Submission to Him even Emperors Kings Princes Nobles Captains Armies Freemen Bondmen even all both small and great He hath Power to punish all Treasons Rebellions Affronts Misdemeanors and Indignities whatsoever All that will not hear and obey him shall be destroyed He will speak to them in his Wrath and vex them in his sore Displeasure His Enemies shall be cloathed with Shame All that hate him shall be confounded and flie before him They shall be like the Dust how great soever They shall call for the Rocks to fall on them and to the Mountains to cover them from the Face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb. V. From hence we are taught to observe That it is our Duty 1. To adore reverence and honour Him 2. To obey and keep his Law 3. To trust in Him only for Defence and Protection 4. To pray that He would take to him his great Power and reign O blessed Son of David King of the Jews King of Israel Lord of the Gentiles Governor of Nations and King of Kings thy Kingdom come that thy Will may be done in Earth as it is in Heaven VI. From hence we infer the happy State that the whole Universe shall be in in God's appointed Time when this good great and mighty Potentate shall take to him his great Power and obtain a full Possession of all his Right When the Heavens shall rain down Righteousness and out of the Earth shall spring forth Joy The Mountain's shall drop new Wines and the Hills shall flow with Milk The Light of the Moon shall be as the Light of the Sun and the Light of the Sun as the Light of seven Days The Heavens shall rejoyce ever us and drop Fatness the Weary shall be at Rest and break forth into Singing A Jubilee shall be proclaimed and Persecution no more heard Judgment shall run down like Water and Righteousness like a mighty Stream Every Man shall sit under his own Vine and under his own Fig-Tree and none make him afraid Peace to all the Ends of the Earth Swords beaten into Plowshares and Spears into Pruning-Hooks no Nation lifting a Sword against his Neighbour no levying War any more No more Earthquakes nor Famine but a fruitful and peaceable Earth The poor Man shall overtake the Reaper and the Treader of Grapes him that soweth Seed And the Mountains shall drop sweet Wines and the Hills shall melt The Captivity of Israel shall be brought again they shall build the old waste Places and plant Vineyards and drink the Wine thereof make Gardens and eat the Fruit thereof Come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy where this King shall sit and appear in his Glory Israel shall rejoyce and Judah shall be glad It shall fare well with the whole Creation For the Ox and 〈◊〉 Asse that eare the Ground shall eat clean Provender winnowed with Fan and Shovel The Effect of his Kingdom shall be Peace for the Righteous shall flourish and have abundance of Peace and the Fruit of its Righteousness and Assurance for ever For not only the People shall be all righteous but upon the Bells of the Horses there shall be Holiness to the Lord. And the Ransomed shall come to Zion with everlasting Joy upon their Heads They shall obtain Joy and Gladness and all Sorrow Heaviness and Sighing shall flie away For as the Earth bringeth forth her Bud and as the Garden flourisheth with Things that are sown in it so shall the Lord God maâ—â— Righteousness and Praise spring forth before all the Nations Blessed be God Christ a Priest Heb. 7.17 For he testifieth Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec Vers. 26. For such an High-Priest becometh us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens Type I. THe High-Priest was taken from among Men but it behoved him not to have any Blemish II. The Priest assumed not to himself this Office but was called to it of God they were consecrated by Imposition of Hands when they were twenty five Years old III. The Priests were anointed with Oil and washed with Water Thou shalt take thee anointing Oil and pour it upon his Head and he shall wash his Flesh in Water IV. The Priest was gloriously cloathed Thou shalt make holy Garments for Aaron thy Brother for Glory and Beauty V. The Priest was to have a holy Crown upon his Head VI. The Priest's Body and Loins were to be covered with clean Linnen VII The High-Priest bore the Names of the Tribes of Israel upon his Breast when he went in before the Lord. VIII The High-Priest had Vrim and Thummim upon his Breast IX The High-Priest had an engraven Plate of Gold Thou shalt make a Plate of pure Gold and engrave upon it like the engraving of a Signet HOLINES TO THE LORD And it shall be upon Aaron's Forehead that Aaron may bear the Iniquity of the holy Things and it shall always be upon his Forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord. X. Aaron the Priest was Moses's Mouth to the People XI The High-Priest was not to marry a Widow a divorced Woman nor an Harlot but a chast Virgin XII The Priest's work was to offer Sacrifices for the Sins of the People For every High-Priest is ordained to offer Gifts and Sacrifices c. XIII The Priest was to take the Blood of the Bullock and dip his Finger in it and sprinkle seven times the Mercy-Seat c. and likewise the Blood of Calves and Goats and he sprinkled the Book and all the People the Tabernacle and the Vessels of the Ministry XIV The Priest's Garments were to remain after him to cloath and adorn his Sons withal XV. The Priests were to sound the Trumpets which as Mr. Godwin observes were twofold sometimes an Alarm to War sometimes to assemble the People XVI The Priests of the Lord were to teach the Law to the People The Priest's Lips should keep Knowledg and they should seek the Law at his Mouth XVII The Priest was to judg of the Plague of the Leprosy and to pronounce clean or unclean XVIII The Priests under the Law made and anointed Kings Jehoiada the Priest and his Sons anointed Joash King of Judah XIX The Priests were to appoint Officers over the House of God and it did not appertain to the Civil Magistrate to intermeddle in the Priest's Office See the Case of Vzziah 2 Chron. 26.20 XX. The Priests of the Lord were to bless the People XXI The High-Priest only went into the Holiest of all and that not without Blood to make Atonement XXII The High-Priest only made the Perfume for Burnt-Offerings and it might not be applied to any other use but to burn before the Lord. XXIII The Death of the High-Priest set the guilty Person or Man-slayer free who had fled to the City of Refuge After the
Sea Men above one another in respect of his Church his spiritual Building Moses above Joshuah and ordinary Prophets Aaron above other Priests Apostles above Evangelists and ordinary Ministers And all to shew his wonderful Skill and Wisdom Angels to keep his Commands and sing Praise the Heavens to declare his Glory and the Firmament to shew his handy Works Moses to manifest Wonders on Earth Aaron to celebrate his Worship John Baptist to set forth Jesus the Apostles to plant Churches and preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles Elders of a lower Rank Apollo and Evangelists All which have their peculiar Work and Place assigned by the great Architect of the whole Universe VI. God hath set his Stories in the Heavens where his glorious Majesty dwells and Jesus our great High-Priest sits at his right hand where all the Angels are seated in Glory and the Spirits of just Men made perfect surround the Throne of God and the Lamb The Earth for Men The dismal Prisons and Regions of Darkness for disobedient Spirits and evil Angels VII God hath not only beautified the Meek with Salvation but adorned New Jerusalem where the Saints shall dwell with so high and Soul-ravishing Excellencies as the most sublime Rhetorick can set forth as Gold Pearl Diamonds and other precious Stones the Street pure Gold the Building of the Wall Jasper the Foundations precious Stones and the Gates Pearls VIII God is a great Benefactor who hath made Buildings both for Safety and Conveniency He made the Fountains to contain the great Deeps to keep them from breaking out upon the World he has made Windows in Heaven to keep the Waters above from falling down too furiously to the prejudice of Man and Beast He hath made Chambers to keep in the roaring Winds from annoying Mortals with constant and impetuous Blasts The raging Element of Fire he hath confined to its proper Region where it cannot harm us without his permission He hath given us a pleasant and fruitful Earth a comfortable and refreshing Air a beautiful and delightful Heaven which he has placed as a Canopy over us He has constituted a good and holy Church which is as a Wine-Cellar to supply all our Wants where he has placed the Word the Spirit the Ordinances good Counsel and Instructions suitable Comforts and Consolations there is the Wine the Oil the Balm the Bread where he feeds his Lambs and makes his Flocks to rest at Noon satisfying with Favour and filling with the Blessings of his Bounty He will abundantly bless Sion's Provision c. IX God is pleased with his Work when finished He looked upon all things which his Hand had made and behold it was very good He is worthy of Honour for what he hath done because they are great things mighty things wonderful things without number So that it might be said as David O give thanks to the Lord who by his Wisdom made Heaven Let all the Host of Heaven and all the Inhabitants of the Earth praise c. Metaphor I. AN earthly Builder is but a mortal Man subject to Weakness and Death II. The earthly Builder has but a small pittance or measure of Skill and Wisdom 't is but the Wisdom of a Son of Man as light as Vanity and next to Foolishness III. Earthly Builders are fain to pause study and consider before they bring forth their Devices IV. The earthly Builder must have Materials to work upon and Servants to employ V. An earthly Builder cannot effect his Purposes in point of Building by his Word without Work and Labour VI. The earthly Builder must have much time allowed him to finish a great and famous Fabrick VII An earthly Builder lays the Foundation of his Work upon a brittle substance or at best upon a Rock which is capable of Dissolution VIII An Earthly Builder builds but little comparatively as some Towns Cities or part of them c. IX An earthly Builder may be out-done by a Successor X. An earthly Builder builds for other Men all being not for himself XI An earthly Builder is capable of Improvement in his Skill for Experiment and second Thoughts instruct him in some Points he was before ignorant of XII An earthly Builder oft-times undoes what he hath done plucks it down to make it better Disparity I. GOD the heavenly Builder is a mighty God the everlasting and everliving God with whom is no beginning of Days nor end of Life II. The heavenly Builder hath all the Treasures of Wisdom he is full of Wisdom and Knowledg he is essentially wise and skilful and gives all the Wisdom and Skill that is possess'd enjoyed or used by Men or Angels 'T is unsearchable past finding out beyond all comprehension so profound that Angels are Fools in comparison of him He charges his Angels with Folly III. The heavenly Builder having all Wisdom and Knowledg sees by one Act uno intuitu all things that are necessary and commodious and needeth not to suspend Actions till after Study and Consideration nor stay for any one to be his Help and Counsellor because there is none able or fit to teach him Who hath been his Counsellor c. IV. The heavenly Builder can make Matter fit for his purpose where he finds none even as all Things that are seen were not made of things that do appear but of Matter that was void of Form of which there was no pre-existence but it was made out of nothing and then formed into a glorious Globe and most beautiful Fabrick by him who alone that is without the help of any other doth great Wonders that by Wisdom made the Heavens c. V. God does all by a word of his Mouth Let there be a Heaven and immediatly it appears let there be an Earth and it was so c. as Gen. 1. VI. But God doth his Works which are exceeding in a moment He just pronounces the word and it is done VII But the heavenly Builder laid his Work upon a sure and unshaken Foundation upon an impregnable Rock firm and immoveable against all violence whatsoever viz. his own Almightiness than which nothing can be more permanent c. VIII The heavenly Builder has been the Erector of the whole Fabrick of the Universe He that built all things is God IX But none can mend the Work of God nor take the Glory from him His Works shall praise him for ever c. X. But all the Buildings that God makes are for himself he is no Man's Workman or Servant but hath made all things for himself For his own Pleasure they were and are created XI But God is perfect in Knowledg and therefore uncapable of Addition to it None can tax him of Hastiness Failure or Inadvertency All Sciences meet in Him as their proper Center XII No such thing done or need to be done by God No Angels unmade or Heavens dissolved or Souls annihilated or extinguished or Seas dried up to
