is corruptible because there is no Composition and so no Separation But the Scripture concludes this best in assimulating the state of Immortality in which we shall be like the Angels I shall speak no more now as to the first thing proposed viz. of the Nature of Angels Secondly I shall open a little of the Work and Office of the good Angels 1. The Work and Office of the Angels of God is to minister unto Christ or attend upon his glorious Person as Mediator as indeed they did in the days of his Humiliation A Reverend Author saith upon the place this ascending descending of the Angels upon this Ladder it does intimate and declare unto us their special regard and respect to him namely Jesus Christ which is very eminent in them these blessed glorious Spirits are very remarkable in their Observation of Christ it is that which we may take notice of in every Mistery and passage concerning him how the Angels were still imployed about him and subservient to him upon all occasions whatsoever Which is indeed very clear from his very Conception to his Ascension Nay the Angels fore-tells to Mary his very Conception Behold thou shalt conâ—eive in thy Womb c. Also the Angel appeared to Joseph and said Joseph thou Son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife c. Moreover an Angel appeared to him again to fore-warn him of that Herod who sought the Life of Jesus and so commanded him to take Mary and the Child and to fly into Egypt See how careful the Angels were of our Lord that he might be preserved until his time was come to be offered up a Sacrifice for our Sins The Angels appeared likewise to the Shepâ—erds and published to them the birth of our Lord in a glorious Hymn of Praise Glory unto God on high on Earth Peace good will to Men When God brought his only begotten Son into the World all the Angels of God worshipped him The Angels moreover were instruments in his Preservation when his Life was sought and they also ministred to him in his bloody Agony and comforted him My Brethren Jesus Christ was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted therefore might need like Succour Safety and Comfort from the Angels as we do Also the Anâ—els ministred to him in his Temptations in the Wilderness and at his Resurrection they rol'â— away the Sâ—one from the Sepulchre and brought the tidings of his being risen to the Women Likewise in his Ascension the Angels attended and assured the Disciples of his second Coming they also ascended with him and shall also descend with him at his second Appearance He shall be revealed from Heaven with all his mighty Angels If he be pleased to descend in his Abasement the Angels descend with him if he be pleased to ascend in his state of Exaltation then the Angels ascend with him And thus they may be said to ascend and descend upon the Son of Man personally considered and this out of that great Affection and Love to him but not only so but also in point of Duty and special Obligation to him he being their Lord and Sovereign He is the head of Principalities and Powers As Christ is God they owe to him their very being For by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and that are on Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him And by him also the holy Angels are confirmed and so abide in a happy and unchangable condition and hence the more Obliged to adore and worship him 2. And as the Office and Work of the holy Angels is to minister to serve and wait upon Christ so also upon his Spouse and on every Member of his mystical Body True they are called Powers Mights Thrones Dominions c. which shews their Glory Dignity and excellent Power and Authority Some think that there are divers Orders of Angels and some superiour to others beâ—ause we read of Angels and Arch-Angels there are seven Names given to them viz. Seraâ—â—ims Cheâ—uâ—â—â—s Thrones Powers Mights Domiâ—â—ons Princâ—pâ—lâ—ties Angels and Arch-Angels Some add more But no more of this we know but little of the inviâ—iâ—â—e World But let their Dignity and Glory be what it will as to their Office they are all miâ—â—string Spirits none of them no not the mighty Aâ—gelâ— who excel in strength do think it too much or below them for to attend upon the meaneâ—â— Saint Are tâ—ey not all 〈◊〉 Spirits sent forth to ministâ—r unto them thâ—t sâ—all be heirs of sâ—lvation Which words 〈◊〉 be denote that they are sent forth to protect preserve and keep such that are not yet â—â—eirs or to the Elect not yet called and converted but shall be Children begotten and adopted of God in due time and so be Heirs of Salvation Which shews God's great Love to and Care of his Elect before Grace or whilst in their Sins and Unbelief 3. They all wait upon God and behold his Face and Glory they are round about his Thrâ—ne they all worship and fall down before their blessed Lord and attend on him as Servants of their most glorious and blessed Master their most high and exalted Sovereign I saw also the Lord sitting upon a 〈◊〉 high and lifted up and his Train fiâ—â—â—d the Templâ— verse 1. And above it stood the Sâ—raâ—hims and one cried to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hostâ— c. Called Scrapâ—ims signifying fire or burning 1. Denoting their Nature is bright and glorious subtil and pure 2. Their Property full of zeal and fervent 3. Their Once which here was to execute God's vengeance upon the Jews and to burn them up and consume thâ—m as dross Some assert that the highest Angels do not minister to the Saints but only and immediately wait upon God himself and on our Lord Jesus Christ. But this cannot be true because the Angel Gabriel who stands before the Presence of God was sent to Daniel and to Zacharias and to Blessed Mary 4. They declare the Glory of Almighty God and also ascribe equal Glory to all the Three Persons which as I conceive is hinted in that Text 〈◊〉 6.1 Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts â—oly is the Father Holy is the Son and Holy is the Hâ—ly Spirit and yet as Moses saith Hear O 〈◊〉 the Lord our God is but one Lord i. e. one in Esseâ—â—e c. yet Three Persons 5. They hearken to God's Commands and do his Will with all imaginable chearfulness love delight alâ—crity and swiftness Hence said to have the face of an Eagle the swiftest of Fowls and also to have Wings Tertullian saith every Spirit is winged they can fly in a moment into any part of the World and that swiftly And yet Mr. Greenhill saith as Astronomers observe That
of my Heart and Actions by thy Spirit accompanying thy Word that Pride Passion earthly Mindedness nor any evil Inclinations or Affections may lead me astray Fifteenthly It is dangerous for a Man that climbs up a high Ladder that reacheth to Heaven to look backwards So nothing is more dangerous for a Person that makes a Profession of Religion then with the Young Man in the Gospel who was not far from the Kingdom of Heaven to look back He that sets his Hand to the Plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven Our blessed Lord bids us Remember Lot's Wife why so She alas for looking back was turned into a Pillar of Salt as an everlasting monument of God's Displeasure and to fore-warn all Persons to take heed that they do not look back If any Man draw back my Soul shall take no pleasure in him Nay such God's Soul abhors it brings upon them his high Displeasure which is Death or it will procure Death and Perdition on all such in the end But my Brethren know this that all those who look back never made one true step upon this Ladder they never had one Dram of saving Faith but ventured on Christ with a false Faith and from hence could not see a far off but slavish fear possess them and they being afraid faint and so look back and fall down and are destroyed for ever and the higher they 〈◊〉 the greater is their fall But we are not of them that draw back to Perdition Sixteâ—â—thly A Ladder that stands upon the Earth and the Top reacheth to Heaven had need to have â—ore Footing to stand upon Now Jesus Christ our Mediator hath most sure and firm Footing to stand upon i. e. He stands upon the Foot or firm Ground of God's Purpose and everlasting Counsel and blessed Decree tâ—â— ' he was set up upon the Earth in time yet he was in that holy Counsel held between the Father and the Son Set up from everlasting before ever the Earth was The Wisdom the Power Purpose good Pleasure and eternal Counsel of God hath fixed his Standing firm for ever as you heard before Seventeenthly A Man that gets up a Ladder should his Feet thro' carelesness or otherwise sâ—ip he must catch hold of the Ladder with his Hands and by holding fast he may set his Feet right again and prevent a fall or danger of Death Beloved the best of Christians through Carelâ—seâ—s â—â— Satan's Temptations may have their â—â—â—t sâ—ip I mean they may slip or fall into one Sâ—â— or another or into one Error or another What a slip had Noah Lot David and Peter and many more besides them even many a dangerous slip but by taking hold of Christ and of the Covenant and free Promise of Pardon by the hand of Faith they all recovered themselves tho' some of their Slips broke their Bones and cost them many a Tear Nay it made David to Wâ—â—â—eâ— his Couch with his Tears Yet he got safe to Heaven O what an excellent Grace is the Grace of Faith the hand of Faith and how useful and necessary at such a time I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Our Faith in the Seed or habit shall never fail did not Christ preserve our Faith strengthen our Faith our Souls would soon finally fall and perish for ever If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father I will be merciful to their Vnrighteousness and their Sins and their Iniquities I will remember no more I am he that blotteth out thine Iniquities for my own Sake c. O what hold is here when our Feet slip for the hand of Faith to take hold of Jesus Christ my Brethren hath paid all our Debts he hath satisfied the Justice of God for all our Sins for those committed after Faith as well as those committed before Faith and Union with him all Vindictative Wrath is gone for ever no Sin can make a breach in our Justification nor break our Union with Christ Nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus None can condemn such if sins committed after we believe were not Satisfied for or Pardoned there would be condemnation to every Believer because all have Sin all daily Sin but their Sins are not imputed to them they were all laid upon Jesus Christ and his Righteousness is for ever and at all times imputed to them that are in Christ Jesus and once in him for ever in him So that a true Believer can never fall finally from this spiritual Ladder Eighteenthly To raise up a Ladder whose Foot stands upon the Earth and the Top of it reacheth up to Heaven is not easily done it needs all mighty Strength it calls for great Strength wonderful Power and also much Wisdom and Skill it is hard you know to raise a Ladder that reacheth up but four or five Stories or to the Top of a high House or Building What Power of Man then can raise up such a Ladder that reacheth from Earth to Heaven My Brethren as none could contrive and make such a Ladder i. e. such a way to Heaven but God himself who by his almighty Wisdom and Power built this World So none but he could raise up this Ladder it required infinite Wisdom and Strength to raise up Christ when he was so low being born down under the Guilt and Weight of our Sins even low as Hell for Hell pangs took hold of him O how low was he when in the Garden in his bloody Agony and in the Grave Could Sin Death or Devils yea all the powers of Hell and Darkness have kept him down he had never been raised from the Dead and from under Wrath nor ascended up to Heaven But what is too hard for God to do He was raised by the Power of the Father or by the Glory of the Father as the Apostle words it that is by his glorious Power and to his eternal Glory God hath boâ—h raised up the Lord and will also raise us uâ— by his own Poweâ— He first raised him up as to his Humane Nature out of a dry Root And hath raised up an Horn of Salvatâ—on for us in the House of David An Horn of Salvation or a powerful Salvation Also he raised him up when Sin and Wrath lay upon him and when he was Dead and lay in the Grave Nay my Brethren he raiseâ— himself up as I shall shew you hereafter which is a greater wonder still and more marvellous Ninteenthly A Ladder whose Foot stands upon the Earth and the Top of it reacheth up to Heaven is wonderfully Elivated or Exalted So Christ considered as Mediator is wonderfully Elivated or Exalted both in respect oâ— his Person and Offiâ—es True as he was God and in the form
