of God Eph. 2.22 It being a Worke of God to build the Church the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost building the Church not instrumentally but efficiently with the Father are therefore equall in Power and Operation with him CHAP. XVIII The raising the Dead is a work of the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost TO restore a lost habite was judged by Phylosophy a thing impossible and if impossibilities might admit of degrees the raising of the Dead was thought more impossible theÌ„ other things But the Pihlosophy of Christians not contradicting but transcending reason hath learned out of the Scripture another Lesson and their faith grounded on Gods word maketh them to believe the resurrection of the Dead And surely there is no impssibility in that which God promiseth He will assuredly effect that which he undertaketh and he will doe all his pleasure Isa 46.10 If he worke who shall let it Isa 43.13 this worke therefore is great is difficult but it is to man not to God He can as easily raise the Body out of something as he did at the first create it out of nothing The Lord challengeth this as his worke I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive Deut. 32.39 This Worke is a Worke of one God yet he is distinguished into three Persons which effect this great Worke. First the Father raiseth up the Dead John 5.21 not onely these that are spiritually dead in sinne but also those that are corporally Dead through sinne Secondly the Sonne raiseth up the Dead He promiseth to raise up those that beleeve in him Joh. 6.40 54. Joh. 11.25 He changeth our vile bodies that they may be fashioned according to his glorious working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himselfe Phil. 3.21 yea he raiseth all both Good and Bad they that have done good to the Resurrection of life and they that have done evill to the Resurrection of damnation Joh. 5.28 29. Thirdly the Holy-Ghost raiseth the Dead Rom. 8.11 He quickneth our Mortall bodies by the Spirit that dwelleth in us The Sonne and Holy-Ghost are equall with the Father in Power and Majestie and doe Worke together in these Works which doe concerne the Church of God in generall The fourth Section CHAP. I. The Workes of God which doe concerne the faithfull in particular are the Common and essentiall works of the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost AS the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost doe Co-work in these Actions of theirs which doe concerne the Church in generall so likewise they co-operate in those workes which concerne the faithfull in particular As namely 1. in Election 2. in Redemption delivering us First from sinne Secondly from Satan Thirdly from the wrath to come 3. in Justification First in the remission of sins Secondly in the imputation of the Righteousnesse of Christ 4. in faith 5. in Hope 6. in true saving or sanctified knowledge 7. in our Union and communion with God 8. in Adoption 9. in sanctification both in the beginning progresse of it both by drawing us to himselfe and quickning us as also by giving and multiplying graces in us 10. in his attestation giving Testimony to us we are his 11. in sealing us 12. in giving us Christian libertie 13. in salvation or glorification These are wrought for us and in us by the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost The Scriptures doe manifest Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to be God equall with the Father by ascribing to them these Workes equally with the Father CHAP. II. Election is a Worke of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost THere is a two fold Election First there is an Election to a Ministeriall Office or funâ—â—ion thus Judas though a Devill was chosen to be an Apostle Joh. 6.70 Secondly there is an Election to life and glory thus Judas though chosen to be an Apostle was not chosen to eternall life Joh. 13.18 I speake not of all I know whom I have chosen The former I have already shewed to be an Essentiall Worke of God I shall endeavour to make manifest the latter to be a Worke common to the Trinitie The foundation of God standeth sure having this seale The Lord knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 Election is there stilled a foundation First in regard of the immutabilitie and firmenesse of it Secondly because it is the beginning and first principall of our salvation and the meanes thereof it being built thereon The Lord knoweth them that are his He knoweth them not onely in scientia cognitionis sed scientia dignationis Psal 1.6 He knoweth wicked men all their wayes but he will not own them Mat. 7.23 He is ashamed of them Mar. 8.38 but he acknowledgeth and rewardeth the Righteous he passeth by the one but he chooseth the other This Election is a Worke of one God in three Persons First God the Father Electeth Ephes 1.5 He chooseth us in Christ before the foundation of the World All the Sonnes elect are the Fathers Joh. 17.10 His good will and pleasure as it is the ground of other graces Jam. 1.18 Ephes 1.14 Luk. 12.32 so it is of his Election of us likewise Eph. 1.5 11. Secondly God the Sonne Electeth Joh. 15.19 I have chosen you out of the World John 13.18 I know whom I have chosen Joh. 6.64 He knew from the beginning who believed not and in regard of this the faithfull are stiled his elect Mat. 24.31 Mar. 13.27 All the Fathers elect are his likewise Joh. 17.10 his will and good pleasure is the ground of our eternall happynesse Joh. 17.24 I will that they whom thou hast given me be with thee where though he prayeth as our Mediator yet he willeth it as our God equall with the Father Never any humble Supplicant would pray thus I will this or I will that Besides the Booke of life in which the Names of the Elect are written is the booke of the Lambe Rev. 21.27 Thirdly God the Holy-Ghost electeth the eternall Counsell of