excellency and what dost thou less who dost not believe in him embrace him and apply his precious Blood and Grace for Help and Healing Exhort If this be so then labour whoever thou art to accept of Christ. Dost think to do better what Object canst thou find that more deserves thy Affection 1. He is great honourable a King the King of Kings all other Kings are his Subjects he is King of Heaven Earth Hell 2. Great in Power He has led captive the King of Darkness has spoiled the Principalities of Sin that so long tyrannized over Thousands yea Millions of Thousands has overcome Death the King of Terrors that none of the Mighty could ever encounter with 3. He is the amiablest Object in the World his Beauty far exceeds the Beauty of the Luminaries much fairer than the Children of Men. 4. He is rich unsearchable in Riches What wouldst thou have or canst thou desire but 't is in him Wouldst thou know the ready way to be espoused unto him Then 1. First of all break off that Affinity thou holdest with Sin and get thy Heart off from the inordinate Love of this World 2. Thou must become dead to the Law and thine own Righteousness 3. Labour to see an absolute Necessity of marrying with him 4. Get thy Judgment well enlightned in the Mysteries of Grace and Glory that come by Jesus Christ. 5. Hearken to the Motions of thy own Conscience for Conscience is employed when throughly awakened and rightly informed as a Spokesman for Christ. 6. Take heed of a divided Heart never rest till thy Will is brought over to accept of Christ and the Offers of Grace 7. Labour to chuse Christ singly a naked Christ. Christ is able every way to make thee happy and fully answer all thy Desires take heed therefore of going after other Lovers give not his Headship and Sovereignty away IV. This shews what a happy State the Godly are in Can the Soul be poor that has such a Friend and Husband as Christ is If David concluded he should not want because the Lord was his Shepherd be sure thou shalt not because Christ is thy Husband The Bridegroom takes more care and is more tender of his Bride than any Shepherd of his Sheep or Lambs V. This speaks great Terror to the Wicked that oppress and misuse God's People and make a Spoil of his Church What will they do when the Bridegroom rises up to plead the Cause of his Darling He will not spare his Arrows but tread them down in his Fury Lastly Be prepared you that are Virgins the Bridegroom is coming the Midnight-Cry will soon be heard get your Lamps trimmed and Oil in your Vessels An EPITHALAMY on the Soul's Marriage with CHRIST By E. D. THe Match is made and Crouds of Angels come Prepar'd to sing an Epithal'mium Diffusive Sparkles of Seraphick Fire Exalt the Musick of the raptur'd Quire An universal Chorus loudly votes To grace this Wedding with their shrillest Notes Hail Glorious Prince The universal Air Eccho's Hosannahs to the Illustrious Pair Let no Parenthesis of Clouds obscure This blessed Day but still as bright endure As now Let Mortals in sweet Consort sing Anthems to Thee in an eternal Spring December's Frost the scorching Heat of June Shall no more put thy Singers out of Tune Hail Glorious Prince whose unexampled Love Brought thee from those bright Royalties above To court thy Spouse Tho no Magnifick Dress Did set thee forth thy Glory 's nev'r the less Tho thou wert treated with perverse Disdain Myriads of Angels waited on thy Train Shepherds inspir'd thy joyful Welcome sing Star-guided Sophies their Oblations bring O bless'd Espousals that our Freedom bought O happy Match that our Redemption wrought Hail Glorious Spouse for ever blest in Him That crowns thy Brows with Heaven's Diadem Amazing Change unparallel'd in Story A Slave advanc'd to everlasting Glory A Virgin fettered in the Bonds of Sin Vnbound espous'd made glorious all within From base Estate beyond a Queen in Honour A peerless Beauty now bestow'd upon Her Since Words are narrow and Conception's weak T' express my Joy in Extasies I 'le speak Entranc'd in sacred Raptures I 'le rejoyce Rather than fail to melt into a Voice Where Cherubs Hallelujahs do rebound I 'le Eccho like reverberate a Sound For Heaven 's shrill Quire and Earth do joyn in one To quaver out this Epithalmion Christ the express Image of the Father Heb. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the Character of of his Substance We translate it The express Image of his Person THe Term Character is a Metaphor taken from the Image Figure or Impression of a Seal representing the Proto-type or first Pattern in every thing The Word is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 charattein which signifies to ingrave the Father having as it were most indelibly engraven his whole Essence and Majesty upon this his Eternal Son and drawn his own Effigies upon him from everlasting being his substantial Image and exact Representation Which Explication fairly agrees with this Mystery leading our Mind to such Discoveries as will stir us up to desire the gracious participation of its Fruit and Efficacy For it opens the Secret of eternal Generation and the Love of the Heavenly Father A Seal is more highly valued and more closely kept than other things See Isa. 42.1 Mat. 3.17 17.3 John 3.35 17.24 Through an Union with this blessed Image the lost Image of God is restored in Believers now inchoatively or with respect to Beginning after Death consummatively or with respect to Perfection Col. 3.10 1 Pet. 1.4 not by Essential Transmutation but by a Mystical Vnion Metaphor I. AN Image is the Likeness of or doth represent and express the Person whose it is II. An express Image represents a Person unto others III. An express Image represents a Person unto us whom we many times cannot see personally because absent and at a great Distance from us IV. An Image and the Person it represents are not the same V. An express Image brings him who is held forth or represented by it into our Minds whereby we call to remembrance what manner of Person he is and thereby contemplate upon his Beauty and excellent Accomplishments which before probably might be forgot VI. An express Image if it represents some noble or renowned Person one that hath an endeared Love and Affection to him or her to whom it is sent their great and only Benefactor or a dear Relation is exceedingly prized and valued by the Receiver VII An express Image of a Person is curiously drawn and is a most rare and admirable Piece of Workmanship it is viewed and commended by all skilful and discerning Persons in that Art Parallel I. CHrist is the Likeness of the Father the true Form Figure Character or Representation of him This Similitude saith a Reverend Divine relates to the Persons of the Godhead 't is borrowed from the Impression of
He is both King of Saints and King of Nations 1. He is Lord over Angels he is Head of Principalities and Powers Thrones and Dominions He hath Power and Authority over the good Angels these are part of his Inheritance Let all the Angels of God worship him 2. He hath Preheminence and Dominion over the evil Angels they fly before him He hath spoiled Principalities and Powers c. Col. 2.15 3. He is the Head and hath Preheminence over Men He is Lord both of the Dead and Living all the Elect are given to him they are his in manifold respects Children Servants Brethren Disciples Subjects Spouse c. 4. The Power and Headship of Christ as Heir of all things extends to all Mankind universally all owe him Homage and shall submit and bend their Knees to Him He hath an absolute unlimited and Universal Power may pull down and set up at his pleasure kill and make alive all mighty Monarchs are but Tenants at Will to him 5. He hath Power and Headship in an especial manner over all things to the Church Frist Judaical or Old-Testament things Secondly Christian or New-Testament things Christ being Heir and Lord of all things whatever the Soveraign Disposer of all those Rites and Ordinances of Worship about which the Jews contended must needs be in his Hand to change and alter them as he saw good The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath and as he is Head over all things He hath Right and Soveraignty to make ordain or appoint Laws Ordinances and Institutions and to prescribe Rules how and after what manner God is to be worshipped belongs only to Christ the Heir of all things and Head of the Church VI. Christ distributes in a glorious manner to others he gives large Portions to the Saints whom he is not ashamed to call Brethren He that doth the Will of my Father the same is my Brother Sister and Mother Regenerating quickning sanctifying assisting comforting and sealing Grace is bestowed and freely given to Believers with Pardon Peace Sonship and eternal Life yea all things are given that appertain to Life and Godliness to such that are Heirs and Joynt-Heirs with him when he ascended on high he gave Gifts unto Men. Eph. 4.8 VII Christ the Heir of all things when he first came into the World was proclaimed by the Angels of God as the rightful Heir of the Crown and Scepter of both Worlds He shall be great and shal be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end His Right was often asserted by himself as Mat. 28. Joh. 13.3 and by others his Apostles c. VIII There was a set time agreed upon when Christ as Mediator should come to his Inheritance who is appointed Heir c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may denote either those special Acts whereby he came into the full Possession of his Heirship or it may be extended to other Preparatory Acts that long preceded them especially if we should take it to be of the same Importance with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the second Aorist In the former sence it denotes the glorious Investiture of Christ in the full Possession of his Kingdom after his Resurrection with the Manifestation of it in his Ascension and token of its stability in his sitting down at the Right-hand of God By all these God made him placed Him with solemn Investiture Heir of all The Grant was made to him upon his Resurrection Mat. 28.18 and then fully declared to others The Solemnization of it was in his Ascension all was sealed and ratified when he took Possession of the Throne by all which he was made and declared to be Lord and Christ the true Heir of all things And such weight doth the Scripture lay upon the glorious Investiture of Christ in his Inheritance that it speaks of his whole Power as then first granted unto him Rom. 14.9 Phil. 2.7 8 9 10. and the reason of it is because he had then actually performed that Work and Duty upon consideration whereof that Power and Authority were eternally designed and originally granted unto him God's actual committing all Power over all Things and Persons in Heaven and Earth to be executed and managed for the ends of his Mediation declaring this Act Grant and Delegation by his Resurrection Ascension and sitting at his Right-hand is that which this Word denotes Notwithstanding the time of the visible Possession of his Right is not yet come he will take unto him his great Power that is the visible Exercise and Execution of it and Reign Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel And he said unto them It is not for you to know the Times and Seasons which the Father hath in his own Power Metaphor I. AN Heir many times is one that succeeds in the Possession of the Right and Goods of one deceased and till then cannot possess the Inheritance II. An Heir is many times disinherited of his Right cut off excluded and utterly deprived of his Crown and Kingdom by an usurp'd Power III. An Heir among Men hath comparatively but small Possessions Disparity I. CHrist enjoyes all as he is Heir of all things with the Father who dyeth not but is like the Son immortal eternal not subject to any Change The Son being Heir doth not eclipse nor diminish the Glory of the Father II. Christ shall not cannot be disinherited Tho wicked Men take Counsel together to obstruct and hinder his visible Exaltation yet all is in vain He that sits in Heaven shall laugh The Lord shall have them in Derision and will set his King upon his holy Hill of Zion I will make my First born higher than the Kings of the Earth III. Christ you hear is Heir of all things He is Head and Chief Lord over Angels and Men over all Ranks and Degrees of Men Emperours Kings and all the Nobles of the Earth over all Persons Civil and Ecclesiastical over Devils and all the Powers of Darkness He is Heir of the World to come the new Heaven and Earth and of all the Glory of it as of the Earth or the Kingdoms of this World Inferences I. FRom hence we may perceive how exceedingly God hath honoured the Lord Jesus Christ as Mediator He hath a Name above every Name in this World or that which is to come II. Moreover it is evident from hence Christ is very Rich. Who would not marry such an Heir or choose the Lord Jesus for their Husband The Riches of his Kingdom the good things of his House the Revenues of his Dominion are infinite and inexhaustible and he is very gracious and bountiful in his Communication of them unto all that take hold of him III. 'T is easy to conclude from hence that those that
Good Bishops and Martyrs who should confess and Preach Christ the Son of the Living God purely by the example of Peter speaking from the Revelation of the Father But because the same Peter and the Apostles a little after savour of the Flesh yea and as Christ says become Satans it signifies that after the Successors of the Apostles and good Bishops there would come Devilish Bishops And that at length he that would usurp the title of Peters sole and only Successor should follow Satan as his Father for Revelation and would seek not the Kingdom of God but of the World Which Prophesie we see most palpably and horribly fulfilled so far Luther John 6.70 Christ calls Judas Iscariot a Devil because he was like him in Lies and Treachery and so signally malicious that the Scripture says he was of the Devil John 8.44 1 John 3.8 And the Son of the Devil Act. 13.10 Metaphors taken from Heaven COrporeal or Bodily Creatures according to their Physical distinction are either simple or mixt and compounded The simple are Heaven and the Elements or the Ethereal and Elementary Region of the World Heaven properly signifies that outermost celestial body that incloses or compasses the Elements and is the receptacle of the Stars and Constellations Gen. 1.8 14 c. Gen. 15.5 Psal. 8.3 and 19.1.5 Esa. 14.13 Also the Airy Region which is above us and this either in conjunction with the Ethereal or Starry Heaven Gen. 1.6 7 8 9. where by the mention of the waters being gathered together in one place under the Heavens is intimated that also to be a Heaven which is next and immediately above them which is the lower Region of the Air or separately from it and so only the Air Lev. 26.19 Deut. 28.23 1 King 8.35 2 Chron. 7.13 Job 1.16 2.12 Psal. 8 8. Matth. 6.26 Luke 9.54 12.56 But metaphorically Heaven is taken 1. For Divine Glory and infinite Majesty which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 phos aprositon light inaccessible or which none can approach to 1 Tim. 6.16 By reason of similitude from the greatness splendor beauty and elegancy of Heaven to which we may refer the words of Bonaventure Corpus quod est sursum dicitur Caelum c. The Body which is above is called Heaven because it is capacious secret and quiet and because this threefold propriety is found in the celsitude of the Divinity it is therefore called Heaven it is capacious in the immensity of Power secret in the depth of knowledge and quiet in the tranquility of delight This is superior to all Heavens not by situation but dignity and greater than every Heaven not by extension but from his own immensity by which he is beyond all but not excluded c. So it is taken when God is said to dwell in Heaven Psal. 2.4 1 King 8.39.43 c. So Deut. 26.15 Look down from thy Holy Habitation from Heaven and bless thy people c. So it is said of Christ that he came down from Heaven John 3.13 6.33 50 51. 1 Cor. 15.47 That is he went forth from that inaccessible Light of Divine Majesty and manifested himself in the Flesh. And the same Throne of Majesty is in the Heavens Heb. 8.1 and 1.3 to which Christ as God-man in his state of exaltation went See John 17.5 Heb. 7.26 Made higher then the Heavens Eph. 4.10 Ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things See Psal. 8.1 2. and 108.5 c. By which places not so much the hight of the place as the sublimity of the Divine Majesty is expressed 2. Heaven is metaphorically taken for the spiritual Kingdom of God and that state of happiness wherein he manifests and communicates himself to Angels and Men And that is 1. Of Grace viz. The gathering and gracious Government of the Church Militant in this Life to which belongs the appellation of the Kingdom of Heaven oftentimes attributed to the Church Matth. 13.11 24 31 33. and 20.1 and 22.1 c. So when it is said to plant a Heaven Esa. 51.16 and to create a New Heaven Esa. 65.17 By which phrases the Restauration of the Church by Christ is noted which is begun in this Life and compleated in Eternity 2. Pet. 3.13 The Reason of the Comparison is because as the natural Heaven is very far distant from the Earth so the ways of God in ruling his Church and giving blessedness to believers do exceedingly surpass the manner of Earthly Administrations Esa. 55.9 And as in the natural Heaven all things are in the exactest order full of Light and radiance So God in his Church is the God of order and peace 1 Cor. 14.33 Leading Teaching and saving his people by a most convenient order of mediums and that by the Light of his saving Word 2. Of Glory viz. The Eternal and unspeakable felicity of Angels and Holy men in the beholding and perfect fruition of the glorious God To which belong those phrases Matth. 18.10 Their Angels in Heaven behold the face of my Father the speech is of the Angels appointed as keepers of the little ones By which it appears that the Angels though acting on Earth for the good of Christians are nevertheless really in Heaven that is in a celestial state of blessedness Matth. 6.20 Treasures are said to be laid up in Heaven Luke 8.22 To have treasures in Heaven Phil. 3.20 To have our Conversation in Heaven By which phrases Faith and Christian Hope aspiring and tending to Eternal blessedness is to be understood From this Heaven Satan is said to fall like Lightning Luke 10.18 Satan says Illyricus fell not from a place but from his degrees of dignity to wit from the favour of God and spiritual Blessedness into the greatest wickedness punishments and eternal and spiritual calamities Of the scope of these words of Christ Erasmus says thus Jesus that he might fortifie their Mines against that disease of vain glory which even the Saints are sometimes tainted with proposes the example of Lucifer to them who for his pride was suddenly cast down from so great felicity I saw says he Satan falling from Heaven like Lightning His dignity in Heaven was very eminent and yet for the swelling pride of his mind is flung from the highest glory to the lowest wretchedness how much more ought you to beware of pride who carry a mortal body about you obnoxious to all perils But others understand this of the power and efficacy of Christ which by the Preaching of the Apostles he put forth to which Satan against his Will was forced to give way and was as it were cast down from the height of that power which he exercised over men In Heaven we are also to consider the Ornaments of it as the luminaries as they are called Gen. 1.14 The Sun Moon and Stars which are the Organs of Light The Sun and Moon constantly shining do metaphorically denote eternal blessedness in Heaven Thy Sun shall no more go down
