the same that in Malachi I will heal their back-slidings first ver 4. then growth 4 The means of all this I will be as the Dew ver 5 or as the Sun here There is a threefold growth or three remarkable growing times to the Christian two of which are manifest and sensible to all the third is to some lesse perceptible 1 The first growth is at his conversion which is a strange and supernatural growth a growth per saltum a translation from darknesse to light from death to life from a stone to flesh from a thorn to a fir-tree a bryar to a vine or a branch of a wild Olive to a grafted bough in a right Olive This is the greatest change in the world far greater then that from Grace to Glory at death Grace and Glory differ but gradually as the morning light and noon day But Nature and Grace do toto Coelo differre as much as light and darkness 2 The other sensible growth is at death when from an imperfect he grows to a perfect Saint from a militant to a triumphant This is a mighty shoot and growth per saltum then the feeble shall be as David yeâ— as an Angel who in one moment was creatâ— and made perfect in Grace and Glory There was not one feeble person among all the Tribes of Israel when they came out of Egypt there was while dwelling there So there shall be no feeble Saint go to Heaven but they shall be perfect when carryed hence by the Angels of God though they complain of feebleness here There shall not be thence an infant of dayes nor an old man that hath not filled his dayes for the child shall dy an hundred years old As there is in all dying or departed persons a great shooting in their stature observed so is there in the soul much more The least Infant shoots in the instant of Dissolution to that perfect knowledg of God and such a measure of grace as is not attainable here that he is as David and the tallest Christian comes to such a heighth that he is as an Angel of God 3. Between these two great and so remarkable growths there is a third which is to some more and to some especially at some times lesse perceptible and discernable and is fourfold in grace comfort experience acceptablenesse 1. In Grace and that 1. For the number and kind He that at first conversion had but a little godly sorrow now that seed hath brought forth seven fold What carefulnesse hath it wrought what clearing what indignation what fear what vehement desire what zeal what revenge How doth this little grain of Mustard seed multiply So that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the appearing of Christ. Here is a kindly shoot 2. In the measure of Graces His knowledge was dim and confused now is more clear distinct and certain before notional now practical and affectionate he before had dosires now endeavours good thoughts now good words and deeds longings before now labourings In his Repentance more fear of hell now more hatred of sin before more fears now more hopes before lesse love of God because of more fear now lesse servile fear because of more love before faith was historical now experimental of adherence now of assurance 3 In the strength of grace As the Calfe in the stall to an Oxe to beare the yoak from milk to strong meat from a babe to a strong young man who hath overcome the wicked one and from a strong young man to a solid experienced old father who hath known the Father He holds on his way and becomes stronger and stronger He was wont as a weak child to stumble fall now he hath more care and strength and falls not He stumbles at no command being strong in obedience staggers at no promise being strong in faith 4 In the actings and exercise of Grace which is a great growth towards perfection when acts grow to habits and habits are daily exercised The life of grace is exercise To live by faith to act it upon all emergencies to exercise conscience in all undertakings to devise liberal things The valiant man increaseth in strength when he is still about some notable acts to exercise his valour first to encounter a Bear then a Lion thâ—n a Philistin then not to fear an Hoste He growes not the great Scholer who hoards up much Learning but hee who brings out of his Treasure things new and old He not the rich man who hath much laid up in bags and chests but hath much laid out in good works Habits of Grace imply Truth exercise growth that denominates a Saint this one perfect Jesus Christ in his Infancy grew in grace waxed strong in spirit and filled with wisdom there you have the habits of Grace but when he came to growne age and to the work of his Ministry and Suffering he was then put much more upon the exercise of all Grace therefore he is said to be made perfect through sufferings And the Apostle calls them perfect or of full age who by reason of use or through an habit have their senses exercised to discern good and evil 5 In more fruitfulness and usefulnesse Psalm 92. To bear more fruit in age and to have their last exceed the first as Thyatira had You are full of goodnesse said the Apostle able to admonish one another Your faith groweth exceedingly and your love aboundeth Exhort and ediâ—ie one another as ye also do These are great commendations and a great progress in Grace when one becomes of a publick spirit and more useful Salute Tryphoena and Tryphosa who labour in the Lord and Persis who laboured much in the Lord. When the growth of a Minister and his profiting doth appear when a private Christian growes so eminent and useful that he may of an old growne Disciple be fit to be set apart for the publick Ministry as in the Primitive times they did this is a good growth But when they who have had the Time for Teachers have not the parts and proficiencie of good Learners it deserves reproof shews a poor growth 2 There is a growth in comforts when the Mourners in Sion have outgrown their old garments of mourning and have new white rayment of praise as Mordecai for sackcloth a Princes Robes for ashes beauty for drops of tears oyl of joy for spirit of heavinesse garments of praise Then shall they be called Trees of Righteousnesse the planting of the Lord. Hannahs growth from affliction to mourning from mourning to praying from praying to quiet waiting from waiting to believing from believing to obtaining from obtaining to rejoicing This an excellent growth when one hath taken all those degrees and gone through those five formes in the School of Christ beginning at Tribulation the first and lowest form and then coming into the next forme of Patience then into the higher of
if Paul lost his sight when Christ appeared and shone round about him with a light far greater then the Sun CHAP. XII The third Property Light THe next great Property of the Sun is his Light which must not be forgotten Jer. 31. 35. Thus saith the Lord which giveth the Sun for a light by day c. He speaks as if it was chiefly created for this purpose Light is the glory of his glory and greatness Herein an eminent resemblance of Jesus Christ who is so often called a Light the True Light the Light of the world As in nature are to be seen several lights so the Scripture mentions many sorts of Lights 1 Some good 2 Some bâ—d 1. Some good 1. Divine and Uncreated 2. Created 1. Divine and Uncreated Light is so excellent a thing that God hath not disdained to be described by it entitled to it clothed with it 1. Take God Essentially he is a Light 1 Joh. 1. 4. clothed with Light Psâ—l 104. 2. 2. Consider God Personally 1. The father is called the Father of Lights as he is the father of Christ h. e. the Original of increated Light He hath communicated the Light of Divine nature to Christ who is God of God Light of Light into whom the Father hath put all fulnesse 2. Christ as God inhabiteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light Inaccessible 3. The Holy Spirit is a like co-equal and co-eternal Light whose proper work is illumination and his first worke in the new creature is answerable to that first word in the old Creation let there be Light and there was light So here the spirit of God moves upon the heart and brings it out of darkness into a marvellous Light 4. Christ Iesus as Mediator is the Sunne into whom the God head hath plentifully imparted all fulnesse of Divine Light as the light of heaven is cumulatively aggregated and embodied in the Sun to be the standing treasury of the Church as the Sun is of the world Thus those phrases are to be understood that he is the true Light and Light of the world viz as he is God-Man and Mediatour 2. There are many Created Lights 1. The Ancientest the Angels who were at first all of them Angels of Light by creation though since many of them are fallen Stars these the Lord cals the Morning stars who sang together when all the Sons of God sung for joy glorifying God for the excellency of his work as they were created These are Heavenly Lights 2. There be other Lights in earth whereof the first and chiefe are the holy Scriptures given to be a light to our feet and a Lantern to our paths to which we must attend and follow as a light shining in a dark place Our Cynosura and Pole Star they are as we are Mariners our Pillar of fire as we are Travellers our Sun as Mr. Brightman interprets all along in the Apocalyps 2. Next to these are Religious and godly Magistrates Stars of the first magnitude in the inferior orbs these come in place and dignity next to the Angels in Principalitie power and Influence and when they come neerest to Scripture Rules and Presidents they are of most sweet aspect as Gods on earth Gods set over us in the likenesse of men and these are not as the lesser stars but as the greatest Sun when they rule in the fear of God as David saith they shall be as the light of the morning when the Sun ariseth as a morning without clouds 3. After these follow the godly and exemplary Ministers who are the Stars in the hand of Christ Rev. 2. 