him and proceeding from him To pâ—each Christ the Life the life of our Souls not only having purchased Life for us but infuseth Life or a vital Principle into us and preserves that Life that he is the Bread of Life and the Water of Life That Christ is the hidden Manna that came down from Heaven which the natural Man knoweth not that by coming to him by believing on him or receiving of him we live and that by our Union with him he is ours and his Righteousness and all the Merits of his Blood even all his Riches both Grace and Glory becomes ours or we have an Interest in him and all he is and hath Thirteenthly To Preach Christ is to Preach him to be our Bride-groom that espouseth us in Conjugal Affections in Knowledge in Faithfulness in Mercy and in loving Kindness for ever That he is our Physician that heals all our Diseases Our Shepherd to gather us or bring us home to his Fold that feeds leads protects and defends us To Preach Christ the only Head of the Church having absolute Power over his Body and graciously guiding and influencing it and every Member thereof To Preach Christ the only Foundation and chief Corner-stone upon whom the Church is built and every lively Stone is united to build our Salvation on him to Trust on him and to have all our Faith and Hope in him To Preach Christ is to Preach him the Sun of Righteousness like as the Sun in Glory he is the Anima Mundi the very Soul of the new World in respect of Light and Life as well as Heat and in respect of his fructifying and comforting Influence and by his expelling all our Darkness causing a lovely Spring and blessed Day in all such Souls on whom he riseth and shines To Preach Christ the Fountain to wash us as well as the Sun to enlighten us and our only Physician to heal us To Preach Christ in a Word is to Preach him to be every thing that God hath made him to be unto us even both Wisdom and Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Fourteenthly To Preach Christ is to Preach him as I said to be the Antitype of all Types and the Substance of all Shadows 1. The second Adam publick Person and great Covenanting Head and blessed Representative of all his Elect out of whose Side his Spouse is taken 2. The true Noah and Heir of the World that builds the Ark and that saves all just Persons the true Preacher of Righteousness that sends the Dove and that repairs the lost World 3. The true Melchizedeck without Father and Mother made a Priest by an Oath that blesseth Abraham and all his true Seed 4. The true Abraham to whom all the Promises are made the Father of all the Faithful and thâ—t turns the Bonâ—-woman and her Son out of Doors and recovers the Captives 5. The true and Antitypical Isaac long promised before Born and brought forth out of a dry Root by the mighty Power of God and Word of Promise three dayes dead and yet as to his Deity dyed not and yet was Offered up for a Sacrifice by his Father 6. The true Jacob who as a Prince prevailed with God 7. Our Joseph who was Sold into the hands of the wicâ—ed Ishmaelites and who by his Abasement was raised to Honour and made Lord-Treasurer of all the Land who feeds all Famished and hunger-starved Sinners to whom all must go for Bread and before whom all his Brethren must bow 8. Our Moses that brings all the Children of Israel out of Spiritual Egypt and Bondage of Sin and Satan 9. The true Joshua that carries God's Israel into the Land of Promise 10. Our strong Samson that slew the devouring Lyon and who by death or dying destroyed our Enemies 11. The true David beloved of God and his only Anointed with whom the Covenant stands fast for ever 12. The true Solomon the Prince of Peace that excells all in Wisdom both Men and Angels that builds God's Temple and bears the Glory and that Marries the Aethiopian Woman the black and polluted Gentiles 13. The true Elisha that Cures all the Leperous Naamans and multiplieth the Widdows Oyl 14. The true Elijah that raiseth up the dead Child i. e. the dead Soul and that went to Heaven 15. Our Jonah that was cast into the Sea of God's Wrath to make a Calm that lay three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth 16. The true Antitypical Aaron as you heard before 17. The Mercy-Seat from whence God Communes with us 18. The Altar of Perfame that presents all our Persons and Prayers acceptable unto God the Father 19. The Antitype of the Slain and Scape-goat on whom all our Sins are laid and who bears them all away into an unknown Land 20. The true Antitypical Rock that was smitten in the Wilderness that we might have Water of Life to drink in this Wilderness until we come to the true Canaan 21. The true Passover that was Sacrificed for us 22. The true Sin-offering yea both Priest Altar and Sacrifice Lastly the Antitypical brasen Serpent that is lifted up to cure all that are Stung with Sin that fiery Serpent that look up to him by Faith Fifteenthly To Preach Christ is to Preach all the Ordinances of Christ holy Precepts and Institutions Sixteenthly To Preach Christ is to Preach all the Promises of Christ and all in him and in him sure to all his Seed Not Yea and Nay but Yea and Amen to the Glory of God the Father Seventeenthly To Preach Christ is to Preach that fulness that is in Christ viz. 1. A Soul-fulness or spiritual Fulness a Soul enriching fulness a sâ—itable fulness and seasonable fulness a necessary fulness a Soul-satisfying fulness an eternal and everlasting fulness 2. A fulness of Merit and Satisfaction and of Righteousness 3. A fulness of Grace 4. A fulness of Light and a fulness of Sufficiency as Mediator of Power Wisdome Knowledge Love Mercy Pardon Peace Joy and Glory 5. A fulness of Efficiency Tho we are never so empty Christ can fill us tho never so poor he can inrich us tho never so weak he can strengthen us tho never so Ignorant he can give us knowleâ—ge tho never so guilty he can justifie us tho' never so naked he can cloathe us tho never so saâ—â— he can rejoyce our troubled Hearts In a word All fulness is in Christ In him dwelleth the fulness of the God-head Bodily Not part of the God-head the God-head the distinguished cannot be divided but the whole God-head dwelleth in the Son as in the Father and in the Holy Ghost Eighteenthly To Preach Christ to exalt him as the Father hath I fred him up and magnify'd him is to abase the Creature 't is to give all the glory of our Salvation to him and assume none of it to ourselves To Preach him only not
me behold me what is that but to believe in him lastly and sometimes for Consolation Now the Word here no doubt calls for Observation for Admiration for Faith and Dependance and also for Consolation Behold a Ladder set upon the Earth and the top of it reacheth to Heaven Of what a length is this Ladder Astronomers according to Reverend Greenhill observe 't is 160. Millions of Miles from Earth to Heaven A wonderful thing An amazing height so it is a wonderful thing to behold Christ Jesus the Way to Heaven Behold with Admiration be Astonished who could have thought of such a way to the Father to be Saved by a dying Jesus by a poor Man hanged on a Tree to be Justified by his Righteousness and by his Death to be delivered from Hell this is a marvelous thing Angels wonder beholding this Person Observe from hence DOCT. II. That the way which God hath found out to save lost Man namely Jesus Christ ought to be beheld with the greatest Care or utmost Diligence and with the greatest Admiration and Wonderment 1. I shall shew wherein in speaking to this Proposition the wonderfulness of this spiritual Ladder doth consist 2. How we should behold Jesus Christ. 3. Shew you why we should behold him 4. For what Sinners should behold Christ or look to him 5. Apply it To the first of these 1. To behold this spiritual Ladder in respect of the Cause or Motive that moved God to make or prepare it 2. In respect of the Wisdom of God that did prepare it 3. In respect of the Matter of which it is made or doth consist 4. In respect of the great and glorious Design of God in making or preparing of it First we may well admire this spiritual Ladder Jesus Christ in respect of thâ— Motive which moved God to prepare it which was his infinite Love Mercy and Goodness to Sinners to shew so great Compassiâ—n towards sinful and râ—bellious Creatures who deservâ—d instead of being raised up to Heaven to be immediately cast down to the lowest Hell What is Man that thou art mindful of him that thou shouldst magnifâ—â— him and set thy heart upon him Sirs it was the love of God the Father I say that tâ—is way was prepared it sprang or proceeded from the greatness of his love God so loved the Wâ—rld if it had not been the product of the Father's Loâ—e it wâ—â—lâ— not be to the praise of 〈◊〉 Grace the love of the Fâ—ther in this case in Moving was as great as the 〈◊〉 in Consenting O how did his Bowels work and move in him O the miraculousness of divine goodness by the law we had broke we were guilty insolently taking up Arms against our Maker plunging ourselves into a Sea of divine Wrath and Vengeance guilty of Millions of Sins meritting Millions of Deaths yet has love would not let him rest until he had found out a way to raise us up from the lowest Hell to the highest Heaven And in making his Son his only begotten Son the way and that by Abasing of him making him so Poor that was so Rich so Low that was so High and Glorious so Cursed that was so Blessed yea Blessedness it self nay so miserable for a time to make our way to Heaven thro' the rending his Flesh and taring his Soul to pieces and pouring forth his most precious Blood and this for such who hated him and were cursed Traitors against him well might the holy Ghost say Behold a ladder behold a new and living way which he hath provided and consecrated thro' the Veil that is to say the Flesh of his own Son O my Brethren the way to enter into the Holiest is by the blood of Jesus Doth not God hereby shew greater Love and Grace than if he had saved lost Sinners on a way of simple Mercy without the Death of his own Son Therefore as one Observes God resolvâ—d to signalize his Love to us he would have it reâ—ch the highest Note and it could not be screw'd up to an higher Peg than to Sacrifice his Son for us with his own Hand it pleased the Lord to Praise him Be astonished both Men and Angels Now may our Meditations swim in this boundless bottomless bankless Ocean of the Fathers Love God spared not his own Son Brethren the Love of the Father was the Motive that moved him to contrive this way to Heaven yea and the fullest the freest and the most amazing Love that ever was shewed free to us but expensive to him it cost him the Blood of his Son more costly than the making of Millions of Worlds he lay in his Bosom and there was none besides him from Eternity to put up a request it was the Result of his own Bowels before the being of any Creature 't was the effect of his Power Tho' our Justification Sanctification and eternal Blessedness be the Fruits and Merits of Christ's Death yet whatsoever is Meritted for us by Christ it is all the Fruits of God's Love Christ did not merit the Fathers Love nor did he merit the Office of being a Mediator no this sprung only from the Love of God to us Christ did not I say dye to procure the Fathers Love tho' thereby he makes us more lovely unto him by washing us from our natural Filthiness and by the fruits of his Death thro' the Spirit by stamping his Image upon our Souls Brethren God could not shew greâ—ter Love to us as Abraham could not to God than by the Offering up his own Son Isaac whom he so dâ—arly loved Secondly Admire this Sacred Ladder in respect of the Wisdom of God in contriving of this way to Heaven As it exceeds the Art and Wisdom of Men to make a Ladder to reach up to Heaven so it far surpasseth the Wisdom of Men or Angels to contrive such a way to Heaven that God may be glorified in all his Attributes to the highest Perfections and yet we Saved Sin Punished and yet the Sinner Justified Besides God had lost the glory of his work in making of Man and this World for his sake and Satan would have insulted over him had he not contrived a way to restore him It would have been to the Disparagement of his Wisdom who pronounced all the Works he had made to be Good and when he had made Man very Good to see himself so soon disappointed and his work marr'd I mean the noblest part thereof all other Creatures being made for Man's use and so for lower and baser and more unworthy ends Brethren Christ the way not in vain called the Wisdom of God because in him God displays the highest acts of his divine Wisdom the holy Angels are amazâ—d at this Wisdom they pry into this depth this profound mystery of God manifested in the Flesh. There is a wonderful Mystery in our way to Heaven by Jesus Christ as well as in the Fellowship of this Mystery or in the
