for thy righteousness for thou art a stiff-necked people it was not because of the greatness of thy Nation or the multitude of thy people The Lord did not set his love upon and chuse you because you were more in number then any people for ye were the fewest of all people but because the Lord loved you c. It was a pure act of grace and work of Gods free love towards Israel and therefore the Apostle as one transported with admiration of that which he could not comprehend breaketh out into this exclamation O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out 2. Let us magnifie the goodness of God towards the Nations of the world in these latter days that he hath sent his only begotten Son into the world manifested in the flesh to break down the partition-wall that was between Iew and Gentile that as now that difference between several sorts of beasts c. is taken away so that they are not opposed to each other as legally clean and unclean as they were under the Law of Ceremonies so the difference between Israel and other Nations is now also abolished and it is as free for an people as for the posterity of Abraham to partake of the Covenant of grace in Church-priviledges both was declared to Peter by a vision and a voice from Heaven for Cornelius an Heathen Captain being directed by an Angel to send for Peter the Lord prepared this Apostle for the journey by casting him into a trance and causing him to see Heaven opened and a certain vessel descending unto him as it had been a great sheet wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and wild-beasts and creeping things and Fowls of the Air and there came a voice to him Rise Peter kill and eat but Peter said not so Lord for I have never eaten any thing common or unclean And the voice spake unto him again the second timeâ— what God hath cleansed that call not thou common Now when Peter came to Cornelius and his company He said unto them ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Iew to keep company or come unto one of another Nation but God hath shewed me that I should not call any common or unclean The Lord spake of beasts c. Peter rightly applyeth it to men so that the Lord Christ took away the difference of clean and unclean that was under the Ceremonial Law both between men of several Nations and between other Creatures How should we in particular stir up our selves to be thankful to the Lord that he hath reserved us for these times wherein it is as free for us descended from Heathen Ancestors to partake of the Priviledges of God his Covenant as for the people of Israel yea when the Israelites being natural branches are cut off through unbelief we may be grafted in by faith Let us take heed then least our unbelief impenitency security deprive us of this blessed priviledge for though none now are unclean in respect of the Nation whereof they are more then others yet all are unclean in the sight of God who remain dead in trespasses and sins out of Christ whose Natures are not renewed and cleansed from their filthiness 3. Observe with thankfulness the liberal use of the Creatures which God hath given to his people now under the new Testament through Christ above that which he allowed the people of Israel under the old Testament for now every Creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving Nothing that is wholesome for mans body is to be refused as unlawful and so the same Apostle saith All things are lawful for me viz. all sorts of meats for of such things he speaketh in that place and therefore whereas blood in particular was forbidden under the old Testament it is now lawful But it hath been objected that blood was forbidden upon a moral reason taken from the Nature of the the thing forbidden because the blood is called the life of the Creature For answer I conceive this is no moral reason but a natural reason implying a mystery scil to shew that men should abhor cruelty and bloodshed and so I suppose if we did throughly understand the Natures of all the Creatures which the Israelites were forbidden to eat there might be some natural reason given for it comprehending the Mystery Again it seemeth there was also a farther Mystery in the prohibition of blood for eating of blood and fat are both forbidden together scil such fat as used to be sacrificed because the blood and fat