1. are to be burning and shining lights in grace and doctrine then are worthy to be looked upon and followed as the light of the world You are the light of the world said our Saviour to his Disciples lesser lights in the lesser world these are to be as so many earthly Angels To the Angels of the seven Churches Paul was called by Chrysostome Angelus Terrestris and these are to receive their light of grace from the Sun of Righteousnesse in heaven and their light of doctrine from the Sun of scripture in earth that they may be as men of God throughly furnished to every good work 4. Each private Christian is so to hold forth the word of life that they may be as so many lights shining in the world Yet Christ and all these lights differ much 1. He is the great and true light John Baptist was a burning and shining light Joh 5. 35. but he was not that light that true Light Christ is the true Light as he is the true Vine the true Bread that is the great and excellent Light 2. Christ is perfect Light in him no darknesse at all In the Angels there hath been a defection of Light there are now many of them in chains of darknesse In Scripture is some obscurity in Ministers Magistrates Best Christians are many defects as spots in the Moon there is smoak in our best elementary fire and a black steam in our purest wax candles no smoak or steam in the Sun 3. He the fountain of Light as the Sun to stars and creatures having before been furnished and called to that office he having received all fulnesse from the Father freely imparts his light to Angels Scriptures Magistrates Ministers other Christians yea to Eveâ—y man that cometh inâ—â— â—he world as the Evangelist speaketh which is to be understood 1. of the light of coÌ„mon understanding and natural Reason not that higher light of supernatural Grace this is not given to all but hid to many for this as other common mercies and universal preservation floweth from Gods rich benignity as a fruit of Christs interposing Or 2. If you will understand it of saving knowledg He enlightens every one that cometh into the world then it must be understood of all and onely those that are of that number none have such light but from him So in many places of Scripture the word Every is to be taken which if wel considered would discover the unsoundness of Pelagian Doctrines and Arminian Conclusions The Apostle saith as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith The manifestation of the spirit is given to every one to profit withal not that every man hath faith the same Apostle saith all have not faith or that every man hath the spirit but he speaks only of such as are of that number the Elect called and godly 4. He the most eminent light out shining all them he present they silent and draw in their light as the Stars before the Sun So Angels Ministers Scriptures Ordinances yea the Sun it selfe are silent and of no more use to the Church in that heavenly Jerusalem where the Lamb is the Sun and Temple and Bible and all 5. In him all fulnesse as in the Sun of Light in Sea of water all receive all from him yet all cannot receive all
There are many Lights we see such as they are some better some worse But Christ is the Light the true light the Sun in divers respects 1. The Suns light is the only day light All other Lights of Moon Stars Fire Candle are but night lights when all is done somewhat they relieve in the Suns absence Christ makes the perfect day in his Light eternal Light to be seen without Ministers Scriptures Ordinances which are of use only till we come to heaven 2. Suns light at first appearance drives away the nights darknesse and Christ his first Work is to deliver out of ignorance and from the darknesse of Error and ungodlinesse If we say we have fellowship with Christ and walk in darknesse we lye and do not the Truth And the first effects of Christs influence upon the Ministers labor is to open mens eyes and to turne them from darkness to light c. 3. Light discovers every thing that was hid That which maketh manifest is light and discovers things in their right shape and colours bee they beauties or deformities Christ is this light whose appearance chaseth darknesse and maketh a new discovery of an unknown world of sin in the heart before hid and swept behind the door I was alive before the Law once Concupiscence I had but knew it not before the Law came then sin revived and I dyed Christ appearing the deformity of sin loathsomenesse of Nature defects and spots of Duties and Righteousnesse are discovered never seen before and the beauty of Grace excellency of Holinesse is laid open to enamour the soul. Christ is the only light that discovers to us the deep things of God hid in darknesse till he revealed them and the deep things in men both the hidden mysteries of unknown wickedness and the great mysteries of Grace and Godlinesse 4. The Light directs us how to walk and keep our wayes and keeps from stumbling and falling into danger If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not because he seeth the Light of this world But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him And Solomon The way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble When Israel followed the Pillar of fire they took no hurt When Judas and Peter followed the Light kept neer to Christ they stumbled not but Peter leaving Christ dasht his foot against a stone in Petram scandali a stumbling stone and bruised himself but Judas into a Precipice and broke his neck 5 The Sun is sent to call us out of our beds and to invite man to go out to his labour The Sun ariseth and man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the Evening And this Sun is sent not that wee should play out our Damnation with negligence and security but work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Yet a little while the light is with you walk while ye have the light lest darknesse come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth 6. How sweet is light to the sight and how pleasant it is for the eyes to behold the Sun No sight so delightful as the Light and the Sun is the heart-cheering light But no sight of the Sun it selfe so cheering the soul as the light and sight of Jesus Christ. His countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my Beloved saith the Church ravished with his beauty Cant. 5. 15 16. 1. If Christ be the light of the world what cause have we to bless God for Christ. We are excited to praise God again and againe by the Psalmist that God made the great lights and to say His Mercy endures for ever The Sun to rule by day and the Moon and Stars by night But what praise is to be given for Christ who hath delivered us from the powers of darkness The world had been a dungeon if it had not been for the Sun and the Church a Hell without Christ. 2. See what need we stand in of Christ much more then of the Sun Satius solem non lucere quam Chrysostomum non dâ—cere quam Christum non lucere Better not see the Sun then not know Christ. Better without eyes then without faith Can we not walk but stumble without light nor rise to work till Sun riseth that we may go forth to labour We can neither walk nor work nor pray without Christ Without me ye can do nothing but err wander stumble fall perish Doth Sun withdraw and darkness follow Darkness come and Beasts of Prey come forth of their Dens What darknesse followes when Christ withdraws and then are wee assaulted with Satan and his Temptations Do wee open our windowes to let in Sun light open thine eyes and Christ shall give thee light Is this light cheerful to the Traveller Lord what is the light of thy countenance Blessed are they that know thy joyful sound They shall walk in the light of thy countenance all the day long Do we daily need the renewed light of the Sun and do wee not daily need a fresh supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ None but the blinde undervalue the benefit of light none but of weak eyes are offended at it none but Thieves and Murderers hate and fly it None but very ignorant or very wicked take offence at Christ and are weary of him 3. This may sadly warne us who yet a little while have the light amongst us to walk as children of light lest darknesse come upon us God either taking away his Gospel from us or us from it or his blessing from it and us both The longest day hath his night and the brightest day of Gospel grace abused ends in the grossest darknesse The children of the Kingdome are above all others cast into utter darkness They who were lifted up highest to heaven by enjoying most light are thrown lowest into Hell for abuse of Light and this Title of condemnation written over their heads These loved darkness better then light because their deeds were evil Was it not sad the Egyptians should follow the Cloud and Pillar of Fire into the deep and perish How many go loaden with Mercies and lighted with Sermons into the Chambers of Hell How sad the Samaritans should bee led blindfold into their enemies hands More sad if wee will go with open eyes into Perdition and with the Decii leap headlong into the gaping Gulph at noon day But much more sad those Samaritans should be stricken blind by the Prophet sent of God to be a Seer and to make the blind to see How sad was it that the Sodomites should bee stricken with blindnesse by an Angel of Light Sad if Satan the God of the World blind thee but nothing so sad as when Christ shal