â—â—or a good end as well with respect to God who requires obedience and a perfect resignation of man althoâ—â—gh his precepts may seem absurd to our Reason as also with respect to Abraham and his son Isaac who became examples of Faith Submission and Conâ—â—tancy to Gods Will without scruple questions or murmuring Besides there is respect had to the Messiah whose Passion Death and Resurrection is prefigured in this Mystical Type Matth. 15.24 25 26. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel It is not lawful to give the Childrens bread to Dogs That this speech was also by way of tryal of the Womans Faith appears by the event and the Elogy which Christ give her ver 28. O Woman great is thy Faith The mind differs from the speech he seems externally to segregate or distingush her from the Sheep and at the same instant occulty cherishes and Comforts her as his He compares her to a Dog but places her at the same time at the Childrens Table This passage intimates the good and Salvation of the Woman and all Beleivers for we are hereby eminently informed by way of sweet consolation of the certainty of Divine help though it be for a while delayed in Crosses and Calamities as appears by that trying silence of Christ ver 23. viz. But he answered her not a word upon which Châ—â—ysostom says the Lord knew that here was a hidden Jewel which he would not conceal from us but delayâ—â—d his answer that the Womans sedulity or diligence may become an example and Doctrine to posterity c. 2. Some things are dissembling and Hypocritically spoken and sometimes with a bitter Sarcasm which are true in themselves but not conformable to the mind of the speaker as Gen. 37.19 Josephs Brethren said one to another behold this master of Dreams cometh c. Such indeed Joseph was for verse 5. he gave information of things to come and had the gift of interpreting others Dreams as chapters 40. and 41. But his Brethren did not so repute him but call him so in a way of Mockery and Derision 2 Sam. 6.20 Michael said to David her husband How glorious was the King of Israel to day c. David was truly glorious in that sacred gesture and Art as he himself says ver 21 22. but to her it seemed to be lightness and scurrility void of Royal gravity for 't is said ver 16. That she despised him in her heart Psal. 22.8 He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him These things were most true in themselves but in the opinion of those mockers false who by this bitter Sarcasm denied Christ hanging on the Cross as Matth. 27.43 See Esa. 5.19 Matth. 22.16 The Disciples of the Pharisees being sent to Christ say Master we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in Truth neither carest thou for any man For thou regardest not the person of Men These words were true of our Saviour Christ but not conformable to the mind of the Pharisees who spoke by way of snare and Irony as Luke 20.20 appears See Matth. 27.29 40 42 43. Mark 15.29 c. 3. Some things manifestly false and spoken with an intention to deceive by such as knew it to be otherwise are set forth by way of history and Narration as Gen. 3.4 And the Serpent that is the Devil in the Serpent said unto the Woman ye shall not surely die for ver 5. God doth know that in the Day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evil This the Father of lies knew to be quite otherwise but would by that falshood circumvent and deceive Eve By the opening of their Eyes which he by a fallacy Promises is intimated the accuteness of the mind and understanding in comparison of which the former concreated Wisdom may seem to be blindness Thus the deceiver plays his game to the destruction of Adam and his Posterity had not immense Grace stept in to prevent it Matth. 2.8 Herod says to the Wisemen Go and search diligently for the young Child and when ye have found him bring me word again that I may come and Worship â—â—im also His intention was to destroy the Child Jesus which by the inhumane and execrable Massacre of the Children afterwards is evident but by this Irony and Hypocrisie he would delude the Wise men Lastly There are some things where there seems to be an Irony but when the thing is more exactly considered there is none is Jer. 4.16 The Watchers or keepers come from a far Country c. Some think that by a Watchman or Keepers by an Antiphrasis or Irony we are to understand destroyers But in Truth the Babylonians are to be understood who for their own safety and profit were watchers lying in wait about the Fields lest any thing should escape away or get from them as hunters who watch every place of egress out of a Wood lest the Beasts they hunt should escape into the open Fields as verse 17. Ezek. 3.24 Then the Spirit entred into me and set me upon my feet and spake unto me and said unto me go shut thy self within thine house Junius and Tremelâ—â—ius alledge that these and the following words are to be understood by an Irony as if he had said is it a Prophets office to hide himself when I bid him go forth There are others which say that it was spoke by way of Sarcasm and indignation paraphrasing thus if thou art resolved to disobey my Command go into thine own House and experience what it is to contend with me such Sarcasms are found Judg. 10.14 Esa. 50.11 But the truth is that because God had sufficiently instructed the Prophet by his Spirit and gave him courage to publish his Will and because we do not read that this Prophet used any Tergiversation or shuffling to avoid the work appointed him as we read of Moses Exod. 3.11 and 4.10 13. Of Jeremy Chap. 1.6 and 20.9 Of Jonas Chap. 1.3 the best way is to interpret these words properly as they sound viz. that it is a serious Command of God that he should shut himself in his House and dispatch his Prophetical Actions mentioned chap. 4. see also chap. 8.1 to which belongs what is added of the binding of men as it were with Cords by Angels at the Command of God as verse 25. For God uses these ministring Spirits in his Government of men and that which is spoken chap. 4. belongs to these is evident by the 8th verse of that chapter c. Matth. 4.3 The Tempter says to Jesus if thou beâ—â—st the Son of God command that these Stones may be made Bread In which Words Theophylact says there is an Irony as if he had said neither art thou the Son of God neither canst thou do this But more truly it is to be interpreted a Diabolical fraud
Feet Hissing is attributed to God by which a Divine Call or summons of God for men to gather together and appear in a certain place is noted as Esa. 5.26 and 7.18 For 't is customary with men oftentimes to call certain Beasts to them that way This Hissing of God is used in a good sence Zach. 10.8 I will hiss for them and gather them for I have redeemed them and they shall increase as they have increased which is understood of the gathering of the Church by the voice of the Gospel Breathing is ascribed to God Gen. 2.7 And he Breathed into his Face the breath of Life that is he endued the Body he had formed with a living soul in the Image of God Sometimes it denotes Gods Anger the Metaphor being taken from Angry men who then puff and blow strongly as Evek 21.31 I will pour out mine indignation upon thee I will blow or breath against thee c. See Act. 9.1 Laughing and Deriding are attributed to God Psal. 2.4 He that sitteth in the Heavens shall Laugh the Lord shall have them in Derision Psal. 37 12. The wicked plotteth against the Just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth Verse 13. The Lord shall laugh at him for he seeth that his day is coming This is spoken by an Anthropopathy the Metaphor being taken from a wise and prudent man who when he sees some heady and inconsiderate undertaker rush on towards his fancied exploits without deliberation or a solid foundation laid and bragging of extraordinary matters has him in contempt and as it were laughing in his sleeve expects an unhappy event that is to say when this Mountain shall bring forth a Mouse as it is vulgarly spoken So men deride an Enemy that threatens when he has no strength or power to execute his menaces But this phrase notes the most wise Providence of God which slights the folly of his Enemies whom he tolerates for a time and to whose malice he hath appointed bounds and at the appointed season confounds tramples on and destroys them As it is said of wicked and stubborn men Prov. 1.26 I will also laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh By which is to be understood the neglect and rejection of the Wicked in their Adversity As if he had said Even as you neglect and despise my wholesome admonitions so will I despise and neglect your applications and reject you when your Calamities comes c. Kissing is ascribed to God when the speech is of the Son of God incarnate as Cant. 1.2 Where the optative words of the Mystical spouse viz. the Church are had let him kiss me with the kisses of his Mouth upon which place the Chaldee says that it is allusive to Gods speaking face to face to the Israelites as a man does to his Friend and kisses him for love But more truly it is to be understood or expounded of the promulgation or publishing of the Gospel by the Son of God made man John 1 17 18. 1 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 1.1 c. Solomon says Prov. 24.26 That every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer which by way of eminency is applicable to him of whom it is said Esa 40.4 The Lord hath given him the Tongue of the learned that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary and Psal. 45.2 Into whose lips grace is poured Jehova kissed that is shewed intimate tokens of his love to his people in the Old Testament times by many appearances and by Moses Prophets and Angels employed to make discoveries of him but this came short of this Kiss which the Church under the term of Spouse here desires Let him Kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth that is let him comfort me with a manifestation more eminent then the former viz. of Christs coming into the Flesh and compleating the work of redemption The paraphrase of Origen upon this Text is How long will my Spouse send me Kisses by Moses and the Prophets Now I long to have them personally of himself let him assume my natural shape and Kiss me in the Flesh according to the Prophesies Esa. 