Holy-Ghost for every sacred Person of the blessed Trinity shines forth in equal Glory in the Contrivance and Accomplishment of our Salvation by Jesus Christ. 1. The Glory of the Father is manifested in Election or in Chusing all that shall be Saved in Christ. 2. The Glory of the Son in Redemption or in dying to redeem them 3. The Glory of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification or in Renewing and Regenerating of them So many the Father Elected so many the Son Redeemed and so many the Spirit Sanctifies So in Justification Christ's Righteousness being called a Robe the three Persons are equally Glorified and Exalted 1. The Father prepar'd the Matter out of which the Robe of Righteousness is made viz. The Body of Christ. 2. The Son wrought it by his own active and passive Obedience 3. The Holy-Ghost puts it upon us by working Faith in us And not only the Glory of God personally consider'd but also the Glory of all the divine Attributes or Perfections of the blessed God-head are Magnified and Exalted also hereby 1. The Glory of his infinite Love Mercy and Goodness which you have heard is the grand Motive that moved God the Father or put him upon this glorious Contrivance which is the rise spring and fountain of all our Happiness 2. Moreover the Glory of his infinite Wisdom Truth Justice Power and Holiness The Glory of his Justice God is Just he can as soon cease to be as cease to be Just. God declar'd if Man Sinn'd he should dye therefore either he must destroy Man to preserve his Truth and Justice and see his Law not violated and turned upside down and so conceal his Mercy or else find out a way to satisfy his Justice and preserve his Truth that his Love and Mercy may appear therefore his VVisdom found out a way for the Honour both of Justice and Mercy by laying our Sins upon his own Son as our Surety and to undergo that Wrath and Punishment which we must otherwise have undergone for ever Here is Brethren no changing the Sentence against Sin but of the Person our Sins and Punishment are transferred upon Jesus Christ and since it was infinite Justice our Sins had wronged an infinite Punishment must be Suffered which none but one that was God could bear nor satisfy for and now the full Payment or Satisfaction Christ made to divine Justice put a Bar or delivered hâ—m from the eternal duration of the Punishment for the cause why Sinners lye in Hell or in Prison for ever arises from their inability to satisfie or pay their Debts but from the worth and dignity of Christ's Person Justice is Satisfieâ— and he acquitted and discharged out of Prison and we in him Besides none but God could be a proper Judge what could be a sufficiâ—nt Satisfaction to his vindictive Wrath and Justice but when God declares that in his Son he is well pleased and satisfied who shall say this could not be a proper and legal discharge for us Moreover this discovers Goâ—'s infinite Holiness and hatred of Sin more than if we had suffered for ever in his making his own Son a Sacrifice for our Sins and not sparing him when he stands in our Law-place Here as one observes was the Beauty of his Holiness as well as the exactness of his Justice with the vinâ—â—cation of the Honour of his Law displaying the Purity of his Nature by sheathing his Sword with Indignâ—â—â—on in the Bowels of Sin while he pierced the Heart of his beloved Son The like I might speak of all God's other blessed Attributes his end was to magnifie them hereby as well as his Wisdom Love Mercy and Justice But to proceed Secondly His Design herein also was to magnify the Law and make it honourable the law looses none of it Sanction by Jesus Christ the law required Man to keep it Man to yield perfect Obedience to God therein and Man to dye and bear the Penalty for the breach of it But lo here is a Man nay one more then Man even God-Man the Son of God made Man made of a Woman made under the Law come on purpose to stand in our Law-place to honour this Law to yield active and perfect Obedience unto it and to dye for our breach thereof This is more than the Law could or did require the law hath more then it 's just Demand for by Christ's keeping of it and dying for our Sinâ— he hath meritted as well as satisfied he hath meritted those things of God which the Law could not have given us had we never broke it that could not have made us so near to God so great so glorious and so happy for ever as we are made by the merits and purchase of Jesus Christ. But more of that by and by Do we make void the law thro' Faith God forbid Yea we establish the law In that by Christ's Obedience to the Law or by his perfect active Obedience and Death apprehended by Faith we are Justified and the Law for ever silenced Christ having satisfied the Justice of God broke the Thunders of the Law and dissolved the frame of all its Anathema's He being made a Curse for us he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law He hath abolished the Obligation of the Moral Law as to its Condemning Power and hath by his blood sealed another Covenant a New-Covenant a better Covenant the first hath been perfectly kept and the sentence of it hath been undergone and its killing power is taken away to all that are in Christ Jesus And thus see how the Law is magnified lifted up and made Honourable i. e. rather then that shall loose any of its Honour the Son of God will become Man and answer all its Demands in doing and suffering what we ought to have done and suffered and for our default must have endured for ever Thirdly God's design hereby also was to destroy the Works of the Devil in respect of Original Sin which was Satan's Work and of all actual Sins which are his cursed works also i. e. such works that he imploys all Men in and stirs them up to do until they are delivered out of his Kingdom For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Who is the Author of all Sin and the Worker of all Iniquity and as God's design was to destroy Sin the work of the Devil so it was also hereby to destroy Satans Design likewise which was to rob God of the Glory of his own Work and Purpose in creating of Man he thought to have utterly ruined Mankind and laid him for ever as low as Hell but God by this means by this Spiritual Ladder shews his purpose is to raise hiâ— up to the highest Heavens This brings me to the last thing Proposed as Gods design hereby Fourthly Gods design hereby was to raise up poor fallen Man into a more happy and glorious State than he was
believe in God and come to God not directly to God without eyeing of this Medium no no God out of Christ is an angry God a consuming â—â—ire therefore we must come to God by Christ as our Mediator and coâ—mit our cause to him to plead at God's Bar. Thirdly Why we should behold this Ladder or look unto Jesus Christ 1. Because he is the way to Heaven which infinite Wisdom hath found out nay the result of that glorious Counsel held between the Father and the Son from eternity Not to behold this Way this Ladder this Mediator is to cast contempt on God in his contrivance of Salvation by Jesus Christ. 2. Because there is so much divine Love Grace and Goodness shewed to us in Jesus Christ. 3. Because this Sight is so Wonderful a Sightâ— Christ Brethren is the wonder of both Worlds O 't is an amazing thing to see such a Way such a Ladder prepared for us to go to God! 4. Christ should be beheld because of the Loveliness as well as the Wonderfulness of his Person There is no such Object to be seen in Heaven nor Earth 5. Because there is in him all Fulness We beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth The Word as one observes is Emphatical itheasametha we beheld as in a Theatre as Men behold things presented to them on a Stage with great earnestness and delight even as the express Image of the Father's Person it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should â—aweâ— He received the Spirit of Grace without measure and 't is in him to be Communicated to all his Elect or Members of his mystical Body as fulness of Sap is in the Root to supply all the Branches 6. Because this of beholding or looking to Jesus Christ is the way God hath appointed for our Reception or Participation of all the Benefits and Merits of his Blood nor is there any other way but thro' believing in him for any Adult Persons to be Saved 7. Because of the absolute necessity Sinners have of him they are sick and he is their Physician c. Fifthly For what or to receive what should we behold Jesus Christ. 1. For Recoâ—ciliatâ—on and Peace with God All thiâ—â—s are of God who reconciled us unto himself 〈…〉 To 〈◊〉 thâ—t God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their Tresâ—asses unto them This is the meriterâ—ous cause of our Reconciliation God in Christ or by his Blood is Satisfied and Reconciled and all that would have peace with God must Believe or look to Christ to receive the Attonement Christ hath received an actual discharge for Sinners from his Father and you must come to him for it and receive the Benefit and Evidence of it to your own Consciences All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me and whosoever cometh unto me I wiâ—l in no wise cast out There is an infallible Connexion betwixt Faith and eternal Life and betwixt Election and the Collection of special Grace and as Election is first special Vocation will follow and as many as were ordained to eternal Life believed For the Father's gift of the Soul to Christ and of Grace to believe in him is no doubt here ment by his giving them to his Son 2. â—herefore you must first look to him for Grace for Faitâ— God pours ouâ— the Spirit of Grace and Supplicatâ—on first and then a Sinner looks to him wâ—om he pierced that is then and not till then he will believe or savingly behold Jesus Christ. 3. Sinners must behold Christ look to Christ for Vnion with him and to be espoused to him Look till they Love behold him till they fall in Love with him The holy Spirit is the bond of this Union by which Christ takes hold of us and Faith is that Grace by which we take hold of him 4. For Justification Whosoever hath Union with Christ receives their personal Discharge from the Law-Sentence that bound them over to Wrath and Condemnation and are actually pronounced Acquitted and Justified for ever 5. For Acceptation with the Father who hath made us accepted in the beloved Christ's acceptance by the Father is the Spring or Fountain of our Acceptance he being accepted for and in the behalf of all his Elect And no sooner is a Sinner in Christ but he stands personally Justified and accepted with the Father and he being accepted all his Duties and Services are accepted also that he performs in Faith and by the assistance of the Spirit of God 6. For Pardon of Sin and to have it evidenced unto their Consciences In whom we have Redemption thro' his Blood even the forgiveness of Sins 7. For Strength Surely shall one say in the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Righteousness to Justifie me and Strength to Support me and Assistance to bear all Burdens resist all Temptations to strengthen all my Graces and to perform all holy Duties 8. For all divine Comforts and Consolations If there be therefore any Consolations in Christ if any comfort of Love if any fellowship of the Spirit c. Tho' many may be in Christ and find no such Consolations which others meet with yet there are most precious Consolations in him and we should look to him for them Lastly We should behold him look to him for eternal Life Eternal Life is purchased by Christ and 't is to be had in Christ and all that believe hâ—ve an undoubted Title thereto APPLICATION First We Infer from hence that great blindness and ignorance hath siezed upon most of Men in that they care not to behold Jesus Christ they can see no Beâ—uty in him to desire him nor do they marvel to behold this sight Secondly Sinner will you not behold this Christ thy Saviour Let me Exhort you to behold the Lamb of God that takes away the Sin of the World and O cast a right look unto him Motives 1. It will cause or work godly Sorrow in you fâ—r all your Sins They shall look unto him whom they pâ—ercea and shall Mourn c. 2. It will cause in you Self-loathing and Self-abhorrance I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ears but now mine Eyes see thee therefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes When the Prophet saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne high and lifted up and his Train filled the Temple he cryed out I am undone mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts 3. It will cause you to behold great Beauty and excellencies in him To you that believe he is precious Yea doubtless I count all things loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord. You will say then that he is the chiefest among ten Thousands and altogether Lovely 4. It will change you into his own Image
God but from the Devil 3. Moreover let no person now expect God should speak unto them by Dreams or Visions for tho' he did so frequently before Christ came yet Now in these last days God hath spoken unto us by his Son and we have a more sure Word of Prophecy God now as reverend Perkins notes doth not usually speak to us by Dreams yet he being a free Agent may so do if he please and no doubt sometimes he doth thus speak tho' not commonly for the Instruction and Consolation of his People Yet let aâ—â— take heed they are not deceived by Dreams Lutheâ— observes how many in his time were deluded bâ— Dreams and Visions which they falsly attributeâ— to God as the immediate Author of them and froâ— hence prayed earnestly about two things 1. That God would give him a good Understanding of the Scriptures and of his Mind revealed therein 2. That he would not send him Dreams or Visions Yea saith he I contracted with God that hâ— would not Brethren the holy Scriptures are those sacred Oracles by which God speaks to us and 〈◊〉 them iâ— contained all things which are necessary for us to know as to Faith and Practice being sufficient to make every Man Wise to Salvation thro' Faith in Jesus Christ and Perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works Therefore certainly such that are not satisfied to adhere to the holy Scriptures as a sufficient Rule in all points of Faith and Practice but desire God to speak unto them by Dreams oâ— Visions are deluded by Satan and do thereby casâ— great contempt upon the holy Scriptures But no more as to Dreams in general we will now come to this remarkable Dream and Vision Jacob had And behold a Ladder c. II. Observ. The Lord Jesus may fuly be compareâ— to a Ladder that is set upon the Earth and the Toâ— of it reaching to Heaven This Proposition I shall open God assisting And First I shall run a parallel between Jesus Christ and Jacob's Ladder And Shew that Christ may be compared to Jacob's Ladder In respect both of his Person and Offices Now Before I proceed I know not my Brethren why we may not run the Parallel so far as there is a clear Parity and it is consistent with the