Psal. 43.3 Send out thy Light and thy Truth let them lead me c. Psal. 67.1 Let God cause his face to shine upon us which is meant of the revelation of his way and Doctrine as ver 2. See Psal. 19.8 Prov. 6.15 2 Cor. 4.4 6. c. Or 3. Or Eternal Glorifying as Esa. 60.19 20. The Lord shall be to thee an Everlasting Light which Rev. 22.5 is applyed to Eternal Life In General The Light of God is to be taken with reference to some Celestial benefits as Psal. 36.9 In thy Light shall we see Light where the preceeding and following words shew the sence to be that by the Grace of God manifested in his Word we come to true blessedness By the Light of God here Galatinus says lib. 8. cap. 11. and Drusius lib. 15. observat cap. 4. That some ancient Rabbies understood the Messiah Hence we come to our Saviour who is particularly called the Light and Sun not with respect to his Divine Essence and Person as distinct from the Father as before but with respect to his office benefits and operations Esa. 9.2 and 42.6 and 49.6 and 60 1. Matth. 4.16 Luke 2.32 John 1.4.9 and 3.19 and 8.12 and 12.35 36. Act. 13.47 The Metaphor of Light in Scripture expresses information whereby the darkness of the understanding is dispelled as also a taking away of Sin which is compared to Darkness and a giving of Comfort all which our Saviour most eminently exhibits from himself to Believers Concerning the Appellation of Sun these two places are most eminent 1. Mal. 4.2 But unto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings That this is spoke of our Saviour Christ plainly appears from the scope and context of the Prophet See chap. 3.1 2 3. and chap. 4.5 With Matth. 11.10 and 17.11 12 13. Luke 1.17 c. For there is a most fair and sweet comparison betwixt Christ and the natural Sun As 1. With respect to Oneness There is but one Sun which is the Eye of the World which is enough to enlighten and cherish all So there is but one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 2. That Sun only shines by its own Light and communicates brightness to the Moon and Stars So Christ is the Fountain of true Light illuminating the Church and Teachers of his word which are compared to Stars Rev. 1.20 with his own proper Light 3. As there is but one Sun which excels and illuminates the inferior luminaries of Heaven so Christ has the preheminence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over all Col. 1.18 1. With respect to Efficacy for as the Sun chaces away darkness and clouds illustrating all things So Christ dispels the darkness of the mind by the Light of his Word the darkness of sinners by the light of his most Holy Merits and the darkness of calamity by the light of his comforting Grace 2. With respect to Equality for the Sun rises on the Evil and the Good affording its light without distinction to all things sublunary Matth 5.45 which nevertheless blind men and such as Sleep by day do not enjoy So Christ illuminates every man that cometh into the World that is he affords the means of illumination 1 John 1.9 Yet unbelievers who are blinded by the Devil and such as give themselves the liberty to sleep securely in sin and that by their proper fault and particular vice John 3.19 and 2 Cor. 4.4 Do not enjoy that saving light or illumination which is the reason why the Prophet Malachy speaking of the actual illumination of the Sun of Righteousness says To them that fear the Name of the Lord shall the Sun of Righteousness arise c. 3. No man can resist or hinder the course and efficacy of the Sun So no Devil or Tyrant can retard or hinder the course and energy of the Gospel of Christ the Sun of Righteousness 4. The Sun refreshes and quickens the World by its heat which nature demonstrates in the Spring So Christ quickens and makes alive those that are spiritually Dead Eph. 2.5 and causes a Divine heat of Love and Devotion Luke 24 32. 5. That which the Prophet mentions by the phrase with healing in his Wings is to be understood of the first beams or rays of light called the Wings of the morning or the first appearance of the Sun Psal.
built upon a Rock are said by a metaphor which is taken from the firmness strength or solidity of the Rock not from any Rule or Government it has for there is no such thing in it and denotes a solid stedfast and immovable Foundation but what needs any further explication when Paul an undoubted interpreter says 1 Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no man lay then that is laid which is Jesus Christ but upon this Rock are laid other Rocks or Stones for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being an appellative signifies a Stone not a Rock cut out of the Living Rock which being single are not foundations but many being joyned cemented or united constitute or make a secundary foundation Rev. 21.14 And the wall of the City had twelve Foundations and in them the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets c. 1 Cor. 10.4 Christ is called the spiritual Rock of which the Israelites did drink in the Desart that Rock being a Type of him Exod. 17. See Gram. Sacr. p. 504.551 God is called a Secret or Hiding place Psal. 91.1 Psal. 119.114 also a Covert Refuge or Hiding Esa. 4.6 By which his gratious defence against all hostile violence is intimated For the same Reason he is called a Munition which signifies a Fortification or Strong-Hold Psal. 31.2 3 4. Psal. 71.3 Psal. 91.2 9. Psal. 144.2 He is called a Wall of Fire Zach. 2.5 Where the Epithete of Fire is added to shew that he is not only the defender of his Church but also a most terrible avenger that will consume its Enemies as Fire does combustible matter He is called a Strong Tower Psal. 61.3 Prov. 8.10 Because of his Divine protection also for as in high and well fortified Towers we are safe from the assaults of the Enemy so much more eminently does Jehovah place them in safety who trust in him 2 Sam. 22.51 He is the Tower of Salvation says David of God which is called great deliverance Psal. 18.50 The Tower is Fortified 1. With warlike Engines which are his Divine vertue and power and all the Creatures which he makes use of to the Destruction and overthrow of his Enemies Psal. 148.8 Fire and Hail Snow and Vapor stormy Wind fulfilling his Word 2. With Provision as the Bread and Drink of Life Psal. 36.8 9 10. They shall be abundantly satisfyed with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them Drink of the Rivers of thy Pleasures c. 3. With a Garrison or brave Defendants which are the Holy Angels Psal. 91.12 Dan. 7.10 So that this Tower is impregnable c. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are called the Temple of the Heavenly City Rev. 21.22 By way of opposition to the outward and Earthly Temple as if he had said in Eternity there will be no need of those visible and external signs by which God manifested himself to his people under the Old Testament dispensation in the Temple and in the Ark of the Covenant for God will exhibit himself to be seen by his elect face to face that in this spiritual Temple they may give him Eternal and Celestial praise celebrating a festival of Everlasting Joy c. John 14.6 Christ calls himself the Way viz. by which there is a passage to the Father as ver 2 3 4. The words of the verse are I am the Way and the Truth and the Life no man cometh unto the Father but by me that is you say you know not the way to the Father and heavenly felicity why I my self whom you know am the Way by which you can arrive there nor am I only a way but a guide also by the Truth which I teach and together with the Father am the end of your Journey that is Life which the blessed enjoy Calixt in Harmon Evangel John Husse as VVolfius cites him Tom. 1. lect Memor p. 750. says Let the humble passenger behold Christ who says I am the Way the Truth and Life here is a way for him that will go for Christ is the way A way whither he would go for Christ is Truth And where he would tarry for Christ is Life Tho. a Kempis lib. 3. de Imit Christi cap. 56. I am the way Truth and Life none can Go without a Way nor Know without Truth nor Live without Life I am the way which you ought to follow the truth which you ought to believe and the life which you ought to hope for I am the inviolable way the infallible Truth and indeterminable Life I am the most right way the most supream truth and most certain blessed and increated life If thou tarry in my way thou shalt know my truth which shall deliver thee and in it thou shalt find Eternal life The light and truth of God leads us Psal. 43.3 Which Christ applies to himself John 8.12 and 14.6 For he leads us to himself who is Eternal Life 1 John 5.11 12. In whom we have all things Rom. 8.32 How he leads to the Father is fairly expounded Heb. 10.19 20. c. 1. The Way of the Lord God signifies his heavenly Doctrine Psal. 5.8 Psal. 25.4 9 10. Psal. 67.2 Psal. 119.3 14 2â—â— 30. c. Esa. 2.3 Hos. 14.10 Matth. 22.16 Act. 13.10 and 18.25 c. Hence comes the phrase to keep the ways of the Lord Psal. 18.21 that is to lead his life according to his Word and precepts 2. His Providence and Divine Government more generally as the whole Course of his VVill Counsels Endeavours and Actions as Psal. 25.10 Psal. 77.13 Esa. 55.8 9. Hab. 3.6 More particularly it signifies some singular actions of God Exod. 33.13 Psal. 103.7 Job 40.14 Prov. 8.22 John Baptist is said to prepare the way of the Lord Mal. 3.1 Luk. 1.76 that is to bear a serious Testimony of his speedy coming by preaching the VVord and administring the Holy Ordinance of Baptism A metaphor taken from great men at whose coming the ways are wont to be made plain and level See Esa. 40.3 4. c. God is called a Shade Psal. 121.5 The Lord is thy Shade upon thy right hand which denotes his heavenly protection which he affords believers as a Shade refreshes and defends from the scorching heat of the Sun hence such are said to abide under the Shadow of the Almighty Psal. 91.1 VVhen it is said the Shadow of his VVings the metaphor becomes double and more emphatical for he is not only a pleasant Shade in dry and torrid places but such a nourishing protecting Shade as the Hens wings are to her Chickens and so denotes a singular Love and Care VVe read also of the Shadow of Gods hand which also denotes a strong protection against all Enemies for a hand when attributed to God denotes so much Of which before There is an eminent emphasis in that Text Luke 1.35 And the Angel answering and said unto
kindles the Love of God Holiness and heavenly desires in the Hearts of men to which is referred Jer. 20.9 Luke 24.32 And the appearance of the Holy Spirit in the likeness of Fire Acts 2.3 Matth. 3.11 And lastly its consuming and destroying quality For the Word of Christ shall consume all its adversaries Judge Condemn and Destroy them John 12.48 To which may be reduced Jer. 5.14 and 23.29 To this Divine Fire there seems to be another strange Fire opposed as in the Type Lev. 10.1 viz. of false Doctrine and humane Traditions Esa. 50.11 Behold all ye that kindle a Fire that compass your selves about with sparks walk in the light of your Fire and in the sparks that ye have kindled c. Junius and Tremellius upon the place say That Christ in this place convinces the proud Spirit of the Pharisees and almost the whole Jewish Church of impiety because in their spiritual darkness they went about to kindle lights for themselves neglecting the light of Gods Word and that Gospel illumination which Christ offered them c. They esteemed that a profitable Fire and light which really brought the Fire of divine Wrath and Eternal Damnation upon them 3. Because of its burning quality Fire is attributed to them who bring perdition hurt loss or utter destruction hence Fire is said to be before God the just Judge and avenger of his Enemies Psal. 50.3 and 97.3 Esa. 26.11 and 29.6 and 30.33 and 66.15 16 24. 2 Thes. 1.7 8. But there is no doubt but in these and other places respect is had to Hell-fire of which Illyricus says in the description of Hell and Eternal punishments the Scripture frequently inculcates that there is an Eternal and unquenchable Fire or Brimstone whether there be really any material Fire or that something bitter and direful is metaphorically signifyed is left to inquiry because in this Life there is nothing more violent more tormenting or more terrible then a raging and prevailing Fire But it is far better to endeavour the avoiding of that hellish Fire then in a Spirit of Contention to be too curiously inquisitive into its Nature Hither must be referred those places where by the term Fire we are to understand invading Enemies and desolating Wars Psal. 78.63 Esa. 42.25 Jer. 48.45 and 50.32 Ezek. 21.32 and 30.8 in which place the Chaldee for Fire puts a people strong like fire Amos 1.4 7 10 12 14. and 2.2 5. Some think there may be a Synecdoche because Wars for the most part are managed by Fire and Flame It is also attributed to other things by means of which terror hurt and death are brought upon any as Judg. 9.15 20. Esa. 33.11 12. Obad. ver 18. James 3.5 6. Jude ver 23. See Prov. 26.23 and compare Jer. 51.58 Heb. 2.13 Joel 1.20 together 4. It agrees to this that Fire generally denotes any adversities which are the effects of Divine Wrath as also Calamities and Afflictions as Psal. 66.12 and 140.10 Esa. 9.18 19. and 10.16 and 24.6.15 and 43.2 Lam. 1.13 and 4.11 By which signification sometimes respect is had to the purifying quality of Fire for God tries and cleanses believers by Crosses and Calamities as Gold is tryed in the Fire Zach. 13.9 1 Pet. 4.12 See also Psal. 17.3 and 66.10 1 Pet. 1.6 7. To this also are the two following texts referred Mark 9.49 For every one shall be salted with Fire and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt The particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kai and is frequently put for as or even as It is therefore an inversed similitude which is to be resolved in this sence As every sacrifice in the Old Testament was wont to be salted with salt by the appointment of God Lev. 2.13 So every man that would avoid sin or offences and Hell-fire the consequence of it as appears by the foregoing verses which have a co-herence with this must be salted with a certain wholesome Fire that is seasoned by Crosses and Afflictions Or this Fire will have the same efficacy on him as salt has on flesh viz. to preserve him from the putrefaction of security in sin Elegantly therefore is salting attributed to Fire and both are joyned to denote the Mystery of the Cross Because there is an agreement betwixt those two both causing pain and both abstracting and consuming that which is corrupt or putrifyed as also because they were joyned together in sacrifices Scaliger in his notes thinks that this should be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is every sacrifice shall be salted that it may be the same with what follows 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every oblation shall be salted with salt because Lev. 2.13 There is a Repitition of the same The other place is 1 Cor. 3.13 14 15. Upon which Chemnitius thus expresses himself There is a Fire of probation or tryal sent by God either by outward Troubles or inward Temptations or by a clearer manifestation of Truth by the Word that they should not remain in the darkness of Error and Ignorance who hold the fundamental Articles of Truth but that such opinions as are disagreeable to the Foundation shall be purged away either in Life or at the hour of Death Some by the terms Day and Fire understand Truth shining from the Word of God by the Holy Spirit and enlightning the mind Mal. 3.3 But others the Day and Fire of the last Judgment 2 Thes. â—â— 8 Of which obscure place we are not concern'd here to treat much But the Reader may peruse Tom. 8. locorum Theolog. Dn. D. Gerhardi de morte Sect. 254. seqq To the Element of Fire belong other things which bear Analogy or Relation to it as well Nouns as Verbs Of Nouns a Flame by a metaphor signifies a bright and shining blade or plate of that form as Judg. 3.22 1 Sam. 17.7 where what we Translate Spearshead is in the Hebrew spears-flame So Job 39.3 The flame of the Spear we Translate it the glittering spear So also a Flame is attributed to the Sword which turned every way with which the Cherubims which were the keepers of Paradise were armed Gen. 3.24 See Esa. 13.8 Cant. 8.6 Love is called the flame of the Lord that is such as the Lord by the light of his Spirit kindles so as that it shall last perpetually And for its continual energy because it always tends upwards and darts its splendor and increases that way what are the properties of a natural Flame of Fire agree also to Love Esa. 47.14 A Flame signifies most heavy punishments inflicted by God Lanthorn Candle and Lamp 1. Denote Prosperity and a happy success of things Job 29.3 Psal. 18.28 Hence the extinction or putting out of a Candle or Lamp signifies approaching adversities Job 21.17 Prov. 13.9 20.20 2. It more especially denotes the happiness of a Kingdom or Government 2 Sam. 21.17 Thou shalt go no more out with us to Battel that thou quench not the Candle or Lamp of Israel the
2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee c. The Greeks word properly signifies to stir up Fire lest it go out that it may flame Beza upon the place says The gift of God is a certain live flame kindled in our hearts which the Flesh and Satan endeavour to suffocate or smother but on the other side we are so much the more concern'd to cherish it and stir it up when it is as it were asleep Where this Divine little flame is not stirred up Love or Charity waxes cold Matth. 24.12 And then the Fountain of Love which is saving Faith and external Salvation is lost c. Thus Paul exhorts not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 The saving light of the knowledge of God kindled by the Holy Spirit is extinguisht by neglects of the Word of God and devout Prayer by security impiety and ingratitude hence an exhortation to follow that which was good ver 15. and to pray without ceasing ver 17. was premised and despising prophesyings that is the interpretation of the Word of God is immediately prohibited ver 20. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zaraph which properly signifies to melt Mettals in order to purifie them from dross but is translated by an elegant Metaphor to signifie the purification and tryal of the Godly which is done by Crosses and Sufferings Whence the similitude of melted or burnt Mettal is sometimes expresly added Psal. 66.10 and 105.19 Esa. 1.25 Jer. 9.7 Dan. 11.35 Zach. 13.9 Hence the Furnace where Mettals are melted and purified is put for Afflictions sent by God Deut. 4.20 1 Kings 8.51 Jer. 11.4 In which place the Epithet of Iron is added to denote the tribulation severity or cruel nature of servitude A passage more notable than the rest we read Esa. 48.10 Behold I have refined thee but not with Silver I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction Jehovah intimates that he purges his people moderately and gently not as Silver or Gold are purged because such are wont to be most exactly and wholly melted in order to their purifying as if he had said I do so temper and qualifie corrections that I suit them rather to your weakness then proportion them to your Wickedness I do not deal with you with the utmost severity for if you should be purged as Silver and Gold from all dross you should totally perish See 1 Cor. 10 13. In generall it is put for the inward proof or tryal of the heart which God alone can do Psal. 26.2 and 17.3 See Prov. 17.3 It is put for outward choice of some from others which is done by an outward rise Judg. 7.4 The Word of God is said to be refined or as it were tryed in the Fire 2 Sam 22.31 Psal. 18.30 Prov. 30.5 Psal. 119.140 that is most pure most true and most certain Which is emphatically declared Psal. 12.6 The words of the Lord are pure words as Silver tryed in a furnace of Earth purified seven times Which passage without doubt respects the quick and lively experience of the Saints in whose hearts the Truth of Gods word is experimentally felt and approved to be of undoubted efficacy by the Fire of tribulation Whence some by Furnace of Earth understand Godly men in whom the Words of God are tryed The Furnace burns in the Fire The Godly are seasoned by the Fire of Afflictions By the same metaphor the Office of Christ is described Mal. 3.2 3. Metaphors taken from Air. THE Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ruach a Spirit signifies Air or Wind. And whereas the motion of the Air is uncertain inconstant and vanishing and that there is nothing solid or substantial in the Wind therefore they are metaphorically put to signifie things that are vain and vanishing Job 6.26 Do ye imagine to reprove my words and turn the speeches of one that is desperate into Wind that is do ye think that I utter vain words and despise them as things of no weight or sence Job 15.2 Should a wiseman utter knowledge of Wind that is vain as the Wind which has nothing but an empty sound resolving into Wind he adds or fill his belly with the East Wind that is admit vain and fluctuating thoughts in his mind inwardly Eccl. 5.16 What profit hath he that hath laboured for the Wind that is who hath heaped together much riches with great labour which is in vain when he can have no benefit or profit by them Jer. 5.13 The Prophets shall become wind that is as the Chald. renders it vain and of no worth Jer. 22.22 The wind shall eat up all thy Pastours that is they shall vanish and perish So on the other side It is said Hosea 12.1 Ephraim feedeth on wind and followeth after the East-wind the meaning is that the people of Israel shall feed upon a thing of nothing viz. They shall commit Idolatry with great earnestness which has no soul feeding vertue in it but the contrary for it proves as pernicious as it is to follow the East-wind which is immediately expounded of their making Covenants with the Assyrians a wicked and Idolatrous people Micah 2.11 A man walking in the wind and falshood is put for a vain and lying person See Esa. 41.29 57.13 Hosea 8.7 To this belong the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.9 For ye shall speak_into the Air that is in vain and to no purpose He speaks of that Prophesied in the Church in an unknown Tongue and therefore could not be understood by the hearers 1 Cor. 9.26 To beat the Air signifies when one undertakes a vain and unprofitable work The metaphor is taken from men that fight who when they miss their stroke spend their strength vainly against the wind or Air Eph. 4.14 that we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by this tossing to and fro of the wind instability and inconstancy of mind is denoted a metaphor taken from a Ship which is tost and driven here and there by the violence of the Winds and waves as Heb. 13.9 Be not carryed about with diverse and strange Doctines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace More because vehement winds are hurtful therefore Enemies which annoy and commit devastations on the Earth are called by this appellation especially the East-wind which blasts Corn and suffers it not to ripen and if ripe scatters and blows it down Psal. 55.8 Esa. 41.16 Jer. 4.11 and 51.1 Hosea 13.15 Job 27.21 See also Esa. 27.8 Jonas 4.8 Jer. 18.17 c. Job says of God when he punished him Job 30.22 Thou listest me up to the wind thou causest me to ride upon it and dissolvest my substance that is as a Whirlwind scatters chaff or stubble thou dost variously toss and consume me To this Classe we shall reduce Meteors which are imperfect mixtures condensed in the Ayr. The
