The one having a confusion of languages amongst them The other retaining as proper to them the first language of paradise called afterward the Hebrew from Heber in whose time the earth was divided and afterward amongst his multiplied posterity adhering only to Abrahams race And of the former of these there was a Church of God erected from the beginning which had Gods more special presence in the same land where paradise was Gen. 4. 16. Which Church seems from Matt. 19. 4 8. comp Gen. 6. 1 2. and 4. 19. and Mal. 2. 15. to have been then restrained both from polygamy and marrying with the unbelievers which matching with them afterwards was cursed with a gigantick and consequently tyrannous ofspring like that of Cain's the wicked generation Gen. 6. 4. -4. 23 24. and of which matching after the flood Abraham and the Patriachs had much abhorrence doubtless because the worship and fear of the true God was not among them See Gen. 20. 11. -24. 3. -27. 24. From which wicked Cain was excommunicated and banished whose murthering of his brother may be guessed by the way of Cain being joyned with the gainsaying of Core Jude 11. to hav been not only out of envy to him because his sacrifice was more accepted but out of emulation for his being some way or other more specially preferred in the ministration also of the divine worship and his race proved like him full of violence murders many wives c. Gen. 4. 23 24. -6. 11. see Gen. 4. 3 12 14 16. Amongst these sons of God Abel was the first recorded in the Heb. c. 11. declared there to be righteous or justifyed and accepted of God by faith and that faith was that God was a rewarder of all those that diligently seek him vers 6. which is a faith in Gods promises and a faith of things not seen vers 1. a faith therefore of promises not yet attained and indeed why else his blood cry after death vers 4. how else did he and the rest dy in faith vers 13. if not something hoped for after death viz. the restoring of that paradise which was lost see vers 16 26 39. and the restoring of life again to the innocent as well as future vengeance on the oppressor Righteous Abel slain by him that was born after the flesh that God might shew in the first Saint the lot of his Church here on earth Seth is given in his stead the Father of the holy race said to be begotten in Adams image as Adam was in the likeness of God Gen. 5. 1 2 3. which is not said of the former issue it may be with reference to restoring of man in Christ to the image in which God created Adam Col. 3. 10. Eph. 2. 10. And born after long expectation first as Abrahâ—…m's son of promise was Adam being 130 years old before he had this seed that was appointed by God instead of Abel Gen. 5. 3. -4. 25. After him Enos who comparing Gen. 4. 26. with 2 Pet. 2. 5. was the first more publick preacher of righteousness as Noah was the eighth The fifth after him Enoch a Prophet Jude 14. and after a singular manner pious who served God out of faith that he was a rewarder of the diligent seekers of him and accordingly received that reward in an anticipated translation that the times before the law might in him have a type of the advancement of the promised seed and an example of the promised reward to all beleevers thro him as those under the law had in Elias and those under the Gospel saw in the seed it self See Heb. 11. 5 6. The eighth preacher of righteousness was Noah And here in the tenth generation from Adam the world that then was was to be as this second also shall be for its wickedness destroyed but after first the preaching to them by Christ 1 Pet. 3. 19. i. e. by the spirit of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 11. the same Gospel which is preached to us viz. that as Christ was in the appointed time put to death in the flesh but quickned in the spirit so they might be judged and be put to death or become dead in the flesh according to the former will and lusts of men and be quickned in the spirit according to the will of God See 1 Pet. 4. 6. comp vers 1 2. and 1 Pet. 3. 18 19. 2 Pet. 8. 9. At which time the world after this preaching of the Gospel unto them and the long-suffering of God 1 Pet. 3. 20. for an 120 years Gen. 6. 3. still continuing disobedient and being to be destroyed by water the type of the end of it to come by fire we find the first express mention of a Covenant established with Noah and his seed Gen. 6. 18. where my not a seems to me to imply the continuation not the beginning of a Covenant in which God makes a promise to save him in this ark of the Covenant and to bless the earth unto him which was cursed for sin and then should have been destroyed Gen. 6. 13. Which also his Father at his birth prophecyed of him Gen. 5. 29. and to regive to him and his seed the dominion of the world which after the flood he gives him the possession of see Gen. 9. 1. c. And this promise we find made to Noah almost in the same terms that we nâ—…d not doubt of the same thing intended by it as it was afterward to Abraham that he also should be the heir of the world Rom. 14. 13. c. so also of Noah as of Abraham 't is said that he became heir of the righteousness which is by faith Heb. 11. 7. that is heir of the benefits thereof promised unto him And the promise was one and the same from the beginning first of the coming into the world of the promised seed which is already fulfilled and then of the restoring of man first in and then by the promised seed to the inheritance which he forfeited by Adams fall which inheritance was 1. a right both to the earth and the creatures therein which since Adams fall none have right to before God but only thro Christ. 2. And more specially to the heavenly country and city Heb. 11. 16. called also entring into Gods rest Heb. 4. 6. c. that yet to come vers 7 8 9. In the presignification of which rest to come the Sabbath was appointed from the beginning to be observed with rest c. see Heb. 4. 3 9 10. after the 6 daies labour of this world and after our deliverance from the persecutions of Egypt that is all whatever the Churches enemies For because both these are the same in the substance therefore was it instituted as a symbole of both see Exod. 31. 17. Gods work in the creation after which he is said to be refreshed being a type of his work in the redemption of the world and in the Elect from which also being perfected