God is ascribed to him Isai 40.31 who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord or being his Counsellour hath taught him If the Father or the Sonne choose without the Spirit they should direct him in his work but he worketh according to his own will and good pleasure for he divideth his gifts and graces to every man severally as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 Thus Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost doe Co-work in our Election CHAP. III. Redemption is a work of the Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost and that first in not onely keeping but also delivering us from the evill of sinne REdemption is a Work wrought of the whole Trinity as the first cause and therefore Redeemer is a Name usually ascribed to God Isai 44.24 Isai 34.4 Isai 41.14 Isai 48.17 Isai 49.7 Isa 54.58 Jer. 50.43 but more immediately was the Worke wrought by Christ our Goel Job 19.25 our kinsman The neerest kinsman in the Leviticall Law had power to revenge
Luke 5.20 Matth. 9.6 And this he did to manifest his power Marke 2.10 That they might know the Son of man had power on earth to forgive sinnes Where the Lord Jesus manifested his divine power in healing corporally the sicknesse of the body and curing spiritually the infirmities of the soule He caused the filthy Garments to be taken away from the holy Priest and he said Behold I have caused thine iniquities to passe from thee and I will clothe thee with change of raiment Zach. 3.4 he tooke away his sin and clothed him with his righteousnesse And surely this is an unquestionable truth in the Apostles judgement and therefore he saith Col. 3.13 As Christ forgave you so also do ye This healing of the soul is a worke of Christ Joh 12.40 Luke 4.18 He as God healeth by the power of his Deity but as man by the merit of his passion Esa 53.5 his blood being a Soveraigne balme to cure our sin-wounded soule yea Esa 43.25 I even I am he that blot out thy transgressions for mine owne sake He it is that forgiveth who was made to serve with our sinnes which was Christ who took on him the formâ— of a servant Philippians 2.6 Secondly he who forgiveth forgiveth sins for his owne sake but our sinnes are forgiven in â—hrist it is his blood wâ—sheth them away 1 John 1.7 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 9.14 Acts 20.28 Eph. 5.2 Thirdly the Holy-Ghost forgâ—veth sins Heb. 10.15.17 The Holy Ghost that made a Covenant with Israel as I have shewed promiseth them to forgive their sins The Holy-Ghost also commanded legall sacrifices Heb. 9.8 whereby attonement was made for sinne yea because the Holy-Ghost doth apply and distribute remission of sins whiâ—h is obtained by the blood of Christ Therefore when as our Saviour entrusteth his Disciples with the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven ministerially to binde or loose he first saith Receive the Holy-Ghost John 20.22 manifesting thereby that it was the Holy-Ghost who did remit sins by them It is the Spirit who promiseth to give to them that overcome a white stone Rev. 2.17 The Holy-Ghost alludeth to the custome of the Gentiles to whom he wrote which used these stones in judicature If the Judge gave a white stone it was a token of absolution but if it were a black stone it was a signe of condemnation The Spirit promiseth to give absolution or pardon of sin or freedome from condemnation to them that overcome Moreover healing of the soule is a worke of the Holy-Ghost so Paul manifesteth Acts 28.25 27. And I should heale them saith the Holy-Ghost there The Father the Son and Holy Ghost are equall in Power Majesty and Glory and do co-worke in forgiving of sins and healing of the soule of the believer CHAP. VII 2. The Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost do co-worke in imputing of Christs Righteousnesse ANd as not imputing our sinnes is a worke of God 2 Cor. 5.19 so the imputation of Christs righteousnesse to the believer is his worke likewise Though we have not a righteousnesse of our owne yet the Lord giveth us a righteousnesse of his own Rom. 10.3 which is answerable to his justice and what man or Angell is able to resist it He justifieth who shall condemn Rom. 8.33 It is one God that justifieth the circumcised Jew by faith and the uncircumcised Gentile through faith Rom. 3.30 Yet this one God is distinguished into three persons who do co-operate in this great work of justifying man through faith by the imputative righteousnesse of Christ which word imputed though divided by Papists yet is eight times used by the Apostle in one chapter Rom. 4.6 8 10 11 22 23 24. First The Father justifieth us not onely by pardoning of sin but by imputing of Christs righteousnesse which the Apostle calleth the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10 3. And that first because it is it which God imputeth for righteousnesse to us secondly because it is that which God accounteth for righteousnesse in us thirdly because it is that righteousnesse which Jâ—sus Christ who is God over all blâ—ssed for ever Rom. 9.5 hath wrought for us Thus the Father who raised Christ from the dead Gal. 1.1 1 Thes 1.10 imputeth this righteousnesse to us Rom. 4.24 Secondly the Sonne justifieth us By his knowledge saith Esay shall he justifie many Esa 53.11 He it is that maketh a reconciliation for sinne and bringeth in everlasting righteousnesse Dan. 9.24 But more cleerly doth the Apostle shew this truth 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus This righteousnesse of ours by faith Peter calleth the righteousnesse of God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 Not as if the Apostle spake of two distinct persons there being but one Article in the Originall and therefore there cannot be two distinct persons described thereby Yea our Lord Jesus promiseth to them that overcome to clothe them in white raiment Rev. 3.5 