Analogy of Faith 1. A Ladder is the contrivance of the Wisdom of Man for the reaching attaining or doing of some thing which the Author designed thereby to do So JESUS CHRIST as Mediator GOD-MAN in one Person is the rare and wonderful contrivance of the infinite Wisdom of God for his attaining or accomplishment of his own most glorious design and purpose which is the Glory and Exaltation of his own Name and the Salvation of his Elect who on this Mystical Ladder must ascend to Heaven 2. A Ladder is a proper means or Medium to attain to that thing or accomplish that work which it was contrived or made for and possibly without which Medium it was impossible for the Person to reach to that thing or do that work which he designed and purposed to attain unto or to accomplish and bring to pass So JESUS CHRIST is the only way and means which GOD hath found out to bring us to Heaven The Builders of Babel thought to get up to Heaven by a contrivance of their own even by erecting a mighty Tower the top of which they said should reach to Heaven but they were soon confounded And like to them Mystery-babylon hath sought out other ways to Heaven then by this Mystical Ladder Jesus Christ they think to get Justification and eternal Life by their own good Works and by other Sacrifices then by the one Sacrifice of the Cross which they offer up for the living and the dead but they are but Babel-builders even blind and deceived Wretches whom God hath confounded and will confound Brethren there is no other way nor means to obtain eternal Life but by Jesus Christ alone I am the Way the Truth and the Life no Man cometh unto the Father but by me Jesus Christ went to Heaven as our blessed Head and Representative by his own Blood by his own Blood he entered in once into thy holy Place to shew that there is no other way by which Sinners can go to Heaven this only suiting with the Wisdom of God and every ways answering his own glorious Purpose and Design in manifesting and magnifying the Glory of all his blessed Attributes and making the Law honourable by Christâ— fulfilling all the Precepts thereof and bearing the penalty of it to free us from the Curse thereof Some think to get to Heaven by a Sober Moral Life others by their own Faith and inherent Holiness and Obedience to the precepts of the Gospel but in opposition to all these 〈◊〉 Christ is the Wayâ— it is by his Righteousness alone we are Justified in the sight of God his perfect Obedience to the Law is our Title to eternal Life and by his death who bore Hell pangs for us we are delivered from everlasting Wrath and Condemnation Neither is there Salvation in any other For there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we must be Saved For either Soul or Body there is no other Person no other Sacrifice no other Righteousness no other way or thing But by this Mystical Ladder Jesus Christ alone by which we can be Saved 3. A Ladder must be long enough to to reach the thing desiâ—ed Now Jesus Christ in respect of his two Natures is prepared so by the Wisdom of God that in his Person he may be said to reach from Earth unto Heaven 1. As touching his Humane Nature which is the Fâ—ot of this Ladder this stands as it were upon the Earth And 2. As touching his divine Nature which is the Top of the Ladder this reacheth unto Heaven and in these two Natures in the Person of Christ we have what is represented by Jacob's Ladder for as these two Natures are in his Person united together Heaven and Earth are united together And now that he is God see John 1.1.2 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God Christ in respect of his divine Nature is here called the Word he was before the beginning of the Word even 〈◊〉 everlasting or ever the Earth wâ—s He was with God and was God not a Creature he was not Created at the beginning but was the Creator the Maker of Heaven and Earth all things were made by him not as the Instrumental Cause of all things or any Instrument in the Father's hand but as a Principle Efficient Cause of all things Without controversie great is the mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the Flesh. The Word was made Flesh and dweit among us That is the Son of God or second Person in the Trinity The Evangelist as one observes rather saith he was made
of Grace Christ is not a common head to all Adam's Seed no but only of them that the Father gave to him 2. So many as were ordained to eternal Life shall by Christ be saved True the Blood of Christ hath vertue or worth enough in it to save the whole World but it can be effectual to none but to those for whom it was shed or to them to whom the Holy Ghost doth apply it which is to all that do believe all that Christ died for he prayed for and doth now interceâ—d for that they may receive of the Merits of his Blood but he did not pray for the World yet he tis able to save to the uttermost even to the last round of the Ladder all that come to God by him seeing he ever lives observe it to make intercession for them No Man can ascend this Ladder without the mighty power of God nay no Man can come to it except the Father draw him the Election of the Father the Redemption of the Son and the Application of the Spirit are of like and the same Extention All that the Father hath given to me shall come unto me the Holy Spirit will enlighten them work Faith in them bring them all to take hold of and ascend this Ladder So wide as the speâ—iâ—l love of God is so wide is this spiritual Ladder and it is indeed so broad that Three Thousand Persons could set their Feet upon it and ascend up at one and the same time no ' Man ever by an act of true and saving Faith attempted to ascend thereon that found it too narrow and straight for him tho' the way to Heaven comparatively is narrow Fifthly A Ladder which reacheth from Earth unto Heaven ought also to be exceeding strong and firm Now Jesus Christ this spiritual Ladder tho' he be Man yet he is also God the most high God Co-eternal Co-essential and Co-equal with the Father and therefore he is mighty strong he is able to bear the weight of all our Sins and of our Persons and Infirmities He is mighty to save Cast thy Burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee Though he is represented in our Text by a Ladder yet he is also called a Rock a strong Rock a high Rock an everlasting Rock and pray what is firmer than a Rock A Rock is locus exelus a high place Rocks as One notes tho' they have their Roots very low and deep yet their Tops are high and â—o â—ring and lifted up above the surface of other paâ—â—â— of the Earth Some Rocks reach to the Cloudâ— the Lord Jâ—sus is a high Rock in regard of the Dignity of his Person He that cometh 〈◊〉 Hâ—aven is above all He is the brightnes◠〈◊〉 the Father's Glory God hath exalted him and given him a Name above every Name A Roâ—◠〈◊〉 locus stabilis a place of Firmness and Stability Rocks keep their place and move not Now this Ladder is as firm as a Rock Christ is the power of God Originally Essentially 〈◊〉 Perfectly without Alteration without Diminition 1. In Christ all the Attributes of God are united together to save all that venture on him Justice and Mercy in him are met together and Fiss each other He is the Man of God's Right Hand made strong for himself as well as for us 2. Christ is not only Strong as Mediator in respect of his Person but also by God's Eternal Deâ—ree and Purpose God's absolute Decrees are compared to Mountains of Brass he is fixed and stands firm and sure by God's Eternal Purpose hence called a sure Foundation No need to fear venturing up upon such a Ladder should Millions of Sinners at once get upon it 't is strong enough to bear them tho they are never so heavy laden with Sin and Iniquity He that hath born the weight of Divine Wrath and Vengeance can bear and sustain the weight of all that come unto him and venture themselves upon him by Faith and Dependance tho' never so vile and notorious Sinners Sixthly A Ladder so exceeding high must have many Rounds or Gradations to ascend by So Jesus Christ in undertaking our Salvation proceeded gradually Step by Step. 1. He came down from Heaven to fix his Foot in our Nature upon the Earth 2. He was Incarnate or assumed a Body prepared for him by the Father A Body hast thou prepared me 3. He was Born of a Virgin tho' without Sin That 's the third Gradation 4. He lived a Holy and Spiritual Life in exact Conformity to that holy Law which we had broken and violated to procure a Title for us unto Eternal Life 5. He died the Cursed death of the Cross to satisfy divine Justice for us and in our stead 6. He Rose again from the Dead the Third Day for our Justification 7. He Ascended up into Heaven there is the top of the Ladder there he is now in Person tho' he is with his People on Earth by his spirit Lo I am with you alway 8. He makes Intercession pleading the Merits of his Blood for us These are some of those Gradations or Steps of Jacob's Ladder by which all Believers ascend to Heaven Seventhly He that would attain to what he desireth by climbing or descenâ—ing up upon 〈◊〉 Ladder must first come to the Foot of it anâ— so Gradually ascend Step by Step. So that Man that would go to Heaven musâ— be first brought to the Foot of Jesus Christ i. e. he must see his own lost and miserable Condiâ—â—on and know the Impossibility of getting to Heaven any other way All Self righteous Person were never brought to the Foot of this Laâ—deâ— to the Foot of Jesus Christ to acknowledgâ— themselves wretched and undone Sinners◠〈◊〉 No Alas they seeâ—inâ— Necessity of Christ nor oâ— his Righteousness They like the Jews of Old being ignorant of God's Righteousness go abouâ— to establish their own Legâ—â—â— or Inherent Righteousness He that thinks he can get Wings tâ— fly up to Heaven or can build aâ— Tower witâ— his own hands whose Top shall reach thither so that he can that way be saved will neglect nay slight this glorious Contrivanceâ— of God 〈◊〉 infinite Wisdom of Saving Sinners by Jesus Christ and so never come to Christ's Foot 〈◊〉 it is â—aiâ—â— God called Abraham to his Foot A 〈…〉 maybe said to be brought to the Foot of 〈◊〉 Christ who is effectually Convinced of the 〈…〉 he is in without Christ and of 〈◊〉 own I â—ability any other way to Step one Steâ— towards Heaven but with the Publican cryâ— out Lord have Mercy upon me a Sinner Brethrâ—n there are none but sensible Sinners meaâ—â— and heavy-lâ—deâ— Sinners that will come to Christ the â—leâ—t before called are in the same Condition â—or state of Wrath with the rest of Mankinâ— and are enlightned
or quite lose the sight of it and 〈◊〉 step he takes the further he goes from 〈…〉 and the higher he comes to Heaven and hath a clearer Sight of that So he who by Faith and Communion with God gets up upâ—n this spiritual Ladder Jesus Christ hath a clear Prospect of the Glory 〈◊〉 Heaven Moses by Faith saw him that is invisible Faith presented to his view the Angel of the Covenant and God Reconciled in him viz. the Lord Jesus Christ. Carnal or Earthly Persons are at such a great distance from Heaven that they cannot discern the Glory of it they have no Sight no Eyes to see afar off but the Earth and Earthly things appearing to the Carnal sight being always in their view they are exceedingly Affected therewith But Believers who are dwellers above and who daily make a further Progâ—ession Hâ—aâ—e◠〈…〉 the Earth and Earthly this â—s as 〈…〉 â—â—â—ry step they take they go fâ—rtâ—e◠〈…〉 from Earth in their Love and 〈…〉 and Contemplations Our conversatio◠〈…〉 â—â—â—ven Others mind Earthly things 〈…〉 the Earth and therefore speak of 〈…〉 but Believers are said to dwell in Heaâ—â—◠〈…〉 grand Enemy of the Saints is said to open 〈◊〉 Mouth to blaspheme against God to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and all that dwell in Heaven that is in the Church of God Militant they shall dwell on â—ighâ— they are out of those confused Hurries and Noises Dangers and Perplexities others who dwell below are attended withâ— They are born from above have heavenly Hearts heavenly Principles heavenly Desires heavenly Ends and Aims and heavenly Lives they have Communion with the God of Heaven heavenly things are their Delight they sâ—aâ— so high above that they are Ravished with that sight which they have of Heaven There are some other things that I might speak of as held forth by this glorious Type of Christ or which might be improved for our Instruction from hence but I shall leave them until the next time and close now with a brief word of Application VSE 1. By way of Admiration See what a wonderful person Jesus Christ is Behold the Son of Man or this spiritual Ladder that reacheth from Earth to Heaven behold it with Admiration Who would have thought of such away to Heaven Who but infinite Wisdom could have found out such a way to the Father What Work-man but the eternal God could make such a Ladder The Father is said to be above it or on the top of it to denote this way he Prepared and only by this way we must go to him if ever we come to Heaven Christ is God and Man in One Person Heaven and Earth meet together in him he brings God to us and carries us up to God God is reconciled to us in him and we are reconciled to God by him 2. Be exhorted to get up on this Ladder If ever you think to see the Father he is above it as the end of our Journey as our Hope and Reward he calls upon you Sinners to Adventure up this Ladder to believe in his Son He is above it to direct you uphold you and encourage you therefore fear not nay he is