Legislator being faithful as Moses Heb. 3. 2. but yet more to be observed being Master of the house wherein Moses was a servant v. 6. Therefore Moses when he should come referred them wholly to him Deut. 18. 15. And in this office of his first a new Legislator in some respects as to the law moral First to rectifie the understanding of the Law formerly either falsifyed or mutilated he expounding it in most things more fully and in some things also contrary to what had been said of old It hath been said of old so but I say unto you Matt. 5 6 7 chapters Jo. 1. 17 18. -3. 2. -4. 25. 2. Again to exact to this Law thus expounded by him a more true and inward and full obedience of all men that would be his Disciples then ever had been performed before by the strictest Sects of all the Law-zealots not to let a title of it pass away pass away heaven and earth first till all the Law be fulfilled Matt. 5. 17 18 19 20. 1 Cor. 7. 19. Gal. 2. 17. Jam. 2. 12. 3. To make to such observers of this Law more open and manifest promises of the Kingdome of Heaven Heb. 8. 6. and against the breakers of this Law heretofore winked at and suffered to walk in their own way c. to revele the wrath of God from Heaven as not the joyes of heaven so neither the paines of Hell before his coming having been so much talked of Rom. 1. 18. charging men every where to repent Act. 17. 30. because a day is appointed wherein he will judge the world v. 31. Tit. 2. 11 12 13. Therefore he came saith the Baptist with an axe on his shoulder with a fan in his hand to cut down the fruitless trees to purge Gods floor of the chaff and with a fire made ready to burn them both Matt. 3. 10. c. He was laid a stone for stumbling and the fall as well as the rising again of many in Israel Luk. 2. 34. That every soul that hears not this man who the last speaks from Heaven Heb. 12. 25. should be destroyed from among the people Act. 3. 23. Es. 6. 9 10 11. compare with Matt. 13. 14. Esai 61. 2. and that none should have any way to escape that turneth away from him He came for judgment that they who will not see might be made blind Jo. 9. 39. and the last ages knowing by him Gods will and not obeying it should be beaten as they are with more stripes Luk. 12. 48. and their sin remain for ever Jo. 9. 41. 4. He was sent not only the most perfect and exact Interpreter of the letter that Gods law and will might be fully known and an exactor of the observance of it in the strictest senses thereof upon the most grievous punishments to the disobedient which is all hitherto but a fuller ministration of condemnation and death But as of the exactest letter so he came the minister of the spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6. Jo. 1. 16 17. Gal. 3. 14. Phil. 4. 13. Eph. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Act. 3. 26. that by the power of this spirit the Law by them that beleived might be fulfilled See Rom. 8. 3 4 which was the ministration of the soul as it were of the law and of righteousness and life unto us 2 Cor. 3. 7 8. Gal. 2. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 compare with v. 17. and Rom. 8. 2. Jam. 2. 12. 1 Cor. 9. 21. Before the law was writ in the conscience only as the law of Nature for the Gentile Rom. 2. 14 15 or also more evidently in stone as the law of Moses for the Jew to bring forth knowledge of sin But by him it was written with the spirit in the heart to bring forth obedience to justification Jer. 32. 40. The other brought in the spirit of fear subjecting our inability to the curse of it but he gave the spirit of love out of this love procuring our observance of it 2. Tim. 1. 7. Rom. 8. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 3. Which love keeps it far more perfectly then fear would as shewing its zeal not only in Negatives of which is the letter i. e. in working no ill Rom. 13. 9 10. but also in the Affirmatives not exprest in the word of the the law i. e. in doing all good to all to the highest degree Therefore this love the greatest of all gifts 1 Cor. 13. is called Christs new commandment Jo. 13. 34. -15. 12. 1 Jo. 2. 8. 2 Jo. 5. had only from the beginning of the Gospel i. e. from Christ and belonging only to the sons thereof tho this Gospel hath had such sons from the beginning who are said 1 Thess. 4. 3. to be taught of God that is by his spirit 1 Jo. 4. 7 8. 16. as the spirit also the only Author of love and which is love was his new gift by which love he saith his disciples should be discerned from the disciples of the law Jo. 13. 35. By which ministration of the spirit and of â—…ove the proper fruit thereof by Christ we now so easily understand and do the things commanded by the law that the letter of the law is said to become as it were void and useless to us by the coming of the promised seed and the Schoolmastership thereof to be outdated by Christ not because we are now without law 1 Cor. 9. 21. but because we have it superabundantly written in our hearts by the spirit and the works thereof continually brought forth by love thro the efficacy of the last law-giver Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 1. 5 9. Gal. 5. 23. -3. 19. Rom. 8. 15. Therefore called the law of liberty Jam. 2. 12. This for the law moral which in some sense our Saviour is said to abrogate Gal. 3. 25. Col. 2. 14. that is according to the former use thereof namely as only giving knowledge of sin Rom. 3. 