Thirdly The Holy Ghost justifieth us Ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6.11 Thus the Father the Son and the Holy-Ghost who are one God are also one and the same efficient cause of our justification both in forgiving of sinnes and in imputing the righteousnesse of Christ through faith which is the instrument of our justification and is also the worke of God John 6.29 CHAP. VIII Faith is the worke of the Father the Son and the Holy-Ghost FAith is the instrument by which we are justified that is the hand by which we lay hold on the Lord Jesus and his righteousnesse and apply it also to our soules Yet faith is a Gift of God Eph. 2.8 It is his worke to purifie our hearts by faith Acts 15.9 Yea it is a worke of God wherein he exercised the same exceeding greatnesse of â—is power in effecting it that he used in raising Christ from the dead Eph. 1.19 20. It being as great a worke to worke faith in the heart of an unbeleever who is spiritually dead as it was to raise Christ from the grave when as he was corporally dead This being also an essentiall worke of God common to the Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost undividably to effect First the Father worketh faith in us the Apostle prayeth to him for it Eph. 6.23 Secondly the Sonne worketh faith in us the Apostle prayeth to him for it Eph. 6.23 and the Disciples of him the increase thereof Luke 17.5 And so likewise doth the father of the Lunatick Mark 9.24 By him do we believe in God 1 Pet. 1.21 Thirdly The Holy-Ghost worketh faith in us Cor. 12.9 It is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 And we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousnesse by faith Gal. 5.5 Thus the mighty worke of faith is wrought in us by God who is distinguished into Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost which do unseparably undividably and unconfusedly worke this grace in our hearts in their personall order making us to believe and
Heb. 5.5 who was called of God an high Priest after the Order of Melchizedeck Heb. 5.10 where it is observeable that Christ as man is said to be a Priest after the Order of Melchizedeck Heb. 5.6 10. Heb. 6.20 Heb. 7.17 but as Christ was the Sonne of God so Melchizedeck is said to be made like unto him a Priest continually Heb. 7.3 Secondly the Sonne of God made himselfe of no reputation Phil. 2.7 He voluntarily undertooke this Office for so he testified For this cause came I into the World that I should beare witnesse unto the Truth Joh. 18.37 Loe I come to doe thy will O God Heb. 10.8 Thirdly the Holy-Ghost sent him He was led by the Spirit into the Wildernesse Luk. 4.1 and returned in the power of the Spirit unto Galilee Luk. 4.14 and was sent by the Spirit to preach the Gospell to the poore and anointed by him with gifts without measure Luk. 4.18 Act. 10.38 Thus there is one inseparable and undivided Working of the Father the Sonne and Holy-Ghost as there is one insepparable and undivided Nature of them CHAP. V. Christs power as man to worke Miracles was a Worke of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost THe Miracles tbat Christ wrought when he lived on the earth were wrought by the power of God Joh. 10.38 God did them by him Act. 2.22 they were wrought First by the power of the Father The Lord telleth the Jewes many good Workes have I shewed you from the Father Joh. 10.32 the Father that is in me he doth the Workes Joh. 14.10 the Sonne doth nothing but what he seeth the Father doe Joh. 5.19 He gave Christ the Workes that he did to finish Joh. 5.36 Secondly by the Divine Power of the Sonne whatsoever things the Father doth these also doth the Sonne likewise Joh. 5.19 Thus by his owne Power he tooke on him the forme of a servant Phil. 2.6 Heb. 2.16 in his Incarnation he raised up his owne Body in his Resurrection Joh. 2.19 he exalted his owne Body and Soule into heaven in his Ascention Eph. 4.8 9. 1 Pet. 3.21 He manifested his glory in his Miracles Joh. 2.11 As man he had no power of himselfe to doe Miracles but it was given him and in regard of his humane Nature he was Anointâ—d of God with the Holy-Ghost and with power Act. 10.38 But the Man-hood being united to the second Person of the God-head he both received power of God as he was man and he had power of himselfe as he was God to worke Miracles and therefore in many Miracles which he wrought he manifested both his Natures as in curing of him that was Dumbe and Deafe Mar. 7.34 He looketh up to heaven and sigheth as Man but he commanded as God be opened In healing the Leper Mat. 8.3 to confound Manicheus denying him to be Man he touched him and to confute Arrius denying him to be God he commanded I will be thou cleane manifesting that he and none other cured him when he and none other touched him in raising Lazarus he prayeth as man but commandeth as God Joh. 11.41.43 Christ did oft cure without Prayer but yet sometimes he prayed and that for our sakes First that we might know he was sent from God Joh. 11.45 Secondly that he might teach us what to doe when we undertake any weightie imployment As for that where it is said that he could doe no great Worke there because of their unbeliefe Mar. 6.4 Mat. 13.58 We must consider there is a twofold Power in God First an absolute Power so the Lord can doe any thing if the doing thereof imployeth not a contradiction Secondly a limited Power which is limited by his Will and Decree thus God by his absolute Power could have destroyed Sodome when Lot was in it by his limited power he could not Gen. 19.22 Christ likewise by his absolute Power could have wrought Miracles in these unbeleeving Cities but in regard of his limited power he could not because it stood not with his good will and pleasure in the like manner God could by his absolute Power have removed the Cup from Christ as Christ sheweth Mar. 14.36 All things were possible to God That therefore