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall Conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Emmanuel so that this is a Prayer for the Incarnation of Christ the Blessed Spouse and Bridegroom of our Souls Heb. 1.1 To this Divine Kiss by a mutual relation of Faith answers Cant. 8.1 O that thou wert as my Brother that sucked the brest of my Mother when I should find thee without I would Kiss thee By which the sincere Love of the Church and the unblemished obedience of Faith is understood Psal. 2.12 Kiss the Son lest he be Angry by which the Kings of the Earth and the potents in the World are instructed to yield homage and obedience to the King of Glroy Christ the Son of God being exhibited in the World For in former times subjection was signified by a Kiss as Gen. 41.40 1 Sam. 10.1 1 King 19.18 Hosea 13.2 A Military Clamor or the crying of a Travailing Woman is attributed to God Esa. 42.13 14. By which is noted that his Lenity Patience and Long Forbearance are changed into a severe vengeance Junius and Tremellius do remark from Vegelius that the Roman Souldiers were wont in the beginning of Battle to fall on with a horrible Clamor to daunt the Enemy Also a Travailing Woman though in great pain yet patiently endures it to the utmost extremities of her throws and then being overcome by the violence of her greif Orphans breaks out into Cryes and Vociferation which most elegantly expresses the Patience and Forbearance of God and the extremity of his Wrath when provokt See Psal. 78.65 66. Rom. 2.4 5. Speaking and Speech is attributed to God Where we must note that those places of Scripture wherein God is said to speak or utter certain Words that he might manifest his Divine pleasure to men that way do not belong to this place God sometimes thus spake immediately as to our first Parents Gen. 2.16 and 3.9 To Noah Gen. 6.13 To Abraham Gen. 12.1 chap. 16. and 17. and 18. To Moses Exod. 3.4 5. and the following verses and to Patriarchs Prophets c. in the Old Testament 2. Sometimes God spake mediately by divinely inspired men in whom a mind enlightned by the Spirit of God was formed into words an account of such is found every where in Scripture as also of Angels who are his Ministring spirits now God does not speak thus by way of Anthropopathy or Metaphor but truly and properly although in a far different and excellent manner then men do or can think But that speaking of God which belongs to this figure is 1. When the effectual or efficacious decree of the Divine Will about the Creature and the executions thereof is revealed or expressed after the manner of humane speech as Gen. 1.3
God who in his Creation of light and other great works gave himself to be seen as it were by men See Esa. 51.9 and 59.17 For in these places certain Garments are ascribed to God in his execution of Vengeance against his Enemies by an elegant Hypotuposis The metaphor is taken from a Warrior compleatly armed who comes into the field to encounter his Enemy In both places Christ the Captain of our Salvation is to be understood by the Analogy of the Text He is said to be the arm of the Lord because he is the Power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 And Esa. 59.14 It is said that there was no intercessor of the race of man that was dead in sin that could free him from the power of Satan which is a plain intimation Christ himself would be the intercessor the Conqueror of Satan and Death and our Saviour See ver 20 21. Where the promise of the Redeemer is plainly given And the Redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob saith the Lord c. Psal. 45.8 The Mystical habit of Christ the Coelestial Spouse is described upon which place Brentius thus paraphrases All thy Garments smell of Myrrhe and Aloes and Cassia out of the Ivory Palaces whereby they have made thee glad that is all the Garments wherewith thou art apparelled and which can be produced for thy use are not composed of wooden or vile materials but brought from Ivory and most precious Repositories for these are called the Houses or Palaces of Garments they yield no other Odor but Myrrh Aloes and Cassia that is a most fragrant and odoriferous scent of which thou takest pleasure that is that most sweet fame which Christ himself and his Apostles by Preaching the Gospel have spread not only in Judea but in all parts of the World Luke 10.17 18 19 c. 2 Cor. 2.15 16. Christ is said passively to be put on by Believers Rom. 13.14 Gal. 3.27 When he dwells in their hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 and makes them partakers of his Celestial benefits The Apostles are said to be endued with strength from on high Luke 24.49 When they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as it is expounded Act. 1.8 On the other side a man is said to put on the Spirit of God when it powerfully speaks or operates in or by him as a man that goes forth in order to any work amongst men covers himself with a Garment Judg. 6.34 1 Chron. 12.18 2 Chron. 24.20 Moses calls Jehovah A Banner when he gave the Altar he erected a Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah nissi The Lord my Banner Exod. 17.15 That is the Lord is my helper both now and hereafter against the Amalekites and all other Adversaries Esa. 11.10 it is said the Messiah shall stand for an Ensign or Banner of the People by which his Kingly Office is noted as this passage is quoted Rom. 15.12 He shall rise to Reign over the Gentiles For a Banner or Trophy is a sign of Victory Superiority and Lordship inasmuch as the People are said to act under the Banner of the Prince Christ is the only Asylum or Refuge where such as fly to him by Faith are protected and kept safe from the spiritual Enemy as the Souldiery repair to the Standard of the General where they are secure See Cant. 2.4 Psal. 60.4 Thou hast given a Banner to them that fear thee that it may be displayed because of the Truth Which may be truly applyed to Christ upon these words Ainsworth says that the word Banner is applyed to the Flag or Ensign of the Gospel Esa. 11.12 and 49.22 and 62.10 Here to David and his Victory to be high displayed or to use for a Banner which hath the name of lifting high Esa. 59.19 The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him that is he shall bring to passe that Christ shall be that Standard or Banner of the People for as Souldiers aggregate or repair to the Military Standard so the Saints are gathered together by the knowledge of Christ the Captain of their Salvation A Rod and Staff is attributed to God and our Saviour Christ Psal. 23.4 Thy Rod and thy Staff comfor me of which we have spoke in the Metonymie of the sign for the thing signified Psal. 45.6 Psal. 110.2 Heb. 1.8 The Rod or Scepter of Christ signifies his saving word whereby he directs his Church and People See Esa. 2.3 The Rod of God signifies also Castigation and Punishment Job 9.34 and 21.9 In both which places the Chaldee renders it a Stroke The King of Assyria is called the Rod of Gods Anger Esa. 10.5 Because by him as with a Rod he was to chastise the People and declare his Wrath against sin See verse 24. The Word has almost the same signification Psal. 2.9 Where the epithete of Iron being added it is a symbol of a more grievous and severe punishment Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron viz. Such contumacious and stubborn Enemies that despise thy Kingdom whether they be Jews or Gentiles as ver 1 2. These are prophetical words of God the Father respecting Christ his only begotten Son who was constituted King of Sion and as it were inaugurated to the sacred Offices of Judge and Redeemer See Act. 4.25 26 27. All those were to be broken with and Iron Rod by Christ the Judge who would not submit to the Scepter of his saving Grace Psal. 45.6 7. and 110.6 Esa. 2.3 but stubbornly resisted him and therefore by the Sword of his Anger which is that Iron Scepter or Rod as of a severe Judge they were to be destroyed To this place of the Psalmist there seems to be an Allusion Ezek. 21.10 13. In our Translation thus A Sword is sharpned to make a sore slaughter it is furbished that it may glitter Should we then make Mirth It contemneth the Rod of my Son as every tree or as in the marginal reading the Rod of my Son despiseth every Tree and verse 13. What if the Sword contemn even the Rod c. Where an obscure Periphrasis in the original Hebrew has begot diverse Interpretations What seems to me to be most proper and suitable I will lay down and submit it to the Judgement of the Godly and Learned 1. It is certain that the Prophets do frequently cut off their speech introducing even in the very context then this and then another speaking upon which Jerom says that the change of persons especially in the Writings of the Prophets makes the Text difficult to be understood which if delivered with a clearer distinction of places causes and times would render those things plain which seem to be obscure Nahum 2. Hence the Prophets are so obscure because when one thing is treated of there is suddenly a change to another thing or person as Psal. 2.1 The New Testament is introduced as speaking and complaining of Christs Enemies See Acts 4.24
87 376. But metaphorically this Name is attributed to Creatures also As 1. To Angels who are endued with more eminent power and more abundant happiness then any other Creatures as Psal. 8.5 Thou hast made him a little lower then Elohim the Angels as the Chald. the 70. Interpreters Pagninus and our Translation render it But we have a most certain interpreter Heb. 2.7 viz. the Apostle who expressely quoting this text says but thou hast made him a little lower 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ti par Angelous than the Angels see ver 9. Where the same is repeated In both places it is spoke of Christ with respect to his state of humiliation an evident specimen is the Angels comforting him in his Agony in the Garden Luke 22.43 So Psal. 86.8 and 97.7 9. where the word Elohim is put for Angels as it expresly appears Heb. 1.6 The meaning is that there is no power so sublime but must be subject to the soveraignty of Christs Kingdom 2. To Men of eminent dignity and his substitutes on Earth by whom God Governs Judges Informs and Helps men as if he had metaphorically call'd them Divine men Gen. 6.2 The Sons of God saw the Daughters of men c. The Chald. renders it Sons of great men or grandees Pagninus the Sons of Princes Brentius in his Comment upon the place thus expounds it The Sons of God are the principal Sons and Heroes of the Patriarchs in whose hands because of the right of primogeniture and other gifts of God the chief authority was lodged and who in Doctrine and example ought to go before others as the Princes and heads of the People as Judges and Princes are in other places of Scripture called Gods But the Daughters of Men were either women of the Families of the Canaanites or without difference any Maids or Women of the common and vulgar sort that you may understand that the Princes who ought to be an honest example for others look to themselves at their pleasure any that they met and liked what ever they were whether Kinswomen or such as were of Affinity to them whether Honest or Dishonest These things were wickedly done for here was a neglect of Consanguinity which the Law of Nature commands contempt of Parents and Superiors and an indulgence of Polygamy or having many wives and rash and causeless Divorces c. Exod. 4 16. He shall be to thee a Mouth and thou shalt be to him a God we translate instead of a Mouth and instead of a God the Chald. renders it for a Prince or Captain that is thou shalt be his chief Magistrate telling him what he shall say to the People So God speaks to Moses Exod. 7.1 See I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh the explication follows ver 2. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee and Aaron thy Brother shall speak unto Pharaoh Moses is called a God because of the Commission or Embassy he had to perform in those wonderful works before Pharaoh So Judges are in the Hebrew called Gods Exod. 21.6 and 22.8 9 28. So 1 Sam. 28.13 That spectrum or apparition in the likeness of Samuel is so called Psal 82.1 He judgeth among the Gods that is among the Judges See ver 6. I have said ye are Gods from which Christ argues John 10.34 35 36. that he was much more the Son of God See Psal. 138.1 4. Psal. 119.46 I will speak of thy Testimony before Kings and be not ashamed which Kings are elsewhere called Gods c. It is also attributed to Idols Exod. 23.24 Esa. 36.18 But 't is by a Metonymie of the Adjunct by which the opinion of men is put for the thing it self as chap. 4. before-going For Idols are really things of no value as Lev. 19.4 Psal. 97.7 Esa. 10.10 and 19.3 Yea no Gods 2 Chron. 