should upon pretending the spirit either 1. Slight the Scriptures for then why did he write this Epistle to them if they needed none to teach them 2. Or slight the Ministers for why doth he himself preach and write to them 3. Or Rely on the anointing as if it was the only Bible and Light when he tels them notwithstanding the anointing they might be and were some of them seduced These things have I written concerning them that seduce you 5. If thou wantest light then this directs us where to seek it Go to Christ for it And for that end 1. Come out of the earth live not as worms and moles under ground God bereaveth such of sight they would not esteeme the light but despise it The darknesse comprehendeth not the light nor can an earthy heart discern spirituall things Damps arising from the earth put out all lights and those of earthly spirits cannot savour the things of God but only those of the world The Pharisees who were covetous when they heard Christ derided him saith St. Luke 2. Live not in thâ—se climes where the Gospel Sun comes not follow the light of Ordinances as the wise men the Star Our countrymen go not to Groenland til the Sun have been there and stay not when the Sun is withdrawing The Christian as the Swallow must follow the motion of the Sun Christ and of the Gospel his Chariot 3. Close not thine eyes by wilfull frowardnesse lest God seals them up with judiciary excoecation Matth. 13. 13. 15. Do nothing against the truth but for it 2 Cor. 13. 8. The Pharisees because they stood in their own light and said they saw better then our Saviour their sin remained and professing themselves wise were made fools 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and because they saw they were made blind 4 Opâ—n thy doors and windowes stand up from the dead and Christ shal give thee light do what in thee is that thou receivest not grace in vaine We cannot make the Sun rise before Gods appointed time and before that houre it is in vaine to open all doors and windowes these drive not away the night but the Sun But when the Sun is up we may stop it out or let it in We cannot by digging cause springs run where God denyeth them but where he placeth them we may by digging make a well to receive them or we may stop them up that they run not to us We can by no means procure a blast of wind at Sea then all sails cannot put on the ship but the wind blowing faire we hoise up the sayle and have the benefit of it Nature without grace cannot grace without endeavour will not save us 5. Go to thy Minister The Greeks made their way by Philip to a sight of Jesus and the first Disciples that Jesus called were John's Disciples formerly The Magistrate may take civil Marriages out of the Ministers hands if it be his pleasure but spirituall and sacred marriages he cannot they are to espouse believers to their husband and to present them as chast Virgins unto Christ 2 Cor. 11. 2. 6. Pray much to Christ Lord that mine â—yes may be opened those blind men had not power to see but they had power to be sensible Lord I cannot see thy light I can only see my owne darknesse I cannot pray or believe but I can cry Thou givest both light and sight light where sight sight where was no sight and eye-salve to mend the bad sight O Lord who is so blind as thy servant and who so deaf Seeing many things but observing nothing Take off the scales from these eyes the vaile from this heart that I may come out of my darknesse into thy marvellous light CHAP. XIII Warmth the fourth Property THe fourth Property which I may call the highest in the Sun is his most comfortable warmth which is that that crowns all the former His greatnesse is commended by his glory glory by his light and light by this we now speak of warmth It is a shining and a burning light of whose heat we read oft in Scripture Exod. 16. 21. When the Sun waxed hot 1 Sam. 11. 9. By that time the Sun be hot which Property makes this creature â— great resemblance of our Sun of Righteousness in many paâ—â—iculars 1. It is the sole property of the Sun of all the Heavenly Bodies to give heat The Moon and Stars have their Glory give their measure of Light give not the least heat That is the Suns work Christ is the Garden enclosed and the Well sealed of Grace to quicken of comfort to reviâ—e the soul. No Angel minister Ordinances can they are of use and can give light The Law and Knowledge of God came by Moses and the Prophets but Grace and Peace comes only by Jesus Christ. 2. The Suns light is of more large extent then is his warmth that many see who feel not this that reacheth those who are far off and lye in the shade This those only who are nearer whom it taketh into closer embraces it is in his wings not Beames and beholdeth with a direct face and who are a longer space under it Christ may impart common illumination to those who are far off but his Grace and Peace and Love he imparts to them onely who are nearer to him more dearly embraced whom he setteth his eyes and heart upon spreading his skirt and wings over them Thus doth he manifest himself to them otherwise then to the world Many there are enlightned as by a winter Sun who have also tasted of the Word of God but were never warmed at the heart with the Love and Spirit of Christ who therefore fall away and as the stony ground for lack of root and mâ—â—â—â—ure hold not out 3. The Suns warmth is another kind of Heavenly and Divine heat then is in all the Creatures again fire cloathes warm but not as the Sun Warm water in Winter will not make trees to grow let the Husbandman graff plant cut prune digge dung water no fruit comes of it till the Suns warmth brings it out The Prophets staff laid on the childs face or if it had been bâ—oken on his back brings no heat But the Prophet laying face to face and stretching himselfe on the dead child his warmth brought in warmth and life into that child before dead The hens wing hath another heat to form bring forth and hatch the chicken at first and to recover it when drooping then any other heat can have Now as they are alike for these Properties in their Heat so in their Operations 1. The Suns warmth not light dryes up the raine dryes the Fens and High-wayes overfâ—owen with water dissolves Rocks of Ice thawes Mountaines of snow turnes Mare congelatum into Mare Pacificum Mare clausum into Mare Liberum which no fire or Engine on Earth or all the light in heaven could not do It is Christ
4. His motion as it is certain and steady so it is uniform equal not Tardior et velocior not uneven sometime slower sometime swifter but it ever keeps the same pace So is it with God his way is perfect Psal. 18. 30. His waies are equall Ezek. 18. 29. Let ours be so Evennesse of the way commends the way of the thred the cloth Josiah was an even walker kept his way without deviation or turning to the right hand or to the left all his daies Caleb kept on going slacked not his pace but fulfilled to follow the Lord. Wicked men are like a land-flood or as Jordan in the time of harvest that overflowes all his banks at sometimes afterwards all is dry land Godly men are like a fountain that runs not so impetuously but is alwaies running Pharaoh once sent for Moses in haste another time by night too violent to hold long his usual answer was Tomorrow The heavy weight of judgment made this wheele move so fast when it was taken off he stands stock still You see Saul on a sudden rapture prophesying There is a morning cloud Ahab humbling himselfe there is an early dew But true grace moves not per saltum is not a fit flash a start and stop and Retrograde hot cold feaverish as he who was acted by the evil spirit now in the fire anon in the water Grace is not a morning cloud an evening dew some noon â—eat drops but a set rain a morning-Sun that shines more and more to a perfect day Not he that labours in his calling and sometimes is idle and spending at the Ale-house is the good husband but he who is stil at his business and keeps doing Isaack grew great and went forward the Hebrew is he went going and grew til he became very great and rich He went on getting and gathering every day and became a great man at last So saith Job the righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath clan hands shal be stronger and stronger 5. Irresistible The Sun is not to be stayed or diverted in his course this Gyant breaks all the opposition of clouds which vanish in his sight they strive in vaine who would make it stand or goe back 1. Then vain is the force of persecutors who arm themselves against Christ and his members Christum regem occidire nolite timere bonum est Betray kil crucifie bury seal the stone set a watch he wil rise slay the Witnesses they wil rise again This little stone must become a great mountain and shal fill the earth he that falls against this stone shall be broken but on whom it shall fall it wil grind him to powder They who would oppose the Gospel Solem sistunt Deo resistunt they say to the heavens move not to the Sun shine not and kick against the Pricks The Beast indeed hath his seven heads and ten horns much craft more malice The Lamb hath seven eyes and seven horns much wisdome as much power with the breath of his nostrils he wil make the man of sin the son of perdition When Antichrist is in the saddle and Satan or the Jesuite holds the stirrup yet the Churches comfort is Christ holds the Bridle I 'le put my Bridle into thy jawes And saith so farre shalt thou goe no further 2. As vain is the crafty attempt of the Heretick and Impostor The three great enemies of the Christian name shall fare alike the three unclean spirits the Dragon Beast and false Prophet who take their turns one after another The Dragon the first 300 years making waâ—re upon the Saints under the heathen Emperors Then the Beast by name a Christian and hating the Dragon yet indeed that great Antichrist who alone exalteth himself above all that is