upon his people he can cause his precious dew to distil upon the tender herb and showers of rain to fall upon the grass VII God can make the vilest and worst of sinners to bring forth good fruit when his grace converts them and the barrenest souls to be fruitful souls VIII None can hinder the Almighty from his labour I will work and who shall lett it IX God the spiritual husbandman never grows old and can never die but is ever taking care of his husbandry COROLLARIES 1. THis shews the wonderful condescension of the great and Almighty God in comparing himself to an husbandman an Employment of great toyl and very hard labour yet profitable and honest 2. Shews the great priviledge dignity and security of the Church of Christ being the plantation of the great God in which he takes delight the rest of the world being like a barren and howling Wilderness to it Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech and dwell in the Tents of Kedar 3. It shews the necessity of being truly grafted into this vineyard a bare profession will not do as in the foolish Virgins case he has a quick eye and will soon find out such as bear no fruit or are rotten at heart such he cuts down and burns 4. Here 's cause of joy to those that are truly implanted into Jesus Christ they are under his special care and watch they shall flourish and bring forth fruit in old age Walled in on every side and so very safe God a Builder Psal. 127.1 Except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it Prov. 9. Wisdom hath built her a House Heb. 3.4 But he that built all things is God IN these Scriptures and many others God is called a Builder which is a Metaphor taken from Carpenters and Masons that build Houses The Hebrew word by which Building is express'd is derived from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aedificavit extruxit Domum vel Vrbem to build or rear a House or City 1 Kin. 10.4 Metaphorically 't is put for Procreation and Education of Children of which Families are as it were built Gen. 16.2 2. For repairing decayed Places 1 King 12.25 3. For the Restauration Preservation and Exaltation of God's People Jer. 31.4 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preparo instruo to prepare or build up is as Illyricus says a military Word and signifies vasa instrumentáque castrensia colligere the gathering together of Vessels or Vtensils of the Camp of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Vessel God may be said to be a Builder in a four-fold respect 1. He created or built the visible World 2. He built or constituted the Church Militant 3. The Church Triumphant 4. The Invisible World the Celestial City or New Jerusalem for the Church Triumphant to inhabit when the visible World is dissolved In a Builder we are to consider three things viz. Skill Strength Action 1. Skill to contrive 2. Strength to provide and 3. Action to compleat All which are fairly applicable to God as a Builder as appears in the following Particulars Metaphor I. A Builder is an Artist a Man of Wisdom to contrive the fittest Model of the Whole in general and of the distinct Rooms and Parts in particular II. A Master-Builder usually hath a principal or Head-Workman to whom he imparts his Secrets in his great and weighty Contrivances who is to enter upon the chiefest part of the Work and not only to work himself but to order and direct all subordinate Workmen III. A Master-Builder hath the Figure or Idea of the Materials in his Mind of which the Fabrick is to be compacted and gives Order for the bringing them forth to answer his great Project and Design IV. A wise Master-Builder lays a Foundation to set that Fabrick upon that he intends to build for a House City or any kind of Edifice which cannot stand without it as Christ tells us V. A Builder puts his Workmen into Order and his Materials into their proper places the Stone Brick Timber Lead Iron Brass Silver c. VI. A Builder raises Fabricks of several sorts some of higher Consideration and Grandure than others as Temples the Palaces and Thrones of Princes Noble and Great Men's Houses inferior Dwellings and dismal Prisons VII A Builder gives Ornament as well as Form and Being to a House VIII A Builder is a great Benefactor to the World in making Places both for Safety and Conveniency IX A Builder is pleased with his Work when finished and is worthy of Honour for it Disparity I. GOD the first Founder and Builder of all things is that great Master of Wisdom of whom it is said that he finds out knowledg of witty Inventions that he is wise and perfect in knowledg that his Wisdom is unsearchable and his Ways Contrivance and Projections past finding out in his Works of Creation as well as Providence for not Man only is fearfully and curiously made but all his other Works so well contrived that it is not possible for any to mend them In Wisdom hast thou made them all II. God the infinite and most wise Contriver hath his Word or Son who is called the Wisdom of God and a wonderful Counsellor to be his Head-Workman who was in the Bosom of the Father and understood all his Secrets by whom he made the Worlds who is called the Son the Character Image or Representative of God without whom there was nothing contrived or made that was made either things in Heaven or things on Earth visible or invisible whether Thrones Dominions or Principalities all things were made by him and he was before all things and from him came Order and Direction to all subordinate or secondary Causes III. God the Builder of all things had the Idea in his own Mind and gave Order for the bringing of them forth in order to suit his most wise and wonderful Purposes for as known to God are all his Works from the beginning so he said Let the Heavens the Earth the Water the Air appear and they did so IV. God this great and wise Master-Builder hath planted the Heavens above and laid the Foundations of the Earth beneath which when we consider that they have no bottom but the Air and the Water we must resolve it into his own Power which can do every thing or his Word or Son who bears up the Pillars of the Earth and upholds all things He looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God V. The God of the whole Earth did at the first put all Materials into their proper places and assigned all his Servants their respective Work the Heavens above the Air the Air above the Earth and the Earth above the Waters Christ is Head-Workman above Angels Angels above Men Men in Work and Business above the Fowls of the Air Beasts of the Field creeping Things of the Earth Fishes of the Sea Men above one another in respect of his Church his spiritual Building Moses above Joshuah and ordinary Prophets Aaron above other Priests Apostles above Evangelists and ordinary Ministers And all to shew his wonderful Skill and Wisdom Angels to keep his Commands and sing Praise the Heavens to declare his Glory and the Firmament to shew his handy Works Moses to manifest Wonders on Earth Aaron
XVI A good Housholder is full of Sympathy is much concerned and grieved when things go ill and are out of Order XVII A good Housholder gives reiterated Instances of his Favours he is familiar with his Family speaks to them and smiles on them hears them when they call helps them up when they fall XVIII A wise and good Housholder deals plainly and uprightly with his Family sheweth them the Danger of Disobedience both to Children and Servants hides nothing from them that may be for their Good lets his Servants know that if they obey not he will turn them out of Service and Children if they are disobedient they shall not only be beaten but also dispossessed of many Privileges and Inheritances XIX A good Housholder encourages his Family by present Rewards and future Promises he pays his Servants well for their Work gives his Children Promise of Reward even an Inheritance XX. A good Housholder gives Correction in season for Faults committed Fathers after the Flesh and Masters chastise disobedient Ones for Faults XXI A good Housholder is so prudent moderate and gentle in his Administration of Severity that there is no Cause of Blame and Censure his Equity and Authority justify his Ways XXII A good and wise Housholder when any are obstinate withdraws the Manifestation of former Goodness Favour and Delight for if after all good Means used fruitlesly they will not be reclaimed then he frowns on them and cannot shew his Countenance as at other Times XXIII A wise and good Housholder will maintain his own Rights against Invaders and keep up his Interest according to Law and Justice and the Use of reasonable Means XXIV A wise and good Housholder brings all the Spoil taken from his Enemies and all the Fruits of his Land into his own Houshold there are his Trophies and the Fruits of his Labour found XXV A wise and good Housholder shuts all unruly Persons out of Doors to preserve Peace and prevent Disturbance David would not let a wicked Man dwell with him nor a Liar stay in his House Some will divorce a Wife when she proves treacherous Abraham turned or cast out the Bond-woman and her Son XXVI A wise Housholder sometimes becomes an Enemy to those of his own Family when his Patience is abused and they stand out by large Provocations XXVII A wise and good Housholder doth in his Wrath sometimes swear against Reconciliation and future Acceptance XXVIII A wise and good Housholder sometimes and in some Cases casts off all Care and Pity so as to interpose against Evil or Dangers that may befall from without but gives up to fearful Ruin XXIX A good and wise Housholder is ready to have his Actions tried and refuseth not to come before a Judg or before the Determination of tolerable indifferent Persons XXX A good and wise Housholder renders Rewards and Encouragement to his Family and Servants that do well Be thou Ruler over much enter into the Joy of thy Lord. Parallel I. THat God is the first Author that gives Being to Matter Form and Order is so great and evident a Truth evinced by Scripture and Reason that none can deny it without shaking the very Foundation of Heaven and Earth and of all true Piety and Religion For all things that do appear were produced by some Cause pre-existent or else they did cause themselves which last cannot be because then they must be before themselves which is a monstrous Absurdity See the ancient Records of the World and all things therein Gen. 1. II. God the most great and good Housholder seeing it very needful and convenient hath built a House for the Commodity of his Family yea many Houses suitable to the distinct Parts of his Family which is very great One House fit for Angels and the Souls of Saints that is Heaven one for Men even the Earth one for a Nursing-House to the Off-spring of his Family and that is his Church which is the House of the Living God the Nursing-House for his Heirs and eldest Sons These things have his Hands begun and finished He that built all things is God III. God did not think it meet to be alone in the Enjoiment of perfect Happiness in himself and therefore hath taken into Covenant with himself Angels and Men and for this end was Jesus Christ set up from everlasting to gather together in himself both things in Heaven and things on Earth c. IV. Thus God the great and good Housholder hath done He hath made nothing in vain but hath fitted each Creature with Natures to do Work suitable to their proper Station The Angels to dwell in Heaven to praise in Heaven to flie through Heaven to come down into the Air to visit the Earth and view the Sons of Men Men are fitted to look up to Heaven to pray to reade to contemplate to reverence God to propagate to replenish the Earth Beasts are fitted for Labour and Service as the Horse the Mule the Ox c. The Sheep with all other Creatures receive Influence from his great and good Spirit so as to come to the Place where their Prey is and where they are to be taken for assigned Use. V. God the great and good Housholder hath set all things in Order both in the upper and lower World who is not a God of Confusion but of Order in all the People of his Family Christ his First-born is not only King even the King of the Earth but the King of Angels he is the Head of all Principalities and Powers Angels next to him above Men Men God's Representatives and Vicegerents above Women The Man is the Head of the Woman Parents the Head of their Off-spring and Children above Servants and all these above the Beasts of the Field or creeping Things of the Earth VI. Even thus hath God the great and good Housholder done to all his Family He hath appointed his First-born to be a Mediator a Priest an Advocate to influence the Gospel and Word his Angels to protect his People in Love to serve one another and bear one anothers Burthens Women to bear Children and nurse them and to be meet Helps to their Husbands Parents to love their Children Children to honour their Parents Servants and Subjects to obey their Supreme and all these to adore God and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. VII God this great Housholder hath made Provision for his great and large Family The Eyes of all things look up and trust in him he gives them their Meat in due season In my Fathers House is Meat enough and to spare Heavenly Manna as Meat and Food for Angels heavenly Food as the Bread of Life for the Saints earthly Food as Corn Wine and Oil for Men Grass and Herbs c. as Meat for Beasts c. His Hand gives all things needful If in the House he feeds them if in the Field he feeds them and fills them with good things c. VIII God keeps his Place in
one Heart for Sin and another for him he must have the whole Heart or he will have none of it Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul c. Conscience may be for Christ and his Ways and the Judgment may be much enlightned when the Will may be opposite and the Affections set chiefly upon Sin and the Vanities of this World Their Heart is divided now shall they be found faulty XVIII Jesus Christ met with greater Opposition and fought more sore and fearful Battels than ever any did for the Sinner's sake as witness his Conflict with Satan that strong Man armed with Sin and Wrath and last of all with Death it self over all which Enemies he gloriously triumphed and got a perfect Conquest XIX Jesus Christ will not take into Covenant or make a Contract of Divine Love or Grace with a Person that is not dead to the Law We must see the Insufficiency of that and of our own Righteousness and have no confidence in the Flesh if we would win Christ. Wherefore my Brethren ye also are become dead to the Law that ye should be married to another even to him that is raised from the Dead that we should bring forth Fruit unto God XX. When Jesus Christ by his Word and holy Spirit hath brought over all the Faculties of the Soul unto himself finding the Person dead to Sin Self and to this World and all things being removed which obstructed this happy Contract he then proceeds and takes the Soul into Union with Himself But according to that holy Order and Decree of God no Soul is espoused by Christ but such as is given to him by the Father All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me XXI No sooner is a Sinner converted by Faith united or espoused to Jesus Christ but there is great Joy amongst the Angels of God in Heaven and amongst the Saints of God on Earth Likewise I say unto you there is Joy in Heaven in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that repenteth And so in the case of the Prodigal at his return The Father said to his Servants Bring forth the best Robe and put it upon him and put a Ring on his hand And bring hither the fatted Calf and kill it and let us eat and drink and be merry And they began to be merry XXII Jesus Christ settles upon each Soul he espouses a very great Inheritance he makes over a Jointure of an inestimable value a Kingdom of Glory a Crown that fadeth not away even everlasting Blessedness XXIII Jesus Christ leaves his Church and each believing Soul whom he takes into Union with himself in this World for a while and doth not immediatly take them to himself or carry them to Heaven his own Habitation XXIV Jesus Christ delighteth greatly in his Church and in every sincere Member thereof hence Zion is called Hephzibah And as the Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee XXV Jesus Christ discharges his Saints and People from all those Debts that bind over to eternal Wrath. Sinners were miserably indebted to the Law and Justice owed ten thousand Talents but had not a Farthing to pay liable every day to Arrests and to be sent to the dark Shades of eternal Night or Prison of utter Darkness under the Wrath of the incensed Majesty having whole Mountains of Sin and Guilt lying upon them running every day into new Scores adding Sin to Sin one heavy Debt upon another O how great is the Guilt of sinful Man and how unable to satisfy Divine Justice How then shall these Debts be paid all these Sins expiated and the Guilt taken away Justice calls for full Payment it 's Language is Pay or perish yet we cannot make the least Reparation nor right God for the Wrong we have done him by offending the Eyes of his Glory But now by a Marriage-Covenant with Jesus Christ all is at once discharged and the Sinner acquitted there being Riches and Worth enough in him who hath fully satisfied the Demands of Law and Justice and by Union with him the Sinner comes to be interested into all He was made Sin for us who knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him The Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all O how happy is that Soul that is espoused to Jesus Christ XXVI Jesus Christ confers great Honour on those that are espoused to him The Church is called a Queen and how comes that to pass but by means of this Contract and Marriage with Christ Vpon the right hand stands the Queen with Gold of Ophir Believers are called by Christ's Name have the Attendance of his Servants the holy Angels The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him He hath given his Angels charge concerning thee Saints lie in the Bosom of Christ's Love and Mercy XXVII Jesus Christ supplies all the Wants and makes blessed Provision for his Saints They that fear the Lord shall not lack any good thing Whether it be Grace or Peace either Food or Physick they want they shall have it from him all is in Christ In him all Fulness dwells and in him so as to be let out and communicated to his Saints XXVIII Jesus Christ sympathizes with his Saints In all their Afflictions 't is said he was afflicted And in another place 't is said His Soul was grieved for the Misery of Israel He himself hath suffered Being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted We have not an High-Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of mine Eye Cast thy Burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee XXIX Jesus Christ requires Obedience of his Church and of every Member thereof hence Paul saith The Church is subject unto Christ. The Lord Jesus is exalted above all Principalities and Power Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come and is given particularly to be Head over all things to the Church Call ye me Lord saith Christ and do not the things that I say XXX Jesus Christ reproves his Saints for their Evils and Transgressions out of his great Love As many as I love I rebuke and chasten XXXI Jesus Christ covers the Weaknesses and Infirmities of his People He covers our Sins doth not upbraid us with our Faults but forgives our Iniquities and remembers our Sins no more Tho his Saints have many Spots and Blemishes yet he through his great Grace overlooks them all and will not expose them to Reproach here nor hereafter for them XXII Jesus Christ gives Counsel and Instruction to his People I counsel thee c. What heavenly Instruction hath he left in his Word