20. being a letter of condemnation and working wrath Rom. 4. 15. 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. and keeping us in slavery and bondage Rom. 8. 15. Tho this abrogation is done not by absolving us from any more observance of it but by enabling us to keep it and by making this observance now also voluntary But next for the law Ceremonial he was sent yet more properly to annual and cancel it and to appoint new Ceremonies at pleasure instead of it He being the substance and body Col. 2. 17. of which it was a type and shadow when that which is perfect was come the imperfect being to be done away He was sent therefore to reform or perfect the worship of God from those many exterior rites so strict and burthensome see Act. 15. 10. Heb. 13. 9. Col. 2. 14. to that of the spirit and of truth Jo. 4. 23. As also to reform many liberties and indulgences under the law see Matt. 5. 31 34. -19. 8. Therefore his times by the Apostle are called the times of Reformation
commemoration of him how much more in that above is it solemnized for us by himself our High Priest That as the bow was set in the Cloud that God looking upon it might remember his Covenant and forbear to bring a second deluge upon the earth Gen. 9. 16. and the blood of the Paschal Lamb was stricken on the door posts that the Lord seeing it there might pass over them with his plague So when he beholds these wounds given our Savior for our sin displaid before him he may forbear to revenge sin any more upon his Brethren And if Pilate shewing that our suffering Savior with an Ecce Homo thought the beholding such a pitiful and cruel spectacle was enough to have melted the hardhearted Jews his malicious enemies into some mercy and compassion so as to prosecute his death no further How much more will such a pale and wanner sight as was seen afterward upon the Cross of an only Son voluntarily undergoing all this for our sin move a pitiful and merciful father no further to prosecute the vengeance thereof upon his brethren upon his own members A second Action there is sprinkling of his blood upon and before the Mercy-Seat not 7 nor 77 times but continually and note that all blood-shed when it comes before the Lord hath a loud cry See the blood of the Saints Rev. 6. 10. And Abels Gen. 4. 10. And the Apostle compares the sprinkling of our Saviors blood for its speaking and crying unto the sprinkling of Abel's tho His cried not the same way for it pleaded for mercy as the other for vengeance For we receive a true attonement are sanctified are purifyed as many of us as serve the Lord by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus See 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 12. 24. -13. 12. Not that our Savior there really sprinkled his blood for us let none grossly imagine this for flesh and blood enter not into heaven 1 Cor. 15. but that he now by it poured out by him on the Cross in the heavenly Sanctuary procures all the effects obumbrated by the former sprinkling of the blood of the legal Sacrifices Therefore t is observed that the Apostle saith he entred by it not with it Heb. 9. 12 23. Who is therefore called for this Celestial ceremony before the propitiatory or throne of grace our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 propitiation 1 Jo. 2. 2. and our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 propitiatory Rom. 3. 25. Thus he sprinkled his blood to make attonement for and to sanctify us but as we read that the legal High Priest purified also the Sanctuary it self and reconciled the Holy place said to be defiled by being in the midst of the peoples uncleanness See Lev. 18. 25 28. the Apostle makes this also run parallel for our Savior Heb. 9. 23. by which as is signifyed the purifying of all the Creatures and particularly of all our imperfect holy services unto us so perhaps something more may yet be gathered from Col. 1. 16 20. -2. 10. Job 15. 15. -4. 18. -25. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 7 12. Rom. 8. 22. well considered for all Principalities and Thrones i. e. Angels were made by him at first and for him and by him they now consist and of them also he is the head and by him they are said to be reconciled thro him they are now confirm'd in grace and perhaps at the last day thro him shall be advanced in glory And perhaps the upper regions of the world may be said in some sense to be contaminated as the earth by mans or the faln Angels sin to which heavenly things also the vanity bondage groaning of the Creatures mentioned Rom. 8. may extend which also are said by Peter to be reserved and that they shall be dissolved and as it were purified by fire But abscondita Domino Deo nostro manifesta nobis 3. After this appearing there with this Sacrifice and sprinkling of his blood follows his Intercession also there for us Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. Esai 53. 12. -59. 16. another office of the Priest for the People whose making attonement was not without praier since this also is called making attonement Exod. 32. 30. and so where we translate making attonement the vulgar renders it praying for c. See Lev. 16. 7 34 17. Quando Pontifex sanctuarium ingreditur ut roget prose pro universo coetu Israel see Job 42. 8. Gen. 20. 7. which appears also by the continual practise of the Priests and Prophets praying foâ—… the people Jer. 7. 16. -27. 18. Ezra 10. 4. Joel 1. 13 14. -2. 17. 2 Chron. 30. 27. 1. And this first in presenting continually his own praiers to the Father for us in which respect he is called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Advocate with the Father as well as the Holy Ghost is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Advocate to the Father here on earth with or in us As the spirit is also stiled by his title of Intercessor here as he there Rom. 8. 