which as Matthew puts it if it be possible hath telation to Gods limited Power Mat. 26.36 which is limited by his will and therefore Luke well explaineth it Lu. 22.42 Father if thou be willing the unbeliefe therefore of the Capernaumites did not make Christ unable to doe but it made them unfit to receive it did not diminish Christs Divine power but their owne mercies which they might have recived if they would have believed for as faith on the one side stayeth Gods hand from executing Vengeance Exod. 32.10 so unbeliefe on the other side stayeth Gods hand from reaching forth mercies Thirdly by the power of the Holy-Ghost If I saith Christ by the Spirit of God cast out Divels then is the Kingdome of God come to you Mat. 12.28 Jesus was anointed with the Holy-Ghost and with power and went about doing good c. Act. 10.38 Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost therefore have one and the same power of working Miracles yea that was done by the power of the Father and of the holy-Ghost of whom it is said there went vertue and healed them all Luk 6.19 Mar. 5.30 whose Workes when the people saw it is said they were all amazed at the mightie power of God Luk. 9.43 yea he telleth you that they were his Workes and his Fathers which he did doe Joh 10.37 38. CHAP. VI. Christs Death and Passion that it might be a Ransome for the sinnes of the world was a Work of Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost CHrists Death and Passion that it might be a Ransome for the sinnes of the World was a Worke of God God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 He made our sinnes his sinnes that he might make his Righteousnesse our Righteousnesse for he made him to be sinne for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the Righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5 2â— where the Apostle by an Hebrewisme calleth the expiation of siinne by sacrifice sinne chata is to sinne but chitte in pihel is to expiate sinne Christ bare the punishment of sinne and became an offering for sinne for us that we which had sinned might in and through him have our Consciences purged from dead Workes and we which were defiled therewith might be washed by the blood of Christ 1 Joh. 1.7 Rev. 1.5 wherein we may see a Worke of the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost First the Father gave us his Sonne the Lord Christ Joh. 3.16 God so loved the woâ—ld that he gave his onely begotten Sonne Rom. 8.32 He spared â—ot his owne Sonne but delivered him up for us all 1 Joh. 4.10 He sent his Sonne to be a propitiation for our sinnes Herod Pontius-Pilate the Gentiles and the Jewes did that to Christ which Gods hand and his Counsell
determined to be done Act. 4.27 28. Secondly the Sonne gave himselfe for us Tit. 2.14 He gave himselfe for us to redeeme us from all iniquitie Gal. 1.4 He gave himselfe for his Church that he might sanctifie it and clense it Mat. 20.28 1 Tim. 2.6 He gave his life a raâ—some for many Heb 9.14 He offered up himselfe Col. 2.20 He loved me saith Paul and gave himselfe for me Joh. 10.17.18 He laid down his life of himselfe Thirdly through the Holy-Ghost this Worke was done Heb. 19.14 Christ through the Eternall Spirit offered himselfe He sent him to doe this Worke Luk. 4.18 19. This Worke though it was consummated perfected and terminated by the Sonne of God when his soule did make an offering for Sinne Isai 53.10 So the Translators render it in the Margent it being terminatively wrought by Christ yet inchoactively it was the Worke of the whole Trinitie and so Isa 53.10 The Lord shall make his soule an offering for sinne And thus the Translators render it in the Text the Originall will beare either neither of them is contrary to the Analogie of faith for Christ suffered and dyed for the sinnes of the World by the common decree of the Father the Sonne the Holy-Ghost which was their essensiall and common Worke Act. 2.23 He was delivered by the determinate Counsell and fore-knowledge of God whom the Jewes tooke and by wicked hands crucified and did slay It being a worke of love to Man in God but a Worke of malice to Christ in the Jewes CHAP. VII The raising of Christs Body from death was a Worke of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost THe Resurrection of Christ or raising up of his Body was a Worke of God Act. 3.15 Rom. 10.9 Act. 10.40 Act. 2.32 Rom. 4.24 Act. 4.10 It required a Divine power to effect this Where the Lord Jesus may be considered either First essentially as he is one Essence with the Father and the Holy-Ghost so he raiseth and is not raised Secondly Personally and that First as he is the Sonne of Man and so he is raised Mat. 17.22 23. Luk. 9.22 and raiseth not Secondly as he is the second Person in the Trinitie which was made flesh Joh. 1.14 and thus he is raised Luk. 9.21 and did rise againe Luk. 18.33 yea did raise up himselfe Joh. 2.19 The resurrection of Christ from the dead is attributed to the whole Christ and yet is was actively wrought according to his Divinitie and passively according to his Humanitie This Doctrine was mightily explauded by Philosophy who thought Paul to be a Babler and setter forth of strange Gods because he preached Christs Resurrection Acts 17. but Christians doe know by the Word First the Father raiseth him Gal. 1.1 1 Thes 1. last Rom. 6.4 Rom. 8.11 Act. 13.33 Secondly the Sonne raiseth himselfe Joh. 2.19 1 Pet. 3.16 2 Cor. 13.4 1 Cor. 15.12 Joh 10 17 18. I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it up where he seemeth to compare his life to a garment that he can take up and lay down at his pleasure It was not possible that Death should hold him by force Thirdly the Holy-Ghost raiseth him Rom. 1.4 The Father therefore raiseth the Sonne by the Sonne and the Sonne raiseth himselfe by the Spirit of Sanctification whereby he is declared to be the Sonne of God where therefore