called God and worshipped or every one who is called a God and worshipful every Authoritie Degree not only Sacerdotal or Ecclesiastical but Regal and Imperial a more dangerous and Saint-bloud-drinking enemy for a greater space of 1260 years In the end and taile of whom comes the false Prophet under the name of a Saint defying both the former detesting Idols more then uncleannesse and hating the Antichristian Garment and name more then the Nicolaitans nakedness or deeds The most dangerous enemy of all the three The uncleanest frog of all the fry who under the name of a separated Saint or another Christ or a better inspired spirit hath his Prophesies Revelations new discoveries new heavens but hateth the old Saint Ministry Baptism Supper Belief Prayer Doctrine Holinesse as Antichristian This also is of the Three and goeth into perdition 6. Unwearied But after almost six thousand years restlesse motion is as fresh and lively as the Bridegroom Mobilitate viget viresque acquirit eundo An emblem of Christ whose arm is not shortned but is able to save to the ut most all that come still unto him Hast thou not heard that the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not The youths may faint and be weary the young men may utterly fail Samson after a great victory may faint for thirst Eliazar the Son of Dodo the second of the Worthies his hand clave to the sword after a great slaughter he could not now open his hand again he needs some rest But Christ is the same his motion care might the same and as the Sun that hath lightned the world now so many ages is as able for that service stil as ever So Christ who hath governed the world and preserved his Church for this six thousand years his skil power and care is not now to be questioned But as old Caleb said he was as strong when he was fourscore and five years old as when but forty Aâ—my strength was then so is it now for warre both to go out and to come in So years and time make no impression on the Captain of our salvation who is the same yesterday to day and for ever 7. This motion is twofold 1 Ordinary and Quotidian every day doth rise run set keep his course scattering the darknesse and removing the cold of the night past and giving light for the present use of that day yesterday's light serveth not for to day but there is the same need every day of the Suâ— continued or renewed light as there was the first day of his creation to dispel the darknesse which was upon the face of the unformed world And do not we daily need the fresh supply and the renewed influence of the spirit of Christ as we did at first conversion Sun is not set one houre but darknesse comes Christ leaves not one houre but then comes on the power of darkness Auxiliary grace is as necessary as Habituall Subsequent as Preventing While the spirit moved the wheels moved no longer Goe then to Christ daily in him are our fresh springs begge to be anointed with new oyle from this Olive
or trenches of corruption in our hearts into so much bloud that we may drink no more of them but with amazement look upon former and with fear and horror fly from future sins 11. Lastly to name no more The Sun shining out in his strength disperseth clouds and mists but though it causeth not one yet it discovers a world of mâ—tes which are never taken away for they hinder not at all the brightness of the Sun So when Christ shineth out most gloriously to the soul it now sees what it could never have seen or imagined before I have heard of thee by the hearing â—f the ear but now mine eye hath seen thee wherefore I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes Job 41. 5 6. He now saw a world of motes But as it is the imperfection of our condition here not to be free from such continual Motes The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men that they are vaine Psal 94. 11. Yea every man in his best estate is altogether vanity So it is our comfort and happinesse that these no ways lessen the brightness of Christ his Love and Grace for then no flesh could be saved But as these sins do abound .i. appear so doth his Grace abound .i. appear much more CHAP. XVIII The unlikenesse and disagreement between the Sun and Christ. TO make an end of this first point There is in many things an vnlikenesse between these two great Lights between whom hitherto we have noted so many agreements 1. This is a creature therefore â—inite in his essence operation motion influence But Christ every way infinite being the creating not created Sun 2. This lower sun shall suffer many changes his light shall be turned into darknesse the Moon into blood and they shall both cease There shall be no more Sun but this Sun remaineth for ever Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever When the Sun ceaseth to be the light of the world the Lamb shall bee the light of the Church 3. This shines on the good and bad alike but Christ riseth shineth warmeth healeth saveth only those that feare his name 4. The Sun really absents it selfe for a time but Christ from the Godly soul never but in our apprehension 5. This gives only light to the body Christ to the soul. 6. This gives only light to us we must find â—ight our selves Christ gives both eyes to see the light and the light to bee seene The Eye Eye salve and Light all are from him in his light we see light In any good we do we are but Instruments or subordinate Agents hee the prime Efficient and chief Agent without whom nothing We are but the hearth the fire is his we the Lamp the Oyle is his we the mouth the tongue is his wâ—e the pen the writing his What can the hearth the Lamp the mouth the pen do without the fire the oyle the tongue or hand 7. The Sun moveth naturally and necessarily keepes a constant course goeth and cometh again only to those Climes where he ever formerly did Christ moveth voluntarily and arbitrarily goes to some at last that never were a people and when the Gospel is slighted departeth for ever never to return againe to such as from thenceforth become Lo-Ammi and Lo-Ruhamah 8. The Sun makes those more black that are nearer to his Beames But Christ them of all others most fair and beautiful that are under his Beames 9. The Sun fills the Moon with his light onely in the time of their opposition But Christ the soul with his light only in conjunction 10. The Suns presence is oft-times the Mother of corruption his heat the Efficient cause of Putrefaction as in Summer our meat and drink keep worse But this Suns presence is the only preservative against putrefaction and the only enemy to corruption in the spirit CHAP. XIX Containing the second maine Proposition That Iesus Christ is the Sun of Righteousnesse HAving at large shewed That Jesus Christ is in many respects to his Church what the Sun is to the world We come now to our second Proposition to shew how in a more special manner and by way of Excellency he is the Sun of Righteousnesse The former sets out his Glory this his Grace the former his Person this his Office A singular Elogy this no where in all the Scripture again do we meet with the same expression though divers like it and to the same effect He is called Jesus Christ the Righteous Our Righteousnesse The branch of Righteousness Melchi-zedek the King of Righteousnesse and Jehovah-tzidkennu the Lord our Righteousnesse And to shew that this is Christ his principal Title or proper cognomen or sirname as in our common Mariages the wife doth Exuere Parentis and induere mariti cognomen changes her owne or fathers name into that of her husband the Church is called also Jehovah-tzidkennu Compare Jer. 23. 5 6. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch c. And this is the name whereby He shall be called The Lord our Righteousnesse with Jer. 33. 15 16. In those dayes will I cause the branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David In those dayes shall Iudah be saved and Ierusalem shall dwell fafely and this is the name whereby She shall be called The Lord our Righteousnesse They have both one name and this the highest name to both especially to the Church This is the new name spoken of Rev. 2. 17. And that other name God promiseth to call his people by The Lord shall call his people by another name Three things shall here be spoken to 1. How Christ is called the Righteous or Righteousness 2. What Righteousness it is we have by and from Christ 3. Why he is called the Sun of Righteousnesse 1 Christ Jesus may be said to be the Righteous or Righteousnesse in a double respect 1. Of his Person 1 John 2. 2. Jesus Christ the Righteous Who in respect of his Divine Nature is as Righteous as the Father and the Holy Ghost This is not that which is so much to us as our Righteousness extendeth not to God so this personal Righteousness of God extendeth not to us in this sense And in his Humane Nature he is Righteous also who never had spot in his soul guile in his lips sin in all his life but one who perfectly fulfilled all Righteousness 2. Of his Office his Mediatory Office This is the meaning of that before mentioned Scripture This is the name wherewith he shall be called The Lord our Righteousness that is to say this is his Office and Businesse 2. For the second There is a twofold Righteousnesse we have by Christ. 1. A common general original as I may call it or imputed Righteousnesse a Righteousness without us to which we contribute nothing we only accept We put on this Righteousness and it clothes us as a garment made ready to our hands 2 A