26 27. and therefore what office in prayer when any one sins or suffers this Advocate doth here on earth residing with us 1 Jo. 5. 7 8. see Rom. 8. 26. the other Advocate doth the same in heaven residing with the Father and with the same unexpressible zeal The better to conceive which imagine Aaron Numb 16. 47. when wrath was gone out from the Lord standing with his Censer in his hand between the living and the dead and staying the plague or Moses that great type of him Deut. 18. 15. like unto me his pathetical intercessions and deprecations so many times for the sinning Israelites continuing 40 daies at a time with the Lord in supplication for them and for their Priest see Exod. 32. comp with Deut. 9. 18 20. Numb 14. 13. c. and proceeding even to wishing himself accuâ—…ed in their stead as also did St. Paul but our Savior only was he that really became also a curse for others and then be sure our High Priest now makes the same nay far greater as much more concerned in our safety being Master over the house in which Moses tho a faithful yet was but a servant The exact matter and manner of whose intercessions above tho it is not manifested unto us yet what esteem of it and confidence in it may we not have therefore our Mother the Church thinks fit to finish all her prayers in it if we consider first that infinite love wherewith he now loveth us How can it be silent Eph. 3. 19. from which neither things present nor things to come neither heights nor depths c. can ever separate us Rom. 8. 38 35. comp with 34. 2. The promises which he made in that last comforting Sermon immediately before his death and departure from hence the summ of which is to assure his Disciples and consequently all believers see Jo. 17. 20. of the great care he would take for them in heaven where also he particularly
We are all therefore one day to take holy orders to be made Priests and Kings or Priests Melchisedechical Indeed we are already Priests not only some of us in respect of the rest which I have mentioned before who officiate for them in the publick assemblies but even all the people of God in comparison of the rest of the world the Church being a chosen generation out of all the rest an holy Nation a Kingdom of Priests Gods peculiar treasure the Israel of God separated and sanctified for to serve him See Exod. 19. 5 6. Gal. 6. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. Rev. 1. 6. Every one of whom not only by the Priest in publique assemblies but by themselves also in their hearts may offer sacrifices immediately to God the Father acceptable thro Jesus Christ Heb. 7. 19. and hence are we also called not only Priests by whom but Temples also and that not our souls only but our bodies inhabited by Gods spirit as that Ancient one was by his Glory in whom such sacrifice is offered as our Saviors body also more eminently was stiled a Temple See Jo. 2. 21. 1 Cor. 3. 16. -6. 19. Eph. 2. 22. But this Temple is yet but in building as it were we being here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and hereafter more perfectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here Tabernacles hereafter Temples see Eph. 2. 21 22. But these we shall be made yet much more hereafter 1. After the day of judgment For then shall every place become a Sanctum Sanctorum and every one a Priest See Rev. 21. 22 23. where the new Jerusalem that after the final judgment Rev. 20. 12. comes down from heaven where perhaps as God expresseth elsewhere earthly by heavenly things so here heavenly by earthly hath no Temple at all in it For that which indeed makes a Temple whereever it resides the glory of God and of the Lamb being now spread all over it irradiating and illuminating it throughout in which respect there is said to be neither Sunshine nor Night there it is all of it nothing but a Temple vers 3. or God being the Temple vers 22. all over it See the same thing prophecyed Esai 4. 3 5. that every one should be â—…alled holy and every house and assembly in Sion have the same glory upon it cloud by day and fire by night that was on the Tabernacle And in this Sanctum Sanctorum Gods Servants shall see his face without a cloud of Incense betwixt and stand before his glory with his name Holiness unto the Lord in their foreheads Rev. 22. 4. and there they shall serve him vers 3. See Esai 61. 6. -66. 21. night and day in his Temple Rev. 7. 15. before the Throne of Glory in singing eternal glories and praises to him for there shall be no more confession where no sin nor praier where no more want not infirmity nor affliction the nations being healed by the tree of life Rev. 22. 2. no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any curse or excommunication of any Rev. 22. 3. there And secondly As then Priests and Servants to God the Creator so are they also Kings or Lords over the Creation sit down on thrones with Christ and Rev. 3. 21. and reign for ever and ever 22. 5. reign on the earth 5. 10. over the Nations 2. 26 27. Judge Angels Judge the 12 Tribes be rulers over Cities Luk. 19. 17. see Matt. 25. 21. -24. 47. Luk. 16. 10. which expressions so far as they have reference to Christs kingdom after the final day of judgment and not to that prosperous condition of the Church which is promised before it are metaphors expressing the unintelligible things of the next by the more acquainted things of this world which cannot be no more then those Ezek. 43. c. c. speaking of the same things litterally fulfilled 2. Priests also after Death before the great judgment day in the better part of us the soul the estate of which tho it was Gods pleasure that it should not be fully revealed to us yet we may not neglect to take notice of that which is so It seems plain then 1. That tho there is no formal judgment or sentence passed upon any man at the day of Death or final reward appointed or any convention or appearance of the soul before the eternal Judge for why then have not other spirits that are void of bodies as yet received that judgment see 1 Cor. 6. 