like chap. 10.11 is said of the mouth of a just or Righteous man And chap. 14.27 Of the fear of the Lord Whence it is manifest that this is to be understood of the Preaching of the saving Word of God by just and wise men that is Believers The Word of Christ the Saviour is called a Fountain and Spring Esa. 12.3 where the word is in the plural Number to denote abundance Zach. 13.1 Joel 3.23 With respect to this saving word the Church of Christ is called A Fountain of Gardens a Well of living waters and Streams from Lebanon Cant. 4.15 Chald. the words of the Law are compared to a Well of Living Waters This Fountain is only in the Church of Christ and therefore this Name is also attributed to it and it is also called a spring shut up or locked a Fountain sealed ver 12. Because it is sealed and kept by the Holy Spirit through the Word to eternal Salvation 2 Cor. 1.22 Eph. 1.13 and that in a manner utterly unknown to all humane sence and reason Peter calls False Teachers Wells without waters 2 Pet. 2.17 that is such as make a specious shew of Divine Truth but really have no Grace or heavenly Doctrine God is called the Fountain of Life but of that we have treated in the chapter of an Anthropopathy That Life eternal is called Fountains and Springs of Living waters is plain from Esa. 49.10 Rev. 7.17 and 21.6 c. More especially the Fountain or water of Siloah is memorable Esa. 8.6 which is called the Dragon or Serpents Well Neh. 2.13 From its slow stream and windings like a Serpent whose stream made a Pool Neh. 3.15 called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Pool of Siloah John 9.11 From this Well a Metaphor is taken Esa. 8.6 Forasmuch as this people despiseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly c. By which some understand divine promises given to the Jewish People of a sure defence and protection against their Enemies in which the Jews having no confidence or acquiescence betake themselves to the protection of forreign Arms. Others by the waters of Siloah understand the Kingdom of Sion instituted or appointed by God which was but small and weak in comparison of the Kingdoms of Syria and Israel as the Fountain glided with an easie and silent current The Chald. For asmuch as this people despise the Kingdom of the house of David leading them quietly as Siloah flows quietly c. Of this Fountain Jerome in his Comment says that Siloah is a Fountain at the bottom of the Hill Sion which bubbles out not with continual springs but at uncertain hours and days passing through the concaves of the Earth and Dens of hard stone with much noise we especially that dwell in this Province cannot doubt The Fountain Siloah by another name is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gichon 1 Kings 1.33.38 as appears by the Chald. paraphr upon the place which turns it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Siloah It is called Gichon from breaking or bursting out hence called a Brook overflowing 2 Chron. 32.4 it is also observable that Solomon Davids Son was anointed King of Israel by this Fountain so that there is reason for the allusion that by this Well is meant the Kingdom of the house of David Brentius upon the place says metaphor â hujus fontis familiam Davidis intelligit idquè admodum aptè Nam Siloah c. By the Metaphor of this Fountain he understands the Family of David and that in a manner aptly for Siloah though it comes with a great sound yet it flows not always but at certain days and hours And when it bubbles forth it overflows not the whole Land it destroies not the Fields but keeps it self in the Concaves or hollow places of the Earth without danger to any but flows almost hiddenly So is the family of David which for the Government of the Kingdom of Juda was sanctified by God And although there be a great unlikeness between the Kings of Judah one being more merciful more clement and more godly then another yet they were tolerable Kings neither were they hitherto over grievous to the people but behav'd themselves in the administration of the Government modestly and temperately Yet the common people in Cities and Country desirous of novelty would rather have strange Kings though Enemiss then the poor Family of David which was ordained by God himself to rule that people c. It appears in that VVar that some would willingly be disingaged from danger and others resolved to repell it any way but the Commonalty especially the Husbandmen of Juda would have the Family of David dethron'd and that the King of Israel or the King of Syria should Rule c. Against these Esaiah sharply inveighs and Prophesies that the time will come that because they would not be contented to live with satisfaction under the peaceable Raign of their own Kings they should be exposed to endure the storms and bear the scourge of tyrannical great and turbulent Enemies To this interpretation R. Kimchi Vatablus and Jerome agree A VVell is sometimes taken in good sence as Prov. 5.15 16 17 18. Drink waters out of thine own Cistern and running water out of thine own well Let thy Fountains be dispersed abroad and Rivers of waters in the streets let them be to thee only so the Hebrew and not to strangers with thee let thy Fountain be blessed This continued metaphor respects VVedlock and its lawful familiarity Aben Ezra thus expounds it The sence is that we must keep to our own proper wife and to no other besides her and by Fountains dispersed abroad a multitude of Children is noted Munsterus the Hebrews expound it forsake a stranger and adhere to thy own VVife then shall thy Fountains multiply abroad that is thy Children with honour shall appear in publick For they shall be thine own whereas if thou goest to another thy Children will be bastards c. Others expound this text of two Doctrines proposed to a pious man First That he should make good use of his proper goods and by the blessings of God will augment them ver 15 16 17 18. Secondly That he should live chastly and continently with his own VVife and abstain from others ver 18 19 c. Franzius says Drink water out of thy own Cistern c. that is keep thy Goods for thy self and thine and to heâ—â—p objects of Charity but do not consume them upon whores c. A VVell is sometimes taken in a bad sence as great perils and mischief Psal. 55.23 And thou O Lord shall bring them into the VVell so the Hebrew of destruction The Chald. into a deep Hell Psal. 69.16 Let not the well so the Hebrew shut its mouth upon me Chald. Hell Christ speaks there of his most bitter passion Jer. 2 13. Broken Cisterns that will hold no water out of which fractions the water goes out as it comes in sailing the expectation of men
is Metaphorically put for the heaven of Gods Glory Psal. 11.4 Micah 1.2 For the Church Psal. 26.8 27.4 29.9 48.9 84.1 2 4. Isa. 56.7 Eph. 2.21 1 Cor. 3.16 17. 6.19 2 Cor. 6.16 Heb. 3.6 and 10.21 God is said to be the Temple of the Elect Rev. 21.22 of which see Chap. 8. before Rev. 11.19 A Temple is put for the body of Christ John 2.19 In unity with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word for in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead Bodily Col. 2.9 that is most truly perfectly and unchangeably not Typically or in a shadow as in the Temple of Jerusalem c. See Heb. 9.11 10.19 20. 8.2 9.24 and 6.19.20 An Altar is used to denote the whole Mystery of Christ the Mediator Heb. 13.10 1 Cor. 10.18 and 9.13 Sometimes Divine Worship in the New Testament Isa. 19.19 the similitude being borrow'd from the ancient Rites c. Christ is called Propitiation hilasterion Rom. 3.25 because he became the great Sacrifice that satisfied for our sins He is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hilasmos Atonement with respect to the Type to which the Apostle alludes 1 John 2.2 c. The Church is called the Pillar and stay of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Some think that this Metaphor is taken from the two Pillars which were set up in Solomons Temple 1 Kings 7.21 2 Chron. 3.17 The Name of the one was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jachin he shall establish and of the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boaz In it is strength By which Names doubtless this most wise King had respect to the Stability and firmness of the Kingdom and Church of the Messiah which names Paul expresses by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stabilimentum firmamentum stabiliment or firmament adding a Pillar in allusion to those Typical Pillars Hence in the same verse he mentions the house of God that is the Temple by which means the Church of the living God Verse 16. He says without Controversie great is the mystery of Godliness But what is that the Description follows which alludes to the Temple of Jerusalem for 1. In that Old Temple God appeared in a Cloud and thick darkness 1 King 8.10 11 12. Paul says of the Truth of the New-Testament that God is manifest in the Flesh. Which illustrious Manifestation was adumbrated or shadowed out by that obscure one 2. In the old Temple the Propitiatory or Mercy-seat was placed upon the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies Of Christ Paul says that he is Justified in Spirit viz. when he was risen from the Dead and so declared himself the true hilasterion attonement having made satisfaction for the sins of the world and perfectly fulfilled the Divine Law the Tables of which were contained in the Ark of Covenant Rom. 4.25 3. In the old Temple there were Cherubims over the propitiatory or Mercy-seat 1 Kings 8.6 7. Heb. 9.5 Of Christ Paul says that he was seen of Angels who were glorious and true Witnesses of his Resurrection and Glory Matth. 28.2 c. See 1 Pet. 1.12 4. In the old Temple the Jews were taught the Doctrine of the Messiah who was to Come Paul says of Christ that he was preached unto the Gentiles not to the Jews alone Believed on in the world the sound of the Apostles went out into all the Earth Rom. 10.18 and their Doctrine receiv'd by all true Believers Col. 1.5 6. 5. In the old Temple the visible appearance of God was not ordinary or perpetual But Paul says of Christ having Manifested himself in the Earth that he was received up in Glory as if he had said he hath withdrawn his visible Presence from his Church yet he is gloriously truly and invisibly for that is to be received up in glory viz. at the right hand of the Father present with it to the end of the World Matth. 28.20 Eph. 1.20 21 22 23 c. But what means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Truth Answer 1. Either that word must be expounded in the Concrete that it should be same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true and opposed to that which is Typical and Shadowy of future realities or Antitypes as John 1.17 6.32 15.1 Heb. 8.2 and 9.24 VVhere the word is so taken So in Acts 26.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 words of Truth that is true words So Eph. 4.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holiness of truth signifies true holiness Or 2 The VVord must be expounded in the abstract to denote the Doctrine of Saving Faith as it is taken 2 Thes. 2.10 13. 1 Tim. 2.4 and 6.5 2 Tim. 2.18 Heb. 10.26 Jam. 1.18 c. In which sense this genitive of Truth notes the efficient cause by which the Church is made firm and stedfast being built upon Christ the true Rock for the cause of its firmness is the heavenly Truth or the word of Truth See 1 Cor. 15.58 Acts 20.32 Rom. 1.16 Col. 1.23 2 Thes. 2.13 Joh. 17.17 1 Thes. 5.23 Some expound this of the subjectum circaquod the subject about which the Church is employed viz. to Confess Publish and Keep carefully that heavenly Doctrine contained in the Scriptures of Truth c. Metaphors from Sacred Rites THese may be distinguished into two Classes First Holy Rites ascribed to God as their immediate Agent or Actor Secondly Holy Rites perform'd by Men according to Gods Command and Prescription To the first Class belongs the Visions and Dreams which God sent to men for more secret information as to the Patriarch Jacob Gen. 28.12 13. viz. the Ladder set upon the Earth The top of which reached heaven c. which Vision our Saviour applies to himself and uses Metaphors taken from John 1.51 c. From the Divine prophecies Dreams and Visions a Metaphor is taken Joel 2.28 where the various gifts and the clear light and Revelation of the Gospel to the Evangelical Preachers is noted as Act. 2.16 17. where Peter quotes this very Text of Joel that Bread sent from Heaven to refesh the People in the Desart is largely applyed by Christ to himself John 6.31 32 33 c. Rev. 2.17 c. The other kind of Sacred Rites we thus distinguish 1. Persons 2. Actions 3. Times Of Persons one Directs and is as it were the head of the rest who are inferior and ministring or serving The Director was the high Priest the Eldest Son of the Posterity of Aaron having a constant prerogative in the Ecclesiastical Government Exod. 28.1 c. Hag. 1.1 12. and 2.3 Zach. 3.1 8. VVhose Name and Office is Mystically transferred to Christ. In the Epistle to the Hebrews hence he is so often called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 high Priest Heb. 2.17 3.1 4.14 15. 5.5 10. 6.20 7.26 8.1 9.11 and Great Priest Heb. 10.21 See Zach. 6.12 13. the Reason of the Comparison may be read at large in the Epistle The Appellation of Priests is attributed to Believers in Christ Psal. 132.9
gentle and mild ways to reclaim them XVIII If a mild Fatherly intreaty and gentle usage will not reclaim them the Father uses a Rod and chastises them because he loves them XIX A Father corrects his Children not that he delights in it but because it is absolutely necessary he proportions the punishment to the Crime his Bowels yerning upon them the while and when the Chastisement has effected its end he is ready with open Arms to receive them as in the case of the Prodigal XX. A Father provides a Portion for his Children and takes care of their future maintenance and subsistence it being his duty to lay up for them PARALLEL I. GOd is the Author of Spiritual Being to his People Of his own will begat he us with the Word of Truth Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope c. Hence Believers are called his Children begotten by his holy Word and Spirit II. God the Spiritual Father nourishes and with Parental tenderness brings up his Children hence 't is said they are born up by him from the Belly and carried from the Womb To be laid to the Breast like new-born Babes that they may receive the sincere Milk of the Word III. God Cloaths his Saints He that so Cloaths the grass of the field shall he not much more Cloath you O ye of little Faith He Cloaths them with the Garments of Salvation covers them with the Robe of Righteousness and adorns them with the graces of his Spirit and Evangelical Holiness that he might take the more delight in him IV. God so loved his children that he sent his only begotten Son to save them In love to their Souls he delivers them they are precious in his sight and honourable and therefore he hath loved them c. Like as a Father pitieth his Children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him V. God saves and defends his Children from their Soul-Enemies as Sin Satan Spiritual Wickedness in high places which without his help would be too strong for them therefore he covers them with his wing from the rage and malice of Persecutors he is always ready to take their part If it had not been the Lord who was on our side says David when men rose up against us then they had swallowed us up quick c. What a strict charge does the Lord give to the Ungodly touching his Israel When they went from Nation to Nation and from one Kingdom to another people he suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine Anointed and do my Prophets no harm VI. God is exceeding tender and thoughtful of the Babes and weak ones among his people and gives particular charge concerning them unto his Ministers Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees And in another place Comfort the feeble minded support the weak He is said to gather the Lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and gently to lead those that are with young VII God provides Food for his people and whatsoever else they want The young Lyons do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing There is no want to them that fear him He abundantly blesses Sions provision and satisfies her poor with bread Gives meat to them that fear him for he is ever mindful of his Covenant He provides Physick for their Soul-Diseases Bless the Lord O my Soul says David who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases VIII The Lord takes great delight to hear his little Children his Babes in Christ learn to pray and open their wants to him and though they stammer out a request or sigh or lisp out a Petition he is willing to hear and answer them His Spirit helps their infirmities for they know not what they should pray for as they ought and maketh intercession for them with unutterable groans Though like the Prophet they chatter like a â—â—rane yet he will not despise them but rather lend his Ear to them than to the vain pomp and empty Ceremonies of Formalists and the specious performances of the Hypocrite IX God is proposed by Christ as a holy patern and example to his Saints Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect And in another place Be ye merciful as your Father also is merciful God is not soon angry but patient and long-suffering so should his Children be c. X. The Lord God loves such of his Spiritual Children best who walk closest with him who are holy as he is holy pure as he is pure who are changed into his Image made partakers of the Divine Nature Daniel was greatly beloved and David recorded to be a Man after Gods own heart by way of Eminency and John is called the beloved Disciple after the same manner For it is agreeable to Reason and Equity that where there is the nearest similitude there should be the dearest love and Vnion XI None teacheth like the heavenly Father none more careful to train up and instruct his Children in right ways he hath given them his holy Word which is able to make them wise to salvation Prophets Evangelists Apostles Pastors and Teachers to instruct them Rules to walk by Precepts of behaviour towards Enemies and Friends high and low rich and poor I will teach you saith the Lord what ye shall do He teaches sinners in the way He teacheth the hand to war it is he only that teacheth to profit Isa. 48.17 In a word he hath given them the Lord Jesus in whom are hid all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge XII The Ears of the Lord are ever open to the crys of his Children Ask and ye shall receive c. whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive This is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the Petitions that we have desired of him XIII The Lord God knows what 's best for his Children and never fails to supply them if they ask in Faith He never refuses but when they ask amiss Ye ask and receive not says the Apostle James because ye ask amiss c. XIV The heavenly Father when Israel would be going on in a course of Idolatry and sin tells them he will hedge up their way with thorns and make a wall c. that is to stop Israels pursuit insomuch that she shall not overtake her Lovers As the Lord has a hedge of protection to secure his people from evil Isa. 5.5 Job 1.10 so he has a hedge of affliction to keep them from evil The hedge of thorns is a Metaphor and signifies much trouble and difficulty of