his hard bondage Christ Iesus had that first Testimony before that first and great tentation of forty dayes Moses and Gideon were prepared and forearmed with several signes that they might not dread those difficult undertakings they were set upon if we have well provinder'd the horse over night his Master reckons he may travel him the farther next day Expect some change of weather when thou seest the Sun rising early and shining gloriously 4. Often againe after some great and sad tryal Iacob never so much afraid of Esaus face a little before he saw Gods face and when he heard of Esau coming with his Troops to cut him off hee saw Gods host encamping at Mahanaim to secure him after the Trumpet had sounded louder and louder in Sinai terrours Moses spake and the Lord answered after the last and sorest throw the child is borne And after the great thunderclap heaven is opened and the refreshing showers fall plentifully on the thirsty earth 5. Often even when under the heat and brunt of sorest tryalls and conflicts Holy Steven standing before the Judge who condemned him and the people who shut their ears against his Apology sees heaven open and his Saviour standing up to absolve him in heaven who was condemned on earth in the midst of the fiery furnace the Son of God walked among those precious sons of men Into the dungeon where Paul and Silas were cast the Sun arose and shone out at midnight The spirit of Glory and of God never sits neerer nor rests longer upon any then upon Gods servants under their greatest sufferings 6. Sometimes again after some singular act of a well tryed obedience After that high acting of Abrahams faith and obedience in a ready offering of his son God could not hold but speaks expressely By my selfe I have sworn that in blessing I will blesse thee The like to Jacob after hee had sanctified his whole family and had taken his journey to Bethel the Lord appeared more fully and renewed the former promise and covenant with him 7. But if at none of these forenamed times then usually a while before they taste â—f death The Sun breaks out when near â—â—tting and gives the signe of the faire day â—f eternity following Moses saw not Canaan but at Nebo there saw and dyed Steâ—â—en saw heaven open at his death never before before he had been full of faith now of Assurance before of Courage now of Comfort hee had believed in Christ before â—ow hee beholds him hee was a precious Saint before now like an Angel full of glory from a lower heaven here on earth he ascendes to a higher from vision he goes â—o fruition Iesus Christ gave up the Ghost â—n peace after that bloody agony in the garden his bloudy death on the Crosse and after that double horrour of darknesse The Sun withdrawing his natural and the Father his divine â—ight from his spirit yet all ended well 8. But if not then nor before then certainely immediately upon the dissolution then is this and all the other promises not fulfilled in life perfectly accomplished therefore wee are said here on earth to embrace the promises there to inherite them Here the childe of God is heire of the promises yet as the great heire during minority hath but a smal part not the whole of his inheritance till he come to full age Death is the time to us when we come to that state There are many promises never actually and wholly fullfilled til death then are they all to the full Manyare called Blessedâ— here that are onely so by vertue of a promisâ— to be fulfilled then Blessed are the poor iâ— spirit Blessed such as mourne as hunger anâ— thirst after righteousnesse They have thâ— promise now they have the blessedness anâ— the fruition of the promise then Now juâ— ad rem then jus in re 9. Lastly after all and above all at thâ— day of judgement There shal be a rising oâ— the Sun and a rising of the Saints when thiâ— Bridegroome shal put on his glorious robe attended with ten thousands of his Saints the children of the Bride-chamber and shall be admired in all those that believe hee with his Crowne on his head they with theiâ— Palmes in their hands Then shall bee saiâ— to all that feare his name arise and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light arise and shine for thy light is come Theâ— shall all feare cease teares be wiped away death and finne be svvallovved up in victory darknesse and shadows flye away And thâ— Lamb shall be the Sun this Sun shining iâ— his strength never more to set to all eternity Then shall the Sunne be ashamed and the Moone confounded when the Lord of Hostâ— shall reigne in Mount Zion and in the New Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously 1. This shewes that the people of God may expect and meet with sad times here both for themselves and for the Church They who can say are there any comforts like my comforts Shal there be any joys like my joyes May at present say Behold and see if there be any sorrows like my sorrows I am he who hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath Hee hath led me and brought mee into darknesse and not into light In the world tribulation is the Churches legacy and first payment In Christ peace their last portion and ful payment 2. Yet may the godly expect glorious times also many are apt to dream of such on earth but that will not be til Christs kingdom is of this world which never was yet There are two glorious times the godly may expect 1. On earth for their souls when this glorious promise is fulfilled when this Sunne of righteousnesse hath risen on them with healing in his wings This is the most glorious day to be expected on earth All Solomons glory nothing to this The approach of God in those signal manifestations of his presence to Isaael is oft called the glory of the Lord and the greatest glory of his people 2. The other is in heaven There are glorious times to bee expected indeed when the Sun shall no more give light by day nor the Moone by night but the Lord shall be thy everlasting light and thy God thy glory These are the onely glorious times the Scripture speaks of Therefore let the over-busie and earthy Disciple take off his thoughts from Kingdomes and the right-hand and left-hand in seats of glory And think againe of the old Cup and Baptisme of Christ wherin the true professour may sooner become an Anabaptist then he is aware Baptized not baptismo flaminis but sanguinis not flaminis but flammae not with the holy Ghost but with fire 3. This informes us that the foundation of all true peace and comfort is layd in Grace The Sun of righteousnesse onely riseth on them that feare his Name Grace and
of the Divine Essence in three Persons I and my Father are one John 10. 30. There are three that beare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one 2. So in Christ visible for his humanity invisible for his Divinity Unity is the perfection of his person Only in the former Unity of Essence there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alius not aliud here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliud not alius in this unity of Person As in the Creature Sun there is a conjunction and union of two different qualities light and heat Light such as is in heaven among the Stars none such on earth Heat such as is in living creatures on earth none such in the Stars So in Christ there is an union of an heavenly and earthly nature 1. Of a Deity which the other persons have without humanity 2. Of Humanity which we have without a Deity In this one High Priest alone the Thummim and the Urim the perfections of God and the light of men conjoyn'd 1. Then give unto Christ the glory of this Singular attribute of Unity in a double Unity 1. The Unity of faith 2. Unity of Love 1. By an Unity of faith eye Christ only eye him with a single eye look up to no other Mediator go not to glean in any other field as was said to Ruth one Sun gives light to all the world there needs no more He were a mad man should say set me up another Sun or light me a Candle at noon day to help out the Sun He more irrational who saith give me somewhat besides Christ another Mediator It is looked upon as prodigious in nature to see two or three Suns or Parelii together There is no such thing they are but imaginary Suns in a cloud having a little light no heat or vigorous Influence There is but one Sun which gives light to these so to set up Saints merits the Virgin Maries Intercession or our own duties were prodigious all have what they have from Christ and contribute nothing to him And these Parelii are never seen but when the Sun is low at morning or evening never at noone This flying to the Saints with Papists or imagined Righteousnesse with some carnal Protestants is only a sign of a dim knowledg and of a weak faith never of a sound judgment and a wel-informed mind How unhandsome is a new piece on an old garment or the garment part wollen part linnen Christ will be Solus or nullus Look to me and be saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa. 45. 22. Each man puts out his candle and opens his window to let in heaven light when the Sun is up do so for your souls tread out your sparks they may burn thee they cannot lighten thee Isa. 50. 11. Behold all ye that kindle a fire that compasse your selves about with sparks walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks that ye have kindled this shall ye have of my hand ye shall lye down in sorrow 2. Next look after the other great Unity The Unity of love the Unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace Faith and love are the two great uniting graces faith to the head love to the members As there are two great unions in heaven the first of three in one Trinity in Unity the other of two in one two natures in one person So next to these two most glorious Unions there are two mysterial Unions in earth of faith to Christ where two are one of love to the Church where all are one And as this is Gods perfection so the Churches according to Christs last Prayer John 17. 