13.9 1 Cor. 8.4 an Idol is nothing in the World but they are Worshipped by Idolaters as Gods or at best by them they pretend to Worship God Hence they are called Gods with the addition of another word as Exod. 20.3 Strange Gods Deut. 5.7 Josh. 23.16 Gods besides the Lord Exod. 22.20 Molten Gods Lev. 19.14 New Gods Judg. 5.8 The Greek name of God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theos which is metaphorically ascribed to the Devil 2 Cor. 4.4 The God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which beleive not c. For as the the true God administers the Kingdom of Grace to such as believe in him and is by them religiously Worshipped So Satan infuses his malignity into unbelievers Eph. 2.2 3. who obey his Will Command and Seduction Upon which Erasmus in his Annotations says thus The Devil is not really a God but he is so to them who prefer him before Christ just as to covetous men their Money or Mammon is a God and to their Heirs their Luxury is a God and homo homini Deus a man is a God to a man as the proverb runs And in his paraphrase Whatsoever any person hearkens to obeys or prefers before or more then God makes that his God This name is also attributed to the Belly Phil. 3.19 Whose God is their Belly that is such as account their cheif good and felicity to consist in the satisfaction of the desires of the Flesh and prosperity in this World without suffering any persecution for the sake of Christ. Whatsoever any person puts the chiefest value upon is to him a God if he slights the true God In the New Testament also the Name of God is attributed to Idols Act. 7.43 14.11 by a metonymie as was said of the Name Elohim by the opinion of men as Gal. 4.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me phusei ontes theoi qui natura non sunt Dii who by nature are not Gods but by the depraved imagination of Idolaters 1 Cor. 8.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 legomenoi Theoi who are called Gods by Idolatrous men but are not really so And to these that one and true God is opposed ver 6. So much for the Name of God To which metaphor some refer when the Names of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elohim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 El are added in the room of an Epithet for Divine Chief or most Excellent vid. Gram. Sacr. p. 58. seqq As to the Actions of God the word Creation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bara properly signifies to make any thing of nothing which God alone can do But metaphorically it is Translated to the other great works of God as Exod. 34.10 I will do marvels which were not created in the whole Earth c. That is such wonders and so many as never yet were done in the World Numb 16.30 If the Lord will create a Creation so the Hebrew that is if he will afford a New and Unheard of miracle such as was the swallowing up of the Earth which then happened to the seditions See Esa. 45.8 More especially it is
we have many means of increase of grace the Lord will expect the fruits of holiness from his people XVIII The Lord loves to visit his vineyard often and delights to behold the flourishing graces of his people He is gone Down into his garden into his beds of spices c. He eats his pleasant fruit he takes pleasure in his Saints and will beautifie the meek with salvation Let us see says he if the vine flourish whether the tender grape appears and the pomegranatâ—â—s bud forth there will I give thee my loves He rejoyâ—â—es to find his people abound with graces which are the blessed fruits of the spirit no Ambrosia so sweet to this heavenly husbandman as the holy performances of his Saints which is the effect of his own cost and labour XIX The Lord expresses great grief when his people bring forth no fruit or which is worse wild fruit he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought forth wild grapâ—â—s How he complains by the Prophet She viz. the vineyard Jerusalem was plucked up in fury the East wind driâ—â—d up her fruit Fire hath devoured her fruit this is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation How it grieves the Lord to the heart when his servants his Ministers return this account we have laboured in vain and spent our strength for nought c. XX. When the Lord finds any barren or withered branch in his husbandry past hope of recovery he cuts them 〈◊〉 every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away Christ cursed the fruitless fâ—â—g treâ—â— and immediately it was driâ—â—d up this cutting off may be done by the immediate hand of God â—â—ith in Spirituals or Temporals or by the censure and excommunication of the Church XXI God hâ—â—th also many workmen in his Churches divers painfâ—â—l labourers in his harvest Miniâ—â—ers of the Gospel are spiritual harvest men We then as Workers together with you beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain XXII A faithful experienced and laborious Minister the Lord values above thousands of slothful false hearted and self seeking ones who care not for the flock so they have the fleece and if they have the wages care not for the work Moses was faithful in his house and therefore esteemed but Corah and hâ—â—s Company that fain would have been lookt upon as appointed by God like Moses were swallowed up XXIII The Church of God often suffers and is much spoiled by those innumerable swarms of Locusts or Catterpillars that came out of the bottomless pit by which according to the opinion of divers eminent Writers are meant the great swarms of Popish Priests Friars Monks Jesuits and even all the whole tribe of the Romish Hierarchy who are fitly likened to Locusts which as Naturalists say are a little vile kind of vermine that spring out of smoak flying together in vast numbers gnawing eating up or destroying all green things and fruits of the eaâ—â—th being a very slothful and idle creature resembling the Popish Clergy exactly who are bred out of the smoak and darkness of hellish ignorance they are slow bellies living upon the sweat of other mens brows To such Kingdoms or Countries as abound with pleasant plants they flock in swarms where they make havock and lay wast all green things in the Church of God as this and other Nations have felt and still feel infecting thousands with their damnable devices superstitious practices and inventions XXIV When God finds a Church or people without the life and power of grace and religion cold and lukewarm having only the Carkass of external profession and that no calls nor endeavours will reclaim them he withdraws his presence removes his Candlestick takes away the hedge and lays it waste Go to my place in Shilo where I set my name at first and see what I did to it for Israel 's wickedness So Sardis Ephesus Smirna Philadelphia c. and the rest of those once famous Asiatick Churches are become a barren and waste Wilderness XXV The Lord by his word and spirit which is as a fan in his hand severs the chaff and refuse part of his Children that nothing but the pure grain and seed of grace may remain in them and oftentimes by affliction winnows his Church Severing the true Christian from the dross and chaff of hypocrisie I will sift the house of Israel as Corn it sifted in a sieve c. METAPHOR I. SOme husbandmen hire their ground and pay Rent for what they have II. A husbandman maybe dispossest of his farm and turn'd out of all his estate by an enemy or the injustice of a party stronger than himself III. The husbandman thrives or grows poor aâ—â—cording as his husbandry gives good or bad returns IV. Husbandmen often faint and grow weary of working V. Husbandmen know not the success and event of their labour nor the nature of some ground till they try it VI. Husbandmen cannot rain to water their fields 't is God that gives the increase for which their dependance must be upon him VII The husbandman cannot make bad trees bring forth good fruit nor barren trees bear nor some sort of ground good let him do what he can VIII Storms Tempests excessive Rain Snow Heat or Cold often force the husbandman to a cessation of his labour and an enemy may compel him from his work IX A husbandman grows old and dies and leaves his husbandry DISPARITY I. BUt God is the proprietor and proper owner of all the Nations and people of the Earth whatsoever is under the whole heavens saith the Almighty is mine II. God cannot be dispossest or turned out of his inheritance for no strength or power is able to stand before him none can oppress him or take his right from him against his will he can destroy at once all that rise up against him III. God though he lays out very much to cultivate a Nation Church or People is never the poorer his treasure is inexhaustible and can receive no addition nor diminution Can a man be profitable to God My Goodness saith David extends not to thee All that he doth is for his Creatures profit IV. God in a proper sence cannot be weary therefore in Scripture when we read of his being weary 't is spoken by the figure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of men by way of condescention to our capacities after much patience and forbearance and finding no fruit he is said to be weary not properly but as before the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the ends of the Earth fainteth not neither is weary V. But God knows all things the hearts and spirits of all men he knows what nation or people will prove fruitful or otherwise before his word and spirit are employ'd to cultivate and try them VI. God can cause it to Rain when he pleases externally upon the earth and spiritually
what I should speak As I have kept my Fathers Commandments c. VI. Jesus Christ to do the Work of God as Mediator was sent on a long Journey as far as 't is from Heaven to Earth and was thereby exposed to much Difficulty and great Hardships from Men and Devils He was persecuted from place to place his Life being often in jeopardy he had no-where to lay his Head and was at last most basely betrayed and put to Death VII The Lord Christ was most faithful Tho he was a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things he suffered My Meat is to do the Will of him that sent me and to finish his Work I delight to do thy Will O God Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's Business VIII The Lord Christ was faithful in doing all things which God required of him he went not beyond his Commission nor did he neglect any part of his Work He that God sent speaketh the Words of God and I know that his Commandment is Life everlasting Whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so speak I. Who was faithful to him that appointed him as Moses was faithful in all his House IX The Lord Jesus Christ hath an absolute Right to a Reward for his Work 's sake Tho there is no Merit or Desert for the Works which Believers do being unprofitable Servants when they have done all yet there is very great Merit and Worth in what Christ did And the Father will give him his Wages he shall have his Wife his Church for whom he served above fourteen Years nay He shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost Parts of the Earth for his Possession Behold my Servant shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high I will divide him a Portion with the Great and he shall divide the Spoil with the Strong because he hath poured out his Soul unto Death But we see Jesus who for suffering Death is crown'd with Glory and Honour c. X. The Lord Jesus Christ having in his eye that eternal Advantage his Elect should receive and what Glory He as Man should be raised unto as the Reward of his Undertaking went through all his Sorrows with much cheerfulness Who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despised the Shame and is set down at the right-hand of the Throne of God XI The Lord Jesus Christ was subject whilst he was here in our Nature in the Form of a Servant at some time unto Fear He was made under the Law 'T is said He was troubled in Spirit and was heard in that he feared Metaphor I. A Servant and the Master are not essentially and inseparably one II. A Servant amongst Men hath