the Honey-Comb the Delight of good Men a sure Guide to them in all their Ways and none of its Commands are grievous but all Duties required by it are reasonable VI. In this there is none so holy and upright as the Lord who is no Respecter of Persons hates flattering Words and giving of Bribes will spare none for the Dignity of their Birth or Antiquity of their Lineage but will do Justice according to Right and Law whether it be upon Angels Emperors Kings Princes Priests Prophets his Church that are his professed Friends as well as upon the World his professed Enemies He will destroy his own anointed Ones if they stand in opposition to Justice and Equity Cities Kingdoms Towers Temples all shall fall rather than Law and Justice be justled out of place He spared not Angels overthrew Kings mighty Kings with Kingdoms and Nations Pharaoh King of Aegypt Og King of Bashan Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon Darius King of Persia and Alexander King of Greece Herod King of Judea Jerusalem and Samaria with both their Kings When once they come to be laid in the Ballance and the Lord enter into Judgment with them when he ties Judgment to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Noah Daniel and Job shall not save when Truth Law and Justice calls for a cutting off He will by no means spare the Guilty when the Time of Forbearance is expired VII Of this no Man shall have wherewith to accuse God for he will not do more than is right that Man should enter into Judgment with his Maker nay he will rather make abatement than over-do And this hath been owned in his Act of Judgment Thou hast not dealt with us according to our Iniquities VII In this case the Lord our Judg hath sufficiently approved himself first in respect of the Old World secondly in respect of Sodom and Gomorrah where he would take nothing upon Trust but come down himself to see if things were so bad as they were represented to him And for Israel and Judah their Sins did testify to their Face before he did execute Judgment upon them IX To this in respect of God 't is said In the Day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die I will destroy Man from the Face of the Earth and 't was done Pharaoh and his Host that thou hast seen this day thou shalt see no more for ever Because thou didst not restrain thy Sons I have rejected thee from being a Priest Because thou hast caused my Name to be blasphemed the Sword shall not depart from thy House Because Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with Pride he shall be driven from his Throne Because his Son did not humble but harden his Mind his Kingdom was numbred finished and translated to the Medes and Persians X. As for God his Way is not only perfect and his Word tried but he is of one Mind and there is none can turn him in a Case of Right Truth and Justice His Councel shall stand for he is not as the Son of Man that he should repent With him is no variableness nor shadow of turning He is the same yesterday to day and for ever He changeth not will not alter the thing that is gone out of his Mouth XI In this Jehovah is not behind-hand for he is a God with whom the Fatherless find Mercy pities the Poor when he sees they have no Helper breaks the Teeth of the old and young Lion smites the Enemy upon the Cheek-Bone avengeth their Cause when they crie to him and hath destroyed them and their Posterity who made long Prayers to devour Widows Houses XII The Almighty hath a great and mighty People under him even all the Inhabitants of the World Europe Asia Africa and America He is God of all the Kingdoms of the World and Judg of the whole Earth XIII In this our high and mighty Judg doth overmatch all other Judges for he is provided with Legions of Angels all ready to observe his Dictates and obey his Commands The Devils are all subject to him so that if he say Go they go Do this and they do it Millions of Men are under his Influence and as many Fowls of the Air Beasts of the Field and creeping Things of the Earth to do his Will to execute his Judgments when he speaks the word or lifts up his hand to them They shall invade the Courts of Kings enter the Chambers of Princes fetch Emperors off their Thrones bring them to Chains Blocks and Gibbets when he passes Sentence and gives Orders to do it XIV God is to be feared not only as a Creator who can annihilate and dissolve make Men cease to be as a Father who can love and rebuke as a Lord who can command and give Orders but as a Judg who can punish in this World and bring Mens Sins before-hand to Judgment XV. With God is terrible Majesty and he rideth upon the high Places of the Earth XVI God doth often reprieve and put off the Execution of Sentence so that Delinquents are not speedily executed but a Time given them to consider their ways The old World had one hundred and twenty years given them before Judgment was executed Judea Jerusalem and Samaria continued a long time before the Fury of the Almighty broke out upon them XVII God sometimes gives Orders to Angels to punish and execute his Sentence when Men are out of the reach of human Hands as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar the Host of the Assyrians and Herod the King Tho great Men join hand in hand for Wickedness yet shall they not go unpunished XVIII God will punish those that himself employs in case they exceed their Commission in any case that concerns his Act of Justice He punished Assyria and Babylon for going beyond their Bounds in his own Works of Judgment against the Jews XIX God the great Judg doth vindicate his own Honour and the Justice of the Laws he executes by giving Liberty to the People to testify against him if they have wherewith to accuse and demands of them what Evil their Fathers have seen in him requires them to testify to his Face if his Ways are in any point unequal XX. God when he comes forth in a way of Judgment doth not execute the fierceness of his Wrath he is far from rendring to Men more than they deserve he doth not reward according to their full demerit but in the midst of Judgment remembers Mercy XXI God hath assigned an Advocate to plead before he proceeds to Judgment If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father XXII God hath not only made Laws and published them and will judg Men for wilful and reiterated Rebellions but keeps a Register for the great Day to be then opened as it is written Some Mens Sins go before-hand to Judgment and they that are otherwise cannot be hid The Judgment shall sit and the
as rather kill than cure that instead of having virtue in them to cure are of a poysonous nature or have no virtue at all XII A Physician doth not only know what Medicines are good for his Patient but also takes care to apply them at a right Time if those things that are proper for the Disease be not rightly and wisely applied the Effects are lost A Man may do as much hurt by giving a good Medicine as by giving an ill one Hence it is vulgarly said That that which is one Man's Help is another Man's Death one Man's Meat is another Man's Poyson XIII A Physician is very diligent and careful of his Patient he hath in Cure looks with a quick Eye tries the Pulse and gives great charge to all that attend upon him XIV A Physician rectifies Disorders and Inequality of Humors XV. A Physician searches Wounds to the bottom to prevent inward Festering Corruption or proud Flesh that may spoil the Cure XVI A Physician in desperate cases when a Member is corrupted and comes to a Gangreen so that the Body is in danger prescribes ways to cut it off XVII A Physician deals very tenderly in binding up the Wounds of his Patient tho he hath a Lion's Heart when he hath to do with some in dangerous cases yet he hath a Lady's Hand when he comes to others XVIII A Physician gives Antidotes to preserve from Distempers and save from Infection XIX A Physician prescribes Rules to Men and Women to preserve Health as to Meat Drink Sleep Exercise c. XX. A Physician when he finds his Patient's Spirits ready to faint swoon and die away gives him of his choice and high-prepared Spirits XXI A Physician greatly rejoyces to see his Medicines take their desired Effect and work an effectual Cure on his Patient XXII A Physician often visits his Patient XXIII It behoveth a Physician to be faithful to his Patient to let him know how it is with him whether better or worse if Death is like to ensue he lets him know it that he may prepare for it Parallel I. JEsus Christ is very skilful in Distempers of the Soul and Body too he knows what the Nature of every Sin is which is the Disease and Sickness of the Soul II. Christ knows what the Nature Virtue and Property is of all spiritual Medicines that are good to cure the Soul viz. the Nature of his Word Spirit c. III. Christ the spiritual Physician is authorized and appointed to this Work The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor He hath sent me to preach Deliverance to the Captives and recovering of Sight to the Blind to set at liberty them that are bruised All he did was as he received Commandment from the Father He was tried many ways and gloriously approved to be every way able and capable to undertake the Care and Cure of Souls IV. Christ when he was asked about his Commission or by what Authority he did those things shewed his Power and License to all produced his Father's Seal to his Commission by the mighty Wonders he did he had John also to bear witness to him but saith he I receive not Testimony from Man but have a greater Witness than that of John for the Works which the Father hath given me to finish the same do bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me By which means he made it appear that he was no Deceiver And indeed whoever they be that take upon them to bring in new Ways and Means to cure Souls if they cannot confirm their Doctrines by such Mediums that no Deceiver can pretend unto they are meer Cheats and Impostors V. Christ knows the inward Parts knows every Sin and Disease of the Soul knows whether it be the Distemper of the stony Heart or the Tympany of Pride or Unbelief that Consumption of the Soul or whatever Plague or Disease doth afflict thee VI. Jesus Christ doth not only know every Distemper of each Man and Woman but also the Cause of it the first Rise from whence it springs what Diseases are Epidemical and what not whether the Cause arises from within from that inward and universal Depravity the original Cause indeed of all spiritual Sickness or whether the present Grief arises more immediatly from an infectious Air Persons or distempered Companions the Ruine of many Souls whether it arises from Unbelief or Worldly-mindedness or Neglect of Duty Temptation of Satan or from other Causes He knows them all VII Christ knows the Inclinations of every Soul what Sin or Sins do most easily beset them or they are chiefly subject unto whether it be Pride or Passion or the inordinate Love of the Creature or whatever else VIII Christ knows all the habitual Diseases of the Soul such Distempers as are inveterate stubborn contumacious from those common Weaknesses and Infirmities of Christians which the best of Men may be overtaken with IX Christ is well experienced no Physician so ancient or hath had so long Experience of Distempers of the Body as he hath had of the Diseases of the Soul How many hath he cured since the beginning of the World of all manner of Sicknesses and Diseases whatsoever X. Jesus Christ useth proper and meet Preparatives to dispose and fit Men for their spiritual Cure makes them sensible of their State and Condition by Nature humbles and lays them low at his Feet puts them upon the Duty of Prayer and hearing the Word and quickly after the Cure follows XI Jesus Christ knows what is proper for every Disease of the Soul and applies such Medicines as are meet and proper according to the Distemper such as are not hurtful and dangerous or that have no healing or saving Quality in them doth not send them to the Light within to Principles of Morality to Popish Pardons or Dispensations from Rome to a bare Reformation from a notorious and scandalous Life or an external Profession of Religion Prayer hearing the Word Alms-Deeds c. to trust to or rely upon for Salvation But contrary-wise to Faith in his own Blood to Repentance and Remission through the Atonement and Merits of his Sacrifice on the Cross. XII Christ makes a right Application of Truth as well as he applies that which is good and proper in it self he does not preach the Terrors of the Law the Severity and Justice of God to a poor broken Soul that lies languishing and trembling that has the Pillars of his Comfort shaken with the breakings of Divine Wrath for such an one he does not prescribe Corrosives but Cordials and Supports from the Mercy of God He pours the Oil of Gladness into his Wounds and gives him the Wine of Consolation On the other hand when a Soul is stubborn swell'd in Pride impenitent presumptuous contemning Advice and godly Counsel c. yet say They shall have Peace tho they add Drunkenness to Thirst
of his Faithfulness in performing and making good the same of the reality of his Intentions to make Men happy through believing that he renders the matter on God's side valid against all Contenders whatsoever so as that God shall be clear in Judgment and none be able to answer him one word of a thousand VII Jesus the faithful and true Witness was so necessary to the determination of matters relating to God and man that it could not be done without him otherwise another might have serv'd in his room but none in Heaven nor Earth was found worthy to open the Book and loose the â—â—eals thereof Rev. 5.4 If I had not come and done what no other did you had not had Sin but now you have no cloak for your Sin John 15.22 24. VIII Christ as the chief Witness hath spoke the whole Truth left nothing conceal'd that either concerns God's Glory or Mens Good either by himself before he went to Heaven or by his Apostles since he hath declar'd the whole Counsel of God so that the Record of his Testimony is able to make us perfect and compleat in the whole Will of God and if any add to or take from his Word he shall lose his part in the Book of Life and heavenly Jerusalem IX Jesus is so just and impartial a Witness yea and so great an Abhorrer of Falshood that he is called the Truth it self yea Grace and Truth came by him He was holy harmless separate from Sinners X. As the Testimony of Jesus will put an end to all Controversies the right way and leave the Wicked wholly wiâ—â—hout Excuse and clear the Justice of God So it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom in the day of Judgment than for that City that refuse and reject the Word and Testimony of Christ in the Gospel Divine Justice however will be cleared in the eyes or view of Men and Angels in condemning them that had the Light and would not be determined by it See Christ a Prophet Metaphor I. THe greatest Witnesses amongst Men are but of a short standing they are but of yesterday know but in part therefore can testify but in part II. Earthly Witnesses are but Servants and in many things return the Matter of their Testimony by Information Disparity I. BUt Jesus Christ is an Ancient Witness of long standing was with the Fâ—â—ther from the Beginning saw and â—â—eard all things that he spake and did I was by him as one brought up with him c. Before Abraham was I am II. Jesus Christ is the Son of the great King and Law-giâ—â—er and hath the whole matter of Testimony by Sight and personal Knowledg The Father hath shewed the Son all things that himsâ—â—lf doth c. And what he hath seen and heard that he testifyeth Joh. 3.32 Inferences I. THese things shew the great value God puts upon the Souls of Men that rather than they should miss the Knowledg of his Will and perish for want of Testimony to confirm the Truth he sent Jesus Christ his own Son to witness and testify Divine Things to them God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto our Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son II. That the Gospel is to be highly valued as the perfect Will of God witnessed to not only by him that was true and faithful but perfect and fâ—â—ee from the least stain or spot of Sin III. They deserve to be damn'd that live under the repeated Testimony of Christ the true Witness and yet will not believe it so as to be reformed by it How shall we escpae if we neglâ—â—ct so great Salvation IV. What Confirmation Establishment and Consolation also is here to all that belieâ—â—e and embrace the Gospel in Sincerity 1. This is the Truth as it is in Jesus The true Grace of God wherein ye stand 2. There is a high degeee of Blessedness to them that have not seen and yet believed 3. The abiding by this Testimony and Witness of Jesus Christ gives an Interest â—â— and Right unto Eternal Life 4. It advanceth the great Honour makes Men no less than the Children of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. V. An Exhortation to all them that have received the VVitness and Testimony of Jesus Christ to hold it fast against all Opposition whatsoever There is great danger in being ashamed of and relinquishing the VVord and Testimony of the Son of God He will be ashamed of them before God and the Holy Angels VI. To them that have not received his Testimony to receive it with all speed because it is the word of Life the very Doctrine of Salvation It a fearful thing to refuse him that speaks from Heaven and trample under foot the Blood of the Son of God Christ an Altar Heb. 13.10 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat who serve the Tabernacle THE Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies an Altar where the slain Sacrifices were offered and sometimes as Brightman says on Rev. 16.7 The Altar of Incense or Perfumes It is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Sacrifice or Offering In this Text it Metaphorically denotes the whole Mystery of Christ the Mediator and is put by a Synecdoche for the Oblation or Sacrifice viz. Christ. See 1 Cor. 9.13 10.18 The meaning is that such as still stick to the Ceremonies of the Law by serving the Legal Tabernacle and thereby seek their Justification cannot eat of this Spiritual Altar that is they cannot be Partakers of the Benefits of this Sacrifice purchased by the Death of Christ. Metaphor I. THe Altar of Perfume was appointed by the Lord to be made of Shittim Wood overlaid with Gold having a Crown of Gold about it II. The Altar of Burnt-Offerings was ordaind for Sacrifices to attone for Sin the Flesh of Beasts was offered thereon III. All Sacrifices were to be offered upon the Altar of Burnt-Offerings and all Incense to be burnt upon the Altar of Incense IV. The Altar of Burnt-Offerings was but one and in one place and the Sacrifice to be offered thereon in this place only V. The Altar did sanctify the Sacrifices which were laid upon it VI. The Altar was a place of Refuge Men that were in danger fled to the Horns of the Altar and there intreated for Favour VII The Horns of the Altar were to be sprinkled with Blood and so was the Altar of Incense once a year VIII The Altar had four Horns on the four Corners thereof Parallel I. CHRIST's Humane Nature was covered and over-laid as it were with the Divinity and crown'd with Majesty as the Gold adorn'd the Wood and circled the Altar II. Christ was appointed for Sacrifice his Humane Nature was offered up as a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World III. All our Duties
METAPHOR AN Earnest among Men is usually a certain Sum either more or less of Gold or Silver which are but corruptible and earthly Things II. The best and greatest Purchase an Earnest among Men is given for consists but of temporal things that pass away and perish as all Sublunary Things do III. Sometimes among Men a Person who has given Earnest for such or such a Commodity does afterwards recant his Bargain IV. Sometimes the Purchaser loses his Earnest by flying from the Bargain and so never has the Inheritance V. Amongst Men the Earnest of an Inheritance is given by the Purchaser to the Seller and he expects something of equal worth for that he parts withal for it VI. An Earnest among Men is given by the Purchaser with an intent or design to advantage himself thereby 't is chiefly his own Interest and Profit which he aims at in this Action Disparity THe Earnest of the Saints Inheritance is of an inestimable value being of an heavenly and sublime Nature the holy blessed and eternal Spirit of God in the Operations Gifts and Graces thereof II. The holy Spirit is the Earnest of an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life III. There never will be any recanting about giving or receiving this Spiritual Earnest God will never repent that he gave his Spirit to his faithful Children it being bestowed upon them as the Result of his eternal Purpose in Jesus Christ. And Believers have no cause to recant their Bargain in yielding themselves up to God both Body and Soul all they are and are capable to do for the Glory of Free-Grace for their Gain will be unspeakable thereby Godliness is profitable to all things having the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come it is great Gain IV. God will never can never lose those Souls for whom he gave his Son as the Price of their Redemption and his Spirit as an Earnest to make sure of them My Father which gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hands V. The Spiritual Earnest is given by the Father upon the account of Christ's Purchase unto Believers The Lord Jesus bought the Inheritance and received the Earnest of it for us as Mediator who freely gives it to us out of his own good Will he bestows it upon us as an Assurance of the full possession of eternal Life VI. The Lord giving his Spirit as the Earnest of future Blessings designs 't is acknowledged his own Glory thereby but chiefly the Profit will be ours 'T was our Good our Advantage Christ designed and aimed at in dying for us and in giving his Spirit to us Inferences WHat admirable Grace and Favour is here Did God give Christ to die for us to redeem us from Sin and Wrath to come and did he receive the holy Spirit as Mediator to give it unto us the Earnest of that purchased Possession Let this be to the Praise of his Glory Christ purchases that we might possess Others purchase that they might inherit themselves and give Earnest to make sure the Estate to themselves but the Lord Jesus needed not to do so he was Heir from everlasting and all that he did as Mediator was for us to enrich and make us happy and blessed for ever 2. If God hath given to Believers the Holy Spirit as the Earnest of their Inheritance let them take heed they do not go about to defraud him of his Bargain They are not their own they are bought with a Price and they have consented to this holy Contract by taking an Earnest from his hand 'T is great Injustice to deprive or keep back any part of a lawful Bargain from the Buyer especially when he hath given Earnest for it 3. This shews what certain Hopes and good Assurances a godly Man hath of eternal Life 'T is bought or purchased for him 't is given by Promise to him the Promise is sealed nay more than this he hath received a Pledg or Earnest of it What little ground is there then for any Soul to despond or doubt of the eternal Inheritance The holy God deals with us after the manner of Men about the great Concerns of another World the bare Promise of God would be Security enough we need not require a Seal and an Earnest of him O how doth Divine Goodness condescend to poor Creatures that the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolation 4. From hence Believers may learn how to repell and withstand the Temptations of Satan Simon saith our Saviour Satan hath desired to have you c. But might not Simon and so consequently every true Christian say I am not mine own thou comest too late Satan I have received Earnest of a better Estate of a better Kingdom than thou hast I have given up my self to Jesus Christ and he hath taken possession of me by his Spirit that I might possess and enjoy him to Eternity 5. And let Sinners who would have an Interest in God and enjoy this eternal Inheritance learn from hence the ready way to come to it First They must believe The Saints that are sealed with the Spirit which is the Earnest of the purchased Inheritance are said to trust in God after they heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of their Salvation In whom saith the Apostle after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased Possession to the Praise of his Glory Secondly As they must hear attend upon the Word go out of themselves to Christ rely upon him and trust in him believe and receive the Record God hath given of his Son so they must submit to his Ordinances The Spirit is promised to those that keep his Commandments John 14.15 16. If this be done in Truth and Sincerity you shall certainly receive the Earnest of future Happiness as well as others 6. Those that would have a Trial of their Estates and Conditions who desire to know whether they have received the Spirit of God or not may read the Metaphor where the holy Spirit is compared to a Seal Nothing is more needful all may see from hence to make sure of the Spirit take heed you be not mistaken about it c. And let them that have received it live upon it Such need not fear wanting any good thing this Earnest-Penny will as hath been shewn already defray all their Charge whilst they are in this World 'T is a great Sum God gives like himself and answerable to that Inheritance prepared and purchased for Believers 7. What Fools are they that slight and despise this Earnest God offers Men in the Gospel everlasting Life and to assure them of it promises them if they will come to his
