from him Iam. 1.17 Euery good giuing and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights c. What are wee that so great a God should set his heart vpon vs to shew vs mercy Seeing hee is a spirit and so transcendently glorious and knowes all things we should resolue to serue him with all possible affection putting on all the beauties of the best holinesse we can get when we come into his presence Ioh. 4.24 God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Let vs for euer hate sinne and striue for all possible imitation of his holinesse Psal. 36.10 Extend thy louing kindnesse to them that know thee and thy righteousnesse vnto them that are vpright of hart 1. Pet. 1.15.16 But as he which hath called you is holy so be you holy in all manner of conuersation Because it is written Be you holy for I am holy c. 1. Ioh. 5.18.19 We know that whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and the wicked toucheth him not c. Iob 42.6 Therefore I abhorre my selfe and repent in dust and ashes Finally wee should striue to get and encrease in the true knowledge of our glorious God wee should study his glory but then wee must be warned when we go about this study to looke to diuers things 1. We must repent vs of our sinnes for this knowledge requires a cleane heart 2. Wee must bring an humble and teachable mind Psalm 25.9 Them that bee meeke will hee guide in iudgement and teach the humble his way 3. Let the Word bee thy guide looke for him in the Word Thou must captiuate thy Reason and aduance thy faith 4. Thou must goe to the Sonne to reueale the Father pray Christ to shew thee the Father Ioh. 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father hee hath declared him c. 5. Pray for the spirit of reuelation to forme this in thee and resolue to get thy heart established in the knowledge of God by many prayers 6. Obserue him in his Image in his children get affection to them and liue much with them 1. Ioh. 4.8.12.16 Hee that loueth not knoweth not God for God is loue No man hath seene God at any time if wee loue one another God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect in vs c. Thus much for Instruction Here is also much matter of humiliatioÌ„ for those vile Atheisticall thoughts and base conceits which are in mens minds coÌ„cerning God and for the daily neglect of Gods presence forgetting him dayes without number and for daring to sinne in his sight but especially for want of those burning desires after God and that surpassing loue of his glorious nature Thirdly here is singular Consolation vnto all those that are assured they are in fauour with God Why doe not our hearts say Wee haue none in heauen but God and doe desire none in earth with him Psalm 7.3.23 seeing he is so all-sufficient able to doe vs so much good and our plentifull reward Genes 17.1 and knowes our wayes Psal. 1.6 and entertaines his people with so much grace Psalm 36.7.8 and the rather because he will neuer change and loue thee with an eternall loue Iam. 1.17 2. Tim. 2.13 Numb 23.19 This should be the life of our liues it is very eternall life to know him to be ours in Christ. Ioh. 17.3 Ierem. 9.24 Thus of the second principle The third Principle is that there be thre persons in the Trinity which may be proued two waies That there is more then one person Gen. 1.26 Furthermore God said Let vs make man in our owne Image according to our likenesse c. That there are three in number Mat. 3.16.17 And loe the heauens were opened vnto him and Iohn saw the spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him And loe a voice came from heauen saying This is my beloued Son in whom I am well pleased c. Matth. 28.19 Goe therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost 2. Cor. 13.13 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Ioh. 14.16.17.28 And I will pray the Father and hee shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer c. Ioh. 15.26 But when the Comforter shall come whom I will send vnto you from the Father c. 1. Ioh. 5.7 For there are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one c. These three were called in the old Testament the Lord the Angell of the Lord and the Spirit of God and in the new the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The vse should be To teach vs to conceiue of God with all possible adoration of his glorious condition who hath in the manner of his nature what is beyond the reach of men or Angels thou must beleeue that this is so though reason cannot tell â—hee how it is let it suffice thee to know that it is Thou shalt know more how it is both when they knowledge is more growne on earth and when thou commest to thy perfect age in heauen When thou commest to worship God make conscience of it that thou rob not any of the persons of their glory But know that there are three persons not one person onely Learne thou in thy course of life from the word and works of God to giue to each person his glory as it is written of him or done by him This may be an vnspeakeable comfort to thee if thou consider what the blessed Trinity is to thee thy holinesse and happines was conceiued decreed framed purchased renewed and shall be for euer testified by â—â—ree in heauen 1. Iohn 5.7 For there are three which beare record c. Gen. 1.26 as before Thus of the third principle That there is but one God is proued in these places Deu. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is Lord only c. Esay 44.6.8 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts I am the first and I am the last and without me is there no God You are my witnesses whether there be a God beside me c. Mark 12.29 Heare Israel the Lord our God is the only Lord c. Ephes. 4.5.6 1. Cor. 8.4 We know that an idoll is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one c. The vses are these Adore him whom al creatures are bound to serue and acknowledge who hath no partners in his supreame Soueraignty Psal. 86.9.10 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O Lord and shall glorifie thy name
again from the dead according to my Gospell c. That hee ascended into heauen these places may suffice to proue it Mark 16.19 So after the Lord had spoken vnto them he was receiued into heauen and sat at the right hand of God Luk. 24.51 And it came to passe that as he blessed them he departed from them and was carried vp into heauen Act. 1.9 And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken vp for a cloud tooke him vp out of their sight Ephes. 4.8.9.10 Wherefore hee saith when he ascended vp on high hee led captiuity captiue and gaue gifts vnto men Now in that he ascended what is it but that hee had also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth Hee that descended is euen the same that ascended farre aboue all heauens that he might fill all things That hee sitteth at the right hand of God these places proue Mark 16.19 So after the Lord had spoken vnto them hee was receiued into heauen and sate at the right hand of God Heb. 1.9 Vnto which also of the Angels said he at any time Sit at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot-stoole c. Heb. 8.1 Now of the things which wee haue spoken this is the summe that we haue such an high Priest that sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the maiesty in heauen c. Eph. 1.20.21 Which he wrought in Christ when hee raised him from the dead and set him at his right hand in the heauenly places Farre aboue all principalities and power and might and dominion and euery name that is named not in this world onely but also in that that is to come c Colos. 3.1 If yee then bee risen with Christ seek those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God 2. That Christ who purchased the Church by his blood is appointed of God to be the King and head of the Church and Prince ouer the people of God hauing all power in his owne hands Psalm 2.6 Euen I haue set my King vpon Sion mine holy mountaine Matth. 28.18 And Iesus came and spake vnto them saying All power is giuen vnto mee in heauen and in earth Ioh. 13.3 Iesus knowing that the Father had giuen all things into his hands and that hee was come from God and went to God Colos. 1.18 And he is the head of the body of the Church he is the beginning and the first borne of the dead that in all things hee might haue the preeminence Reuel 19.16 And he hath vpon his garment and vpon his thigh a name written The King of kings and Lord of lords 3. That he is likewise appointed to bee the law-giuer to the Church and the Iudge of the whole world Iam. 4.12 There is one law-giuer which is able to saue and to destroy who art thou that iudgest another man Ioh. 5.22 For the Father iudgeth no man but hath committed all iudgement vnto the Sonne 27. And hath giuen him power also to execute iudgement in that he is the sonne of man Act. 10.42 And he commanded vs to preach vnto the people and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God a iudge of quicke and dead Act. 17.31 Because hee hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath appointed whereof he hath giuen him an assurance vnto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead c. 2. Tim. 4.1 I charge ye therefore before God and before the Lord Iesus Christ which shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdome c. 4. That his gouernment extends to the people of all nations Psalm 2.8 Aske of me and I will giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the endes of the earth for thy possession Matth. 28.18 And Iesus came and spake vnto them saying All power is giuen vnto mee in heauen and in earth c. Phil. 2.10.11 That at the name of Iesus should euery knee bow both of things in heauen and things in earth and things vnder the earth And that euery tongue should confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord vnto the glory of God the Father 5. That his kingdome is not of this world but a spirituall and celestiall kingdome Ioh. 18. 36. Iesus answered my kingdome is not of this world if my kingdome were of this world my seruants would surely fight that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes but now is my kingdome not from hence Rom. 14.17 For the kingdome of God is not meate nor drinke but righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost 6. That hee will bee with his people to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you and loe I am with you alwaies vntill the end of the world Amen 7. This his kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome Luk. 1. 33. And hee shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome shall be no end Heb. 12.28 Wherfore seeing we receiue a kingdome which cannot be shaken let vs haue grace wherby we may so serue God that wee may please him with reuerence and feare Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heauen set vp a Kingdome which shall neuer be destroyed and this kingdome shall not be giuen to another people but it shall breake and destroy all these kingdomes and it shall stand for euer Dan. 7.14 And he gaue him dominion and honour and a kingdome that all people nations and languages should serue him his dominion is an euerlasting dominion which shall neuer be taken away and his kingdome shall neuer be destroyed c. Against this last principle may bee obiected the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.24 Then shall be the end when hee hath deliuered the kingdome vp to God euen the Father when he hath put downe all rule and all authority and power And therefore after that time it seemes hee shall raigne no more For answere thereunto we must know that Christ shall not then cease to raigne but only cease to raigne after the same manner he doth now That manner of administration which hee now vseth in gathering and preseruing his Church shall then cease there shall be then no need of it Thus of the principles Now for the explication that wee may more distinctly conceiue of this office of Christ as King we must consider of foure things in it 1. The victory ouer the enemies that opposed his title 2 His kingly glory with which he was qualified and prepared for gouernment 3. His taking of possession of the kingdome 4. His administration after he had possession For the first Christ fought for his kingdome and most victoriously ouercame the Diuell sinne death and hell and rescued his subiects from their thraldome 1. Cor. 15.54.55 Colos. 2.15 Heb. 2.14 And this victory