were both in a peculiar manner to be offered unto God The blood poured forth signified the taking away the guilt of sin by the death of Christ and shedding of his blood The burning of the fat it seemeth signified the mortification of sin by the spirit of Christ and so they might be forbidden both the eating the blood and fat to teach all not to take to themselves the honour either of their justification or of their sanctification but to ascribe it wholly unto Christ. But it may be said that blood was forbidden after Christ his death and resurrection by the Apostles and Elders in the Synod of Ierusalem I Answer It was but a temporary decree imposed upon the believing Gentiles that they might not give offence to weak believers among the Iews who were not yet clearly satisfied about the abolishing of legal Ceremonies and the extent of that Christian liberty which Christ had given them Secondly An other Ceremonial observance was the keeping of their solemn festivals 1. In general These feasts may intimate unto Christians that gound and matter of joy which true believers have through Christ and accordingly that duty of holy rejoycing in Christ which they are called unto so the Angels said unto the Shepherds Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And the Apostle saith We are the Circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Iesus This is that spiritual feast which the Lord promised In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things a feast of wines on the lees of fat things full of marrow of wines on the lees well refined 2. In special there were three solemne feasts which they were commanded to observe every year 1. The Feast of unleavened bread which was annexed to the Passeover of this somewhat hath been formerly spoken 2. The feast of Harvest which was called the feast of weeks it seemeth because it was as it were a week of weeks after that other feast of
divisions occasioned by Preaching old forgotten truths but the fault in those that will not endure such doctrines Satans malice and some mens weakness So the inundation of Popish Superstitions broke in How much we should resent these things their danger Toleration of them discussed in the Objections for Errours answered Chap. III. Objections against truth many times are double falshoods this riseth from Ignorance Credulity malice and want of Arguments to confirm errours No strange or new thing that men erre and are slanderous Protestant Ministers are no promoters of Antichrist but his great Adversaries lessening them greatens Antichrists interest Seducing Sectaries expedite Antichrists affairs Satan hath still hindered reformation by such ways Chap. IV. A Threefold Law first given to the Gentiles with the Iews the other given only to the Iew. Law of nature and its use The Ceremonial cannot justifie nor the Moral yet neither made void by Faith Faith confirms the Ceremonial Law what this is 't is of God how long to last abus'd or not understood by many of the Iews who precisely observed Ceremonial cleanness palpably neglecting moral purity In what sense doctrine of Faith doth not abolish the Ceremonial Law The dispute between Iews and Samaritans and whence it arose when and how long continued Divine worship in spirit and truth not limited to any place Law Ceremonial a School-master to bring us to Christ full of deep mysteries and spiritual realities cleared by the Gospel These unfolded in explication of Circumcision seal of that promise I will be their God which contains all grace and comfort is made good to us in Christ the Covenant sealed by Circumcision the same that is sealed by Baptisme Passeover what its occasion the circumstances of it its meaning in each particular applied to Christ. Actual faith in Christ delivers from Curse of the Law should excite to thanfulness holiness exercise faith preparedness for our duties godly sorrow Feast of first Fruits when enjoyned excite to endeavour a rising to newness of life Chap. V. Few Creatures appointed for Sacrifices three sorts of Beasts two of Fowls all meek resembling Christ as we should Korban whence derived how apply'd to Christ through whom we are made nigh to God Burnt offering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It s import to us the rites in offering it blindness of the Iews and to be pittied deep slaine