not an inseparable Interest in his Master's Goods and Estate III. Servants among Men many times through Temptation prove unfaithful and deceive either Father or Master yea the best Servants of good Men have in something or other miscarried IV. A Servant may be turn'd out of his Master's Service and lose his Honour V. The Servant abides not in his Master's House for ever VI. A Servant differs from the Heir in Place Dignity and Privilege VII Too many are oftentimes forced to become Servants because they cannot otherwise tell how to live Disparity I. JEsus Christ altho a Servant is essentially one with the Father the Father Son and Spirit are but the one everlasting and eternal God I and my Father are one There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are inseparably one II. Christ hath a full a clear and inseparable Interest in all that the Father hath All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them III. It was impossible for Christ to be unfaithful or disobey God his Father because he was without Sin and Satan had nothing in him to fasten a Temptation upon IV. The Lord Jesus Christ did not could not displease his Father and therefore did not nor could lose his Honour I do always the things that please him V. Jesus Christ abideth in the House of God for ever VI. Jesus Christ tho he be called the Servant of God yet is he his own beloved Son and Heir of all things by whom he made the World There is none in Heaven or Earth that hath greater Glory Place or Privilege conferred upon upon him than the Lord Jesus Christ. VII Christ had no necessity of Nature laid upon him to accept of the low Place and Office of a Servant He was not forced to it because he could not tell how to live without serving he being infinitely happy in himself from Eternity but the Glory of his Father and the dear Love he bore to the Creature even to poor lost Man moved him to become a Servant he did it freely for our sakes that we might be Lords Inferences I. WE may note from hence the wonderful Condescension of Jesus Christ there is nothing which sets forth his great Abasement for our sakes more than this what Grace is this Doth the Son of God who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth become a Servant He that thought it no Robbery to be equal with God made himself of no reputation and took upon him the Form of a Servant The Son of Man came not to be ministred to but to minister Quest. But some may enquire Whose Servant is Christ c. 1. He is God's Servant Behold my Servant c. 2. He is his Peoples Servant The Son of Man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his Life for many II. Let us learn from him hence-forward to humble our selves Let the same Mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus Shall the Lord become a Servant and shall the Servant swell in Pride and Arrogancy and nothing content him but to be called Lord nay and lord it over God's Heritage whose Servants they ought to be if they would be Gospel-Ministers Surely Christ abhors him who calls himself the Servant of Servants whilst at the same time he exalts himself above All that are called Gods III. If the Lord Christ became a willing humble laborious and faithful Servant for us let us labour to be humble faithful and sincere Servants to him He hath done all the hardest Work and if any remain too hard for us he sticks not to set his hand to it Thou hast wrought all our Works in us and for us IV. Let this teach us to follow his Example and be Servants one to another I have given you an Example that you should do as I have done to you for this is acceptable to him V. Remember 't is an honourable pleasant and gainful thing to be Christ's Servant Paul seems to glory more in it than
respect of his Prophetical Office is hinted in the Particulars following Prophet I. A Prophet is a Mouth to others to speak forth what is the Sence and Mind of God to them And the Lord said unto Moses See I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh and Aaron thy Brother shall be thy Prophet and speak unto Pharaoh II. A Prophet speaks not of himself but the Word of God comes to him to teach him what he shall say For when David was up in the morning the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Gad David 's Seer saying c. III. A Prophet doth anoint others and install them into Office as Samuel did Saul and as Nathan did Solomon IV. A Prophet gives direction for cleansing from Filthiness Uncleanness or Leprosy The Servant of Naaman came near and spake unto him and said My Father if the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing wouldest thou not have done it How much rather then when he says unto thee Wash and be clean V. A Prophet was to pray for the People as the proper Work of his place hence Samuel saith God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you c. VI. A Prophet tho never so good or great is slighted by his own Neighbours and People he is without Honour in his own Country VII A true Prophet is ordained of God is sent forth to do that Work and Business Before thou camest out of the Womb I ordained thee to be a Prophet unto the Nations VIII A Prophet is anointed to do and perform the Work proper to his place as 't is said Elisha the Son of Shaphat thou shalt anoint to be a Prophet IX A Prophet is the Leader and Guide of the People as 't is said By a Prophet the Lord led Israel out of Egypt X. A true Prophet ought to be believed Believe his Prophets so shall you prosper XI A Prophet bears witness to the Truth To him give all the Prophets Witness XII A Prophet is a Man of God a Servant of God and knows his Secrets XIII The Prophets of God laid a Foundation for the Church to build upon in respect of Faith and Doctrine And that the Church is built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets XIV The Work of a true Prophet is to perfect the Work appertaining to the Church as well as to lay the Foundation of it He gave some Prophets c. for the perfecting of the Saints c. XV. Prophets are to be Examples to others Take my Brethren the Prophets for an Example XVI Prophets gave forth Scripture by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit for Men to have recourse to at all times for Quickning Comfort and Instruction in Righteousness As it is written in the Prophets According to the Scriptures of the Prophets The Prophecy came not in old Time c. XVII Prophets do not only expound and shew what is past and already fulfilled but foretell and predict things to come which they all did more or less as a proper part of their Work Parallel I. JEsus Christ is the Mouth of God who speaks forth his Mind and Will unto the Sons of Men. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son The Words which I speak are not mine but the Father 's that sent me II. Jesus Christ speaks not of himself as he was Man but the Word of God came to him to direct him what he should speak I speak not of my self The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his Servants things that must shortly come to pass III. Jesus Christ doth anoint others and install them into Office of whom it is said We have received an Vnction from the Holy One that teacheth all things I thank Jesus Christ who hath put me into the Ministry IV. Jesus Christ gives direction for cleansing from all Uncleanness both in respect of Body and Soul He said to the Leper I will be thou clean c. And when he saw the Lepers he said unto them Go shew your selves to the Priests and it came to pass that as they went they were cleansed Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you He doth not only direct but giveth cleansing Having wash'd us from our Sins in his own Blood V. Jesus Christ did eminently answer the Work of a good Prophet in praying for the People 1. For his Friends I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter 1. That they may be kept from Evil. 2. That they may be sanctified through the Truth 3. That they may be brought to an inseparable Vnion Nay more than this 2. He prayeth for his Enemies Father forgive them for they know not what they do VI. Jesus Christ tho he was the greatest and best of Prophets that ever was sent to the Children of Men yet was he slighted by his own People and rejected by his near Neighbours He came unto his own and his own received him not Is not this the Carpenter's Son whose Father and Mother we know c. VII Jesus Christ was ordained and sent of God to do the Work and Office of a Prophet I came not of my self but the Father sent me He was faithful to him that appointed him as Moses also was VIII Jesus Christ is anointed to be a Prophet and to perform the Work proper to his place as it is said Because thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows The Lord God hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor c. IX Jesus Christ is the Leader or Guide of his People called the Fore-runner and Captain of our Salvation He shall feed his Flock like a Shepherd and gently lead those that are with young c. Behold I have given him for a Witness to the People a Leader and Commander to the People X. Jesus Christ ought to be believed God commands all Men to hear him and unless they believe in him they shall die in their Sins For Moses truly said unto the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things he shall say unto you And it shall come to pass that every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the People XI Jesus Christ did bear witness to the Truth He witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate and is called the faithful and true Witness and First-begotten from the Dead XII Jesus Christ is a Man of God indeed a Servant of God whose Meat and Drink it was to do his
Will and one who knew all the Father's Secrets No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten Son of God which is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him XIII Jesus Christ hath excelled all that went before him in this respect He was not applauded by the People only who said he was a Teacher come from God that he taught like one that had Authority and never Man spake like him but he was commended as one fit to be heard by God himself and that with an audible Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son hear ye him This great Prophet of the Most High hath in pursuit of his Prophetical Office laid a fair Foundation for the Church to build upon in these great and most important Points 1. He hath set forth God in the Excellency of his Nature and Perfections He hath told us we are to have Faith in him to love him with all our whole Soul and with all our Strength and to worship him in Spirit and in Truth 2. He hath set forth Himself as Mediator the immediate Object of Faith and to be followed in his Life and Doctrine Another Foundation can no Man lay 3. He hath confirmed the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of Worship directing Men to them for the Regulation of their Hearts and Lives Search the Scriptures 'T is written in your Law c. And to the young Man that would know what he should do to inherit eternal Life he said How readest thou c. 4. He hath set forth the World to come in the Glory of it as the Reward of Worship telling them that there is a Kingdom to be given and The Pure in Heart shall see God XIV Jesus Christ hath not only as the Author of our Faith laid a sure Foundation for us to build upon but as the Finisher thereof hath Store of Gifts and Graces to bestow which he hath promised to give down and hath also proposed such Examples and Precepts touching all the Particularities of our Duty which if followed cannot miss of perfecting and making the Church compleat Be ye merciful as Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Love one another Walk as you have me for an Example and what you would that Men should do to you that do unto them This is the Law and the Prophets XV. Jesus Christ was the most perfect Copy to write by the best Example to conform our Lives unto that ever our Eyes beheld or that ever appeared 1. In his unparallel'd Meekness Humility