and despised knowledge brought to them by him to turn at his reproofs promising to pour out his Spirit to them and make known his words In which is implied that upon their turning he would forgive their former sleightings of him and sinnings against him which if they had not been to be forgiven and overlooked by him would have hindred them of such dispensations of his Grace and Spirit to them Prov. 1.22 23. As thence also the wicked are called upon to forsake their ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turn to the Lord and he will have mercy upon them and abundantly pardon them Isa 55.7 And Christ tells the unbelieving Jews that would not come to him that they might have life that he would not accuse them to his Father and that if any man heard his voice and believed not he judged them not now because he came not into the world to judge the world but to save the world John 5.40 45. 12.47 In which saying it 's evident that the world he came to save includes also the now unbelieving persons in it while it 's yet a day of Grace he is saving them Also by his Intercession for transgressours as the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world and by renewed dispensations of patience forbearance and further grace to them as appears 1 John 2.1 2. Isa 53.12 Luke 13.8 Yea he prayed for such as actually abused and crucified him and in the repenting of such afterward he actually pardoned and forgave them Luke 23.34 with Acts 2.37 38 39. 3.19 20. 2. As Moses lifted up the Serpent that whosoever were stung with the fiery Serpents might have advantage and opportunity there-through to look upon it he declaring and informing them that it was set up as a means of healing and that it was Gods mind for giving healing by it that they look up to it and that it would not give forth any healing-virtue to them if not beheld by them yea probably if not beheld till they were healed if they turn'd their eye from it before its virtue had its force in and upon them though the Serpent was the same whether beheld or not beheld Even so is and must the Son of Man be lifted up that men may have an advantage and opportunity of beholding him he being not to be beheld if not lifted up How can they believe on him of whom they have not heard And how can they hear without a Preacher Or how can they preach except they be sent For Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.14 17. Which makes it needful that they that know him and are commissionated of God as every one that hears hath commission to say to others Come Rev. 22.17 do hold him forth commend and magnifie him to men It 's true that the Apostle there in Rom. 10.18 propounding that question Have they not all heard answers Yes doubtless their voice is gone into all the world and their words to the ends of the earth Alluding to Psal 19.2 3 4. Where the Holy Ghost speaks of the Heavens declaring the glory of God and the firmament shewing his handy-work And so of Gods Works and Providences setting him forth and uttering knowledge as elsewhere it 's said All his works shall praise him To which also they are often called upon Psal 145.8 9. 148. 150. And the Lord they commend and praise is doubtless the same of and to whom he saith Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of thine hands c. Psal 102.25 Which the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews applies to the Lord Jesus the Son of Man by whom the Lord hath spoken to us in these last days and by whom he made the worlds Heb. 1.1 2 10 11. And surely whosoever beholds him as there lifted up and praised so as to betake themselves to him for help they do and shall find mercy with him Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved In every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him Rom. 10.12 Acts 10.34 They that by nature or without verbal or vocal instruction do the things contained in the Law that love God and their neighbour though uncircumcised or not under the outward Regiment of Gods Kingdom and Ordinances their uncircumcision shall be accounted circumcision that is they shall be accepted and accounted of as Gods Church Rom. 2.25 26. And of those that by such means also are won in to God I understand in part what our Saviour saith That many shall come from the East and from the West even such as are not the children of the Kingdom and born under the distinct knowledge and Ordinances of God as the opposition to them in the following words do manifest wherein he adds and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac in the Kingdom of God when the children of the Kingdom such as are born and brought up in the professed Church and so are professedly under Gods Government or Ordinances shall be cast out Matth. 8.12 But I say notwithstanding whatever of this nature may be true however God in his lifting him up in his Providences and Works and the manifestations of him implicitely therein may do for the rendring him visible to men that they may behold him look to him and be saved by him Yet it concerns us as our duty and is that which God requires of us that we so lift up Christ in our distinct Preaching of him to men that men through our ministration may behold him in the distinct express declaration of him and be saved from their errours ignorances and iniquities which while they by their wisdom know him not in the wisdom of God as manifested in his works and providences they run into As to that purpose and for that cause it hath pleased God to appoint the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 It was not another light John bare witness to then that which enlighteneth every man coming into the world and that shined in the darkness before he bare witness to it It was not made another in or by his witness only more plainly declared and pointed to It was the same that was in the world though the world knew him not that came to his own and by his own was not received which whosoever received whether of the world or of his own were made the sons of God It was the same Word which was in the beginning with God that in due time was made flesh to bring us through his Sufferings in the flesh unto God in whom was the life and from whom the light came that always shined and in all the world But God to help men to discern him whom otherwise in his wisdom or more wise way to the view of the world as the way of his Creation and Providence is they usually overlook and
upon and for him in observing all his Ordinances and Appointments and him in them all and to receive commands counsels and help from him and waiting patiently upon him for them Whence those expressions of Wait on the Lord and wait I say on the Lord Psal 27.14 37.34 And they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength c. Isa 40.31 Yea and in this waiting a diligent listening to him and observing his sayings and looking for his help Psal 85.8 130.5 6. IV. It 's a dependance or reliance on him as believing him and him onely able willing and faithful to help and save And this includes in it as also the betaking a mans self to him doth 1. A renouncing it self and all confidence in it self it s own power strength wisdom righteousness worth or merit as altogether weak and unprofitable to help save or satisfie it denying a mans self Matth. 26.24 And 2. A rejecting all confidence or dependance on others whether things or persons besides Christ and God in him as believing also an utter insufficiency or unfaithfulness in them and every of them to help save or satisfie us either by way of mediation for obtaining favour or dispensation of favours obtained either as to teaching and counsel or as to power and strength for defence and safety c. that in vain salvation is looked for to the hills or mountains or any thing besides him Jer. 3.23 And also 3. In betaking and yielding up it self to him there is a leaving it self wholly with him to his guidance government dispose and ordering as believing it shall find what it wants or is good for it in and with and from him Psal 62.1 2. 121.1 2. 84.11 12. Rom. 8.32 And 4. Going forth to act and obey bear and suffer what he orders not in its own wisdom and strength or in other creatures but in his light and direction strength and sufficiency expected and given as it was said to Gideon Go forth in this thy strength namely that which God in looking upon him gave him Judg. 6.14 So David saith I will go in the strength of the Lord God and make mention of his righteousness and of his onely Psal 71.16 And they shall walk up and down in the name of the Lord Zech. 10.12 Yielding up themselves to obey and follow him and relying on him for his direction and guideance therein to go before them shewing and leading them in the way and for his strength to enable support and save them harmless therein As Israel did when they followed God in the wilderness through the sea and over Jordan This is also called a staying on the Lord or on his arm or name or a leaning thereon Isa 10.20 50.10 Cant. 8.5 or on the worth and prevalency of his Sacrifice and Mediation for all our acceptance And this with trust or confidence And so V. It 's a committing a mans self and way and all his concernments to the Lord with an hope trust expectation and confidence that he will not fail or forsake him so as to check all arising fears either of Gods failing or of any mans or devils prevailing against him I will trust and not fear for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and song and he also is become my salvation Isa 12. â— We may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear what man can do unto me Psal 56.3 4 10 11. Heb. 13.56 Fears and doubtings though they may be in believers yet they argue want or weakness of faith or of believing on him Mat. 8.26 14.31 Psal 42.5 6. This for the acts of this believing But we have also in this description 5. The extent of the exercise of this faith and that both 1. For matters or cases and that is for all grace and blessing The promises both of the life that is and of that which is to come being all in him and in him yea and in him Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 with 1 Tim. 4.8 We are in our selves empty and destitute of all things and of all ability to help our selves in or unto any thing poor miserable wretched blind and naked Rev. 3.15 16 17. Nor is there help any where else in any thing to purpose for us He onely is the Saviour ordained and perfected of God for us His merit righteousness and worth onely procures all and he onely dispenses all by his Word Spirit and Divine Power and Providence And in his way onely even in listening to his word and obeying his counsels and commandments all good and blessing is to be met with and received of us 2. For duration And so in all this is included continuance or perseverance For in these kind of speeches that is implied As when it is said He that believeth not is damned or the wicked man shall dye it s meant if they persevere to do or be so So it 's here He that continueth to the end shall be saved Matth. 24.13 He that abideth in him sinneth not that is misses not the promised blessing 1 John 3.6 But he that abideth not in him is like a branch that abides not in the Vine that withers and is gathered and is cast into the fire and burned John 15.5 6. And thus much about that believing that is required of us and is needful to our Salvation Now that this believing is both required of us by and is acceptable unto God is also evident 1. That God requires it these following Considerations among divers others make it evident 1. In that God calls to and commands it Look to me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Isa 45.22 And the same is implied in all those calls and commands to make a joyful noise to the Lord to serve him with gladness c. Psal 47.1 62.1 2. 98.4 100.1 2 4. Yea in 1 John 3.23 it 's expresly said This is his commandment that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another 2. In that he hath given forth his word and raised up a multitude of Preachers of it Psal 68.11 Men and Angels and all creatures in their kinds praising him and preaching forth his excellencies Psal 145.9 10. 148. John heard them do so though few have so good a hearing as he had and therefore perhaps some may deny it Rev. 5.13 Especially his holy ones the holy Apostles and Prophets and their followers out of whose mouth God hath ordained praises Psal 8.2 And this for the obedience of â—aith in all nations Rom. 1.5 16.25 26. 3. In that he gives his holy Spirit to work in and upon men to strive with or judge in them as is implied in his saying My Spirit shall nâ—t always strive with man Gen. 6.3 See also Neh. â— 20 30. 1 Pet. 3.19 1.12 Acts 7.51 And in this Spirit and wisdom it is that Wisdom is said to cry without and call to men yea and to stretch forth
he came and was born into the World for the publick general and universal benefit of Mankind And that so far as the nature of Man extendeth so far hath he relation and favour so as for the good of his Creature he came in and stands to the nature of man and not only of this or that person of it in the notion relation and affection of a Son And so we may understand that saying of the Prophet Isaiah Chap. 9.6 To or for us a Child is born To or for us a Son is given and the Government shall he upon hiâ— shoulder c. To or for us Men namely not Jews only though more immediately and directly to or for them as of them and first sent to them Rom. 9.5 Act. 3.26 To be their glory as it is said Salvation is of the Jews John 4.22 And he was born to be the glory to or of his People Israel Luk. 2.29 30 31 32. And so it is said Of them came Christ after the flesh who is God over all blessed for ever Amen But though he was of them so â—as not only of them some of the Gentile stocks as to his Mothers side were in his Geneology also Mat. 1.3 5. So much less was he for Salvation to them only but to be also a light to lighten the Gentiles as a Son or Child is called a Light or Lamp to the Parents or Family 1 King 11.36 15 4. And to be for Salvation to the ends of the Earth Luk. 2.32 Isa 49.6 And so a Child born To or for mankind the Son of Man as owning Man generally in a larger sense as his Mother though in a choice sense or more Spiritually they only are so that hear the Word of God and do it Luk. 8.21 He is so given to man and owns a Relation to Man as that he is the Saviour of all men especially of those that believe 1 Tim. 4.10 And so he puts an honour and dignity upon the Nature of Man though in a special sense he is the glory of his people Israel As before Both as to Israel after the flesh as after the flesh he came of them and also and most especially and chiefly of Israel after the Spirit whose Saviour and Portion in the most full and choice sence he is for ever But I say his being made Man puts an honour upon the Nature of Man and shews him to be a lover of Man even of that Nature and Creature above all others even Angels too whose Nature he took not Heb. 2.16 And that his delight is with the Sons of Men. As is said Prov. 8.31 For as it was a great honour that man was made in the Image and likeness of his Maker So it was a great honour and shewed yet more respect to Man and his Nature that God even the Word which was and is God the Son of God and Mans Maker For all things were made by him Joh. 1.2 Should be made in the likeness of men and in the habit of a man Phil. 2.7 8. Though as it 's twice said so it s twice true with respect to either Adam that Man being in honour and without understanding or not considering to walk worthy of it becomes like or is compared to the Beasts that perish Psal 49.12 20. But sure it 's a great priviledge to our nature to have such a Son begotten on and brought forth by it and to it as it were And he being also the Son of the Father in love and Truth full of goodness righteousness and charity What may not men expect from him as being his Brethren For so he is not ashamed to call us from such a Son from such a Brother who is also the Everlasting Father and so the wonderful one ready to cherish and provide for us for ever Sure he will and doth honour both his Father and Mother both God his Father and the man-hood or man as his Mother as in doing all things to his glory and renown so in doing what may be for her that is mans honour support and benefit Whatever a poor decayed decrepid Mother may expect from a loving Child that 's rich and honourable for her maintainance and support man may expect from this Son of Man yea in him the honour and dignity conferred upon the nature of Man in the first Adam is fully and with advantage restored And that which was truly affirmable of us in that first Adam Lord what is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of man that thou visitest him for thou hast made him a little lower then the Angels thou hast crowned him with glory and honour thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thine hands thou hast put all things under his feet c. Is now applyed to man in Christ Jesus with advantage I say because Angels and Authorities and Powers are also made subject to him Psal 8.4 5. With Heb. 2.5 6 7 8. 1 Pet. 3.22 1 Cor. 6.3 And what ever poor and perishing Brethren may hope for from a rich and powerful Brother that is good and righteous that may men expect from Christ the Son of Man only as in case such a Mother and Brethren be unruly proud scornful refuse to be helped by or receive relief from and be beholden to such a Son or Brother in such a way as is just and honourable to Himself and to his Father but will rather rejecting his help shirk elsewhere through their stubborness contempt and scorn they may ruine themselves so is it with man here But because his delight is with the Sons of men as his Brethren and he loves and honours the nature of man as his Mother in a sort therefore he calls to men and counsels them to be ruled by him that he might by relieving them make them happy As it is said Doth not wisdom cry and understanding lift up her voice As who would say can that be denied or doubted of surely no it 's a matter beyond controversie She stands upon the top of high places where she may with the most and greatest audibleness and advantage call by the way in the places of the paths She is not far from any one of us but in all mens ways and walkings though she walk not with them nor can go in their paths she is by her Spirit striving in man judging reproving and calling to him She cryeth at the Gates at the entry of the City As and when men come to the years of discretion and are entring as it were into the World to be conversing there-with choosing and refusing for themselves at the coming in at the dores The entring into or upon their several conditions or states wherein they are seeking rest To you ô men I call and my voice saith she is to the sons of men O ye simple understand wisdom and ye fools be the of an understanding heart hear for I will speak of excellent things and the opening of my