above it declaring himself in Covenant with all that come to him by Jesus Christ and to be their God I am the Lord God of Abraham c. This he spake to Jacob as standing above it or on the top of this Ladder 3. Bless God for Christ for his devising of such a way to raise us up who were sunk so low and had no strength no skill no helper none that could bring us to God nor find out a way to save our Souls but God himself only therefore he saith Deliver him from going down into the Pit I have found a Ransom Reproof This may be also for Reprehension to divers sorts of Persons 1. To such that deny the Dâ—â—ty or God-head of Jesus Christ If he be no more than a meer Man the Ladder is too short to reach up to Heaven He could not reach so high as to satisfy divine Justice or to bring us to God it being through the worth and dignity of his Person who being an infinite Person or God over all there was an infinite Worth and Merit in his Sufferings and Obedience True he might have saved himself being Perfect never having Sinned nor broke God's Law tho' he had been but a meer Man but it is from his being God as well as Man Substituted in our stead and standing in our Law-place as our great Head and â—ponser â—â— that gave such Worth and Merit for us by his Obedience and suffering to the Law and Justice of God Moreover how else also could he have overcome Death the Devil and all our Enemies and have raised himself from the Dead Death would have kept him under it's Power and he had never came out of the Grave to ascend so high as Heaven to raise us thither 2. It Reprehends all such also who seek by any other way or means to go to Heaven We have new Babel-builders or Work-mongers that think to climb up to Heaven by their own Works by their own Faith and sincere Obedience And others by the Light within which is but a branch of the First-covenant or law of God writ in the Heart and if there had been a Law that could have given Life or raised us up to Heaven verily Righteousness had been by the Law But then as the Apostle saith Christ is dead in vain Examin Try your selves by what you have heard whether you have ascended on this Ladder yea or nay 1. Were you ever brought to the Foot of Christ Did you ever see your lost Condition in the first Adam and that there is no other way to be Saved but by the Lord Jesus 2. Are you at the lowest part of the Ladder and there rest or are you got up towards the top thereof There is no resting no stay to be made when you first ascend or first believe in Christ or on any attainment of Grace but you must mount up or ascend up higher from Faith to Faith have you stept up on the Roand of Obedience have you took Christ's yoke upon you this seems too hard a step for some to take are you got above the Earth in your Affections doth the Earth and the things thereof grow less and less every day in your sight as in a natural respect it doth to him that soars very high or climbs upon a Ladder to the very Clouds Are you willing to leave Earth to leave this World to go to Heaven Paul longed to be dissolved and to be with Christ He pressed towards the mark Do you dwell in Communion with God â—las many love to be below they like those lower Regions best See how it is with you but no more at this time SERMON II. GENESIS xxviij xij xiij And behold
of God and thought it not Robbery to be equal with God he could not be said to be Exalted but taking our Nature upoâ— him he was abased he Humbled himself He took on him the â—orm of a Servant and became Obedient unto Death As considered as Mediator he is Exalted and hath a Name above every Name in Heaven or Earth First In respect of his Person Behold my Servant shall deal prudently he shall be Exalted and Extolled and be made very high here are three words signifying the same thing to express and hold forth the Glory and Exaltation of Jesus Christ. 1. He hath the Glory of God the Glory of the whole God-head in him The fullness of the God-head dwells bodily in this blessed Person the Man Christ Jesus and it pleased the Father it should be thus He is the brightness of his Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person 2. In that all the Glory of his Father's House is hung upon him placed in him he is the true Eliakim the glory of the house of David and of God's Israel Nay all the Glory of the holy Attributes slâ—ine forth in him and are united and meet together in sweet Harmony in him He is the Man of God's right Hand whom he hath made strong for himself To manifest his own Glory and to raise up his Elect to a most excellent State for ever 3. In that the same divine Worship and Adoration which is due to the Father is due to the Man Christ Jesus this my Brethren tends greatly to lift up elivate and exalt him to the Heavens That all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father all Men must thus honour and Worship him Brethren this is one of our strongest Arguments to prove that our Lord Jesus Christ is God the true God God by Nature i. e. because Divine Adoration is due to him even the same worship that is due to the Father were he a meer Man not the most high God it would be great Idolatry to worship him I am the Lord that is my Name and my glory will I not give unto another c. the Apostle John would have worshiped the Angel thinking no doubt it had been Christ I fell at his Feet to worship him and he said see thou do it not I am thy Fellow-servant and of thy Brethren that have the Testimony of Jesus worship God Here Note two things 1. That no meer Creature tho' never so glorious ought to be worshiped with divine Worship I am but a Creature equal in Office with thee tho' not in Nature as if the Angel should say therefore see thou do it not 2. That divine Worship alone belongs to God Worship God 't is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve But all Men are to worship Christ and not only Men but the holy Angels also and again when he bringeth in his first begotten into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him All the Angels the mighty Angels that excell in Glory Power and Strength bow down before him and worship at his Feet So far is he exalted above them he is beloved the head of all Principalities and Powers he is their great and glorious Prince and Sovereign they are all at his Command are his Servants and Retinue they all wait upon him and willingly serve and obey him 4. Christ is lifted up or exalted in that he is the immediate Object of our Faith and Trust True the Father is Primarily the object of our Faith but Brethren Christ is the immediate Object thereof Ye believe in God believe also in Me And this because he is equal with the Father and as Mediator we must by him believe in God the Father and come to the Father by him No Man cometh to the Father but by me But again 5. Brethren Jesus Christ is lifted up and exalted in that the Government of the World is committed unto him The Father Judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son the Father Judgeth no Man but by the Son all the administration of Judgment Rule and Authority in the Church and in the World is in the hands of Christ as Mediator he pulls down and sets up By me Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment All Power and Authority in Heaven and Earth is his it is his essentially as God and it is given unto him as Mediator 6. Christ is Lifted up or exalted in that he is all and in all where there is neither Greek nor Jew c. but Christ is all and in all He is our All to the Father he is our all with the Father and our All from the Father he is our All by way of Merit he is meritoriously made All to us he purchased All that good we have and expect to have both Grace here and glory hereafter Jesus Christ is All to us by way of Conveyance as he meritted all for us so it is through him all good things or divine Blessings are communicated to us As he is the Fountain that contains all things so he is the Conduit-Pipe thro' whom all good is conveyed to us also Again he is All to us by way of Efficency and Causality he works all our Works in us and for us and without him we can do Nothing It is from him the Head that the whole Body receiveth Nourishment so he it is that blesseth that Nourishment that Food viz. himself his Word his Ordinances and all afflictions to us which we live upon Secondly Christ is wonderfully lifted up or is exalted to Heaven if we consider the Persons who are said to Greaten and Magnifie Him 1. The Father magnifies him and hath exalted him at his Right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour This Exaltation of Christ denotes his Abasement because he condescended so low to humble himself and to dye the Cursed death of the Cross therefore he is exalted See what Paul saith Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow c. Not at the naming of Jesus but at his Name that is in respect of his Power Authority and Glory which he hath above all in Heaven and Earth considered as he consiâ—teth in both Natures or as Mediator God-man 2. All the Saints of God and Faithful Miniâ— of the Gospel exalt Jesus Christ True they cannot add any thing to his Glory but they give or ascribe the highest Glory unto him as his due The Apostle lifted him up above Moses above Angâ—ls nay as equal with the Father Paul desired to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him Crucified and resolved he should be magnified in his Body whether it were by Life or by Death 1. In that they all did all things they
did in his Name 2. By his Power 3. To his Praise and Glory 4. Also in shewing all Knowledge Learning Parts Righteousness moral Vertues Gifts and all Duties of Religion are Nothing or avail Nothing to a Man out of Christ because it is his Righteousness his Mâ—rits exclusive of all or any thing else that is the matter of our Justification before God 3. All the holy Angels likewise exalt Christ adore and magnify hiâ— Thirdly God haâ—â— exalted him from Earth to Heaven in respect of his Office in which alsâ— he is the Antitype of Jacob's Lâ—â—deâ— whâ—c◠〈◊〉 I have hinted at already yet I â—â—all add 〈…〉 1. Christ is chosen of God aâ— I said to be the only Mediator between God and Man our Days-Man that lays his hands upon both and as Mediator he is a King Priest and Prophet First He is a Priest excelling the High-priests under the Law being the substance and Antitype of all those Priests he is both Priest Altar and Sacrifice they were made Priests by men he is made a Priest by God himself they without an Oath he by an Oath they had Infirmities he had none The Priest under the Law could not continue by reason of Death he abideth a Priest for ever They offered up Sacrifices that could not take away Sins but by his one Sacrifice all sins are done away for ever He bore the sins of his People indeed he entered into the holiest of all he appears before God indeed they only Typically He made Attonement indeed they but Typically and Ceremonially He Judgeth of Uncleanness indeed they but Typically he maketh true Judgment because he knows all mens Hearts He offers up unto God the true Incense he blesseth the People by conferring Grace and divine Habits to them and by turning them from their evil ways He beyond the Priests under the Law doth determine all yea the hardest Controversies he resolves all doubts between God and Man such as these following 1. How God is Just and yet Gracious or how an offended God can and doth justify guilty Sinners 2. In and by by him we see how Justice and Mercy meet together and Righteousness and Truth kiss each other The one exalting the highest Satisfaction on terms of pure and severe Justice and the other crying for infinite Mercy 3. He resolves this Question viz How an unrighteous and ungodly Man can be justified with God 4. How Sin can be Punished and yet Pardoned 5. How the Debt can be Paid and yet be freely forgiven Brethren Christ is a Priest and as a Priest he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and as so considered he is exalted on high for in and by this Office he brings God and Man Heaven and Earth together I mean by that Attonement he hath made by his bloody Sacrifice It pleased the Father by him to reconcile all things to himself whether they be things on Earth or things in Heaven Heaven and Earth are not at a farther distance from each other as Naturally we are unto God in respect of our state and Spirits such Enmity is in the hearts of all unrenewed Sinners against God but saith the Apostle But now in Christ Jesus ye that were afar off are made near by the Blood of Christ. The way is by his Death by his Blood which was shed upon the Earth here we were and here is the Foot of the Ladder God's Justice requires an infinite Satisfaction and Christ being God reached Heaven i. e. the full demands of divine Justice Such a Days-Man we needed who layeth his hands upon both By his being a Priest in his oâ—â—ering up that one Sacrifice he reconciled God to us and by his Spirit he reconciles us to God by his applying and making the Attonement efficacious or effectual to us that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ. This is done in him even in Christ alone none but he hath done it or could do it God by him who stands at the top of the Ladder comes down to us as well as we go up to God it is by Christ that God comes down to us in a way of Mercy Peace and Reconciliation and it is by Christ we go up to God in a way of Faith and dependance Beloved God and poor Sinners meet together on this Sacred Ladder or blessed Medium and