the Scripture ascribeth the raising of Christ from the dead to the Father it excludeth not the power of the Sonne and Holy-Ghost but sheweth the Identitie or samenesse of Will Power Operation in them Where if Christ had not dyed we could not have lived and if he had not risen againe we had slept for ever but loe the Dragon is vanquished and the Lamb is victorious the Lord of life grapling with Death foiled him in his owne Territories He brake all the Prisons of death and unfettered all his fellowes If when Christ was borne old Simeon was willing to dye Luk. 2.27 how willingly ought we to dye that know Christ is risen from the dead and become the first fruites of them that sleepe 1 Cor. 15.20 Seeing that the first fruites differ onely in maturity from the time of the Harvest Let an Infidell sorrow immoderately for his friend that is dead as for a man without hope and let an unbeleever bewaile the misery of his dying soule but we have not so learned Christ Eph. 4.20 Christ who is the Key of our resurrection hath raised himselfe and opened a way for us to follow Heb. 10.20 CHAP. VIII The lifting up of Christs body into Heaven or his ascention was the Worke of Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost THe Ascention of Christ or the lifting up his body into Heaven is a worke of God None but the Lord did receive him into glory 1 Tim. 4 16. and did set him at his owne right hand in heavenly places First it was a Worke of the Father not onely to raise him from the dead but by lifting up his body to to set him at his owne right hand Eph. 1.20 Secondly it was a worke of the Sonne to ascend into Heaven so the Psalmist foresheweth Psal 68.18 and the Apostle affirme Eph. 4.8 1 Pet. 3.22 and Christ himselfe witnesseth Joh. 20.17 Joh. 3.13 Joh. 16.15 As man he was taken up into heaven Mar. 16.19 Act. 1.9.11 and was set at Gods right hand which posture of his imployeth First resting from his labours Secondly raigning as a King Thirdly judging as a Judge but as he was also God so he lifted up his owne body Psal 68.18 He assended by his owne power He that did at the first make Joh. 1.3 and doth still support all things by his power Heb. 1.13 did likewise exalt himselfe and ascend above all things by the power of himselfe who used a cloud rather to magnifie his Divinitie Psal 104.3 in his riding theteon Psal 68 4. and commanding it then for any assistance he received from it He supporteth the cloud the cloud of itselfe could not support him Thirdly it was a Worke of the Holy-Ghost He led Christ into the Wildernesse Mar. 1.12 Mat. 4.1 Luk. 4.1 He translated the bodies of the faithfull from place to place 1 King 18.12 Act. 8.39 He who formed Christs body in the Virgins Wombe Mat. 1.18 20. Luk. 1.33 who raised up his body out of the grave Rom. 1.4 did also exalâ— his body into heaven who was exalted by the right hâ—nd of God Act. 2.33 Now the Spirit of God is called the Finger of God Luk. 11.20 with Mat. 12.28 The Hand of God Act. 11.21 Ezek. 8.1 Ezek. 1.3 Ezek. 3.14 yea Peter Act. 2.33 doth distinguish this right hand of God from the Father and therefore it cannot be taken personally for him where if it be used Essentially the Holy-Ghost is necessarily included but if Personally the Holy-Ghost is then there described to be him by whom Christ was exalted Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost doe co-operate as they are three
Persons in these Workes which concerne Christ the Head of the Church and as they are one Essence so they are one and the same cause of effecting them Oh that we could by the eye of faith see Christ ascended into Heaven and placed on the right hand of his Father then might we at once thereby behold our Saviours honour and our owne happinesse It was expedient for him for his owne honour to ascend into Heaven and to lead Captivitie captive Eph. 4.8 and to have Angels and Authorities and Powers made subject to him 1 Pet. 3.22 in regard of us it was expedient Joh. 16.7 for our eternall safetie for he is gone to prepare a place for us Joh. 14.2 He is entred into heaven to appeare in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 and is at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for us Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.25 The third Section CHAP. I. The Workes of God which concerne the Church in generall are the Common Workes of the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost AS the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost doe Co-operate in these Workes which doe concerne Christ the Head of the Church so they likewise effect these Workes which doe concerne the bodie of Christ the Church of God which works concerne either First the Church in generall or Secondly the faithfull in particular First these Workes which concerne the Church in generall First Gods covenanting with his people Secondly his delivering Israel out of Egypt Thirdly his sending Angels on any extraordinary message to his Church Fourthly his sending Prophets under the Law Fifthly his sending Apostles Sixtly appointing them to preach in some places and not in others Seventhly his speaking in and by the Prophets and Apostles Eighthly his strengthening them in their callings Ninthly his sending Pastors and Teachers Tenthly his giving Lawes to his Church Eleventhly his giving more particularly the Law unto Mount Sinai Twelfthly the transgression whereof is an offence committed against him and Thirteenthly provoketh him to wrath grieveth him Fouretenthly his wonders Fifthteenthly his gifts of Miracles Sixteenthly his building the Church Seventeenthly his raising the dead These Workes are wrought by the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost The Scriptures doe manifest the Sonne and Holy-Ghost to be God equall with the Father by ascribing to them these Workes equally with the Father CHAP. II. The making of a Covenant