of sin it is deadly to the sinner or his surety Christs Bloud precious shed that we should not live in sin The continual burnt-offering Christians should offer morning and evening as most likely the Iews did pray and praise God in their Houses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 its signification Imputation of sin to Christ speaks Gods love of Compassion to sinners sin base and shameful The blood of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sprinkled before the Lord on the Golden Altar the meaning hereof It s inward fat burned what meant some other rites in the offering it and their import 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what it was noted Christ and how a sufficient sacrifice therefore fit to be trusted in How the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noteth the Christians sacrifice and apply'd Oyle used in the meat offering its purport with other rites of it explained Salt with all Sacrifices and its meaning The Covenant of Salt The drink offering wherein it consisted The Peace offering what and on what occasion meaneth whole Christian duty in general to be offered to God through Christ. Peace-offering might be male or female part of it to be burnt part for the Priest part for the offerer hence our Communion with God inferr'd How Sacrificers are partakers of the Altar Priests under the Law were sacred persons especially the High-Priest type of Christ whose is an eternal Priesthood The Garments of the High-Priest and their meaning viz. the holiness beauty and glory of Christ in general A more particular view of each part of the Garments their import and our instruction Ordinary Priests were in a sort types of Christians who are to be spiritual Priests and Sacrifices Ministers of the Gospel no where called Priests in the New Testament Tabernacle and Temple agreed in some differed in other particulars how each signified Christ to dwell with us in much humility and love we ought therefore to unite our selves to him estrange our selves from sin scandalous sins should not be cause of gladness in any who observe them in others Temple and Tabernacle signify'd each be liever Sin defiles the whole man the heart first the outward man next sin begins in the heart Altar made of Shittim wood the meaning covered with brass its purport the Godheadpreserving the humane nature under its sufferings Where the Altar was placed its meaning The Altar of incense its meaning The Ark what in it and their Import The mercy seat the Cherubims looking down towards the Ark. The fire used in Sacrifices its meaning Christs love to us undergoing such sufferings for us requireth love from us to him This fire came from Heaven never was to go out such should Christian zeal be Chap. VI. Sacred observances as restraint from unclean beasts so not in their own nature the meaning equalleth all mankind in their Original Gods Soveraignty in chusing Israel incomprehensible His infinite goodness calling the Gentiles who should be thankful and take heed of unbelief and all sin Our liberty to use all wholesome food Blood whether now forbidden Probably a Natural though secret reason why so many Creatures were forbidden to Israel Prohibition of eating blood Acts 15. explained Festivals Religious among the Iews noted our Christian joy What feasts these were At the time of the feast of Harvest Christ sent down the Spirit on his Apostles who were to gather in the Harvest of the Gentiles Feast of ingathering about our September the meaning of it well applyed in three or four particulars The feast of Trumpets the type of Preaching the Gospel and calling to faith and repentance who are deaf to this shall be astonied at the last Trumpets sound The various washings in use among the Iews well unfolded shew Christ the accomplishment of them and our Christian duty of dayly purging our selves in the fountain of his blood Chap. VII St. Pauls design to deliver to us the doctrine of justification by grace This clear'd by reducing all men under an examen The Gentile examined and cast by Law of nature transgressed The Iew examined and cast by the written Law moral transgressed There is a Law of nature this not nulled by Faith What this Law is in the particular description of it T is engraven on the heart given by Christ yet different from that he gives Believers who follow him It was a perfect rule before the fall it is yet of great use though much impaired The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he was to be served and worshipped that he created all being himself eternal and omnipotent wise and good This Law declared what is good and what evil in some