contrivances of infinite Wisdom in Christ we who were Strangers and Enemies meet with a holy and just God with joy and comfort You that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your Minds by wicked Works hath he reconciled in the body of his Flesh through Death When we were Enemies we were reconciled unto God by the Death of his Son Now this is done by Christ as a Priest in dying But Secondly He is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder as our High-Priest also by his Intercession now in Heaven 1. He interceeds with God for us in Heaven also 2. He interceeds by his Spirit in us By his Intercession in heaven he prevails with God for the Blessings of his Attonement and by his Spirits intercession in us all those Blessings are applyed and so made effectual to us By vertue of his Satisfaction God is brought near to us and thro Application of his Blood by his Spirit we are brought near unto God And thus is Christ the blessed Medium or Way by which Peace is made between Heaven and Earth or God and Sinners Moreover by this glorious Meâ—ium we have free access unto God which is the effects of Christ's Priestly Office It is on this Sacred Ladder we come with holy boldness to the Throne of Graâ—e It is by the blood of Jesus through him by one Spirit we have both that is Jews and Gentiles access unto the Father Again he saith In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence through Faith of â—im Christ is the Way of our Union with God and also of our Comâ—union All that divine and blessed intercourse that passeth between God and us is in and by Jesus Christ Seeing then we have a great High-Priâ—â—t tâ—â—t is passed into Heaven let us therefore come â—oldly to the Throne of Grace c. Again he saiâ—h Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Secondly Christ is exalted as he is a King and also as King he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and in this respect wonderfully exalted Him hath God exalted at his Right-hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and remission of Sins Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords the only Potentate It is by him Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment He pulls down one and sets up another as it pleaseth him 1. Christ my Brethren is the Father's Heir his First-born 2. He is also qualified with all Princely Wisdome
and so fit to reign over all Angels Men and Devils are subject unto him 3. He is chosen-King 4. He is by the Faâ—her anointed King with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows 5. And he is proclaimed King for ever 6. He has the Government on his Shouldâ—rs he rules in us and subdues all our Enemies he bows and bends our Spirits and stubborn Wills to submit to his Soverâ—ignty he mortifies all our Coâ—ruptions and brings us out of the Prison-house and spoils the strong Man armed he has conquered the World Sin and Devils for us and doth and will also subdue them iâ— us he is both King of Saints and King of Nations Thirdly Christ as he is a Prophet is also the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and as thus considered he is exalted 1. He received his Doctrine from Heaven and brings it down to Earth He is said to speak from Heaven and yet he spake on Earth and when he spake on Earth as Man he was in Heaven as God And thus the Foot of the Ladder was on Earth and the Top reached to Heaven Moreover by his Speaking he makes such Hearts of men as were earthly to be heavenly and lifts us up in our Desires Meditations and Affections from earth to heaven Christ is lifted up and exalted as a Prophet and higher in Glory than all the Prophets of God A Prophet is the Mouth of God to the People Now Jesus Christ received his holy Doctrine from God and spake as his Father gave Commandment Moreover he excels all other Prophets 1. All the Prophets of God besides him were inspired by him 2. They received the Spirit but by Measure but he without Measure 3. Other Prophets only could speak to the Ear he speaks to the Heart 4. Other Prophets could cause Men only to hear that were alive but Christ can make them that are deaf and dead to hear 5. Other Prophets can teach men Wisdom who have Uunderstanding but Christ can Teach Fools to Understand as well as give Understanding to the Heart Who teacheth like him 6. He can open the Ear as well as give Instruction 7. All the Teachings of other Prophets and Teachers are in vain without his divine Teachings 8. He can cause such whom he Teacheth to remember what they hear 9. He Teacheth powerfully and instructs with a high hand and yet he Teacheth sweetly 10. He Teacheth not only Efficaciously but also Infallibly and removes all Obstructions that hinder Sinners from hearing and receiving what he saith unto them He can teach men Wisdom as you have heard when they are asleep O who teacheth like him Christ is lifted up to Heaven in that he is the Sum and Substance both of Law and Gospel I mean the Antitype of all Types and Substance of all Shadows He is the great Subject of Gospel-ministration What have Ministers to Preach but Jesus Christ I have formerly shewed you what it is to Preach Christ so as to exalt him and lift him up in the ministration of the Gospel First 'T is to Preach the Excellencies of his Person 1. To Preach that he is GOD God by Nature not a petty-god a god by Office but the most high God the eternal God Co-essential Co-equal and Co-eternal with the Father 2. To Preach that he is MAN truly Man made of a Woman of the same Flesh and Blood that the Children partake of 3. That he is GOD and MAN in one Person both Natures making but one Christ by a wonderful and hypostatical Union Secondly To Preach Christ is to Preach his Incarnation his Birth his Life his Death his Resurrection his Ascension and his Intercession Thirdly To Preach Christ is to Preach his holy Doctrine and his exemplary Life in his sweet Spirit great Condescension wonderful Abasement infinite Love Mercy Faithfulness Meekness Charity c. 4. To Preach the Preciousness of Christ is to Preach Christ. 5. To Preach Christ is to Preach the necessity of Christ and of his Death And that 1. Because of that voluntary obligation he entered into with the Father in behalf of the Elect from Eternity that holy Covenant and Compact â—aid a necessity upon him to dye in our stead 2. In respect of God's eternal Decree and purpose he being a Lamb slain before the beginning of the World 3. In respect of those ancient Prophesies concerning him and of his Work and Office which must be all accomplished 4. In respect of all those Types and Shaddows that pointed to him which must be fulfilled in their Antitype c. 5. And in respect of all the Saints who lived under the Old-Testament who ventured their Souls and Salvation upon him as to come and was to dye for them 6. In respect of the Nature Holiness and Justice of God and of his absolute Threatning pronounced against Adam and all Mankind in him 7. In respect of the Sanction and perfect Holiness of the Law and of that Curse it laid all Men under 8. Moreover there is an absolute necessity of Christ and of Faith in him in respect of God's Revealation there being no other Way Person or Means found out or revealed to redeem fallen Man but Jesus Christ only Fourthly To Preach Christ is to Preach the power and ability of Christ to save all that believe in him or that come to God by him Fifthly To Preach Christ exalt him and lift him up is to Preach his Readiness and Willingness as well as his Power and Ability to save Sixthly 'T is to Preach the unsearchable Riches of Christ. Seventhly To Preach Christ is to Preach Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God i. e. in whom all the glorious Attributes of God are united in sweet Harmony and shine forth in equal Glory and Strength to save Sinners lost and undone Sinners Eighthly To Preach Christ is to preach him not only the one Mediator between God and Man but also our blessed Surety or the Surety and Testator of the New-Covenant Ninthly To preach Christ is to preach him in all his offices as you have heard Tenthly To Preach Christ exalt Christ alone is to preach his Satisâ—action or that full and compleat Reconciliation he hath made by his Obedience and suffering our Faith and Holiness adding nothing thereunto Eleventhly To Preach Christ is to Preach Justification only by him i. e. That he and his perfect Righteousness alone is that which Justifies us as it is Imputed to us that believe his active Obedience being that whiâ—h is our only Title to Heaven and that his Death he bearing all God's vindictative Wrath for our Sins is that only which delivers us from Hell Twelfthly To Preach Christ exalt Christ is to Preach him the Way the only way to the Father No Man cometh to the Father but by me To preach him the Truth that all truth is in him centres in him found and experienced in
〈◊〉 are grand Hereticks and know not Christ. 2. Not such who render God only reâ—oncilable or a conditional Saviour not fully reâ—onciled in Jesus Christ according to their Doctrinâ— Christ is yours if you perform the Condition and what is that why change your own Hearts be Regenerated or never venture to believe on Christ. Alas they may as soâ—n create a World as do this it is Christ's work alone we are born of God he works all our works in us Regeneration is the effect of Vnion with Christ. 3. Not such that Preach themselves or that Preach for Gain or seek their own Glory We Preach not ourselves but Jesus Christ the Lord. Consol. O know ye Saints what a happy state you are in you are mounting up and shall ascend on high 2. Angels guard you support and guide you and the holy Spirit also directs every step you take 3. Nay God himself takes you by the hand The steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and tho he falls he shall not utterly be cast down because God upholdeth him with his Right-hand This Ladder brings you to God the Lord God is at the top of it 1. He was the Contriver of this way he made this Ladder he prepared it 2. He is above the Ladder denoting tho Christ as Cod is equal with the Father yet as Man or Considered as our Mediator the Father is above him My Father is above all my Father is greater than I. 3. God being also above it it may denote that he upholds it by his eternal Counsel and infinite Power 4. God is above it also as an observer of all that are upon it he sees all that believe on his Son and takes notice of them 5. Moreover he is above it to encourage all that are upon it with his Covenant-Promise I am the Lord the God of Abraham c. be not afraid I will up-hold thee I will strengthen thee c. 6. It may also denote he is at the top of it as an Inviter to call upon poor Sinners to behold his blessed Son the Lamb of God or to believe on him and venture up 7. Lastly he is above it also as a Rewarder or as the end of our Journey But so much at this time SERMON III. GENESIS xxviij xij xiij And behold a Ladder c. THE last Day we shewed you that this Ladder in Jacob's Dream was wonderfully Elivated Lifted up or Exalted conâ—â—dering the Top of it reached up to Heaven from whence we took an occasion to open the wonderderful Honour Advancement Elivation or Exaltaâ—â—on of the Lord Jesus Christ considered as Meâ—â—ator I shall now proceed Twentieth A Ladder the top of which reacheth to Heaven is not only wonderfully Elivated or Exalted but all such Persons who ascend or climb up upon it even to the top thereof are â—reatly Exalted also though not by any Power or Skill of their own yet are so by means of â—â—is Ladder So all Believers who ascend upon this Spiriâ—â—al Ladder the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder Châ—â—st Jesus are hereby Exalted or raised up oâ— high in respect of their spiritual State and Condition and Frames also 1. All such who Believe in Jesus Christ whicâ— is the way to this spiritual Lâ—dâ—er are made thâ— Sons and Daughters of Gâ—â— they aâ—e all adopteâ— Children of the King oâ— Heâ—ven and Earth As many as received him to them gave 〈◊〉 Power to become the Sons of God even to theâ— that believe on his Name This of Son-ship iâ— a very great Priviledge such are greatly yeâ— wonderfully Elivated or Advanced to Honour First Consiâ—â—ring from what a State we are raised Sirs by our Sins we were brought as low as Hell being born Slaves and Vassals of Sin and the Devils or in a state of hellish Bondage Death and misery we were Sons of Perdition or Children of Wrath by Nature as well as others David thought it to be no small honour to be the Son-in-law to an earthly King and he none of the best neither but O how much greater iâ— this Honour this Advancement for God to make such who were Children of Wrath nay of the Devil to be his own Children Children of his most chiefest Love and Affection and Heirâ— of Heaven If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-heirs with Christ. Secondly Nay my Beloved they are not only Adopted Sons and Daughters of God who believe in Christ but they are all espoused to Jesus Christ also Believers see that their first Husband is dead viz. the Law by the body of Christ and they also are become dead 〈◊〉 that Wherefore my Brethren ye also are becomâ— dead to the Law by the body of Christ that yâ— should be married to another even to him that iâ— raised from the dead that we should bring fortâ— Fruit unto God Jesus Christ espouseth all true Believers â—very Soul that rightly ascends up this Ladder I have espoused you to one Husband â—â—at I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ. Our union with Christ is commonly expressed in â—â—e Scripture under the notion of a Marriage How to be married to the Prince of Princes to â—he Prince of the Kings of the Earth is a wonâ—erful elivation Should an earthly Priâ—ce set â—is heart upon and marry a poor Virgin one â—â—at was but a Scullion-maid or a Begger cloathâ—d with filthy Rags what an advancement would this be for such a one to become a Queen and save a Crown of Gold set upon her Head and be embraced in the Arms of a great Monarch or mighty Prince and to lie in his Bosom and to have the attendance of his Servants or Noble retinue But alas what a poor Advancement is that to this Man in honour abideth not but is like â—â—e Beasts that Perish Alas that Honour may be but for a Day and besides to be advanced to earthly grandure may prove the ruin of the Soul for ever Christ is the Heir of both Worlds Heir of God Heir of all things Vpon his Head are seven Crowns Seven is a number of Perfection elsewhere it is said upon his Head were many Crowns all earthly Crowns are his and at his dispose but they are little valued by him he gives them sometimes to his Enemies even to the vilest of Men the Crowns that are on his own Head are Coelestial loaded and sparkling and heavenly Jewels and Diamonds far brighter than Ten Thousand Suns amazing for Glory and are also Eternal And it is likewise said That as his Saints are cloathed in white Raiment so they have on their heads Crowns of Gold which doth denote that state of Dignity and Glory which they are advanced unto Vpon his Right-hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir On his Right-hand the most honourable place next the King as Christ is said to be sate down at the Father's Right-hand so thâ— Saints will be set at his