only endued with natural Wisdom and that far beyond Solomon A greater than Solomon is here but hath had the Advantage also of such Education that none ever had being brought up with God himself He hath all the Treasures of Wisdom in him is skill'd in all Politicks hath knowledg in all Laws nothing passeth his Skill Thou knowest all things He is called the Wisdom of God Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God III. Jesus Christ was chosen to be King by God the Father as 't is said I have exalted one chosen out of the People And tho the Fathers or Elders amongst the Jews refused him yet the Children gave their Vote for him crying Hâ—â—sannah to the Son of David IV. Jesus Christ was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows He was by the Holy Spirit consecrated King for ever The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me c. V. Jesus Christ was likewise proclaimed first by the Angels To you is born in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Afterwards by the Wise Men at Jerusalem and at Herod â—â—s Court by a Star and by the Shepherds at Bethlehem VI. This did Jesus Christ in three eminent Cases 1. In speaking comfortably to all his Loyal Subjects as you may see in Mat. 5. at large 2. In giving Laws and expounding Difficulties as you may see in Mat. 6. at large 3. In bestowing his Bounty upon the Poor releasing Prisoners that were bound and in appointing an Hospital for the Sick VII Jesus Christ hath a Right to the highest Palaces in this World as he was born Heir to the Universal Emperor by whom he was at last advanced to the great Palace of the highest Heavens called the holy Palace VIII Jesus Christ our great King had the Attendance of Angels who shewed their Allegiance and paid their Homage and Service at sundry times as there appeared Occasion for them 1. They proclaimed him 2. They attended his Person to assist him in his Straits 3. They assisted his other Servants 4. They declared his Resurrection from the Dead 5. They assured his coming in Glory after his Ascension 6. They are appointed to bear him company and to attend him at his coming from Heaven the second time The Son of Man shall come and all the holy Angels with him IX Jesus Christ is invested with Power All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth tho at the first entrance upon his Kingdom in the days of his Flesh his Power did not appear so splendent and glorious as it will hereafter X. Jesus Christ hath many Subjects assigned him by God which subscribe to his Power Some voluntarily as the Angels others by force as the Devils and by virtue of his commanding Power as the Winds and Seas which obeyed him XI Jesus Christ received Commandment from the Father from which he would never swerve and also published and established Laws to be observed as Rules of Government to the end of the World XII Jesus Christ rules and governs so well that his worst Enemies could not cannot charge him with Evil yet they did not do not love and honour him but the Sons of Wickedness rose up and still do rise up in Rebellion against him I honour my Father but you dishonour me a Man which hath told you the Truth this did not Abraham Bring out those mine Enemies c. XIII Jesus Christ hath great and large Dominions all Power in Heaven Earth and Hell He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers in Heaven he is the Head of every Man on Earth and hath the Command of all the infernal Spirits in Hell XIV Jesus Christ hath this great and high Prerogative to make Peace or to proclaim Peace to all the Sons of Men upon Submission and to send a Sword where his just Prerogative is resisted In whatsoever House ye enter first say Peace if the Son of Peace be there c. I came not to send Peace but a Sword XV. Jesus Christ that was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of Death is crown'd with Glory and Honour c. The Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter As I have overcome and sate down with my Father upon his Throne XVI Jesus Christ hath the Father and Holy Spirit without whose Counsel he acteth nothing either in the Affairs of Heaven Earth or Hell There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one Of this Council Offenders are in danger and to this Council grand Criminals are delivered up for Punishment XVII Jesus Christ hath the peculiar Prerogative to send Embassadors He sent the twelve Apostles to the World who said We are Embassadors for Christ. And He sent his Angel to the Churches to treat with them about their present and eternal Welfare I Jesus have sent mine Angel c. XVIII Jesus Christ makes Substitutes to this end By him Kings reign and Princes decree Justice By him Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the Earth these for the World And when he ascended up on high he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for his Church by this shewing that He is supreme Head in all Causes Ecclesiastical as well as Civil XIX Jesus Christ saved the Gospel-Church before the Destruction of Jerusalem by giving them counsel to flie upon the sight of Signs and the Legal Church in the Wilderness by the convenient Providences of a Pillar of Fire by Night and a Pillar of a Cloud by Day He was the Angel of God's Presence that saved them and marvellously hath he and doth he now save and preserve his Church from Popish Rage and Cruelty in this and other Nations XX. Jesus Christ hath a high Court of Judicature in Heaven where he judgeth Emperors and Kings that are out of the power and reach of a human Hand from whence he sends Angels who are higher than they to punish them for Pride and Oppression as in the Case of Nebuchadnezzar who was by the holy Ones cast from his Throne and Herod who was smitten by an Angel for his Pride And a lower Court where his Church for him and in his Name judgeth Delinquents of a lower Rank XXI Jesus Christ hath many great Prerogatives Rights Privileges and Excellencies pertaining to him 1. He receives Petitions Lord Jesus receive my Spirit 2. He pardons Offenders The Son of Man hath Power to forgive Sins 3. He confers Honour I thank Christ Jesus who hath put me into the Ministry 4. He gives Commissions Go ye into all the World 5. He receives Tribute The honourable Women ministred unto him not without reason for he was Lord of all 6. He keeps an Exchequer called the
unsearchable Riches of Christ. 7. He shuts evil Persons out of the Church as he served Judas and will shut them out of the new Jerusalem at the last Day He scatters Wickedness by his Laws and Doctrine of Holiness He takes care of his Subjects and smites those that persecute his Church He is a Praise to all them that do well and much more will be when he advanceth his Saints to be Rulers over many Cities and sets them upon Thrones and he pronounces the Sentence Well done good and faithful Servant enter into the Joy of thy Lord. King I. THe Kings of the Earth do not create their Subjects II. The Kings of the Earth are naturally weak and many ways defective in point of Qualification III. The Kings of the Earth are ordinarily made and instituted by Men. IV. The Kings of the Earth have their Political Power Strength and Maintenance from their People V. Kings have their Power limited and confined to a certain part of the Earth VI. The Kings of the Earth may be over-reached in their Politicks as Solomon was by Women VII The Kings of the Earth may alter from better to worse and turn Tyrants as too many have formerly done VIII The Kings of the Earth may be toss'd from their Thrones and have their Kingdoms taken from them by an invincible Force which they cannot withstand as in the Case of Nebuchadnezzar and many others IX The Kings of the Earth are mortall and must die I said ye are Gods but you shall die like Men and fall like one of the Princes Mors pulsat aequo pede pauperum Tabernas Regúmque Turres Horat. X. The Kings of the Earth even the greatest and highest amongst them are but the Sons of Earth earthly very low and meanly descended in comparison of Christ. XI The best and greatest Honours and Favours the Kings of the Earth can confer on Men are temporal and fading XII The Kings of the Earth in their Execution of Wrath and taking Revenge can but hurt and kill the Bodies of their Enemies the Soul is out of their reach Disparity I. JEsus Christ the King of Kings created his Subjects both Angels and Men Whether they be Principalities or Powers Things in Heaven or Things on Earth all Things were made by him and for him II. Jesus Christ hath more than the Strength of an Unicorn is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg yea all Fulness III. Christ is a King made and set up immediatly by God himself who hath made him higher than the Kings of the Earth and set him King for ever upon the holy Hill of Zion He hath exalted one chosen out of the People IV. Christ's Riches and Strength are of and from himself He that has the Power of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him needs not Strength or Maintenance from others V. Jesus Christ is Lord of all hath all Power in Heaven and Earth committed to him He hath an unlimited Power Angels and Principalities are subject to him he is set up over all the Works of God's hands VI. Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God and could not be circumvented by great Beelzebub who is the most subtil Politician all his mysterious Stratagems were to Him but as the Cords of Tow to Sampson in the Mightiness of his Divine Strength This great Captivity Jesus led captive and having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly and was with a most Majestick Triumph attended to his Throne in Heaven VII But Jesus Christ being naturally and essentially good abides immutably so is the same yesterday to day and for ever VIII But Jesus Christ is for ever set down at the right hand of God upon the Throne of his Excellency and there will continue till the end of Time till all his Enemies shall be made his Footstool He will overthrow the Dragon with all his Infernal Force so that there shall be no more Place found for them and in a short time will swallow up Death in Victory The last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death IX But Jesus Christ being raised from the Dead by the Glory of his Father dies no more Death hath no more dominion over him I am he that was dead and am alive and behold I live for evermore and have the Keys of Death and Hell To Him it is said Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom X. Jesus Christ is highly discended the immediate Off-spring of God greater in point of Pedegree than all the Sons of Nobles called in Scripture the Man of God's Right-Hand his Fellow He thought it no Robbery to be equal with God The second Man Adam is the Lord from Heaven Therefore truly called the Lord of Glory Had they known him they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory XI But Jesus Christ the King of Heaven can confer Honours and enrich with such Favours as are everlasting With him are durable Riches and Righteousness He hath promised a Crown which never fadeth away XII But the Lord Jesus can destroy both the Bodies and Souls of Men whether Kings or mighty Ones of the Earth that are his Enemies and make them cry out to the Rocks to fall on them and to the Mountains to cover them and hide them from the Wrath of the Lamb who can cast the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet with all their Adherents into the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone Inferences I. FRom hence we may plainly see the clear and undoubted Right which the Lord Jesus Christ hath to all the Works of God's hands 1. By his great Descent he is the natural Son of God The Word was with God and the Word was God and Being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God called the Man that is God's Fellow 2. He is qualified 3. He is chosen 4. Anointed 5. Proclaimed All which may challenge a Right to a Regal Power II. From hence we infer the undoubted Duty of all both Angels and Men to obey him Emperors Kings Princes Nobles and all the Judges of the Earth owe Homage and Service to him therefore commanded to kâ—â—ss the Son c. III. From hence we infer the good and happy State of all his Friends and Favourites He both can and will do great things for them gives great things unto them saves them from Sin Death and the Devil He will invest them with a Kingdom a Crown a Throne and unspeakable Glory Which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive the Things which God hath laid up for those that love him IV. Moreover from hence we may infer what the sad and miserable State of his Enemies will be without Repentance and the Necessity of their
But Christ cannot nay will not disappoint thee Application I. IS Christ a Friend such a Friend then how greatly doth it concern poor Souls to make sure of this Friend Doth not Self-Interest lead Men to seek for Friendship and as much as in them lies with such as are likely to do the part of a Friend c. II. Doth not this reprove the Ignorance and Folly of those that slight and reject this great and good Friend How many instead of seeking his Favour are in Friendship with the World and their Lusts and by their wicked Practices are bidding defiance to him as tho neither his Favour nor Frowns were to be regarded III. It shews the miserable Condition of those that are unacquainted with him He is the Soul's Friend and it calls aloud upon them to be acquainted with him IV. Is Christ thy Friend then here 's a sure Ground of Comfort you can never want that have such a Friend so loving so sympathizing so necessary and so suitable a present a constant a careful Friend yea a Soul-Friend a wise a powerful a faithful immortal and everlasting Friend This is a Friend indeed an honourable Friend that is in favour with God who never had his Suit denied V. Is this thy Friend O then 1. Bless God that hath raised up such a Friend for thee and made thee acquainted with him 2. Prize and love this Friend dearly 3. Visit him often tell him all the Secrets and Grievances of thy Heart How sweet is Communion with him 4. Be not ungrateful to him be not like Joash who forgat the Kindness of his Friend May it not be justly said to some Is this thy kindness to thy Friend O 't is sad to abuse the Kindness of such a Friend 5. Trust your Friend take him at his word question him not he is faithful 6. Have no commerce with his Enemies but keep close and faithful to him in every Condition Achitophel dealt treacherously with David do thou not so with Christ. 7. Publish and declare what a Friend thou hast endeavour to get Sinners acquainted with him 8. Be sure let nothing part thy Friend and thee Prize his Presence dread his Frowns follow his Doctrine and Examples that it may be known that Christ is yours and you are his Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Christ is the only Friend A true Friend is tried in a doubtful matter Christ hath laid down his Life for Believers what is more difficult to Nature than Death Christ the Rose of Sharon Cant. 2.1 I am the Rose of Sharon IT is Christ that speaks these words it becomes not the Spouse thus to commend her self saith Solomon Let another and not thine own Lips praise thee The Lord Jesus elegantly expresseth his own Excellency by comparing Himself unto a Rose the Rose of Sharon Metaphor I. A Rose is the Off-spring and Fruit of a good tho seemingly dry Root II. A Rose is a beautiful Flower very pleasant and delightful to the Eye of different Colours red and white and in some curiously joyned and intermix'd together red and white shews an excellent Complexion and makes up a perfect Beauty III. A Rose is a fragrant and sweet Flower it yields a most excellent and odoriferous Scent This may not hold true of every sort of Roses but 't is such an one Christ compares himself unto IV. The Rose is a useful Flower it is full of Virtue 1. Roses distilled afford a most sweet cooling Liquor good against intemperate Heat it gently qualifies Cholerick Exhalations refreshes the Spirit when sad c. and is good for the Eyes 2. Being conserved and otherwise made use of and applied they are very cordial and medicinal Their Use in Physick saith an eminent Writer words are too few to express V. The Rose is called by Naturalists the Queen of Flowers none being to be compared to it VI. The Roses that grew in Sharon were the best and chiefest of Roses they were singular in Beauty and Property VII The Rose of Sharon signifies in Greek the Flower of the Field Sharon being a Place or Plain wherein King David's Herds and Cattel were fed Roses that grow in a Field are not planted by Man and indeed do lie open to Beasts to be spoiled pluck'd to pieces or trodden down VIII The Roses of Sharon were free Persons might have access to them when they could not to other Flowers that were in close and secret Gardens IX Roses and other delightful Flowers of the Field are the Beauty and Glory of the Field they cloath the Grass X. Sharon was a Place as we said before of Pasture a Place of Feeding where the Flocks used to rest a very fruitful Vally XI The Rose yields a very precious Oil good in divers cases Parallel I. CHrist touching his humane Nature is the Off-spring of David or a Branch out of the Stem and Root of Jesse II. Christ is said to be white and ruddy Some understand thereby his two Natures by the white his Divinity by the red his Humanity The one denotes his natural Purity and Innocency the other his bloody Agony and Suffering for our sakes hence said to be red in his Apparel No Object so delightful to the Eye as Jesus Christ is in his Humiliation crucified for our Sins in his Exaltation appearing at the Father's right-hand for us True and evangelical Sights of Christ delight the Eye and ravish the Soul of a Believer Christ is a perfect and compleat Beauty III. Jesus Christ yields a most fragrant and lovely Savour What is so sweet and refreshing to the spiritual Senses of the Soul as the Merits and saving Graces of Christ His very Name is as precious Ointment poured forth He is the Savour of Life unto Life to them that believe IV. The Lord Jesus is excellent for Profit and spiritual Virtue 1. Being crucified for our sakes what precious Virtue what Soul-mollifying Water of Life does he yield us good against all Cholerick Heats and Exhalations of the Heart and Flesh making the furious and impatient Man gentle meek and humble refreshes the Spirit of a Saint when dejected and under Temptations and is exceeding good to open the Eyes of the Understanding 2. Jesus Christ laid hold on by Faith and the Virtue of his Blood applied and kept in the Soul will prove a Sovereign Cordial at all times The medicinal Properties of this Rose of Sharon for the healing the Distempers of the inward Man words I may well say cannot express V. Jesus Christ infinitely excells all others whether Angels or Men none are to be compared to Him He is the Head the Flower and Glory of Things in Heaven and of Things on Earth whether Thrones or Dominions Principlaities or Powers He is fairer than the Children of Men the chiefest among Ten Thousands VI. There is