3. And tho the soul as well as the body attain not as not extensively so neither intensively its full beatitude reward and crown nor vision and communication of God and glory nor a full satisfying of its desires Ps. 16. 15. or punishment pain and torment until the general day of judgment and retribution which is true not only of men 2 Pet. 2. 9. but devils more great and more Ancient offenders then men 〈◊〉 6. as may be gathered from both our Saviors and the Apostles frequent expressions commanding us to depend and cast our hope on the expectation of the coming of Christ in glory at the last day and deferring the receit of our salvation of the reward and of the crown of glory c. till that time See Luk. 14. 14. 2 Tim. 4. 8. -1. 12 16 18. 1 Pet. 1. 5 13. 2 Pet. 3. 11 12. Act. 3. 19 20 21. Luk. 21. 27 28. Phil. 2. 16. -3. 11. 1 Cor. 1. 7 8. -15. 19 32. 2 Cor. 5. 1. c. 2 Thess. 1. 6 7. Heb. 9. 27 29. Rev. 22. 7 12. Col. 3. 3. comp 4. 1 Jo. 3. 2. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Jo. 14. 3. By which it appears that there is a place not to be entered before Christs second coming prepared by his Ascension but before this were many souls in Paradise And this applied not only to the body but the spirit 1 Cor. 5. 5. From the petition and expectation of these souls Rev. 6. 9 10 11. From the just punishments of other spirits much worse and that stay for no bodies yet defer'd till that day See Jude 6. Matt. 8. 19. -25. 42. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Luk. 8. 31. comp Eph. 2. 2. Some at least it seems dwelling in the Air and not yet cast into the Abysse and likewise in this interval between death and judgment tho 't is most probable that some souls attain not so much bliss and glory and priviledg as some others See Rev. 20. 4. comp 5. -14. 4. Nor perhaps so much security I mean not in respect of damnation but in respect of that severe tryal which shall be at that dreadful day and of the measure of their salvation bliss and reward For since some sins shall come into judgment and scrutiny at that day which shall not amount to the condemnation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which our Savior expresseth hell here Matt. 5. 22. as frequently elsewhere See vers 29. Matt. 25. 33. see Matt. 5. 22. comp Matt. 12. 36. And since of those
he shall rest at the day of judgment which city these holy men also looked after Heb. 11. 10 13 39. comp with Heb. 8. 2. -9. 11. And we also yet expect till the second coming of our Saviour Of which promise that of the earth was a type to Noah as that of Canaan to Abraham Which promise is already made good to the seed and shall be by him to Noah and to Abraham and to all those who are of the Covenant and of faith who shall be blessed with faithful Abraham Gal. 3. 9. thro the seed of Abraham to whom the promise is in the first place made Gal. 3. 16. being heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. and in whom the Covenant is conformed to Abraham and the rest Gal. 3. 17. to be fulfilled in its due time As they were looking at the promise of the seed to come afar off and not made perfect in that without us who have already seen it fulfilled so we also yet looking afar off at the promise of our inheritance by the seed yet to come and neither they nor we made perfect in this till the end come When the wicked shall be finally destroyed and the righteous delivered and saved of which eternal salvation the preserving of Noah and his family in the general deluge was an eminent type see 2 Pet. 2. 5. comp with 9. as also the saving of Lot and his family in the second fiery judgment of Sodom and the saving of the Israelites i. e. the Church of God Act. 7. 38. in the tâ—…ird great day of judgment in the slaying the first-born and drowning of the Egyptians Of which Israelites afterward not believing only two in the consuming of all the rest in the wilderness entred Canaan Where the saving also so few in comparison of the world that perished because men loved evil more then righteousness is a type of the paucity of the saved at the last day See Rom. 9. 27. And the manner of Noah's being saved was also a type His being saved by or upon the water was a figure of Baptism by which we are now saved 1 Pet. 3. 21. as also was the passing of the Israelites to their preservation thro the Red sea 1 Cor. 10. 2. And if we may say the same of the Rainbow the seal of the Covenant with Noah as of the cloud that conducted the Israelites this also was the figure of Baptism 1 Cor. 10. 2. which is the seal now current of the Covenant of grace And if they had then the seals they had also the Covenant to which they belonged Now for the other Sacrament of the Eucharist the Eucharistical sacrifices which were from the beginning of the flesh of which the offerers did partake were ever the types thereof Nor may I pass over in shewing the Gospel of Noah the Covenant then that was made not only with Noah but also the Creatures Gen. 9. 10 12. which as they the earth c. were cursed for sinning Adams sake Gen. 3. 17. -4. 12. Rom. 8. 20. and with man were to be destroyed Gen. 6. 7 12 13. so in the Covenant of grace by the promised seed they also shall be freed from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8. 20 21. c. of which their deliverance with Noah was a preludium Gen. 5. 29. After Noah Shem for his filial Duty Gen. 9. 24. was the heir of the Covenant of grace and Father of the holy seed imagined by some to be Melchisedeck but the Father of Heber and the Hebrew 's he was Gen. 10. 21. and as God vouchâ—…afed afterwards to be called the God of Abraham so before him he was called the God of Shem Gen. 9. 26. And then also Noah prophecyed of the posterity of Japhet the Gentiles their being united also to the Church descended from Shem which prediction was fulfilled upon the coming of the promised seed Gen. 9. 