wickedness to be removed into the Land of Shinar Zech. 5.6 7. And the lifting up of the Sacrifices upon the Altar to be burnt up But I but mention them But 2. To lift up signifies often to exalt magnifie or glorifie And to the same phrase of lifting up the head is used by Joseph too in his interpretations in a quite contrary sense to the former In Gen. 40.13.20 21. For interpreting the chief Butlers Dream he tells him Within three days shall Pharoah lift up thy head and restore thee into thy place and thou shalt deliver Pharoahs cup into his hand And it came to pass saith vers 20. That the third day which was Pharaohs birth day he lifted up the head of the chief Butler and he restored the chief Butler unto his chief Butlership again And so the lifting up the horn was the exalting and lifting it up on high Psal 75.10 And according to the Spirit the exalting or magnifying the Kingdom and Power of Christ and his Saints 1. Chron. 25.5 And in this sense also Christ was to be lifted up that is exalted and that both by God and Men as we may see And in this sense the same Greek word here rendred lifted up is often translated to exalt or to be exalted or magnified As in Mat. 23.12 Luk. 14.11 18.14 Act. 2.33 5.31 But in this sense of lifting up there is something implyed even that which was done and included in the former sense or way of his being lifted up Namely 1. That he was or is down as it were made low and in a low place condition or esteem For as when the Psalmist had said by the holy Ghost Thou hast ascended up on high The Apostle from it inferrs Now that he Ascended what is it but that be first Descended into the lower parts of the earth Psal 68.18 With Ephes 4.8 9. So we may say here in that he saith The Son of Man must be lifted up What is it but that the Son of man was below or was down in a mean state or posture and in a lower place then that to which he must be lifted up And surely so he was and in some sense is so yet As to say 1. In respect of bodily place This Son of man was though now he is not here upon the Earth born here and living walking acting and conversing here Though he was the heavenly One the Lord in Heaven yet he came from Heaven from above As it 's said He that cometh from above or from Heaven is above all John 3.32 He was above in respect of what he was before he was manifest to men But he descended into the lower parts of the Earth the lower parts of Gods Creation the Earth Yea into the lower parts the heart of the Earth Ephes 4.9 Matt. 12.40 And so it 's said by him And I when I am lifted up from the Earth will draw all men to me John 12.32 He was then on the Earth and thence to be lifted up on the Earth in respect of place And 2 In respect of State in respect of what God did to him and what he submitted and yielded up himself to he was in a low and humble state and appearance among men in the world being of rich made and become poor that we through his poverty might be made rich 2 Cor. 8 9. Of one in the form of God not thinking it robbery to be equal with God He was made in the form of a Servant and was found in the fashion and habit of a man Phil. 2.6 7. Being made of a Woman he partook with us in Flesh and Blood and was made under the Law in a Bondage and Servile state A Servant to Rulers though he was Lord of all Gal. 4.4.5 Isa 49.7 Born of a mean and poor parentage as was evident in the entertainment given them in the Inne when his Parents were thrust into the Stable and he when born was entertained there in a Manger As also by the offering of his Virgin Mother offering according to the appointment of the Law of Moses for poor people whose hand or sufficiency could not reach to the offering a Lamb. Viz. A pair of Pigeons or two Turtle Doves Luk. 2.7 24. With Levit. 12 8. As also in that his reputed Father to whom the Virgin his Mother was espoused was not a person of any great port in the World or in any office or dignity but a Carpenter as he was called Mat. 13.53 Yea and it appears that he himselfe sometimes wrought of that Trade being therefore called by way of reproach the Carpenter Mark 6.3 And when he manifested himself to Israel he was not attended with any great followers but his Disciples were noted to be illiterate and mean men Fishers Tole-gatherers and the like So as that the people stumbled at that matter saying Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him but this people that know not the Law are accursed John 7.47 48. Yea and he himself when one said he would follow him replyed Foxes have their holes and the Birds of the Air have their nests but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his head Luk. 9.58 Yea and he went lower descending into the lower parts of the Earth into great sorrows and sufferings agonies and overwhelmings of his heart so as to the Death and Grave Dying the Death of the Cross the only accursed death Deut. 21.22 23. With Gal. 3.13 Being therein numbred with Transgressors yea and being dead he was taken down and laid in the Earth in the heart of the earth as we noted before Mat. 12.40 Making his Grave with the rich and with the wicked in his death Isa 53.9 Yea he was compassed about with the snares of death and the pangs of Hell caught hold upon him so as he found we and sorrow Psal 116.2 3. 18.4 5 6. A Worm and no Man a Man of sorrow and acquainted with griefs Yea his Soul went down into Hell in his great sufferings for our sakes as his not being left there implies Act. 2.27.31 So low was he brought and this was low indâ—ed lower not only then the Angels but also as to his abasement therein then other men and from such a casting down was he to be lift up Job 22.29 3 In respect of his esteem with and among men He was and so is still too low in Mens hearts in their thoughts and accounts of him and affections to him There he was very low in all his appearance in his Birth when they afforded him not room in the Inn. And in his Life when they that were his own received him not though he came to them in his Fathers name even in the name power and authority of God John 1.11 5.43 Doing such things as none else did and speaking such things as none else ever spake Yea they not only received him not but also rejected and despised him As it was fore-prophesied Isa 53.1 2 3. Who
I begotten thee And Sit thou on my right hand till I make thy foes thy foot-stool Heb. 1.5.13 Yea All the fullness of the God-head dwells in him bodily Col. 2.9 2. A State of greater Authority Power and Majesty For he is set above all Authorities Principalities Powers Thrones Might or Dominion yea and every name that is named not only in this World but in that which is to come Eph. 1.21 For He hath put all things under his feet And Given him to be Head over all things to his Church ver 22. The Head top or chief of all Principality and Power Col. 2.10 Not only Lord of Lords and King of Kings Gods first-born higher then the Kings of the Earth As Rev. 17.14 19.16 Psal 89.27 But he is also A great King above all Gods Psal 95.2 Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3.22 Lord of all Act. 10.36 Being made in the Nature of Man so much better higher and more glorious then the Angels at he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they being not only owned of God as his Son begotten by him from the dead to all this excelâ—ent glory dignity and majesty even to be set at his right hand on the Throne of Majesty in the highest Heb. 1.3 4 5 13. 8.1 But as set on Gods own Throne Rev. 3.21 So as it 's said to all other Potestates and Powers Let all the Angels of God Or as in Psal 97.7 Worship him all ye Gods And again to him it is said Thy Throne O God endureth for ever The Sceptre of thy Kingdom is a Sceptre of Righteousness or a right Sceptre Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity Therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows Above all other Gods Potentates or Powers among either Men or Angels And thou Lord Jehovah in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the work of thy hands they shall perish but thou remainest they shall all wax old as a Garment as a Vesture shalt thou change them Or fold them up And they shall be changed but thou endurest and thy years shall not fail Heb. 1.6 8 9 10 11 12. Yea the Angels are all Ministring Spirits to him commanded by him and with one consent proclaim him the excellent and worthy one Worthy to receive Power and Riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Rev. 5.11.12 In a word All Authority and Power in Heaven and over the Earth is given unto him And all that the Father hath is his Even all the Authority Power and fullness of the Father and it pleases to dwell in him Mat. 28.18 John 16.14 15. Col. 1.19 2.9 So that it may well be said as the Prophet foresaw That He is exalted extolled and very high Higher then Moses then Adam or David as some Jewish Criticks observe from the letters of the word Translated very being made up of the initial letters of those three Names Yea and should they to Adam joyn Abraham too whose name begins with the same letter their observation might hold true Isa 52.13 And herein also he is lifted up and so it behoved that he should be that he should suffer such things as he did and so should enter into Glory Luk. 24.26 That he might exercise and discharge the most glorious Offices most useful for us and most honourable for himself for and concerning our welfare and happiness Such as wherein he answers to all the most excellent and honourable things and persons under the Law and among the Israel after thâ— flesh that was lifted up to any honourable and useful Office or Service as the Covenant of Circumcision the Sabbaoth Sacrifices Temple c. Of which I may say more elsewhere I shall here only mention such Offices as were estated upon and exercised by most honourable persons amongst them as 1. The Prophets were holy and honourable persons and the office of a Prophet a most excellent useful and honourable imployment they having intercourse and Power with God and receiving their message from him for directing the people into the knowledge of him and of his mind and will concerning them Whence that of God to Abimelech concerning Abraham Restore the man his wife For he is a Prophet and he shall pray for thee Gen. 20.7 And Do my Prophets no harm Psal â—05 15 The Son of Man was to be and is lifted up into that honour and office For this is he of whom it was said A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Deut. 18.15 18. With Act. 3.22 23. The Great Prophet And The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy Rev. 19.10 The Great Light In his Testimony Word and Doctrine and the true Light lightning every man coming into the World Who came a Light into the World that whosoever believeth on and followeth him may not abide in darkness but see the Light of Life John 1.9 8.12 12.46 And so I might say also of the Apostles That they were highly honourable and useful as to their office and he is the Great Apostle of our Profession Heb. 3.1 2. The Priests were holy and honourable Persons under the Law in respect of their Office And the Priesthood a most honourable and useful Office for making attonement and Reconciliation for the People by offering gifts and Sacrifices for them to that purpose their lips keeping Knowledge also and teaching the People the Law And Christ the Son of Man was to be and is exalted to that Honour and Office to be the Priest the great High Priest after the order of Melchisedech As God did raise him up to be his Prophet and Apostle giving him that honour and glory that no man in Heaven or Earth or under the Earth was found worthy of even to open the book of Gods Counsels and unloose the Seals of it and unfold the Mysteries therein contained Rev. 5.2 3 6. So he gave him also the honour and Office of the Priest-hood For no man takes to himself that honour of the High Priest-hood but he that is called of God as Aaron was Wherefore Christ also glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said to him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Said also to him Thou art a Priest to me for ever after the Order of Melchisedec Yea the Lord sware and will not repent saying Thou art a Priest for ever c. Heb. 5.3 4 5. c. 3. Whereas some of the Prophets or Priests had other additional honours beside merely their being Prophets and Priests or the like Christ is lifted up in this his glory unto such honour also As to say 1. Whereas Moses was also a Deliverer of them by the Power of God out of
Egypt and its Bondage and the Law-giver from God to whose Laws they were bound in all ages to yeild obedience till the Messiah should be revealed So also the Son of man was appointed and is made of God the Redeemer and Deliverer of us Mankind from the hands of our Spiritual Enemies and from all that hate us Luk. 1.70 72 73. Especially his followers and obeyers those that believe in him and are made the Seed or Israel of God in and by him He being also as Abraham and Israel was their Father The Everlasting Father of this Spiritual off-spring Isa 9.6 And he is the great Law-giver to the World for whose Laws the Iles or Gentiles are to wait and to them to yeild obedience to the end of the World For the Lord is our Law-giver Isa 33.22 42.1 4. 2. Again as Joshua was a Saviour and the bringer of them into the Inheritance which God had promised to their Fathers delivering them from the Inhabitants of that Land the Cananites utterly destroying them before them and dividing their Land to them by Lot So also Jesus the Son of Man was to be and is exalted and lifted up of God to be the expeller and driver out of Sathan and his Angels the powers of darkness out of their possession and the bringer in of his People the Israel of God that follow him into the heavenly Country and City of God which he hath promised to the spiritual Israel that are subject to him driving out all the power of Sin and Corruption from them Yea and in due time driving out all the Tyrants of the World with their Captains and Ring-leaders into Destruction he shall possess his People of the glorious Kingdom and divide to them their several portions and rewards in giving the Kingdom and Dominion and greatness of the Kingdom to the Saints of the most high God whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and his dominion that that shall have no end Dan. 7.27 3. As they had Judges also to be their helpers and Saviours from their enemies and to judge and avenge them of them and order their Affairs So Christ the Son of Man is raised up and appointed of God to be the great Judge the pleader of the Causes and avenger of Man-kind against Sathan and the Powers of Darkness And more especially of his Israel the Seed and Sons of God through the faith of him against all their Enemies Yea the great Judge of quick and dead who shall raise up all from their Graves and gather them together from all quarters of the World determining all Cases deciding all controversies and finally disposing to every man according to his Works everlasting rewards or punishments in Justice and Righteousness And seeing his Sentences put in execution with great and irresistible Power and Authority Act. 10.42 17.30 31. But perhaps we might as well have reduced these last mentioned offices or honours unto that that follows Viz. That 4. Whereas they had Kings set over them to go in and out before them to be their Captains and Leaders and to appoint Officers under them giving them Laws and Commands fighting their Battels and so to subdue their enemies protect them in peace and quietness in the peaceable possession of their Inheritances and enlarge their borders c. And so Moses also was said to be King in Jesurun So Christ this Son of Man is lifted up of God to that Authority and Sovereign dignity made his King by him set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 2 6 7. And Maugre all opposition made by the Heathen and People the Kings and Rulers the Jews and Gentiles Herod and Pontius Pilate and all or any of their Successors that set themselves against him Act. 4.26 29. The King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Yea Of all the Earth Psal 47.7 And the King of Saints Rev. 15.4 5. A Great King above all Gods Psal 95.2 The Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our Judge The Lord is our King and he will save us Isa 33.20 Yea and further 5. Whereas their Priests and Kings and once we find a Prophet was anointed by Gods appointment to their several offices and so designed of God to them upon which also as we sometime find God gave his Spirit to fit them for the discharge of them as thereby also they were seperated from others to attend unto God to serve him and his People therein and receive his help and supplies for the same So also the Son of Man Christ Jesus was to be and is and was anointed of God with the holy Ghost and Power Act. 10.38 To design seperate and authorize him to and furnish him for all those Offices and undertakings to which God appointed and called him As for the discharge of his Prophetick Office and work it is said The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach glad tidings to the poor to bind up the broken hearted c. Isa 61.1 2. With Luk. 4 18 19. for by his word and the Divine force and power of his holy Spirit breathing forth his grace therein He is as a great yea the great and only Phisician of the Soul and his words do good like a Medicine being words of grace words of eternal life pleasant words that are like a honey-comb pleasant to the taste and healing to the bones Prov. 15.14 16.24 Wholsome and sound and healing words are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine that is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6.3 4 Again it is said Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my holy Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles c. Isa 42.1 And as the great King the Great God and our Governour He is Gods Christ or Anointed whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.2 6. And anointed with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows Psal 45.6 7. And as the most holy even the most holy High Priest who is holy harmless undefiled seperated from Sinners He may be understood to be the Anointed or Messiah spoken of by Daniel Dan. 9.24 When he saith To Anoint the most holy And so that he was Consecrated that way also as well as by the word of the Oath Though the former was tipyfied in Aaron and his Sons Sanctified and Consecrated with the holy anointing Oyl powred upon and anointing them Exod. 30.29 30. Levit. 8.12 And the latter exceeded them Heb. 7.20 21 28 To Minister before the Lord for ever Sure it is that Through the Eternal Spirit he offered up himself as the spotless Sacrifice Heb. 9.14 And with reference to this anointing him and furnishing him with the fullness of the holy Ghost The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding the Spirit of counsel and of might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord that rests and abides upon him and makes him quick