with the Church was a Worke of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost THe Lords Covenanting with his Church and people is a Worke of God alone There is not any Dayes-man betwixt them that can lay his hand upon them both Joh. 9.33 that should or could Vmpire for them onely the Majestie of Heaven is pleased so farre to abase himselfe as to Covenant with us for whenas there was such an infinite distance between heaven and earth God and man that man could never have enjoyed Ged as his never-failing blessednesse or have had communion with him as his soule-filling happinesse but by the Lords voluntary condescention to us which he expresseth by way of Covenant it was out of the riches of his grace to us in Christ that his infinite Majestie humbled himselfe to Covenant with us that he would be our God and that we should be his people in this worke the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost have an equall share with the Father or rather they Co-worke First the Father Covenanted with us in Christ Hag. 2.5 According to the word that I coveâ—anted with you when ye came out of Aegipt he covenanted with them First that he would be their God Secondly that they should be his People Ezek 36.28 And thus Christ calleth the Father The Apostles God and Faâ—her Ioh. 20.17 who Thirdly suffereth in all the afflictions of his Church and People for so Esay telleth us In all their afflictions he is afflicted Esay 63.9 Secondly the Word who being made flesh is the Mediator of the Covenant Heb 8.6 1 Tim. 2.5 Mal. 3.1 Yet he being the second Person of the Trinitie is the Testator and Covenanter of his Church For if Christ be not a Testator whereunto tendeth the Apostles reasoning Heb. 9.16 Where a Testament is there must of necessitie be the death of a Testator First it was the Lord Jesus that dyed he is therefore the Testator or Covenanter secondly the Church of God are his people Mat. 1.21 Luk. 1.77 Zach. 2.11 Mat. 16.18 Through him and in him God is ours and we are his Cant. 6.2 who thirdly suffereth in the afflictions of his people Act. 9.4 The persecuted members suffer on earth and the Lord Jesus the Head complaineth from heaven Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Thirdly the Holy-Ghost is the Author of this Covenant So the Apostle sheweth Heb. 10.15 16. The Holy-Ghost also is a witnesse to us for after he had said before This is the Covenant that I will make with them c. And surely there cannot be a better interpreter of the Leviticall Rites then the Apostle who having spoken of the first Covenant and of Divine Ordinances pertaining to it Heb. 9.18 which God had commanded Exod. 26. Lev. 16. and comming to shew their signification which was intended in them by God that ordained them he saith Heb. 9.8 The Holy-Ghost this signifying that the way out of the Holyest was not yet made manifest while as the first Tabernacle was yet standing as if he had said the Holy-Ghost in giving these ceremoniall lawes intended to shew that the way to Heaven was not so wide not so common not so open as it should be when Christ abolished in his flesh the Law of Commandements contained in Ordinances Eph. 2.15 And blotted out the hand-writing that was against us Col. 2.14 Secondly the Church of God are his People So the Apostle sheweth 2. Cor. 6.16 that this was the Holy-Ghost appeareth by comparing this verse with 1. Cor. 6.19 for we are the People of God who dwelleth in us and whose Temples we are but we are the Temples of the Holy-Ghost 1. Cor. 6.19 1. Cor. 3.16 and he dwelleth in us Rom. 8.11 And Thirdly he suffereth in the persecutions of his people and the persecutors doe resist him Act. 7.51 and doe despite to the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.29 Thus the Father the Word and the Spirit are one God in Essence and have one common and essentiall operation and are one and the same author of the Covenant with the Church though in respect of the order of their Relations and their personall manner of working there is in this and in all their workes a distinct order Thus the Father maketh a Covenant with his Church by his Sonne who is the Mediator 1. Tim. 2.5 and through his Spirit who is the earnest of our inheritance Eph. 1.14 Which sheweth no inequalitie in the Persons but onely the voluntarie dispensation of this and other Divine Actions which God in his infinite Wisedome is pleased to use CHAP. III. The delivering of Israel out
hope in God CHAP. IX Hope is the Worke of the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost HOpe is the Worke of God alone it is the God of hope that must fill us with hope Rom. 15.3 He is the God of hope first objecttive our hope is to be placed on him Secondly effective our hope first is wrought by him onely Secondly He it is likewise that cherisheth this hope in us Paul therefore prayeth to him for the increase thereof Rom. 13.13 The working of hope in our soules the Scripture ascribeth to the Father to the Sonne and to the Holy-Ghost First the Father worketh hope in us Paul acknowledgeth it 2 Thess 2.16 and Peter blesseth the Father for begetting us againe to a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 He stablisheth our hearts and giveth us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 2 Thess 2.16 17. Secondly the Sonne worketh hope in us so the Apostle acknowledgeth and he prayeth to him for the Thessalonians first that he would establish them and give them everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 2 Thess 2.16 17. Thirdly the Holy-Ghost worketh hope in us Rom. 5.5 We abound in hope through the power of the Holy-Ghost Rom. 13.13 We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousnesse which is by faith Gal. 5.5 He it is that giveth us consolation and comfort Act. 9.29 The Father the Word and the Spirit do undividably co-operate in working hope in our hearts though there be