26 27. And 't is noted as of Noah that he lived to see the 9th generation even till the 58th year of Abraham so of Shem and Salah and Heber that they all outliv'd Abraham which long life of these holy men was surely a great advantage for catechizing their children in the true service of God Yet many of Shem's race in time fell away to idolatry See Josh. 24. 2 14 15. Gen. 3. 53. And therefore God 17 years after Noahs death and 367 years after the flood called Abraham out of the house and country of his idolatrous Fathers and opens the same way of salvation i. e. the Gospel more clearly yet to him therefore he called the Father of the faithful God promising him that he should be heir of the world Rom. 4. 13. that is in his seed and that seed Christ Gal. 3. 16 17. Christ the promise that was made both to him and to all the Fathers See Act. 13. 32 33. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Heb. 11. 13. comp 39. And they possest of their inheritance first in his resurrection Act. 13. 33. and not only that he Rom. 4. 23 24. but that in all Nations those who were the children of the faith of Abraham Rom. 4. 16. Luk. 〈◊〉 9. should be coheirs of the promise made to Abraham And this the Apostle calls the Gospel that was preached to Abraham Gal. 3. 8. and the Covenant made with him in Christ vers 17. Luk. 1. 72. comp 68. And the adoption Rom. 9. 4. From which commonwealth of Abraham or Israel the Gentiles being aliens and having no title to the Fathers Rom. 9. 5. are there said to have been formerly in the times of the old Testament without Christ strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope c. Eph. 2. 12. Of which covenant of Grace and the Gospel and not of that of works for at the giving of the law there was no such ceremony required or practised Josh. 5. 2 7. tho mistaken perhaps to be so by the children of works see Rom. 9. 32. Gal. 5. 3. or at least it being a part of the antiquated ceremonies the same reason that they conceived bound them to the observing of it binding them to the observance also of all the rest was circumcision then a seal See Rom. 4. 11 13. Act. 2. 38 39. and the Antitype of our baptism God beginning now more ceremoniously and solemnly to own his Church setting a corporeal mark upon it whereby his people might be more signally separated and distinguished from the rest of men as afterward they multiplying into a nation in Moses's time he distinguished them by peculiar laws Fourteen generations after Abraham was the Gospel yet more evidently preached to David that his seed his son should rule over all the whole world c. which seed promised to David also was Christ see Act. 13. 23. and this covenant again established with him See Ps. 89. 3. â—… Chron. 17. 11. Act. 13. 23 24. and Ps. 72. and 89. The
subject of whose songs is almost nothing else but Christ as we see from the expositions of them in the new Testament And because the promises were made more fully to Abraham and to David therefore hath our Saviour more chiefly the title of the seed of Abraham and of the Son of David then of others See Matt. 1. 1. And David was followed by the goodly fellowship of the Prophets whose light shined brighter and brighter 2 Pet. 1. 19. in those former darker ages so that some of them are called rather Evangelists then Prophets till the open day of the Gospel at last ascended upon the Earth in its full lustre and perfection And let this be observed to the glory of the mercies of God everlasting certain never-failing neither by Satans polices nor by mens sin how at a certain distance of time God alway mindful of his covenant with his elect For though God is no accepter of persons Act. 10. 34. Gal. 2. 6. for any external considerations of nation c. nor internal of properties and parts for the reason why any have these better then others is purely because he gave them yet he is an admitter or receiver of one mans person not anothers of one nation not another they being in all things equal or mostwhat he whom he receives some way inferior to gratuital favors for his own to us unknown pleasure no way grounded upon any thing in the person He preaccepteth none in point of justice so as to do wrong to any or deny to any their merit and due tho due only upon his promise by which he hath tyed himself to reward industry and our right use of his former gifts Matt. 25. 29. see Matt. 20. 13 14 15. But in point of liberality he doth so as to do more good to some then others without any cause at all that is in the person Rom. 9. 11. -3. 3. -11. 29. Esai 41. 2 4. Nor is this said as if he did not ordinarily give more with respect to some former gifts of his either those of nature or those of grace those acquisit by mans industry or infused by Gods mercy that are in such or such a person see Matt. 25. 15 29. but that he hath not tyed himself to give only where are former gifts and many times doth otherwise out of respect of the superabundance and overflowings of his mercies and of his Church upon earth which his everlasting purpose had determined notwithstanding mens frequent Apostacies to maintain from the beginning to the end of the world Rom. 3. 3 4. -11. 29 36. even then when he had most reason of all to desert it after it had begun to decline to idolatry Atheism c. sent new preachers of this Covenant and renewed the true Religion by them And how not in the best of times for a reward of obedience but in the worst ever out of a necessity of repair not in the growth but the decadency of former piety his eternal pitty still visited the world with new light and new Ambassadors Some 600 years after the Creation the world then full of ungodly sinners both in words and deeds Jude 14. Enoch was sent a Prophet who walked with God and in whom was shewed to the world the reward of righteousness and who denounced the last judgment day against the then wicked Again at a certain distance from Enoch before the flood when now not only the rest of the world but also the holy race was corrupt with oppression and violence from Gigantick people Gen 4. 