of understanding and every way accomplished for his fulfilling the will of God in the exercise of the aforesaid Offices He is in Scripture called the Messiah Dan. 9.25 John 1.41 And which is the same by interpretation the Christ. Both those words the Messiah which is an Hebrew and the Christ which is a Greek word signifying in English The Anointed one And so what the Psalm hath The Lord and his Anointed Psal 2.2 The Apostles in Greek in Acts. 4.26 Calls The Lord and his Christ. And because the anointing was a consequent and declaration of Gods choice of such a person to be King or Priest or Prophet therefore the Rulers of the Jews add as an Epethite to the Christ The chosen one of God Luk. 23.35 And all this honour and office was to be put upon him of necessity That he this Son of Man might be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth Isa 42.1 6. 49.6 The Saviour of the world John 4.42 The Saviour of all men but especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4.10 Not only or not so much from temporal and bodily evils and bondages as from Spiritual and Eternal from Sins Matt. 1.21 And from the Wrath of God and curse of the Law and power of Sathan Gal. 3.13 1 Thes 1.10 Heb. 2.14 1 John 3.5 8. As afterward may be more fully considered when we if God grant us to come at it consider the end of this his Exaltation As also That in all this God might be glorified As it is said God hath given him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee might bowe of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth and that every tongue might confess that he is the Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2.10 11. Yea and further so it was behoveful and needful that he should be lifted up to fulfil the Scriptures in which it was fore-prophesied of him that thus he should be Exalted for there he is called The mighty God Isa 9.6 The Immanuel God with us Isa 7.14 And that he should be called forth to the satisfying Gods Justice for us by his death and sufferings is largely shewed Psal 22. Isa 53. And in other places And so it 's said He dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.3 4. And therefore when he opened the Scriptures to the Disciples and their understandings to understand them He said unto them So it behoved that Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead and that repentance and remission of Sins should be preached in his name Luk. 24.46 47. And so for his Ascention to Gods right hand and sitting there till all his foes be made his foot-stool Psal 110.1 With Act. 2.33 34 35 36. Yea both his sufferings and the glory that followed was fore-signified by his Spirit to the Prophets 1 Pet. 1.10 11. But yet we may not think that it was the Prophets fore-seeing and foreshewing these things that was the proper cause of their being ordered of God to be done no but they therefore fore-saw and fore-shewed them because God had ordered them to be so done and they were so ordered of God 1. Because he loved us and was loth that we should perish As the next verse informs us Where it is said God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son rendring that as the reason why he must be so lifted up Because God so loved us as to give him to be our Saviour therefore accordingly he must be lifted up as God in his love to us had designed him And Gods love led him so to design 2. Because our needs required it we were so fallen and lost by our sins and iniquities that no other way could be sufficient for us to succour and save us But these things being included in the end of his being lifted up viz. That whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life I shall God willing further consider them there Only adding that 3. He must be lifted up as to his glorious Resurrection and Exaltation in Heaven which is most properly the lifting of him up in this sense here spoken of because as God had promised to him that he would uphold him and his right hand should be with him and help and strengthen him and he would give him for a Covenant to the People for a light to the Gentiles And to such glory as is fore-spoken of as foreshewed in the Scriptures of the Prophets So he also deserved all this glory and it would have been unrighteousness to him had he not been lifted up in that manner He was worthy for his being slain for us to receive of God Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honour and Glory and Blessing Rev. 5.11 12. And God is a just God and without iniquity He can do no unrighteousness and therefore to be sure none to his only Son whom he called in Righteousness both to his work and service and to this honour and glory in the reward and recompence of it Isa 42.5 6. 53.12 Phil. 2.9 10 11. And thus he was to be and is lifted up really and personally in himself by God his Father acting upon him which was the first way The second follows CHAP. VII Of the second way of lifting him up Viz. By demonstration of him and his glory unto men â—y whom that was and is to be performed and wherein SEcondly he was to be lifted up and must be so in the demonstration of him to men in order to the lifting him up in their hearts and esteems and that was to be and was done 1. Principally of God both Father Son and Holy Spirit 2. Of God his Father and so he was lifted up by him in his bearing testimony to him by commending him unto men as his only begotten Son peculiarly owned and approved of him and this he did diversly as 1. In his audibly witnessing to him from Heaven that he is his well-beloved Son in whom he is well-pleased and whom he would have men to hear And this he did both to the Baptist with visible Testimony also accompanying it as the opening of the Heavens and descent of the holy Ghost upon him in a visible appearance like a Dove As God when he sent John to Baptize had foretold him he should see as a demonstration of the Person of the Son of God and the Saviour of the World Matt. 3.17 John 1.32 33 34. As also to the three Disciples who went up into the holy Mount with him and see him Trans-figured before them as is mentioned in Matt. 17.1 5. Mark 9.2 7. Luk. 9.28 35. And by the Apostle Peter 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. As also he did bear witness to him when by an audible voice from heaven he said He had both glorified his name and would glorifie
and there-through even through those things done to him in his personal body we are healed As it is said Through his stripes we are healed Isa 53.5 1 Pet. 2.24 But as a remedy against what we meet with from Satan in our selves in our own personal despisings of Christ and Gods bounty and goodness towards us through him and provocations to anger against us was and is it needful that he be also further lifted up by way of demonstration both by God and his Spirit and servants for our helpfulness there against That whosoever believeth on him might not perish in a second Death 2. In the place of Moses lifting up the Serpent That was in the Wilderness So must the Son of Man be lifted up in the state of this world that is as a desolate forsaken wilderness void of all good order and fruitfulness full of briars thorns Wolves Tygers all that is evil and confused Through which while the Israel or followers of God walk they meet with and are exposed to many trials and temptations affections and troubles from the barrenness of goodness and good men that they find in it and from the many evil men and the unclean covetous oppressive and wicked carriages both among themselves and towards them Here in this day and state it 's behoveful that the Son of Man be lifted up for the comfort healing and helpfulness of his followers against the evil Spirits and Serpents and their venomous stings were Rom. 3.19 That we might receive the Adoption of Sons Gal. 4.4 5. That he hath made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 That he hath delivered him up for our offences and raised him again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 Raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in him 1 Pet. 1.21 And all this and what is contained in it done and perfected of God in Christ for us so as he therein hath prepared his dinner his Oxen and Fatlings are slain and all things are ready nothing for us to do but come to the Wedding and therein taking on the Wedding Garment sit down and eat and drink of this Provision and that will so heal us as we shall be fit to go or walk after him and serve him So that if thou confess with thy mouth Jesus the Lord and with thy heart believe that God hath raised him from the dead that is if thou believe this understandingly and affectionately thou shalt be saved This will put a man into a right mind to seek and hope for all grace and blessing from God and so in that faith to call upon him and it will make him to love and in love obey and serve him Rom. 10.8 9 10 12.1 John 4.19 There is nothing for the Ministers to do for the healing and saving men but to open and publish this grace and therein call invite and exhort them to look to and obey it and warn them of and reprove them for neglecting it c. Not to prepare any thing of their own nor put men upon preparing any thing for their own Salvation and healing Nor for any man to do but in the hearing this to look upon it and mind what it discovers and yeild up to what it requires and calls for which the Ministers are to help them to understand and discern for their healing Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the endâ— of the Earth Even as Moses did not put the people upon looking into their stings and seeking or preparing for themselves any Salves or Medicines but only lifted up the Serpent and directed them to look to it for healing 4. The Serpent as Moses lifted it up was not made of Gold or of Silver or of any more precious Mettals but only of Brass a more vulgar and contemptible Mettal and of less price And that formed through the fire and by other ways of cutting beating and framing of it into the form of a Serpent a way no way of it self likely or probable to heal them of their wounds And yet this he lifted up as the means and Medicine appointed of God and through his appointment and the conjunction of his Divine power and virtue with it it was effectual for healing those that being stung of the fiery Serpents looked upon it Even so Christ the Son of Man according to the Flesh was not a likely person and means to effect any mans Salvation and deliverance from Sin and Death he being not descended of high and honourable Parentage in the World or endued with worldly Grandeour or greatness or with worldly Authority Learning and such like ornaments as might commend him to us but born in Bethlehem Judah of a poor Virgin espoused to a mean man a Carpenter Springing up as a tender plant easily to appearance to be pluckt up or broken And as a root out of a dry ground likely to come to no great bulk or strength No form in him nor comeliness no beauty when looked upon to render him desirable Isa 53.2 3. A mean man Mark 6.3 Not Learned John 7.15 Nor attended with any worshipful and honourable persons openly as his Disciples John 7.47.48 Yea a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs Yet this man is he that being prepared for it and made perfect through sufferings and Death is both lifted up of God to be the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him and is effectual thereto through the divine Ordination and presence of God in and with him The Deity fully possessing him even all the fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him And through this Man so prepared and perfected of God is and must be Preached unto men the forgiveness of Sins And through him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses Act. 13.37 38 39. Nor is he therefore as the Son of Man to be laid by of the Builders Preachers Teachers and Masters in Israel as too many knowing him after the Flesh are therefore offended at him and do lay him by because he was and is the Son of Man and was partaker with us in flesh and blood in firm and tempted as we be yet without Sin or because he suffered such things in the Flesh and appeared weak and mortal therein Nor may any therefore refuse to look to him and expect salvation from him because a Man and the Son of Man made so low and weak as he was so despicable and unlikely to appearance as that the Preaching of him and his Cross is to the Jew a stumbling block and to the Grecian foolishness even to such as seem wise in this World But he is notwithstanding that yea because of that that he was so abased and crucified and humbled himself so low the Power of God and the Wisdom of God and so to be eyed hoped in
him and accept him heartily being discovered and Preached to us to which end also God added the Law for discovering of our sins that so we might look after accept and imbrace the Saviour whom he had fore-promised to us Gal. 3.19 22 24. Yea the very promise and declaration of that Saviour shews us to have been miserable Yea and yet if we neglect him to be in a most miserable condition for in that one died for all It 's most brightly testified that All were dead Yea and in that it 's such a one that died for us as Gods only Son it signifies and testifies yet more The greatness of our misery in our selves and of that death we were fallen into that put us into a need of such a ones dying for us 2 Cor. 5.14 But that will fall in in the third proposition or observation CHAP. X. The second Observation briefly spoken to and some Objections against it answered Obser 2 THe Second Observation is That God hath no pleasure in the death or perishing of men but that they rather should have eternal life And this is evident 1. By his own assertion under his oath that we might be the more confirmed in it as was noted above in Ezek. 33.11 Where he swears As he lives he hath no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but rather that he turn and live And sure if not in the wickeds in no mans death seeing it's the wicked that he every where threatens with Death As he saith to the wicked in the same Chapter Vers 8 Thou shalt surely die And The Soul that sinneth it shall die Chap. 18.3 20. And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him ver 21. And yet he saith and sweareth that he hath no pleasure none neither secret nor revealed that the wicked should die 2. And his holy servants assert the same who have had his mind and grace in their hearts and declared it faithfully The Apostle Paul asserts That God wills all to be or that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 And the Apostle Peter that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 And the Prophet Isaiah represents the Lord calling all the ends of the Earth to look to him and be saved Isa 45.22 3. The many addresses that God in and through Christ by his Word and Spirit makes unto sinners to call and bring them to Repentance that they might live and not die are so many evidences and convincing demonstrations of his love to Mankind and that he hath no desire or delight that they should perish but have everlasting life For we may not think such a wicked and impious thought of the Almighty who is love and charity truth and goodness it self as if he should pretend one thing and intend another That he signifies one thing to be his desire and will outwardly and desires and intends the contrary inwardly and so dissembles with his lips seeing he protests the contrary Viz. That the opening of his lips are right things That he speaks right things and wickedness is an abomination to his lips That his words are all right and that there is nothing froward or preverse in them Prov. 8.7 6 8. Isa 45.19 Far be it from us to think that he is like to the wicked whom his Soul abhorreth to cover hatred with deceit As is said Prov. 26.26 Now thinking holily of God and according to truth we shall perceive the desire he hath of mens welfare abundantly testified in his addresses to us diverse ways As 1. In his calls and counsells frequently given us As it s said Wisdom cries out she lifts up her voice in the streets crying how long ye simple turn at my reproofs c. Prov. 1.20.23 And doth not Wisdom cry and Understanding lift up her voice Can that be denied Is not that evident and that to men indefinitely yea and to the worst of them therefore it follows that she stands in the top of high places where and whence she may best be heard and cries To you O men I call and my voice is to the Sons of Men. O ye simple understand wisdom and ye fools be ye of an understanding heart Prov. 8.1 2 4 5. And so Turn ye turn ye why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33.11 Yea this was one great end of our Saviours coming into the World in order to his saving the World Viz. To call sinners to Repentance Mat. 9.13 John 12.47 2. In his promising them great and glorious things upon their hearing and obeying his calls Turn ye at my reproofs behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my words Prov. 1.23 So in Prov. 8.32 33. Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my Gates waiting at the posts of my doors For whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Aske and ye shall receive seek and ye shall find Mat. 7.7 8. And abundance the like 3. In his threatning sinners if they will take the course to perish and will not listen to his counsels As Because I have called and ye refused I stretched out my hands and no man regarded I also will laugh at your calamities I will mock when your fear cometh Prov. 1.24 26 c. O wicked man thou shalt surely die Ezek. 33.8 And many the like 4. In his reproving expostulating and reasoning the case with men that he might perswade them to their own good Why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33.11 Ho every one that thirsteth come to the waters and ye that have no money come buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Why will ye lay out money for that that is not bread and your labour for that that satisfieth not c. Isa 55.1 2 3. 5. In his chastening men also for their follies in neglecting and refusing their own mercy in order to their awakning to Repentance that they might live As he saith I smote them thus and thus yet they turned not to me saith the Lord. As implying that he smote them to that end they might turn Amos 4.6 7 11. All these things doth God twice and thrice with men that he might keep them from going down to the pit c. Job 33.29 6. In his exercising long patience and forbearance towards them with much bounty and goodness to the same end that is To lead them to repentance As is exprest Rom. 2.4.5 With 2 Pet. 3.9.15 Isa 30.18 Waiting that he may be gracious Yea 4. The next Observation is an evident confirmation of the truth of this Namely the gift of Gods only Son the Son of Man for if he gave his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the World evident it is then that he loved the World and if he loved it he desired not that it should perish but rather be saved