Terms to give them his Spirit as the Earnest thereof Turn you at my Reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit upon you I will make known my Words unto you The Holy-Spirit compared to a Seal Eph. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption A Seal is an Instrument fitted to make an Impression or Mark by which a Man knows the thing done whatsoever it be to be his own and not anothers Act as also to ratify and make authentick Bonds Covenants c. And in opening this Metaphor of Believers being sealed by the holy Spirit these things are meet to be noted 1. The Letter written or the Vessel filled with Treasure every true Christian. 2. The Wax appointed to the Seal and that is the Heart the relenting and pliable Heart of a Sinner Heb. 10.16 3. The Sealer that is as some conceive the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ others more immediatly the holy Spirit or third Person of the Trinity 4. The Seal as some understand is the Word of God others the Spirit we include both jointly considered 5. The Sealing or Impression active is the Act of applying the Word in the Ministry of the Gospel by the help of the Spirit to the Soul 6. The Print or Impression passive or Image of the Seal left in the Wax is called the Image of God or Knowledg Faith Love Truth Holiness c. which are originally in God and communicated to us by the Word and Spirit from him 7. The End of Sealing which is Secrecy Property and Security which things will appear more fully in opening the Metaphor METAPHOR A Seal especially if it be the King's Seal is highly prized and very carefully kept II. A Seal makes an Impression in the Wax like it self or leaves a resemblance of it III. Before the Seal can make an Impression the Wax must be melted or made pliable soft and fit to take it IV. The Seal alters the Form of the Clay 't is set or stamp'd upon A piece of Clay is a rude Lump without form or figure saith Mr. Caryl but if you take a Seal and stamp upon it that Clay receives any Figure or Coat of Arms that is engraven upon it V. A Seal is to confirm and make sure Bonds Contracts or Covenants that are made between Man and Man If an honest Man makes a Promise of such and such things to his Friend he thinks he hath ground to hope those good things so promised him are his own but if he gives it under his Hand in Writing he concludes he is more sure but if the Writing Covenant or Promise be sealed 't is as firm and as sure as he can desire to have it VI. A Seal is used to distinguish or differ things one from another whereby Property is known and secured a Merchant knows his Goods from other Mens by the Seal or Mark he sets upon them VII A Seal is used to confirm and make Laws Authentick till they have the King's Seal stamp'd upon them they oblige not the Subject to Obedience VIII A Seal is used to secure preserve or keep safe several things which otherwise might be spoiled run out and become good for nothing Things that we would not have any to touch nor meddle with we set a Seal upon IX A Seal many times is counterfeited by ill Men they indeavour to imitate it as nigh as they can to cheat poor ignorant People thereby X. A Seal is used to hide or keep back others from the Knowledg of things if a Man have any thing to write unto his Friend that he would not have others know he seals up his Letter upon the account of Secrecy tho 't is like afterwards in convenient time those things so conceal'd are discovered Parallel THe holy Spirit is the King's Seal the glorious King of Heaven and Earth and therefore is highly valued and prized by every true Christian. II. The holy Spirit makes an Impression on the Heart there is in a Believer a Similitude a Likeness or Resemblance of God every Saint hath the Image of the Spirit upon him he is holy harmless heavenly c. III. Before the holy Spirit seals any Person to the Day of Redemption the Heart is broken softned and made pliable by the Word and powerful Operations of Grace and so made fit to take that heavenly Impression And thus you have David speaking I am poured out like Water and all my Bones are out of Joint My Heart is like Wax it is melted in the midst of my Bowels IV. The Spirit makes a change upon the Soul of a Man or Woman that receives the Impression of it it alters every Faculty and puts a new Form or Figure as it were upon it Man naturally is a rude Lump a gross and confused Piece by reason of Sin till the Spirit stamps upon him or infuses into him new Habits V. The Holy Spirit confirms and makes sure the Covenant and Promises of God to Believers God hath not only made gracious Promises to them of Pardon Peace and Eternal Life c. But he hath left these Promises written in the Holy Scriptures and not only so but such is his great Love and Kindness to them he hath given them his Seal they have his Promise his Word and his Spirit also that they might not doubt of the Truth and Stability of his Covenant We are his Witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey him VI. The Holy Spirit distinguishes or differs one Man from another God hath set his Seal or Mark upon all his People The Foundation of God remaineth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his If any Man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his VII The Holy Spirit is the broad Seal of Heaven by which all the Laws and Institutions of the Gospel were ratified and confirmed with Signs and Wonders in the Primitive Time by which means they come to be Authentick and everlasting Laws obliging all Men to Obedience and all Laws of Spiritual Worship Traditions and Institutions injoyned by any Potentate Assembly or Council whatsoever that were not thus sealed or witnessed to are utterly to be rejected VIII The Spirit secures preserves and keeps safe all true Believers from the Danger they continually are exposed to from Sin Satan and the Insnarements and Mischiefs of this evil World Satan nor wicked Men must not cannot destroy the Servants of God because of the Mark or Seal he hath set upon them Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn c. saying Hurt not the Earth c. till we have sealed the Servants of our God in
rendered as a vile Hypocrite as Job was it doth clear him and makes his Heart light and how doth he prize and esteem of such a Friend Alas had not a Christian the Witness in himself to clear and bear up his Soul he would sink down many times into utter Despondency but this made holy Job to triumph over all his Enemies Behold my Witness is in Heaven and my Record is on high As much as if he should say though many Witnesses are against me yet I will keep my Conscience clear I will not have my own Heart to charge me or witness against me as long as I live VI. So the Holy Ghost gives in such clear Demonstration and Proof to the clearing up of a Man's Evidence for Heaven that when all Cases are clearly considered a poor Saint though doubtful before comes to a good and full Satisfaction therein God's Spirit and Conscience compares a Man's State with the Word of God and if upon Trial it appears that those Qualifications are wrought in his Heart that the Word expresly mentions concerning the Truth of Grace he then finds he hath no more cause to doubt of the goodness of his Condition VII So the Holy Spirit and Conscience bring off a Christian with abundance of holy Joy and Triumph notwithstanding his Case may seem very dangerous by means of strong Accusations of Satan as it was with Job For this is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity we have had our Conversation in the World c. VII So the Spirit or God confirms the Covenant of Grace to the Soul of a Believer for when the true Fear of God is wrought in the Heart the Spirit witnesseth to it and thereby assures us that all the Promises that are made therein are undoubtedly our own and shall be performed to us Inference HOw happy is the State of the Godly what good Assurance have they of Eternal Life they have received an Earnest of it it is sealed unto them and they have two infallible Witnesses to confirm it to them See Conscience a Witness The Holy-Spirit a Teacher Luke 12.12 For the Holy-Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all thing to your Remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you THe Holy Spirit is the great Teacher of the Church and every particular Saint and Member thereof unto whom the Accomplishment of that great Promise is committed And they shall be all taught of God Joh. 6.45 Teacher A Teacher is a personal Appellation II. A Teacher implieth one or more that needeth Instruction or Teaching it argues Weakness of Knowledg and want of Understanding in some Persons about such things they ought to be well instructed in III. It behoveth an able Teacher to have great Knowledg and Understanding himself in all those Things and Mysteries he instructeth others in IV. A spiritual and able Teacher openeth divers dark deep hidden and mysterious things to the Understandings of Men. V. A divine and able Teacher by this means greatly inlightneth the World and causeth Darkness and Ignorance to fly away inriching Men's Minds with the precious Knowledg of sacred Truths VI. An able Teacher instructeth ignorant Persons by degrees as they are able to take in conceive and apprehend things first to read the a b c and then the Bible and afterwards the Grammar or any other Things of Learning they desire to be instructed in VII Some Teachers teach their Scholars out of a Book their great Business is to help them rightly and distinctly to understand that VIII A Teacher exerciseth much Patience towards them whom he instructeth especially when he meets with such that are very dull and unapt to learn he is forc'd to take much Pains with them IX Some Teachers tho very deserving have been greatly slighted by those very Persons they have shewed much Love to and taken great Pains with for their good which hath sorely grieved them X. Some Teachers after they have found those whom they were imployed to teach and instruct grown to such a great degree of Stubborness and Obstinacy that they have utterly despised and refused to betaught by them and have cast all Counsel behind their Backs then they have left them and wholly given them up as hopeless Persons XI Godly Teachers are so great a Blessing to People that it is a great Loss to lose them nay a sore and lamentable Judgment upon the Church and the World to be deprived of or have their Tea-chers taken away from them or forc'd into a Corner Parallel THe Holy Ghost is a Divine Person See Comforter II. There is no Man whatsoever but needeth the Divine Teaching and Instruction of the Holy Ghost For what Man knoweth the things of a Man save the Spirit of a Man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 III. The Holy Ghost hath great Knowledg yea he is infinite in Understanding there is nothing that he is ignorant of that either concerns God's Honour or our Good The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God IV. The Holy Ghost openeth many dark and deep Mysteries what hidden Mysteries did he reveal to the Prophets and open and unfold to the blessed Apostles Which in other Ages were not made known unto the Sons of Men as is now revealed unto the Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit V. The Holy Ghost inspiring and teaching the Prophets and Apostles who were the holy Pen-men of the sacred Scripture hath greatly inlightned the Inhabitants of the Earth where their Record is known and also when he hath opened the Eyes of the Understandings of Men in those profound and glorious Mysteries contained in the holy Scripture how are their minds inriched with the Knowledg of divine Truths VI. The Holy Ghost teacheth and instructeth poor Sinners gradually first the a b c of Religion viz. the Knowledg of Sin and their lost and undone Condition thereby the Vanities of this World together with the necessity of a Saviour and then in the second Place he instructeth them in higher Mysteries opening and explaining the Covenant of Grace as also the glorious Mystery of Union and Communion with God the Mystery of the Trinity the Incarnation of Christ his Priesthood and other things relating to him as Mediator together with many dark Sayings and Prophecies of the Scripture which those who are unlearned viz. who have not the Spirit 's teachings wrest unto their own Destruction I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now VII So the Holy Ghost teacheth Sinners the Knowledg of the Scriptures for as the Spirit gave them forth so he is the best Interpreter of them Then opened be their Vnderstandings that they might understand the
things lie naked and bare V. So in the Assumption of this Form there may be some respect had to Noah's Dove signifying Peace and Reconciliation by Christ and the ceasing of the Wrath of God to all those who shall fly to the Lord Jesus and rest upon him by a lively Faith VI. The Holy Ghost is swift God is said to fly upon the Wings of the Wind the Spirit is God and the Flight of the Dove saith Reverend Blackwood denotes the divine Influence of the Spirit coming from Heaven into the Members of Christ as well as into the Head the Holy Ghost can quickly come to the Aid and Succour of a Believer when in Trouble or beset with Temptation or to strengthen him when he hath any great Work and Business to do for God That Spirit appeared like a Dove and yet the Learned tell us it was of a fiery Colour and we must not think this Substance saith Mr. Blackwood or Body resembled by a Dove to be hypostatically united to the Holy Spirit as the humane Nature of Christ is to the divine but as Angels appeared oft-times to Men in humane Bodies and laid them down again so did the Holy Ghost The Holy Spirit the Saints Guide Joh. 16.13 He will guide you into all Truth c. Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God The Spirit is the Saints Guide Guide A Guide is very necessary for Strangers in a Wilderness where there are many ways and turnings II. An eminent and able Guide is well skill'd in all ways and able to give Directions in the most difficult Cases that are very hard to find out III. A faithful Guide gives notice of all the Dangers that are in the way and shews also how a poor Travellor may escape them and so go safe unto his desired Place IV. An able Guide frees a Man that commits himself to his Guidance from many Cares and Fears that attend such who have lost their Way and have no Guide V. An able and faithful Guide gives plain and full Direction to the ignorant so that they cannot well miss the way if so be they exactly follow his Directions Parallel SO the Guidance of the Holy Spirit as it is contained in the Holy Scripture is necessary to Believers whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World where one says this is the way and another that II. So the Holy Spirit is able to guide poor Sinners in all the ways of God he led Moses and the Prophets under the Law and led the Apostles and all the Primitive Christians under the Gospel-Ministration Holy Men of God spake as they were moved and guided by the Holy Spirit There is no Precept nor Promise of God needful for the Children of Men to be instructed in but the Spirit in the holy Scripture hath left it upon Record for our Direction and Consolation and whatsoever is hard to be understood that is contained therein The Spirit that searcheth all things can open and explain it to a gracious Soul the Spirit guides in the way of Morality in the way of Faith and Gospel-Obedience in the way of Church-Constitution and Discipline and in Gospel-Holiness and Conversation III. The Holy Spirit hath in the Holy Scripture for in that is contained all the Directions of the Spirit touching all matters and cases necessary to alvation given notice to all Spiritual Travellors of all the Dangers that may attend them in the way to Heaven First the Danger of Unregeneracy the common Road that most Men and Women walk in the Spiritâ—â— hath told us positively if we go in that way we shall perish for ever Except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Secondly The great Danger of the way of Presumption Thirdly The Danger of Despair Fourthly The Danger of Idolatry Heresy and Error Fifthly The Danger of Disobedience to Christ's Commands Acts 3.22.23 Sixthly The Danger of loving or liking of any one Sin Seventhly The Danger of Hypocrisy Eighthly The Danger of Apostacy c. IV. So the Holy Spirit frees a poor Saint from many Fears and Cares which attend others whilst he wholly commits himself to the Guidance of God's Word and to the Directions of the Spirit many are at a loss and know not what to do nor which way to go whilst he rests satisfied resolving to go wholly by this Guide V. So the Holy Spirit in the Scripture of Truth hath given such plain and clear Directions in all Cases of moment about Faith and Holiness that the ignorant and unlearned cannot miss the way to Heaven if they carefully observe the Rules laid down therein Guide OTher Guides tho very skilful and have good Knowledg of a way or matter they undertake to guide Men in may notwithstanding in some things miss being not infallible cannot give infallible Demonstrations to all doubtful Persons that they are right and that those who follow their Directions shall never go astray Disparity BUT the Holy Spirit in such a glorious manner by many Signs and Wonders so confirmed the way to Heaven as they are recorded in the Holy Scripture that those that follow his Counsel shall not go astray he is an infallible Guide and never imposed any Rules Laws or Precepts upon Men but left such convincing Evidence of the Truth of his Testimony that there remains no just ground for a Doubt or Objection as might be shewed in respect of the giving forth both of the Law and Gospel therefore those who pretend they are led by the Spirit or Inspiration and yet cannot prove and demonstrate what they say to be true by such ways and means that no Deceiver can pretend unto or do the like c. lie and abuse the Holy Ghost who is a certain and infallible Guide Inferences BLess God for this Spiritual Guide in matters of Faith and Practice and that there are such sure Rules left by him in the written Word What should we have done had God never afforded us such a Teacher and Guide as the Holy Ghost is 1. For Man naturally is blind I will lead the Blind in ways they knew not c. 2. There are many By-ways and were there not one sure and perfect Guide how could a Man find his way It is as easy for one Man to say he is led by the Spirit and Inspiration as it is for another and how shall a Man were it not for the Word know which of them is in the right 3. Some pretend they are led by the Spirit and they walk quite contrary to the Scripture which contains all the Truth of God necessary to be known believed and practised in order to Salvation He shall guide you into all Truth he shall bring my Word to your Remembrance Quest. How shall we know who follows the Spirit 's Guidance Answ. Art thou led to repent to leave thy Sins to believe in Christ to obey his Commands to