23 24. and illegal conjunctions upon multiplication of women Gen. 6. 2. comp 1 4 â—…3 Mal. 2. 15. God sent Noah who walked also with God and was a Preacher of righteousness 367 years after the flood Idolatry also now growing rife and Shems holy race fallen away into it Josh. 24. 2 14. Gen. 31. 30 53. God called Abraham who commanded his children to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. c. 430 years after this Gal. 3. 17. when the children of Israel were full of the Idols whoredoms and abominations of Egypt sacrificing unto Devils c. see Josh. 24. 14. -5. 9. Lev. 17. 7. Ezek. 20. 7 8 9 14. -23. 3. The reason why they were so prone to it at Sinai and upon every occasion so ready to start from the Lord God sent Moses but not for any merit of theirs at all therefore are they every where so frequently told of it See Deut. 9. 4 5 6. c. Not for thy righteousness nor for the uprightness of thine heart for thou wert c. but to perform the word which the Lord sware And Ezek. 20. and Ezek. 36. 21 22 31 32. where God saith when they would not cast away their abominations c. that he nevertheless wrought for his name sake and caused them to go forth c. see vers 8 9 10 14. c. see the like story Psal. 106. 8 43 45. comp with the rest of the Psalm Ps. 78. 38. comp 36. the reason of his compassion not their goodness but their mortality vers 39. 65. Jer. 30. 8. c. comp 15. -31. 19. Nor were their children he carried into Canaan better then their fathers Ezek. 20. 21. for which consider that strange passage Amos 5. 26 of which the modesty of Moses hath said nothing in the story the secret carrying along with them besides the Lords the effigies and Tabernacle which they made to themselves of Molech and Chiun c. But yet for his name sake c. vers 22. And see vers 37 40 41. How God promiseth after the expiring of his punishments and weariness of asflicting very frequent in the Prophets before any at least acceptable repentance of theirs a restorement of them to all his mercies and blessings upon which restorement saith he ye shall remember your waies and loath your selves when I have wrought with you for my names sake not according to your wicked waies vers 43 44. see Ezek. 16. 59. c. Not as if he did not require our repentance for to obtain the return of his favours especially to challenge or expect it which is so effectual to hasten his mercies and cut off the remains of justice See Lev. 25. 39. Ezek. 6. 8 9. But if this be not Mans impenitence or unbelief shall not frustrate for ever Gods faith promise glory Rom. 3. 3. But he will create new hearts in us rather and we shall repent after his mercies at least when not before and St. Paul shall cry out O the depth Who hath first given unto him Rom. 1l 35. For he who hath tyed himself upon repentance to shew mercy hath not tyed himself not to shew it but only upon repentance And indeed Gods judgments many times particularly war making men worse and his punishments by our desperate malignity increasing sin whence could any reformation begin but from himself who is forced at last when our sin contends in
by which his 2 Effected by him §. 15. The Eucharist iucorporating us into his life The Sacrament of Union §. 16. All tâ—…ese Benefits depend on our being made his 〈◊〉 §. 17. Which we are by the derivation to us of his nature â—… His Spirit §. 18. Given to us upon Faith and Repentance §. 19 Our new birth at our Baptism Not 〈◊〉 perfected §. 20. By this spirit the image of Christ first formed in the soul. It s mighty working in the soul oâ—… the like graces to those in Christ. His 〈◊〉 in the soul not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this life Umbra in lege Imago in Evangelio veritas in coelo S. Ambros. §. 21. 2 Shall be also in the body hereafter Wâ—…en we shaâ—…l more propâ—…y be the 〈◊〉 of God It s mighty working in the body of the like glory to that in Christ. §. 21. Before the resurrection as we so our Head not compleat §. 22. The diverse relations of Christ to us as second Adam Father Children Husband Wife Root Branches Foundation building Elder younger brethren Configuration as wrought by â—…im so to be advanced likewise by us §. 1. The Holy God not admitting to his service the approach of sinners But of some chosen and consecrated persons in their behalf Some ministring at a greater distance tâ—…e Levite Some nearer The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 line only §. 2. And nearer yet the High Priest His Office §. g. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Priesi 〈◊〉 imperfect decaying and except typically 〈◊〉 §. 4 This Order Expired Jesus Christ the true High Priest 〈◊〉 li 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nature 2 In the 〈◊〉 thereof Called to this office and anointed by God Of the order of Melchisedeck i. e. Regal and Eternal §. 5. This Holy Priest offering the sacrifice a sin-offering §. 6. After this entring into the Sâ—…nctum Sanctorum Without which his office had been imperfect and ineffectual §. 7. He entring thro the heavens to the true sanctuary The vail of the other being now rent and it made common 1 The description of this Sanctuary §. 8. 2 Of his person entring §. 9 〈◊〉 in the sacrifice And sprinkling the blood before the Lord. §. 10. Making Intercession 1 In presenting his own prayers to the Father for us §. 11. 2 In presenting also our praiers and oblations to the Father The sacrifices and oblations of Christians §. 12. §. 13. 3 In procuring our admission to deliver them our selves unto the 〈◊〉 §. 14. The benefits of his intercession Procuring us the Holy Spirit from the Father And all blessings spiritual and temporal Himseâ—…f imâ—… conâ—… them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 §. 