17. That they may be all one as Thou Father art in me and I in thee That they may be made perfect in one It was the glory and beauty of the Wheels that they were so Artificially joyned one within another that though divers they seemed one wheel and they had all one motion for one Spirit animated them All those innumerable fixed Stars keep their proper and certain station are therefore never eclipsed nor do they eclipse others but move together uniformly one motion is common to all The Planets move in several Orbs no two together and they are all eclipsed one by another Christians should as Stars in the Firmament not thwart cloud censure slight eclipse each other disparaging this mans Ministry question that mans sincerity Oh that the Trumpet might not make an uncertain or different sound but bee all as one as when the Temple was dedicated and when Jericho was besieged all the Priests blew together all the people gave one shout thereby should Babylons walls be finally ruined and Jerusalems fully repaired Then would it be said Who is this that looketh forth as the morning fair as the Moon clear as the Sun terrible as an Army with banners This Unity of the Spirit would become the bond and cement of our Peace our bands and beauty the staff of the Church in her now old age and bring in those Primitive times again when after stormes The Churches regained rest and were edified walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied Why should there not bee as one God one Church as one Lord one Baptism as one Spirit one Faith as one Father one Family as one Christ one Hope as one way one Heart as one Bread one Body as one Cup one Lip Cor unum via una Dominus unus Nomen unum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12. 12. All should be one How delightful is it to see ten thousand beams streaming from the same Center of the Sun in heaven meet and re-center in the same punctulum on earth What a resplendent light and piercing heat do they give So when all the Graces coming from the same head do unite and con-center together what beauty light and heat is there The Beams dispersed are weakned united are more burning as in a Burning glass where all the Sun seems contracted in so narrow compass Where is most of Unity there is most of Christ. And now thou glorious Sun of Righteousness and blessed Peace maker who art all Union and the Fountain of it in whose Person the Father and Holy Ghost was from eternity united in whose Incarnation the Humane Nature was united to the Divine in whose Mediation the Divine was again united to the Humane In the strength of these two great Unions produce a third that union of our Nature with it self that there may be no more Schismes in the body Thou that didst slay the enmity between Jew and Gentile slay that between Christian and Christian and as thou art the foundation stone of our faith be also the corner the coupling stone of our Love and the
is the root bears the branch not the branch the root our faith love holiness is not the roâ—t but branches of the love of God the branch is broken the root remains We are changed and so sometimes we cannot do as at other times we think God is changed he is not Children in a Boat think the houses and trees remove it is the boat not the trees We measure Gods love to us by ours to him and so perplex all But the Scripture puts it out of doubt our unbelief makes not void Gods faithfulnesse if we be unfaithful and deny him he yet abideth faithful and cannot deny himselfe if we forget we are children he cannot forget to be a father He may repent it may be that he gave Saul a Kingdome or Jeroboam ten Tribes never repents of grace given because this flowes from unchanged fatherly love the other from common providence 3. Then are the promises firm which Christ hath made He is the Amen Rev. 3. 14. And all his Promises are yea and Amen As the Suns motion is certain varyeth not a minute hence Eclipses can be so long foretold by Artists and every Countryman can tel you where the Sun wil be and of what length the daies seven years hence If ever therefore there was a promise to a believer to justifie the ungodly to count faith for righteousnesse it wil as wel reach us as Abraham as the Apostle reasons The Sun moves constantly with in his Tropicks and comes sooner or later to all such climates as are within his bounds Christ doth as certainly meet those that wait for him in his way 4. Terror to wicked ones If Christ his love and promises firm then his threats his truth justice jealousie hatred of sin is as much as ever If he ever hated an ungodly person he loves not thee He shews mercy to thousands but by no means clears thâ— guilty Exod. 34 7. His garments are white as wool but his eyes red as flames of fire and he hath a sharp two edged sword in his mouth Woe to them who walk in the way of Cain Balaam or Corah their damnation slumbers not though their conscience slumber The Sun never goes an inch beyond his Tropick but returns nor wil Christ the Son of peace ever come to such as are out of the way of peace but return back again CHAP. IX Communicativenesse a Communicable Attribute HAving spoken of the Incommunicable Attributes I shal descend to some communicable ones and that this discourse may not swel beyond intention I shall the more contract my self I might name many Attributes of this sort as Communicativenesse Greatnesse Glory c. of which other creatures also do participate yet are they most eminent in the Sun I shall speake of communicativenesse under this head and refer the rest to the next Communicativenesse is an excellent Attribute in the Sun The Moon Stars Ayre Seas earth are all communicative of their several benefits to man But the Sun most of all and they enabled by the Sun It buries not his light shuts not up his influence shines not to it self is as free and liberal to the poor as rich to the beggar as to the King The Lord hath divided it and the stars saith Moses to all nations under the whole heaven They under the Poles have their share as wel as they under the Line So hath Christ received of the Father gifts to be communicated unto men of his fulnesse all receive his merits are of largest extent his Gospel to be preached to all nations and to every creature 1 Then is here provision for the poorest Christian who hath nothing to buy with the Sun sels not but gives his light freely it is Gods light it is the poore mans friend his candle fuel raiment Diogenâ—s hath as good a propriety in â—t as Alexander Christ is the poor mans friend Advocate Physician Saviour and Master of that Corporation Theâ—e are his Guests Disciples Bride He entertains none of other qualitie but those in poverty Come he that hath no bread nor mâ—ny He cals all thirsty to come drink freely anâ— without price We love to match into Estates great Families marry with Nobility Beauty Preferments Christ loves to bestow himself on poore undone helplesse persons he matcheth with misery beggery infamy base bâ—irth humility deformity Ahasuerus thought the Crown better sâ—t on Esthers head then Vashtyes or alâ— the Priâ—cely Ladies of the Court. And Christ his grace and favour is confer'd stil on the humble soul the highest Crown was set on the lowest handmaid Poor Mary became Deipara she was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All be-graced highly honoured and shee got the name from the first and greatest of women as her Son from the highest and first of men she became Chavah the only mother of the Living and which is stranger her Son the Adam and Parent of the world 2. Then is Christs not a scant but plenteous Redemption not from one but infinite Transgressions not of one or a few but of infinite persons He sheweth mercy to thousands his Sealed Book containes an innumerable company of Angels and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 General Assembly and Church of the first born whose names are written in Heaven contains so many Myriades as no man can number of all Kindreds Nations Tongues and people They are not a few but a world who are redeemed The whole world of the Elect severed from the world of the Ungodly 3. Then there is just ground for our hopes prayers endeavours for the calling of the Gentiles who at present sit in darkness and live without God in the world without Covenant Promise and Gospel And for the Jewes also who shall be grafted in again if they abide not still in unbelief who are also at present without God and King and Teraphim and Prophet and Priest and hope too as much as the uncalled Gentiles but there are promises for both The ends of the earth are the Fathers Advowson and the Son is ordained by him to be the Occumenical Bishop of the habitable world He shall sprinkle many Nations inherit all Lands rule from Sea to Sea to the utmost Indies The Sun moves sometimes North sometimes South is sometimes in the East and sometimes in the West but ere the year goes about and ends hath viewed all Climes so shall the Gospel be preached to all Nations before the end of the World The Church is as the Sea which if it lose in one place gets as much in another The Gospel is as the Sun which when it goes from one place goes to another 4. Is Christ so communicative then what an encouragement is this to poor souls to go to Christ 1. For his freeness He keeps open house to all comers as Tituâ— sent none away sad he none empty that come to him upbraiding none rejecting none giving liberally forgiving universally