a distinct and personall order observed by them in working this and all other graces in our soules CHAP. X. True saving or sanctifying knowledge is a Worke of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy-Ghost NOt onely outward illumination which God doth sometime bestow on wicked men is a worke of the Lord as I have shewed but also that knowledge which accompanieth justifying faith and is proper onely to the Elect is a worke of God and is proper to him alone to effect Exod. 4.11 Man alone cannot effect it Aristotle a man of the deepest reach that antiquity ever bread amongst the many books he wrote and are in part extant how little did he write of God and how uncomfortably did he die in the midst of all his knowledge Anxius vixi dubius morior nescio quo vado Bois on 1 John 5.6 I have lived waveringly I dye doubtfully I know not whether I go With all his wisdome and with all his experience he could not give any true and proper knowledge but onely that which is falsely so called 1 Tim. 6.20 Those things never entered into the heart of man which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.8 9. Angels knew not the mysteries of Christ till it was revealed by God to his Church Eph. 3.10 1 Pet. 1.12 They did not teach the Church this wisdome but by the Church this wisdome of God is knowne unto them Eph. 3.8 9 10. God alone is the teacher thereof Esa 54.13 He openeth the heart to receive it Act. 16.14 He covenanteth with his Church to write his Law in their hearts Heb. 8.10 Yea the Scripture calleth it the giving of a new heart Ezek. 36.26 Ezek. 11.19 a worke that God alone can effect First the Father giveth us this knowledge the faithfull learne it of him John 6.45 Peters holy confession of Christ was a worke wrought in him by the Father Matth. 16.17 and Paul prayeth to him for this grace on the Ephesians Eph. 1.17 and acknowledgeth he receiveth it from him Gal. 1.16 And Christ giveth thanks to his Father for hiding it from the prudent and revealing it to babeâ— Mat. 11.25 Luke 10.21 Secondly the Sonne gives us this as well as other graces Eph. 4.8 He declareth God to us John 1.18 Paul though brought up at Gamaliels feet and taught according to the perfect manner of the Law of the Fathers Acts 22.3 yet knew not the Gospell but by the revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.12 He is she light of the world John 3.19 John 12.46 He giveth light to the faithfull Eph. 5.14 John 1.9 Luke 2.32 He revealeth the knowledge of God to us Mat. 11.27 Luke 10.22 He openeth the understanding â—uke 24.45 He giveth us understanding that we may know him that is true 1 Joh. 5.20 He teacheth us Eph. 4.21 22. Thirdly the Holy-Ghost giveth us this knowledge 1 Cor. 12.8 Neh. 9.20 he is therefore stiled the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord Esa 11.2 God revealeth the hidden mysteries of our salvation by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2.10 11. neither can wâ— know them without him 1 Cor. 2.12 He teacheth all things Joh. 14.26 1 John 2.27 We must learne of God what we must think of him It is a vaine labour to seeke for any knowledge of him without him who is no otherwise known of us but as he revealeth himself to us which revelation of himself is a worke of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost CHAP. XI The Union that is between God and us is a worke of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy-Ghost THere is a neere Union between the Lord and every beleever The Lord is his Churches portion Psal 142.5 Psal 73.26 Jer. 51.19 Jer. 10.16 Lam. 3.24 And the Church is Gods portion Jer. 12.10 Deut. 32.9 By faith which the Lord worketh in our souls and by his Spirit which he sendeth forth into our hearts Gal. 4.6 we are united to him 2 Pet. 1.4 we have communion with him 1 John 1.3 and he dwelleth in us 1 John 4 12. and we in him 1 John 4.13 First the Father uniteth us to himselfe John 17.21 And secondly we have fellowship and communion with him 1 John 1.3 And thirdly in regard of this communion he dwelleth in us John 14.23 and we in him 1 Thess 11. 2 Thess 1.1 Secondly the Son uniteth us to himself John 17.21 Secondly we have communion and fellowship with him 1 John 1.3 And in regard of this communion thirdly he dwelleth in us for so he promiseth Zach. 2.10 John 14.23 and that he performeth by residing in the hearts of all believers Eph. 3.17 Col. 1.27 John 6.56 2 Cor. 13.5 And we likewise are in him 2 Cor. 5.17 1 Thess 1.1 2 Thess 1.1 Phil. 1.1 Eph. 1.1 Rom. 16.7 John 6.56 Thirdly the Holy-Ghost uniteth us to himselfe 1 Cor. 6.17 Secondly we have communion and fellowship with him 2 Cor. 13. last Phil. 2.1 And in râ—gard of this communion thirdly the Holy-Ghost dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1.14 Rom. 8.9 11. 1 Cor. 13.16 1 Cor. 6.19 Jam. 4.5 1 Pet. 4.14 And we are in him Jude 20. 1 Cor. 12.3 Gal. 5.16 Gal. 5.26 Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost are the husbands of the Church in the plurall number Esa 54.5 and yet but one Lord for so it followeth The Lord of Hosts is his Name Oh the soule-ravishing estate of the beleever who hath God so neerely united to him and hath such a sweet communion bâ—tweene the Lord and his soule