her hand which signifies a putting forth her strength and tendring her help to men to turn them to her self and bring them in to God Prov. 1.4 5. 1.20 24. 4. In his reproofs and judgments even to and upon the Heathen for not calling on his name to which believing on him is necessary Rom. 10.14 it being excellent in all the earth and declared by his wondrous works Psal 79.6 Jer. 10.25 Psal 8.1 9. 75.1 Mal. 1.11 14. And for not glorifying him as God nor being thankful to him but withholding the truth in unrighteousness seeing what was to be known of God was manifested in them and God shewed it to them so as they knew but liked not to have him in their knowledge Rom. 1.18 19 20 21 28. Yea for not believing God as now the Jews believe him not Rom. 11.30 All imply that God requires that men believe him and believe on him as made known to and among them But much more evident is this in his often reproofs of Israel among whom he was more signally made known Psal 76.1 2. 147.19 20. in his faulting and judging them for not hearing and hearkening to his voice law and words but rejecting them and for not liking to have him for their God the object of their stay trust and confidence but turning adulterously from him after others Psal 81.9 10 11 12. Isa 66.3 4. Jer. 2.5 13. 6.19 7.25 26. though using more special means with and towards them so as he vouchsafed not to any other Nation to make them cleave to himself Jer. 13.11 Yea his very condemning men both here and hereafter for their not believing on the Son of Man is an evidence that he would they should have believed on him John 5.40 3.18 19 36. 5. Yea in a word all that I have said on Observ 2â— about Gods desire of mens Salvation and living rather then that they dye and perish are evidences of the truth of this also that God requires that men believe on his Son the Son of Man as evidenced and lifted up by him and that their so doing is acceptable to him for so much as that believing on him is necessary to that Salvation and living with him 2. As for the acceptableness of it his requiring it and using or vouchsafing means and power for it and his threatning and punishing men for not improving them thereto and profiting by them so as to practise it evidence that also But much more clearly is this evidenced to and in them that believe 1. In his forgiving their sins as it is said To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth on him shall receive forgiveness of their sins Acts 10.43 2. In his justifying them as righteous there-through as it is said By him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not have been justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.39 3. In giving them the priviledge to be his Children as it is said To them that received him to them he gave this power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name John 1.12 And Ye are all the Sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26 4. In blessing them as it is said So many as are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham being reputed as his Children Gal. 3.7 9 29. And in a word 5 In that they shall not perish but have eternal life And so this Point of the acceptableness to God of mens believing on Christ is confirmed by the next Observation and what is contained in it Which we shall nextly consider reserving the Use of this Observation in its several branches to afterward CHAP. XIII The fifth Observation having two branches the former of them is here explicated what the perishing is from which the believer on the Son of Man is preserved and how he is preserved from it Obser 5 WHosoever believeth on the Son of Man shall not perish but have eternal life and it is the gracious mind of God it should be so This the next Verse also confirmeth wherein it is said God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And in Verse 36. where it is said He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life And in Chap. 6.40 where it is said This is the will of him that sent me that he that seeth beholdeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life c. But here it is to be minded that he saith not that whosoever believeth on him should not be sick or poor or tempted or dye in Prison or on the Gallows or any such like violent death by men and their authority or any thing of the like nature For any of these may and sometimes do befall those that believe on him For Hezekiah was sick and so was Lazarus the brother of Martha and Mary whom Jesus loved John 11.1 3 11. And so was Epaphroditus Phil. 2.27 30. And Lazarus that begged at the rich mans door was poor and God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith Jam. 2.5 And both Christ himself and his Saints Paul and Peter and many of his Worthies were tempted And we account them happy that endure temptation and so they are For when they are tryed they shall receive a crown of life which God hath promised to tâ—em that love him James 1.12 5.11 Heb. 2.18 11.37 And many Confessors of his Name and Truth have dyed in Prison or been put to shameful deaths for his Names sake as in Heb. 11.35 36 37. besides many other places of Scripture may be seen Let no man therefore think himself unhappy or not approved of God and of Christ in his believing because of such thiÌ„gs as Sathan is busie to tempt some to think 1 Pet. 5.8 they being not the things which God sent his Son to keep those that receive and believe on him from Neither let any man promise himself that in his believing on Christ he shall be saved from such things befalling him otherwise then he sees good to save him there-from lest missing of his hope and expectation therein he should be offended John 16.1 2 3. Think not saith our Lord that I am come to send peace on earth but a sword c. Nor is it said That whosoever believeth on him should have a rich and prosperous life in this world free from crosses and exercises for that is included in the peace which Christ would not have us think that he came to send upon earth Peace in the Hebrew and Scripture Language signifying prosperity No nor a long life upon earth or great promotions and honours with men Much less is it said that they should live here for ever No we see Death is common to all Abraham is dead and the Prophets be dead and so be the Apostles and all others must
Pharaohs Court as the Son of Pharaohs daughter yet through faith believing on the Son of Man he was not snared so as to perish from the way thereby but refusing to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproches of Christ greater riches then all the treasures of Egypt for he had respect to the recompence of reward Heb. 11.24 25 26. 5. In case of Gods giving honour power and authority to men they are in a danger to and often do perish from the way either neglecting and sleighting and so missing it or if they were somewhat in it before they wander out of it not believing in the Son of Man to steer them evenly and uprightly in it as is to be seen in many Kings and Princes that are or have been corrupted by power and greatness Instances we have in Saul and Vzziah Solomon and other Kings of Judah and Israel but now if any such believe on the Son of Man and in God through him he will preserve them from perishing from the way as may be seen in David Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah and Josiah though they all had their stumbles and falls in the way and this is that that is implyed in the second Psalme when he saith Be wise now therefore O ye Kings understand or be instructed ye that Judge the Earth Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce before him with trembling Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish out â—f the way if his wrath be kindled but a little Kiss that is imbrace honour submit to believe on the Son even him that is set upon Gods holy hill of Sion to whom God said Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Gods Son this Son of Man the Lord Jesus But then in adding Blessed are all they that trust in him He implies that they who do so in an exercise of faith in or believing on him they shall be happy in this that they shall be preserved from such perishing out of the way as befalls others that do not kiss or believe on him I may also add 6. In case of Gods honouring and lifting up men with great spiritual gifts and favours as knowledg utterance experience and such like priviledges The heart not exercising faith in the Son of Man and living upon him as nothing in and of itself notwithstanding them and as needing always to be found in him upheld and supplied by and presented in him is in danger to perish out of the way As is implied in that counsel and warning of the Apostles to the Gentiles Rom. 11.20 21. Thou standest by faith be not high-minded but fear for if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not thee And as was exemplified in Jerusalem Ezek. 16.16 17 18. That trusting in her own beauty and excellency received from Christ her husband and not living upon and trusting only to and in him plai'd the harlot and perished from the way as is to be seen in the following verses there and in Jer. 2.5 6 7 31. Whereas the living by the faith of the Son of God and exercising it by believing on him preserves and saves there-from as the Apostle Paul and all that in all ages lived by faith in their injoyments of Gods gifts favours and priviledges were Gal. 2.20 Heb. 10.38 7. In case of difficulties and seeming hardness in the words or works of God or Christ so as we cannot find them out or comprehend them by our understanding from want of believing on the Son of Man many perish from the way of truth and righteousness So we find that Israel fell in temptations and provocations not knowing Gods way erring in their hearts through unbelief of his words not mixed with faith in them Psal 95.10 Heb. 3.15 16 18. with 4.2 When Caleb and Joshua that believed followed God with a full heart and were not offended at any of his ways Asaph had like that way to have slipt but that going into the Sanctuary of God through believing what he there met with he was recovered Psal 73. Jeremiah also though he would reason with God of his judgments yet holding fast faith and believing that God was righteous in all his ways was not in danger of miscarrying Jer. 12.1 Yea in a word Great peace have they that love Gods Law and nothing shall offend them either in Gods words or works for they believe that his word is right and all his works are done in truth Psal 119.165 with 33.4 That God is a Rock his work perfect and all his ways judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32.4 But a most eminent instance of this we have in Christs Disciples Joh. 6. where at a hard saying of his about eating his Flesh and drinking his Blood many of his Disciples were so offended that they perished from the way turning back from and no more walking with Christ and that because they believed not hung not upon him as the Christ tho Son of God trusted not to his leading beyond what they could see and comprehend with their own understandings as one they were perswaded of that he would not deceive or mislead them Whereas Peter the other Apostles being asked If that offended them also and if they would go away too replied Whither shall we go Thou hast the words of eternal Life and we know and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God and would not depart from him Joh. 6.60 61 64 67 68 69. Abraham also believing according to what was said and giving glory to God staggered not through unbelief either at the strangness or greatness of what was promised or at the unlikeliness of its being performed and so turned not out of the way however he may be said to have tripped in it by listening to Sarahs advice Gen. 16. Rom. 4.16 17 18. Whereas Israel in the Wilderness as is noted afore not believing for the words sake nor for Gods sake upon the account of his power and faithfulness but judging by sight and appearance and accordingly believing or distrusting turned aside and perished from the way many of them And to say no more in case of temptations generally men not believing on Christ the Son of Man and so on God are in danger to perish out of the way being overcome of their lusts and of Sathan And so all the diverse ways of the people of Israel falling into sin and perishing from the way as by lusting after evil things by Idolatry by murmuring against Christ by tempting Christ and by fornication mentioned 1 Cor. 10. are resolved generally into their unbelief as the grand root and cause of them Heb. 3.19 Jude 5. When as they who hold fast faith in Christ and depend on him continually are thereby preserved from every evil way As it is
happinesse as without whom the best are too bad to be saved from wrath and admitted into the Kingdom of God There being no other name given under heaven either of thing or person whereby we must be saved but only his Act 4.11.12 and in and by whom the poorest and meanest sinfulnesse and unworthiâ—est may and shall be saved believing on him And indeed this Phrase That whosoever believeth on him may or should not perish c. Shews both a necessity for the best to believe on him as implying that none is sufficient to keep himself from hell and destruction or to climb and ascend up to heaven and happinesse but need to be saved from the one and advanced to the other by him in taking heed to leaving and relying on him and so only and no other way the wisest strongest and most righteous even by his wisdom righteousness mercy and grace may be saved and also that by him the worst and unworthiest believing on him may be saved and live such the sufficiency and perfection of grace that is in him through his sufferings sacrifice mediation Therefore I say neither are we to lift up our selves in our selves or in any thing of or after the flesh to the neglecting him as if we were therein or therfore Lords and need not come or be beholden unto him or as if we had lesse need of living in or depending on him nor yet so to grieve over or discourage our selves by our unworthiness or any poverty or sinfulness in or of our selves as if the grace in him was too scantâ—y to help or save us But knowing his sufficiency for all and freeness and openness to all cleave we with purpose of heart to him believing on him and not fearing But again 2. From the description given in the former Observation of this believing on the Son of man we may further admonish and be admonished To take heed of resting in a false and pretended believing on him which is not indeed and in truth the believing on him here signified A man may think himself to be something therein when he is nothing and so deceive himself And many so deceive themselves the heart being deceitfull above all things 1. By taking an external profession of the faith or of believing in God and on Jesus Christ his Son for a real and hearty believing on him Many professe themselves to know God who yet indeed deny him And many professe to believe on Jesus Christ who yet in their lives proclaim that they neither know him nor regard him much lesse have their faith in and dependance on him Tit. 1.16 Not every one that saith to or of Christ Lord Lord is such a one as believes on him so as to be saved from perishing and to have or obtain eternal life or enter into Gods Kingdome But they that do the will of God that sent him that so believe the Testimony of God concerning him as indeed to receive him for their Lord and depend on and obey him Matth. 7.21 22. Many this way deceive themselves indeed no evill liver no fornicator no blasphemer no drunkard no coveteous person or the like believe on Jesus Christ however they may say They believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord for if they did they might have eternal life and so enter Gods Kingdom whereas the Scripture saith and often assures us that no such ill liver shall do so 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Gal. 5.19 20 21. Ephes 5.3 4 5 6. Rev. 21.8 22.15 2. By taking every such profession of the faith of him and of believing on him as in which men preach and professe him and find some good effects follow thereupon among men to be the believing on him here spoken of Whereas many shall say in that day when Christ comes Have we not preached in thy name and in thy name cast out devils and done many wonderful works To whom yet Christ shall say and professe I never knew you depart from me ye workers of iniquity Matth. 