glories in our bodies then so it may adde vnto our comfort and the establishment of it if we consider three things more to wit first the certaintie of all this that it shall come Secondly the shortnesse of the time thither Thirdly the condition of the body till then For the first wee should not doubt of it because we are borne againe to this hope wee are children of the resurrection now and so called Luke 20.36 And besides Christ hath a charge to loose nothing no not of the bodies of the Saints Ioh. 6.39 And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath giuen mee I should loose nothing but should raise it vp againe at the last day And he came to this end to dissolue the workes of the diuell which is sinne and death by sin 1. Iohn 3.8 Christ also is the first fruit of the dead 1. Cor. 15.20 And further we haue felt of the power of Christ in raising our soules alreadie he that by his word made all things can by the same voice bring backe our bodies againe Ob. That the bodies resolued to dust and ashes should rise is against cōmon sense and reason Solut. It is aboue reason but not against it Can men of ashes make glasse and cannot God of dust make againe the body Ob. But the bodies dead are often mingled with the bodies of beasts or other creatures Sol. The Goldsmith by his art can seuer mettals and extract one mettall out of another and cannot God distinguish these dusts c Ob. Flesh and blood cannot come into the Kingdome of heauen 1. Cor. 15.50 Sol. By flesh and blood is not meant the body simply but as it is clothed with sin and infirmity which shall be done away in the resurrection Ob. The condition of man and beast is one Eccles. 3.19 For the condition of the children of men and the condition of beasts are euen as one condition vnto them As the one dieth so dieth the other for they haue all one breath and there is no excellencie of man aboue the beast for all is vanitie Sol. First they are like in dying not in the estate after death Secondly it may be said those words are the obiection of the Epicure not the opinion of Salomon 〈◊〉 second it may adde to our comfort that the Lord is at hand Phil. 4.5 and that it is but a little season thither to Reuel 6.11 〈◊〉 third the present condition of our bodies euen in the graue should comfort vs for 1. The couenant of God is of force euen with them as they lie in the dust of the earth Mat. 22. 31.32 2. The vnion with Christ holds still Col. 1.18 3. They are not dead but a sleepe in Iesus 1. Thes. 4.13 〈◊〉 fourth wo vnto wicked men euen because of the resurrection they shal sleep for a while in their bodies but when they wake they must be had away to execution They that haue done euill shall rise vnto shame and contempt and condemnation their bodies shall rise in dishonor deformitie passible tormented with eternall and vnutterable tortures liuing in darkenesse without light liuing I say for euer onely to feele the paines of eternal dying shut vp in prison and denied the comfort of the meanest creatures it were well for them if they did neuer rise Reuel 20.14.15 Dan. 12.2 Iohn 5.29 CHAP. XXVII Of the last Iudgement 2. Cor. 5.10 For wee must all appeare before the iudgement seate of Christ that euery man may receiue the things which are done in his bodie according to that he hath done whether it be good or euill HItherto of the Resurrection the last Iudgment followes The Principles concerning the last iudgement are these First that there shall bee a generall iudgement Iude 14.15 And Enoch also the seuenth from Adam prophesied of such saying Behold the Lord commeth with thousand of Saints To giue iudgement against all men and to rebuke all the vngodly among them of all their wicked deedes which they haue vngodlily committed and of all their cruell speakings which wicked sinners haue spoken against him Psalm 9.8 For he shall iudge the world in righteousnesse and shall iudge the people with equitie Psalm 50.1 The God of Gods euen the Lord hath spoken and called the earth from the rising vp of the Sunne vnto the going downe thereof c. Heb. 9.27 And as it is appointed vnto men that they shal once die and after that commeth the iudgement Dan. 7.9.10 I beheld till the thrones were set vp and the Ancient of daies did sit whose garment was white as snow and the haire of his head like the pure wooll his throne was like the fierie flame and his wheeles as burning fier A fierie streame issued and came forth from before him thousand thousands ministred vnto him and ten thousand thousands stood before him the Iudgement was set and the bookes opened Secondly that Christ shall be the Iudge and that in the humane nature Act. 10.42 And hee commanded vs to preach vnto the people and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God a Iudge of quicke and dead Acts 17.13 Because he hath appointed a day in the which hee will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath appointed whereof he hath giuen an assurance to al men in that he raised him from the dead 2. Tim. 4.1 I charge thee therfore before God and before the Lord Iesus Christ which shall iudge the quicke and dead at his appearing and in his Kingdome Iohn 5.22 For the Father iudgeth no man but hath committed all iudgement vnto the Sonne Ob. The Apostles shall iudge the twelue Tribes Matth. 19.28 Sol. 1. The Apostles iudge the twelue Tribes by their faith and doctrine the example whereof shall take away all excuse from the Israelites 2. They shall be as Iustices of Peace on the Bench and consent to Christs iudgement Ob. The Saints shall iudge the world 1. Cor. 6.2 Sol. As assessors with Christ bearing witnesse to it approouing it and assenting to it as the Apostles before 2. As they are members of Christ the Iudge 3. As their example shall bee alleaged to condemne the wicked Ob. But the Father and holy Ghost iudge too Sol. The Father doth iudge by the Sonne as by his representatiue Wisdome Iohn 5.22 For the Father iudgeth no man but hath committed all iudgement vnto the Sonne Dan. 7.13.14 As I beheld in visions by night behold one like the Sonne of Man came in the clouds of heauen and approched vnto the Ancient of daies and they brought him before him 14. And he gaue him dominion and honour and a Kingdome that all people nations c. Or thus the authority of iudging is common to the three persons but the execution onely proper to the Sonne Thirdly all men shall be iudged at that day iust and vniust quicke and dead small great Iude 15. To giue iudgement against all men and to rebuke all the
Heauen Thus the Patriarches comforted themselues Heb. 11.13 2. Against the griefe for the death of our friends why doe we sorrow for them that are so happie 3. Against the many afflictions of this life the feare and care of which should bee swallowed with the hope of eternall life as these places shew Rom. 8.18 For I count that the afflictions of this present time are not worthie of the glorie which shall be shewed vnto vs. 2. Cor. 4.17.18 For our light affliction which is but for a moment causeth vnto vs a farre most excellent and an eternall waight of glory while wee looke not on the things which are seene but on the things which are not seene for the things which are seene are temporall but the things which are not seene are eternall 4. Against the feare of death for these principles teach vs to belieue that the dead are blessed Reuelat. 14.13 Then I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me Write Blessed are the dead which hereafter die in the Lord euen so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them And that this death will be quickly swallowed vp of victorious life 1. Cor. 15.16.17 The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law But thanks be to God which hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ. These comforts will bee the more abundant if wee consider either first the particulars of this glory secondly or the properties of it For the first our glory in heauen may be thus shadowed out It consists of perfection of holinesse and happinesse Our holinesse shall then bee perfect we shall be without spot or wrinkle Ephes. 5.27 Gods people shall then bee all righteous Isaiah 60.21 Thy people also shall be all righteous And this perfection shall be both of Nature and of Action In nature we shall be perfectly holy which may bee considered in respect of the holinesse First of our soules secondly of our bodies thirdly of our soule and bodie together First in our soules there shall bee 1. Exquisite knowledge wee shal then know as we are known when that which is in part is done away we shall no more vnderstand as children but shall haue our minds enlightned aboue the knowledge of Prophets and Apostles in this world for God himselfe shall be our euerlasting light 1. Cor. 13.10.11.12 But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be abolished When I was a child I spake as a child I vnderstood as a child I thought as a child but when I became a man I put away childishnes or childish things For now we see through a glasse darkely but then shall we see face to face now I know in part but then shall I know euen as I am knowne Isaiah 60.19 Thou shalt haue no more Sunne to shine by day neither shall the brightnes of the Moone shine vnto thee for the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glory 2. Freedome of will when all the impediments of desire and endeuours shall bee taken off which now as fetters hinder vs in communion with God and as cords hale vs after vanitie where it shall bee also as easie to doe good as to desire it 3. Vnspeakeable charitie our hearts being fild with al those affections that are now any way required in the word of God either toward God or man 1. Cor. 13.8 Loue doth neuer fall away though that prophesying be abolished or the tongues cease or knowledge vanish away What is now the life of our liues more then to loue and to be beloued This earthly loue is but a sparke in comparison Secondly in our bodies there shall be a perfect conformitie of all the members for the seruice of God and the soule they shall bee no more weapons of vnrighteousnesse as they haue been Rom. 6.13 Rom. 6.19 Thirdly in both body and soule there shall be 1. The perfect Vision of the admirable beauties of God which of it selfe is more worth then the possession of the whole world and this Vision of God shall not onely be mentall by contemplation of which 2. Cor. 12.2 but also corporal for so Iob auoucheth Cap. 19.25 For I am sure my Redeemer liueth and he shall stand the last on earth Vers. 26. And though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie yet shall I see God in my flesh Vers. 27. Whom I my selfe shall see and my eies behold and none other for mee though my reines are consumed within me We shall then see him perfectly in the creatures and haue him perfectly in our selues and behold the Trinitie in the glorie of it after a way now vnutterable 2. The perfection of the image of God in both we shall then be as hee is partaking perfectly of the diuine nature 1. Iohn 3.2 2. Pet. 1.4 which is signified by those pure white garments mentioned Reuel 3.4.5 6.11 7.13 19.8 Thus shall we be perfect in nature The perfection of our actions or obedience shall then bee obtained wee shall then serue God loue our brethren without all defect We shall praise God with the Angels to all eternitie for that shall be the maine outward seruice of God for prayer shal thē cease Reuel 4.10.11 Thus of the perfection of holinesse The perfection of happines shal haue in it diuers things The first part of our felicity is acknowledgement in the kingdom of heauen which is a worke of Christ declaring vs in particular to bee elected of God and his children and friends And this is more comfortable because we shall thus bee proclaimed the heires apparant of heauen before God and all his holy Angels Matth. 10.32 Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse mee before men him will I confesse also before my father which is in heauen 2. Glorious liberty reserued for the sonnes of God vnto that day of which Rom. 8.21 And this liberty may be considered two waies viz. 1. From what we shall bee free 2. To what we shall bee free For the first we shall then be free First from the torments and miseries of the damned in hell wee shall haue an eternall discharge from that most fearfull place which is promised vs already in this life Rom. 8.1 Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit c. Reuel 20.14 And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fier this is the second death c. Secondly from the displeasure of God he will neuer be angry with vs any more there shall be no more curse or Anathema Reuel 22.3 And there shall bee no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lambe shall be in it and his seruants shall serue him Thirdly from sinne and the power to sinne our holinesse shal be better then Adams in Paradise he might sinne but wee shall be confirmed as the Angels of heauen so as we