Right-hand Can theiâ— be greater Honour confer'd upon them Sirs whâ—â— would not adventure up this Ladder when theâ—â— is such such Glory It is indeed the way thâ— only way to possess those Crowns of immortaâ— Grandure that are prepared in Heaven Thirdly By this advancement i.e. by beinâ— Espoused and Married to Jesus Christ all thaâ— Christ hath is theirs they have not Honouâ— only but much Wealth and riches also 1. The Righteousness of Christ is theirs to Justifie them that is the white Raiment oâ— glorious Robe with which they are cloathed 2. His Graces to adorn them In Christ are unsearchable Riches Riches and Righteousness are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness Hence it is that the Apostle would have the Saints know the greatness of their Riches That ye may know what is the hope of your Calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Here is Riches in this Inheritance Many have Riches and no Glory others have Honour prefer'd upon them but have no Riches Ignoble Spirits scrape a great deal of Wealth together in which they place their vain Hope and Hapiness in but die without Honour like the Beasts that Perish Alas their Wealth is but for a Day but this is Lasting Durable Eternal as is their Honour the Crown of Glory fadeth not away it is in Heaven and Saints are a going to it on Jacob's Ladder it is in their view they see it and therefore climb up and shall in due time reach it Happy are they that are called up this Ladder to such a hope it is called the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus Fourthly The Saints are not only the Adopâ—ed Sons and the Spouse of Christ but they are â—orn of God they are begotten and born of God born from above they that are thus called have an heavenly Birth therefore it is an high-calling this gives them meet and fit frames of Spirit such which become their noble Station and blessed Relation What would a relative Change signify without a real Change I mean a Change of State without â— Change of Heart Can a carnal heart see Beauty in Christ or in heavenly things Can â—n earthly Spirit prize or value spiritual Honour or Riches No no a Swine may as well take delight in the Glory of a King's Palace Alas â—e had far rather be on a Dunghil or wallow 〈◊〉 the Mire Moreover much of the advancement of Believers lies in their heavenly Frames and nobleness of their Spirits Works Ends and Aims In this the Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour 1. He hath a Heavenly a Humble a Meek a Publick a Merciful an Inlightened a Free a Firm a Sublime a Sanctified a Raised an Actâ—ve and a Faithful Spirit and all this proceeds from that New-birth which he is passed under or it is the fruit or effect of his being born of God or regenerated by the holy Spirit These Persons have other Principles also than the rest of Mankind have Every Life hath Principles according to the Nature of it a Vegetative Life according to the Nature of it a Sensitive Life according to the Nature of it and the Rational Life according to the Nature of it So the Life of Grace hath Principles according to the Nature of it A Saint acts for God from a principle of Faith and Love this make the ways of God easy nay sweet and pleasant to him 2. These Men have other work also or imploy themselves in other Business than ungodly Persons do their New-nature prompts them on to make Religion their main Business and they also act freely voluntarily and with a great and strong Propensity in the things of God others act in such matters as Men without heart they must put a force on themselves if they meddle with heavenly Duties and heavenly things because of the earthly and carnal temper and frames of their Hearts But as to heavenly born Souls it is below them to be continually a digging in the Earth and loading themselves with thick Clay or to heap up the dust of the Ground or to take their chiefest Delight in eating and drinking or in pleasing their sensual Lusts No they are going as fast as they can from these things in their Hearts and Affections Love and Delight and Desires they see the Beauty of God and the Excellencies of Jesus Christ they pry into the Mysteries of the Gospel and of that Redemption which is by Jesus Christ They mind eternal things 3. Moreover this new Nature which is wrought in them causes them to have more noble high and sublime Ends and Aims than all others have 'T is not their own honour nor their own profit they seek but it is the honour and glory of God they Aim at God who is at the Top of the Ladder as the end of their Journey as is said before God beloved iâ— their last end it is to reach him enjoy him for evermore they mount up on high Fifthly They are Elivated or highly Advanced and Exalted in that they have such a Sublime Mystical and intimate Union with God and Jesus Christ He that is Joined to the Lord is one Spirit There is saith a Reverend Writer no stricter Union in the World than that of Christ and Believers it is therefore compared to all sorts of Unions Natural and Political He is the Head they the Members he is the Root they the Branches he the Husband they the Wife 'T is so firm so strong a Union intensively that Christ and a Regenerate Man becomes one Spirit as if there was but one Soul in two Bodies what the Spirit doth in Christ it doth also in a Believer acâ—ording to the capacity of his Soul I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in One. This shews it is a wonderful and mysterious Union more to be admired then it can be explained And the spring of it rises from the hypostatical Vnion of our Nature with the Divine Nature in the Person of Christ O how doth this exalt Believers Sixthly They are not only elivated advanced and lifted up on high by vertue of this Union but also in that they are allowed and daily have Communion with the Father Son and holy Spirit But without Regeneration or our Natures being first changed this could not be What Communion can there be between a living God and a dead Heart Or between a holy God and a filthy and polluted Creature God hates Sin and he loves it God loves Holiness and he loathes it Justification changes our state that discharged us from the Guilt of Sins but Regeneration changes our Nature and makes us fit to converse with God For as God can take no pleasure in us until his Image is stampt upon us so we can take no Delight nor pleasure in Him Without this Change Heaven would be no Paradice or Heaven unto us
But by being Renewed we are capable and do enjoy sweet Fellowship with the Father and the Son Believers walk with God and God with them Jesus Christ and Believers set together dwell together walk together yea sup together and daily visit each other Christ and they mind the same things the interest of Christ and Believers are one and the same Christ Sympathizeth with his Saints in their Afflictions and Rejoyces with them in their Consolations such a high Priest became us But O what an high Advancement is this that such a low base and contemptible Creature as Man is as in himself should be allowed to have Communion and Fellowship with the great and most glorious God of Heaven and Earth and with Jesus Christ the only Potentate and Prince of the Kings of the Earth Seventhly The Saints in Christ are so exalted and lifted up in Grandure and Honour that they are God's choice and precious Jewels or his chiefest Treasure They shall be mine saith the Lord in that day I make up my Jewels They are the Favourites of Heaven the Lord saith They that touch them touch the Apple of his Eye No King hath such a value of his greatest Favourites as God hath for his Saints they are the Persons that the King delights to Honour What is it to be honoured by poor Mortals to this honour If any Man serve me him will my Father honour He honours them here he gives them honourable Titles What are the airy and empty Titles of Earl Marquiss Duke c. that pull up Ambitious Spirits to those high and honourable Titles God confers on believers as Sons of God Heirs of God most excellent or most magnificent He hath made us Kings c. and Princes These are high Titles indeed when conferred upon us by the eternal God My Brethren they are not only hâ—noured with the highest Titles but also beloved with the highest Love I gave Egypt for thy Ransom Ethiopia and Sâ—ba for thee since thou wert precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee He loves them with the love of Complacency he rejoyces over them as the Bridegroom rejoiceth over the Bride Nay he loveth them with the same Love wherewith he loves Jesus Christ And hast loved them as thou hast loved me And as he loveth and honoureth them so he will also cause all Men yea Kings and such that now hate them to bow before them The Sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all that despised thee shall bow themselves at the soles of thy Feet The Gentiles shall see their Righteousness and all Kings their Glory Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of thy God Nay the Lord Jesus himself will honour them Verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them Eighthly and Lastly He honoureth them with his own glorious Train or Noble Retinue He commands his Servants those glorious Courtiers that attend and wait round about his Throne to wait on them to administer unto them and continually to be a Guard unto them that love and fear his Name they ride as I may so say in his own Chariots The Chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels And these are on this Ladder they ascend and descend upon the Son of Man But more of this hereafter They encamp round about such that fear the Lord and are sent to minister unto them that are heirs of Salvation VSE 1. How may this raise the Hearts of Believers Alas they little think what glory God hath in Jesus Christ conferr'd upon them How would they lift up their Heads and rejoyce did they contemplate on that great Dignity they are raised unto 2. And what Reproof may this be to the ungodly World who slight despise and hate these honourable Ones as if they were the Off-scouring of all things and not worthy to live on the Earth when indeed the world is not worthy of them These precious Sons of Sion comparable to fine Goâ—d are accounted as Earthen Pitchers Moreover it may reprove those for their horrid Folly who esteem and value the vain Honour of Men above the Honour that comes from God That had rather be Great in the Sight of Men than Great and Glorious in the Sight of God 3. This also may cause us to admire Jesus Christ who hath raised us to sucâ— Dignity and Honour his Exaltation Beloved is our Exaltation we had never been raised to this Honour had not he been Abased and then highly Exâ—lted Christ's Exaltation was only a mediatory Exaltation he was not advanced in respect of the essential Glory of his God-head for as so he was always possessed with that so that their could be no Addition of Glory made to that but it was a Glory or Exaltation of his Person as God-man the Glory of Christ as God is the same from everlasting with the Father therefore it was the exaltation of his Person as Mediator as he is our head and blessed Representative he is Exalted that we in him may be Exalted also As he Beloved was raised up from the dead so were we in him and as he was Justifiâ—d so were we in him and as he Ascended up to Heaven so did we Ascend in him and so also assuredly shall all his Elect be raised spiritually from Sin to a state of Grace here and in â—oâ—â—y and Soul to an eternal State of Glory hereafter If Christ be raised we shall be raised because he was raised as our publick Head and is ascended into Heaven as our Fore-runner 4 This may be also for Tryal By this we may know my Brethren who they are that are upon Jacobs Ladder or in Jesus Christ see what Spirits what Hearts what Principles what Ends and Aims you have and what Liâ—eâ— you live Do you dwell on â—igh yet pray labour to ascend higher and higher every day but is your Conversation in Heaven do you mount up as with Eagles Wings 't is thus if you are true Believers Earth is behind your backs and all the things of the World are little in your sight if you are elivated on high But to proceed there is one or two things more concerning this Ladder that I must take notice of Mind well the word behold and behold a Ladder this as I hinted is a word that sometimes calls for Observation and Attention Behold I am at the Door and knock sometimes it calls for Commiseration Behold is there any Sorrow like my Sorrow Sometimes it calls for Imitation Behold the perfect Man Sometimes it calls for Admiration Behold what manner of love is this c. Sometimes it calls for Faith and Dependance Behold the Lamb of God c. I said behold