live a godly Life to keep a good Conscience towards God and towards Men these are part of those things the Spirit guides Men in and such who thus live are led by the Spirit of God and are the Sons of God THE Word of God Compared To LIGHT The Fourth Head of Metaphors Allegories Similitudes and other borrowed Terms in Scripture that relate to the most Sacred Word of GOD. Psal. 119.105 Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a Dark place c. 2 Cor. 4.4 6. Least the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine upon them c. In handling this Metaphor we will 1. Shew what Light is 2. Give its various acceptations 3. Run the Parallel and largely open the Properties of Gospel Light Concluding with Practical Improvements upon that and some Dependant and Collateral Points LIght properly taken is thus defined Lux est claritas seu splendor in Corpore luminoso vel extra a corpore luminoso exiens that is Light is a Clarity Brightness or Splendor in a luminous body or proceeding from it It is called in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or from whence comes the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cerno to behold which cannot be done but where there is light The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maor is properly a lightsome or lucid body as the Sun Moon Stars Gen. 1.14 15 The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 17.2 Act. 26.23 the Latines lux and lumen It is threefold viz. there is a Natural light a light of Grace and a light of Glory the first is common to all that have the Sense of Seeing the second to Believers only on Earth the third to the Saints and glorified Spirits in Heaven The second sort of which we treat proceeds from Christ who is called the light Joh. 1. and his Gospel which is also called Light because it has the same influence and Efficacy in illuminating the Minds of Men which without it are spiritually dark as the Sun and other lucid bodies have to help our Corporal Eyes in the discovery of Objects Light Metaphorically is put for life it self Job 3.16 20 21. 2. For any Prosperity and Joy of Mind arising from thence Esth. 8.16 3. For the open and manifest state of things Matth. 10.27 Zeph. 3.5 Joh. 3.21 1 Cor. 4.5 4. For Favour and Good Will Prov. 16.15 5. For the Mistery of Regeneration 1 With respect to the Organical Cause of it viz. the Word and Spirit of God Psal. 43. Prov. 6.23 Isa. 2.5.20 2 Cor. 4.6 1 John 2.8 2 With respect to the formal Cause which is the Saving knowledge of Christ and true Faith Act 26.18 Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 1.7 Hence Believers are called the Sons of Light Luk. 16.8 Eph. 5.8 1 Thes. 5.5 and the Graces of the Spirit and effects thereof the Armour of Light Rom. 13.12 3 VVith respect to the final Cause the last scope and effect of Faith which is life Eternal Isa. 6O 19 20. Joh. 8.12 Act. 26.23 2 Tim. 1.10 c. More particularly by a Metaphor Light is put for Knowledge Dan. 5.11 Isa. 60.3 For Beleivers Eph. 5.8 For the Ministers of the Gospel Matth. 5.14 For God himself 1 Joh. 1.5 Natural light was the first perfect Creature that God made of this visible world Gen. 1.3 Light is put for the Morning Neh. 8.3 And he read unto them from the light so the Hebrew until Midday Noon light in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zocharajim signifies double light or that which is extraordinary shining The Devil is called an Angel of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 that is by himself or Agents he assumes a specious and seeming Sanctity on purpose to insnare and deceive the Godly God is said to dwell in unapproachable Light 1 Tim. 6. that is in such transcendent Glory that no Mortal Eye can approach unto There is nothing so illustrious and glorious as Light hence the joyes of Heaven are set out by it In what respect the Word or Gospel is compared to Light take as followeth METAPHOR 1. Light is pleasant and very Comfortable Truly Light is sweet saith Solomon and a pleasant thing it is for the Eyes to see the Sun How grevious is it to be blind or to be kept in a deep and dark Dungion without seeing or beholding the Light 2. Light hath a penetrating quality it is of such a piercing and subtil Nature that it conveys it self into the least Crevise you can hardly make a Fence so Close as wholly to keep out light 3. Light makes manifest Great Light discovers and makes things manifest causing them to appear as they are in their proper nature which in the dark many times are taken to be that which indeed they are not When you would see what a thing is that you may make a true Judgment of it you bring it to the Light Whatsoever maketh manifest saith the Apostle is Light 4. Light hath a Directive vertue it Guides men in their way the Traveller by the Benefit of Light sees what path to keep and how to avoid the Dangers that may attend should he turn to the Right hand or to the Left 5. Light hath a Chearing Warming and Reviving Quality Light contributes much to the Vegetation Growth and Life of Plants and other Creatures Light and Motion are the cause of heat which the Heavenly Bodies send down upon the Earth Light is that Instrument whereby all Influences of Heaven are communicated and dispersed to the World 6. Light hath a purging and purifying Vertue Fogs and Mists that are gathered in Darkness are dispersed and scattered when the Light comes hence Light is called the refining-pot of Nature The World saith a worthy Divine would be an unwholsom Pesthouse if it had no Light 7. Light is of an undefileable Nature Tho' it passeth through sinks and most polluted places yet it Contracts no defilement it cleanseth all things but is defiled by nothing 'T is a quality so spiritual that nothing can fasten upon it to pollute it 8. Light is Glorious for beauty and splendor Hence the Glory of Heaven is called Light There is nothing of all created beings so Glorious as the Sun and light is a resplendency and shining forth of it Parallel 1. The Word or Gospel of Jesus Christ is very pleasant and a delightful thing How woful was the state of England in former times when men were kept in the Dungeon of Popish Darkness without the Precious Light of Gods Word Light is compared to Gladness and a good Day many Good Days have we enjoyed since God sent out his Light and Truth amongst us 2. The Word of God is of a searching and penitrating nature the Apostle saith it is quick
and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and Intents of the heart 'T is a hard matter for a Man tho' never so wicked to shut out or Prevent the Light of Gods Word from darting into and piercing of his Evil and accusing Conscience 3. The Word and blessed Gospel of Christ is so Great a Light that it makes wonderful Discoveries to the Children of Men. 1. It makes Manifest not only that there is a God but also what a God he is Not only his Being but also his manner of Being 2. It Discovers the Creation of the World 3. The State of Man before he fell and after his Fall 4. The horrid nature of Sin 5. The secret Counsel and Eternal Love of God to lost Man together with the severity of God towards the fallen Angels 6. It makes known the Lord Jesus Christ and his Blessed Design in coming into the World his Incarnation Nativity Life Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession c. 7. It Discovers how God is to be Worshipped all his Laws Ordinances and Institutions are revealed by it 8. It discovers the True Church which otherwise cannot be known 9. Lastly It makes manifest whatsoever is needful or necessary to be known believed or practiced in order to Salvation 4. The VVord of God Directs and Guides Men in the Right way Hence David saith Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathes God is Gracious to mankind in this respect viz. he leaves them not at an uncertainty without an infallible Guide in matters of Religion Take away this Unâ—â—erring Rule and what confusion would the Christian VVorld be in one Man might say this is the way and another that I walk saith one by the Guidance of the Spirit and so saith another that teacheth quite Contrary things Saith a third you are both out of the way 't is I alone that am led by Inspiration and ye are in Darkness Others plead for the Pope and General Counsels which have been miserably Contradictory one to another and none of these can Give better Demonstrations touching the truth of what they Preach or Practice then the Rest being not able to Confirm their Doctrine by Miracles and so consequently how shall a poor doubtful Soul be directed in the way to heaven by either or any of them For were not the holy Scriptures the Rule but Contrariwise the Light within or Inspiration c. then must a Man be able to Confirm and Prove what he sayeth in such a way or by such means that no Deceiver or Impostor can pretend unto or do the like But is not the Spirit of God above the Scriptures which you call the VVord did not the Spirit give forth the Scriptures if so sure then that is of the Greatest Authority and only Light that can best Direct men Into the right way That the holy Spirit or third Person of the holy Trinity is a Greater Light then the holy Scripture is not Denied by vertue of which holy men of old were Inspired that gave them forth yet the Question is VVhether any Man now hath such a measure of the Spirit in him which is a greater Light than the written word and to whom others are bound to adhere and be directed by for 't is this only which is Denied 5. The word and Gospel of Christ hath a Chearing and Quickning Vertue This is my comfort in my affliction thy word hath Quickened me And in another place I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast Quickend me As 't is grevious to be Spiritually blind or in the Dark Region and Dungeon of Idolatry Sin and Unbelief so on the other hand how comfortable is it to enjoy the blessed word and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 6. The VVord and Gospel of Christ hath a Cleansing Purging and purifying Vertue in it Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you The Gospel and word of God Disperseth and Scattereth all the Fogs and Mists of Darkness and Error It is the refining-pot of Truth VVhat an unwholsome Pesthouse would the VVorld be in a Spiritual Sence were it not for the Light and Excellent Vertue of Gods holy VVord 7. The VVord and Gospel of God is very pure and of an undefilable Nature what filthy sinks hath it past through and what means hath been used by the Popish Adversaries and others to Corrupt and Polute it and yet no defilement cleaveth to it it remaines unmixed and pure still shining forth Gloriously such is the Excellent nature of it it purifieth the hearts and lives of men and nothing can fasten upon it to polute it 8. The VVord and Gospel of Christ is called by the Apostle The Glorious Gospel the Gospel is exceeding full of Glory There is nothing in it but that which is very Glorious Here you have a Resplendency and Shining forth of the Sun of Righteousness Gloria quasi clara saith Aquinas because Glory is the bright shining forth of Excellency now its transcendent Excellency and Splendor shines forth as may be demonstrated many wayes 1. It s Glorious in Respect of the Author and Fountain from whence it proceeds 2. 'T is Glorious in a Comparative sence 3. 'T is Glorious in respect of it Self First As light is Glorious because it is the most Excellent Rayes Resplendency and Shinings forth of the Sun so is the Gospel because 't is the glorious shining forth and resplendency of Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness Secondly 'T is glorious in a comparative sence it Excells the Law hence called a better Testiment tho' that was glorious yet it had no glory in this respect by Reason of the glory that Excelleth I. The Gospel excels the Law in respect of the names of the one and the names of the other 1. The Law is called the Letter the Gospel the Ministration of the Spirit 2. The Law is called a Ministration of death the Gospel a Ministrator of life II. The gospel excels in glory above the law 1. In regard of the light and perspicuity of it the law was full of obscurity clothed with many Ceremonies and mysterious Sacrifices 2. They were at a great loss touching the main drift and end thereof 2 Cor. 3.13 God spake as it were under a Vail III. The gospel is clear and plain Christ beheld heard handled c. the Mysteries long hid open'd and explained fully we behold with open face c. IV. The law was appointed to be but a leading Ministration and in subserviency to the gospel our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. V. The gospel more glorious or excels the law in respect of the strength of the one and weakness of
Because the Gospel holds Christ forth to be the store house of all Divine grace and blessings he is ordained to convey all spiritual Riches to his Church and to every Member thereof 3. To allure and engage souls to love him and close in with him how can any refuse such a friend reject such a Saviour that is so beautiful to look upon and also so exceeding Rich. 4. That it might leave all men and women without excuse in the great Day what will they have to say that reject such a Saviour that turn their backs upon such a Christ when they are called to answer in the Day of Judgment 5. To relieve the tempted Soul 6. To strengthen the Faith and chear the hearts of all that do believe in him Fourthly The gospel is glorious in respect of Christ the glorious Object of it as it reveals his glorious Power Power in Scripture is taken two manner of ways or it shews a twofold power in Christ. 1. A Commanding Power his power of Soveraignty or Regal power that which we call Authority 2. The power of working or effecting that which he would have done Some have power to command but want a power to Effect that which they command cannot accomplish what they would have done but what Christ commands he can do or cause to be done at his Pleasure 1. I shall shew that the power of Christ is a glorious power 2. Shew why Christ hath such power 1. Christ hath a commanding Power he hath great Authority he hath a Regal Power or Superiority over all 1. Over Angels 2. Over the Church 3. Over the Devils I will lay upon the shoulders of Eliakim the Keys of the house of David Isa. 22.22 Keys is a borrowed speech signifying Government and Legal Power Christ hath the Keys of David Rev. 3.7 All Power in Rule and Government in Commanding Forbidding Punishing Binding Loosing Damning Saving is in Christs hand See Christ the Head and Heir of all things Keys of Hell and Death signifieth Christs Regal power over the Devils and delivering up unto Death and Hell or keeping out of it Over men mighty men Kings of the Earth He is the only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords They are all his Subjects shall and must Submit to him 4. He hath an universal Power therefore glorious Power the Sun the Moon the Stars the Winds the Seas obey him 5. Christs Power is absolute he bears the Image of God he is God as you heard before None hath absolute power but God he doth what he pleaseth 6. Christs Power is Just therefore glorious in Power it is not a Might without Right 't is in him Essentially as God and is given to him as Mediator in the one Respect he derived it from none in the other sence he received it from the Father 7. Christs Power is Infinite he made the World he upholds the World therefore glorious in Power He could have made a Thousand Worlds can do beyond all that we can conceive or speak 8. Christs Power is glorious because he can bring all other Power to nought in a moment at his pleasure whether of Men or Devils 9. Christs Power is glorious Power in that it is everlasting Power Men may be powerful for a time but they may soon lose it must die and so cannot hold it long but Christ sits King for ever his power is from everlasting to everlasting of his Kingdom there shall be no end 10. Christs power is Dreadful he looketh upon the earth and it Trembles he can make all tremble before him who can Thunder like God 1. He has a glorious commanding Voice 2. A glorious restraining voice what is swifter than the Sun which he can stop in a moment 3. Glorious in his reproving voice Psal. 50.21 4. In his threatning voice Rev. 2.16 and Chap. 2.23 11. He hath a Glorious Victorious Conquering and Subduing Power he hath overcome Sin Devil Death Hell c. 12. Christs Power is Glorious because nothing is too hard for him to do nay nothing is hard for him to do he can do what he will with a word of his mouth 13. Christs Power extends not only over the Body but over the Soul also works mightily in us as well as for us and can do wonderful things by weak Instruments by foolish and contemptible ones in the eye of the VVorld VVhat mighty things did he do by a few poor Fishermen and others not accounted off 14. Lastly Nothing is hard for Christ to do tho' all the Devils of Hell and Men on Earth oppose and resist him I will work and who shall let it VVhy hath Christ as Mediator such great and glorious Power given to him 1. From the greatness of his work he is to accomplish 2. Because no Souls whatsoever Discouragements they meet with should despair in coming to him or in relying upon him 3. That he might be feared and dreaded by all yea that his very enemies might tremble before him 4. That he might be honoured and adored Honour belongs to Sovereignty Thirdly As the gospel is Glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. So likewise in Respect of the Holy Ghost the gospel shews the Spirit in himself to be a distinct living powerful intelligent Divine Person Not only a distinct self subsisting Person but also a participant of the Divine Nature not the chief of all created Spirits and so the head of all good Angels as some imagine but that he is uncreated truly and ready God coeternal with the Father and the Son This we shall speak a little unto together with his glorious work Office and Operations First The VVord of God holds forth and positively declares that the holy Spirit is in himself a distinct intelligent Divine Person and which ought to be believed concerning this great truth viz. the Diety and Personality of the holy Ghost may be seen in the ensuing Testimonies according as they are Collected to our hands by a Reverend Divine Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the spirit of his mouth Job 26.13 By his spirit he hath garnished the Heavens Psal. 104.30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit they are created Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Act. 1.16 That Scripture must needs hath been fulfilled which the holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake Act. 5.3 Peter said to Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the holy Ghost Ver. 4. Thou hast not lyed to man but to God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 12.11 All these worketh that one and the self same Spirit dividing to every severally man as he will And there are
Obedience in our Conversion to God be not the effect of his Grace in us he doth not work in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure 1. The work of Conversion it self and in especial the act of Believing or Faith it self is expresly said to be of God to be wrought in us by him to be freely given unto us from him the Scriptures saith not that God gives us ability or power to believe only Namely such a power as we may make use of if we will or do otherwise but Faith and Conversion themselves are said to be the work and effect of God But it maybe Objected that every thing which is actually accomplished in potentia before There must therefore be in us a power to Believe before we do so actually The Act of God working Faith in us is a creating work for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus And he that is in Christ is a new Creature now the Effects of creating acts are not in potentia any where but in the active Power of God so was the World it self before its actual existence This is termed potentia logica which is no more but a Negation of any Contradiction to existence not potentia physica which includes a disposition unto actual existence Notwithstanding therefore all these preparatory works of the Spirit of God which we allow in this matter there is not by them wrought in the Mind and Wills of men such a next power as they call it as should enable them to believe without further actual grace working Faith it self Wherefore with respect to believing the first act of God is to work in us to will So Phil. 1.13 he worketh in us to will This God worketh in us by that grace which Austin and other Learned men call gratia operans 2. Faith and Repentance 'T is said to be given of God Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and remission of sin to you it is given in behalf of Christ not only to believe but to suffer for his sake By Grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is gift of God Our own ability be it what it will however assisted and excited and Gods gift are contra-distinguished If it be of our selves it is not the gift of God if it be the gift of God it is not of our selves and the manner how God bestows this gift upon us is declared ver 10. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good work And from hence Faith is called the Faith of the operation of God 3. Love that precious prevailing Grace is planted in the Soul by the Spirit causing the Soul with Delight and Complacency to cleave unto God and his wayes the Lord God will Circumcise thine heart to love the Lord Deut. 30.6 Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 The fruit of the spirit is love Gal. 5.22 4. It might be further demonstrated by considering how Conversion with the manner how it is effected is set forth in the holy Scripture The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart c. What is this but the putting off the Body of Sin Col. 2.11 This is the mediate work of the Spirit of God no man ever Circumcised his own heart A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and will take away the stony heart that is that impotency and enmity which is in our hearts unto Conversion 5. The work of grace upon the Soul is called a vivisication we are by nature dead in Sins and Trespasses in our Deliverance from thence we are said to be quickened The Dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and Live being made alive now no such work can be wrought in us but by an Effectual Communication of a Principle of Spiritual Life and nothing else will deliver us Some think to evade the power of this Argument by saying that all these Expressions are metaphorical and arguing from them are but fulsome Metaphors And 't is well if the whole Gospel be not a Metaphor unto them But if there be not an Impotency in us by nature unto all Acts of spiritual Life like that which is in a Dead man unto acts of Life natural if there be not an alike Power of God required unto our deliverance from that Condition and the working in us a Principle of spiritual Obedience as is required unto the Raising of him that is dead they may as well say that the Scripture speaks not truly as that it speaks metaphorically 6. Believers are said to be begotten and born again of the Spirit by which it appears that our Regeneration is not an Act of our own I mean not so our own as by outward helps and assistance to be educed out of the Principles of our nature Of his own will begot he us by the word of truth c. Born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible c. Which were born not of blood nor of the will of man but of God This being so it behoveth them who plead for Active Interest of the will of Man in Regeneration to produce some Testimonies of Scripture where it is assigned unto it as the Effect unto its proper Cause where is it said that a man is born again or begotten anew by himself and if it be granted as it must be so unless violence be offered not only to the Scripture but Reason and common sence that whatever be our Duty and Power herein yet these Expressions must denote an Act of God and not ours Regeneration being thus proved to be the glorious working and operation of the holy Ghost we shall now proceed to shew further the nature and excellency of grace as it shines forth in the gospel and is experienced by every sincere Christian. 1. Gospel grace is glorious because when received in Truth it delivers the Soul from Bondage it breaks the bonds For the Soul is not set at liberty by the bare shedding of Christs blood without the application of it by the spirit or infusion of grace into the heart 2. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth opens blind Eyes it makes them see that never saw in a spiritual sence before it opens their eyes that were born blind how blind was Saul till the gospel grace shone upon him or rather in him 3. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth raises the dead Soul to Life 'T is hereby we come to be quickened the flesh profiteth nothing 't is the Spirit that quickeneth that is the Humane nature without the Divine cannot accomplish Salvation for us nor shall any Soul receive any saving