Delight and Jewel of his Father's Heart his only begotten Son who lay in his Bosome 3. He is most precious in that he is preferred so much above Angels and in his being able to undertake the Work of our Redemption which none in Heaven or Earth had Worth enough in them to do Nothing less than this choice and valuable Jewel or precious Stone would be received as a sufficient Price to satisfy the Justice of God or make full Compensation for Sin the Breach of God's holy Law 4. He is most precious in respect of his Qualifications He hath the fulness of the Godhead in him It pleased the Father that in him all Fulness should dwell hence said to be full of Grace and Truth God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows He hath not say Divines the Fulness of Parts but the Fulness of Degrees There may be some Addition made to that Fulness that is in Believers but there can be no Addition made to his There is in Christ not only enough the Fulness of Sufficiency but also the Fulness of Redundancy Angels may have no want but in Christ is an Overplus to redound to others He hath enough to fill thousands and millions of thousands Of his Fulness we have all received and Grace for Grace 5. Christ is precious in the esteem of the holy Angels the Angelical Host to honour and shew their high esteem and awful respects to him at his Birth sang with a loud voice Glory to God in the Highest They adore and worship him continually All the Godly accounted and will for ever account of Him as the most precious and inestimable Jewel in Heaven or Earth The Saints in Heaven for ever proclaim his glorious Worth and Praise they cry Power Riches Wisdom Strength Honour Glory and Blessing to the Lamb for ever and ever To all the Saints on Earth he is precious Paul accounted all things as dung that he might win Christ The Spouse crys out He is white and ruddy the chiefest amongst ten thousand Believers have parted with all things in this World freely for his sake Nay in love to him and to shew how they did adore and honour him have been made Sacrifices in dreadful Flames rather than they would undervalue or deny his holy Name Christ is precious very precious most precious always precious altogether precious Precious in his Nature precious in his Name that is as precious Ointment poured forth precious in all his Offices his Spirit Grace Word Ordinances and Promises are precious Can Believers value him enough who is their Life Life External Life Internal and Life Eternal Christ is their Light he is their Mediator Surety Friend Food Clothing Ornaments Portion c. in a word He is All in All to them VII Christ being a precious Stone never loses his Strength or Beauty as he cannot be defaced by Men nor Devils Eternity it self cannot dissolve this Stone nor diminish its brightness Christ is durable Heaven and Earth shall fade away and wax old like a Garment but Jesus Christ is still the same and his years fail not he is the same yesterday to day and for ever VIII Christ Jesus the spiritual precious Stone is exceeding great As God he is of infinite dimension filling Heaven and Earth with his Presence He is large enough for the whole Foundation and every Corner this one entire Stone serves for all IX All manner of Perfections Virtues choice and admirable Excellencies meet together in the Lord Jesus his Brightness is far above the Brightness of Diamonds his Whiteness excells the Whiteness of Pearls and there is no medicinal Virtue or Quality in any precious Stone but in a spiritual way is far more transcendent in him He cures the Sight strengthens and cures the Heart makes fruitful resists Poyson c. See the Metaphors Pearl of great price and Foundation Inferences I. FRom hence we may infer That the Church of God is a very rich and glorious Building as 't was foretold it should be O thou afflicted tossed with Tempests and not comforted behold I will lay thy Stones with fair Colours and thy Foundation with Saphire II. Ascribe all the Beauty and Glory of the Church and of the Saints to the Lord Jesus III. Bless God for this choice and precious Stone of the Corner The more excellent Christ is the more it should draw out and enlarge our Hearts to bless and praise God for him IV. For Trial. Is Christ precious to you I shall lay down a few Rules whereby you may try your selves 1. Dost thou own Christ to be very God He cannot be valued nor esteemed by any as he is in himself till they thus account of him and believe in him 2. Dost thou honour adore and obey Him as thou dost honour adore and obey the Father All Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father 3. Is there nothing here below which thou valuest and prizest above Christ An Hypocrite hath always something that lies in his Bosom which he esteems and prizes more than Christ Their Hearts go after their Covetousness The young Man went away sorrowful because the World was uppermost in his Affection If Christ be truly precious to any he is superlatively precious to them 4. If God should bid thee ask what thou wilt as he did Solomon what wouldest thou request of him Would it be thinkest thou this precious Stone this Christ this Pearl of great price to have a Right to him to be like him to enjoy him to be with him for ever 5. Is Christ much in your Thoughts Where your Treasure is there your Hearts will be also 6. Hast thou denied thy self of all things or art thou ready so to do and to follow Him For whom I have suffered the Loss of all things and do account them but Dung that I may win Christ. 7. Canst thou not be satisfied with any thing thou dost enjoy without him Canst thou say with one in another Case Yet all this availeth me nothing so long as I see not or have not a clear Evidence of my Interest in Jesus Christ. 8. Dost thou build wholly upon Him Is He All to thee Dost thou see him all in Pacification 'T was he that appeased the Wrath of the Father satisfied both Law and Justice He is All in Justification Who is the Lord our Righteousness He is All in Election the first and chief of his Father's Choice the way of it He hath chosen us in him Is He All to thee for Acceptation Who hath made us accepted in the Beloved He is All in Conversion 'T is he that shews us the Necessity of it that doth quicken and beget us by his Word and Spirit 't is he that forms a new Spirit in us Is he All to thee about Pardon of Sin He purchased Pardon 'T is by his own Blood viz. that Atonement which he hath made we
Nations and also King of all the Kings of the Earth be that comes from above is above all The second Man is the Lord from Heaven the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth having the advantage of the greatest Honour and highest Education being by the Father brought up with him and daily his Delight II. Jesus Christ is qualified and fitted every ways with heavenly Learning for the highest Undertaking of this kind whatsoever having been with God and also is God knows every thing that is done in Heaven and Earth knows the tempers and manners of all People He hath Rules of Judgment above others he hath received the Gift of Oratory from the greatest Master of Tongues and Languages in the World The Son doth whatsoever he seeth the Father do The Lord God hath given him the Tongue of the Learned c. so that he can understand without an Interpreter and speak without humane Assistance III. Jesus Christ is a Man of worth most fit to be Counsellor in the high Court above and that in these four following respects 1. In respect his great Wisdom 2. The Knowledg of all Laws and Customs amongst Men. 3. Of his long Standing and Experience 4. As he is united to the Ancient of Days who is the Center of all Perfection IV. The Lord Jesus was a Man of a great and noble Spirit not busied about low and inferior things of a mean Consideration but about Matters of the most weighty moment to establish Principalities and Thrones in Heaven to reform Nations and Kingdoms to reclaim the whole World and bring Heaven and Earth into an amicable Correspondence That he might gather together in one all things in himself whether they be things in Heaven or things on Earth Eph. 1.10 V. Christ the great Counsellor was elected and chosen by God himself to act in this high Sphere and Capacity called The Man of his Right-hand His Elect in whom his Soul delighteth One chosen out of the People VI. Jesus Christ was admitted into the hight Court of Heaven took his place there at the Right-hand of the Majesty on high in the presence and view of all the Angels and the seven Spirits that are before the Throne He is entred into Heaven and is set down at the Right-hand of God VII Christ that great and wise Counsellor is made acquainted with the great and wise Purposes of the great and wise King of Heaven and Earth nothing is hid from him as God without him there was nothing created or done No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten that is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel VIII The Lord Jesus is God's Familiar and Companion Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and the Man that is my Fellow Who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.6 IX The Lord Christ is of the highest Rank not of Men only but is indeed exalted above all his Fellows whether Men or Angels hath no Superior as Mediator but the Father The Head of every Man is Christ. He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers The Father is greater than I. The Head of Christ is God X. Jesus Christ is concern'd in the agitating of the greatest Affairs of Heaven and Earth such as immediately concern God himself and the good of all his People the Proclamations and Tenders of Grace Peace and Pardon come through his Hands He hath the Approbation of all Ministers that are imployed in the Business of the great King either in Matters Civil Military or Ecclesiastical viz. Kings Princes Rulers Deputies Judges Generals of Armies Apostles Bishops Embassadors and the like All suiters to God for Favour whether Ministers or People for the Soul or the Body their Petitions come to the hands of Christ. By him we have access to the Father of him all receive even Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 XI Christ is the Delight of the Father and as a wise worthy and good Counsellor he is a Glory to Heaven it self and Heaven is the more longed for for his sake This is generally acknowledged by all that have the Knowledg of him or Interest in him So much may suffice concerning Christ as compared to a Counsellor of State I shall now speak concerning him under the other acceptation of the Word viz. Counsellor at Law c. I. The Lord Jesus Christ is a publick Officer belonging to Heaven the highest Court of Judicature I am not of this World glorify me with the same Glory that I was glorified before the World was c. II. The Lord Jesus gives the best Advice and Councel and most worthily deserves the title of a Counsellor I will bless the Lord who hath given me Councel Go thy way sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the Fire and white Raiment that thou mayest be cloathed c. III. Jesus Christ makes known the Law of God to those that are ignorant and unlearned he illustrates all the parts of it and sheweth to what degree it extends c. He also shews what are the Priviledges of keeping it and what are the Damages of breaking it For if you forgive Men their Trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive you c. IV. Christ resolves doubtful Cases that other Men cannot in that he saith Son be of good chear Daughter be of good chear thy Sins are forgiven thee c. V. The Lord Jesus makes over the heavenly Mansions to Men and no Man can have a good Title to this Heavenly Inheritance unless Christ makes the Conveyance As the Father hath Life in himself so hath he given the Son to have Life in himself and hath power to give Eternal Life to as many as are given unto him VI. Jesus Christ hath great respect amongst Men the Turks own him for a great Prophet the Papists for the Son of God but his own Disciples that see an Excellency in him and an absolute necessity of him make use of him own him to be their Saviour Yea and doubtless I count all things but loss for the Excellency of Jesus Christ my Lord c. Phil. 3.8 He is the Chiefest among ten thousand Cant. 5.10 VII The Lord Jesus puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Devil and all other Adversaries of the Soul in their own Plea I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not My Grace is sufficient for thee c. And the Dragon and his Angels were thrown out of Heaven c. To this end was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil VIII So Christ makes Contracts between the great God and his People in that weighty Case that concerns their Salvation and mediates and
the World besides And thou Lord in the beginning didst lay the Foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Work of thy Hands II. Jesus Christ thought it no Robbery to be equal with God And he is not only the bright and Morning-Star but also the Sun of Righteousness see Sun the brightness of his Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person and he upholds all things by the Word of his Power III. Jesus Christ gives internal light which illuminates the Minds and Souls of all Believers This is the true Light who is not only the Light of the World but delivereth also all those that truly follow him out of darkness and bestoweth on them the Light of Life IV. Jesus Christ giveth light continually and can never lose his Glory because a greater Light than he cannot arise The night and the day are alike to him The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not He is the Lord that is an everlasting Light V. Jesus Christ gives Light to the visible and celestial too to this World and to the World to come or heavenly Jerusalem which City hath no need of Sun or Moon to shine in it but the Lord God and the Lamb is the Light thereof Ye are come to Mount Zion to God the Judg of all and to Jesus the Mediator VI. Jesus shall never fall from Heaven nor be dissolved but abide and continue when the Heavens shall be no more And thou Lord hast laid the Foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Work of thine own Hands they shall wax old as doth a Garment and as a Vesture shalt thou shalt fold them up and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy Years fail not Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Inferences I. WHat great Love doth God bear and what Care doth he take of Believers in placing such a Star as Jesus Christ is to be a Light unto them to direct them how to steer their Course in the darkest time so as to miss all dangerous Rocks and Sands and to arrive in safety at the desired and longed-for Haven II. How safe are they that do always steer their Course by his Light and follow his Conduct they shall not be at a loss in their Journeys or Voiages nor suffer Shipwrak by Rocks Sands or Storms but shall have the Light of Life shall never perish Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved III. This may shew also the certainty of their perishing in the Dark and in the Deep that continue their Course to the end of their Voiage without the Light and Guidance of this Bright and Morning Star This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds are evil VI. Hence all true Christians that have experimentally enjoyed Inlightnings Refreshings and Conduct by Jesus Christ as the Bright and Morning Star may be stirred up and perswaded yet more and more to look unto Jesus who is not only the Author and Finisher of their Faith but causeth his Glorious Light to shine upon their Path by reason whereof the nearer they approach to the end of their joyful Journey or Race the more and more will the Light shine unto the perfect day Take you heed therefore to that more sure word of Prophecy as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts V. Lastly If Christ be the Bright and Morning Star then let us look and wait for the Day which he is the fore-runner of seeing the Morning Star hath appeared and is up be sure the Day is at hand and a glorious Day it will be to them who are ready and prepared for it The Coming of Christ compared to the Coming of a Thief in the Night 1 Thess. 5.2 But you your selves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a Thief in the Night THere are various Opinions concerning the Day of the Lord or the Coming of Christ spoken of Mat. 24. Luke 21. 2 Pet. 3.9 10. and in this Text. But if the Scope of the Text be but carefully considered it will clearly appear that the Coming of Christ here spoken of is his Coming at the last Day to Judgment when the Dead shall be raised Read the latter part of the fourth Chapter c. Why the Day of the Lord is compared to the Coming of a Thief in the Night will appear by the following Parallel Simile I. THe coming of a Thief in the Night is with a design to circumvent an unwatchful House and to take his Prey II. A Thief comes provided for his purpose with a resolution to fight and Instruments to make way to his Design Keys to unlock Doors Bars to break them open or the like III. A Thief comes at a Time when all is still and People are least thoughtful of Danger but are careless at ease even asleep upon their Beds thinking themselves secure till they are invaded and their Goods taken away IV. The coming of a Thief into a House puts the careless Family into a great Fright when they see themselves surprized and cannot tell how to help it V. The approach of a Thief in the Night makes the poor amazed Family to forget all their former Pleasures and Enjoyments and expect no more than their Lives for a Prey and glad would they be of them too VI. At the coming of a Thief in the Night Execution is oftentimes done to the Ruin of the People where he comes Parallel I. THe Coming of Christ or Day of the Lord will be with design to circumvent the careless Professors who sleep in a sinful secure State as if there was no God to fear no Jesus Christ to look for no Heaven to be sought no Hell to be avoided to such he will come and seize them for his Prey to cut them asunder and appoint them their Portion with Vnbelievers and Reprobates II. Even so will the Lord Jesus Christ at his second coming be provided for his purpose with Fire and Sword to accomplish his Design which is to make a Desolation in the Earth For by Fire and Sword shall the Lord plead with all Flesh and the slain of the Lord shall be many He shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in Flames of Fire c. III. The Day of the Lord will come when all is still and the World least thoughtful of Danger but are careless eating and drinking and marrying and sleeping till the Heavens rend asunder the Archangel utter his Voice and the Judg himself come upon them But as the Days of Noah were so shall the coming of the Son of Man be IV. The Day of the Lord will in like manner put the sleepy Generation that shall then be into a great and dismal Fright when