covered and ye may have holy boldness and confidence before the Lord. What a blessed priviledge hath the soul which can say with the Apostle I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me How happy shalt thou be if finding thy self in Christ and finding Christ dwelling in thine heart thou canst assure thy self that thou art washed in his bloud from all thy sins that he hath crossed all thy sins out of the Debt Book of Gods justice that he is thine Advocate with the Father and the propitiation for thy sins pleading thy cause at the right hand of God and bearing thy name among the rest of the Israel of God upon his breast-plate for a memorial continually Bend thy care and endeavour to the uttermost toward this one thing necessary to make sure of Christ and his most perfect Righteousness 5. Renounce all trust abhor any degree of confidence in thine own Graces duties services Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ watch alwayes fear alwaies bring forth much fruit labour to do holy duties in sincerity with servency of spirit strive after perfection more more that thou maist fill thy mouth with arguments abundance of evidence that thou art truly united unto Christ by a lively principle of faith unfeigned and so justified by his Righteousness but do not entertain the least thought that way as if all that thou hast done or canst do should make the least satisfaction to the justice of God for any of thy sins or any way help toward thy justification In a word Take heed of splitting thy soul against either of these two Rocks either on the one side deceiving thy self with a dead faith without holiness and fruits of faith and so thinking thy sins to be pardoned and thy person justified when it is nothing so Or on the other side resting with any confidence upon any graces or duties Labour after these and look upon them as evidences of the soundness of thy faith but lean not upon them as grounds to support thy faith So much for the Negative Let us now consider the Affirmative whereby it may appear how and in what regard the moral Law is declared to be established by the doctrine of Faith I conceive the Law is established in five respects First By that full obedience performed to the Law by the Lord Iesus Christ. Secondly By that full satisfaction which he made to the Law in bearing the penalty of it Thirdly In the imputation of his perfect Righteousness to Believers Fourthly In that he establisheth the Law as a Rule of obedience for his people Fifthly In that he conformeth his people to the Law and these may be so many branches of the general point and therefore so many special points of doctrine 1. Then observe this point That the Lord Iesus Christ did establish the Law by fulfilling it or He did perform full and perfect obedience to the Law and so establish the Law Wherein you may note two particulars First That Christ did fulfill the Law Secondly That in fulfilling it he did establish it 1. Of the former So he said Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill I conceive this speech was delivered soon after the Lord Christ began publickly to preach and this was seasonable to prevent or remove dangerous prejudices or mistakes For besides that general expectation of the Messias about that time the Scepter being departed from Iudah and they being subject to a Forreign yoak there were many extraordinary things which happened at the Birth of Christ Then the Testimony which Iohn Baptist gave him the Heavens opening the holy Ghost descending upon him in the visible form of a Dove God the Father by an audible voice from Heaven proclaiming this is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased His fasting forty days and forty nights when he was led of the spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Divel His wonderful diligence in preaching in divers places His glorious miracles in healing all manner of sickness and diseases especially in delivering those that were possessed with Divels The great multitudes of people