7.22 23. Many may see and say many excellent things of him as Balaam did of Israel and do many things in his name as Judas did and yet not be believers on him because not obeyers and followers of his heavenly Counsels and instructions 3. By taking any zealous way of profession of Religion and care to perform and practice duties for a believing on Christ whereas there may be much zeal and strictness in profession and for performing duties when yet Christ is not known or understood and his grace not perceived or received but opposed much lesse lived and depended on but the life of mens own hands found and lived upon As it 's said Isai 57.10 As the Jews who were Zealous for the Ordinances of Moses and the external and and lighter matters of the law were yet ignorant of and neglected faith judgement mercy and the love of God and such like greater and weightier matters of the Law Matth. 23.23 Luk. 11.42 So may it be and is with many Christians by profession Many of them that are strict and zealous for outward Observations Ordinances Fastings Prayers Walkings Sabbaths Yea as Paul in his Pharaisisme was blamelesness of conversation in things commanded for matter of practice among men and in Religious exercises yet are void of the true knowledge and faith of Christ and the great things of his grace so as not to live thereupon Many in whom their zeal and frames and works spring not from faith in Christ but from other principles as a desire to be saved with a thought that they must be so upon the merit or account of their own good works as is to be seen among many Papists and others and such may be said to be of works rather then of faith and so far from being heirs of eternal life that they are under the curse Gal. 3.10 11 12. Rom. 4.4 4. By taking a faith or dependance partly on Christ and partly on other things or objects joyned with Christ as grounds of their hope and confidence to be this believing on him to which the promise is made as Christ and the Law Christ and the Pope or other men Christ and riches Christ and our own wisdome and policy c. Thus was it with the Galathians in their perverted state they joyned Moses and Christ together law and faith together as the ground of their hope and expectation Gal. 1.6.7 and 3.2 3. and 4.9 10 11. And such is the evil of men when they make their own righteousness good frames and doings a ground of their confidence with Christ and not Christ only the root and spring of all their goodness and ground of their confidence And so it 's an evil of like nature to trust in uncertain riches the friendship of this World the authority and power of man or our own policies yea it s a sin when but for a comfortable livelihood or
the Lord your God but not believe on his Prophets And therefore if Christ the Son of man were not also the Son of God and God Jehovah he were not a lawfull object to be believed in or relyed and depended on for procuring or conferring safety and eternal life nay nor for the mercies of this life much less those which are of that nature that it 's not possible for any that is but a creature to procure or confer But we are bid and commanded to believe on the son of man Jesus Christ Believe in God believe also on me Joh. 14.1 And this is his commandement that ye believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God c. 1 Joh. 3.23 2 Had he not been lifted up by men upon the Cross as thereto appointed of God and so called forth to supported under his sufferings for us he had still not been an object to be believed on for life and salvation as the son of man because there could have been none in him for us but we had been left under the necessity of perishing for ever the law of God being broken by us and the sentence and curse of it therethrough falling upon us we naked and open thereunto Under the Law the figure of heavenly things there was scarce any thing purged but by blood and without shedding of blood was no remission Heb. 9.22 Shadowing and signifying the necessity of the death of a sacrifice for our redemption from under the wrath of God and for the remission of our sins But no sacrifice of the law could make an expiation because of the weakness and unprofitableness of them For it was not possible for the blood of Bulls and Goats to take away sin wherefore God rejected them when it was said Sacrifice and Offerings thou wouldst not have but a body hast thou prepared for me Heb. 5.6 Which was spoken prophetically of Christ the Son of God becoming the son of man signifying the necessity and certainty of his being made a sacrifice and shedding his precious blood for us to make atonement for us And indeed if our sins could have been purged or expiated and redemption obtained without the death of Christ for us and his bearing and therein and thereby making satisfaction for our sins then would his death and sufferings be rendred vain and needlesse which is horrible for us to think that God would put his own and only begotten son to such agonies sorrows and death without need for them as the Apostle implies when he saith I do not frustrate the grace of God for if righteousness be by the law then Christ dyed in vain that is needlesly The end of his dying might have been brought about without it Gal. 2.21 Some rich man might have redeemed his brother by buying and giving to God a multitude of those legal sacrifices for him contrary to Psal 49.6 7 8. Yea and the Apostle by saying if righteousness be by the law excludes righteousness by any other means than by the death of Christ Taking it for granted that the law was the most absolute way for getting righteousness that ever was in the World besides the death and sufferings of Christ it containing precepts and appointments ordered of God and if that was insufficient surely all the riches and honours in the World could not procure it nor any doctrines or documents of the Phylosophers or wise men of the Gentiles or of any people whatsoever they being far short of God and his wisdome in appointing things pleasing in his sight so that it follows that there was a necessity of Christs death and of his being lifted up in such sense as we shewed before that he was exalted and lifted up therein because otherwise he could not have been an Object to be looked to or beleived on for salvation because no salvation or redemption from death and curse and by consequence no eternal life or lawfull power to give it could have been in him but by his death and sufferings 3. Necessary hereto also it was that he should not himself perish in his sufferings as to his humanity but be raised up again otherwise he could be no object still to be believed on for life and salvation Because had he not risen again from the dead but been lost and perished therein he could not have been as the Son of man in any capacity of helping us nor could we have been justified and acquitted from our sins by his sufferings seeing his body in which he bare our sins was the payment given to law and justice for them and had not that been raised the debt had not been acknowledged as sufficiently paid or to have been sufficient to satisfie justice Yea he being our Champion had he perished in the conflict or combate and not returned Victor we had all been routed as it fared with the Philistines when Goliah was slain by David or rather as it would have fared with Israel had Goliah killed David If Christ be not risen preaching is vain and our faith is vain we are yet in our sins 1 Cor. 15.14.17 Nor could he as the Son of man have been in a case to releive or help us any further much lesse to keep us back from perishing and give us eternal life For from a person dead while dead what help can be expected 4. Nor could he be an Object to be believed on or we have had any ground to believe on him for procuring for us further grace or dispensing it to us for preserving us from perishing in the second death or for directing leading us in the way to or bringing us to the injoyment of eternal life if he had been only raised to live as a private person or in a mean condition as before on the earth again without being exalted to Gods right hand and invested in the nature of man and as the Son of man with those Offices of the great Prophet and Apostle and High-Priest of our profession the great King of Saints and Nations and Lord of all creatures If he had not been glorified with the glory of God and filled with his fulnesse If he had been here on earth still he should not have been a Priest seeing there were Priests that offer gifts according to the Law Heb. 8. Nor would the comforter have been sent to his Apostles and servants seeing it behooved him to present himself to God as the perfect sacrifice and become the great High-Priest even in the Heavens themselves appearing in the presence of God for us and making intercession for transgressors and for all that come to God by him that he might purge the Heavens themselves from the effects and cries of our sins there and sprinkling the vertues of his precious blood there in the presence of God make an attonement and obtain and receive the holy spirit for us to shed forth upon us and to remove the guilt of our sins from before God that it might be dispensed
Gentiles Act. 13.47 and 28.28 Surely it 's every way a heavy judgment and to be much cryed and prayed against as Psal 12.1 2. Well might the Prophet Amos from the mouth of the Lord signifie that the Famine of hearing the Word of the Lord is a worse Famine then that of bread and water Amos 8.11 12. For this is but of sustenance for the body and bodily life and that 's but a momentany and uncertain life which must however dye and depart that is indangered thereby in a bodily death out of which there will be a Resurrection again and in the state of which the Soul mean time may be blessed Rev. 14.13 but the other is of the sustenance and salvation of the Soul and the removal thereof lays open to the loss of Eternal Life and indangers the inevitably falling into everlasting destruction out of which is no recovery or redemption Oh how greatly behoves it us then to pray and pray earnestly for our selves and for our Nation that however God may please to correct and chasten us yet he would be pleased to continue with us his glorious Gospel and not take that from us and that he would vouchsafe to give or restore it to the Places or Nations that are without it or have it not so clearly with them as we have it blessed be God for it And let this suffice for the first Use the Discovery of the Excellency of the Gospel-Doctrine and the Inferences therefrom CHAP. XXI A Second Vse The Excellencies of Christ hence inferred and that is viewed First As the Excellencies of the choice Creatures are ascribed unto Him and so He the first-born of every Creature Use 2 THe Second Thing I shall note is for further Information of us from all said upon God's Grand Design of exalting and lifting up Christ the Son of Man and of the necessity and fulness of Him and his Exaltation both as exalted in Himself and as glorified by the Spirit in the Gospel for effecting Faith in us and there-through preserving us from perishing and giving us Eternal Life to inform us of the exceeding preciousness excellency and glory of the Lord Jesus this Son of Man himself from whom and whose excellency all the Glory of the Gospel and its beneficialness and advantagiousness floweth Surely He that renders the Gospel so glorious must needs excell in glory and excellency himself it s nothing but He in it that makes it rich and full and efficacious Let Men speak as gallant words as they can imagine and use all the skill that Art and Industry can suggest yea that the most wise and subtle spirit can teach them Speak with the Tongue of Men and Angels use the most powerful demonstrations Logick can make and the most perswasive arguments Oratory can invent and make use of yet if there be nothing of the Son of Man in it nothing of Christ and him crucified it avails nothing to our Salvation and enjoyment of Eternal Life But He alone discovered and the better the more nakedly and with the less artifice and use of those Sciences is able to effect all in us for God hath made void the wisdom of this world the wise the Scribe and the Disputer of this World are with him mere ciphers 1 Cor. 1.18 19 20. Deceive men they may and therefore the Apostle cautions us to beware least any man spoil us through Philosophy and vain deceit Coll. 2.8 but save men from perishing they cannot much less advance them to Eternal Life No it s this Object held forth in the Gospel that is the life and vertue of it which is the Son of man Christ Jesus Rom. 1.3 and 16.25 and therefore seeing the Gospel is so excellent by his being the matter of it how excellent is He himself who is its matter He must needs be more precious than the Gold of Ophir more glorious and excellent than the Mountains of prey Isa 13.12 Psal 76.4 That hath in him not only the excellencies of all the Creatures but all the excellencies of God also Gods great glory and mans utmost happiness all meeting in him If when Ahasuerus proposed the Question What shall be done to the man whom the King will honour Haman reasonably thought it would be no small matter which would be done to him How much more may it be thought and believed that He whom God not only will honour but honour above all must needs excell in all things that may commend him Yea He honours him with his own with all his own honour and glory which he will not give to any other besides him either thing or person Surely he must needs be infinitely and inexpressibly honourable and glorious seeing God is infinitely honourable and glorious himself and honours him not according to the dictates of the wisest and highest Creatures with whom he takes no counsel in this or any other matter but according to his own wisdom understanding and goodness which are all infinite and boundless unless then we could by searching find out God yea and find him out too to perfection whose Excellency is higher then the Heavens so that What can we do Deeper then Hell and therefore What can we know Longer then the Earth and Broader then the Sea and so altogether Incomprehensible we cannot find out and fathom all the Glory and Excellency of this Man the Son of man the Lord Jesus Well may it therefore be said of him that He hath a Name above every Name and that none knows but himself Rev. 19.12 And as himself saith None knoweth him but his Father Mat. 11.27 Yet many and great and glorious things are said of him by his holy Spirit That searcheth out all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 And Takes the things of Christ and shews them to us John 16.13 14 15. Things that commend him highly to us though yet his Name which is only Excellent Psal 148.13 Is Exalted above all Blessing and Praise Neh. 9.5 So that when we have searched and said all we can in and from what is Recorded of him by his holy Spirit yet we may conclude as in Psal 106.2 Who can declare his mighty Acts Who can set forth all his Praises God hath so poured out Himself and his Fulness and the Fulness of all things therein as it were into him that he is All and in all in the new Creature or Creation Col. 3.10 It hath pleased the Father that in him all Fulness should dwell and it hath pleased all Fulness to dwell in him yea All the Fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily and in him we are compleat Col. 1.19 and 2.9 10. All things in Heaven and Earth hath God pleased to gather together in one even in Christ Jesus Ephes 1.10 That if any thing in either or all things in both of them may like us and satisfie us we may have them fully and transcendently in him Let us essay to View something of his Infinite