the other what the law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sent forth his Son c. The law wounds but can't heal it shews a man he is dead but it can't give him life it shews man he is naked but it cannot cloth him The gospel gives life heals clothes and comforts the one shews we are in Prison the other brings us out no Salvation by the one and none without the other VI. The gospel excels in glory above the law in regard of the discovery there is made therein of the Mercy and Grace of God the one shews God is just and severe and will not clear the guilty the other shews he is not only just but also gracious If any grace shone forth under the law it was only beams of gospel light darting forth darkly in it VII The gospel is more glorious in regard of the chief Administrators of the one and of the other The one were 1 Angels if the VVord spoken by Angels were stedfast who have received the law by the disposition of Angels and have not kept it 2. Moses a Servant one that spake on earth Heb. 12.25 The other Christ the Lord of life and glory who speaks from heaven How shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven VIII The gospel excels the law in respect of Preisthood Aaron and his Sons were Priests of the law Christ is the only Priest of the gospel 1. The Priests of the law were Men no more than Men Christ God-Man 2. They had infirmities sin and guilt in their hearts and lives as well as others Christ had none in his Mouth was found no guile 3. They were made Priests without an Oath but Christ with an Oath Heb. 7.21 so greater solemnity at his instalment into Office 4. They could not continue by reason of Death and they truly were many because shey were not suffered to continue by reason of death but Christ dieth not he ever liveth to make intercession for us but this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood 5. Christ was more merciful and filled with greater bowels than they he hath compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way Heb. 5.2 6. Christ as Priest was the substance the Antitype of Aaron and his Priest-hood 7. There is compleatness and perfection in Christs Priesthood but it was not so touching Aarons If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Priest c. the law that made nothing perfect IX The Priesthood of Christ under the gospel excels Aarons in respect of Work and Office c. 1. He was to enter into the holy place 2. To appear before God 3. To bear the sins of the People Exod. 28.38 4. To make an Atonement Lev. 16.32 5. To Judge of Uncleanness Lev. 13.2 6. To offer Incense Lev. 16.17.8 7. To determine Controversies Deut. 17.8 8. To Bless the People and many other things which Jesus Christ infinitely Excels in 1. Christ is entered into the true Holy Place Sanctum Sanctorum the Holy of Holies Heaven it self 2. He appears really before God for us being set down on the right hand of the Majesty on High c. 3. He hath as the great Anti-type born our sins upon his own Body on the Tree 4. He hath made a compleat and perfect Attonement 5. He Judges of our uncleanness both of the Heart as well as of the Flesh. 6. He resolves all our Doubts ends Controversies speaks peace to the disconsolate a word in season to him that is weary 7. He offers Incense And there was given to him much Incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints 8. He gives down Blessings Him hath God sent to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities c. IX The gospel excels the law in respect of Sacrifices 1. Those Sacrifices under the law were not so Excellent there was not that worth in them as is in the Sacrifices of the gospel What was the blood of Bulls Bullocks and Lambs these were part of those Legal Sacrifices Christ offered up his own Body poured forth his precious Blood to take away our sins 2. They were offered often to Atone for Iniquity dayly every year But Christ hath offered up himself in Sacrifices once for all by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified that which they were alwayes or continually a doing and yet could not accomplish he did by one single Sacrifice and that for ever X. The law required perfect righteousness and nothing less would be accepted and so consequently no soul could thereby be delivered from terror and bondage but the gospel through Christs perfect righteousness acted in his own Person for us accepts of Sincerity in the room and stead of the perfect keeping the whole Law XI In respect of the extent of the one and of the other The law was only given to Israel or unto the lineal Seed of Abraham and to the Proselyte Stranger he dealt his Laws and Statutes to Israel he did not so to any Nation c. The gospel is extended to all People and Nations under the whole Heavens Go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature Mar. 16.15 VVhosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal Life XII The gospel excels the law in the easiness and sweetness of it the precepts of the law were many more in number and hard to learn and remember and very difficult and painful some of them to do particularly Circumcision and also very chargeable beyond what the Gospel is My yoak is easie and my burden is light XIII The gospel is glorious above the law in regard of the Promises of it called better Promises better Covenant better Hope Heb. 7.19 XIV It is more glorious in respect of its Duration the law was but for a time the Servant abides not in the house for ever but the Son abides for ever an everlasting Covenant an everlasting Priesthood an everlasting Gospel No other Ministration is to be looked for till the end of the VVorld Thirdly The gospel is glorious in respect of it self here we shall be large If we have respect to the Historical part the gospel contains a glorious history there is that in it which may affect every person please every Curiositâ—â— what is there in any History which may Commend or illustrate its glory and excellency which the gospel comes short in 1. Some Persons delight to Read and hear Histories that treat of Love and amorous stories 2. Some are more affected with such that treat of Martial-Exploits or Atchievements of Wars of the conquering of Kingdoms and Nations and overcoming mighty Champions c. 3. Some rather Commend such Histories that treat of those great rarities which are in many Nations and Kingdoms of the world and of the Cities Lawes Customes and
but may affect our hearts the gospel is a glorious Subject but 't is Christ who is the glorious Subject of the gospel as all we have flowes from or through the gospel to us so all the gospel hath in it flowes from Christ. That he is excellent and glorious in this respect is expresly declared in the holy Scripcures Thou art more Excellent saith the Psalmist speaking of Christ than the mountains of Prey And in another place Thou art fairer than the Children of Men or sons of Adam Grace is poured into thy Lips My Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest amongst ten thousand he is altogether Lovely He is the brightness of the Fathers Glory and the Express Image of his Person That his glory is very great might be demonstrated by two or three Arguments 1. Because he is the Object of the Fathers Delight nay the Father himself commends his beauty and glory to the Children of Men. 2. Because in that the holy Angels are taken with him the Angels stand and wonder he was seen of Angels such a Person they never beheld before and they worship him 3. Because Saints and all truly enlightened Souls do admire him and know not how to set him forth Paul accounted all things loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ. 4. He is called the desire of all Nations 1. There is enough in him to fill the desire of all Nations 2. None ever in any Nation that had a true sight of him but did desire him 3. The Nations will never be satisfied until they have and do enjoy him and are under the Influences of his glorious grace and government 5. Because there never were any who saw his glory but did admire it Wherein doth his personal Excellencies consist In his being Man such a Man there is one God and one mediator between God and man THE man Christ Jesus Compared with Acts 2.22 Heb. 7.24 What a Man is Christ A Man of Men the Son of Man a Man without spot fault or stain of sin the Excellency of humane Nature made like unto us in all things sin only excepted He is not only glorious in respect of his being man such a man but in respect of his being God also in this he Excels Oh here in this his glory shines forth as the light The Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God 1. He is called God but unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever c. 2. Not only God but the Mighty God His name shall be called wonderful counseller the mighty God the everlasting Father c. 3. Not only God the mighty God but also the true God And we are in him that is true even in his son Jesus Christ this is the true God and eternal Life 4. He is called the only wise God Lastly He is called God blessed for ever whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is God blessed for ever amen Secondly The gospel declares that he made the world this proves that Christ is God and greatly magnifies his glory he that made the world must needs be God Eternal for none could do that but the glorious Jehovah 't is ridiculous and most absurd to think that the Creature could make it self before it self was God in respect of his Infinite glory and wisdom upon this account expostulateth and reasoneth with his People glorying if I may so say in the Greatness of his Power and Majesty and thereby proving his unwordable Essence and dreadful Godhead Isa. 40. and all the Gods of these Nations to be but Idols and that the same power in respect to creating which is ascribed to the Father is attributed to Jesus Christ. See Joh. 1.1 2. for by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible c. Compared with Heb. 2.10 Thirdly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ did not only create but also doth uphold all things that are created who being the brightness of his glory and the express Image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the Right-hand of the Majesty on high c. he is before all things and by him all things consist Fourthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ knows all things such Knowledge is too wonderful for Men or Angels In several places of Scripture the blessed God doth prove his glorious Being by his Omnisciency and that the like in respect of Knowledge is said of Christ is evident and he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things Joh. 21.17 Compared with Joh. 2.24 25. but Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testifie of him for he knew what was in man in another place 't is said he knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him Fifthly The gospel declares that Jesus Christ searches the heart tho' this Argument depends upon the last yet for Illustration sake I make another of it he that searches the heart ought to be acknowledged and owned to be the Almighty and Eternal God for who can find out the depths and deceits thereof but the Infinite Majesty the Heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it I the Lord search the heart and try the Reins as if he should say there is none save my self alone knoweth or can know it but that the Lord Jesus who died for our sins searcheth the Heart and the Reins he himself positively asserts it Rev. 2.23 I will kill her Children with Death speaking of the woman Jezebel and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the Reins and the Heart and I will give unto every one according as his work shall be Sixthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ is the First and the Last and he that is the First and the Last must of necessity be acknowledged to be the everlasting and eternal God for from this very ground and consideration the Almighty argues and reasons with his people of old to convince them of his Deity and that there is no other God besides himself I AM the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God Compared with Isa. 48.12 Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel my called I am be I am the first and I am the last c. And that the same is spoken of the Lord Jesus Christ See Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and ending which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Ver. 17. And when I saw him saith John I fell
138 Belly 100.148 To behead 147 To beget 173 To bind up 58 To bite 146 Biting 165 Bitterness 169 Body 42.160 Bowels 47.90 Bosom 48.164 Bow 71.179 Book 72 Bones 90.148 A bone 148 Boar 152 Bonds 183 Buying 56 To build 58 Builder 67 Butter 149 Bull 154 Blood 19.149.196.92.165 To blot out 59 Blast or blowings 86 Blindness 167 Blackness 168 Brass 12 Breathing 53 To break 58.59 Bridegroom 68 Bread 73.96.145 Branch 79.136 Brutes 91 Brook 121 To break out 125 Brimstone 134 Bridle 154 To bubble 126 C. CArmel 16.128 Calling 56 Camphire 81 Candle 113 Canaan 185 Carkass 196 City 17.97.177 Circumcision 188 Cloathing 74 Clouds 117 Commanding 56 Counsellor 67 Coals 114 Corn 143 Corner 177 Cover 182 Christ 18.19 Chair 27 Crying 54 Chariots 72.179 Creation 100 Cherub 101 Chaff 144 Chattering of Birds 158 Childhood 170 Chamber 178 Crown 180 Cup 17.72.180 To cut off 61 D. DAvid 184 Days day 23.108.195 Desart 16.130 Devil 25 Deserve 26 Deriding 53 To devour 59.147 Dew 119 Den 129 Death and to dye 166 Debt 181 Diamond 134 Divination 8 To direct 59 Dimension 81 To distill 126 Dirt 130 To do 11 Dog 155.199 Dove 158 Door 177 Dregs 141 To drink 173 To drop 126 Dust 130 Dung 130 E EArs 44.90.162 Earnest 71 Earth 87.127.130 To Eat 147.173 East 194 Elohim 99 Elias 185 Empire 128 To enjoy 173 End 24 Eunuch 197 Evening 110 Exalted 199 Eyes 43.90.161.199 F. FAce 43.161 To Fan 61 Father 67.171 Feet 48.164 Feast 24 Fear 27 To feed 156 Feast of Tabernacles 189 Flight 15 To fly 79.148 Flame 113 To flow 125 Flower 125.136 Flesh 194 Firre-tree 12 Finger 47 Finding 65 First-born 68 To fight 174 Firre 86.111.162 Fishers 159 First-fruits 188 Forgetfulness 53 Footstool 68 Forehead 161 Foreknowledge 70 Fountain 87.123 Fortress 88 Fox 153 Foundation 176 Fruit 136 Furnace 72 G. GArden 138 Gate 177 Garment 182 To Gird 58.174 Glory 13.19 Gleaning 141 God 19 Gold 132 Goats 156 Grave 17.178 Grinding 144 Grashoppers 149 H. HAnd 6.46.9.163 Hast 15 Harvest 24.143 Hatred 51 Hail 118 Halting 164 Hardness 169 Hand writing 180 Hammer 181 Heart 15.18.47.148 Head 42.160.194 To hew 59 Hedge 60 Heaven 103.139 Hearing 63.168 Heifer 154 To heal 165 Hissing 53 To hide 58 Hind 77.154 Hiding place 88 Hill 129 House 16.177 To hold 58 Hour 24.195 Hope 26 Hook 60 Horn 77.145 Horse Horsemen 154.179 Hornets 158 Strong holds 177 To hunt 150 Husband 171 To hunger 173 I. IDols 100 Jerusalem 185 Ignorance 52 To Joy 14.50 Inheritance 72.181 Infants 170 Islands 16 To Judge 11 Judgment 7 K. KEy 177 Kissing and to kiss 28.54 Kingdom 128 To know 8 Knowledge 51 Knee Knees 29.164 L. TO Laugh 28 Laughing 53 Labour 57 Lamb 77 Lamps 86.113 Lanthorn 113 Lameness 164 Latitude ibid. Leviathan 91.159 Lebanon 128 Leaf 136 Leaven 145 Leopard 153 Levites 187 Lip 5.45.91.147 Line 6 Light 11 Lightning 118 Life 13.165 To love 11 Love 26 Lord 172 Looking-glass 182 Lyon 77.151.152 M. MAgistrates 99 Marrow 149 Man 170 Mercies 7 Metaphor 38. c. To meet 64 Meteors 116 Measure 181 Ministers 164 Milk 149 Mouth 5.45.146.162 Morning 109.195 Mountain 127 Mother 171 Munition 88 Mud 130 Myrrhe 80 N. NAmes of Countries 17 Name of God 18.30.31 Navel 163 Nail 177 New man 15 Nest 17.158 Net 151 Night 111 Nose 44 Noon 110 Numbring 56 O. OLives 139 Old age 202.170 Ophir 17 To Open 58 Orphan 171 To Overflow 125 Oyl 21.73.198 P. PAlate 6 Passeover 24.189 Passing through 65 Part 193 Peace 68 Poyson 166 Power 13 To pour out 59 To please 14 To plant 137 To pluck up ibid. Plowing 142 Plague 166 Place 194.68 Promise 19 Prison 178 Prize 180 Propitiation 186 Priest 187 Prince 18 Q. QUarries 133 Quiver 179 R. RAin 119 Razor 182 To remember 10 Remembrance 52 Repentance 50 Revenge 51 Rebuking 56 Rest 57 Returning 65 Reed 138 Reapers 144 Reins 148 Riding 64.154 Rising up 65 Riches 72.181 River 122 Rod 75.181 To roar 78 Root 80.135 Rose 81 Rock 87.129 To rob 198 S. SAbbath 195.189 Sadness 50 Solomon 184 Satan 102 Salt 134 Schoolmaster 172 Sea 16.121 Scorpions 157 Seal 61.73 Seeing 61.167 Seeking 65 Seraphim 111 Seed 135.201 Serpent 156 Selling 56 Sense 26 To search 60.65 Servant 172 Sin 8.19.21.98 Silence 56 To sift sifting 59.144 Silver 132 To sit 174 Sion 185 Soul 4.32.193.194 Softness 169 Son 171 Ships 17.178 To shame 60 Shepherd 67 Shield 71.179 Sharon 81 Sheath 182 Shadow 89.107 Sheep 150 Shoulder 162 To be shod 165 To sleep 28.64.169 Smelling 63.168 Smoke 114 Snare 151 Snow 119 Spirit 2 Sprinkling 189 Speaking 54 Spouse 171 Spoils 182 Steps 49 Star 85.86.104.105 Stone 87.180 Stream 121 Step or stayr 176 Staff 179 Stipend 182 Summer 24 Sun 83 Sulphur 134 Supper 190 Sword 6.27.71.179 To sweep 61 To swallow 147 Swine 155 Sweetness 168 T. TAbernacle 178 Table 16.182 To take 174 Tail 148 Tasting 64 Tears 60.162 Temple 88.185 Tempest 117 Throat 6 Thoughtfulness 53 Throne 68 Thunder 118.198 Thorns 138 Threshing 144 To thirst 173 Time 22.70.194 Tongue 5.90 Touching 64 Tower 88.177.198 Tooth 147 To try 58 Treasure 74 A Tree 137 V. VAlley 129 Vessel 182 Victory 13 Visitation 65 Vine 80.140 Virgin 97 Vine-yard 140 Vintage 141 To make void 59 Voice of Blood Page 92 Vomit 197 To ungird 59 Unicorn 152 W. TO Wash 58.126 Way 59.88 Walking 64 Man of War 67 War 197.174 Water 87.120 Wall 175 A Well 124 Weight 182 Wine 22.96.141 Winter 30 Witnessing 56.68 To wipe 58 Windows 72 Wings 79.147 Whiteness 168 Whip 181 Widdow 171 VVinnowing 144 VVheat 143 VVork 8 VVorld 16 VVorkman 67 VVorm 78.157 VVormwood 138 Wood ibid. Wolf 152 Woman 170 To write 60 Y. YEars 23 Yoke 155 Youth 170 Z. ZEal 51 Zerubbabel 184 A Synopsis of the CONTENTS of the First BOOK Chapter I. Of a Metonymiâ—â— OF the Cause page 2 Chap. II. Of a Metonymiâ—â— Of the Effect 12 Chap. III. Of a Metonymiâ—â— Of the Subject 15 Chap. IV. Of a Metonymiâ—â— Of the Adjunct 20 Chap. V. Of an Irony and Antiphrasis 31 Chap. VI. Of a Metaphor in General 38 Chap. VII Of an Anthropopathy 41 The Parts and Members of a Man attributed to God 42 Humane Affections ascribed to God 49 Humane Actions ascribed to God 51 Humane Adjuncts ascribed to God 66 Chap. VIII Metaphors Translated from other Creatures to God 77 Actions of Living Creatures ascribed to God 78 Parts and Members of a Living Creature ascribed to God 79 Chap. IX Of a Prosopopaeia 92 Chap. X. Metaphors taken from God c. 99 Angels 101 Heaven 102 Light 106 Time 108 Fire 111 Air 116 Water 120 Earth 127 Chap. XI Metaphors taken from Minerals Plants and Living Creature 131 Inanimate Bodies 132 Things growing out of the Earth 135 The Olive Tree and its fruit 139 The Vine 140 Corn c. 142 The Parts and Members of Living Creatures 145 The Kinds of Living Creatures 151 Chap. XII Metaphors taken from From Man and what belongs to him 159