Communication of it it is called the manifold Wisdom of God To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God The Angels who are said to ascend and descend up this Ladder are not a little astonished with the whole Oeconomy of Man's Redemption or with this way of raising us to the highest Glory from hence Paul speaking of our Redemption thro Christs blood saith Wherein God hath abounded towards us in all Wisdom and Prudence Brethren God hath abounded in all Wisdom towards us in contriving of this way for us to come to himself and his Prudence in ordering and disposing the means consonant thereto Wisdom saith one in drawing the Platform and Prudence in Digging thro all Impediments and making even the seeming Obstacles serve as Steps to the Execution of it Brethren God hath discovered greater Wisdom in restoring man by Jesus Christ then in his Creating of him God's Wisdom howbeit shines in the works of Creation and in his works of Providence in governing the whole Creation is very great but his greatest Wisdom appears in the work of his Redemption both in respect to the work it self together with his design and purpose of God therein well might it be said Behold a Ladder c. Wonder Oh the depths of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! 'T is called the Riches of God's Wisdom and the Wisdom of God in a Mystery But Woe to such as contemn this Wisdom slight this Wisdom or assert there is nothing in it a Mystery above humane Reason how for God thus to love Man for God to bring his Glory out of the Ashes wherein it seem'd buried and to raise Man so high that by Sin and the Devil was laid so low to cause Light to shine out of the thickest Darkness and to bring Heaven and Earth together again is Wisdom to be admir'd As reverend Charnock observes It is accounted an admirable point of Wisdom among Men to unite two Princes at variance without invading either of their Rights but intirely preserving them and to link them together in Bonds of stronger Peace than they were in before they fell out By Jesus Christ Brethren God's Right is preserved he loseth nothing of his own Glory of his own Honour but it is more enlarged and manifested than if Man had never fallen and Man is restored to a better and more lasting State of Happiness Thirdly The way to Heaven by Jacob's Ladder ought to be beheld with the greatest Admiration in respect of the Matter of which it is made all Ladders as well as all other things consist of matter and form But O what is the Matter with which this divine Ladder is made I answer it is the Son of God made Man even he that made the Woman made of a Woman is not this wonderful to see the Ancient of Days become a Babe of a Day Old is it not a marvellous thing To see him that was in the form of God and that thought it not Robbery to be equal with God to be in the form of a Servant and to lye in a Manâ—erâ— To see him that made the Creature to be trod underfoot of the Creature and helâ— in scorn and contempt and dishonoured to raise such as we so the highest honour Is it not an amazing thing to see Jesus made a Curse to raise Sinners from under the Curse to eternal Blâ—â—â—edness We account that a marvellous thing that is New a thing that none ever did nor could do the like For the Lord hath created a new thiâ—â— in the Earth a Woman shall compass a Man A Child Created not Begotten but Created in the Virgin 's Womb by the Lord is not that a marvellous thing and above the Reason or Understanding of men though of the deepest Judgment Wisdom and Knowledge that ever lived upon the Earth But suâ—h is the Incarnation of Christ and the Hypostatical Union of the Two Natures in that One Person no man by reason can Comprehend hâ—w thâ—s could be My â—â—â—thren this is a mysterious Ladder and made of a â—â—â—derful Materials Is it not an amazing thing that God should give his own Son a Sacrifice for Rebels such that hated him and that God should purchase the Church with his own Blood Is it not a marvellous thing that the King upon the Throne should lay aside his Robes and dye for câ—rsed Traytors and contemptible Beggers Is not that a wonderful thing which Non-plusses all the Wisdom of Men and Angels Is it not a wonderful thing that God and Man or the divine and humane Nature should be so united to be but one Person and is it not strange and wonderful that vile Sinners should be made Righteous by the Righteousness of another and that sinful Man should be cloathed with a more glorious Robe than any of the holy Angels of Heaven have Is it not a marvellous thing that Death should be overcome and destroyed by Death and that a Man should Dye and yet be capable to raise himself from the Dead Behold this Ladder is it not made of beaten Gold Is it not a costly Ladder of more Worth than ten thousand Worlds What are Pearls or Diamonds to this Pearl What precious Stones may be compared to this precious tryed Stone This Ladder is made of one precious Stone yet so made that there is firm and sure Footing in it for all that venture thereon to carry them to Heaven Fourthly It should be beheld with Admiration in respect of the Design of it O my Brethren never was a Ladder made on so high so sublime and on so great and so glorious a Design as this is 1. For to manifest the Glory of God or to advance his own Honour in the sight and view of all his elect ones 2. To magnify the Law 3. To destroy the work and design of the Devil 4. And to raise up poor fallen man into a most happy and glorious State and Condition for ever Certainly to behold such a Ladder that is set upon the Earth and the top of it reacheth up to Heaven it must needs denote some wonderful and glorious Design and End of the blessed God It shews that hereby God would have Jacob know and all his true Seed that man's happiness doth not consist in any earthly Blessings it is not below but above yea that it lyes only in hiâ— self and that we must observe the way know well the way he hath prepared for us to attain to that true Happiness and that it is to be had in Union and Communion with himself But to proceed First The Design of God the Father in the contriving this way this glorious and wonderful Medium or this spiritual and mystical Ladder is to magnify and advance his own Glory in respect of his own Person and the Glory of his Son and the Glory of the
Flesh then he was made Man more plainly to distinguish the two Natures in Christ to assert the truth of his Humane Nature to let us know that Christ assumed his Humane Nature in common not the particular Nature of any it is not said he was changed into Flesh but by his assuming it he was made Flesh or He the Word Took upon him the Seeâ— of Abraham even the same common Nature of all the Elect. Brethren Jesus Christ is perfect God and perfect Man in one Person therefore his Person may truly be said to reach from Earth to Heaven Pray Observe Jacob saw the Foot of the Ladder to stand upon the Earth The Foot went not lower than the Earth this might signify Christ should take upon him the Seed of Abraham or the Nature of Man not the Nature of Angels it was to raise to Heaven the Inhabitants of the Earth not the infernal Spirits or Devils of Hell Had the foot of the Ladder only reached to the Air or come down into the middle Centre of the Earth it might have seemed doubtful whether st was prepared for Fallen Angels or for fallen Mankind to get up to Heaven but the foot of it standing on the Earth denotes no doubt the same thing which the Apostle speaks Verily he took not hold on the Nature of Angels but of the Seed of Abraham he taketh hold First It was requisite He should be MAN and so have his Foot upon the Earth 1. That he might in our Nature perform that perfect Obedience to the holy Law of God which was required of Mankind for no Righteousness short of that can Justify us or carry us to Heaven 2. He must be Man that he might be capable to Suffer and Dye for Mankind God considered simply in himself could not dye 3. Because the Justice of God required the same Nature which Sinned to suffer even the same Nature that broke the Law to dye and to bear the Wrath of God 4. He must be Man that so he might Simpathize with us or have a feeling of our Infirmities it must be such a Nature of Man that was cloathed with Infirmities which we have or are atttended with since the Fall because he came to raise fallen Man Now our Infirmities are of two sorts 1st Penal and Painful 2ly Sinful and Culpable Infirmities It was the first of these Christ did take he had a Nature that could Hunger and Thirâ—◠〈◊〉 be Weary and suffer Pain and Misery both 〈◊〉 and Body as we are liable to We have 〈…〉 Priest which cannot be touched with â—â—e feeling of â—â—r Infirmities but was in all points Tempted like as we are yet without Sin This shews he was really Man or had a true Humane tho not a Sinful Nature It behoved him to be made like unto â—is Brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the Sins of the People For in that he himself hath suffered being Tempted he is able to succour them that are Tempted Secondly It was necessary also that he should be GOD. 1. That he might reach Heaven I mean the full demands of God's Justice by way of Satisfaction A mere Man could not satisfy infinite Justice or make up that Wrong our Sins haâ— done to God but seeing both the Natures in Christ make but one Person when Christ dyed he that was truly God dyed Hence it is said God purchased the Church with his own Blood Which was an infinite Satisfaction to divine Justice had we all lain in Hell for ever we could not have paid one Farthing of that Debt we owed to God and because we could not Satisfy therefore must have Suffered for ever 2. That he might sustain in his Body the Wrath of God and severe Punishment due to us for our Sins for none but he that was God could bear so great a Burden and heavy Wrath as all the Sins of the Elect were and did incur Suppose the Sins but of one Person and he be none of the greatest Sinners neither yet if charged upon him would they not sink him down to Hell Oh! what Power what Strength then save the Strength of an infinite Person could bear as well as satisfy for all the Sins of so many Thousand Persons even the whole number of God's Elect. 3. He must be God that he might be able to overcome all our Enemies not only for us but also in us and preserve us from the greatest Evils and bestow upon us the greatest Good He must lay his Hands upon both viz. He must bring God down to us and carry us up to God I mean reconcile God to Man and Man to God which he could not do unless he be God blessed for evermore how could he know our Hearts our Wanâ— our Necessities except he was the Eternal Goâ— How also could he Quicken us and raise us from 〈◊〉 Dead and destroy the Power of Satan in oâ— Souls and take away that cursed Enmity which naturally is in our Hearts against God Now thus we may clearly perceive that the Spiritual Ladder is long enough to reach from Earth to Heaven Fourthly As a Ladder must be long enough 〈◊〉 reach to the thing or place desired so also must be broad or wide enough if there are moâ—â— than one to go up even many Persons it must 〈◊〉 wide enough for them all Even so this Ladder this way is broad enougâ— for so many that are appointed or ordained to gâ— to Heaven or to be Saved Brethren Christ is a 〈◊〉 Way or Medium to carry all the Elect to Heaven Not One but All. 1. In that he took not into Union with his Divine Nature the Single Person of any but thâ— common Nature of all that Sinned who shalâ— be Saved Take here what a worthy Write Notes If Christ had only taken the Person 〈◊〉 a Man then there must have been two Persons 〈◊〉 Christ a Person Assuming and a Person Assumed yea then that only Person which Christ Assumed should have been advanced and Saved 〈◊〉 should have Saved that Person and no other 〈◊〉 he had Assumed the Person of a Man with us the Soul and Body united make a Person but in Christ the Soul and Body were so united as to have their subsistance not of themselves as in us but in the God-head No sooner was the Soul united to the Body but both Soul and Body had subsistance iâ— the second Person in the Trinity So not the Assuming of a Person but the Nature of Man common to all c. He took not the Nature of Angels bâ—â— the Seed of Abraham Thoâ— it was the common Nature of all Men or of all the Sons and Daughterâ— of Adam which he took yet the Holy Ghost calls it the Seed of Abraham intimating that the design and purpose of God was that Christ should die for no more than were comprehended in the Election