glorious Body according to the working of that glorious Power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself Rom. 8.10 11. Phil. 3.21 Yea The Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 Oh how Excellent a Person then is Christ that is so comprehensive of all Good and Excellency even from the highest to the lowest Who is both Creator and Creature and hath the Nature and Perfections of both And hath had as well the Infirmities of the one sin excepted out of his great Love and Pity to us as the Form and Excellency Majesty and Glory of the other He that is the high and holy One the Great and Mighty God hath also cried out and acknowledged I am a worm and no man the very scorn of men and the out-cast of the people For he hath had the Experiences of Fallen man the Snares and Bitterness of Death and the Pangs of Hell as well as he hath had and hath experience and full injoyment of the infinite Joys and Glorys and inexpressible Satisfactions of Heaven and God no place is there wherein he is not and hath not been He was aâ— man on the Earth and sometimes Walking on the Seas Yea as to his Body he was in the Grave in the heart of the Earth though not left there to see Corruption and as to his Soul he was in though not left in Hell and yet he was Lord in Heaven and is so for ever 1 Cor. 15.45 John â—3 13 Psal 16.11 with Acts 2.31 Able to save us to the utmost while we are on the Earth and from Grave to Hell and to bring us to the Possession of Heaven and happiness For though he was dead to redeem us from thence yet he is now alive for evermore Amen and hath the Keys of hell and death to keep or bring us out from thence Rev. 1.18 and The Keys of the house of David too so to open as no man shall shut and so to shut as no man can open and he can and will admit into his Kingdom all that are faithful to obey and follow him Greatness and Goodness yea all Perfections and Excellencies are compleatly and everlastingly in him Oh therefore how ought we to admire and love him and with all acceptation to receive and cleave to him honour and obey him Surely that 's the way for us also to be made an excellent and precious People in the sight of God and useful to and among men For this also is of the Commendations of Christ that his Excellencies and Preciousness communicate and contribute an Excellency to all in whom he is It 's his Excellency as we noted before that renders the Gospel a more excellent and glorious Doctrine and so it 's his Excellency and Preciousness derived to them that makes his People those that own and believe on him to be a more excellent People then others as it is said The Righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 it is because Christ is in them as it is said again God is in the Generation of the Just Psal 14.5 And the Riches of the Mystery of the Gospel Preached among the Gentiles is Christ in or among them the hope of Glory Col. 1.27 As Christ also prayed for his Disciples that they may be one as the Father and Son are one he Christ in them and the Father in him John 17.23 For as the Comeliness of Jerusalem and her Beauty that was perfect was so through his Beauty and Comeliness put upon her Ezek. 16.14 So the Excellency of his People is his Excellency put upon them who are said to have put on Christ and to be as it were clothed with him Now he being so precious how must they needs be also precious in and by him And indeed others who have not him and much more they who reject and refuse him lifting up themselves or other things and glorying in them are vile persons Psal 15.4 For indeed every thing or person according to the Spirit is to be accounted of as it hath reference to or hath more or less of or conduceth more or less to our injoyment of him And so those things or persons are to be more esteemed or chosen of us and loved by us by whom or by which we are or may be more led to Christ or built up in him or more of him and his excellencies are or may be conveyed to us But I may seem to have insisted too largely upon this Subject and to have made too long a Digression if I may call it a Digression and yet I may too truly say I have spoken nothing in effect to it but rather have but darkned wisdom by words without knowledge his excellencies being indeed such as cannot be so spoken or written of but that all that is spoken and written of them is as far below them as He who would go about to paint the glory and luster of the Sun would necessarily fail and fall short of its proper and native splenâ—or and glory in all his painting Verily though there be very much said of him and of his excellencies in the Scriptures yet it may and will be said when we come to see him and enjoy him if we being found in him shall be accounted worthy thereof as the Queen of Sheba said of Solomon when she saw him and his excellency and glory It was a true report indeed said she which I heard of thee in mine own Land of thy acts and of thy wisdom howbeit I believed not the words till I came and mine eyes have seen and behold the half was not told me thy wisdom and thy prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard So may we say then the Prophets and Apostles knew in part and prophesied in part not in perfection and surely that which is but in part will be found as short of that that is perfect as the capacities of a little child fall below the most perfect capacities of a grown and most accomplished man as the Apostle signifies in 1 Cor. 13.10 12. And surely if they knew and prophesied in part only what then could I do or have I done who have but gleaned some small part of what they have declared Surely I must needs have fallen unspeakably short of his infinite perfections whose Name alone is excellent and whose glory is not only above the earth but above the Heavens also Psal 148.13 For who can declare as I said in the beginning hereof all his mighty acts Who can set forth all his praises Psal 106.2 I should but still fall below him yea and too much darken his glory should I assay to add any thing more hereabout and therefore I shall say no more but rather desire and pray that the spirit of wisdom and revelation may be granted to me in the knowledge of him that the eyes of my understanding being inlightned I may know more distinctly for my self and for the
helpfulness of others what is the hope of his calling what the unsearchable riches of his grace to be believed and preached by us Eph. 1.18 19. 3.8 and to that purpose say as the Psalmist Be thou exalted O Lord in thine own strength so shall we sing and praise thy power Psal 21.13 Be thou exalted O Lord in thy own glory and excellencies so shall we see and sing of them CHAP. XXIV Some Usefulness of this Doctrine by way of Exhortation and first To look to Christ as lifted up for Vs in all Cases Use 3 ANd surely all that hath been hitherto said of the lifting up of this Son of man and of the end of it may provoke and lead us Exhort 1. To look diligently to him as so lifted up that in looking to him we may be inlightned and our faces may not be ashamed as is said Psal 34.5 He being set or lifted up of God both in himself first and then to us that we might behold him and that in seeing or looking to him we might be strengthned and framed to believe on him and seeing and believing on him we might be saved and have eternal life according to the good and holy will of God Joh. 6.40 Isa 45.22 To which 1. God himself directs and commands us saying Behold my servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my holy spirit upon him c. Isa 42.1 And 2. Christ himself also calls us saying Behold me behold me to a Nation that was not called by his Name Isa 65.1 And look to me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Isa 45.22 And 3. The holy Spirit exhorts and commands us saying All ye Inhabitants of the World and Dwellers on the Earth when He lifteth up an Ensign on the Mountains see ye and when he bloweth a Trumpet hear ye Isa 18.3 And there is great Reason for it For Motive 1. If we refuse to look to and behold him how then shall we hereafter look upon him when He comes in his glory and calls us to an account and when we must make a reckoning to Him of our doings when He shall set before us that God for our good and welfare out of his abundant grace and mercy to us gave him his only begotten Son and He himself for us and how He through his great and heavy sorrows and sufferings was exalted and lifted up for us as an Object prepared to our hands and every way sufficient able and ready to save and heal us and we after all that would not turn away our eyes from beholding vanity to look upon and consider Him such a loving and lovely Object an Object so fair and beautiful so comely and glorious both for escape and for delight for safety and life Isa 4.2 Psal 45.2 as He was and is to us How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation as was prepared before the face and answerable to the needs and wants of all People and published and lifted up to us If they that despised Moses law dyed without mercy as we noted before under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment shall he be counted worthy that hath trampled under foot the Son of God such and so excellent a one as we have seen before in part counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified a common or unholy thing and hath done despight to the spirit of grace c. Heb. 2.3 and 10.28 29. This would be now seriously considered by us As also that Motive 2. If we look to Him the benefit will be great for He will help and heal us at all turns He is of vertue and force to heal our hearts minds and consciences in all cases as it was with the Brazen Serpent what-ever were the stings and wounds received by the fiery Serpents in looking to the Serpent of Brass they were cured of them None of them were so slighty as that they had any promise of living with them without looking to that nor any so deep and dangerous but that in looking up to that they lived So is it here None so good so holy or so little sinful as that without looking to Christ they may expect to be saved and to have eternal life nor are any so bad or desperately wicked but in a hearty serious and timely looking to Christ they may be healed and live for ever Let that then move us to look to him as delivered up to Death for our offences and raised again from the Dead for our Justification glorified at the right hand of God and lifted up in the Gospel by the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of the spiritual gifts of God's Servants given them to that purpose yea in every case let us look to Him to be healed and saved by Him As for instance Case 1. Are we sensible of our sins and sinfulness and ready to despair because they are so great and manifold The way to be healed of such wounds upon our hearts and consciences the fears horrours and smarts of such stings is to turn the eye hither to the Son of man the Lord Jesus not to pore upon our selves our own unworthiness inability to satisfy Gods justice by any sorrows bewailings confessions or amendments of ours nor to set our selves as conceiting our selves able to help or heal our selves by any such courses or by any devises or contrivances of our own or others as Plaisters of our own making or others commending or giving but only to mind and look unto the perfect Law of Liberty continuing to look thereinto that we may see what He is and what He hath done and suffered for us what satisfaction He hath given to justice what Redemption He hath obtained what Peace he hath made what Pardon is Proclaimed in Him for whom He hath suffered according to the Spirits testimony in the Scriptures and to whom He proclaims and preaches Peace there-through the greatness of his love and freeness of his Grace to Man-kind c. Thus the Apostle Peter preached Christ to those who were prickt at their hearts at their hearing that they had been guilty of murthering Christ directing them to believe on Him upon that account that there was in Him remission of sins and the Holy Ghost to be given them by him and they looking to him and yielding up to what He so looked to wrought in them were comforted and healed Act. 2.37 38 41. So also in Act. 3.13 14 19 26. He proposed to others guilty of the same fault the consideration of the blessing in him the Seed of Abraham for all the Families of the Earth and that to them the Jews first God sent Jesus to bless every one of them in turning every one of them from their iniquities The like in Act. 5.30 31. And the Apostle Paul to the Jaylour ready to make away himself and inquiring in a great affrightment what he should do to be saved directed him to
there a little neglecting the vision of All the Foundation and Rest wherewith the weary should be caused to rest Isa 28.12 13 16. and 29.11 They that so do are so far from being healed and saved in and by such ways that they fall under reproof as taking the wrong course for themselves because not looking to yea are under greater misery and judgment for neglecting and despising this healing Object These things then being considered let us be exhorted to look off from other things as vain and unprofitable as being neither Crucified for us nor having a Name Power and Virtue able to afford Relief to us Yea oftentimes bewitching of and destructive to us as the Tree of Knowledg of Good and Evil was to Evah and the Wedg of Gold and Babylonish Garment proved to Achan and to look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of the Faith c. Yea let us look to him in all cases for all things in all means at all times and with all diligence and perseverance I say First Let us look to him in all cases for all Grace and Blessing needful for us As to say 1. For pardon of our sins for in him is forgiveness of sin Preached to us and to him give all the Prophets witness c. as we noted before in speaking to the believing on him to be exercised by us It is not for us to pore upon our selves and sins and think that way to get rid of them without looking to him in believing on him Nor is it for us to run to other Means or Medicines or trust to any Popes or Priests to pardon us but look to him directly as our only Saviour that having Suffered and Died for our sins hath there-through both Power and Readiness to forgive them and so we shall receive it of and in him 2. Let us look to him for cleansing from the filth of our sins For he is filled with Spirit and Power to that purpose the Spirit of the fear of the Lord is upon him to inable and furnish him to frame our hearts to fear him and in his Mediating and Ministring the New Testament or Covenant he puts the fear of God into the heart which is clean and leads to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit and to perfect holiness before him Jer. 32.39 40. with Heb. 8.6.10 Psal 19.9 2 Cor. 7.1 And to that purpose look we to him 3. For Light and Direction in the Truth of God as it is in him and to receive from him that Unction by which we may know all things and be lead into all truth That Light that will guide our feet into the Paths of Peace at all times and in all cases for He is come a Light into the World that whosoever believeth on him might not abide in darkness John 12.46 And he Will bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles and cause his Judgment to rest for a Light to the people Isa 42.1 and 51.4 They looked to him and were enlightned and their faces were not ashamed Psal 34.5 All others are vanity and their works wind and confusion none of them where he is not can answer any thing Isa 41.28 29. Let us look to him for direction in our ways as well as for instruction to our minds that we may know and understand his will concerning us in what he requires of us as well as what he is and hath done for us for he is the Counsellor to Action and Practice as well as the Teacher of us in Faith and Doctrine and he will teach us his ways that we may walk in his paths Isa 2.3 It 's good to seek to him both in matters of Faith and Practice and not to lean to our own understandings nor take things on trust from men simply on the account of their Authority or Wisdom 4. For Spirit and Grace to incline our hearts to believe on him and walk in his ways For the Spirit is put upon him and he is the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost John 1.33 which he gives to them that obey him Acts 5.32 Thus we find David looking to him for by Lord he oft-times signified the Son see Psal 97.1.5.7 and 68.17 18 19. and 102.12.25 with Heb. 1.6.10 11. Ephes 4.8.11 for the holy Spirit and for its inclining his heart to his fear and way Witness these and the like Expressions Uphold me with thy free Spirit Psal 51.11 Thy Spirit is good lead me into the Land of uprightness Psal 143.10 Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments incline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not to Covetousness turn away mine eyes from beholding Vanity quicken me in thy ways Psal 119.35 36 37. 5. Look we also to him For strength to strengthen us unto every good way and work and to uphold us in all difficulties and against all oppositions for the Spirit that is upon him is as well a Spirit of Might as of Vnderstanding and Counsel Isa 11.2 And the holy Men of God have looked to him for strength both unto all good so David In the day when I cried unto thee thou strengthnedst me with strength in my soul Psal 138.3 Strengthen me according to thy word Psal 119.28 And against all evil and opposition as Vphold me according to thy word that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope hold thou me up and I shall be safe c. Psal 119.116 117. And so it s promised that they who wait on the Lord the Lord will strengthen their hearts and they shall renew their strength they shall mount up as with wings like Eagles they shall run and not be a weary walk and not faint Psal 27.14 and 31.24 Isa 40.29 30 31. 6. For comfort in Distresses Troubles and Temptations For it s he that prays the Father for and obtains and sends the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth John 14.16 17. and 15.26 And in his seeing his people or visiting them with his Salvation he makes their hearts rejoyce so as their joy shall no man take from them John 16.22 Thus David looked up to the Lord for comfort When wilt thou comfort me Psal 119.82 and When wilt thou come to me Psal 101.2 And Rejoyce the soul of thy Servant for unto thee do I lift up my soul O Lord Psal 86.4 But in looking to him for this and all other things take we heed to love him and keep his Commandments as our Saviour instructs us John 14.15 16 21. 7. For help and succour in dangers and deliverance from evils and from all enemies whether they be men or Devils For all Power and Authority in Heaven and upon Earth is his and he stands and feeds or rules in the strength of the Lord and in the Majesty of his Name and is both mighty to save his Servants and to destroy his and their enemies Mat. 28.18 Mich. 5.4 Isa 63.1 James 4.12 Thus David Mine eyes are evermore to the Lord for he