5. Psal. 78.19 A Mountain for Mountainous places Josh. 13.6 Judges 7.24 c. Mountains and Hills are put for Idols which were Worshipt there Jer. 3.23 Mountains and Vallies for their Inhabitants Micah 1.4 The Mountains shall be Molten under him and the Vallies shall be Cleft that is the Hearts of those that inhabit them shall wax soft See Psal. 68.2 3. and Psal. 97.4 5. They put to flight the Vallies toward the East and toward the West that is such as dwelt in the Vallies 1 Chron. 12.15 The World is put for Mankind John 3.16 and 12.19 2 Cor. 5.19 1 John 2.2 and 5.19 'T is put for the wicked who are the greatest part of mankind John 1.10 and 7.7 and 14.17 and 15.19 and 16.20 23 and 17.9 14. 1 Cor. 11.32 1 John 3.1 and 4.5 and 5.4 5. Hence the Devil is called the Prince of this world John 12.31 and 14.30 and 16.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princes of the world Eph. 6.12 The God of this world 2. Cor. 4.4 Which is expounded Eph. 2.2 In time past ye walked according to this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that Now worketh in the Children of Disobedience The World is put sometimes for those are converted and beleive as Illyricus says alledging John 6.33 The Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the world that is to beleivers and John 14.31 But that the world may know that I love the Father c. Yet Glassius thinks that the whole race of mankind is rather to be understood in both places as verse 51. the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the life of the World for this giving of Life is not an actual conferring of it by Faith but rather an acquisition or purchase of life for them in which sence Christ is called the light that enlightens every man that cometh into the world In the other text John 14.31 Christ signifies by those words that he was therefore to die that he might deliver mankind from the power of Satan 2. That this Redemption of mankind should by the Word of the Gospel be revealed to the whole World For he says not let me die that I may shew that I love the Father but that the World may know that I love the Father Which knowledge was had when the Gospel was promulgated through the whole World by the Apostles Camerarius in his Notes on John 17.21 That the World may beleive that thou hast sent me says that by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world we are to understand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such as shall be saved But Glassius says that it signifies all men universally as John 3.17 For God sent his Son that the world through him might be saved For though all men are not actually saved in regard of their proper contumacy and impenitency yet a spiritual Unity for believers is prayed for and that the World might believe that is that all men should be converted to the true knowledge of the Messiah although very many remain in Unbelief and Wickedness who shall have no share in this Redemption Ships are put for the Men in them Esa. 23.1 Howl ye Ships of Tarshish that is ye Mariners and Merchants c. So verses 10.14 A Nest is put for the Young ones Deut. 32.11 As an Eagle stirreth up her Nest that is the Young Eagles as is clearly shew'd in the following words Ophir A Country in India abounding with Gold is put for Gold brought from thence Job 22.24 Then shalt thou lay up Gold as Dust and Ophir as the Stones of the Brooks that is Gold brought from Ophir Abundance of Gold is denoted by the whole phrase and Metaphorically great felicity A Cup is put for the Wine or Liquor in it Jer. 49.12 Ezek. 23.32 1 Cor. 10.21 Yee cannot drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Devils Luke 22.17 It is said in the last Paschal Supper And he took the Cup and gave thanks and said take this and divide it amongst your selves that is the Wine not the Cup for verse 18 he says I will not drink of the fruit of the Vine untill the Kingdom of God shall Come So Luke 22.20 We have the same Metonymie about the Eucharistical Cup of the Lords Supper and 1 Cor. 11.25 26 27. Of this Cup Christ says that 't is the New Testament in his Blood but the containing vessel cannot be understood but the thing contained viz. The Wine which is Sacramentally the Blood of Christ Matth. 26.28 Mark 14.24 See more 1 Cor. 10.16 21. 1 Cor. 11.26 27. Matth. 26 27. Mark 14.23 1 Cor. 11.28 The Names of Countries is frequently put for their Inhabitants as Egypt for Egyptians Gen. 17.15 Ps. 105.38 Ethiopia for Ethiopians Ps. 68.31 32 Sheba for Sabeans Job 1.15 and 6.19 See Esa. 43.3 4. Judea and the adjacent Countries about Jordan are put for their Inhabitants Matt. 3.5 Macedonia and Achaia for Christians living there Rom. 11.26 The Land of Egypt is put for spoils brought from thence Jer. 43.12 The Grave is put for the Dead that are buried in it as Esa. 38.18 The Grave cannot praise thee Death cannot celebrate thee that is they that are Dead and Buried the reason follows They that go down into the Pit cannot hope for thy Truth ver 19. The Living the Living he shall praise thee See Psal. 6.6 Psal. 115.117 The Earth is put for the Inhabitants of the Earth Gen. 6.11 The Earth was also corrupt before God and the Earth was filled with violence which is expounded in the next verse for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the Earth So Gen. 11.1 and 18.25 and 19.31 and 14.30 1 Sam. 14.29 2 Sam. 15.23 Prov. 28.2 Esa. 24.20 Matth. 5.13 The Ends of the Earth are put for the Inhabitants of the extreamest parts thereof Psal. 22.27 28. Psal. 67.8 A Theatre the place where Plays and Shews are seen is put for the sight it self 1 Cor. 4.9 Where the Apostle Paul Metaphorically says of himself For we are made a Theatre so the Greek unto the World and to Angels and to Men As if he had said we are derided hated and abused by the World and that not in a corner but as if the whole Earth were gathered together in one Theatre to satiate and please themselves with beholding our miseries A City is put for Citizens Jer. 4.29 The whole City shall flee Shall go into Thickets and clime upon the Rocks So Esa. 14.31 Jer. 26.2 c. Jerusalem Chorazin Bethsaida Capernaum are put for their Inhabitants Matth. 3.5 Mark 1.5 Matth. 23.37 and 11.21 23. Act. 18.25 Jud. 5.7.11 c. To this by Analogy may be referred these that follow Heaven is put for God who is said to dwell in the Heavens and there manifests his Glory and Majesty to Angels and glorified Spirits Psal. 73.9 They set their Mouth against the Heavens and their Tongue walketh
understood For as man lives and operates by the Soul so God in himself is Essential Life and a most pure act My Soul shall not abhor you Lev. 26.11 The wicked his Soul hateth Psal. 11.5 See Esa. 1. â—â—4 and 42. 1. Jer. 5.9.29 Matth. 12.8 Heb. 10.38 Hence the Lord is said to swear by his Soul Jer. 51.14 Amos 6.8 that is by himself as our Translation renders it and agreeable to Esa. 45.23 Jer. 22.5 Heb. 6.13 Where it is expounded A Body by reason of his incorporeal Essence is no where attributed to God but 't is ascribed to our Saviour Christ in a twofold respect 1. As opposed to the Shadows Figures and Types in the Old Testament the Truth Complement or Fulfilling of the things prefigured by these Shadows being held forth in him Col. 2.17 Which are a shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ that is the Truth and Complement is in Christ. And Col. 2.9 It is said that in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bodily that is most really perfectly and solidly not in a Typical or shadowy manner as God manifested himself in the Old Testament 2. The Church is called the Body of Christ Eph. 1.22 23. And God gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all It is called his Body because he Rules it giving Sense Life and Spiritual motion to it as a mans head does to his body It is called his fulness because though Christ is absolutely perfect in himself and has no need of us his Love is so great to his Church that he will not be without it any more then a head would be willing to want his members Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am c. John 17.24 Eph. 4.12 15 16. So much for Christs Mystical Body As for the humane Body of our Lord it being really and not metaphorically such it concerns not this place God is called the Head of Christ. 1 Cor. 11.3 1. With respect to his humane Nature for in that sence Christs says the Father is greater then he John 14.28 2. With respect to his Office as Mediator and Redeemer for all the actions of Christ were done by the Will Order and Commission of the Deity The Apostle by the figure Climax or a certain Gradation in the same text calls Christ the head of the Man because he chose that Sex when he took humane Nature upon him so becoming the firstâ—â—born among many Brethren Rom 8.29 He also calls man the Head of the Woman because of the preheminence of Sex and being ordered her Lord and Superior In these places the Word is Metaphorical in respect of eminency because the head in the natural body is seated highest excelling the whole body in dignity of sense and reason 3. In respect of Rule and Government the natural body being ruled by it c. More generally Christ is called the Head of the Church Eph. 1.22 and 4.15 Col. 1.18 c. In which sence man has no prerogative over the Woman as to the participation of the benefits of Christ and Mystical Union with him Gal. 3.28 Neither Male nor Female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus Hence it is said Eph. 1.10 That he might gather together in one head all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth which Chrysostom well interprets viz. It is done by the mystery of Redemption that Celestial and Terrestrial things that is Angels and Men should have one head that is Christ whereas before by reason of mans sin heavenly things were separated from Earthly A Face Is attributed to God by which the manifestation of himself to Angels and Men and the various workings of his Providence is to be understood for so God is known to us as one man is known by his face to another the Face of God signifies manifestation 1. In the blessed state of Eternity Psal. 16.11 With thy Face is fulness of Joys so the Hebrew and Psal. 17.15 I will behold thy Face in Righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness Matth. 18.10 Their Angels do always behold the Face of my Father which is in heaven In this sence no man can see Gods Face and Live Exod. 33.20 23. For now we see through a glass darkly but then Face to Face 1 Cor. 13.12 c. 2. In the state of Mortality when God in any measure reveals himself As 1. By the Face of God his presence and propitious aspect is noted as Exod. 13.21 The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud and by night in a pillar of Fire Exod. 33.14 My Face so the Hebrew shall go with thee and I will give thee rest and verse 15. Moses said If thy Face go not with us cause us not to go up hence c. that is if you be not present as heretofore in the pillar of a Cloud and Fire Hence that appellation given to Christ is deduced Esa. 63.9 The Angel of his Face or presence because by the pillar of a Cloud and Fire in a visible manner he led the Israelites of old and made the Face of God as it were conspicuous to them others say it is because he is the image of the invisible God by whom we know the Father as one man is known by his Face to another Col. 1.15 John 14.9 10. which cannot be said of any other The Face of God signifies also that glorious appearance of God to the people on Mount Sinai Deut. 5.4 And that more illustrious manner of his Revealing himself to Moses above any other Deut. 34.10 See Numb 12.6 7 8. c. Sometimes the Face of God is put for the place where God reveals himself and where the Ministry of the word flourishes or as Jehovah himself words it Exod. 20.24 Where he Records his Name c. Thus Cain is said to go forth from the Face of God Gen. 4.14.16 that is from the place where his Parents worshipped him and Jonah rose up to flee from the Face of the Lord that is left the Church and People of God to go to Tarshish among Infidels not but that he knew that none can so fly from the Face of God as to be unseen by him but he thought that there was no place for Divine Revelations besides the Holy Land and therefore hoped that in those strange places God would no longer trouble him nor impose so hard a Province upon him as to Preach against Ninive c. See Exod. 23.15 and 25.30 Psal. 100.1 2 3. and 104.4 2 Sam. 21. 1. Psal. 139.7 Lev. 17.10 Psal. 9.4 c. Sometimes wrath and divine punishment is noted by the Face of God as Psal. 68.1 Let them that hate him flee before his Face Jer. 21.10 I have set my Face against this City
he assumed humane Nature and manifested himself to men in order to their Salvation John 3.13 and 6.38 42 50. The Holy Spirit is said to Come down when in the visible appearance of a Dove it manifested it self resting upon Christ Matth. 3.16 Mark 1.10 Luk. 3.22 John 1.32 33. In another signification God promised that he would go down with Jacob into Egypt that is that his Grace and protection should accompany him in that way Gen. 26.4 Riding is ascribed unto God by which his glorious operation is noted which he exerts in the Heavens in tempests and otherwise Deut. 33.26 There is none like unto the God of Jesurun who Rideth upon the Heaven Psal. 68.33 To him that Rideth upon the Heaven of Heavens Likewise his speed and celerity in the execution of his Judgements Psal. 18.10 He rode upon a Cherub and did flie yea he did fly upon the wings of the Wind. So Esa. 19.1 c. To Meet or Meeting with a person is ascribed to God and signifies either his manifestation is noted as Num. 23.4 16. Or his Grace and Beneficence as Esa. 64.5 God is said to Return to his place which signifies a sending of Punishment Hos. 5.15 For when men are afflicted and help is delayed God seems to be absent from them Jud. 16.13 Lam. 3.43 44. A Returning on High signifies his going into his Judicial Throne or Divine Judgement it self Psal. 7.7 A Returning to the Godly signifies the taking away of Sin and the exhibition of Grace Psal. 6.4 5. Zach. 1.3 By his Rising up his Divine purpose with respect to his great Works is noted Num. 10.35 Psal. 12.5 6. and 44.26 27. and 68.1 2. and 102.14 Esa. 33.10 The Holy Ghost coming upon one signifies that it works in a singular manner in and by him Luke 1 35. Act. 1.8 which Luke 24.49 is to be endued with power from on High A Passing through or passing over is attributed to God Exod. 12.12 13. Amos 5.17 By which Divine punishment is noted sometimes a forbearance from punishing as Amos 7.8 and 8.2 With 1.3 Micah 7.18 Prov. 19.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pesach or Pascha the Passover takes its Name from hence Exod. 12 13 23 So 't is used in the Deliverance of the People from the Babylonish Captivity Esa. 31.5 Dan. 5.30 Visitation is ascribed to God by which either his exploration that is a diligent search notice or knowledge of things Psal. 17.3 Or a real exhibition of his Grace and Benefits is noted Gen. 21.1 Psal. 65.9 10. Psal. 106.4 Jerem. 29.10 Luke 19.44 c. Sometimes it denotes Wrath and Punishment Exod. 34.7 Psal. 59.6 Esa. 27.1 Jerem. 6.6 and 15.3 Sometimes a diligent Search is attributed to God Ezek. 20.6 To bring them forth out of the Land of Egypt to the Land which I Searched out for them so 't is in the Hebrew flowing with Milk and Honey the Land of Judaea is commended says Junius by the Providence and choice of the Eternal God because as if it were by search he had provided it for a most commodious seat where after they had cast out their Enemies they were to rest c. the like is said of the Ark of the Covenant Num. 10.33 Seeking which is done by going up and down is also ascribed to God signifying his desire and serious will Ezek. 22.30 John 4.23 c. Finding out Iniquity is attributed likewise to God when he chastises and Punishes in Wrath Gen. 44.16 He is said to Find his Enemies when he lays condigne Punishment upon them He is said to Find David his Servant when out of singular Love and Providence he elected and made choice of him Psal. 89.20 Acts 13.22 In which sence he is also said to Seek him 1 Sam. 13.14 The third kind of Action is generative not that Eternal Generation by which God the Father from Everlasting begat the Son Co-eternal and Consubstantial with himself for that is not metaphorical but most proper Psal. 2.7 Prov. 8.24 25. Heb. 1.5 But that Spiritual and Mystical Generation by which he is said to beget his believing People when he remits their sin renews his own Image upon them and Adopts them into the priviledge of Sonship through Christ the Saviour Of which see Esa. 66.9 John 1.13 and 3 5 6. Tit. 3.5 1 Pet. 1.3 23. 1 John 3.9 Jam. 1.18 c. God is said to be a Father with respect to certain inanimate Creatures Job 38.28 Hath the Rain a Father or who hath begotten the drops of the Dew that is besides me For there is no other can send it upon the Earth by which God intimates that he only can give this benefit and that men cannot imitate it And verse 29. Out of whose Womb came the Ice that is where is the Artist besides me that can make it And the hoary frost of Heaven who hath gendred it viz. beside me To this may be referred that phrase Zeph. 2.2 Where God says before the Decree bring forth Upon which place the Learned Tarnovius thus paraphrases Prepare your selves to meet the Lord who has not yet brought forth produced or excuted his Decree or Statute which he as if he were pregnant with punishment goes now big with For as the Birth does not immediately follow Conception but has a certain allotted and prescribed time by Natures Law for its ripening or maturity So God although he hath certainly decreed to punish and has establisht and conceived the sentence in his own mind yet he defers execution for a certain space that he may give opportunity for Repentance which if sinners will by no means do then their iniquity grows Ripe and Gods punishment mature and fit for Execution And as the Birth must of necessity follow conception when the time limited by Nature is expired So the Judgments of God are inevitable when the determinate time comes Humane Adjuncts ascribed to God THese are either privative or positive Of the first sort are these viz. When something of impotency or inability is after the manner of men attributed to God or when God says of himself that he cannot do a thing being as it were prohibited by his Truth Goodness and Holiness as Gen. 19.22 Hast thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither These are the words of the Son of God who when he departed from Abraham turned towards Sodom to destroy the Cities and says thus to Lot viz. Whereas it is the immutable and certain determination of God out of a gracious and favourable respect to you to deliver you from this destruction therefore before you be placed in safely the Execution of the sentence by which Sodom must be burnt shall be delayed Upon which place D. Hunnius says the execution of Gods absolute Decree or Power no Creature can retard but here he speaks of his Power as it is tempered qualified and allayd by the favour of his fatherly mercy