Self-Denial and Contempt of this World 2. His unwearied Patience under Afflictions and Sufferings 3. His Zeal and Forwardness to do good even to the worst of his Enemies XVI Jesus Christ hath given forth Scripture by the glorious Power of the Holy-Ghost which are the four Evangelists and all the Epistles and as to the Book of the Apocalypse he hath so confirm'd it that he hath made it Damnation to any that shall add to it or diminish from it XVII Herein Jesus Christ hath compleated his Work as a Prophet He did expound to his Disciples what was written in the Law of Moses in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning himself And not only so but he foretold them things that were yet to come to pass as the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Captivity of the Jews He did not conceal but plainly told that there should be a Day of Distress such as had not been since they were a Nation And soon after his Ascension sent his Angel to signify to his Servant John for the teaching all his Churches many things that are and shortly should come to pass As 1. The Rise Reign and Ruine of the last Beast 2. The Suffering of the Church in the Wilderness during his Reign 3. The Glory Grandure horrid Wickedness and fearful Overthrow of Mystery Babylon 4. The going forth of the everlasting Gospel into all the World 5. And lastly his own coming in Glory with the New Jerusalem the holy Angels and all Saints to solemnize the last and dreadful Judgment Prophet I. ALL other Prophets besides Christ were inspired by Christ. The Prophets searched what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them did signify c. by which he preached to the Spirits in Prison II. Other Prophets pointed at Christ as the Scope of their Prophecies they testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that was to follow III. Other Prophets did but begin the holy Books that were to be the perpetual Rule of Faith and Practice they told us of Divine Things but in part IV. Other Prophets spake of God by private Inspiration and the Intelligence of Angels and few of them confirmed their Words by Miracles V. Other Prophets have left their Work and are all gone Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever What Man is he that liveth and shall not see Death Abraham is dead and the Prophets c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ received not the holy Spirit by measure but hath the Fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily II. Jesus Christ came as the Sum of their Prophecies to fulfill them and compleat what they foretold This is He of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write III. Jesus Christ did finish and compleat the holy Books which are to be the perfect and compleat Rule of Faith and Practice to the end of the World He shewed plainly of the Father He is that Prophet that all Men are to hear upon the Penalty of being destroyed from amongst the People He that hears not his Voice and believes not his Gospel shall not see Life but perish in his Sins How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation confirmed by Signs and Wonders IV. But Jesus Christ spake of the Father as he had seen Him and conversed with Him heard his Words and was in his Bosom before He came down among us in the likeness of Man and confirmed his Doctrine by many immediate and mighty Miracles No Man has seen God at any time but the only begotten Son that is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him The things that I have heard of him I speak unto you If I had not done amongst them the Works which none other Man did they had not had Sin but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father V. Jesus Christ abides in his Prophetical Office still that is of like continuance with his Kingly and Priestly Office as he abides a Priest continually so a Prophet He is with his Church to lead it and guide it to the end of the World as himself saith And lo I am with you always even to the end of the World Inferences I. WE may infer from hence That God hath been exceeding good
unto the World in sending such a Prophet after the great Abuse of others that went before a good Prophet a great Prophet none like him that went before him or should come after him The Son of God Emanuel God with us II. This informs us also how exceeding useful our Lord Jesus Christ as a Prophet is to his Church having compleated what others left undone shewing the Riches Glory and Duration of the World to come and indeed in declaring the whole Counsel of God and bringing Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel III. Moreover you may seee the absolute Necessity the Church has of such a Prophet without whom the People would have sate in Darkness and in the Shadow of Death and have been left to stumble upon the dark Mountains IV. From hence we infer the infallible Certainty of what he has declared for it could not be that such a Prophet should deceive the World These things are true and faithful V. Behold the strong and forcible Obligation that is upon the World to believe his Doctrine where it is preached and to reject all Doctrines that are repugnant to it VI. How inexcusable will all those be who reject his Gospel and despise his Ministers It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for them VII Let the Christian Church from hence learn to hold fast what she hath received for the Truth as it is in Jesus had a great and faithful Witness who confirmed it by mighty Miracles and sealed it with his own Blood Christ a Shepherd John 10.11 I am the good Shepherd c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphor I. A Shepherd is chosen and appointed to take care of the Sheep being a Man skilful in doing that Work and Business II. A Shepherd knows his Sheep he knows their Number and knows them particularly from Sheep that are none of his and one from another III. A Shepherd marks his Sheep whereby they are distinguished from others IV. A Shepherd feeds his Sheep he leads them to green Pastures and Springs of Water Should not the Shepherd feed the Flock V. A Shepherd preserves his Flock he takes care they do not feed in unwholsom Pastures and defends them from Enemies VI. A Shepherd hath a Fold for his Sheep whither he brings them for their better Security and his own Profit VII A Shepherd keeps his Sheep together suffers them not to stray and straggle abroad lest they should be lost VIII A Shepherd if any of his Sheep be set upon by Dogs or Wolves will venture his Life for them to defend and rescue them from those Beasts of Prey as David for a Lamb fought with a Lion and a Bear IX A Shepherd is very tender of his Flock will not over-drive them takes special care of the Lambs and those that are weak and feeble X. If a Shepherd has lost one Sheep if one Sheep or Lamb be gone astray he will seek it and when he hath found it he brings it home with abundance of Joy saying to his Neighbours Rejoyce with me for I have found my lost Sheep XI A Shepherd heals the Diseases of the Sheep The diseased saith God to the Shepherds of Israel have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick XII A Shepherd judges between Sheep and Sheep between fat and lean Ones and if any push the weak and hurt or wrong his Fellow or would thrust and shoulder him out of the Fold the Shepherd takes notice of it and accordingly orders such who do the wrong XIII The Shepherd watches over his Sheep because of the Dangers that might otherwise befall them in the Night And there were in the same Country Shepherds abiding in the Field keeping watch over their Flock by night c. XIV Shepherds are to give an account of their Sheep to see that none are lacking XV. A Shepherd washes his Sheep in convenient places from all Filth and Soil which they are subject to contract to themselves XVI A Shepherd delights much to see his Sheep and Lambs thrive XVII A Shepherd if he sees one or more of his Sheep are infected with any Distemper so that they may endanger the rest he separates such from the Flock XVIII A Shepherd separates the Sheep from the Goats XIX A Shepherd leads his Flock to some sweet shady Place where he makes them rest at Noon when the Sun shines hot Parallel I. JEsus Christ is chosen of God and appointed to take the Care and Charge of the Church and very capable to undertake that blessed Work II. I know my Sheep saith Christ and am known of mine He takes special notice of every particular Saint he knew Moses by name He knows their Wants their Sufferings their Weaknesses their Sicknesses and whatever Service they do for his holy Name-sake III. The Lord Jesus hath set his own Image upon his People The Mark which they always bear upon them is Holiness Meekness Obedience by which they are distinguished from the World Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn Christ's Sheep are sealed in their Foreheads and Hands 1. For Distinction 2. Secrecy 3. Security IV. Christ feeds his Flock like a Shepherd his great care is to put them into good and fat Pastures and leads them by the still Waters He gives them good Doctrine feeding them with Knowledg and Vnderstanding V. The Lord Jesus to preserve his Church doth often charge and caution them to beware of and avoid all pernicious and evil Doctrine false Teachers c. And he continually defends them from Sin Satan and all other Enemies VI. The Lord Jesus hath his Church for his Fold whither he brings his Elect for their better Security and his own Glory The Lord added unto the Church daily such as should be saved Glory to God in the Church throughout all Ages VII The Lord Jesus frequently assembles his People together and will not allow any to straggle abroad or be like Lambs in large Places Exhort one another daily c. VII Christ laid down his Life for his Sheep exposed himself to great Sorrows and Miseries for their sakes and engaged with the cruellest of Enemies who sought to make a Prey of and devour his Flock which all the Malice of wicked Men who lay Snares to entrap them cannot accomplish IX Christ is exceeding tender of weak and feeble Christians He shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his Bosom and gently lead those that are with young Strengthen ye the weak Hands and confirm the feeble Knees X. Christ the good Shepherd came to seek and save that which was lost his great Design is to bring home Sinners and such as have gone astray as David Peter and other Saints have done When he finds them broken for their Sins how is he pleased He takes up the lost Sheep upon his Shoulder as it were