he is glorious in Nature That he is three in Persons That he is one in Essence For the first that there is a God is euery where apparant in euery leafe yea almost in euery line of Scripture and therefore I spare quotations it being out of all doubt that the Scripture saith so And against all seeds of Atheisme men may keepe in their minds these other testimonies both inward and outward The inward testimonies that proue there is a God are these The horror of conscience that befalles men after the committing of sinne dreading a supreame Iudge which terrours we see are oftentimes such as are most dreadfull and such as no outward thing can still The testimony of the holy Ghost infallibly satisfying the godly herein The reuelation of God to the harts of his people daily finding him in the vse of his ordinances which presence of God they likewise misse if they sinne presumptuously The externall testimonies are taken from the workes of God either more generally in the world or more specially in the Church The world testifies there is a God In respect of the creation of it this huge frame could not make it selfe and therefore of necessity there must be some being that gaue it being By the motion that is in it For that shewes there is a supreame mouer By the strange Iudgements that fall vpon the wicked somtimes in the very act of sinning and sometimes at the very instant of the wishes of wicked persons In that all nations haue at all times acknowledged a God In the Church God hath proued himselfe to be 1 By apparitions God hath shewed himselfe by certaine formes or signes of his presence thus Adam Noah Abrahā Isaac Iacob Moses c. saw God 2 By the miracles wrought beyond all the course of nature as when he raised dead men diuided the sea made the Sunne goe backward c. Thus of the proofe of the first principle That God is also maruellously glorious in his nature these places shew Psal. 29. all ouer Exod. 33.18 Againe he said I beseech thee shew me thy glory 19. And he answered c. Esa. 6.2.3 And one cried to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole world is full of his glory 1. Tim. 6.16 Who onely hath immortality and dwelleth in the light that none can attaine vnto whom neuer man saw neither can see vnto whom bee honour and power euerlasting Amen And how can hee be but exceeding glorious when as he is Incorporeall beyond the perfection of bodily things Ioh. 4. 24. God is a spirit Eternall without any beginning Psal. 90.2 Before the mountaines were made and before thou haddest formed the earth and the world euen from euerlasting to euerlasting thou art our God Infinitely immense and incomprehensible 1. King 8.27 Is it true indeed that God will dwell on the earth Behold the heauens and the heauens of heauens are not able to containe thee how much more vnable is this house that I haue built Ier. 23.24 Doe not I fill heauen and earth saith the Lord Immutable without shadow of change Iam. 1.17 Euery good giuing and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights with whom is no variablenesse neither shadow by turning Numb 23.19 God is not as man that hee should lie neither as the sonne of man that hee should repent Hath he said and shall he not doe it and hath he spoken and shall he not accomplish it Omnipotent so as nothing is impossible to him Psalm 115.3 But our God is in heauen hee doth whatsoeuer he will Mat. 19.26 And Iesus beheld them and said vnto them with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible Iob 42.2 I know that thou canst doe all things and that there is no thought hidden from thee Omni-scient so as hee knowes all things vniuersally and perfectly Psalm 147.5 Great is our Lord and great is his power his wisdome is infinite Rom. 11.33 O the deepnesse of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God! how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out Hebr. 4.13 Neither is there any creature which is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open vnto his eyes with whom we haue to doe Most holy without sinne in himselfe and hating sinne in others Psalm 5.4 For thou art not a God that louest wickednesse neither shall euill dwell with thee Esa. 6.3 And one cried to another and said Holy holy is the Lord of hosts All-sufficient and independant Genes 17.1 The Lord appeared to Abraham and said vnto him I am God all-sufficient walke before me and be thou vpright Exod. 3.14 And God answered Moses I am that I am c. Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and for him are all things to him be glory for euer Amen Most mercifull Exod. 34.6.7 So the Lord passed before his face and cried The Lord the Lord strong mercifull and gracious c. Reseruing mercy for thousands forgiuing iniquity and transgression and sinne and not making the wicked innocent Psalm 136. the whole Lastly Immortall so as hee can neuer die or cease to bee 1. Tim. 1.17 Now vnto the King euerlasting immortall inuisible vnto God onely wise be honour and glory for euer and euer Amen And all this should teach vs To adore and feare this great and glorious God Rom. 11.33.35.36 O the deepnesse of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God c. To dilate our hearts in a speciall manner in his praises Neuer such a subiect of praise as God His praises should take vp all people by all meanes and at all times while we haue any being Psalm 72.18.19 Blessed bee the Lord God and blessed bee his glorious name for euer and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen Amen Psalm 96. vers 1. c. Oh sing vnto the Lord all the earth blesse his name declare his glory from day to day the Lord is great and greatly to be praised giue vnto the Lord the glory due vnto his name Psal. 147.1 Praise ye the Lord for praise is comely Psalm 148. the whole Reuel 5.9 c. With speciall admiration to set our hearts and affections vpon him to loue him with all our soules and all our might Deut. 30.6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the hart of thy seed that thou maist loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soule that thou mayest liue Oh these beauties should make vs wonderfully in loue with God! who onely is worthy to be accounted of a good nature Matth. 19.17 And he said vnto him why callest thou me good there is none good but one euen God c. With all diligence to seeke all good at his hands With all thankfulnesse to acknowledge what good wee receiue from him yea acknowledging all we haue to bee
is the mystery of godlinesse which is God is manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit c. 1. Ioh. 5.20 But we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him which is true and we are in him that is true that is in his son Iesus Christ this same is very God and eternall life 2. By the diuine proprieties giuē vnto him as Eternity Ioh. 1.1 Ioh. 17.5 Omnipotency Ioh. 3.31 Phil. 4.13 Sauiour King of Kings and the like 3. By diuine workes done by him as Creation Coloss. 1.16 Forgiuenesse of sinnes Matth. 9.6 Working of miracles Ioh. 10.25 4. By the diuine honour due vnto him as Adoration Psalm 72.11 Heb. 1.8 and beleeuing in him 5. By the conquest the Gospel hath made in the world 1. Tim. 3.16 and that not by any carnall power Zach. 4.6 6. By the patient suffering of his Saints Reuel 12.11 But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loued not their liues vnto the death c. But why was it needfull hee should be God For two causes chiefly 1. The one was the greatnes of our euill which no creature could take off vs viz. 1. the grieuousnesse of our sinnes 2. The immense intolerable waight of Gods anger 3. The Empire of death 4. The tyranny of the diuell 2. The other was the greatnes of our good which none but God could restore viz. 1. An obedience to iustifie many 2. The image of God 1. Cor. 1.30 Colos. 3.10 If our Sauiour be the sonne of God yea God himselfe that holds it no robbery to be equall with God Then it may first serue for humiliation and so 1. To the world In which this glorious light hath risen and yet their darknesse comprehended it not Ioh. 1.5.10 To the very godly because they are not so affected as may become this maruellous glory of the Sonne of God it should much abase vs that we haue not thoughts and affections to take that notice wee should of this Sonne of righteousnesse so gloriously in the Gospell shining amongst vs we doe not receiue him conceiue of him as this doctrine teacheth vs how often hath he come amongst his owne and his owne receiued him not Ioh. 1.11 For instruction and so it should worke in vs 1. Illumination to see the greatnesse of the mistery of godlines that tels vs of God manifested in the flesh 1. Tim. 3.16 Our eyes should in this point receiue sight and clearing This doctrine should shine in our hearts as the Sunne in the firmament wee should neuer rest informing our selues heerein and praying for discerning till after much neglect and vnbeleefe past we could say with Thomas My Lord and my God Matth. 16.16 Ioh. 20.28 This is the rocke vpon which the Church is built 2. The estimation of his sufferings for vs this blood of the new Testament was the blood of God Act. 20.28 3. The celebratiō of his praises is God ouer all then let him be blessed for euermore Rom. 9.5 Of whom are the fathers and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God ouer all blessed for euer Amen 4. The adoration of his person when God brings forth his onely begotten Sonne let all the Angels of heauen worship him Heb. 1.4 5. Faith this should make vs beleeue in him and relie vpon the sufficiency of the redemption in him yea we should neuer rest till we know him and that we are in him For this is eternall life Ioh. 1.7 The same came for a witnesse to beare witnesse of the light that all men through him might beleeue 1. Ioh. 5.20 But we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him which is true and wee are in him that is true that is in the Sonne Iesus Christ the same is very God and eternall life The consideration of the diuinity of Christ should wonderfully comfort vs so it is vsed in diuers Scriptures For if he be God thē he is ful of grace to supply our wants Ioh. 1.14.16 He is infinite in righteousnes to iustifie vs Ierem. 23.6 The gouernment being on his sholders he will euer bee knowne to bee wonderfull as a Counsellor to direct vs as a mighty God to defend vs as an euerlasting father to loue vs and pity vs and spare vs and beare with our infirmities as a Prince of peace to preserue vs in our reconciliation with God and to fill vs with peace that passeth all vnderstanding and that we may not doubt of perseuerance the Prophet assures vs that of the encrease of his gouernment and peace there shall be no end for he will order vs and establish vs henceforth and for euer CHAP. XIII Of Christs humanity HItherto of the diuine nature of Christ There are foure principles concerning the humane nature of Christ the one concernes the matter the other three concerne the manner 1. The first that the Sonne of God was incarnate did assume the true nature of man and was a very man amongst vs Ioh. 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and that word was God 14. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among vs and we saw the glory thereof as the glory of the only begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and truth Hebr. 2.14 For as much then as the children were partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe likewise tooke part with them 16. For hee in no sort tooke the Angels but hee tooke the seed of Abraham 2. That hee was not conceiued as other men but by the holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 And the Angell answered and said vnto her the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee shall be called the Son of God Mat. 1.20 Feare not to take Mary for thy wife for that which is conceiued in her is of the holy Ghost 3. That hee was borne of a Virgin Esa. 7.14 Therefore the Lord himselfe will giue you a signe behold the Virgin shall conceiue and beare a Sonne and she shall call his name Emmanuel Matth. 1.18 Now the birth of Iesus Christ was thus when as his mother Mary was betrothed to Ioseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost Genes 3.15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seed and her seed hee shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele 4. That his humane nature did subsist in the diuine nature and so both made but one person Colos. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Luk. 1.35 And the Angel answered and said vnto her The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shal ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee
shall bee called the Sonne of God c. The vses may bee raised seuerally from each of the principles and so First the doctrine of the incarnation of Christ may serue 1. For information and that both of the loue of God and of his wisedome which both shine in this worke His loue in that he sent vs a Sauiour to take our nature and his wisedome in that he sent vs his Sonne But what need was there that Christ should bee incarnate and take mans nature rather then any other First that satisfaction might be made to God in the same nature that had offended 2. Because without effusion of blood there could bee no remission Heb. 9.22 3. Because a Mediator should be meet to deale betweene both parties therefore he is God for the businesse with his Father and man for the businesse with men 4. That so he might haue the right of the kinsman to redeeme vs and so of adoption Ier. 32.8 Ruth 3.13 5. To assure our resurrection Heb. 2.14 That he might destroy through death him that had the power of death which is the diuell c. But why was the second person in Trinitie incarnate It was most conueniently and comely it should be so 1. By the Son was man made at the beginning and therefore fitly by him was he redeemed 2. He most fitly repaires the image of God in vs who was himselfe the image of his father 3. He that was the Sonne of God most conueniently makes vs the Sonnes of God Secondly for instruction and so it should teach vs 1. First to acknowledge both natures in Christ and know it is of necessitie to saluation to confesse his glory in both 2. It should worke vpon vs the impressions of humility This is a matchlesse example of humilitie that he that was equall to the father should make himselfe so low as to take vpon him the forme of a seruant c. as it is vrged Phil. 2.6.7 It were intolerable shame for vs to mind our owne things or to stand vpon our glory and greatnesse Oh how should this make vs easily deny our selues if we could throughly thinke vpon it 3. Thirdly it should stirre vs vp wonderfully to a desire to come vnto Christ and to be made one with him and to be like him Hee drew neere to vs when hee tooke our nature and shall not we draw neere to him in imitation of his nature and shew forth his vertues He descended from heauen to vs and shall not we ascend to heauen to him 4. This may serue for great humiliation to al such as receiue not the Sonne of God hath hee taken our nature and dwelt amongst vs and saw we his glory as the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of God and are wee yet ignorant of him doe we yet neglect to come vnto him 5. Lastly the incarnation of Christ is the very fountaine of all our comfort It is the sunneshine of religion we should reioyce in it aboue all things There should be no godly man but his heart should leape within him vpon the thoughts of this glorious grace of God The Angels of heauen sang in the aire when they brought this tidings and can wee sit desolate in heart to whom a Sauiour is borne and for whom he was incarnate Luk. 2.10 Christs incarnation is the most cleare looking glasse to shew forth the wisdome mercy truth and iustice of God This was a worke farre aboue the creation of man this doctrine is comfortable in the very respect of the honour done to the nature of man in that God hath ioyned man so neerely to himselfe and it imports a wonderfull loue that Christ doth now vnchangeably beare to man being himselfe of the same nature but especially it should swallow vp all earthly discontentments to consider that God hath giuen him to vs and Christ is all this for our sakes Esay 9.6 For vnto vs a childe is borne and vnto vs a sonne is giuen c. How should Christ bee vnto vs onely in stead of all things The very peace we haue by him should enflame vs peace aboue vs with God and the Angels peace within vs with our owne consciences peace about vs with all creatures Luke 2.14 and specially it should establish vs in the assurance of the accomplishment of all that yet remaines of our full redemption we need not doubt of his intercession our suites must all needes speed well there sits one at the right hand of God that is our owne flesh and bloud and we need not feare the last iudgement It cannot but be well with vs if our owne brother be our iudge we should not be affraid in the meane time in the euill day He will succour vs he hath had experience of the frailtie of our nature and therefore hath a feeling of our infirmities and will helpe vs in all time of our need Heb. 2.18 For in that he suffred and was tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 4.15 For we haue not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted in like sort yet without sinne Yea the very glory of Christ in heauen is by this meanes ours Christ is my portion my flesh and my blood where my portion raigneth there beleeue I that I raigne where my flesh is glorified there I thinke my selfe in glory where my blood ruleth there thinke I my selfe exalted And all this is the more comfortable if we consider that God had not respect of persons in this which may appeare by the manifestation of the incarnation It was reueiled to shepheards and to the Wise men the one poore the other rich the one learned the other vnlearned the one Gentiles the other Iewes the one neere the other farre off This light appeared to Anna a woman as well as to Simeon that iust man And besides note the wonderfull wisedome of God in the manner of reuealing Christ viz. to euery one according to his owne estate For to Simeon and Anna as more spirituall persons the natiuitie was reuealed by the instinct of the Spirit To the Shepheards as ruder men by the voice and speech of Angels To the Priests and Scribes that searched Scripture by an Oracle of the Scripture To Herod a stranger by the testimony of the Wise men that were strangers To the Wise men that were students of Astrology by the rising of a new starre CHAP. XIV Of the conception of Christ. THus much of the vses of the incarnation of Christ the vses of his conception follow The doctrine of his conception by the holy Ghost may serue First for information and that in diuers things 1. First concerning the wonder of his birth heere is a new birth giuen to the world neuer such a one before he that is the onely Sonne in heauen is by this meanes the onely man on earth to be admired When God was to be made visible on
earth and to come to dwell amongst men a heauenly temple is prouided for him the holy Ghost builds him a temple in the wombe of a Virgin 2. Concerning the freedome of Christ from Originall sinne we might aske How could Christ be free from sinne seeing he came of Adam whose nature was infected in all his posteritie Now this is answered in this principle for Christ came of Adam but not by Adam but by the holy Ghost The holy Ghost miraculously formed Christs body of the substance of the Virgin stopping the course of originall sinne and sanctifying it sinne comes into the world by propagation only 3. Concerning the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ It must needes bee an admirable sacrifice that is thus fitted from the wombe 4. Concerning the superstition of the Papists about the Virgin Marie for they attribute the purity of Christs nature to the holinesse of the Virgin that shee was without sinne whereas it is euident it is to be attributed to the holy Ghost 5. Concerning the possibilitie for Christ to be borne of a virgin It is as easie for God to frame vnto Christ a body in the wombe of a Virgin as to make mans body at the first of the myer of the earth Secondly for Instruction and so this conception by the holy Ghost should teach vs 1. First to be wise to sobriety in this mysterie of the incarnation of Christ a purer sense and a cleaner hearing is called-for here the ouershadowing of the virgin shewes that we must bring faith to beleeue the mysterie without further inquiring 2. To desire feruently the sanctifying of our natures that wee as his members might bee conformed vnto him as our head and so we are if Christ be conceiued in our hearts by the holy Ghost as hee was conceiued in the womb of the Virgin Gal. 4.7 For consolation and so his conception is comfortable especially in two things 1. First the holinesse of his conception will iustifie vs from the vnholinesse of our conception and quit vs from the guilt and filth of originall sinne 2. Secondly it may comfort vs in the expectation of our perfect holinesse Hee that was so carefull to haue his naturall body fitted so exquisitely will not neglect his mysticall body the Church but will loue it and wash it till it bee without spot and wrinkle and the rather because it is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Ephes. 