held to be eighteen times bigger then the Earth and those of the first Magnitude an hundred and seven times greater The Moon however it seem to us is the very least of all but Mercury and is Quadragesima pars terrae the Earth being thirty nine times bigger and the Sun seven thousand times or thereabout as is conceived Should all the earth and seas be supposed to be where the Sun is it would be as a Mathematical Point no bigger then a Diamond or a spark But who can compute the Greatness of the higher Sun Christ Iesus Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection It is higher then Heaven what canst thou do dâ—eper then Hell what canst thou know The Suns Body can be measured his Diameter is taken to be so many thousand miles his motion observed to be so many hundred miles each hour But Christ his greatness unsearchable the Sun to him an Atom or spark the Heavens a span the earth as the dust of the Ballance the sea a drop of a bucket and all the Iles a little nothing and man less then nothing With the sole of his foot he covereth the earth and sea in the hollow of his hand holds all the deep 1. What high thoughts should this beget in us of Christ To whom will you liken him or can you equal him Regum timendorum in proprios greges Reges in ipsos Imperium Christi He bringeth Princes to nothing He can crush them as a moth and with his looks or frowns can undo them and their projects yea command them into Hell God looked on Pharaoh and he never looked up after it His wheels moved no more Ahasuerus looked displeasedly Hamans face was covered and he was presently led to Execution Fear him fear him 2. But let the poor Believers rejoice We have a great Savionr whose Grace Mercy Wisdom Merits are infinite He is many times bigger then the earth All sins of the world before his Merits no more then a cloud before the Sun I shall speak two great words 1. The one this That if all sins of all Believers were all laid on one person they were nothing to countervail his Meritorious satisfaction 2. The other a greater yet as true That if all sins of unbelievers since the world was were upon the account of one man that if you could suppose one man to be guilty of Cains Murder Pharaâ—â—s Obstinacy Ahabs Impiety Sauls Rage Ahitophels Treason Absoloms Parricide and Incest and Judas his Christicide and despair too and Sauls blasphemy withal yet this man flying to Christ Jesus should have all these sinnes done away as a cloud and should be as safe as Abel the Righteous The latter Act of turning Tamar out of doores was more shameful then the former in deflouring her To turne Christ out of doors after all other Contumelies and abuses is the foulest sin Any were admitted to the Feast but they who slighted the Invitation and had abused Mercy He who despised Moses Law dyed without Mercy yet there is a sorer punishment for such as trample under foot the bloud of Christ and despight the Spirit of Grace Can any thing be sorer then to dye without Mercy you 'l say Yes this 1. They dyed without Mercy at mans hands might find Mercy at Gods These without Gods Mercy 2. They dyed Temporally these Eternally 3. They if they went to Hell also have a more tolerable Hell there are several Dungeons there as Mansions in Heaven then those who have so much abused Grace What weight may a weak man swim with upon his back who hath bladders under his armes What sin can sink him that hath Christ in his armes Thou maist sink with all Duties without Christ and be safe after all thy sins with Christ. Thy sins are many great only less then infinite Christ is great and infinite and more then one way infinite his Person Blood Obedience Intercession Grace Power so many Infinites Should I tell an ignorant person That the Sun is One hundred sixty and six times bigger then the Earth he would laugh at it and not believe me yet so it is though he believe it not So should I say Christ his Grace Mercy and Merits are One hundred sixty and six times more then all our sins put together to an Unbeliever he would not assent yet so it is The Apostle calls them the unsearchable Riches of Christ. A little of sins Poison one drop of Pride may corrupt all our Righteousness A spoonful of Poison may infect a whole Vessel of Wine All Poisons cannot infect the Air the sea the Sun much less which will dissipate and correct all Malignity A little sin may mar all our Box of Duty and mar a mans yea Angels Righteousness and make us past recovery by Duties of the Law oâ— help of Angels but not past Christs help The Stars of the first Magnitude are One hundred and seven times bigger then the Earth yet shew nothing to the Sun The Angels are one hundred times more pure then we yet they need Christ and are nothing to him Oh Unbeliever cast not thy selfe and hope and safety wilfully away The Sun with one look dispels all darkness from the one Hemisphere and at another the darkness of the other Two looks enlighten the whole world What can two drops of the bloud of Christ do and two of his looks He looked and prayed for the sins of all those before his coming they were done away he looked again up to his Father for all these since his coming and they are gone Thus this one Lamb taketh away the sins of the world But as it sometime falls out with an over carfulf woman riding over water a good horse under her her Husband before her to hold by yet betrayed by her causeless fears she lets all go and casts her self down and is either drowned or well washed So do often we when we have Christ to hold by and are as safe as he himselfe we cast away our confidence and disquiet our selves with unnecessary fears Lord carest thoâ— not that we perish Let the Great ones of the world who are as the Sun in these lower heavens many times greater then other men Resemble this great Pattern who is not so much greater then the other Stars as it exceeds them all in Glory Beauty Light Influence cherishing the inferior Orbs with his beames and presence It affecteth not the highest Sphere but the most convenient is well content others should be above it in place so it may be more for common benefit He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God And he shall be as the light of the morning when the Sun ariseth even a morning without clouds as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain It is observed how all Creatures thrive and mend when removed into a better Soyl. Plants or Beasts taken
hundred and sixty and at his pleasure can put his hooke into their nostrils and his bridle into their jawes 6 The most sweet and pleasent Government to their Subjects 1. Both ever present commit not as did the Persian Kings the managing of state affairs to others while they sate still pursuing their pleasures and taking their ease But both are daily overlooking their charge Lo I am with you alway 2. The government of both is the government of the day not of the night Satan is the ruler of the darknesse of this world as much difference between Christs and other governments as between day aud night day and night divide the world between them so Christ and Satan he who is not of Christs Kingdome is under the Prince of darknesse Christs government is ful of 1. Light we know whom we worship our service is a reasonable service No Altar to an unknown God or Saint in Christ his Temple 2. Full of delight He the Prince of peace under whose protection his people sit as of old under Solomon eating drinking making merry not secured by Armies but by Solomons wisdome 7. Other Governors and Prince may usurp a power over the lives and states of their subjects none ever attempted upon their minds and bodies to form the constitution of them or to alter an haire of their head from black to white But these two have a Dominion over both the Bodies and Spirits of men The difference of saces colour complexion skin hair eyes voice beauty is from the force of the Sun the difference of stature talnesse strength and constitution of their bodies to hardâ—nesse or effeminatenesse and delicacie is from the Sun yea the difference of disposition of mind for courage prowesse chastity sobriety Temperance whereas other nations are vicious false treacherous luxurious is attributed to the Sun making that difference between clime and clime the difference that is between nation and nation Christ hath made it that some have better lawes more love to God abhorrence of evill and that difference between person and person Christ only hath put Here is 1. an encouragement to pray and hope for the bringing in of the Gentiles yet uncalled God having promised That from the rising of the Sun to the going down thereof his name should be great among the Gentiles and in every place Incense and a pure Offering should be offered unto his Name And that Christ shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth 2. This may support the Churches faith in all changes Let enemies rage Heresies arise spread prevaile let persecutions and errors unite and gather as a snow-bal This Sun can scatter them as darknesse melt them as snow can cast the burning Mountain into the sea When the whole world became Arian it was but for him to say againe Let there be light and it was so When that Arch Apostate Iulian endeavoured to bury Christianity in oblivion and had opened the widest door of toleration to all Religions but the True that ever was great Athanasius cryed out Nubecula nubecula cito transitura The bubble brake the Malignant vapor was dissolved and his mischievous plots fell upon his owne pate and dyed with him We are afraid of stormes and clouds and very shadowes look up to the Sun it doth rule it will arise break out and scatter all If the Ordinances and Dominion of the Sun should cease or if it could be pulled out of Heaven or stayed in his course if all mists darkness could put out the light of it then might we fear But the Churches comfort is The Lord reigneth therefore let the Earth rejoice let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof Psal. 97. 