they see themselves on a sudden surprized but know no way of Escape Men startled Women quaking Beasts crying but none to help them Then they will say to the Rocks and Mountains Fall on us and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb for the great Day of his Wrath is come and who shall be able to stand V. The coming of the Day of the Lord will make the World much amazed and forget all their former Pleaurses and Enjoyments as if they had never been and would gladly accept of their Lives for a Prey or to be extinguish'd or cease to be but alas 't is in vain nothing but Hell and eternal Burnings remain for them where they shall be always dying yet never dead VI. By the coming of the Day of the Lord there will be such Execution done as will be to the utter Ruin and Un-doing of wicked Men who shall be stripp'd of all they have formerly set their Hearts upon and would now give the whole World were it in their possession for so much Grace as would help them to Heaven and save them from the dreadful Judgment Simile I. A Thief comes with a wicked Intent to gratify his wicked Will unrighteously II. A Thief 's coming may be prevented III. The coming of a Thief is but to a few and the Dammage he does is but to a few Families Disparity I. THe Lord cometh with a good intent to fulfill his Father's Will to save his People from all their Troubles and to render Justice to God's Enemies II. But the coming of the Day of the Lord cannot be prevented The Day of the Lord will come in which c. III. The coming of the Day of the Lord and the dismal Effects of it will be to all the Wicked The Lord cometh with Ten Thousand of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly c. Inferences 1. REproof 2. Caution 3. Exhortation 1. Reproof to ungodly Men that there should be such a Day to come and notice given of such a thing and they so heedless and careless about it 2. Caution to the Godly to take heed and carefully mind the Counsel of Christ and Warnings of his Servants unto such a due Watchfulness as may prevent the Danger of being found sleeping and so the Day come upon them at unawares 3. Exhortation to all both good and bad to make ready for only they that shall be found ready will go in with him into the Marriage-Chamber the Door will be shut against all others whether Professors or Prophane Be ye therefore ready for at an Hour you think not of the Son of Man cometh Christ the Judg of All. Acts 10.42 And be commanded us to preach unto the People and to testify that it was He which was ordained of God to be the Judg of Quick and Dead THe Term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Judg is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to judg which word has various Significations And tho the word Judg is not brought here as a Metaphor Christ being really and properly a Judg yet it being a Phrase alluding to earthly Judges we shall for Edification sake run the Parallel wherein are amply set forth the Qualifications and Properties as well as the Authority of a temporal Judg with the correspondent Analogy and Disparity when applied to Christ the Judg of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Living and the Dead METAPHOR I. A Judg necessarily supposes a People under a Law to be judged by for there can be no Action where there is no Object nor any Exercise of Power or Judicial Proceeding without a Subject II. A Judg is or ought to be a Person fit for the Place and Office whereto he is called 1. A Judg ought to be a Man of great Wisdom and Prudence 2. A Judg is a Man of Knowledg 't is necessary that he should be well acquainted with all the Laws of his Sovereign 3. A Judg is or ought to be a Man of Goodness not subject to Anger Malice or Revenge and it is very requisite it should be so otherwise great Dammage might ensue upon the ill disposition of the Judg. 4. A Judg is or ought to be a Man of Justice and Impartiality that will not respect Persons in Judgment take Bribes or know the Faces of any tho never so great among Men. Aaron was not to know his Father nor Mother in Judgment 5. A good and upright Judg is a Man of Courage and Boldness will not say to the Wicked Thou art righteous nor excuse the Faults of great Men through fear III. The Place and Work of a Judg is grounded upon good Reason 1. The Honour of the Sovereign 2. The Reasonableness of Sovereignty or Authority 3. The Justness of the Laws 4. In respect of the Subject IV. A Judg is appointed to his Place and Office he acts not of himself but by Commission V. A Judg hath his set Time or Days limited wherein to keep a general Sessions or hold a solemn Assize for the Honour of his Sovereign Lord the King VI. A Judg when he hath received his Commission and the set Day is come hath power to summon all Parties concerned and order all Offenders to appear before him in Judgment VII A Judg after this great Appearance upon his Summons enters upon his Work which consists chiefly in three great Points 1. To open the Law 2. To examine Witnesses 3. To arraign the Offenders VIII A Judg charges Matter of Fact in Judgment and proceeds to clear Proof and Evidence by a sufficient Number of proper Witnesses touching the same IX A Judg by this Order and Method of Proceeding keeps up the Honour of the Law which he makes his Rule in all his Acts of Judgment X. A Judg is very terrible upon the Seat of Judgment in three respects 1. He is cloathed with Majesty 2. He hath very great Attendants as the Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and the Gentry of the County about him 3. He passeth a solemn and fatal Sentence upon guilty Criminals XI A Judg hath the Command of Officers to see Sentence executed and pronounced as Sheriffs deputy Sheriffs with Keepers of Prisons and the like Parallel I. CHrist being called a Judg doth clearly hold forth that there are a People to be judged by him Before him shall be gathered all Nations We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ. I saw the Dead both small and great stand before God II. Jesus Christ infinitely excells all other Judges in respect of Fitness to this Office or Excellency of Qualifications as will appear by what follows 1. Christ is wise not only far beyond David and Solomon but all the Angels in Heaven the Learned amongst the Jews admired his Wisdom He is called as hath been often hinted the Wisdom of God 2. Jesus Christ fully knows all Divine Laws as
well that which is written in the Heart of Man as that which was written in Tables of Stone and then as to the Law of the Gospel that is called the Law of Christ because he gave forth all the Precepts contained thereâ—â—â— 2. The Lord Jesus Christ is full of Goodness full Proofs of which he gave before his advancement to his Dignity He is not forward to accuse is free from Anger not subject to take advantage by the Weakness of an Offender but ready to pity and forgive if the Circumstances of the Cause will bear it An Instance of which we have in what Christ said to the Woman taken in Adultery He that is without Sin let him cast the first Stone c. 4. The Lord Christ is a Man of Justice that will not be flattered with fair Words His Impartiality appeared in the days of his Flesh. He told Nicodemus a great Ruler that he must be born again called Herod the King a Fox He told the Rulers of the Jews that they should hereafter see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and Glory that is as a Judg to arraign them for their Injustice Cruelty c 5. The Lord Jesus tho he be a Lamb for Meekness and a Dove for Innocency yet he is a Lion for Boldâ—â—ess and Courage and in his time will shew himself so to be to all the Ungodly of the Earth whether Kings Captains or mighty Men They shall cry to the Rocks to fall upon them and Mountains to cover them to hide them from the Face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb. III. The Work assigned to the Lord Jesus as a Judg is grounded upon the highest Reason 1. The Authority of God the Father who hath committed all Judgment into the hands of the Son 2. The Reasonableness of his Authority He gave to all their Being and therefore may challenge a Right more than earthly Sovereigns to sit as Judg over them 3. The Equity of his Laws which are holy just and good there is nothing amiss no fault can be found in them 4. In respect of his Subjects God is not unrighteous to forget their Work of Faith and Labour of Love c. of the Godly And 't is a righteous thing with him to recompense the Ungodly according to their Deeds He shall render unto every Man according as their Works shall be IV. The Lord Jesus Christ is appointed to take the Place and Office of a Judg He acts not of himself but by Commission from the great and mighty Potentate of the whole Universe God judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son 'T is he that is ordained of God to be the Judg of the Quick and Dead He hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained It is appointed unto Men once to die and after Death the Judgment to which end Christ shall appear the second time V. In like manner is there a set Time a certain Day limited for the Lord Jesus the great Judg to keep a general Sessions and hold a solemn Assize for the Honour of the eternal God called the Day of Judgment It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that City VI. The Lord Jesus as Supreme Judg by virtue of his Authority and Commission when the set Time is come will summon the whole World even all Offenders to appear before his Judgment-Seat The Time is coming when all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice and come forth The Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible There shall be a Resurrection from the Dead both of the Just and Vnjust The Lord shall descend from Heaven with a Shout with the Voice of the Archangel and the Trump of God and the Dead in Christ shall rise first We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ c. VII The Lord Christ immediatly after Summons upon this great Appearance before his dread Tribunal enters upon his last and great Work First to open the three great Law-Books that Men have lived under viz. 1. The Law of Nature 2. The Law of Moses 3. The Gospel-Law The Judg being set the Books are opened next in Order the Witnesses appear and first those that gave the Laws and they are of three sorts 1. God that wrote the Law of Nature after an invisible manner on the Hearts of Men I will come near you to Judgment and be a swift Witness against you saith the Lord. 2. Moses that delivered the Law to Israel There is one that accuses you even Moses in whom you trust 3. The Apostles that published the Gospel-Law not to Jews only but to the Gentile World These will appear not only to judg the twelve Tribes of Israel but the Gentiles whose Persons and Works also must be tried by Christ as well as the Jews He shall judg the Secrets of all Men. VIII Jesus Christ will judg the World viz. all Men both Jews and Gentiles according to their Works God shall bring every Work into Judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil The Necessity of which appears in these four Cases 1. The Scripture will not else be fulfilled and made good which doth fully assert the bringing to Light the hidden things of Darkness and making manifest the Counsels of the Heart 2. The Ungodly will not otherwise be convinced of all their ungodly Deeds and all their hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners have spoken against the Lord. 3. The Judgment will not otherwise appear just upon which the Glory of the Judg doth so much depend 'T is for his Glory to overcome when he judgeth And unless Matter of Fact be charged due Proportions will not be weighed out and awarded according to Desert with clearness and satisfaction either in a way of Mercy or just Severity to all Spectators Therefore the Gentiles shall be charged with Matter of Fact against the Law of Nature Whâ—â—remongers and Adulterers God will judg The Jews shall be charged for rejecting Moses and killing the Prophets The Jews and Gentiles jointly that they have neglected Faith and Charity under the Vouchsafement of the Gospel He shall judg the Secrets of Men by Christ Jesus according to my Gospel The fore-mentioned Witnesses are sufficient to prove Matter of Fact both in point of Number and Capacity The first and chief Witness will be God himself who knew all things and there can be nothing hid from him The second Witness will be Conscience which was and is with Men in all Places and Actions which Man could never leave at home nor shun his Company when he went out or when he came in He is with him in his most secret Retirements and has often told him