is able to Succour us because one with God the Son of God one in whom God and his Fulness gives forth himself to us Should we neglect and flight him and look to any other thing or person from him As that in Psal 121.1 may be read and is read in the Margin Should I look to the Hills and Mountains From whence then cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord who made the Heaven and the Earth Not from the Hills and Mountains but from the Lord Jehovah the Lord who made the Heavens and the Earth Should not a man look to his God Should a man seek for the Living to the Dead Isa 8.19 Is it not better to search and try our ways and turn to the Lord lifting up our heart with our hands yea our souls and our eyes to him in the Heavens Lam. 3.40 41. Psal 25.1.15 and 123.1 2. But Oh! How apt are we to look for help from trouble but not to consider that our sins are the causes of our troubles and so neglect to seek to be delivered from them Or if we seek deliverance from them then yet how many Thirdly Look to false ways for deliverance from sin and trouble too Running like the Heathens to false Gods or as some Jews to the true God by false ways not by Jesus Christ the Son of man and his Death and Sacrifice in and through which our way lies to God and access to and acceptance with him may be had of us But we men are apt either 1. With Israel of old to look to the Altars and Groves the works of their hands as in Isa 17.7 8. Where he saith in That day a man shall have respect to his Maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy One of Israel and he shall not look to the Altars the works of his hands neither shall he respect that which his Fingers have made either the Groves or the Images Implying that that was now their way of sinning that they looked in a Religious way by Idolatrous and Superstitious sacrifices and observancies to pacifie Gods anger appease his wrath and obtain his favour as in all Nations generally the Heathen did by their Idolatrous Sacrifices and Ceremonies seek to please their gods and divert their anger and by such superstitious and heathenish ways too many yet conceit they may do it with the true God doing that to the Lord which the Heathen use to do to their gods contrary to the express Command of God Deut. 12.30 31. Or else 2. With Israel in latter times after that being punished for their gross Idolatries they were reformed from them For then they looked to the works of their own hands in another sense which they in those former times under any Reformation in their better Kings days were apt also to do they used to look to the Temple and to cry The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord are these And to their Sacrifices Oblations Burnt-offerings solemn Meetings many Prayers Sabbaths and the like And to hope for Deliverance from Sin and Judgments upon such accounts as these as in Isa 28.14 15. and 66.1 3. Jer. 7.4 5 6 c. Rom. 9.31 32. and 10.1 2 3 Luke 18.9 11 12. And are there not many now that look either to things as bad as the Idolatrous Sacrifices and superstitious Groves and Altars of the Gentiles and Gentilizing Jews Some that look for help pardon and deliverance from wrath from the Pope and his Ministers their Masses Dirges Pilgrimages Invocation of Saints and such like Fopperies And by things too much of Kindred to them where the Pope is rejected as by their saying their Prayers getting the Priests Absolution observing Church-orders c. And those who are reformed yet more from those things do they not come up too much to the zealous Jews and Pharisees in looking to their Orders Covenants Zeal Profession Ordinances Duties and many the like things never Crucified for them but to him who died for them and into whose Name they were Baptized they look not or look too little 3. So also they who look to one another but not to Jesus who think this or that Religious man or these or those good People shall help and succour them Like the foolish Virgins who neglecting Christ and the getting Oyl in their Vessels from him while they had opportunity looked that the wise Virgins in their defects should supply them Mat. 25.8 but their hope and expectation failed them verse 9. To such it may be said as old Jacob said to his Sons when they were like to famish for want of Bread corn Why look ye one upon another Behold I have heard that there is Corn in Egypt get ye up thither and buy that ye may live and not die Gen. 42.1 So may we say Behold we have heard that there is Grace in Christ Jesus there is Salvation in him Redemption in him Forgiveness of sins and Eternal life in him all things that we need in him c. Let us arise therefore and go up to him or look up to him and Buy of him Gold tried in the fire that we may be inriched and White Raiment that we may be clothed and our Nakedness may be covered and our Shame may not appear If we look to other things they will fail us and be like those deceiful Brooks whereof Job speaks and like to his Brethren compared to them Job 6.15 16 19 20 21. Streams which pass away what time they wax warm they vanish or are cut off in the heat they are extinguished out of their place the Troops of Teman looked the Companies of Sheba waited for them they were confounded because they had hoped they came thither they were ashamed Whereas Christ is the Fountain of living Waters and that Spring of Waters whose Waters fail not Jer. 2.13 John 4.14 The remedy of Gods providing for and commending to us the sure Foundation of Gods Laying on whom whosoever believeth shall not be ashamed Isa 28.16 4. They also who trust in themselves that they are Christs who trust in or look to their making mention of Christ their Preaching or Prophecying in his Name and having success therein so as to do many wonderful works and to have the Spirits subject to them thinking thence to find safety and deliverance from their sins and sorrows from wrath and judgment but look not to the Son of man so as to be healed of their sins by him It 's not any mans Acts about Christian Profession or Religion but Christ himself delivered up of God for our Sins raised again for our Justification and Exalted and Glorified of him and so that Grace in him that is to be Eyed Looked and Depended on by us for all Grace and Blessing yielding up to be Saved and Healed thereby as in believingly minded it worketh in us and so He that looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continues therein being not a
in due time of all Men and be very high exceeding high and glorious As many were astonished at thee speaking to him his visage was so marred c. so he shall sprinkle many Nations The Kings shall shut their mouths at him for that which hath not been told them shall they see and that which they had not heard shall they consider Whatsoever the Father giveth him shall come to him nothing shall keep it back or any part of it who or whatever opposes it And then He that person Man or Woman that cometh to him He will in no wise cast them out which is a great incouragement also to any man to come to him Yea here is a double incouragement 1. That He shall have the heigth and greatness that God gives him He shall and must be lifted up and be made high 2. That He being so high and by consequent able to help succour satisfy and save all that come to Him He also is so good and merciful that whosoever cometh to him for help salvation or satisfaction he will in no wise refuse or cast him out which may both comfort us in his behalf and incourage us in our own to look to him who-ever they be that look away from or neglect and slight him For He came not down from Heaven to do his own will but the will of him that sent him and this is the will of him that sent him that of all that which the Father hath given him he should loose nothing nothing of all that honour glory Kingdom c. but should raise it up again at the last day And this is the will of him that sent him that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life and he will raise him up at the last day Joh. 6.37 38 39 40. And these two Branches of his will answer to those two Branches of his assertion in vers 37. and that given him is distinct from him that seeth and believeth on him and the raising up of the one distinct from the raising up of the other as those words And this is the will of him that sent me in the beginning of vers 40. implies it being spoken of as a distinct business and so we may say As God gave him in the nature of man the Throne of Majesty in the Heavens and a great and glorious Name here on Earth among men notwithstanding all the folly and negligence of the Jews that see and believed not yea and against all the oppositions both of Jewes and Gentiles opposing Him his Doctrine and Servants and persecuting Him and them to Death so God lifted Him up to Heaven both in his Personal Body and as brought forth by his Church in the knowledge and faith of Him wherein he was taken up to the Throne of God Rev. 12.5 As also among men he was exalted extolled and made very high But now by the Anti-christian Beast and false Prophet arisen and grown great in the World He is darkned and diminished again as it were The Beast hath the great Company of followers and worshippers and is wondred after and magnified by them saying Who is able to make War with the Beast and Who is like the Beast even that which appertains to the Lamb the Lord Jesus is attributed to him see Psal 89.6 8. And we may take up that complaint which follows in that Psalm vers 38. Thou hast cast off and abhorred thou wast wrath with thy Anointed or Messiah not as to his Person but as to the appearance of his Name and Glory in the World and as to his Members here as his Name and Glory is upon them and they by his permission and providence are rendred as if they were objects of his wrath and abhorrency Thou hast made void the Covenant of thy Servants the Gospel-covenant at the present takes little place in the World thou hast prophaned by casting down his Crown to the ground c. But now saith our Saviour This is the will of Him that sent me that how-ever low my Crown Glory or Repute seem to lye I should not loose it but raise it up again at the last day and so He will When He arises and lifts up Himself to judge the World and to take to Himself his Great Power and Reign His Enemies shall be scattered Antichrist the Beast and false Prophet shall be discomfited and taken The Lamb shall overcome them and then when they are overcome by him He will thereby raise up his Name Covenant Throne and Kingdom again in the eyes views and hearts of the World as it were or into a more high and glorious form and appearance then before they fell down then before there was such an Apostacy and departure from him even as the Persons and Bodies also of those who see and believe on Him shall be raised into a better state and form then they were in before they fell into the earth by death then God will give him the Throne of his Father David and he shall raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen down and he shall build it up and shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever then shall that be fulfilled which is spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah chap. 2.11 22. That the lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the Lord alone even the Lord Jesus and God in him shall be exalted in that day for the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low and upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and so upon all that 's high or pleasant to men that now eclipses or darkens his glory and robs him of his honour and they shall all be cast down and the Idols shall be utterly abolished and the Lord even Jesus alone shall be exalted and then great shall be his glory in Gods salvation visibly and apparently in the World also For at that last day he shall appear in glory and all his Saints shall appear in glory with him and then he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high indeed not only in himself but in his appearance in the World also and in the eyes and hearts of all men For then all the Kings of the earth shall praise him even such as now despise and persecute him when they shall hear the words of his mouth yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord for great shall be his glory Psal 138.4 5. Yea and then all the ends of the World shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the Kindreds of the Nations shall worship before him for the Kingdom shall be and is the Lords and He the Governour then most gloriously among the Nations all they that be fat upon the earth shall eat and worship and all they that go down to
the dust shall how before him every one shall confess and give an account of himself to Him see Isa 45.23 with Rom. 14.10 11 12. and Philip. 2.10 11 and none can keep alive his own Soul Psal 22.27 28 29. Yea all Nations that he hath made shall come and worship before him and shall glorify his Name because He is great and doth wondrous things He as all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily is God alone Psal 86.9 10. Yea and all Flesh shall worship him and bless his holy Name for ever and ever Psal 145.21 Isa 66.23 Then shall those Prayers and Prophecies be accomplished that we have in Psal 67.3 4 5 6 7. Let all the People praise thee O God let all the People praise thee O let the Nations be glad and rejoyce or sing for joy for thou shalt judge the People righteously and govern the Nations upon Earth let the People praise thee O God yea let all the People praise thee then shall the Earth yield her increase for then shall all things be restored and made new new Heavens and new Earth in which shall dwell righteousness Isa 65.17 25. 2 Pet. 3.13 14. Rev. 21.1 5 6 and God even our God shall give us his blessing God shall bless us and all the ends of the Earth shall praise Him And then what our Lord directs his Disciples and Children to pray for daily shall be fully answered God's Name shall be so hallowed and his Kingdome come that his will shall be done on Earth as it is in Heaven as universally perfectly and perpetually for Sin and Satan and all that are wicked and love iniquity and would not let it go shall be thrust down into the Lake and shall have no place either in Heaven or Earth and those that believe on Christ being saved from perishing therein shall enjoy eternal life The sinners shall be consumed out of the Earth and the wicked shall be no more Bless thou the Lord O my soul praise ye the Lord Psal 104.35 CHAP. XXIX A brief Discovery of the True and False Church their distinct Manners and Priviledges And the Conclusion of the whole Treatise in a Brief Exhortation Use 9 HEre also we may take a brief View of the True Church of God who they be and what their Priviledges Many there be who greatly mistake that as well as their Fathers did mistake the Christ the Son of man the Lord and Head of it many cry up and lift up the Church instead of Christ crying the Church the Church the holy Catholick Church calling men as they think to it when they totally mistake themselves and it doing as those in Isa 48.1 2. who Sware by the Name of the Lord and made mention of the God of Israel but not in Truth nor in Righteousness though they called themselves of the holy City the holy Catholick Church and stayed themselves on the God of Israel the Lord of Hosts is his Name This that men usually magnifie as the Holy Church is but the outward Court that is without the Temple which the Beast and False-prophet the Antichrist or man of Sin sits in and sets up their Image in and which the Angel ordered the holy Man to cast out and not to measure as being prophane and no sufficient mark by which to know who is Holy and Accepted of God it being given unto the Gentiles even to those that are Uncircumcised in heart and life boasting in and knowing themselves by and after their flesh and fleshly Priviledges As their Birth Breeding Riches Learning Places Offices and the like and walking in and after the Flesh performing and rejoycing in a carnal fleshly Worship Religion Zeal Devotion and upon such accounts trampling under foot the holy City which they say they are of but Know Own or Love it not but do hate and Persecute it even the true holy Catholick Church indeed because it hath not nor approves and applauds but reproves and faults such carnal rejoycings and confidences as Adulteries and Treacheries against her Lord even the Lord Jesus That which they cry up in stead of it is the Whore that sits upon the many Waters or multitudes mounted stately upon the Beasts back riding him and upheld by him even by the Imperial power of the World Dressing her self partly with Christs Jewels his Scriptures and Ordinances mingled with and marred by her Adulterous additions her Inventions Orders and Impositions in Doctrine and Worship even the Church or Court of Rome and her Daughters that exercise her or a like power which is so far from being the holy Church that it is indeed a Nest and Cage of all unclean and impure Birds as is too evidently seen in the Lives and Practices of those that are of them too generally from the Pope to the Apparitor every where But leaving that filthy Whore with all her Members drunk with the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus the filthy Sink of sin and wickedness both Mother and Daughters we may note here That the true Church is indeed those and all those who through the Lifting up of the Son of man do believe on him obeying and following him and his holy Doctrine All that in their hearts perceiving his Excellency and Goodness do love and cleave to him receive his Commandments and keep them being Ruled and Governed by him and living in dependance on him These as united in and by one Spirit in and with him and so among themselves and one to another in the Faith and Love of him and love of one another for his sake are his holy Church his Body all of them together and Members of him in particular 1 Cor. 12.12 27. Rom. 12.5 And these need not to nor desire to Lift up Preach and commend themselves as the Whore the false Church and her Members do But they make it their business to lift up their Head and Husband the Son of man in whom they think themselves lifted up sufficiently This Church knowing her self to be his Body his Members his Beloved she judgeth that she hath enough in knowing his Worth Height Glory Excellency Power and Authority and that is the thing that She looks after yea looks upon and admires and cannot but talk and boast of to others She desires nothing but his Love and Fellowship to be admitted into the Knowledg of and Acquaintance with him and through him to have Access to and Acceptance with his Father who is through him her Father also and that she may Honour and Serve him and bring forth Children to him Let him have the Glory the Power the Riches the Wisdom the Strength the Honour and Blessing yea though she be Despised Dishonoured Impoverished and made conformable to him in her Use and Intertainment in the World she is well contented therewith for his sake She leans not upon the Power Riches and Authority of Princes and of the Nobles of the Earth though if God perswades any of
