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
hee accomplished and proclaimed in his resurrection from the dead For the second the Regall glory of Christ consisted in two things the first was the glorification of his humane nature And the second was his triumph ouer his enemies The glorificatiō of his humane nature contained 1. the deposition of all the infirmities accompanying our nature which hee vndertooke for our sakes so as now hee ceased to hunger or thirst or bee weary or feele any paine or griefe nor could he suffer any more or die 2. The perfecting of his humane nature with all the degrees of celestiall gifts and endowments could possibly befall a created nature both in body and mind His very body was glorified surpassing the Sunne in the firmament for splendor and brightnesse Now for the triumph of Christ he acted it two waies 1. In those frequent manifestations after his resurrection for the 40. dayes hee was pleased to abide on earth 2. In that most glorious ascension riding in the chariot of triumph vp into heauen leading with him captiuity captiue The third thing is his taking possession of his kingdome and this he did when he sat downe at the right hand of the Maiesty of God and was exalted aboue all that is named and had power ouer all things giuen him of his Father The fourth thing is his administration of the kingdome of which hee is now possest and this hath in it foure things 1. The calling and gathering together both of Iewes and Gentiles belonging to the election of God Rom. 8.30 Ephes. 4.11 12. Esa. 11.11.12 2. The prescribing of lawes as the onely law-giuer of the Church and this he doth when hee propoundeth vnto his subiects the rules both of beleeuing and liuing by the word and ministry of the same adding thereunto the work of the Spirit writing his lawes vpon their hearts Iam. 4.12 Ier. 31.33 2. Cor. 3. 17.18 3. The donation of gifts inabling men to the Kingdome of God Ephes. 4.8 Philip. 1.29 4. The execution of Iustice and so he doth iustice 1. Amongst his owne subiects and so he doth them Iustice 1. In iustifying them from their sins in acquitting them and pronouncing them absolued from all the sentences of Gods iustice giuen out against them 2. By distributing rewards among them both in spirituall and temporall things 3. By keeping them in their bonds and preseruing them in the feare of God and a iust course of life 2. Against his enemies whom he either restraines or subdues hee restraines them by setting them their bounds which they may not passe by infatuating their counsels and by being a wall of brasse about his owne He subdues them either by conuerting them and so making them come in and doe him homage or else by confounding them which he begins partly by outward iudgements partly by induration as deliuering them vp to a reprobate sense and accomplishing it in their miserable ends casting them into vtter darkenesse This administration of his kingdome he executes partly in this life and partly in the world to come the one is his kingdom of grace the other of glory what is but begun here is fully made compleate in that other world The Vses of the Regall office of Christ follow And those are partly for Instruction partly for Consolation First for Instruction and wee should learne 1. To ascribe all glory and dominion to him for euer wee should so admire the greatnesse and maiesty of our King as our hearts should bee most affectionately moued to his continuall praises Let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee O sing praises to our God sing praises sing praises with vnderstanding Psal. 47.6.7 Reuel 1.5 Reuel 5.12.13.14 Saying with a loud voice Worthie is the Lambe that was killed to receiue power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and praise And all the creatures which are in heauen and on the earth and vnder the earth and in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying Praise and honour and glory and power be vnto him that sitteth vpon the throne and vnto the Lambe for euermore c. And to this end wee should learne 2. To pray that God would giue vs the spirit of wisdome and reuelation that the eies of our vnderstanding may bee enlightned to discerne the working of his mighty power which hee wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his owne right hand in heauenly places farre aboue all principalities and powers and euery name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come hath put all things vnder his feete and made him head ouer all things belonging to the Church Ephes. 1.17 to the end And with all we should stirre vp our selues 3. To pray daily that his kingdome may come that the people that yet are in darkenesse may be conuerted and that his glory may shine more and more in those that haue submitted themselues to his Scepter and to this end that the ordinances of his kingdome especially the preaching of the Gospell may run with power and mightily conquer and enlarge the bounds of his kingdome and that all opposite kingdomes may be subuerted as is that of Anti-Christ especially that his kingdome of glory may be hastened vpon vs. And for our owne parts wee should euery one be ready 4. To send our Lamb to the Ruler of the earth Isai. 16.1 to tender our homage and offer our seruice testifie our aleageance with all humilitie and thankefulnesse vnto this King of Kings the Lord our mighty Redeemer and throughout the course of our liues 5. To bow at the name of Iesus and to feare him that is a great King aboue all gods and hath a name aboue all names to confesse his soueraigntie and submit to his gouernment and to tremble before him and to thinke of him with all reuerence Phil. 2.9.10 11. Psalm 2.10.11 6. And to come willingly at all the times of the publike assembly of his armies in holy beauty we should all flock to the colours of the King and neuer giue ouer the care of assembling our selues in the courts of our God but with al gladnesse go vp to the house of the Lord the courts of the King the place of his holy presence where he sits in his throne amongst vs Ps. 110.3 7. To seeke to Christ in al our necessities seeing hee is so exalted that now he is able to help vs in all times of need according to the riches of his glory 8. To be tender and zealous for the glory and honor of Christ shall not our hearts rise at the dishonour of our King 9. To obserue whatsoeuer he commands in nothing refusing him that speaketh from heauen Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you c. Heb. 12.25 See that ye despise not him that speaketh for if they escaped not which refused him that spake on