God's People VII The Word of God is durable All the Endeavours of wicked Men from time to time have been to destroy the Word it hath been in many Fires as I may say and yet it remains and abides the same Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my Word shall not pass away All Flesh is Grass and all the Glory of Man as the Flower of the Field The Grass withereth and the Flower thereof fadeth away But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached to you VIII The Word of God is of a Soul-enriching Nature it enriches the Mind with the Wisdom and glorious Knowledg of Jesus Christ and blessed Experience of his rich Love and Grace Let the Word of God dwell in you richly in all Wisdom No Treasure is like to the Treasure of God's Word We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels See Metaphor Treasure David hid it and Mary as a precious Treasure laid it up in her Heart IX So those that would be enriched with the Word of God have much of it in their Heads and Hearts must take Pains they must dig in these Golden Mines as it were for it Search the Scriptures saith Christ. It is a Word taken from Miners such as seek for Gold they must do it carefully vigorously and resolvedly If they would find the Power Virtue and Excellency of the Word so as to make it their own they must seek for it as for hidden Treasure X. The Word of God is called a tried Word it has been tried by many thousand Christians and found to be what it is taken to be viz. pure Gold sacred Truth yea and sweeter than the Honey or the Honey-Comb It never failed them that trusted to it As for God his Way is perfect The Words of the Lord are pure Words as Silver is tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times XI Those People or particular Souls that do possess and enjoy much of the glorious Word of God are in danger of being set upon by spiritual Thieves and Robbers Satan and many other his Emissaries will be sure to assault such What experience hath England had of this for many Years but more especially of late How is it beset by bold impudent and bloody Romish Thieves What is the reason Why England is rich it hath got much Gold in it much of the Word of God Here are a rich People many rich Churches rich Souls and therefore this grand Thief hath consulted with many of his Company to set upon us and rob us of all our Treasure And hence it is we take or ought to take such Care to secure the Word of God and our selves from being undone by losing it XII So the Word of God is by all true Christians known and by common Experience found to be a most Sovereign Cordial for the Soul to revive and comfort a desponding and drooping Spirit excellent good to cure inward Distempers METAPHOR GOld and earthly Treasures are by the permission of God at the Will and Command of Men. Daniel tells us that the vile Person shall have Power over the Treasures of Gold and Silver c. They may take away and dispossess us of the best of earthly things II. Gold may canker and corrupt Your Gold and Silver is canker'd and the Rust of them shall be a Witness against you III. Tho Gold will do many things for the Body yet it cannot profit the Soul it will beautify and enrich the outward Man but it cannot beautify purge or enrich the inward Man IV. Gold and Silver will not satisfy or fill the craving Desires of Man Neither is his Eye satisfied with Riches He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied therewith Disparity THe Word of God received into the Heart viz. into the Affection and Understanding c. no Man can take it from us it is not in their Power to rob and dispossess us of this sacred Gold They may take away our Bibles out of our hands but cannot take the Word of God out of our Hearts as it is engraven upon the fleshly Tables thereof II. The Word of God is incorruptible so pure that it can never canker neither lose any of its excellent Glory Beauty and Virtue it admits not of any Rust or Pollution Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever III. The Word of God enriches beautifies and purges the Soul Now are you clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you He is spiritually the richest Man that hath most of the Word of God abiding in him who hath store of precious Promises laid up against a Time of Need. IV. The Word of God received in Truth is of a Soul-satisfying Nature The Fear of the Lord tendeth to Life and he that hath it shall abide satisfied c. This is that Water of Life that whosoever drinketh thereof shall thirst no more have no more an inordinate and unsatiable desire after worldly things See Water Inferences 1. FRom hence you may see who are the richest Men in the VVorld 2. It reproves them that desire Gold above the VVord and that labour for it above the Blessings of the Word and grieve more for the Loss of it and of other earthly Treasure than for the Loss of the Word and other spiritual good things 3. It may also stir up all to hold fast the Word and every part and parcel of it Let the Saints of God in England consider of the Worth of the Word and that it is more precious than Gold How will Men expose themselves before they will be robbed of Thousands of Gold and Silver 4. Esteem of the Precepts and Promises and of every Jot and Tittle of God's Word above Gold Be not careless of it nor throw it by but lay it up as carefully as you lay up Gold hide it in your Hearts The Word of God called Milk 1 Pet. 2.2 As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that they may grow thereby Heb. 5.13 For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness for he is a Babe BY Milk here we must understand the Doctrine of the Gospel which is easily taught unto the Capacities of such as are Children in Understanding METAPHOR MIlk is good to nourish the Body and Physicians tell us Where it is well digested it maketh good Blood II. Milk is proper Food for Children and new-born Babes it nourisheth them exceedingly they grow and thrive thereby tho they have nothing else to feed upon III. New-born Babes greatly desire and long after the Milk of the Breast IV. Milk is a Restorative excellent good in Consumptions or for them that be lean V. Milk was one of those choice Blessings that Canaan did abound withal 'T is called a Land flowing with Milk and Honey as much as
Word of God is and may be fitly compared to Fire METAPHOR FIre is of an illuminating or inlightning Quality II. Fire is of a warming and heating Quality there is not only Illumination but Calefaction III. Fire will burn any combustable matter it can seize upon separating Metal from Rust and Dross it discovers whether Metals be of a currant or counterfeit and base allay Whatever Fire seizes effectually upon it converts it into a Flame IV. Fire is of an ascending Quality greedily mounting to its proper Seat and will not rest till it incorporates with its own Elements Earth and Water incline to their own Centers though sometimes artificially made to ascend V. Fire is of a melting and softning Quality Iron and other Metals are made pliable by it and fit to receive any Figure whatsoever as Wax keeps the Impression of the Seal VI. Fire hath a vivifying inlivening and quickning Quality it refreshes and restores that Heat and Warmth which the prevailing Cold deprives us of VII Fire is of a comforting and consolating Quality or Nature VIII Fire is of a penetrating or piercing Nature there is no pore or secret Passage of the Body thrown into it but it pierces it IX Fire is of an assimilating Quality that is it changes all Materials into its own Nature or sets them on fire X. Fire is a very profitable Element there is a necessity of it many Trades cannot be followed without it nor can Men and Women live without it XI Fire is oft-times quenched and in a great measure put out to the damage of those for whom it was kindled Parallel THe Word and Spirit is Light The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light inlightning the Eyes Psal. 19.8 The Entrance of it gives Light Psal. 119.130 By it the Eyes of our Vnderstanding are inlightned By which we know the Riches of his Glory See Metaphor Light II. The Word and Spirit of God give Heat and Warmth to the benum'd Soul of a poor Sinner they give Zeal and Fervency that is Heat of Spirit to serve the Lord. III. The Word and Spirit of God burns and consumes all that 's fit Fuel for it when throughly kindled upon the Souls and Consciences of Men it destroys the Hay Stubble Wood Chaff c. of Sin and Corruption and leaves no Metals in the Building unconsum'd save what is built upon the Foundation Jesus Christ who like Gold Silver and precious Stones will endure the Fire it also causes the Soul to burn in Love to Christ to be lifted up with transported Ardency of Affection after him and desiring to be united to him also All Men are to be tried whether with respect to Doctrines or Practices by God's Word and what disagrees with this Standard or will not bear touch with this Touch-stone is to be rejected as counterfeit and of no value IV. The word of God when it hath by the Spirit kindled the Soul of a Sinner it immediately causes his Affections and Desires to ascend and mount up to Heaven as to its Center and only Place of Satisfaction leaving as the Fire only leaves Ashes his dreggy and impure Part behind the Soul seems to be then on the Wing wholly for Heaven too pure and â—â—enned for Communion with corrupt things They shall dwell on high c. Isa. 33.16 V. The Word by the Spirit softens the hard and stony Heart and makes it a Heart of Flesh disposes the Soul and makes him fit to receive or take the Seal or heavenly Impression and Image of God See Zeal VI. The Word and Spirit quickens the Soul of a Sinner nay raises to Liâ—â—e those who have been in a spiritual Sence dead in Sins and Trespasses 'T is the Spirit that quickenns the Flesh profits nothing The Law kills but the Spirits gives Life VII The Spirit of God called the Comforter administers the greatest nay the only Consolation to the Soul of Believers O what Comforts have some poor deject Christians received from the gracious Promises of God's Word VIII The Word and Spirit of God searches all the Faculties and Powers of the Soul it penetrates not only the Head but the Heart Judgment Affections Conscience Will c. It leaves no Corner unvisited nor secret Place undiscern'd IX The Word and Spirit of God makes the Soul spiritual transforms the carnal Mind and makes it partaker of its own divine Nature it sets it in a flame of Love and spiritual Zeal for Christ and his blessed Truth X. The Word and Spirit of God is of such absolute necessity that Saints cannot live one Moment without it Hence the Spirit of Christ is called The Spirit of Life Moreover the Word of God was esteemed by Job above his necessary Food and by David above thousands of Gold and Silver Man lives not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Mat. 4.4 A Christian can perform no Duty aright acceptable to God without the Divine Help and Influences of the Spirit of God XI So is the Divine Fire many times quenched and put out in a great measure to the hurt and damage of Christians Quench not the Spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 METAPHOR FIre is an external Element and only useful for the Profit and Comfort of the outward Man II. Fire is a bad Master when it has got to a head and violently breaks out it doth much Mischief and destroys wonderfully Disparity THe Spirit of God and his Word are divine sacred and heavenly profitable to the Soul of Man II. The Word and Spirit of God never hurts or injures those that it gets the Mastery and Victory over if it destroys 't is only Sin and such things that would ruine and spoil the Soul happy are those in whom the Word of God and his Spirit doth raign and predominate Inferences IF this be so take heed you do not quench the Word or Spirit of God which you may be said to do 1. By a bating of the Spirit 's Heat in its Operations or by diminishing or lessening the Graces and good Motions thereof when the Spirit loses the vigor of his Operations as when Zeal decays Convictions wear off and Affections die this is like slacking the Heat and lessening the Burning of the Fire 2. When Men do not only diminish and lessen the Burnings and Operations of the Spirit in the Graces Influences and Motions thereof but yield to Sin and the Devil so far as to put the Fire quite out The common Motions and Operations of the Spirit may be quite extinguished Give us of your Oil for our Lamps are gone out We read of some twice dead pluck'd up by the Roots Quest. Which way may the Spirit and the Word of God be quenched Answ. 1. By witholding of Fuel Where no Wood is the Fire goes out We feed that Fire which we would not have extinguished we labour to add fit matter to it that we may
keep up the heat and burning of it Persons may be said to quench the Spirit when they neglect the Means which God hath appointed for the keeping feeding and preserving of it in its full Vigor Heat and Operations in the Soul when they neglect Prayer reading hearing of the Word Meditations the Fire of the Spirit Zeal and Fervency soon decays 2. The Spirit of God may be quenched by neglecting to stir it up Paul exhorts Timothy to stir up the Gift that was in him If Fire be not stirred and blown up it will soon lessen its Burning and go out No Man stirreth up himself to take hold of thee 'T is not enough to pray read and hear the Word but to stir up our selves to do these Duties of Religion fervently if there be never so much Wood on the Fire yet if it be not blown and stir'd up the dead Ashes will obstruct the Burning So in like manner tho Men be never so much in the performance of Religious Duties yet if they let the Ashes of Formality and Deadness remain upon their Hearts the Fire of the Spirit decays 3. Fire is quenched by opposing somewhat of a contrary Nature and Quality to it as Water or the like Fire and Water are contrary the one to the other by reason of their contrary Qualities a little matter will weaken and lessen the burning of Fire and if a Man pour in much of it 't will soon quite exstinguish it so in like manner the Word and Spirit by suffering a little Sin and Corruption to remain in the Heart or Life will soon decay in its Operations Sin is unto the Spirit as Water to the Fire The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these two are contrary the one to the other Gal. 3.17 But now if a Man yields to some Sins to some hainous Sins or once lay the Reins loose as it were upon the Neck of his Lusts plotteth and premeditates Sin regards it likes it and watcheth an Opportunity to sin this will soon like much Water quench the Fire also Sin reiterated and often committed tho not so notorious or scandalous hath the like Effect The frequent acting of Sin is like a continual dropping upon the Fire nothing more dangerous than a trade in Sin That you may escape this great Evil of quenching the Word and Spirit observe these Particulars following 1. Consider 'T is a divine Spark which is kindled in your Souls 't is heavenly Fire 't is a holy and sacred thing Men know not what they do when they quench the Motions of the Spirit and will not suffer the Word to kindle in them 2. Consider Who it is that hath kinled this Fire in thee or strives to do it is it not the Almighty the ever blessed God wilt thou adventure to put out the Fire which the Majesty of Heaven and Earth hath kindled in thee 3. Consider how much Pains God hath taken to kindle it how long was it and what means did the Lord make use of before he could cause to speak after the manner of Men the Word to take hold of thee Did he not send a Spark upon thee at one Sermon and then blow upon it that it might break out into a Flame and then send another Spark another Sermon and then another and another and may be after all he brought thee into Affliction and used many ways to effect this great and good Work of his own Spirit and Grace upon thy Heart and wilt thou adventure to mar and spoil this Work and quench this Fire which is thus of the Lord 's kindling If a Father Mother or any eminent Superiour should take much Pains and be at great Charge to kindle a Fire and a Child should know this and yet adventure to throw Water upon it and put it out or yield to a cursed Foe of theirs so to do would it not be judged a notorious Offence 4. Consider the gracious Design of God in kindling this Divine Fire in the Soul 't is that he might raise thee to Life give thee Light melt thy hard Heart and make it fit to receive an heavenly Impression 't is to cement and unite thy Heart to himself that thou mightest glorify him injoy him and be glorified with him for ever 5. Consider If this Fire go out thou canst never kindle it again 't is beyond thy Skill and Wisdom If thou quench another Fire it may be thou mayst kindle that again and make it burn as before but 't is not in thy Power to make this Fire burn Of his own Will begat be us with the word of Truth As many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Who were born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God He is said to begin this good Work in us He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith Lord thou wilt saith the Prophet ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our Works in us 6. Consider Thou knowest not whether God will ever set about this Work again or no shouldst thou hearken to thy Lusts and Satan's Temptations to quench the Spirit and put out those good Motions and Desires that are in thy Mind remember that Word My Spirit shall not always strive with Men. And also what our Saviour in the Gospel spake concerning Jerusalem O that thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things that belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes 7. Consider 'T is grievous to the Spirit to be quenched the Spirit is thy great Friend thy Comforter the Spirit helps thee at every dead Lift and maketh Intercession for thee with Groanings which cannot be uttered And therefore do not grieve him Wilt thou quench and put out the Motions of such a Friend Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption 8. Consider The Spirit is thy Light put out the Spirit and thou wilt become a dead Man or lessen his Burnings and gracious Operations and thou wilt become a dying Man would'st thou not have thy Eyes out of thy Head nor thy Life out of thy Body then do not quench the Spirit the Eye and Life of thy Soul 9. Consider what the Cause and Reason is Men quench the Spirit 1. Is it not because they would be indulged in their Sins and lie down on the Bed of Sloath and carnal Security Men put out their Fire when they have a mind to go to Bed 2. Is it not because the Fire burns too hot for them it hath kindled such a Fire in their Consciences that scorcheth them so sorely that they know not how to indure it and from hence wickedly go about to quench the Spirit Thus 't was with Felix he heard Paul preach of Righteousness Temperance and