have everlasting life we may well give up our selves unto him and say Truly we are thy Servants we are thy Servants the Sons of thy Handmaid thy perpetual Servants Thou hast loosed our bonds offering up our Bodies a living Sacrifice holy and acceptable to him which is our reasonable service of him Psal 116.16 Rom. 12.1 Yea how doth it become us to accept this his grace with all acceptation and for ever to laud and magnify Him To enter his Gates with thanksgiving his Courts with praises being thankful to him and blessing his Name Lauding and praising him that He hath passed such a Decree as this that as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life And as the Son himself our Lord the Son of man hath published and will publish the Decree saying I will proclaim the Decree The Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost ends of the Earth for thy possession thou shalt rule them with an Iron-Rod c. So let us make it our rejoycing and the business we mind to proclaim the same to all calling upon all to hear it and be glad of it to imbrace and submit to it for ever blessing him and calling upon all Creatures to bless him with us who hath so Decreed for us and is so Decreed of for us Let us lift up our voice and sing for the Majesty of the Lord and cry aloud from the Sea glorifying the Lord though in the fires of afflictions and sufferings even the Name of the Lord God of Israel the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all grace comfort and consolation from the Isls of the Sea Yea let us make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth serving the Lord with gladness and coming into his Presence with a Song Giving thanks unto him because he is good his mercy prepared for us and given to us in Christ Jesus everlasting and his truth enduring from generation to generation Calling upon all to take notice of his goodness herein unto all and to praise and laud and bless him with us Yea and upon all Creatures too as in Psal 148. especially the Saints and holy ones who believing on him have title to and interest in his promises of salvation and life everlasting Yea let us praise him every where and in all things chiefly in his Sanctuary or Holy Place and Holy Ordinances looking diligently unto Jesus that we fail not of the grace given us in him through any of the politick workings of Siâ— the World and Satan to that purpose against us but that we may be accounted worthy of it to life everlasting To whom â—e Glory and Dominion Honour and Praise now and in all Ages throughout all Places of his Dominions even for ever and ever Amen And Oh that my Soul may bless the Lord at all times and all that is within me may bless his holy Name and let every thing that hath life and breath praise Him till we all come to sing everlasting Hallelujahs in his glorious Kingdom Amen and Amen Laus Deo Christo suâ— in Eternâ—m c. FINIS THE CONTENTS Chap. 1. BRief Observations upon Nicodemus and our Saviours discourse with him p. 1. Chap. 2. The words of the Teâ—t considered its Parts four main Points then observed The first Point The Type of the Brazen Serpent lifted up spoken to in some brief Notes upon it p. 22. it should have been p. 14. Chap. 3. The Second Point in part considered viz. That the Son of man must be lifted up Who is the Son of man And three Reasons propounded why Christ is so called p. 23. alias 26. Chap. 4. Two other Reasons and they the principal ones of Christ calling himself the Son of man p. 48. alias 40. Chap. 5. A twofold Sense of the Phrase of lifting up viz. putting to Death and Glorifying or Advancing and what is implied in it in the latter Sense especially p. 65. alias 57. Chap. 6. A twofold way of Exalting the Son of man viz. either by Real Action upon his Person or by Demonstration of him and of his Worth and Excellency to others The former of these Enlarged upon p. 77. alias 69. Chap. 7. Of the second way of Lifting him up viz. By Demonstration of him and of his Glory unto men by whom that was and is to be performed and wherein p. 85. Chap. 8. The third point viz. That the Son of man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness and therein several Analogies and Agreement between them considered p. 109. Chap. 9. The fourth and last Point The end of the Son of mans being so lifted up viz. That whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life Six Observations drawn from hence the first of which concerning mens danger of perishing opened p. 136. Chap. 10. The second Observation spoken to viz. That God hath no pleasure in mens death or perishing and some objections against it answered very briefly p. 147. Chap. 11. The third Observation briefly spoken to shewing Christ to be the only Medicine for our misery and Way to happiness appointed of God for us and what an inducement that consideration is to love God and accept of Christ p. 154. Chap. 12. The fourth Observation considered and therein the necessity and nature of believing on the Son of man unto Salvation with its desirableness and acceptableness to God p. 162 Chap. 13. The fifth Observation viz. That whosoever believeth on the Son of man shall not perish but have Eternal life having two Branches the former of them is here explicated What the perishing is from which the believer on the Son of man is preserved and how he is preserved from it p. 182. Chap. 14. Of the second Branch of the fifth Observation What Eternal life is and how the believer on Christ shall have it p. 202. Chap. 15. The Application of the two former viz. the 4th and 5th Observations in part in Exhortation to believe Reproof for not believing Incouragements to continue in believing on the Son of man and some Directions thereto p. 212. Chap. 16. Some further usefulness of the said Observations in Cautions and Instructions p. 225. Chap. 17. The sixth and last Observation viz. about the necessity of the Son of mans being lifted up spoken to in certain Conclusions the first of which in two Branches shews the necessity of Gods lifting up Christ in himself both as to mens believing on him and as to their being saved and living for ever by him p. 239. Chap. 18. Another Conclusion proving the necessity of his being lifted up by way of Demonstration to men both by God and men both unto mens
1 Pet. 2.9 I do not say that all that hear the Gospel are made so but I say they have the Door opened to them that in Hearing and Believing they might be made so Yea when this Gospel is brought to a Person Family or People Salvation it self comes therein to them and life even Eternal life As it was said to Zaccheus Luke 19.9 This day is salvation come to thy house For the Gospel is the Power of God to salvation to every one that believeth for which believing also God therein opens the Door and Ministers Grace as is before shewed Rom. 1.16 And therefore also it is sometime called as the Word of salvation Acts 13.26 So also the Salvation of God Acts 28.28 Be it known unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles and they will hear it And How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which began to be published by the Lord himself c. Heb. 2.3 For as God is discovering and setting before us to move to Repentance and quicken to Life the great Salvation Redemption and Deliverance from under the first Death and Judgment so as that none shall perish therein and upon that account mearly Rom. 5.10 That none might keep themselves out from hoping in and coming to God because their first Fathers sinned and they inherit their guilt and filth without remedy And also that Power and Readiness in God and Christ upon the account of his perfect Obedience Sacrifice and Righteousness to save or deliver the Believers from the Guilt of new sins fore contracted in and by our personal disobediences during the time past of Gods forbearance though committed against former and other lesser manifestations of God and of his Power and Goodness Will and Commandment as in the Works of Creation continued and his Providences mercifully ordered and especially in the Dispensation of the Law and Prophets that none might Pine away in the conscience of such sins and be kept out thereby from believing and hoping in God and in that hope Worshipping him and to accept them graciously and justifie them freely from all things from which they might not otherwise no not by the Law of Moses be justified and so to save and preserve them from the Wrath to come and from the snares of Sin and Satan which lead thereto So also in the Preaching and making known this great Grace he is saving the Receiver of it who closeth not his Eye nor stops his Ears against but obeys its discoveries from the power of Satan and Darkness and Translates him into the Kingdom of his dear Son and preserves him unto everlasting Life as is before shewed This is the Medium and Instrument whereby he effects this Salvation in and upon men yea even those who by former and lower Dispensations of the knowledg of God are wrought upon so as they do there-through Fear God and work Righteousness as they that by Nature or without outward verbal Instruction do the things contained in the Law their Vncircumcision shall be counted Circumcision That is they shall through Christ though not distinctly known be accepted of God Rom. 2.26 Yet they by the coming of the greater Means the more open revelation of the Gospel of Christ in its distinct and clear sound may be and are in receiving it saved by it that is they are delivered from former Ignorances Mistakes Fears Griefs and Dangers which the lesser means of Light sufficed not to remove So we find that Cornelius though an Angel of God testified to him that his Prayers and Alms were accepted of God and by the Spirit in the Scriptures he is recorded to have been a Godly or as we render it a Devout man one that feared God and gave much Alms to the People and Prayed to God continually Yet was directed to send for Peter that he and the other Gentiles with him might hear the word of the Gospel by him and believe and be saved for so it is said He shall speak words to thee by which thou shalt be saved and all thine house Acts 11.14 with 10.1 2 3 4. and 15.7 So that Salvation both to those who never before rightly understood closed with or obeyed any other means of knowledg and of the Fear of God vouchsafed to them as appears not that any other of Cornelius Kindred did however its evident of the Jaylor Acts 16.28 29. and of some of the Corinthians being Fornicators Idolaters c. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. And to those also who under and by former and lesser means are wrought upon and in complying with God in them are accepted of him is the effect of the Gospel And they have a great and wonderful mercy afforded them who have the clear lifting up of the Son of man vouchsafed them that is to say the Word of the Gospel of Christ It being a fuller saving Manifestation and a more quickning Word and Discovery as now in the fulness of it come forth since the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ then by any other way of Gods bearing Witness to himself as he left not himself without Witness to the Gentiles in times past when he suffered them to walk in their own ways and they had not the Scriptures or plain Gospel-preaching Acts 14.17 Yea or then in the Prophets or Johns Ministration which Ministration of John Cornelius is said to have known though he was not thereby made a Circumcised Proselite Acts 10.36 37 was afforded For this Doctrine is also called the Word of Life not only as most plainly discovering Life given us from the Dead through the Death and Resurrection of Christ but also as infusing a spiritual Life into the receiver thereof begetting him to a lively hope as is said 1 Pet. 1.3 And to be a kind of first-fruits of his Creatures as Jam. 1.18 Whence that Exhortation ver 19. Let every man be swift to hear Yea and the Wisdom of God thence exhorts Lay fast hold of Instruction and let it not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4.13 And the Words of Christ are said to be Spirit and Life John 6.63 Yea Eternal Life For so Christ himself said I know that his Commandment namely which I speak is everlasting Life John 12.49 50. So Christ knew it whether others know so or believe that his Knowledg was right or not Thence also the Jews putting away this Word of God are said to have judged themselves unworthy of Eternal life Acts 13.46 And must it not needs be so when the Holy Ghost tells us that Christ himself is herein offered or given to men to be Gods salvation to them as in the very next Verse the Apostle implies when having told the Jews that they would turn to the Gentiles he adds For so hath the Lord commanded us saying I have given thee for a Light to the Gentiles that thou mightest be for salvation or as in Isa 49.6 My salvation to the ends of the Earth vers 47.
As implying that Christ to whom and of whom the Lord in the Prophecy speaks is given in and with the Gospel and that both as a Light to them that sit in darkness to discover the way of safety to them and how great a Mercy is that and also to be for their salvation Namely both to pull them out of Death and the power of Satan and to lead and keep them in the path of Peace and Righteousness that they might not perish but have Eternal life And what is tendred to men in the tender of Christ Or what do men receive in receiving him Is it not God in him Yea all the Promises of God and Fulness of the Godhead and his Grace and Blessing as he saith himself He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Mat. 10.40 And the Apostle John 2 John 9. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son And in 1 John 2.24 25. If that which ye have heard from the beginning abide in you ye shall continue in the Father and in the Son and this is the Promise which he hath promised us Eternal life Well therefore might the Apostle call the giving of the Gospel to the Gentiles The riches of the Gentiles Rom. 11.11 12. Seeing as he there saith in its coming Salvation is come to them to provoke the Jews to jealousie Whereupon he adds If their Fall be the Riches of the World and their diminishing the Riches of the Gentiles what will their fulness be Wherein is the fall of the Jews the Worlds riches or their lessening the riches of the Gentiles but in that Salvation which is the Gospel with the Contents and Benefits of it the Blessing of Abraham as it is called Gal. 3.14 is thereby come to and abides with them Surely this is the greatest Riches or Treasure of any man or of any People that they have the Gospel seeing they therein have Salvation and Life Eternal life the Blessing of Abraham Christ yea and God himself in Christ In a word The Kingdom of God and of Heaven as the Gospel is also so called brought herein to them So as in receiving and retaining it all those inestimable Riches and Benefits are received and retained by men Well might Solomon say There is Gold and a multitude of Rubies but the Lips of Knowledg are a precious Jewel Prov. 20.15 as if he would say a more excellent Jewel then any of them all Oh then that we Gentiles did know the Mercy and Goodness of God and prize it accordingly That we did understand and mind wherein our greatest Interest and Happiness lies Surely not in having the Riches of this World or Trading for them nor in having Power Empire Dominion and Rule nor in Learning worldly Wisdom and Policy nor in any of those things which the other Nations were preferred in above Israel but in having the Portion of Jacob the knowledg of God and Christ his Doctrine Oracles and Mysteries brought to us and left with us And therefore that should be our great business not as it is to seek after Empire Rule Honour Riches and worldly Greatness nor to satisfie our Lusts and Appetites in the ways of the Heathen in Surfetting and Drunkenness Chambrings and Wantonness Strifs and Envyings But in minding and receiving the Lip of Knowledg the Word of God the Gospel of Christ Oh therefore that we may repent of our Vanities and believe the Gospel and give the obedience of Faith to it as to that end its Preached to and among all Nations Mark 1.15 Rom. 1.5 and 16.26 For Infer 2. They that receive and retain this blessed Doctrine in which Christ is lifted up so as they obey and walk therein are very happy and blessed Persons in an excellent State and Condition as our Saviour said to the Woman who admired the Womb that bare him and the Breasts which gave him suck that they were blessed Yea saith he rather blessed are they that hear the Word of God the Gospel of Christ or the Preaching of him wherein he is lifted up and keep it that is so as to mind and remember it as a thing they believe and prize and observe to practise to do and obey what it instructs to Luke 11.28 And needs they must be so as appears by what is already said seeing they therein receive and have the Salvation of God Life even Eternal life and therein the Riches the Blessing the Promises in Christ Jesus yea Christ and God himself Oh then how blessed are they that know understand own and experiment the joyful sound the Gospel of Christ the Preaching of Peace and of good things in his Name They shall walk O Lord in the Light of thy Countenance in thy Name they shall rejoyce all the day and in thy Righteousness shall they be exalted Psal 89.15 16. and well they may seeing they are actually of Gods houshold fellow Citizens with the Saints Yea Gods holy House and Temple in which through Christ he dwelleth his People his Children his Inheritance and God and Christ is theirs his Royal Priesthood his chosen Generation his holy Nation his Jewels and Treasure his Garden of Delight those in whom God and Christ take pleasure his pleasant Plant his Spouse and Darling the dearly Beloved of his Soul a People near and dear to him whose God in a choice sense he is And Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord those whom he hath chosen to himself for his Inheritance They be those who receive retain and obey the blessed Doctrine wherein Christ is Exalted and Lifted up These are in a First-fruits Regenerated and Saved and are in the way to enjoy Eternal life It s theirs already as to Title and Interest and holding fast what they have received they shall not fail of the full Injoyment of it For this is the Testimony that God beareth of his Son that God hath given us Eternal life and that this Life is in his Son so that he that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son 2 John 9. Whence the Apostle adds These things have I written to you that believe that ye may know that ye have Eternal life and that ye may believe that is go on believing on the Name of the Son of God 1 John 5.11 12 13. Knowing that ye have Eternal life that ye are in as good a State and Way as ye can be in here that ye may persevere therein There is no other thing that can better the Believers condition for in Christ he is compleat the letting his Doctrine go to seek any thing else to better him is the way to deprive himself of all his Welfare And by observing lying Vanities to forsake his own Mercies For He that transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God 2 John 9. nor Life 1 John 5.12 Therefore