5.25.26 And thus of the vse of the conception CHAP. XV. Of Christ as borne of a virgin THirdly in that our Sauiour was borne of a Virgin it may serue For Information and so 1. Concerning the maruelous wisdome of God in the maner of our saluation By a woman came sinne and death into the world and loe here the seed of the woman breakes the Serpents head The diuell got to be the god of the world by beguiling a woman Now see how the Lord hath deuised to destroy his dominion by one made of a woman they were both Virgins affianced to husbands but not yet knowne of man But might some one say This is beyond beliefe that a Virgin should bring forth and yet remaine a virgin hauing neuer knowne man this seemeth to be incredible If it had been a thing which had no resemblance in nature yet it had been nothing to beleeue the power of the God of nature but yet there is instance of things borne in nature without generation The Bees haue young and yet know not marriage The Easterne bird the Phenix is borne and new borne successiuely and yet without parents and shal we hold it beyond beliefe for God to doe this great work vpon him that was to restore the world Christ is like the flower which hath the heauen for father and the earth for mother But how can it become the greatnesse of the Sonne of God to abase himselfe to lie in the wombe of the Virgin The Sunne in the firmament receiues not infection from any place nor can any thing cast into the fier steine it much lesse can the Sonne of God be polluted by being borne of a Virgin 2. Secondly this may furnish vs with an argument against Transubstantiation The Scripture teacheth vs to beleeue that Christ was made of a woman Gal. 4.4 but not a word is there that hee should bee made of a piece of bread Secondly hath God created this new thing in the world that a woman should compasse a man why then doe we go about why loose we our labour Why settle we not our hearts directly vpon this Iesus who is assigned vs thus wonderfully of God to bee our way our light and our life This very doctrin was vsed long since to rebuke mens extreme distractions and losse of time and labour in the way to the Kingdome of heauen Ier. 31.21 Yea this doctrine ought to be vnto vs Gods signe that he will deliuer vs certainely and fulfil al his promises and it extremely threatens the vnbeliefe of man as the Prophet Isaiah vrgeth it in the daies of Ahaz Isaiah 7.14 Thirdly this should kindle in vs a vehemēt desire to haue God reueale his sonne in vs and to haue Christ borne in our hearts we thinke the Virgin blessed aboue women that Christ was conceiued in her wombe why certainely it is a great wonder and wee were blessed amongst men and women if the Lord Iesus bee conceiued in our hearts and we keepe our selues chast virgins to him There hath been foure waies of making man 1. The one was to make man without either man or woman so was Adam made 2. The second was to make man without a woman so was Eue made 3. The third was to make man by both man and woman and so we their posteritie are made 4. The fourth way was to make man without man by the woman only and so was Christ-man made Now if wee admire the first second and fourth of these why should wee not also admire the creating of a man without wombe euen in the heart of a man Is it not a great wonder that the Sonne of God should be formed in our breast and yet such is the worke of God in the new birth of a Christian Christ is formed in them Galath 4.9 My little children of whom I trauell in birth againe vntill Christ be formed in you CHAP. XVI Of the personall vnion ANd thus of the birth of Christ of a Virgin The personall vnion may serue both for information and for consolation For information concerning the maruellous glory of Christ especially of the exaltation of the humane nature Heere is an vnion singularly wonderfull and wonderfully singular Nay what say I a vnion Why there bee so many vnions in Christ that worthily all may bee said to bee gathered together in one in him There is a naturall personall mysticall and sacramentall vnion in Christ. The naturall vnion is with the Father and the holy Ghost in one nature or essence The
personall vnion is this of the diuine nature with the humane in one person The mystical vnion is of Christ with the Church in one body The sacramentall vnion is of the body and blood of Christ with bread and wine in one ordinance This vnion is not a vnion of inhabitation as God dwels in the Saints nor of consent only as the faithfull are one in the Father and the Sonne Nor of commixtion as water and wine are one nor of combination as two boords fastened together are one nor of composition when of two things is made some third thing in one But it is I say a personall vnion the humane nature of Christ being assumed into vnion with the person of the Sonne of God From whence ariseth A speciall manner of subsisting in the humane nature of Christ differing from other men For soule and body make a person in other men but not so in Christ. For his soule and body are borne vp and subsist in his diuine nature As the luie or Misseltoe growes without a root of it owne vpon the body of another tree so is it with the humane nature of Christ As soule and body in vs make one man so God and man make one Christ in him A communication of proprieties so as that which is proper to one nature is attributed to the whole person so the Sonne of God was crucified bought the Church with his blood 1. Cor. 2.8 Act. 20.28 The collation of gifts vpon the humane nature after an vnspeakable manner In respect of which the humane nature of Christ doth excell all creatures for wisedome goodnesse holinesse power maiesty and glory in as much as the God-head dwelles in him bodily Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily and so the second Adam doth farre excell the first It was needfull Christ should be God and man in one nature 1. That so he might reconcile or make God and man one againe 2. That so hee might bee a meet Mediator as being a kin to both parties 3. That he might pacifie God by his death which he could neither feele as God nor ouercome as man 4. That the works of redemption done in the flesh might bee sufficient price for sin by which the infinite God was wronged Here is also consolation in this doctrine for hence ariseth manifest reason of hope of pardon and peace with God and besides out of his fulnesse wee may now all receiue grace and a supply for all our wants Heere wee haue all the treasures of wisdome and grace in Christ-man and hee is now able to be a fountaine of more good to vs then euer the first Adam was of euill CHAP. XVII Of Christ as Mediator HItherto of the principles concerning the person of Christ his office followes The principles cōcerning his office consider it either in the whole or in the parts of it The whole office of Christ is to be a mediator and so the principles that concerne the mediatorship are fiue First that there is but one mediatour betweene God and man euen Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one mediator betweene God and man which is the man Christ Iesus Act. 4.12 Neither is there saluation in any other for amongst men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must bee saued Luk. 2.11 That is that vnto you is borne this day in the City of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Because there is none more mercifull Heb. 2.17 Nor more able Heb. 7.25 That the cause of our saluation in his mediation is not merit in man but grace in God and Christ 2. Tim. 1.9 Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was giuen to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was Tit. 3.4.5 But when the bountifulnesse and loue of God our Sauiour toward man appeared Not by the workes of righteousnesse which we had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost Ephes. 2.8 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God That this mediation was from the beginning of the world and shall be to the end Hebr. 13.8 Iesus Christ yesterday and to day the same also is for euer 1. Pet. 1.20 Which was ordained before the foundation of the world but was declared in the last times for your sakes Reuel 13.8 Therefore all that dwell vpon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the booke of life of the Lambe which was slaine from the beginning of the world For in the knowledge destination and acceptation of God the two natures were accounted as vnited and with him the things done and to be done present and to come are all one For explication of this principle if we aske when the mediator was giuen it must be answered three waies 1. If we respect Gods decree he was giuen before all eternity Ephes. 1.4 As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world 2. If wee respect the vertue and efficacie of his mediation he was giuen when need was from the beginning of the world Reuel 13.8 Which was slaine from the beginning of the world 3. If we respect his manifestation in the flesh he was giuen in the fulnesse of time 1600. yeeres agoe Galath 4.4 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman and made vnder the law 1. Tim. 2.6 Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to be a testimony in due time 4. That without the mediation of Christ no flesh can bee saued Act. 4.12 Neither is there saluation in any other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must bee saued Psalm 143.2 And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall none that liueth be iustified Iam. 3.2 For in many things we sinne all 5. That by the mediator a new agreement or contract was made with God Ierem. 31.33 But this shall be the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my law in the inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall bee my people Heb. 8.13 In that he saith a new Testament he hath abrogated the old now that which is disanulled and waxed old is ready to vanish away Rom. 3.23.24 For there is no difference for all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God and are iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus Galath 3.21.22 Is the Law then against the promise of God God forbid for if there had been a law giuen which could haue giuen life surely righteousnes should haue been by the law But the Scripture hath
death and hell shall be dissolued Esa. 28.15.18 For they are all vnder the curse Galath 3.10 Yea if the Lord proceed to take his staffe euen beauty cut it asunder and dissolue euen his publike couenant he hath made with the nations oh how then beyond all hope of cure would bee their miserable condition or if he doe not doe that yet if he remoue their candlesticke by taking the meanes from them how will these people whole congregations that forget God be turned into hell and all the multitudes of them CHAP. XVIII Of the Propheticall office of Christ. HItherto concerning the principles that looke vpon the office of Christ in the whole The principles that concerne the parts of his office follow First there are three sorts or parts of the offices of Christ. 1. His Propheticall office 2. His Priestly office 3. His regall office This diuision may be proued two waies By the degrees of mans misery there are three degrees of mans misery 1. Ignorance of the euill into which he is plunged and of the good he wants 2. Ataxy or disorder in all parts of his heart and life 3. Guiltinesse arising hereby Now in the offices of Christ is a threefold remedy 1. His prophesie heales ignorance 2. His kingdome takes away disorder 3. His priesthood abolisheth guiltinesse By the parts of the typicall annointing in the old Testament For by oyle there was a threefold inauguration 1. of Prophets 2. of Priests 3. of Kings which shadowed out by externall oyle the anointing of Christ. First of the Propheticall office of Christ where 1. What it is 2. The parts of it 3. The maner of executing of it 1. The prophesie or propheticall offices of Christ is that worke of his by which hee instructs his Church concerning the will of God especially his secret counsell about redeeming mankind 2. The parts are two First the externall promulgation of doctrine Secondly the internal illumination of the heart or the making of doctrine effectuall by the spirit renewing and inclining the mind and will of man The externall promulgation of doctrine hath three things in it 1. The preaching of the Gospell or the doctrine concerning Gods grace or redemption in Christ Esa. 61.1 2. The interpretation of the law according to the minde of the law-giuer Matth. 5.17 c. 3. Prediction of things to come The manner of execution of this office was 1. Mediately by Patriarches and Prophets in the old Testament and by Apostles and ministers of the Gospell in the new Testament 2. Immediatly and that either by his diuine nature or by both natures By his diuine nature he instructed the Patriarches and Prophets in the old testament by visions Oracles and dreames By both natures by word of mouth in the new Testament hee himself taught amongst men 1. Pet. 3.19 and 1. Ioh. 1.5 The principles concerning the Propheticall office of Christ are 1. That in Christ are all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Colos. 2.3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge 2. That it is Christ onely that reueales the truth out of the bosome of his Father Mat. 11.27 All things are giuen vnto mee of my Father and no man knoweth the Sonne but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Sonne and he to whom the Son will reueale him Ioh. 