the other what the law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sent forth his Son c. The law wounds but can't heal it shews a man he is dead but it can't give him life it shews man he is naked but it cannot cloth him The gospel gives life heals clothes and comforts the one shews we are in Prison the other brings us out no Salvation by the one and none without the other VI. The gospel excels in glory above the law in regard of the discovery there is made therein of the Mercy and Grace of God the one shews God is just and severe and will not clear the guilty the other shews he is not only just but also gracious If any grace shone forth under the law it was only beams of gospel light darting forth darkly in it VII The gospel is more glorious in regard of the chief Administrators of the one and of the other The one were 1 Angels if the VVord spoken by Angels were stedfast who have received the law by the disposition of Angels and have not kept it 2. Moses a Servant one that spake on earth Heb. 12.25 The other Christ the Lord of life and glory who speaks from heaven How shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven VIII The gospel excels the law in respect of Preisthood Aaron and his Sons were Priests of the law Christ is the only Priest of the gospel 1. The Priests of the law were Men no more than Men Christ God-Man 2. They had infirmities sin and guilt in their hearts and lives as well as others Christ had none in his Mouth was found no guile 3. They were made Priests without an Oath but Christ with an Oath Heb. 7.21 so greater solemnity at his instalment into Office 4. They could not continue by reason of Death and they truly were many because shey were not suffered to continue by reason of death but Christ dieth not he ever liveth to make intercession for us but this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood 5. Christ was more merciful and filled with greater bowels than they he hath compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way Heb. 5.2 6. Christ as Priest was the substance the Antitype of Aaron and his Priest-hood 7. There is compleatness and perfection in Christs Priesthood but it was not so touching Aarons If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Priest c. the law that made nothing perfect IX The Priesthood of Christ under the gospel excels Aarons in respect of Work and Office c. 1. He was to enter into the holy place 2. To appear before God 3. To bear the sins of the People Exod. 28.38 4. To make an Atonement Lev. 16.32 5. To Judge of Uncleanness Lev. 13.2 6. To offer Incense Lev. 16.17.8 7. To determine Controversies Deut. 17.8 8. To Bless the People and many other things which Jesus Christ infinitely Excels in 1. Christ is entered into the true Holy Place Sanctum Sanctorum the Holy of Holies Heaven it self 2. He appears really before God for us being set down on the right hand of the Majesty on High c. 3. He hath as the great Anti-type born our sins upon his own Body on the Tree 4. He hath made a compleat and perfect Attonement 5. He Judges of our uncleanness both of the Heart as well as of the Flesh. 6. He resolves all our Doubts ends Controversies speaks peace to the disconsolate a word in season to him that is weary 7. He offers Incense And there was given to him much Incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints 8. He gives down Blessings Him hath God sent to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities c. IX The gospel excels the law in respect of Sacrifices 1. Those Sacrifices under the law were not so Excellent there was not that worth in them as is in the Sacrifices of the gospel What was the blood of Bulls Bullocks and Lambs these were part of those Legal Sacrifices Christ offered up his own Body poured forth his precious Blood to take away our sins 2. They were offered often to Atone for Iniquity dayly every year But Christ hath offered up himself in Sacrifices once for all by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified that which they were alwayes or continually a doing and yet could not accomplish he did by one single Sacrifice and that for ever X. The law required perfect righteousness and nothing less would be accepted and so consequently no soul could thereby be delivered from terror and bondage but the gospel through Christs perfect righteousness acted in his own Person for us accepts of Sincerity in the room and stead of the perfect keeping the whole Law XI In respect of the extent of the one and of the other The law was only given to Israel or unto the lineal Seed of Abraham and to the Proselyte Stranger he dealt his Laws and Statutes to Israel he did not so to any Nation c. The gospel is extended to all People and Nations under the whole Heavens Go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature Mar. 16.15 VVhosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal Life XII The gospel excels the law in the easiness and sweetness of it the precepts of the law were many more in number and hard to learn and remember and very difficult and painful some of them to do particularly Circumcision and also very chargeable beyond what the Gospel is My yoak is easie and my burden is light XIII The gospel is glorious above the law in regard of the Promises of it called better Promises better Covenant better Hope Heb. 7.19 XIV It is more glorious in respect of its Duration the law was but for a time the Servant abides not in the house for ever but the Son abides for ever an everlasting Covenant an everlasting Priesthood an everlasting Gospel No other Ministration is to be looked for till the end of the VVorld Thirdly The gospel is glorious in respect of it self here we shall be large If we have respect to the Historical part the gospel contains a glorious history there is that in it which may affect every person please every Curiositâ—â— what is there in any History which may Commend or illustrate its glory and excellency which the gospel comes short in 1. Some Persons delight to Read and hear Histories that treat of Love and amorous stories 2. Some are more affected with such that treat of Martial-Exploits or Atchievements of Wars of the conquering of Kingdoms and Nations and overcoming mighty Champions c. 3. Some rather Commend such Histories that treat of those great rarities which are in many Nations and Kingdoms of the world and of the Cities Lawes Customes and
upon his people he can cause his precious dew to distil upon the tender herb and showers of rain to fall upon the grass VII God can make the vilest and worst of sinners to bring forth good fruit when his grace converts them and the barrenest souls to be fruitful souls VIII None can hinder the Almighty from his labour I will work and who shall lett it IX God the spiritual husbandman never grows old and can never die but is ever taking care of his husbandry COROLLARIES 1. THis shews the wonderful condescension of the great and Almighty God in comparing himself to an husbandman an Employment of great toyl and very hard labour yet profitable and honest 2. Shews the great priviledge dignity and security of the Church of Christ being the plantation of the great God in which he takes delight the rest of the world being like a barren and howling Wilderness to it Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech and dwell in the Tents of Kedar 3. It shews the necessity of being truly grafted into this vineyard a bare profession will not do as in the foolish Virgins case he has a quick eye and will soon find out such as bear no fruit or are rotten at heart such he cuts down and burns 4. Here 's cause of joy to those that are truly implanted into Jesus Christ they are under his special care and watch they shall flourish and bring forth fruit in old age Walled in on every side and so very safe God a Builder Psal. 127.1 Except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it Prov. 9. Wisdom hath built her a House Heb. 3.4 But he that built all things is God IN these Scriptures and many others God is called a Builder which is a Metaphor taken from Carpenters and Masons that build Houses The Hebrew word by which Building is express'd is derived from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aedificavit extruxit Domum vel Vrbem to build or rear a House or City 1 Kin. 10.4 Metaphorically 't is put for Procreation and Education of Children of which Families are as it were built Gen. 16.2 2. For repairing decayed Places 1 King 12.25 3. For the Restauration Preservation and Exaltation of God's People Jer. 31.4 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preparo instruo to prepare or build up is as Illyricus says a military Word and signifies vasa instrumentáque castrensia colligere the gathering together of Vessels or Vtensils of the Camp of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Vessel God may be said to be a Builder in a four-fold respect 1. He created or built the visible World 2. He built or constituted the Church Militant 3. The Church Triumphant 4. The Invisible World the Celestial City or New Jerusalem for the Church Triumphant to inhabit when the visible World is dissolved In a Builder we are to consider three things viz. Skill Strength Action 1. Skill to contrive 2. Strength to provide and 3. Action to compleat All which are fairly applicable to God as a Builder as appears in the following Particulars Metaphor I. A Builder is an Artist a Man of Wisdom to contrive the fittest Model of the Whole in general and of the distinct Rooms and Parts in particular II. A Master-Builder usually hath a principal or Head-Workman to whom he imparts his Secrets in his great and weighty Contrivances who is to enter upon the chiefest part of the Work and not only to work himself but to order and direct all subordinate Workmen III. A Master-Builder hath the Figure or Idea of the Materials in his Mind of which the Fabrick is to be compacted and gives Order for the bringing them forth to answer his great Project and Design IV. A wise Master-Builder lays a Foundation to set that Fabrick upon that he intends to build for a House City or any kind of Edifice which cannot stand without it as Christ tells us V. A Builder puts his Workmen into Order and his Materials into their proper places the Stone Brick Timber Lead Iron Brass Silver c. VI. A Builder raises Fabricks of several sorts some of higher Consideration and Grandure than others as Temples the Palaces and Thrones of Princes Noble and Great Men's Houses inferior Dwellings and dismal Prisons VII A Builder gives Ornament as well as Form and Being to a House VIII A Builder is a great Benefactor to the World in making Places both for Safety and Conveniency IX A Builder is pleased with his Work when finished and is worthy of Honour for it Disparity I. GOD the first Founder and Builder of all things is that great Master of Wisdom of whom it is said that he finds out knowledg of witty Inventions that he is wise and perfect in knowledg that his Wisdom is unsearchable and his Ways Contrivance and Projections past finding out in his Works of Creation as well as Providence for not Man only is fearfully and curiously made but all his other Works so well contrived that it is not possible for any to mend them In Wisdom hast thou made them all II. God the infinite and most wise Contriver hath his Word or Son who is called the Wisdom of God and a wonderful Counsellor to be his Head-Workman who was in the Bosom of the Father and understood all his Secrets by whom he made the Worlds who is called the Son the Character Image or Representative of God without whom there was nothing contrived or made that was made either things in Heaven or things on Earth visible or invisible whether Thrones Dominions or Principalities all things were made by him and he was before all things and from him came Order and Direction to all subordinate or secondary Causes III. God the Builder of all things had the Idea in his own Mind and gave Order for the bringing of them forth in order to suit his most wise and wonderful Purposes for as known to God are all his Works from the beginning so he said Let the Heavens the Earth the Water the Air appear and they did so IV. God this great and wise Master-Builder hath planted the Heavens above and laid the Foundations of the Earth beneath which when we consider that they have no bottom but the Air and the Water we must resolve it into his own Power which can do every thing or his Word or Son who bears up the Pillars of the Earth and upholds all things He looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God V. The God of the whole Earth did at the first put all Materials into their proper places and assigned all his Servants their respective Work the Heavens above the Air the Air above the Earth and the Earth above the Waters Christ is Head-Workman above Angels Angels above Men Men in Work and Business above the Fowls of the Air Beasts of the Field creeping Things of the Earth Fishes of the