1. 3. If the Sun rule the day not the night then must we be children of the light and of the day not of darknesse and night as others Christ will owne no such subjects but send them packing to the Prince of darknesse to whom they belong 4. Take notice of the cause of that difference betweene men and men The Stars make not men wise simple rich poor vertuous vicious Christ makes it Some are chast sober zealous valiant for the Truth others not To them it is given to others not given God did often sever between Israel and the Egyptians Israel had the pillar of fire Egyptians cloud of darknesse Israel had the Sun in Goshen Egypt no Sun for three dayes Jacob is loved not Esau Isaak had the Promise not Ishmael Peter is prayed for and kept Judas only admonished not kept nor prayed for The reason is hiâ— Soveraigne Dominion He doth according to his will in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him What dost thou Dan. 4. 35. Grace goes not by Planets â— we say showres sometimes do but by the wise and free dispose of this greâ— Sun Object If the Sun be given to rule and tâ—â— Sun and Moon be set for signes at the Scripture saith doth not this warrant the Astrologers Art of Iudiciary Calculation and peoples consulting them Answ. What consequence is here God set them for signes therefore we may erect a figure and foretel events whom we shall marry when we shall what death what successe of this or that undertaking God hath called them signes he must men may not make the signification He calls the Rainbow a sign is it to calculate by he gives the signification to confirm the general Creature Covenant that there shall bee no universal destruction by another Floud He calls the Passover Circumcission Sabbath yea his Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel signes he tells the signification where have these Astrologers these signes interpreted to foretel such events 1. They are signes for Natural things shewing seasons of the year for Summer winter heat cold 2. Civil and Oeconomical signs as Sphanhemius calls them to direct when to plant low sail c. 3. They are Prodigious and terrifying sometimes when the Sun is eclipsed or turned into darkness Moon into bloud when the stars fall warning the secure world of the judgment of God drawing near But never signes of fortuitous and causal events or of voluntary actions The madnesse of the deceiving Prophet is not here more to be condemned then the blindnesse of the deceived people who run after them and with open hands carry to them the rewards of their lying Divination is to be pityed Wicked Ahab gives more credit to Zedekiahs signes the Iron hornes then to Micajahs Sermons The Socerer he loves the Prophet he hates and so hee prospers God saith of such Take them Satan Go entice perswade prevail and take them when thou hast done Who ever prospered less then they who forsaking their owne Mercy went to them Who dyed more miserably then such as made use of them Balak Ahab Iezabel Ahaziah Haman Belshazzar and that great Nebuchadnezzar
do warble and eccho out their cheerful notes to the praise of the Sun they build they breed they rejoyce many of them come stay returne with this their great Leader and Commander The waters wax warme and temperate there the fishes leap play breed and multiply But the Earth especially decked as a Bride to meet this Bridegroom cloatheth her selfe and all her family in new and divers coloured apparel and with their several New years Gifts present the worlds Benefactor with their Best that he may not come in vain to any of their dwellings Oh that wee were the Creatures Scholers or School-fellowes in this respect to acknowledge the benefits admire the perfections sing out the praises of this Sun of Righteousnesse and with our best Presents of Thankfulnesse and Fruitfulnesse shew we are loath to receive so much grace in vaine CHAP. XVII The likenesse of both in sundry Accidents WE are now come to the last thing wherein the agreement holds betweene these two Suns viz. certaine Accidents whereof 1. one greater 2. many lesse The greatest is that of the Eclipses which these two great Luminaryes are subject to The lessâ—r Luminary the Sun sometimes loseth his light and Lustre and this greater Luminary hath sometimes lost the glory and brightness of his Godhead in his Exinanition and in that self emptying abasement of his Passion The Suns Eclipse is often and ordinary but this was extraordinary preternatural and but once 2. The Sun is never totally Eclipsed in part often His body being so many times bigger then the Moon 's interposed seven thousand times bigger cannot lose all his light So Christ might be in his Person eclipsed to the unbelieving Jewes by his poverty Cross and afflictions whereby he was made lower then the Angels when some others even then saw his glory as the glory of the Only Begotten of God full of Grace and Truth 2. In his Truth by Hereticks and prevailing Errors 3. In his Regal Power when persecuting enemies and Tyrants encroach on his Churches Liberty and his Prerogative breaking his bonds and the Churches hedg But he is never totally eclipsed because his power and grace doth more then seven thousand or ten thousand times exceed all Tyrants power Hereticks Policy persecuters rage and Satans malice 3. Yet was there once never but once a total Eclipse of the Sun extraordinary it was viz. at the time of Christ his Passion Christ never had the light of his Fathers countenance wholly suspended but then in Articulo Passionis when he cryed out Eli-Eli-Lama-sabactani Such an Eclipse never did nor can happen again then did it appear Christ set his Tabernacle in the Sun that was his Chariot or Apostle The Sunnes darknesse then enlightned the world and made the Philosopher cry out Deus naturae patitur aut mundi Machina dissolvitur Either the God of Nature is now suffering or the frame of the world is dissolving then both Suns suffered and were eclipsed together and went down at noon day the Sun of the Lord and that Lord of the Sun 4. The Suns Eclipse is only caused by the interposition of the Moons dark body which hath all her light from the Sun The Sun is then obscured and the new changed Moon never else seen by day then dare shew her self It is the only interposing the Churches dark body of sin and guilt made this Sun obscured She hath no light of her owne but borroweth of him and hee was content to lose all his glory protempore that his Church and every new changed converted soul may appear before God with boldness not otherwise able to abide the tryal of his presence 5. It is a sight sad to behold when the Sun is Eclipsed and it was the saddest day and hour of darknesse that ever was in the world when Christ was put to death 6. The Sun as to us seemeth to lose his light but as to Heaven gives more And Christ never shined more bright in Heaven never gave like satisfaction to God more Joy to Angels Glory to Saints then in his Passion Then did the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand He that was before pleased in his Person was now more pleased in his Passion In this only expiatory sacrifice did God smel a savor of rest This was to our Saviour a day of Triumph his Cross was the Trophy of his Victory and success whereon he was lifted up and exalted then was sin death hell swallowed up in Victory The dread of this Crosse triumphed over Hell spoyling all those principalities and thereby leading captivity captive The bloud of this Crosse tryumphed in Heaven Having made peace â—â— the bloud of his Crosse Col. 1. 20. And thâ— Merit of his Crosse triumphed in the Church which ever since hath taken up those Angelical Hymnes Glory to God on high on eartâ— peace good will towards men Salvation 〈◊〉 ascribed to the Lamb that was slaine and glory to the Sun that was obscured This wâ—â— the day wherein ouâ— great High Priest weâ— in his richest Robes into the Holy of Holies with his own bloud but bearing all oâ—â— Names in his brest and all our iniquities oâ— his shoulder and hath made an everlastinâ— attonement or expiation and the greatest Holy day the world ever saw 7. The Sun eclipsed hath the same lighâ— in it self is only hid from us for a while bâ—â— recovers it self presently and shines again 〈◊〉 gloriously as before There may be misâ— and darkness interposing between us and God between Christ and the Father none between the Sun and the earth the Moon between the Sun and heaven no Moon to interpose And changes there may seeme to bâ— between us and God between Christ and the Father all is well Satan might bruise his heel Herod Iews Pilate might reproach condemne crucifie bury set a guard about the Sepulcher But if it be said Who shall bind the influences of the Pleiades with what bonds of death 〈◊〉 〈…〉 t then possible to hold the Prince of life prisoner 8. Some great Scholers have said The Suns Eclipse bodes much ill to this lower world and that the sad effects thereof are such that the world is the worse for it seven years after ere it recover it self The truth whereof I 'l not dispute but certaine I am the sad effects of this Eclipse upon the Land of Iudea where it was most visible are not yet â—â—ased but for this One thousand six hundred yeares it hath felt the miseries which followed on their Crucifying the Lord of Glory 9. Lastly The Suns Eclipse is said to Prognostick great changes downfal of Kingdomes and deaths of Tyrants c. Sure I am that this Eclipse did not foretel as a Prognostick but produce as the immediate cause the greatest changes in heaven and earth Then was Satan ruined this Eclipse was his bane When the Vyal of Gods wrath was poured on this Sun and hee had cryed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is finished