Luke 5.34 John 3.29 This Title is ascribed to Christ for many Causes principally for his unspeakable Love to his Church which is by Faith espoused to him Hosea 2.19 Eph. 5.26 27 28 c. He is called a Witness which term is applyed to the Messiah Esa. 43.10 and 55.4 Rev. 1.5 and 3.14 Because of a certainty he discovers heavenly Truth to us John 18.37 As also because he hath most exactly fulfilled whatsoever the Prophets of the Old Testament have foretold concerning him John 1.17 c. External Adjuncts of a man are either inseparable or separable The inseparable are being in a place and time Each of these is attributed to God who in his own nature is Eternal and not circumscribed to place by an Anthropopathy First More Generally Place is ascribed to God Psal. 24.3 Who shall stand in his Holy Place viz. The Holy Kingdom where the Scriptures say his Habitation is He is said to Go out of his place when he manifests his conspicuous and apparent presence as Esa. 26.21 Micah 1.3 He is said to Retire or Return to his place when he withdraws the benefit of his Grace and as it were hides himself in order to punish offenders Hosea 5.15 More specially a seat or Throne is attributed to God Exod. 17.16 of which before Psal. 9.7 8. and 11.3 4. and 47.8 9. Esa. 66.1 Matth. 5.34 By which his most superexcellent Majesty sublimity and Authority is intimated The Prophet Jer. 14.21 Prays God that he would not abhor or disgrace the throne of his Glory By which Judea is understood wherein the visible or peculiar Kingdom of God was contained and where God vouchsafed the most eminent appearances of his Power and Glory Or else the Temple of Jerusalem as in chap. 17.12 It is taken upon which Rabbi Moses Maimon Every place which God hath appointed for the manifestation of his Power and Glory is called his Throne For great and powerful men as Kings and Princes sit in their Thrones when they make a solemn appearance so are we to understand this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kiss solemn Throne of the Magnificence Power and Dignity of him to whom it is attributed When a Throne and sitting upon it is attributed to Christ we are to understand that heavenly Kingdom and Government to which he was exalted in his humane nature as Psal. 45.6 7. Esa. 16.5 Matth. 19.28 Heb. 1.8 and 4.16 and 8.1 c. The Earth is said to be the Lords Footstool Esa. 66.1 Matth. 5.35 By which is noted his immensity for he is present in the lowermost part of the World Or the Ark of the Covenant in which by special revelation he was to manifest his presence according to 1 Chron. 28.2 Psal. 99.4 5. and 132.6 7. Lam. 2.1 Some by this appellation would understand the Sanctuary of God See Psal. 99.4 5 8 9. Upon which Illyricus says the sence is know that no where else nor with any of the Gentiles is the true Worship of God and his propitious presence to be found Therefore seek him here according to his Word and Promises When it is said of Christ Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right-hand until I have made thine Enemies thy Footstool and 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must Reign till he hath put his Enemies all under his feet and Heb. 1.13 It intimates that he will most perfectly conquer and subdue his Enemies as it is said Psal. 8.6 Eph. 1.22 Heb. 2.8 c. That all things are put under his Feet Neither is Place only ascribed to God but a local Posture or Situation also as Psal. 10.1 Why standest thou afar off by which the delay of Divine help is noted A metaphor taken from men who when they stand at great distance cannot lend a helping hand To stand at the right hand notes his powerful help and favour as Psal. 16.8 Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved So Act. 2.25 God is said to Sit Psal. 29.10 and other places in the same sence that a Throne is ascribed to him by which his Government Divine Judgement and exercises in peculiar actions are signified He is said to Sit upon a Cherub Psal. 80.1 and 99.1 because of the peculiar manifestation of his presence in that place He is said to Sit upon the Circle of the Earth Esa. 40.22 because of his Majesty in Glory which infinitely excells all the Glories of the World and therefore the Inhabitants of the Earth are called Grashoppers c. Of the sitting of Christ at the right hand of God we have spoken before God is said to Dwell on High in Sion in the Church and in Contrite hearts c. Psal. 68.16 17. and 132.12 13 14. Psal. 135.20 21 Esa. 57.19 Ezek. 37.27 John 14.23 2 Cor. 6.16 by which the gracious Manifestation Action Defence Illumination Consolation and Salvation of his Divine presence to his people is to be understood It is an emphatical word which Paul uses 2 Cor. 12.9 That the power of Christ may rest upon me the words properly are that the vertue or power of my God may dwell upon me or that he would place his Tabernacle upon me and as an Vmbrage or Shadow may surround cloth and protect me When the Cloud of Glory had filled the Temple Solomon said 1 King 8.12 The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness that is by this sign he manifests himself to be present as he said to Moses Lev. 16.2 I will appear in the Cloud upon the Mercy-Seat See Exod. 19.9 and chap. 16.10 Num. 9.15 Esa. 6.4 Matth. 17.5 c. The phrase of Gods sitting in the Heavens or dwelling there as Psal. 2.4 Psal. 103.18 19. 1 King 8.39 43. and Illyricus thus expounds Heaven neither ought nor can when it is called the Habitation of God be understood of a certain real or material place but it has rather a metaphorical signification and denotes that spiritual Kingdom Glory and Felicity in which God with his Holy Angels and other blessed Spirits Lives and Reigns as Psal. 115.15 16. The Heaven even the Heavens are the Lords but the Earth hath he given to the Children of men that is he requires and Commands spiritual good and Divine Worship to be given to him and leaves them to enjoy the good things of the World for he in a proper sence requires not Money Calves or Kids c. And the Learned Gerhard says God is every where with respect to his Essence but he is said to dwell in Heaven with respect to the more ample appearance of his Majesty and Glory so the whole soul is in every part of the Body but most radically in the head most effectively in the head because its most excellent effects are from thence produced So Alcuinus God is therefore said to dwell in the Heavens because the Angels and the Souls of blessed Saints have a clearer and more illustrious prospect
and knowledge of him then the Saints on Earth can have by reason of their dwelling in so gross a habitation Likewise Polanus The Scripture oftentime says that God dwells in the Heavens not that he is there included but to intimate that he is above all in Majesty Power and Operation so as that he cannot be hindered by any on Earth as also that our minds may be elevated above the World so as that we may have no low or carnal or worldly thoughts of God c. To this may be also referred when it is said That the Holy Ghost doth rest upon any as Num. 11.25 26. 2 King 2.15 By which the distribution and energy or power of his gifts is intimated This Spirit is said to rest upon the Messiah Esa. 11.2 and 61.1 which is to be understood of the Communication of his gifts in their absolute fulness to Christ according to his humanity Psal. 45.7 8. John 3.34 The visible symbol was the resting of the Holy Spirit upon Christ in the likeness of a Dove Matth. 3.16 c. Time is ascribed to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a way of humane speaking but is to be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a way of divine Dialect of his absolute Eternity-Sometimes the description of Gods Eternity is taken from the Names and Differences of Seasons as Years are ascribed unto God which nevertheless are said to be throughout all generations Psal. 102.24 And shall have no end verse 2â—â— That he is the same and that his years shall not fail Heb. 1.12 And that the Number of his Years cannot be searched out as Job 36.26 Dayes are also attributed to him whence he is called the Ancient of Days Dan 7.9 which are called the Days of Eternity Micah 5.1 2 Pet. 3.18 Eternity is described by eternal time or times Rom. 16.25 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1.2 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secula Ages by which term properly times and things done in time are noted Eph. 3.9 Col 1.26 c. Sometimes two or three differences of time that Eternity which wants Beginning Interruption and End may be expressed Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same that is always like himself invariable and immutable yesterday to day and for ever that is from Eternity to Eternity Rev. 1.4 Grace be unto you and Peace from him which is and which was and which is to come or will be that is who is the Eternal God so in the 8th verse there is another symbol of Eternity I am 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alpha and Omega the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet which denote the beginning and end of any thing which are the bounds and notes of time brought to express him who is the beginning without beginning and the end without end that is who is indeed absolutely Eternal so Christ speaks chap. 21. and 22.13 as is apparent from the context To this may be referred where the Scripture uses words concerning God which respect the time to come whereas in Eternity there is not properly any time past or to come as Psal. 139.2 Thou understandest my thought a far off that is long before it came in my mind as verse 4. For there is not a word in my Tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether It is said Rom. 8.29 For whom he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foreknow he also did predestinate c. Rom. 11.2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew c 1. Pet. 2. Elected according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father c. D. Mylius upon Rom. 8. says thus God is said to Foreknow such as he foresaw would believe in his son not that there is any future time properly ascribable to God in whom no accident condition or circumstance of time and place can be admitted but these things are spoken of God by an Anthropopathy that is after the manner of men This Prescience of God inasmuch as it is certain and never failes therefore such as he Foreknew he also predestinated for this Foreknowledge is never without predestination Ambrose confirms this interpretation in these words Those whom God Foreknew would embrace the Faith he elected them to the promised rewards that they that seem to believe and either are not really such as they pretend to be or forsake the Faith may be excluded for such as God hath elected to himself do remain his 1 Pet. 1.20 'T is said of Christ the Lamb of God and the Redeemer of the World that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Foreknown before the Foundation of the World that is he was ordained by the Eternal Decree of God to be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of men Hitherto of inseparable Adjuncts the separable are various we shall recite some Armour and Weapons are attributed to God for he is sometimes said to be clad in Arms to denote the exertion or execution of his Wrath and Vengeance Psal. 35.2 3. Take hold of Shield and Buckler and stand up for mine help Draw out also the Spear and stop the way against them that persecute me c. Esa. 59.17 18. For he put on Righteousness as a Breast-plate and an Helmet of Salvation upon his head and he put on the Garments of Vengeance for Clothing and was clad with zeal as a Cloak c. Jer. 50.25 It is said The Lord hath op'ned his Armory and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation for this is the work of the Lord God of Hosts in the Land of the Chaldeans when by the Enemy he brings punishment and a general destruction upon a people thus the King of Babylon is called Gods battle axe and weapons of War for with him will he break in pieces the Nations and with him will he destroy Kingdoms Jer. 51.20 Because by him and his Host the Lord did afflict and make desolate several Countries More especially a Bow Arrows and strings are attributed to God Psal. 21.12 Lam. 2.4 and 3.12 He hath bent his bow like an Enemy he hath set me as a mark for the Arrow By which the effects of his Divine wrath against the wicked are noted By the Arrows of God are meant swift and unlookt for Calamities sent for sin Deut. 32.22 23 24. I will heap mischiefs upon them I will spend mine Arrows upon them Job 6.4 Psal. 38.2 3. and 64 7 8. Zach. 9.14 Lam. 3.13 And more particularly the Arrows of God are said to be Hail-Stones Thunder Lightnings Coals of Fire c. Psal. 18.13 14. and 144.6 Hab. 3.11 Sometimes the inspired efficacy of the Gospel in saving the Godly and Judging and Condemning the wicked Psal. 45.5 Esa. 49.2 John 12.47 48. 2 Cor. 2.15 16. A Sword is ascribed to God by which likewise is intimated his Wrath and Vengeance of which that is an index and symbol Deut 32.41 Judg. 7.20 Ps. 17.18 Esa. 27.1 and 34.5 6. Ezek. 21.8 9
of Daughter and Virgin is often attributed to a People or City either distinctly or conjunctly Psal. 45.12 and 137.8 Daughter of Babylon is put for the Kingdom of Babylon so Lam. 1.6 and 2.1 c. Daughter of Sion for the people of the Jews and hence Lam. 2.2 She is called the Daughter of Juda. So Zach. 9.9 Esa. 1.8 10.32 16.1 37.22 Jer. 4.31 6.2 Micah 4.10.13 Zeph. 3.10 14. c. So the Virgin of Israel Jer. 31.4 21. Amos 5.2 Sometimes Virgin and Daughter are joyned as Esa. 23.12 37.22 47. 1. Jer. 46.11 1. When the Name of Virgin is attributed to the People of God some say it is with respect to the true Worship of God observed by them without corruption because such as depart from its purity are called whorish and adulterous upon which Jerome says Sion and Jerusalem is therefore called a Virgin and Daughter because when all other Nations adored Images or Idols this alone preserved the chastity of Religion and the adoration of one Divinity But Drusius denies this lib. 16. obser cap. 5. from two reasons First because with respect to Israel she is rather called the Wife of God and when she Worships other Gods a whore Secondly because the Scripture calls Israel a Virgin even when she adores false Gods Amos 5.2 and Jer. 18.13 The Virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing others add a third reason because Babylon and Egypt are also called Virgins as before which yet were full of Idolatry and impiety But Drusius thinks she was called a Virgin before the Captivity and was so no more when she was subjected to a strange yoke Brentius says That Jerusalem was called a Virgin either because its Kingdom was a free Monarchy and did not serve any forreign King but had a King of its own Nation as a Virgin is not subject to the yoke of any strange man Or because as a Virgin yet untouched or uncorrupted by man the City Jerusalem was not yet spoiled by any Enemy nor her Citizens translated elsewhere But Drusius objects that place Jer. 18.13 To himself for Jeremy Prophesied after the ten Tribes were carryed away and yet he calls Israel a Virgin which doubt says he may be resolved by understanding by Virgin the People of the Jews so called in specie as not yet exhausted by a total carrying away as ver 11. But although this may satisfie that doubt yet Lam. 2.13 strongly confutes this interpretation of Drusius where Jerusalem is called the Virgin and Daughter of Sion after its total devastation by the Babylonians So that Virgin is put for the Congregation of the people under what circumstance soever they were by a Prosopopeia And hence the Chald. translates it a Congregation People or Kingdom 2. By Israel we are to understand the Land and by Virgin or Daughter the Inhabitants for the Ancients were wont to call their Countrey their Mother 6. The Scripture speaks of certain Accidents as if they were men and had a Body which kind they call Somatopeia as Gen. 4.7 And if thou dost not well sin lyeth at the door Sin is here proposed as lying at the door like a Night watchman whereby is noted that a sure punishment will follow ill doing as a Watchman sleeps not but observes all things and discovers what is evil or hurtful in order to punishment There are other places where a body as it were a person and his actions are attributed to Sin as Esa. 59.12 Jer. 14.7 Acts 7.60 Rom. 6.6 It is Emphatically called the body of sin because it struggles with so great force soliciting us strongly to do evil as if it were a living body or something existing by it self Rom. 7. Sin revived and I died By the knowledge of the Law sin is known then Conscience makes a man tremble and a fearful consternation follows by which man sees nothing before his Eyes but eternal Death as the reward of his sin for the consideration of the Commandment broken by it makes it exceeding sinful ver 13. And in the following verses it is brought in as a cruel Tyrant detaining the miserable sinner Captive dwelling in him and warring against the spirit not that it will be a perpetual Conqueror in the regenerate for that will not be Rom. 6.6 12 14. c. but for that unavoidable repugnancy which naturally remains in the flesh against the Spirit whilst the regenerate man lives in this life ver 24. See Col. 2.11 and 3.5 Where the members of this body of sin are recited as Fornication Vncleanness Inordinate affections Evil Concupiscence Covetousness c. By which the Will and Reason are depraved as the body by its members Compare the following texts together James 1.14 15.18 1 Pet. 2.11 Jam. 4.1 Rev. 18.5 To this Classe also belong Gen. 30.33 So shall my Righteousness answer or witness for me when it shall come for my hire before thy face that is the future event shall declare that God has an account of my Righteousness which you shall then evidently see c. here witnessing which is the proper action of a Person is attributed to Righteousness Punishments are called Witnesses Job 10.17 with 16.8 Psal. 85.10 Mercy and Truth will meet together Righteousness and Peace shall kiss each other the affinity and conjunction of those vertues or graces is set before our eyes by the similitude of persons who after the manner of their Countrey do at meeting embrace and kiss each other in Testimony of Friendship He speaks of the Kingdom of Christ expressing its blessings and manner of Administration by this Prosopopeia ver 12. It is said that Righteousness shall look down from Heaven that is the Righteousness of Christ through whose merits we become justified before God Rom. 1.17 3.22 It is said ver 13. That Righteousness shall walk before him that is to testifie his gracious coming and presence Esa. 59.14 Judgment is turned away backward and justice standeth afar off For Truth is fallen in the street and Equity cannot enter Here is an elegant Prosopopeia of vertue and piety intimating how scarce they are and how rarely found amongst men CHAP. X. Of Metaphors taken from God Angels Heaven and the Elements IT was said Chap. VI. That there should be a general division of this Trope into the distinct Fountains and Classes of Metaphors which with Divine help shall be essayed in the following Chapters The chief Division of universal beings is into the Creator and the Creatures From the Creator we shall produce some But from the Creatures there are abundance of Metaphors taken in Scripture which we shall endeavour to make plain Metaphors taken from God AS sometimes from his Name sometimes from his Actions His Hebrew Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elohim when taken properly belongs to none but the only true and Eternal God and because it is of the plural number it intimates the Mystery of a plurality of persons in one most simple Deity See Gram. Sacr p.