as they are not divided in nature but are one God in nature and in working as will appeare in the particular effects and fruits of sanctification some whereof I have already treated of It now remaineth that I further manifest how the Father the Son and the Holy-Ghost do co-operate both in the beginning progresse and full perfecting this worke in us shewing how that they do draw us and quicken us and increase grace already wrought in us CHAP. XIIII The Father the Word and the Spirit doe draw us THe Scripture setteth forth our unwillingnesse in the first act of our conversion two wayes by two severall sorts of Metaphors First by comparing us to an unwilling creature that will not follow but it must be drawne Secondly by comparing us to a dead creature that cannot follow unlesse it be made alive Fiâ—st God draweth leadeth us to himself he drew the Israelites with the cords of love with the bands of a man Hos 11.4 God of us men that are unwilling by nature doth make us willing through grace powerfully inclining our wills and affections to follow himselfe we having without him no sufficiency of our selves 2 Cor. 3.5 1 Cor. 4.7 This worke is equally wrought both by First God the Father who draweth us to Christ for so the Lord Jesus witnesseth John 65 44. No man can come to me except the Father that sent me draw him And surely when the Father hath drawn us into Christs hands it is not all the powers of the Prince of darkenesse shall draw us back Mat. 16.18 Joh. 10.29 It is a gift given to us of the Father that we have any power to do good Joh. 6.65 Jam. 1.17 Secondly God the Sonne who draweth us to himselfe so he promiseth John 12.30 When he is lifted up from the earth he will draw all men to him and thus the Church desireth of Christ Cant. 1.3 Draw me and we will run after thee And no wonder for without him we can do nothing Joh. 15.4 5. it is from him wee have power to do good Phil. 413. he it is that strengthneth us with his grace that all the principalities and powers of the Prince of darkenesse shall never pluck us away or draw us back from him Joh. 10.28 Thirdly God the Holy-Ghost who draweth us Jer. 31.3 who in the same chapter as I have shewed out of the 31. verse with Heb. 10.15 16. maketh a Covenant with us He it is that the children of God are led by Rom. 8.14 even as blinde and impotent persons by a guide We cannot confesse Jesus to be the Lord without him 1 Cor. 12.3 Through Christ we have an accesse by one spirit unto the Father Eph. 2.18 Loe all the three Persons described by the Apostle in working this worke The Father to whom we have accesse the Sonne as the way Joh. 14.6 through whom we have accesse and the Holy-Ghost in whom we have accesse as our guide and Conductor There is there distinct and Personall order of working in which they worke as they are three distinct Persons whose Power and Essence is one as their work is one In respect therefore of the Essence there may be said to be one common operation but in respect of the distinction of Persons there is a distinct manner of working CHAP. XV. The Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost doe quicken us THe Lord quickneth us with his grace who were dead in tresâ—asses and sinnes Eph. 5.1 5. 1 Tim. 5.6 Mat. 8.22 It is a Work of one God in three Persons to give not onely corporall life 2 Kin. 5.7 but also spirituall life Hos 6.1 2. First the Father quickneth whom he will Joh. 5.21 Secondly the Sonne quickneth whom he will Joh. 5.21 Thirdly the Holy-Ghost quickneth Joh. 6.63 Rom. 8.11 and it is whom he will he quickneth For he diâ—â—â—eth his Gra es severally as he will 1 Cor. 12.8 11. This mighty Work of quickning those that were dead in trespasses and sinnes is wrought by the Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost who doe co-operate and yet are one and the same efficient cause as they are one God of that spirituall life which the children of God live by CHAP. XVI The Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost doe give Grace to us and multiply Grace on us THe Lord doth not onely give Grace to us but he also increaseth his gifts and multiplyeth his graces on us He is the God of peace that sanctifieth us throughout 1 Thes 5.23 he doth begin good in us he doâ—h perfect it he doth finish it Phil. 1.6 Phil. 2.13 This is an essentiall worke of God and is common to the Father to the Sonne and to the Holy-Ghost First the Father giveth us Grace and Peace For this cause the Apostles pray to him for it Eph. 1.2 Col. 1.2 Phil. 1.2 Rom. 1.7 Rev. 1.4 and he multiplieth his Graces he gives us Jude ver 2. Secondly the Sonne giveth us Grace and Peace For this cause the Apostles pray to him for it Col. 1.2 Eph. 1.2 1 Thes 1.1 Rev. 1.4 5. and he multiplyeth those Graces he giveth us 2 Pet. 1 2. Jude ver 2. Thirdly the Holy-Ghost giveth us Grace and peace The Apostle for this cause prayeth to him for it Rev. 1.4 who though one Eph. 2.18 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Cor. 12.4 yet is he called the seven Spirits First in regard of his manifold Gifts and operations to all Churches Secondly in regard of particular relation that he had to these seven Churches to whom John wrote Thirdly he describeth him as he saw him in the Vision who is after described of John as seen of him in the forme of seven lights Rev. 4.5 Secondly he multiplyeth the graces he giveth us strengthening us with might in the Inner man Eph. 3.16 It is the undivided Work of one God in three Persons to give grace and to multiply on the Church those graces he hath given it causing it to increase with the increase of God as Paul speaketh Col. 2.19 CHAP. XVII The Father the Sonne and the Holy-Ghost doe give Testimony to us assuring us we are the Lords THe Lord doth not onely give Grace to us and increase the Graces he hath wrought in us 1 Thes 5.24 Phil. 1.6 but also witnesseth to our soules the sincerity of these graces he worketh in us and testifieth in our hearts his salvation he hath wrought in Christ for us for surely he that alone made the heart he that alone searcheth the heart he that alone worketh grace in the heart can alone testifie unto the heart with comfort Act. 15.8 the truth of those soule-satisfying graces that he hath wrought in us whenas by faith he purifyeth the heart Act. 15.9 The comfortable attestation of these graces therefore in our hearts is a worke of the Father Sonne and Holy-Ghost who as I have already shewed made the heart know the heart and worke grace in the heart and doe worke in witnesse-bearing to our hearts of the truth of those