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father he hath reuealed him Ioh. 6.68 Then Simon Peter answered him Master to whom shall we goe thou hast the words of eternall life 3. That Christ hath himselfe taught doctrine amongst men Hebr. 1.2 In these last dayes he hath spoken vnto vs by his Sonne Esa. 61.1 The spirit of the Lord God is vpon me therefore hath the Lord annointed me hee hath sent me to preach good tidings vnto the poor to bind vp the broken-hearted to preach liberty to the captiues and to them that are bound the opening of the prison c. 4. That he hath reuealed the whole counsell of God Ioh. 15.15 For all things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Ioh. 17.8 For I haue giuen vnto them the words which thou gauest me and they haue receiued them and haue knowne surely that I came out from thee c. Deut. 18.18 I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their brethren like vnto thee and will put my words into his mouth and hee shall speake vnto them al that I shall command him 5. That the Ministery in the Church is by authoritie from Christ Matth. 23.34 Wherefore behold I send vnto you Prophets and Wisemen and Scribes Ephes. 4.11 He therefore gaue some to bee Apostles and some Prophets and some Euangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. 2. Cor. 5.20 Now then are wee Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech yee through vs wee pray you in Christs stead that yee bee reconciled to God c. 6. That the whole efficacy of doctrine either recorded in scriptures or thence taught vnto mē depends vpon Christ 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know his that no prophesie in the Scripture is of any priuat motion For the prophesie came not in old time by the wit of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 3.6 I haue planted Apollos watred but God gaue the increase 7. That the Prophesie of Christ belongs generally vnto all Nations Isaiah 49.6 And he said it is a small thing that thou shouldst be my seruant to raise vp the tribes of Iacob to restore the desolations of Israel I will also giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maiest be my saluation vnto the ende of the world though especially Christ was sent vnto the lost sheep of Israel Mat. 15.24 But he answered and said I am not sent but vnto the lost sheepe of Israel Zach. 9.10 He shall speake peace vnto the heathen and his dominion shall bee from sea vnto sea and from the riuer vnto the end of the Land These principles may serue For information and that in diuers things 1. First we may hereby vnderstand the reason why Christ is called the messenger the Angel of the Couenant the Word Wisdome the Minister of Circumcision Pastor Doctor Arch-bishop the Apostle of our profession c. namely because of his Prophetship and Ministery in reuealing Gods will to the Church 2. We may here take notice of the dignity of the Ministry we al serue vnder Christ and haue our commissions signed and sealed by him Christ himselfe was a Minister of Circumcision Rom. 15.8 And anointed to preach the Gospell Isai. 61.1 And he worketh mighty things by the seruice of men and that the calling might bee the more honourable he would not write Scripture himselfe nor continue his preaching but left both to his seruants so the head did dictate and the members did write it Wherefore let
was a King also able to feed and nourish the most mighty on earth as the King of Salem did Abraham 2. The second was the efficacy of his Priesthood noted in two admirable benefits flowing from his obedience and passion viz. Righteousnesse and Peace Righteousnesse for hee is the Lord our righteousnesse Peace in that hee fully pacified Gods anger for our sinnes as our attonement and so he was indeed that King of Zedech that is of righteousnesse and of Salem that is of peace 3. The third was the eternity of his Priesthood hee is a Priest for euer he dieth not as did the sonnes of Leui nor doth the efficacy of his Priesthood euer cease The holy Ghost of purpose concealeth the mention of the birth and death of Melchisedeck that so hee might bee the fuller type of Christ who had no father as man nor mother as God and of his dayes there is no end which last thing is the speciall consolation for which I alleaged this type There is no time wherein we can want the benefit of Christs sacrifice if we haue accesse to God and the throne of his grace and the rather because God hath sworne and will not repent Psalm 110.4 Thus in generall In particular there are many excellent comforts may bee raised from the passion of Christ for First hence wee may gather a matchlesse testimony and vndoubted of the infinite loue of God to man in that hee spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him to the death for vs Ioh. 3.16 For God so loued the world that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life c. 1. Ioh. 4.9 In this appeared the loue of God toward vs because God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that wee might liue through him c. Which may likewise assure vs that there is nothing can be good for vs but hee will certainly giue it vs also Rom. 8.32 Who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death how shall hee not with him giue vs all things also 2. Secondly shall wee euer doubt our freedome from condemnation that know from hence what a price was paid for discharge of our debts by such a surety How can we be so vildly infected with vnbeleefe as to feare arresting or imprisonmēt or vndoing when all is in Christ so fully and exquisitely satisfied to the very vttermost farthing How could the surety haue euer escaped such iustice in God such malice in men and diuels the sargeants and iaylors if he had not most abundantly payed all could bee demanded 3. Thirdly what an encouragement may this bee to beleeue what Christ saith to vs was not he a faithfull witnesse teacher that sealed his doctrine with his blood great therefore is the infallibility of the Gospell that truth which is according to godlinesse and to bee receiued with all full assurance without wauering or feare Reuel 1.5 4. Fourthly shall not his example comfort vs in all trials especially when we suffer the extreamest things can befall vs in this life what are those to the sufferings of Christ and with what compassion will he receiue vs in affliction that was so afflicted himselfe Esa. 63.1 9. c. And in particular it may ease in paines and in death it selfe to remember the dolours of Christ especially considering that from thence flowes a vertue to helpe vs in all our pangs and distresses in life and death 5. Lastly there are many particular comforts may bee gathered from the manner of his sufferings and diuers particularities in them as 1. He suffered in Ierusalem so both fulfilled the types of the old Testament for there was Isaac offered vp and there the sacrifices were slaine and also signified vnto vs that he had obtained for vs the vision of eternall peace which the name Ierusalem importeth 2. Secondly he suffered the first part of his chiefe passion in a garden to comfort vs in the abolishing of the first sin which was committed in a garden and imputed to Christ. 3. Thirdly he was betrayed taken bound and forsaken and all for vs hee was betrayed to expiate our treason in Adam he was taken to restore vs captiues hee was bound that wee might be loosed he was forsaken of all euen of his owne best disciples to let vs know that hee alone did performe the worke of satisfaction and redemption for vs Esa. 63.3 4. Fourthly he was araigned condemned both by Iewes and Gentiles in the consisiory of the Priests and at the tribunall of Pilat therby to notifie both to Iews and Gentiles that he was giuen to sacrifice for sins of both to signifie that he was the true Messias or Shiloh because now the scepter was departed frō Iuda Gen. 49.10 5. His silence to the most accusations shewes 1. that he was a greater person then hee that iudged him 2. Secondly that he fulfilled the Scriptures that said he opened not his mouth Esa. 53.7 3. That hee suffered for our euill words but especially it assures vs that he suffered them as our surety in that he did endure the imputation of such monstrous crimes and yet held his peace 6. He was whipped and crowned with thornes he was whipped to deliuer vs from both spirituall corporall and eternall scourges that was due vnto vs. The crowne of thornes may signifie 1. That hee expiated our ambition in Adam 2. That he might merit for vs an eternall crowne 3. That he would gather a kingly people out of the most thorny and hurtfull nations which as a crowne should compasse God about in seruing and honouring him 4. That he had borne our thorny cares and therfore we should cast all our care vpon him 7. He was clothed with a purple garment and a reed in his hand which both signified that he was a King though they did it in scorne His purple garment shewes that hee was that great Warrior which was forespoken of when they said Who is this that comes from Edom with red garments c. Isaiah 63.1 to 7. The reed was two waies comfortable for first it shewed that this was hee that should breake the Serpents head for a reed is the most mortall thing to a Serpent as the learned record and therewith they were vsed to kill them and besides by a reed as by a pen he did blot out the hand-writing in the debt-booke that was against vs. 8. He suffered in Golgotha a place of dead mens bones in which the most notorious offenders did suffer their punishment that so hee might raise vp the Banner of Iustification euen in the very place of contamination and damnation 9. Hee was vnclothed and made naked to satisfie for the sin of our first parents who were spoiled of the garment of innocency and to deliuer vs from sin and mortality of which the garments of skinne giuen to our parents were a monument and perhaps to shew how we should enter
into heauen viz. as Adam did into paradise naked in body but clothed in soule with Innocency and immortality but chiefely to expiate for our shamefull wickednesse before God 10. Hee was hanged vpon a tree that so as death by the tree entred into the world so on a tree it should be destroied and life brought backe againe And besides herein Christ answered the type in Isaacks offering vp and the brasen Serpent lifted vp on high Ioh. 3.14 and that Christ lifted vp in the aire might ouercome the Prince of the aire and all his spirituall wickednesses Coloss. 2.15 And that he might beare the curse of the Law being in that kind of death made a speciall curse for vs Gal. 3.13.14 11. He dranke gall and viniger wherein he both fulfilled the Scriptures Psal. 69.21 For they gaue me gall in my meate and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drink c. And as the second Adam bare the punishment of the first Adams offence in tasting the iuice of the forbidden fruit 12. The nailing of his hands and feete assures vs of the cancelling of the hand-writing of ordinances that was against vs both of the dissolution of all ceremoniall agreements and of the full cancelling of the bond morall for so much as concernes the forfeiture that lay vpon vs Coloss. 2. 14 c. CHAP. XXI Of Christs intercession HItherto of the expiation of sinnes The third part of the Priesthood of Christ followes and that is the intercession of Christ concerning which there are foure principles 1. That Christ at the right hand of God maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.34 Who shall condemne It is Christ which is dead yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them 2. That we haue no other intercessour in heauen but Christ 1. Tim. 2.5.6 For there is one God and one Mediator betweene God and man which is the Man Christ Iesus Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to bee a testimony in due time Isaiah 59.16 And when he saw that there was no man he wondred that there was no intercessour therfore his arme did saue it and his righteousnesse it selfe did sustaine it 3. That the intercession of Christ is perpetuall hee so doth it once as hee will neuer faile to doe it in all ages Heb. 7.25.28 For the Law maketh men high priests which haue infirmitie but the word of the oth that was since the law maketh the sonne who was consecrated for euermore 4. That he makes intercession onely for the Elect Iohn 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast giuen me for they are thine c. Now for the explication of these principles three things must be opened The first is the acceptation of the word intercession for it signifieth Sometimes the prayers which the godly make in the name of Christ the intercessor to turne away Gods iudgements from their brethren in this world and so it is taken 1. Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giuing of thanks be made for all men c. Sometimes the complaints that men make or pretend to make against the faults of others Thus Elias made intercession against Israel Rom. 11.2 And the Iewes made intercession against Paul Acts 25.24 But vsually it signifieth that part of the mediation of Christ in which he appeares before God to preuent or pacifie his displeasure towards the Elect. 2. The second is how many waies Christ makes intercession for vs and so there are seuen distinct things in the intercession of Christ for 1. First he presents himself before God with his merits tendring his sacrifice for our satisfaction Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places that are made with hands which are similitudes of the true sanctuary but is entred into very heauen to appeare now in the sight of God for vs. And so pacifying God toward vs Ier. 30.31 2. Hee praied and still doth pray for vs all his prayers on earth were a part of his intercession and he still prayeth for vs in heauen Rom. 8.34 Who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them c. 3. He offers vp our prayers and praises to God Reuel 8.3.4 That he should offer with the prayers of all Saints vpon the golden altar which is before the throne And the smoke of the odours with the prayers of the Saints went vp before God out of the Angels hand And so all our good works Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without fault in his sight 4. He vndertakes for vs before God and giues his word for vs that we being mindfull of reconciliation through him shall eschew sinne by his grace and not prouoke God any more as wee haue done This sponsion is a necessary part of the office of an intercessor Iohn 17.6 I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou gauest mee out of the world thine they were and thou gauest them mee and they haue kept thy word 25. O righteous Father the world hath also not knowne thee but I haue knowne thee and these haue knowne that thou hast sent me 26. And I haue declared vnto them thy name and will declare it that the loue wherewith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them 5. He pleades our cause as an aduocate and remoues and non-suites all accusations which men or Diuels may make against vs to God Rom. 8.34 as before 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust c. 6. He poureth out vpon vs the spirit of intercession which causeth vs after an vnutterable manner to make our moanes and requests to God Rom. 8.26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighes which cannot be expressed c. So in the 15 For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6.7 And because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba Father c. 7. Hee sprinkleth his blood vpon vs by application of his merits to vs which cries and makes intercession for vs Heb. 12.24 And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that
of Abel c. The third is in which nature he maketh intercession I answer in both For howsoeuer if we cōsider the Diuine nature of Christ Christ is then equall with the Father and the same in essence and so it cānot fitly be said that Christ requesteth any thing of the Father yet if we respect the person of Christ in his diuine nature as it is personally vnited to the humane in the dispensatiō of grace as voluntarily he hath vndertaken for vs so it is no more inconuenient to pray for vs thē it is to take vpon him the forme of a seruant for vs and the office of a Mediatour vnto which belongs this worke of praying The vse of all may be first for confutation of the Papists who do most sacrilegiously dishonor the intercession of Christ by substituting secondary intercessors The office is bestowed onely on the Kings son and they most iniuriously would imploy the kings seruants we know no Master of requests but Iesus Christ nor doth it help thē that they say they haue mediators of intcrcession but not of redēption but only Christ for when they acknowledge and beg not only the prayers but the merits too of the Saints to purge away their sinnes and supply their wants they make them mediators of redemption also Secondly for instruction and so it should teach vs 1. To imitate this part of the Priesthood of Christ both by praying to God for our brethren and for all sorts of men though they bee our enemies 1. Tim. 2.1 and also by making peace and keeping it as much as is possible amongst men Blessed are the peace-makers for this makes them like the Sonne of God Matth. 5 7. and seeing the Saints shall iudge the world they should put in to end the quarrels amongst the brethren if it may be 2. Secondly to liue so as Christ may haue credit by vs in giuing his word for vs. Hath Christ vndertaken for vs to God and shall not we bee carefull to the vttermost of our power to be such as he hath promised for vs we shall be Iohn 17.10.18.19 3. To pray and giue thankes much and so to doe all the good we can seeing it shall all be presented to God by Christ Colos. 1. 22. Reuel 8.3.4 4. To establish our selues in the full assurance of faith seeing all our imperfections are couered in Christs intercession and we may approch to God by this new and liuing way and be sure of heauen also euen to come within the vaile when we die Heb. 10.19 Thirdly for consolation for wee may and ought to bee much refreshed if we consider that by the intercession of Christ 1. The fauour of God is established vpon vs and God is kept quiet from being prouoked against vs God and we are now through him all one Ioh. 17.21 2. The compassion of God is implored in the times of distresse and affliction Zach. 1.16 c. 3. The diuell is restrained he cannot hurt vs either by tempting or accusing our faith shall be kept that it faile not Zach. 3. 3. Rom. 8.34 Luke 22.32 4. Our sinnes which we daily commit are forgiuen vs he being an earnest aduocate to pleade for vs 1. Iohn 2.1.2 5. We shall be protected against the hatred of the world Iohn 17.14.15.16 I haue giuen them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the world I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from euill c. 6. Our prayers and suites shall bee all presented and obtained Reuel 8.4 7. We shall be kept from euill and preserued vnto the end vntill wee be perfected from all sinnes and wants Ioh. 17.11 And now am I no more in the world these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keepe them in thy name euen them whom thou hast giuen me that they may be one as we are 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from euill 23. I in them and thou in mee that they may bee made perfect in one c. 8. We haue assured hope of the glory of heauen and to dwel in the most holy place that is within the vaile Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore brethren that by the blood of Iesus we may bee bold to enter into the holy place c. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore hee is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them c. Ioh. 17.24 Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee bee with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst mee before the foundation of the world Colos. 3.1 If ye then bee risen with Christ seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God 9. We shall be laden with al needfull blessings in the meane time Heb. 12.24 10. All this is the more comfortable because hee liueth euer to make request for vs. There is no cessation of this office but at all times we may haue the benefit of it Ioh. 17.20 Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them c. CHAP. XXII Of the Regall office of Christ. HItherto of the priestly office of Christ his regall office followes And heere first I will plainly lay downe the principles and proue them and then for more euidence methodically for explication shew the parts of his office heerein and lastly make vses of all There are seuen things to bee beleeued concerning Christ which belong to his regall office First that he ouercame sinne death the graue and hell and rose againe from the dead and ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God in maiesty That he is risen from the dead these places are euident to keepe in our memories Rom. 1.4 And declared mightily to be the Sonne of God touching the spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification 1. Cor. 15.54 Then shall bee brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp into victory Ioh. 20.12 And saw two Angels in white sitting the one at the head the other at the feet where the body of Iesus had laien c. Mark 16.6 But hee said vnto them be not afraid ye seeke Iesus of Nazareth which hath been crucified he is risen he is not here behold the place where they put him c. 14. Finally hee appeared vnto the eleuen as they sate together and reproued them of their vnbeleefe and hardnesse of heart because they beleeued not them which had seene him being risen vp againe 2. Tim. 2.8 Remember that Iesus Christ made of the seed of Dauid was raised
shall not only bee free from sinne but from the possibility to sinne Ephes. 5.26 Fourthly from all aduerfary power we shall neuer more bee molested by diuels nor by wicked men either spirituall or corporall There shall be a perpetuall triumph without warre all our enemies shall bee cast into the lake of fier Reuel 21.8 Reuel 20.14 Reuel 22.3 As wee shall not loose a friend so wee shall not feare an enemy Fifthly from all infirmitie in our natures as from ignorance and all disabilities from sorrow discouragement hardnesse of heart feare and perturbations Reuel 21.4 And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and there shall bee no more death neither sorrow neither crying neither shall there bee any more paine for the first things are passed And so also from all such graces as suppose either imperfection in vs such as faith hope and repentance or misery in the creatures without vs as griefe anger feare hatred and the like 1. Cor. 13. Sixthly from all inferiority and subiection and seruitude none shall bee vnder the iurisdiction of others all Oeconomicall Politicall and Ecclesiasticall relations shall then cease Wee shall sit downe with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the kingdome of heauen Matth. 