15. As High Priest intercessor answering to Aaron So by his royal Priesthood Captain of Gods people answering to Moses 2 To Joshua And the forerunner into the place of rest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 §. 16. The substitutes of this Priest in his own necessary absence here on earth 1 To present his sacrifice 2 To make intercession for the people §. 17. This honor of Priesthood from Him to be communicated to all his Brethren In some sort alâ—… they officiating in it here on earth But shall more compleatly after tâ—…e day of judgment Being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 as He. And serving God for â—…ver 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Temple 2 Priests also in some sense in the soul after Death §. 18 A glympse of the after-death condition of the souls of the Blessed §. 19 This High Priests at the last day return out of the Sanctuary and reappearance to the people §. 1. Before our Saviors incarnation God the 〈◊〉 by him created sustained governed the whole world And more specialâ—…y the Church §. 2. Our Saviors descent from his eternal throne for mans sake §. 3 A kingdom promisâ—…d to man at â—…first §. 4. Our Savior became man and by obedience and sufferings gained it And so by him all Adams postevity that follow him §. 5. The power and extent of Christs kingdom â—… Over Angels Good Eâ—… 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 Souls â—…odies 4 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 5 Sins to remit to retain them 6Over living over dead The last Judge 1 Of men brought back to life 2 And also Angels The good and the bad â—…ter of 〈◊〉 and â—…ments 7 〈◊〉 all the Creaâ—…ures A new world to be made by Him As men have seen some pieces of it by him repaired §. 6. The manner of exercising this his Regal powâ—…r §. 7. Which is by certain degrees advancing §. 8. 1 In respect of subduing his Enemies 1 Antichrist 2 Satan 3 Death 2 In respect of enlarging his dominion 1 To the Jew in part 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 To the Jew Apostatized §. 9. At last perâ—… 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 § 10. The three Ascents of his throne §. 11. The whole work 〈◊〉 all his members câ—…mpleated â—…mies conquered resigning up his ingdom to the Father §. 12. §. 1. The Old world had not only the types but the benefits of the promises Had the presence and conduct of the sâ—…n of God â—…nd the presence and assistance of the Holy Spirit §. 2. The Government of the old world by the Son §. 3 All judgments and vengeance §. 4. Executed by the second person of the Trinity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 §. 5. Of an 〈◊〉 having 〈◊〉 Attributes §. 6. Some old Testament apparitions must be granted to be of the second person From these granted others in reason cannot be denyed As those to Abraham To Noah To Jacob c. That to Moses on Mount Sinai on the 〈◊〉 In the Wilderness In the Temple c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 §. 7. The descent of the Hoâ—…y Ghost under the old Testament Some sprinklings then of all its gifts It s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in some 〈◊〉 men And specially on the sons of the Prophets § 8. The 2 Covenants from the tâ—…e Two generations alwaies One of works the other of faith §. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seth the first Father of the Holy Race Enos Enoch 〈◊〉 §. 9. Of tâ—…e covenant of Grace made or rather renewed with him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 type of Baâ—… Of the Eucharist §. 11. Shem The Lord called the God of Shem. §. 11. Abraham Of the Covenant of Grace renewed with and the Gospel preached to him And of the Sacraments belonging to it David The same Covenanâ—… renewed to him The Prophets Of Gods frequent renewing of the covenant of grace to his people by them §. 12 And by extraordinary Teachers constantly reforming the Church at certain times when much declining 〈◊〉 his true worship and least deserving it As by Enoch Noah Abraham § 13. Moses Samuel and David Zerubbabel and Joshuah His own Son §. 14 God for â—…ver preservinâ—… the 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 to its 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 own 〈◊〉 purpose and pleâ—…sure §. 15. The eminent promulgatioâ—… of the Covenant of Grace 430 â—…ears seniour to that of the law The Gospel preached to the same people when the law was The law to the children of faith coâ—…sistent with subservient to and no way annâ—…lled by the Covenant of Grace or the Gospel §. 16. Tho to the children of works a killing letter Yet 〈◊〉 to drive them made sensible of their inability forward into tâ—…e Covenant of Grace §. 17. The two ministrations of the law by Moses and the spirit by Christ how and how not opposed The Ancients had a waies the same way of salvation as the latter times §. 18. §. 19. The same justification and sanctification The same obedience tâ—…en required and performed §. 20. The Parallel precepts under tâ—…e law to those under the Gospel §. 21. The same sufferings and mortifications c. required and undergone Consider the old Testament mortifications Temporal afflictions of the godly Of single persons godâ—…y Of nations godly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Under the new Testament temporal prosperity in some sense to the godly § 22. 3 The same rewards eternal then promised Punishments eternal threatned The common belief of all nations concerning these Of the Ancient 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a resurrection of the body The scriptures of the old Testament Concerning a resurrection Concerning eternal bliss after it of the faithful Eternal punishment of the wicked Paena damni Paena sâ—…nsus §. 2â—… Conclusioâ—…