Behold I gaue him for a Witnesse to the people for a Prince and a Master vnto the people c. 7. Inwardly as well as outwardly to this end hee hath giuen vs the anointing euen his spirit in our hearts to teach vs all things 1. Iohn 2.27 But the anointing which ye receiued of him dwelleth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and it is true and is not lying and as it taught you ye shall abide in him 8. Compassionately with singular tendernesse fitting himself to euery ones nature and ability Iohn 10.11 I am the good shepheard the good shepheard giueth his life for his sheepe Ezech. 34.23 And I will set vp a shepheard ouer them and hee shall feede them euen my seruant Dauid he shall feede them and hee shall bee their shepheard c. Isaiah 40.11 He shall feede his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme and carry them in his bosome and shall guide them with young c. For the third It is exceeding comfortable that he will teach al that come vnto him euen al that are giuen to him of God all the godly of what sex condition or nation soeuer They shal be al taught of God from the least to the greatest A b c daries as well as they of higher formes Isaiah 54.13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and much peace shall be to thy children Ier. 31.34 And they shall teach no more euerie man his neighbour and euery man his brother saying know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them vnto the greatest of them saith the Lord. And therefore let vs obserue these things and acknowledge this goodnesse and receiue his testimony for thereby we seale that God is true Iohn 3.33 Hee that hath receiued his testimony hath sealed that God is true c. Thus much of his propheticall office CHAP. XIX Of the Priestly office of Christ. THe Priestly office of Christ follows which is that part of his function whereby he maketh satisfaction vnto God for men This office in the execution of it hath in it three things or there be three things Christ must doe as the Priest of the Church 1. He must obey the Law of God perfectly 2. Hee must make expiation for our sinnes by sacrificing to God 3. He must make intercession for vs. First of the principles that concerne his obedience there are foure things wee are bound to beleeue concerning the obedience of Christ 1. First that he was without sin in his nature Ioh. 8.46 Which of you can rebuke me of sinne 2. Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for vs which knew no sinne 1. Pet. 1.19 But with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot 1. Pet. 2.22.23 Who did no sin neither was there guile found in his mouth c. 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 c. 2. Secondly that he fulfilled the whole law of God perfectly in all his actions Hence called the holy one and the holy Child Iesus Act. 2.27 Because thou wilt not leaue my soule in hell neither wilt suffer thine holy one to see corruption Act. 13.35 Act. 3.14 But ye denied the holy one and the iust Act. 4.27 For doubtlesse against thine holy Sonne Iesus whom thou hast annointed c. 30. So that thou stretch forth thine hand that healing and signes and wonders may bee done by the name of thine holy Sonne Iesus 1. Ioh. 2.20 But yee haue an oyntment from him that is holy and ye haue knowne all things Thirdly that hee fulfilled the law not onely for himselfe but for vs for our sakes Rom. 8.3.4 For that that was impossible to the law in as much as it was weak because of the flesh God sending his owne Sonne in the similitude of sinfull flesh and for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh c. That the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousnes vnto euery one that beleeueth Rom. 5.18 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the iustifying of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life That this righteousnesse of his is an euerlasting righteousnes that is such a righteousnesse as serues for the Elect of all ages and such a righteousnesse as cannot be lost Dan. 9.24 Seuenty weekes are determined vpon thy people and vpon thine holy City to finish the wickednesse and to seale vp the sinnes and to reconcile the iniquity and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse The vses may be For consolation for hereby all the faithfull may be assured that though they bee very vnrighteous in themselues yet they are made the righteousnesse of God in him Ierem. 23.6 In his dayes Iuda shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him The Lord our righteousnesse 2. Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should be made the righteousnesse of God in him Hee is the end of the law to euery one that beleeueth wee haue as certaine iustification to life by his obedience as euer we were subiect to death by Adams disobedience Rom. 5.19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also be made righteous And if his righteousnesse bee ours how rich are we and how ought our hearts to bee established in his well doing c. Secondly for instruction and so it should worke in vs two things 1. First an establishment of faith in our reconciliation and a willing yeelding of our selues to acknowledge this free gift of God in his Sonne 2. Cor. 5.21 Rom. 10.4 2. Secondly an imitation of his maruellous holinesse a striuing to expresse his vertues that we may be holy as he is holy for he communicates the benefit of his obedience onely to such as liue iustly and walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Rom. 8.4 That the righteousnes of the law might bee fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit 1. Pet. 2.9 But yee are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknes into his maruellous light c. Matth. 11.29 Take my yoke on you and learne of mee that I am meeke and lowly in heart and yee shall finde rest vnto your soules c. 2. Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ let him be a new creature c. Thirdly for