Souls of the Elect in order to healing and it wounds the Reprobate in order to damning to such it may be called a killing Letter To one we are the Savour of Life unto Life to the other the Savour of Death unto Death VI. The VVord of God hath cut off many a Member of the old Man it will cut off a Right-hand lust of Profit or a Right-eye lust of Pleasure VII So some VVounds that many Sinners receive are such that there is no cure for them viz. such who have sinned the unpardonable Sin There is a Sin unto death VIII He that bears the VVord of the Spirit shews he is a Man that hath great Authority for what he says and that he is a Person for Right and Justice it is that which decides all doubtful Cases c. IX So the VVord of God the Sword of the Spirit is a glorious and victorious VVeapon which will appear If we consider how many it hath struck down dead and sentenced unto eternal Death how many strong Enemies have been slain and subdued by it strong Lusts strong Devils strong and vile Hereticks it is a victorious Sword It is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. Because it is a spiritual Weapon but that is not all 2. Because the Spirit is the Author of it a Weapon it is saith Gurnal which his Hand alone formed and fashioned it came not out of any Creatures Forge Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 3. The Holy Spirit is the only true Interpreter of the Word whence we have that known Passage of Bernard Quo Spiritu factae sunt Scripturae eo Spiritu legi desiderant ipso etiam intelligendae The Scriptures must be read and can be understood by no Spirit but that a lone by whom they were made 4. Because the Spirit only can give the Word its Efficacy and Power in the Soul it is the Office of the Spirit Sigillare animum rerum creditarum Except he lays his weight on the Truths we read and hear to apply them close and as it were cut their very Image in our Minds and Hearts they have no more Impression than a Seal sets upon a Stone or Rock The Spirit will do nothing for Believers without the Word and they can do nothing to purpose without him the Word is the Sword and the Holy Spirit of Christ the Arm that weilds it So that 5. The like use that a Sword is of to a Souldier in War the same is the Word to the Spirit in order to the cutting down and spoiling all his and others Enemies Inferences THis may teach Believers what excellent use the Word is of in all their spiritual Wars with the Devil Sin and all other mortal Enemies of their Souls 2. It may inform us what the great Design of Satan is in seeking so many manner of ways to take away the Word of God from us or in making of it of little or no use to us 3. This justly reprehends the cursed Papists and Church of Rome in respect of their Cruelty to the Souls of Men in disarming them of their Weapons a People disarmed are soon overcome and made a Prey to their Enemies how can we defend our selves when our Sword is taken out of our hands They have some Fig-leaves saith one to hide their shameful Practice they endeavour to perswade Men they do them a Kindness thereby lest they should cut their Fingers with it c. How doth the Apostle condemn speaking in the Church in an unknow Tongue All Men are exhorted to read the Scriptures search the Scriptures but the Pope makes it no less than Death if not Damnation for the Laity to have them in their own Language to read or search fearing lest it should spoil his Trade 4. It reproves them for casting such Contempt upon the Scriptures as if they were insufficient to direct us in the way of Salvation What horrid Blasphemy and Reproach is this saith the same Author to the great God to send his People into the Field and put such a wooden Sword into their hands as is not sufficient to defend themselves or vanquish their Enemies And how much contrary is it to that of the Apostle Timothy who saith It is able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus perfect throughly furnished to all good Works 5. Let us bless God and be truly thankful we have this Weapon left us yet this is in our hands and that all the World may know it hath done great things in our Hearts Let every true Christian and true English-man resolve to dy upon the Spot rather than lose the Word or suffer their Sword to be taken from them 6. Let it also caution all Christians to take heed how they ingage their Enemy without their Sword 7. Labour also to know the right use of it and how and when to offend your Enemy hereby Satan is a cunning Warrier sometimes when thou art tempted to sin may be he will tell thee it is a little one what 's a merry Jest to sport and game to drink and carrouze a little when thou art thus beset draw thy Sword Make no Provision for the Flesh If ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye Put off the former Conversation without Holiness no Man shall see God How shall I do this thing and sin against God 8. Again on the other hand may be he will aggravate thy Sin to drive thee into despair and tell thee by his evil suggestions that there is no Mercy for thee then draw thy Sword again But he that confesseth and forsaketh his Sin shall find Mercy I desire not the Death of him that dyeth All manner of Sin and Blasphemy against the Father and the Son shall be forgiven unto Men c. Such were some of you c. 9. Yield up all your Sins tho never so pleasant and profitable to the Edg of the Sword 10. Prize and highly value the Holy Scriptures the Word of God and say as David once did when he wanted a Sword and it was told him there was none but the Sword of Goliah none like that Satan will it is feared e're long make a diligent search for Arms do as David did hide thy Sword Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not sin against thee Get many Promises ready against thou art beset and shall have need of them The Word of God compared to Leaven Mat. 13.33 Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto Leaven which a Woman took and hid in three measures of Meal till the whole was leavened SOme understand by Leaven in this place the VVord of God others Grace the one concludes it is the VVord of Grace the other the Grace of the VVord a third sort understand the Church of God is intended by it The VVord and Grace of God may be compared to Leaven in three or four Considerations Parable
LEaven is of a diffusive Quality it infuses it self into every part till the whole Lump is leavened II. Leaven is of an assimilating Quality it turns the Meal in which it is hid into its own Nature III. The Woman took the Leaven and hid it in the Meal Leaven must be hid that so it may leaven the Meal the better IV. Leaven secretly and invisibly worketh and altereth the Meal and maketh a Change therein turning of it into Dough. V. Leaven doth not change the whole three measures of Meal all at once but it accomplishes its Work by degrees VI. A little Leaven will leaven the whole Lump 1 Cor. 5.6 Gal. 5.9 Parallel THe Word and Grace of God is of a diffusive nature it will where it is received in a spiritual sence leavens every Faculty of the Soul until the whole Man Body and Spirit is leavened therewith By three measures of Meal some understand the Body Soul and Spirit to be meant II. The Word of God where it is in Truth received such is the assimilating Nature thereof doth convert by its powerful Operation the whole Soul into its own Likeness it changes the evil Quailties thereof and works divine and spiritual Qualities in the room of them making a glorious and visible change in the Heart and Life III. The Word of God must be received into the Heart it must be hid as it were there like Seed that is covered in the Earth that so it may have its blessed Effect in order to leaven the Soul in a spiritual Sence the better Thy Word have I hid in my Heart IV. So the Workings and Operations of God's Word are secret and invisible our Saviour alludes to this when he compares the Work of the Spirit in Regeneration to the Wind as is well observed the Word and Spirit work secretly their Operations are invisible to the outward Eye V. So the Word and Grace of God works not that blessed Change in the Soul all at one instant but Grace is carried on in Believers by degrees I deny not but at the first Infusion of Grace or Act of Faith a Man is really and actually justified yet the Work of Conversion and Holiness is gradually carried on and may be a great while before it is perfected VI. So a small Quantity or but a dram of true Grace will spiritually leaven and change the whole Man hence Grace in the beginning is compared to a Grain of Mustard-Seed Parable LEaven is taken in the Scripture in an evil sence for Hypocrisy evil Doctrine Malice and Wickedness from that sowre Quality that is in it Disparity THe Word of God hath no unpleasant or sowring Quality in it but contrariwise it is the only means through the Spirit to purge out that old Leaven whether it be evil Doctrine Hypocrisy Malice or Wickedness that sowreth and corrupteth the whole Man 2. This may further inform us touching the nature of the Word and Grace of God And from hence we may be able to make some Judgment whether Conversion be truly wrought in our Souls or whether the Kingdom of God where Christ spiritually rules which is Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit be in Truth begun in us or no The Word of God compared to Glass 2 Cor. 3.18 Beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord and like unto a Man beholding his natural Face in a Glass BERNARD understands by Glass here to be meant the Gospel with divers others and we see no cause to question this Exposition Simile A Glass is a Medium that represents Persons and things unto the sight of our external Eyes II. Some Glasses shew us such things that we cannot see nor discern without them as common Experience shews which are called Perspective-Glasses III. A Glass seems to bring such things near to us that are at a great distance Some by looking in a Glass have discovered Things and Persons many Miles of as if they were just by them IV. A true Glass shews or represents unto a Man his own natural Face by looking therein he may see what manner of Man he is he may take a plain view of himself whether fair or deformed V. A Glass is used by some as a thing to dress themselves in by it they know how to put on their Attire and to deck themselves with all their Ornaments if any thing be wanting or amiss which they would have on they soon perceive it by looking in a Glass VI. A Glass is a thing that some Persons take much Delight to look into VII He that would have a full or plain sight of a Person or Persons that he hath a desire to behold in a Glass must look therein with open Face he must not look asquint upon it VIII A Man that beholds his natural Face in a Glass and goes his way soon forgets what manner of Man he was if he saw Spots or Blemishes or other Deformity in his Face or any uncomly Features he soon forgets them IX If a Man looks into a Glass he sees there but the Image Resemblance or Representation of a Person or a Thing not the Person or the Thing it self Parallel THe Gospel is the best Medium which represents God the Father the Lord Jesus Christ and holy Spirit Angels and Saints with things past present and to come to our spiritual Sight or to the Eyes of our Faith II. The Word of God shews us such things and Mysteries that without it we could not see nor have the least Knowledg of as the manner of the Creation of the World in six Days the cause why God sets his Bow in the Cloud the glorious Attributes of God together with God's manner of being or the glorious Trinity the Conception Birth Life Death Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ as also God's positive Law and instituted Worship III. The Word and Gospel of God brings things that are afar off very near it represents to our Faith the Judgment-Day and shews us how matters and things shall be managed then who shall be cleared and who condemned it brings near to the Eye of our Faith the glorious Kingdom of Jesus Christ and many things of like Nature IV. So the Word of God shews forth not only the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ as also what this World is what Sin is c. But it shews what Man is before Grace how wretched blind naked deformed polluted and also after Grace through Christ how happy adorned beautiful and glorious V. So the Word of God is absolutely needful or necessary for all Christians to look into who would dress and deck themselves with the Ornaments of Grace that they may be comely in the sight of God By looking into the Word they may see what Ornaments are wanting and how to put them on so as to be compleatly dressed and every way ready for the Bridegroom 's coming VI. The Word of God is a thing that all true Christians
within V. So the Gospel and Word of God as a Plough by its powerful Convictions upon the Conscience is but a preparative Work in order to the sowing the Seed of Grace in the Heart VI. Never doth the Word of God so kindly work in plowing up the fallow Ground of the Heart as when the Gospel-Clouds dissolve and the true Grace and Love of Jesus Christ comes sweetly showering down upon it VII So the Word of God by its powerful Convictions and Operations upon the Heart kills Sin at the Root causing the Soul to loath what it formerly loved VIII That Heart is not savingly wrought upon where one Lust is spared and left untouched or when it reacheth not to the changing the evil Qualities of every Faculty The Word must noâ—â— reach the Conscience only but the Judgment Will and Affections also IX So Youth before evil Habits or a Custom and Course of Sin be taken and more abundantly cleave to them are as 't is found by experience sooner wrought upon by the Word of God than old Sinners when Sin hath got Root in their Hearts X. So the Gospel and the Profession thereof must be held owned acknowledged and profess'd in Truth and in Uprightness of Heart constantly to the end even through the whole Journey Length and Race of our Lives we must not grow weary nor faint in our Minds He that sets his hand to the Plough i. e. professes the Gospel and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven Inferences THis may convince all Persons what need there is of the Spirit to join in and work with the Word For our Gospel came not to you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy-Ghost and in much Assurance 2. See that your whole Soul is wrought upon that there is a Work upon every Faculty thereof 3. Take heed of a long continuance in a Course of Sin Let the old Sinner tremble but if wrought upon in his old Age admire the infinite Grace of God 4. From hence you may perceive the hardning Nature of Sin 5. Tremble at the Thoughts of Apostacy and take heed you do not shrink your hands off in the Day of Trial or refuse to plow because it is cold or because the Sun shines hot c. Mr. John Flavel's Poem upon the Plough THere 's Skill in Plowing that the Plowman knows For if too shallow or too deep he goes The Seed is either buried or else may To Crows and Rooks become an easy Prey This as a lively Emblem fitly may Describe the Blessed Spirit 's Work and Way Whose Work on Souls with this doth symbolize Betwixt them both thus the Resemblance lies Souls are the Soil the Gospel is the Plow God's Workmen hold the Spirit shews them how The Spirit draws and in good Ground doth bless His Workmens Pains with sweet and fair Success In Hearts prepar'd God scatters in the Seed Which in its season springs No Fowl or Weed Shall pick it up or choak this springing Corn Till it be housed in the heavenly Barn When thus the Word plows up the fallow Ground VVhen with such Fruits his Servants VVork is crown'd Let all the Friends of Christ and Souls say now As they pass by these Fields God speed the Plow The Word of God compared to Seed Mat. 13. The Seed is the Word of God METAPHOR GOod Seed is prepared by the Husbandman and is reserved out of the choicest Wheat and principal Barley 't is that which the Husbandman highly esteems and values II. The Ground before the Seed is sown is plow'd up and made fit to receive the Seed III. The Husbandman either sows the Seed himself or employs a Seeds-man to sow it one that hath Skill in that Employment IV. When Seed is cast into the Earth it must be covered or else the Birds may pick it up besides it will not otherwise so well take Root V. Seed lies some time in the Ground before it springs up Clods also oftentimes hinder it from springing up VI. Frost and Snow conduce very much to the well-rooting of the Seed they tend also to kill the Weeds which otherwise might choak it under the Clods by which means it roots spreads and flourishes more abundantly VII The earlier Seed is sown the better it is rooted and enabled to endure the Sharpness of the Winter VIII Some Seeds which the Sower sows fall upon stony Places and some on thorny Ground as Experience shews which Seed brings not forth Fruit unto perfection and some also falls by the High-way-side which the Birds devour IX Fruitfulness of Seed depends much upon the Sun shining and the Rain falling upon it by this means it is quickned and abundantly springs up X. Weeds many times come up with the Seed and if they are not pluck'd up or weeded out they will hinder the Growth of the Seed if not quite choak it XI The good Ground only brings forth Fruit unto perfection XII Men are very diligent and industrious in sowing their Seed they are up early and labour hard morning and evening XIII Winds and Storms do not prevent Sowers in the sowing of their Seed but let the Wind be high or low blow from the North or from the South yet they do and will sow XIV Men usually are not sparing of their Seed but scatter it abroad so plentifully that all and every part of the Field which they intend to sow may be sown therewith Parallel THe Word of God is a choice and precious thing and that which God highly values and accounts of He hath magnified his Word above all his Name Thy Word it very pure II. Our Hearts are naturally hard and have need to be plowed up which is also done by the Word and Conviction of the Spirit hence the Gospel is called a Plow See Plow III. Jesus Christ is the spiritual Seeds-Man 't is he that sows the Seed who wants neither Care nor Skill to do it The Sower is the Son of Man IV. So the Word of God ought to be hid or covered in our Hearts that Satan may not steal it away from us and that it may take good Root downward and bring forth Fruit upward David hid the Word of God in his Heart It is not enough to have it in our Heads but in our Hearts Let the Word of God dwell in you richly We ought to labour to understand it to love it and keep it in our Memories yea and to let it be well rooted in every Faculty V. The Word of God does often like Seed lie hid for a while in the Heart of a Sinner before it eminently shews it self Clods of Corruption and Temptations hinder its Growth and springing up VI. So Affliction when sanctified to gracious Persons which they meet with after their Conversion and many times in their very Seed-Time tends to kill the Weeds of Corruption and breaks and mollifies the Heart by which means they come