following him from Galilee Decapolis Hierusalem Iudea and from beyond Iordan in somuch that his fame was spread abroad suddenly beyond the borders of the Land of Israel throughout all Syria These and the like things might well raise the peoples expectation and give them occasion to look for some notable change to be wrought by him and as men are lead by divers principles are upon such occasions apt to fancy some one thing some another so it is likely the most did expect that he should set up an earthly Kingdom some might think that he would take away the Law which God delivered to their Fathers by Moses and the doctrine of the Prophets and hereupon some might seek advantage to disparage his person and his doctrine others might hope that he would open a door for carnal liberty as in our dayes upon occasion of far lesser changes some have embraced strange fancies as if the time were come to cast off those ordinances which Christ hath appointed to be used until the end of the world as if an universal liberty must be granted to all corrupt opinions Heresies Blasphemies under colour of favouring tender Consciences Now the Lord to remedy these things telleth plainly that He came not to destroy but fulfill the Law and the Prophets 1. He fulfilled the Ceremonial Law by exhibiting the substance of those Types and accomplishing those things which were signified and represented by them 2. He fulfilled the Prophets verifying their prophesies teaching doing and suffering that which they foretold 3. He fulfilled the Moral Law 1. Doctrinally rejecting the â—orrupt interpretations then received and giving the true and full sense of the Law 2. He fulfilled the Law practically by performing full and perfect obedience to the Law which is the thing in hand So he said before It becometh us to fulfill all Righteousness God sent forth his Son made of a woman under the Law He was made under the Law by his own voluntary act taking upon him the Nature of man and the office of a Mediatour between God and men though as God he was the Lawgiver and therefore having put himself into this estate he was bound to obey the Law fully in every particular and could not have failed in one jot or tittle without being guilty of sin and therefore all those Texts which declare his perfect Righteousness being compared with this do prove that he performed perfect obedience to the Law So where Stephen calleth him the just one and Paul saith He knew no sin scil no sin either original or
godly sorrow Zach. 10. 12. Ult. Improved as a pledge of our Redemption Lev. 23. 5. 6 c. 10 11. 1 Cor. 15. 20. Of the second Sacrifices and their meaning What kind of Beasts and used in Sacrices Clean and Meek Mat. 11. 29. Act. 8. 32. Phil. 1. 2 6 7 8. None that are unclean or cruel used Rev. 5. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2. 13. Sect. 1. Special consideration of burntofferings Lev. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the meaning of it 1. in its ascension 2. The offerer laid his hand on the head thereof ver 4. 3. The Bullock to be killed and the blood poured out Isa. 53. 7 8 9 10 12. Dan. 9. 26. Vse 1. Heb. 9. 22. Vse 2. Heb. 10. 4. Vse 3. Act. 20. 28. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Vse 4. Rom. 12. 1. Numb 28. 3. 2 King 3. 20. Dan. 9. 21. Sect. 2. Sin offering considered opened and applied †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lev. 4. 3. It s name 2 Cor. 5. 21. Vse 1. Condescension of Christ. 2. Baseness of sin 3. Humiliation of our selves 2 Sam. 24. 12 Job 42. 6. 2. The manner of sprinkling the blood of it Lev. 4. 6. Seven times before the Lord or before the Vail Heb. 10. 19 20 21 22. 3. Sprinkled on the horns of the Altar Lev. 4. 7. its meaning 4. Fat of c. Sin-offering to be burnt It s meaning Lev. 4. 8 9 10 Isa. 6. 10. Isa. 4. 3 4. 5. The sin-offering carried out of the Camp and its meaning Lev. 4. 11 12. without the City after they are setled Heb. 13. 11 12. Joh. 19. 17. Vse 1. Vse 2. Heb. 13. 13. ver 14. Heb. 4. 1. Heb. 13. 19. Sect. 3. Meat-offerings considered Their name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lev. 2. 1. Of what matter fine flower Of the signification Heb. 10. 5 6 7. Signification Isa. 66. 20. Rom. 15. 16. Vse 1. Pray for success of the Gospel Oyle to be added a Part of the meat offering It s meaning Heb. 1. 