8.11 Seuenthly from all labour and affliction of life Their labours shall cease and afflictions shall bee cast into the sea they shall enioy an eternall Sabbath the true Canaan Reuel 14.13 Then I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me Write blessed are the dead which hereafter die in the Lord euen so saith the spirit for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them c. Heb. 4.9 There remaineth therfore a rest to the people of God c. 2. Thes. 1.7 And to you which are troubled rest with vs when the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels c. And by labors I vnderstand also all the paines or difficulties we are at euen about the seruice of God for God shall bee all in all Eighthly from all shame and blushing There shall be nothing but honour and praise to all eternity whereas in this world the inward shame of some offence imputed or committed make life it selfe many times a burthen and there is little ease to the minde but in remembrance of the day of Christ when it shall be remoued Ninthly from all enuie enuie is said to be bitter 1. Cor. 3.3 But when charity shall be perfect then shall that property of not enuying bee made perfect too 1. Cor. 13. Tenthly from all interruption both in holinesse and felicity which in this life is grieuous and ariseth many times from good things and good persons as well as euill Eleuenthly from all the means of a naturall life and from the inconueniences too there shall be no need of meat drinke sleep marriage raiment physicke nor the light of the Sunne For there shall be no hunger thirst heate cold darknesse or the like grieuances but wee shall liue as the Angels of heauen c. And so in a word we shall bee free from the first things Reuel 2.4 Thus much of what wee shall be free from Now followes what wee shall be free to First we shall bee free of heauen the most holy place Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore brethren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Paradise Luk. 23.43 Then Iesus said vnto him verily I say vnto thee to day thou shalt be with me in Paradise Our fathers house Iohn 14.2 In my Fathers house are many dwelling places if it were not so I would haue told you I goe to prepare a place for you The new Ierusalem Reuel 21.2 And I saw the holy City new Ierusalem come downe from God out of heauen prepared as a Bride trimmed for her husband The heauē of heauens which for lightnes largenes purenes delightfulnes and all praises of a place almost infinitely excels all this visible world Nor shall the godly be restrained only to heauen but they shall be free of the new earth wherein dwels righteousnesse 2. Pet. 3.13 But wee looke for a new heauen and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnesse c. Secondly we shall be free to the enioying of the happy society of all the glorious Saints and Angels of heauen Hebr. 12.22.23 But ye are come vnto the mount Sion and to the City of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem and to the company of innumerable Angels And to the congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen and to God the iudge of all and to the spirits of iust and perfect men Thirdly to the glorious presence of God and the Lambe we shall alwaies dwell in the Kings presence Reuel 21.3 And I heard a great voice out of heauen saying behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be their God with them Reuel 21.23 And the City hath no need of the sunne neither of the moone to shine in it for the glory of God did light it and the Lamb is the light of it Reuel 22.3.4 And there shall be no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lambe shall be in it and his seruants shall serue him And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their fore-heads Fourthly to all the treasures of heauen which are vnexpressable shadowed out by some comparisons as by being free to eate of the tree of life Reuel 22.2 In the middest of the streete of it and of either side of the riuer was the tree of life which bare twelue manner of fruits and gaue fruit euery moneth the leaues of the tree serued to heale the nations with c. As also by being free to drink of the water of life freely Reuel 21.6 And hee said vnto me It is done I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end and I will giue to him that is athirst of the well of the waters of life freely euen out of a riuer that is pure as Chrystall Reuel 22.1 And hee shewed me a pure riuer of water of life cleare as Chrystall proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lambe And such like Thus of Liberty The third part of our felicity in heauen is maiesty al the godly shall be there seated as Princes in thrones of Maiesty and prince-like splendor being crowned with crowns of glory which glory shall be so great that the Kings of the earth are supposed to bring all their glory and honour to it and yet all too little to shadow out this exceeding glory of all the Saints Reuel 3.21 To him that ouercommeth will I grant to sit with me in my throne euen as I ouercome and sit with my father in his throne 2. Tim. 4.8 For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day
and not to mee onely but vnto all them also that loue his appearing Reuel 21.24 And the people which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vnto it Which as it imports a perfection of splendor in euery Saint so it doth not dissolue the degrees or orders of glory euery man shall bee aduanced in his owne lot Dan. 12.13 But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand vp in thy lot at the end of the dayes 1. Cor. 15.40 There are also heauenly bodies and earthly bodies but the glory of the heauenly is one and the glory of the earthly is another Patriarches Prophets Euangelists Martyrs shall not want their eminency in heauen The fourth is dominion and rule ouer all creatures that which we lost in Adam shall be perfectly restored in heauen after the last iudgement Reuel 2.26 For hee that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations The fifth is possession of all the pleasures which are at Gods right hand vnutterable ioyes riuers of pleasures This is that which in a sparing language is called the time of refreshing Act. 3.19 Amend your liues therefore and turne that your sinnes may be put away when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore For if the ioy of the godly in this life be called 1. Pet. 1.17 A ioy vnspeakable and glorious And if the Lord giue them drink out of the riuer of thy pleasures in this world as Psal. 36.8.9 How much more shall it exceed all language in heauen called the masters ioy The felicities which I haue here mentioned are for the most part common both to soule and body Now there is a peculiar felicity in heauen belonging to the bodies of men which consists in that maruellous transfiguration of them to a condition in respect of qualities farre aboue what they are or can be in this world Our bodies in generall shall be made like the glorious body of Christ though on earth they are but vile Philip. 3.21 Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working wherby hee is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe They shall enioy eternall health but of the glory of the body I haue entreated before in the vse of the doctrine of the Resurrection Thus of the parts of this glory The Adiuncts of it follow And so there bee foure things in the consideration of the glory to come should much affect vs. First that it is a glory vnspeakable that is it is so great that no language on earth can describe it For though we mention those foresaid parts of it yet our narrow hearts and mouthes are infinitely straitned in comparison of the full glory of man in these things 1 Cor. 2.9 But as it is written The things which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him c. Secondly that it is certaine and we cannot be disappointed of it else it were vncomfortable to heare of so much felicitie and holinesse and yet not bee sure to possesse it The certaintie of it that God will bestow such glory may appeare diuers waies 1. There is an act or ordinance for it in Gods eternall Counsell 2. Tim. 2.19 But the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his and Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie Ephes. 1.4 As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that wee should bee holy and without blame before him in loue Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom hee iustified them he also glorified Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world 2. Christ purchased it with his blood Ephes. 1.14 3. Christ hath made intercession when he was on earth vnto his Father that hee might haue his redeemed Ones to be where he is Iohn 17.11 And now am I no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keepe them in thy name Vers. 24. Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee bee with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world 4. God hath made vs many promises and giuen vs not onely his word but his oth to assure it vnto vs Heb. 6.17 So God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the stablenesse of his Counsell bound himselfe by an oath Vers. 18. That by two immutable things wherein it is impossible that God should lie we might haue strong consolation which haue our refuge to hold fast the hope that is set before vs c. 5. He hath sealed to it not only in the Sacrament but by his spirit which will bee our witnesse and is our earnest Ephes. 1.13 Wherein also after that yee beleeued you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Vers. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory 6. He hath begun eternall life in vs already 7. Christ is gone into heauen of purpose to prouide a place ready for vs Ioh. 14.3 And though I goe to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there may ye be also Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore bretheren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Vers. 20. By the new and liuing way which he hath prepared for vs through the vale which is his flesh Thus of the certaintie of it The third thing is the eternitie of it all this glory were the lesse if it were thought it would euer end but it shall neuer end for 1. Nothing of it shall be lost or decay 2. There shall bee no death there for death and hell are cast into the lake of fier 3. There shall be no old age or withering condition in men that possesse it it withers not 1. Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you 4. God being all in all there shal be no wearinesse no fulnesse of affections or satietie no loathing Diuines are wont to shadow out eternity by the similitude of a little bird drinking vp a drop of water out of the sea if euery ten thousand yeeres the bird should come drink vp but one drop yet the sea might bee dry at length but yet this lasting of the sea is nothing in comparison to the lasting of the glory of heauen Fourthly and vnto these may bee added the proximity of it the day of the Lord is at hand It were some lessening of our happines if it were a long time to it FINIS ERRATA Pag. 4. lin 22. for Praises reade Oracles p. 51. l. 4. r. by a perpetuall decree p. 74. l. 16. put out a. p. 107. l. 17. r. vp for vpon p. 108. l. 16. for Sould r Should p. 407. l. 4 r. wrinckle p. 434. l. 17.21 and p. 435. l. 8 put out Sol and r. Secondly Thirdly Fourthly p. 486. l. 11. put out all the Chapter p. 499. l. 11. r. or secondly 3 Things intended in this Treatise The benefit of attending to this course The warrant of this course Question Answere Principles may bee knowne three waies The diuision of Principles according to their chiefe heads Two principles about the Scriptures The Scripturs are the very word of God proued by testimonies externall and internall Iohn 1.7 Prou. 30.6 Reuel 22.18 The vses 1. For instruction 2 For reproofe 1 Of the Papists in 4. things 2 Of Carnall Protestants 3 Of the godly 3 For triall 4 For consolation 4 Principles concerning God That there is a God is proued first by testimonies internall 2 By testimonies externall and so either in the world or in the Church 10 Glories in the nature of God The vses 1 For instruction If wee would study the glorious nature of God we must obserue 6. rules For humiliation For consolation Proofes for the Trinity Vses of the doctrine of the Trinity That there is but one God proued The vses 5 Principles concerning the Creation Vses 1 For information 6 Vses for instruction Vses for reproofe 7 Principles concerning Gods prouidence The vses 1 For information 11 Things admirable in Gods prouidence Vses for reproofe 8 Vses for instruction Vse for consolation Man was after the Image of God three waies The vses The speciall fauour of God to man in his Creation Duties 1 To God 2 To our selues 3 To other men 3 Principles concerning the fall of man 7 Things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne Obiect Answ. 3 Occasions of Apostasie 5 Degrees of the diuels tentation 4 Principles concerning sinne 14 Foule blemishes in euery mans nature 9 Vses for information 7 Things make ciuill honest men miserable 17. sorts of punishments inflicted on man for his sinne Eph. 5.14 1. Cor. 15. Act. 17.31 Rom. 5. â—2 c. andâ— 1 Mat. 11.29 1. Ioh. 2.1 Gal. 3.13 2. Cor. 5.17 Psa. 22.24 Question Answere Question Answere Question Answere Quest. Answ. Obiect Solution Obiect Solution Obiection Solution Iam. 2.5 What these things meane is vnknowne Rise first in soule