it comes now a Shower and then a Shower as the Earth and Fruits thereof need it VI. The Rain comes down as is noted of Dew irresistibly when God doth by his Word of Command speak to the Clouds to distil it down upon the Earth it is not in the power of all Creatures to hinder its falling VII Rain is most beneficial to the Earth when there comes sweet warm Rays of the Sun with it or as clear shining after it then Herbs Flowers and Corn as also other Fruits grow abundantly VIII Rain is necessary at Seed-time to make the Earth ready and fit to receive the Seed Thou visitest the Earth and waterest it thou greatly enrichest it with the River of God which is full of Water Thou preparest them Corn. Thou waterest the Ridges abundantly thou setlest the Furrows thereof thou makest it soft with Showers thou blessest the springing thereof thy Paths drop Fatness This is called the former Rain and as it is necessary at or about Seed-time so also it is needful at earing-time to ripen the Corn and to bring it to Perfection both these are needful to produce a good Harvest both the former and latter Rain IX Rain makes the Earth soft and tender which otherwise would be very hard and dry and unfruitful as we see in time of great Drought X. After much Rain sometimes comes a great Drought XI Clouds let down the Rain upon the Earth God makes use of them as Vessels to retain the Water and that also at his Pleasure they may let it out and distil it down upon the Earth XII Rain hath been sent down from Heaven as the Answer of Prayer Prayer hath as it were opened the Windows of Heaven that it might rain upon the Earth XIII Rain cometh down from Heaven and returneth not thither without answering the end for which it is sent Parallel THe Word of God and the Blessings that attend it are all from God 't is he that makes the Divine Rain to fall upon Men's Souls you are not to look upon those Truths that Ministers dispense as the meet Effects and Fruits of their Inventions and Parts He is the Minister of God c. the Office is from Heaven the Doctrine he preaches is from Heaven the Efficacy and Success of it is from Heaven What I received of the Lord I delivered also unto you II. So the Word of God is sent to one People and not to another to one Kingdom and not to another what glorious Influences of the Gospel hath God sent to this Land and what a Drought and Scarcity it is there of it in many others not far off and what precious Showers have some Places had in England beyond what others injoy To you is the Word of this Salvation sent it comes not by chance but by Commission and the special Command of God III. The Word of God in like manner sometimes comes down moderately yet continuing long before God takes it away from a People or Soul at length it proves effectual and throughly waters and soaks their barren Hearts and makes them fruitful but at another time the Word in a Sermon comes like a sudden Spout of Rain seeming to carry all before it and startles the Sinner but 't is soon over and doth but little good it abiding not upon the Conscience IV. So there are some People nay many in the World that never had the Gospel preached as yet to them V. So the Word drops and distils like Rain and Showers that water the Earth now a little and then a little as the Condition of the Soul requires a drop in this Sermon and a drop in another Sermon Precept must be upon Precept Line upon Line here a little and there a little now one comforting Influence and then another now one quickning Impulsion and then another now one Promise is rained down and then another 1. Christ would that his People have a constant Dependance on himself 2. He would have them wait upon every Sermon upon every Ordinance and Opportunity 3. He would not have them surfeit upon his Word therefore he observes a successive Distillation of the Blessings thereof upon them 4. He would have every Doctrine and Precepts and Promises soak into their Hearts 5. Christ would indear every drop of his Grace and morsel of his Word to his People he would have them lose nothing he bestows and therefore gives it them as they are able to receive it 6. The Souls of Believers are like narrow-mouth'd Vessels they cannot receive much at a time without spilling 7. We are such bad Husbands Christ will not trust us with all at once VI. The Word falls upon Sinners When God gives Command with mighty Power the Influences of the Word and Spirit work with mighty Efficacy upon the Heart the Word is quick and powerful it breaks the Heart in pieces in Conviction it causes the Sinner to cry out Lord what wilt thou have me do it shall accomplish that for which 't was sent See Light VII So it is in respect of the Gospel when the Sun of Righteousness shines upon the Soul under the Word and blessed Doctrin thereof O this makes a Believer and all his Graces to flourish exceedingly VIII The Gospel hath a twofold Use and Benefit it is necessary as the former Rain at the beginning or first working of Grace upon the Heart so 't is needful afterwards to ripen and prepare the Soul for Heaven Be glad then ye Children of Zion and rejoyce in the Lord your God for he hath given you the former Rain moderately and he will cause the Rain to come down the former Rain and latter Rain c. We cannot be without either we shall soon decay in our Spirits if we have not spiritual Moisture of the Grace and Word of God upon our Souls the Ministry of the Word is not only appointed to implant Grace in us but also to perfect Grace so rooted and implanted IX So the Word of God makes the hard and flinty Hearts of Sinners very soft and tender it is of a mollifying fructifying Nature it makes the Saints fruitful in Grace and Good-works X. So after great plenty of divine and spiritual Rain when People are glutted with a Fulness of Gospel-Mercies God sometimes sends a Drought shuts up Heaven Ministers are like Clouds without Rain XI Ministers are the spiritual Clouds that God hath appointed to retain the Word and saving Knowledg of divine Things so that they may also at his Command let the Water of Life down or distil it upon Men's Souls See Clouds XII Divine Rain hath been sent down as the Answer of fervent Prayer The Prayer of the Godly hath prevailed with the Almighty for sending of the Word and Spirit down upon the World and Church of God hence Paul earnestly begs the Saints Prayers That he might open his Mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel XIII So saith the Lord shall
III. Treasure hath a great Influence upon the Hearts of the Sons of Men. IV. Treasure is much sought after with great Care and Pains and when obtained Men are very loath to part with it V. Treasure is usually kept in some strong or secure place to the end it may be safely preserved VI. Treasure sometimes signifies Store and Plenty of good Things VII Much Treasure makes Men great and honourable in the World VII Treasure will carry a Man a great way in and through great Straits Afflictions Sorrows and Sufferings Parallel THe Gospel is much in little it hath been of that Esteem that in the time of its scarcity a Load of Hay hath been given for one Leaf of the Epistle of James in English See the Word of God compared to Light II. So doth the Gospel How many poor miserable wretched Men and Women have not only been supplied as to their need but enriched thereby III. So hath the Gospel through the Spirit and therefore the Lip of Truth saith Where the Treasure is there will the Heart be also IV. What Pains did the holy Men of old use in seeking after a Discovery of the Truth of the Gospel and of the things therein contained And what a Cloud of Witnesses are there who rather than they would part with this Treasure parted with their Lives and all they had V. So the Word and Gospel of God hath been preserved in the worst of Times when the great Design of Men and Devils hath been to destroy or corrupt it Thy Word have I hid in mine Heart VI. There are Store of good Things held forth in the Gospel viz. Christ Grace Glory and every good Thing else with him and by him VII Faith in the Gospel raiseth to great Honour O what Dignity ariseth from that noble Birth that is from above until which how mean and disgraceful an Object is fallen Man VII So the Gospel and the Grace of it O how far and through what Difficulties will it carry a Man With what contentment have Christians behaved themselves in the want of all outward Enjoyments having had a little of this Treasure METAPHOR ALL Treasures here be they never so rich or rare yet they are but earthly or from the Earth II. Earthly Treasures are corruptible and many times are spoiled they become worth little or nothing Lay not up Treasure on Earth where Moth and Rust doth corrupt c. III. Earthly Treasures tho they may go far and supply many bodily Wants yet they cannot supply Soul-Wants IV. The Poor have but little of worldly Treasure and therefore 't is they are accounted poor it is mostly in the hands of the great Men of the Earth V. Men by their natural Care and Industry may get worldly Treasure and grow rich thereby VI. Worldly Treasure may be taken away by Thieves as well as eaten by Moths Disparity BUt such is the Glory of the Gospel as that it is a Treasure from Heaven and of an heavenly product and extract II. But the Gospel and Grace thereof is a Treasure incorruptible it cannot putrify or be spoiled its Splendor and Glory is durable But of incorruptible the Word of God c. III. But the Gospel or Word of God extendeth to the Supply both of the Soul and Body The Gospel heard and received by Faith makes up a full Supply to the Soul of whatever it needs My God shall supply all your Wants c. IV. But it is evident that the Poor receive the Gospel and James saith expresly that God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith c. The Poor of this World have generally most of this sacred Treasure and so are the richest Men. V. No Man whatsoever tho never so worldly wise ingenious careful and industrious in laying out all his natural Parts can enrich himself with this sacred Treasure What hast thou which thou hast not received VI. But the Gospel is a Treasure that cannot be taken away by Thieves nor can the Moth corrupt it it is called the everlasting Gospel Inferences THis shews who are the truly rich Men and Women in the World and what is indeed the true Treasure that will make them so here and to Eternity Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.10 II. It shews the Folly and Madness of those that slight and despise the Gospel Heb. 2 2 3. Jer. 8.8 9. III. What strong Motives might I produce in order to the getting of this Treasure 1. Would you be rich for ever would you have durable Riches c. 2. VVould you be defended and know how to subsist another Day Then get much of this Treasure Quest. But is not this the way to be in the more danger For 't is not the Poor that the Thief cares to meddle withal but the Rich We see what Assaults they meet withal that have this Treasure therefore 't is best to be at ease and quiet and forbear to middle with it Answ. God's Power and Strength is laid out for its Preservation and of the Vessels in whom it is It is God's Treasure and the Vessel too for his People are his peculiar Treasure He will keep it night and day lest any hurt it meaning his People whom he hath enriched with this Treasure Quest. But why is this Treasure put into such earthen Vessels Is it not in the greater danger therefore to be lost they being so subject to be broken Answ. 1. They are tho mean in the VVorlds eye and also in their own yet chosen and sanctified Vessels and fitted for the Lord's use so that the Treasure can suffer no loss by the Vessel 2. The Power of God is the more manifested in preserving this Treasure in an earthen Vessel Object But these Vessels may be nay have been and are often broken and turned to Dust. Answ. Yet God never wanted a Vessel for this Treasure nay those that are turned to Dust are not destroyed they are but dissolved that the Treasure might be the more diffusive and spread it self The Blood of the Saints hath been the Seed of the Church FINIS ADVERTISEMENT THere is a second Volume ready for the Press which consisteth of two Parts The First opens by way of Metaphor and Parallel c. about One hundred sixty eight Metaphors Similes Allegories and other borrowed Terms contained in the holy Scriptures consisting of all the principal Metaphors Similes c. that the Authors can meet with under these ten Heads following 1. Such as concern the Graces of the Spirit and Ordinances of the Gospel 2. Such as concern the holy Angels and the Souls or Spirits of Men. 3. Such as respect the Church of God 4. Such as concern 1. Man in general 2. Good Men 3. Wicked Men. 5. Such as concern the Ministers of the Gospel 6. Such as respect Sin wherein the odious Nature of Sin is largely opened 7. Such as concern the Devil 8. Such as concern the false Church and false
Believer's All and he esteems him so to be Not to exclude the Persons of the Father and of the Holy-Ghost for what Christ is as God they all are being but one and the same eternal Being So that he that honoureth the one honoureth the other also he that honoureth the Son honoureth the Father and the Holy-Ghost I. Christ is All in All in the First Creation though this I do not say is directly intended in this place 1. He was before all things 2. He is the Original of all Creatures the Founder or to use the Scripture-Phrase the Beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3.14 He made all things all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made 3. He upholdeth all things by the Word of his Power c. And by him all things do consist 4. As he was before all the Original and first Former of all things and as he upholdeth them so likewise for him all things are and were created 5. He hath the disposing of all things By him Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment All Power is given to him in Heaven and Earth He hath the Keys of Hell and Death He sets up and pulls down kills and makes alive at his Pleasure 6. He is Heir of all things He hath universal Lordship over Angels Saints wicked Men and Devils See Christ the Heir II. But more directly Christ is All in All in the second Creation 1. He is the Substance of all Shadows Which are Shadows of good things to come but the Body is of Christ. 2. He is the Anti-type of all Types the All which Moses and the Prophets pointed to 3. He is all in all in Pacification and Reconciliation of God to Man and of Man to God He hath abolished in his Flesh the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new Man so making Peace 4. Christ is all in all in Satisfaction and Payment of our Debts He was made Sin for us that knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him The Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all 5. Christ is all in all in Justification He is the Lord our Righteousness It is in him all the Families of the Earth and every believing Soul is justified In the Lord shall one say have I Righteousness and Strength 6. Christ is all in all in Election he is the Root of it the first of Election the Sum of our Election we are chosen in him for him and given to him None shall be saved but such as are elected but had it not been for Christ none had been elected had not Christ been found as the Fruit of the Wisdom of God what would have signified Election the Fruit of the Grace of God 7. Christ is all in all in Vocation He it is that hath called us and that makes that Calling effectual to us Who hath saved us and called us not according to our Works but according to his Purpose and Grace 8. Christ is all in all in Sanctification But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption He hath loved us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood 9. Christ is all in all in Acceptation He hath made us accepted in the Beloved 10. Christ is all in all in respect of Salvation he is the Author of Salvation I looked and there was none to uphold therefore mine own Arm brought Salvation He hath no Partner or Competitor His Name shall be called JESVS because he shall save his People from their Sins Neither is there Salvation in any other 11. He is all in all in Conversion 1. It is he that shews the Soul the Need and Necessity of it 2. He it is that quickneth us You hath he quickned who were dead in Trespasses and Sins 3. He it is that hath begotten us by his Word and Spirit and hath given a new Heart to us and hath planted a new Principle of Life in us 12. He is all in all in the Pardon of Sin 1. He purchased Pardon for us 2. He gives us a broken Heart in order to it and a Heart to ask it and a Hand to receive it 3. Pardon is given for his Name 's sake 13. Christ is all in all in every Grace 1. He gives Faith To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake 2. 'T is he that hath shed abroad the Love of God in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost All Grace is treasured up in him Of his Fulness have we all received and Grace for Grace He is the Author Increaser and Finisher of our Faith and all other Graces in us 14. Christ is all in all in the Ministry of the Word 1. 'T is Christ that is preached We preach Christ crucified 2. 'T is Christ that gives Grace and Gifts to preach To me is this Grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ. 3. 'T is he that ordains and appoints Men to this Work and puts all true Preachers into the Ministry 4. 'T is he that opens the Mouth to speak and the Ear and Heart to hear and receive the Word Take Christ away and what Gospel can be preached c. What is Paul and what is Apollo I am nothing Gospel-Ministry and Ministers are nothing without Christ. So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the Increase 15. He is all in all in every Ordinance First In Baptism 1. This Ordinance shews forth Christ's Death 2. It holds forth his Burial We are buried with Christ in Baptism 3. It holds forth his Resurrection take Christ away and what signifies Baptism Secondly In the Lord's-Supper Christ is all in all 1. It holds forth that his Body was broken and his Blood was shed 2. It shews his Love to us and his Suffering for us Thirdly In Prayer Christ is all in all 1. We must ask in his Name 2. By the help of his Spirit 3. 'T is he that presents and makes our Prayers acceptable to God 4. What is Prayer or any Duty Saints can perform if they meet not with him in it and if it be not done to his Glory An Ordinance without Christ is but as a Cabinet without a Jewel or a Shell without the Kernel 16. Again Christ is as one saith all from the Father all to the Father and all with the Father 1. All from the Father I am come that ye might have Life Life here and Life hereafter and that ye might have it more abundantly The Life of Grace and of Glory they are by Christ. 2. Christ is all to the Father I am the Way the Truth and the Life Every Word here hath
its Article in the Greek No Man cometh to the Father but by me Christ is the Way wherein the Truth whereby and the Life whereunto we walk Christ is the Way without Error the Truth without Falshood and the Life without Death Truth lies between Way and Life as if the Way to Life were through Truth 3. Christ is all with the Father I know thou hearest me always Christ hath God's Ear at all times He is the Object of the Father's Delight This is my beloved Son in whom I acquiesce so the Greek It is an emphatical Word and signifieth an infinite Affection 17. Christ is all in all in respect of Merit He hath merited all for us and conveys all to us As we have all propter Christum so we receive all we have per Christum through Christ. He is not only the Fountain but the Medium or Conduit-Pipe 18. Christ is all in all or the Sum of the whole Gospel all the Good here or the promised Good we shall receive hereafter is through him he is virtually every thing unto us in every Condition 1. Art thou sick Christ is thy Physician and thy Physick too 2. Art thou poor Christ is thy Riches 3. Art thou weary Christ is thy Rest I will give you Rest. 4. Art thou in Trouble Christ is thy Peace This Man shall be our Peace when the Assyrian comes into our Land 5. Art thou a Stranger He is thy Way and the End of thy Journey 6. Art thou despised and contemned by Men Christ is thy Honour To you that believe he is precious in the Greek He is an Honour Quest. Who is he that makes Christ his All Answ. 1. He makes Christ his All that owns him believes in him obeys worships and adores him as God over all Rom. â—â— 5 2. He that loves him above all 3. He that denies himself of and forsakes all for Jesus Christ's sake and follows him 4. He that aims at Christ and exalts him in all he is hath doth or undergoeth Yea doubtless I account all things but Loss for the excellency of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the Loss of all things and do account them but Dung that I may win Christ. 5. He makes Christ his all that wholly lives by him for him and to him 6. He makes Christ his all who cannot be satisfied with any thing this World affords or can afford without him 7. The Man that makes Christ his all will not take any of his Right and Honour from him he will not diminish his Glory or ascribe that to the Creature which belongs to Christ. 8. He that makes Christ his all will not be contented in any Ordinance or Duty if he have not his influencing quickning and comforting Presence 9. He makes Christ his all who when it comes in competition will let all go even his own Life before he will part with him 10. He that makes Christ his all likes and loves him in all He loves not the Saints chiefly because they are of his Opinion in every thing but for that of Christ he sees in them 11. He makes Christ his all that longs above all things to be like him and to have his Image implanted in his Heart Quest. Why doth a true Christian make Christ his All 1. Because he is God over all it were a Sin thus to exalt him were he not God 2. Because he hath a Name given him above all above every Name At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow c. 3. Because Christ hath suffered and done all those things for us which we should have done and suffered 4. Because a Believer sees himself unable to do any thing without him 5. Because he is made of God all in all things to them 6. Because nothing is of any worth in a Saint's eye without Christ. 7. Because in having Christ he hath all Application IS Christ all then this reproves them that esteem of any thing here in this World above him 1. It reproves such as esteem the Pleasures Honours and Profits of the World above him 2. It reproves and may eternally shame them that esteem of their Sins and base Hellish Lusts more than him Many will adventure the Loss of Christ rather than forego their evil Courses 3. It reproves them that esteem and exalt Christ in some things only he is not all in all to them 4. How then doth it reprove them that make Christ nothing at all who wholly cast him away and build their Hopes of Salvation upon another Foundation Secondly Be advised from hence whosoever thou art to make Jesus Christ thy All. Motives 1. Thou hast nothing that will stand thee in any stead till Christ be thy all 2. If thou hast not Christ to be thy all thy Knowledg and Profession of him will not prove to be worth any thing at last 3. If thou hast not Christ for thy all when Death comes what will become of that thou hast Thou wilt then have nothing Quest. How shall a Person come to have Christ to be his All Answ. 1. He must let all his Sins 〈◊〉 2. He must let all Consultings with Flesh and Blood go 3. He must let all his own Righteousness go so as not to rest and depend upon it for Salvation Thirdly This affords much Comfort to the Godly 1. Is Christ thy All Thou hast a great All what can there be more Thou mayest say with Jacob I have enough the word is all 2. Thou canst never lose thy All because thou canst not lose thy Christ. 3. Thou canst never be undone tho thou losest all thou hast in this World for Christ's sake because to thee Christ is All and in All. THE Third HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories and Similes With other borrowed Terms Respecting the HOLY SPIRIT OR THE Third Person of the Blessed Trinity The Holy-Ghost a Comforter John 14.16 And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Vers. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things c. THE Comforter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—â— the Advocate He shall give you another Comforter The Word Paracleâ—â— in the Greek comes from a Word of a large Signification and consequently may be rendred Advocaâ—â—e Exhorter or Comforter METAPHOR A Comforter implies one or more to be in Trouble and Disâ—â—ress or attended with Sorrow and Affliction A Man that is not in any Trouble stands not in need of a Comforter II. It implies or holds forth that those who are troubled and in a sorrowful condition are capable of Relief and Succour III. Comforter is a Name or Appellation belonging to a Person or a personal Appellation IV. A choice and true Comforter takes care to come unto a Person he loveth at the greatest time of need when he is most cast down and