9. Joh. 1. 14 16. â— 3. 34. Psal. 133. 2. 3. Frankincense Eph. 5. 2. Mat. 3. 17. 1. Part burnt on the Altar Lev. 2. 3. Psal. 20. 1 3. Act. 10. 4. 5. Remainder was the Priests Lev. 2. 3. 1Cor 9. 13 14. 6. Salt added to the meat-offering and why Lev. 2. 13. 1. Preserveth from putrefaction Mar. 9. 50. 2. It gives a savour Rom. 8. 5. 3. it causeth sores to smart Mar. 9. 49. 4. It seems to perpetuate the Covenant 2 Chron. 13. 5. Lev. 23. 13. Sect. 4. 4. Peace-offering considered It s occasion Lev. 3. 1 c. 1. It s meaning viz. whole Christian duty in general Heb. 13. 15 16. Col. 3. 17. It s matter whether male or female at liberty Gal. 3. 28. 3. The fat to be burnt The rest Lev. 7. 34. to the Offerer Priest ver 15. with 1. 2 Deut. 6. 7. The Priests part breast a Prov. 23. 26. b Mat. 22. 37. must be waved Isa. 30. 28. Psal. 103. 1. 3. â—â—â—ht shoulder Priests due Psal. 25. 1. Col. 3. 1 2. Phil. 3. 20. Improved to prove Gospel maintenance for Ministers The Officers part It s signification 1 Joh. 1. 3. Rev. 3. 20 1 Cor. 10. 18. ver 20 Sect. 5. Sacred Persons considered Priests c. Heb. 4. 5. 6. Mat. 12. 18. 8. 4. Mat. 9. 32. 33. Joh. 3. 2. Mat. 21. 23. Vse 1. See Gods unspeakable goodness c. Heb 7. 26. ver 24. 25. 2. Come to Christ neither 3. Doubt in coming to him 4. See Christs humility c. 3. Garments of high Priest significative 1. In General what they signified Ex. 28. 2. Heb. 11. 27. 2. What particular Garments c. and their Import 2. Stones Ex. 28. 9. c. on his shoulder 1. Support by him Mat 16. 18. 2. The Price Christ sets on his people 2. Breast-plate of Judgement Ex. 28. 15. c. â— 1. Signification Isa. 40. 11. Cant. 8. 6. 2. Signification 3. Signification 3. Part of Garments of high-Priests Exod. 28. 33 34 35. It s Significaion Heb. 12. 24. 4. Ornaments of the High-Priest Exod. 28. 36 37 38. It s signification 2. Signification 5. Ornaments c. Urim and Thummim Exod. 28. 30. their meaning Joh. 8. 12 14. â— Col. 2. 3 9. Eph. 5. 8. 2. 4 5. Col. 2 10. Mat. 4. 2. 6. High-Priest appointed c. for men c. Heb. 5. 1. Eph. 5 2. Heb. 9. 14. 7. What the High-Priest did c. How it signified what Christ should do Lev. 16 12. â—eb 9. 7 11 12 Rev. 1. 5 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rom. 12. 1. ver 2. Psal. 4. 5. Psal. 51. 17. Phil. 4. 18. Sect. 6. Sacred things c. As 1. Tabernacle and Temple 1. Agreeing 1 Chron. 28. 6 11 12 19. 2. In writing Yet they differed 1. And chiefly signified Christ dwelling in our nature Joh. 1. 14. Heb. 9. 11. Joh. 2. 19 21. Col. 2. 9. Heb. 2. 16. 2 Tim. 3. 16. A 17. 26. Heb. 2â— 11. 2 Pet. 1. 4. Heb. 1. 6. 2. They signified the Church of Christ. Rom. 21. 2 3. 1 Tim. 3. 15. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Vse 1. Lev. 16. 15 16. Vse 2. 2 Cor. 2 â— 3. Tabernacle c. noted particular believers 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. chap. 6. 18 19. Mat. 15. 18 19. Sâ—ct 7. Altar and its Import Heb. 13. 10. Made of Shittim wood what is meant Exod. 27. 1. Act. 13. 37. 2. Over laid with Brass Exod. 27. 2. It s import 3. The place of Altar and its meaning Exod. 40. 29 Joh. 10. 9. 14. 6. 4. Altar of Incense Exod. 30. 3. Exod. 30. 9. Mat. 15. 9. Sect. 8. Ark overlaid c. Exod. 25. 10 11 16 17 21. Ex. 25. 10 17. Heb. 8. 10 12. Act. 5. 31. Exod. 25. 18 19 20. Heb. 1. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Eph. 3. 10. Sect. 9. The fire on the Altar Its meaning 1. It consumed the Sacrifice Luk. â—2 44. Mat. 26. 38. ch 27. 46. Use of this 1. 2. Came from Heaven Lev. 9. 24. 2 Chron. 7. 1. Mat. 3. 11. 3. Kept always burning Lev. 6. 13. Sect. 10. Exod. 26. 31. Heb. 9. 3. Exod. 26. 36. Mat. 27. 51. Sect. 1. Lev. 11. Deut. 1. 4. ver 2. Psal. 135. 4. Psa. 147. 19 20. Num. 23. ver 5. Deut. 9. 6. Ph. 7. 7. Kom 11. 33. Act. 10. 10 11 c. ver 28. 1. Tim. 4. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 23. Obj. Answ. Gen. 9. 4. Lev. 3. 17. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Obj. Act. 15. Answ. 1. Sect. 2. Observance of Feasts 1. In general Luk. 2. 10. Phil. 3. 3. Isa. 25. 6. In particular Three Feasts Exod. 23. 14 15 16. ch 34. 22. Deut. 28. 47. Act. 2. Joh. 4. 35 37 38. Luk. 24. 49. Act. 1. 8. 3. Feast Exod. 23. 16. Lev. 23. 34 39. 40. ver 42 43. Neh. 8. 15 16. Luk. 12. 19 20. Lev. 23. 24 27. Isa. 58. 1. Mat. 3. 1. 2 3. 2 Thes. 4. 16. Matth. 5. 4. Luk. 6. 23. Lev. 14. 6 7 9. 15. 13. 1