humiliation to all stubborne-hearted wicked men that deny this holy one partly by their vnbeleefe when they regard not his words whom they can conuince of no sinne Ioh. 8.46 Which of you can rebuke me of sinne and if I say the truth why doe you not beleeue me And partly by wicked life keeping out all conformity with Christ as also by chusing rather to liue in wicked company then to cleaue to Christ Is not this to denie the holy one and to chuse a murtherer to bee giuen them Act. 3.14 What communion betweene Christ and Belial betweene his righteousnesse and such vnrighteousnesse Thus much of his obedience to the law CHAP. XX. Of the expiation of sinne THe principles that concerne the expiation of sin follow This expiation was made by the passion of Christ concerning which wee must belieue these things of necessity 1. That the Passion of Christ was by the decree euerlasting fore-appointmeÌ„t of God Act. 2.23 Him I say haue ye taken by the hands of the wicked being deliuered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God c. 2. That the sufferings of Christ were for our sinnes and for our sakes so as he bare all our iniquities 1. Pet. 2.24 Who his owne self bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that wee being deliuered from sinne should liue in righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed c. Isaiah 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed 8. For the transgression of my people was he plagued c. 12. Therefore will I giue him a portion with the great and hee shall diuide the spoile with the strong because hee hath poured out his soule vnto death and hee was â—ounted with the transgressors and hee bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trespassers Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification 1. Cor. 5.7 For Christ our Passouer is sacrificed for vs. 3. That by his passion he did pacifie God and make expiation for all our sinnes Mat. 17.5 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased beare him Ephes. 5.2 And walke in loue euen as Christ hath loued vs and hath giuen himselfe for vs to bee an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vnto God 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 and he is the reconciliation for our sinnes 4. That in his owne person he fulfilled and finished all sufferings needefull for our saluation he did it once for all 1. Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to God Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many and vnto them that looke for him shal be appeare the second time without sinne vnto saluation Heb. 10.11.12 And euery Priest appeareth daily ministring and oft times offereth one manner of offering which can neuer take away sinnes But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God 5. That the passion of Christ is a sufficient price for the sinnes of the whole world Ioh. 1.29 Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world 6. That Christ suffered extreame things for vs euen the most grieuous things could bee imagined as 1. A maruellous priuation of his owne glory abasing himselfe that was in the form of God to liue amongst men without shewing that fulnesse of Maiesty and glory which was in his nature Ioh. 17.5 And now glorifie me thou Father with thine owne selfe with the glory which I had with thee before the world was 2. Most base entertainement in the world such as extreame pouerty in his birth and life Luk. 2.12 And this shall bee a signe to you yee shall finde the child swadled and laid in a cratch Matth. 8.20 But Iesus said vnto him the foxes haue holes and the birds of the heauens haue nests but the Sonne of man hath not whereon to rest his head Exile and flying before his enemies Matth. 2.14 So hee arose and tooke the babe and his mother by night and departed into Egypt Mark. â— 6.7 And the Pharisies departed and straight way gathered a Councell with the Herodians against him that they might destroy him But Iesus auoided with his disciples to the sea c. Ioh. 11.54 Iesus therefore walked no more openly amongst the Iewes but went thence c. Ioh. 8.59 Then tooke they vp stones to cast at him but Iesus hid himselfe and went out of the Temple Slanders and extreame indignities called a Samaritan a glutton a seducer a traitor despised mocked buffeted railed on beaten betrayed and sold by his owne seruant and that for a base price forsaken of his owne disciples denied and renounced by oath falsly accused whipped spit vpon taken and bound as a malefactor c. as the story of the Euangelists shew c. 3. Imputation of the sins of all the elect vnto him so as the guilt of them was laid vpon him and hee sustained their person This is a wonderfull abasement hee was made sinne for vs that knew no sinne in himselfe 2. Cor. 5.21 4. Fearfull agonies in his very soule arising 1. First from seuerall conflicts and tentations Hebr. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 But especially set vpon with all their furie inuisibly when he was on the Crosse Colos. 2.15 And hath spoyled the principalities and powers and hath made a shew of them openly hath triumphed ouer them in the same Crosse. 2. Secondly from the pouring out of the vials of Gods wrath for sinne which befell him chiefly in the garden when hee swet blood for very anguish on the Crosse when hee cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 5. A most miserable manner of death to die as a condemned man and condemned too both by Iewes and Gentiles to die such a cursed death as the death of the Crosse which was both by God and man designed out as the most ignominious kind of death and to bee put to death in the middest of such malefactors being reckoned amongst sinners Esa. 53.12 Therefore will I giue him a portion with the great and hee shall diuide the spoyle with the strong because hee hath poured out his soule vnto death and hee was counted with the transgressors and hee bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trespassers And to suffer the nailing of his body yea and the effusion of his most precious blood These are exquisite things The consideration whereof may serue both for 1. instruction 2. for information 3. and for consolation For instruction and so it may teach vs diuers duties which we should performe 1. To Christ himselfe 2. To our neighbours 3. To