is Metaphorically put for the heaven of Gods Glory Psal. 11.4 Micah 1.2 For the Church Psal. 26.8 27.4 29.9 48.9 84.1 2 4. Isa. 56.7 Eph. 2.21 1 Cor. 3.16 17. 6.19 2 Cor. 6.16 Heb. 3.6 and 10.21 God is said to be the Temple of the Elect Rev. 21.22 of which see Chap. 8. before Rev. 11.19 A Temple is put for the body of Christ John 2.19 In unity with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word for in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead Bodily Col. 2.9 that is most truly perfectly and unchangeably not Typically or in a shadow as in the Temple of Jerusalem c. See Heb. 9.11 10.19 20. 8.2 9.24 and 6.19.20 An Altar is used to denote the whole Mystery of Christ the Mediator Heb. 13.10 1 Cor. 10.18 and 9.13 Sometimes Divine Worship in the New Testament Isa. 19.19 the similitude being borrow'd from the ancient Rites c. Christ is called Propitiation hilasterion Rom. 3.25 because he became the great Sacrifice that satisfied for our sins He is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hilasmos Atonement with respect to the Type to which the Apostle alludes 1 John 2.2 c. The Church is called the Pillar and stay of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Some think that this Metaphor is taken from the two Pillars which were set up in Solomons Temple 1 Kings 7.21 2 Chron. 3.17 The Name of the one was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jachin he shall establish and of the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boaz In it is strength By which Names doubtless this most wise King had respect to the Stability and firmness of the Kingdom and Church of the Messiah which names Paul expresses by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stabilimentum firmamentum stabiliment or firmament adding a Pillar in allusion to those Typical Pillars Hence in the same verse he mentions the house of God that is the Temple by which means the Church of the living God Verse 16. He says without Controversie great is the mystery of Godliness But what is that the Description follows which alludes to the Temple of Jerusalem for 1. In that Old Temple God appeared in a Cloud and thick darkness 1 King 8.10 11 12. Paul says of the Truth of the New-Testament that God is manifest in the Flesh. Which illustrious Manifestation was adumbrated or shadowed out by that obscure one 2. In the old Temple the Propitiatory or Mercy-seat was placed upon the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies Of Christ Paul says that he is Justified in Spirit viz. when he was risen from the Dead and so declared himself the true hilasterion attonement having made satisfaction for the sins of the world and perfectly fulfilled the Divine Law the Tables of which were contained in the Ark of Covenant Rom. 4.25 3. In the old Temple there were Cherubims over the propitiatory or Mercy-seat 1 Kings 8.6 7. Heb. 9.5 Of Christ Paul says that he was seen of Angels who were glorious and true Witnesses of his Resurrection and Glory Matth. 28.2 c. See 1 Pet. 1.12 4. In the old Temple the Jews were taught the Doctrine of the Messiah who was to Come Paul says of Christ that he was preached unto the Gentiles not to the Jews alone Believed on in the world the sound of the Apostles went out into all the Earth Rom. 10.18 and their Doctrine receiv'd by all true Believers Col. 1.5 6. 5. In the old Temple the visible appearance of God was not ordinary or perpetual But Paul says of Christ having Manifested himself in the Earth that he was received up in Glory as if he had said he hath withdrawn his visible Presence from his Church yet he is gloriously truly and invisibly for that is to be received up in glory viz. at the right hand of the Father present with it to the end of the World Matth. 28.20 Eph. 1.20 21 22 23 c. But what means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Truth Answer 1. Either that word must be expounded in the Concrete that it should be same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 true and opposed to that which is Typical and Shadowy of future realities or Antitypes as John 1.17 6.32 15.1 Heb. 8.2 and 9.24 VVhere the word is so taken So in Acts 26.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 words of Truth that is true words So Eph. 4.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holiness of truth signifies true holiness Or 2 The VVord must be expounded in the abstract to denote the Doctrine of Saving Faith as it is taken 2 Thes. 2.10 13. 1 Tim. 2.4 and 6.5 2 Tim. 2.18 Heb. 10.26 Jam. 1.18 c. In which sense this genitive of Truth notes the efficient cause by which the Church is made firm and stedfast being built upon Christ the true Rock for the cause of its firmness is the heavenly Truth or the word of Truth See 1 Cor. 15.58 Acts 20.32 Rom. 1.16 Col. 1.23 2 Thes. 2.13 Joh. 17.17 1 Thes. 5.23 Some expound this of the subjectum circaquod the subject about which the Church is employed viz. to Confess Publish and Keep carefully that heavenly Doctrine contained in the Scriptures of Truth c. Metaphors from Sacred Rites THese may be distinguished into two Classes First Holy Rites ascribed to God as their immediate Agent or Actor Secondly Holy Rites perform'd by Men according to Gods Command and Prescription To the first Class belongs the Visions and Dreams which God sent to men for more secret information as to the Patriarch Jacob Gen. 28.12 13. viz. the Ladder set upon the Earth The top of which reached heaven c. which Vision our Saviour applies to himself and uses Metaphors taken from John 1.51 c. From the Divine prophecies Dreams and Visions a Metaphor is taken Joel 2.28 where the various gifts and the clear light and Revelation of the Gospel to the Evangelical Preachers is noted as Act. 2.16 17. where Peter quotes this very Text of Joel that Bread sent from Heaven to refesh the People in the Desart is largely applyed by Christ to himself John 6.31 32 33 c. Rev. 2.17 c. The other kind of Sacred Rites we thus distinguish 1. Persons 2. Actions 3. Times Of Persons one Directs and is as it were the head of the rest who are inferior and ministring or serving The Director was the high Priest the Eldest Son of the Posterity of Aaron having a constant prerogative in the Ecclesiastical Government Exod. 28.1 c. Hag. 1.1 12. and 2.3 Zach. 3.1 8. VVhose Name and Office is Mystically transferred to Christ. In the Epistle to the Hebrews hence he is so often called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 high Priest Heb. 2.17 3.1 4.14 15. 5.5 10. 6.20 7.26 8.1 9.11 and Great Priest Heb. 10.21 See Zach. 6.12 13. the Reason of the Comparison may be read at large in the Epistle The Appellation of Priests is attributed to Believers in Christ Psal. 132.9
shall be considered in a fourfold respect Viz. 1. It s Nature 2. It s Extent 3. It s Signification 4. It s Usefulness And under these Considerations it affords matter for the ensuing Parallel METAPHOR I. A Portion or Inheritance is a Gift II. A Portion or Inheritance as it includes Education and provision of future maintainance is the best gift that men can dispose of III. A Portion or Inheritance is given to advance the honour and interest of the person on whom it is bestow'd IV. A Portion or Inheritance as it is the best for quality so the extent and proportion of it is usually commensurate to the Riches and Estate of the Donor a good and great Predecessor Father or Benefactor gives like himself in quantity as well as quality V. Portion or Inheritance implies or supposes Relation Men do not give Portions to Forreign Strangers or Enemies but to Relations that are so Naturally or by Adoption VI. A Portion or Inheritance signifieth love and good will to the Subject Men never give Portions and Inheritances out of hatred and ill will VII The Gift of Portion and Inheriance is bestowed on purpose to fix the Subject to whom it is given in a future settlement of Happiness and Prosperity VIII A Portion or Inheritance frees from that Contempt others are exposed to that have none they that have no Portion are acounted poor beggarly and inconsiderable Persons Men of no Esteem IX A great Portion or Inheritance doth not only free from Contempt but procures many Friends as Solomon speaks the Rich hath many Friends X. A great Portion or Inheritance makes a Man to value himself accordingly he will not joyn in Affinity with any who are not suitable to him or are much below him XI A great Portion frees a Man from fear of want and so elevates his Mind to a more noble and high degree of living than those that have none XII A Man that hath the greatest Portion and Inheritance will not be perswaded to change Estates with other Men. XIII An earthly Man that has a great Portion esteems highly of it as appears by the Young Man in the Gospel and as Christ saith Where your Treasure is there will your Hearts be also XIV A great Portion or Inheritance makes way for Entrance into or Alliance with a great and noble Family XV. A great Portion or Inheritance makes a Man able to do more Good than multitudes of others can he can help those he loves and oftentimes Enemies receive Advantage by him XVI A great Portion or Inheritance furnisheth a Man with whatsoever is good and desirable here below yea with the best of every sort whether for Necessity or to make the Life comfortable a Man lives upon his Portion and reaps whatsoever Good Profit or Pleasure it is capable to afford him PARALLEL I. GOd hath given himself to his people to be their Portion for ever II. God being comprehensive of all spiritual good is the best gift that can be received and when he becomes a Portion to good men he makes them partakers of his Divine Nature gives them his holy Spirit even the wisdom that is above III. God in giving himself unto his people advances their honour and interest and makes them no less than Kings and Princes for when he makes them Heirs of God they then become Joynt-Heirs with Christ Instead of thy Father shall be thy Children whom thou mayst make Princes in all the Earth c. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests c. IV. God who is the greatest the richest and most liberal Predecessor Father or Benefactor always gives like himself in quantity and proportion Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full Ask what ye will and it shall be done for you c. Even above what you can ask or think He doth not only make them to inherit substance but he fills their Treasury makes all grace to abound towards them and with-holds no good thing from them that walk uprightly V. God is not the Portion of Devils or wicked men who are Enemies and Aliens the proud he knoweth afar off but he is the Portion of the Righteous such as are his Relations by Regeneration or Adoption if Children then Heirs But when he shall appear we shall be like him VI. God when he becometh the portion of any man it is out of love the greatest love and good will that ever was exprest a love that is admired because unmeasurable O the height and length c. What manner of love is this A love that is great large fathomless without end VII So God in becoming the Portion and Inheritance of Saints doth design thereby to fix them in a future settlement of Eternal Happiness and Felicity The pure in Heart shall see God be with him and injoy him for ever Everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away VIII So Saints in having God to be their Portion are delivered from that Reproach and Contempt the Holy Scriptures cast upon others viz. on the Ungodly of the Earth who because they have no Part nor Portion in God are called poor blind and miserable whereas the Saints are called honourable and excellent ones Jabez was more honourable than his Brethren they are Men of Name Princes God's Treasure his beloved Ones his Jewels IX So the Saints having God to be theirs are not only freed from the greatest Contempt and made Honourable Ones but thereby come to have many Friends all the Angels of Heaven are in perfect Bonds of Peace and true Friendship with them as well as all Saints on Earth who bless and pray for them nay many times God makes their very Enemies to be at Peace with them X. So God being a Saint's Portion it makes him value himself upon the best and most worthy grounds in the World 1. Because he is rich 2. Inconceiveably rich 3. Really rich other Men great Men of the World are but seemlying rich 4. His Riches and Portion make him really Honourable truly Noble and renow'd in the sight of God Angels and Saints 5. Because God hath made him so rich and illustrious 6 Because he cannot be made poor by Men nor Devils His Riches are durable XI So when a Saint comes to know that God is his Portion how doth it free him from fear of want others have cause to fear they shall beg at Harvest and have nothing when he knows what Mines of Treasures are laid up for him against that day The Lord is my Shepherd therefore I shall not want yet will I rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my Salvation the Lord is my Portion saith my Soul therefore will I hope in him XII So a Saint knowing God is his Portion will not change his Estate with Kings
to celebrate his Worship John Baptist to set forth Jesus the Apostles to plant Churches and preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles Elders of a lower Rank Apollo and Evangelists All which have their peculiar Work and Place assigned by the great Architect of the whole Universe VI. God hath set his Stories in the Heavens where his glorious Majesty dwells and Jesus our great High-Priest sits at his right hand where all the Angels are seated in Glory and the Spirits of just Men made perfect surround the Throne of God and the Lamb The Earth for Men The dismal Prisons and Regions of Darkness for disobedient Spirits and evil Angels VII God hath not only beautified the Meek with Salvation but adorned New Jerusalem where the Saints shall dwell with so high and Soul-ravishing Excellencies as the most sublime Rhetorick can set forth as Gold Pearl Diamonds and other precious Stones the Street pure Gold the Building of the Wall Jasper the Foundations precious Stones and the Gates Pearls VIII God is a great Benefactor who hath made Buildings both for Safety and Conveniency He made the Fountains to contain the great Deeps to keep them from breaking out upon the World he has made Windows in Heaven to keep the Waters above from falling down too furiously to the prejudice of Man and Beast He hath made Chambers to keep in the roaring Winds from annoying Mortals with constant and impetuous Blasts The raging Element of Fire he hath confined to its proper Region where it cannot harm us without his permission He hath given us a pleasant and fruitful Earth a comfortable and refreshing Air a beautiful and delightful Heaven which he has placed as a Canopy over us He has constituted a good and holy Church which is as a Wine-Cellar to supply all our Wants where he has placed the Word the Spirit the Ordinances good Counsel and Instructions suitable Comforts and Consolations there is the Wine the Oil the Balm the Bread where he feeds his Lambs and makes his Flocks to rest at Noon satisfying with Favour and filling with the Blessings of his Bounty He will abundantly bless Sion's Provision c. IX God is pleased with his Work when finished He looked upon all things which his Hand had made and behold it was very good He is worthy of Honour for what he hath done because they are great things mighty things wonderful things without number So that it might be said as David O give thanks to the Lord who by his Wisdom made Heaven Let all the Host of Heaven and all the Inhabitants of the Earth praise c. Metaphor I. AN earthly Builder is but a mortal Man subject to Weakness and Death II. The earthly Builder has but a small pittance or measure of Skill and Wisdom 't is but the Wisdom of a Son of Man as light as Vanity and next to Foolishness III. Earthly Builders are fain to pause study and consider before they bring forth their Devices IV. The earthly Builder must have Materials to work upon and Servants to employ V. An earthly Builder cannot effect his Purposes in point of Building by his Word without Work and Labour VI. The earthly Builder must have much time allowed him to finish a great and famous Fabrick VII An earthly Builder lays the Foundation of his Work upon a brittle substance or at best upon a Rock which is capable of Dissolution VIII An Earthly Builder builds but little comparatively as some Towns Cities or part of them c. IX An earthly Builder may be out-done by a Successor X. An earthly Builder builds for other Men all being not for himself XI An earthly Builder is capable of Improvement in his Skill for Experiment and second Thoughts instruct him in some Points he was before ignorant of XII An earthly Builder oft-times undoes what he hath done plucks it down to make it better Disparity I. GOD the heavenly Builder is a mighty God the everlasting and everliving God with whom is no beginning of Days nor end of Life II. The heavenly Builder hath all the Treasures of Wisdom he is full of Wisdom and Knowledg he is essentially wise and skilful and gives all the Wisdom and Skill that is possess'd enjoyed or used by Men or Angels 'T is unsearchable past finding out beyond all comprehension so profound that Angels are Fools in comparison of him He charges his Angels with Folly III. The heavenly Builder having all Wisdom and Knowledg sees by one Act uno intuitu all things that are necessary and commodious and needeth not to suspend Actions till after Study and Consideration nor stay for any one to be his Help and Counsellor because there is none able or fit to teach him Who hath been his Counsellor c. IV. The heavenly Builder can make Matter fit for his purpose where he finds none even as all Things that are seen were not made of things that do appear but of Matter that was void of Form of which there was no pre-existence but it was made out of nothing and then formed into a glorious Globe and most beautiful Fabrick by him who alone that is without the help of any other doth great Wonders that by Wisdom made the Heavens c. V. God does all by a word of his Mouth Let there be a Heaven and immediatly it appears let there be an Earth and it was so c. as Gen. 1. VI. But God doth his Works which are exceeding in a moment He just pronounces the word and it is done VII But the heavenly Builder laid his Work upon a sure and unshaken Foundation upon an impregnable Rock firm and immoveable against all violence whatsoever viz. his own Almightiness than which nothing can be more permanent c. VIII The heavenly Builder has been the Erector of the whole Fabrick of the Universe He that built all things is God IX But none can mend the Work of God nor take the Glory from him His Works shall praise him for ever c. X. But all the Buildings that God makes are for himself he is no Man's Workman or Servant but hath made all things for himself For his own Pleasure they were and are created XI But God is perfect in Knowledg and therefore uncapable of Addition to it None can tax him of Hastiness Failure or Inadvertency All Sciences meet in Him as their proper Center XII No such thing done or need to be done by God No Angels unmade or Heavens dissolved or Souls annihilated or extinguished or Seas dried up to
Heaven Tho Angels fall out and go to War tho Men differ the Heavens shake the Mountains remove the Winds bluster the Waves of the Sea roar and rage yet the Lord is in Heaven and he beholds all Disorders of Men and still keeps his Place in perfect Tranquillity and moves not for the Good of his whole Houshold depends upon it for if it were possible for the immoveable God to leave his Place all would become a Piece of Confusion IX God the wise Housholder hath set out the Church for a Vineyard and Garden digg'd a Wine-Press and built a Tower the World for a plowed Field the wise and best Men both Divines Philosophers Naturalists and Historians to yield a fruitful Crop of Teaching and Instruction to supply his great Houshold X. God the most wise and good Housholder hath contrived the Scituation of his Family near adjoining to thâ—â—se great Conveniencies of still and stanâ—â—â—g Pools pleasant and gliding Streams coâ—â—stant rising and issuing Springs for eâ—â—crease of Knowledg and standing 〈◊〉 and Government establishing the 〈◊〉 of Religion and Piety as pleasant Streâ—â—â— and issuing Springs for encrease oâ—â— Knowledg XI God the great and wise Housholder teacheth instructeth gives forth his Law shews them what is good and required of them charges his Family to walk by the Examples of the Best to walk in Wisdom to give no Offence to hold fast that which is good God is troubled as it were and angry at great Miscarriages and unseemly Actions grieved if I may with Reverence so speak at his very Heart with particular Instruments angry with not only some but even the whole Houshold when the Offenders will not reform XII God loved all his Creation when he looked upon it and saw all to be good he could do no otherwise Angels Men Beasts creeping Things Fowls and all inanimate Things The Church he loves on new Terms The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and believed that I came forth from God XIII God sent Moses to Israel when sick of Oppression in Egypt when corrupted with Sin in the Wilderness about the Calf and had need of Purgation Abigail and Nathan to David on the same account Hezekiah to Israel and Ahab as well as he had before sent Samuel to David Peter's Advice is to cleanse from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit He takes care for their Security and manifesteth this Care diversly gives Cautions to take heed puts their Enemies in fear sometimes restrains in time of Pursuit of seeming Advantages orders Doors to be shut till the Enemies disappear and the Indignation be overpast XIV God hath to Admiration shew'd his Patience and Long-suffering to his Church to the whole World to the whole Families of the Earth He gave the old World one hundred and twenty Years bore long with the Murmurers of Israel in the Wilderness was forty Years grieved suffered Jerusalem long before the first Captivity longer before the last by the Romans gives Jezebel and Mystery Babylon Time and Space spared a sinful World in general above five thousand Years XV. God will not be always wroth lest the Object of his Wrath should fail before him retains not Anger for ever takes immediate Notice of Returns and forthwith proclaims Peace and Reconciliation XVI God is plenarily qualified with Bowels of Compassion and Tenderness towards his People I have seen the Affliction of my People and am come down to deliver In all their Afflictions he was afflicted My Bowels are afflicted for him He pities them that fear him c. XVII God loads as it were with Benefits speaks comfortably bids others speak comfortably as from him Speak comfortably to Jerusalem Let us reason together Smiles invisibly by Providence invisibly by Grace and Spirit hears Prayer in an accepted Time helps up his Church and People when they fall Aaron rose up by his help God raised holy David when he fell Peter in like manner Which confirms the Word of his Servant c. XVIII God demonstrates the great Danger of Disobedience with all plainness by Words at length If thou doest Evil Sin lieth at the Door All the Curses of the Book light on the Children of Disobedience who are separated to Evil and destroyed if they do wickedly He that sins shall die If you remain disobedient he will not prevent your Ruin He will not hear when you call but laugh at your Calamities and rejoyce when your Fear comes Prov. 1. XIX God suffers none to labour in vain nor spend their Strength for nought in his Service He doth good unto all his tender Mercies are over all his Works He makes one Day in his Courts better than a thousand elsewhere And the Church said it was better with her when she abode undeâ—â— his Conduct than when she left it He will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly XX. God in Love and Faithfulness doth correct rebuke chasten and afflict his People for their Profit In very Faithfulness hast thou afflicted me Whom he loves he rebukes and chastens to make Partakers of his Holiness The Fruits whereof David expresseth It was good for me that I was afflicted Thus when Men are iâ—â— Heaviness through many Temptations the Rod drives out ill Dispositions and is a good Remedy to cure Folly c. XXI God renders not to any Man more than is right that he should enter into Judgment with God He layeth Judgment to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet extenuates to Offenders rather gives less than more In the midst of Judgment he remembers Mercy He debates in measure and as to the Justice of the Cause provoking or measure of Punishments he appeals to the Justice of their own Minds Are not my Ways equal and yours unequal XXII This hath been the common way of God's dealing with Men as well large Congregations as particular Persons I will hide my Face from this Generation c. Thou art a God that hidest thy self c. God left Saul when obstinate and would not be found of him in distress When God leaves a People or Person they lose their Strength and come to Shame and Misery Wo to him that is alone XXIII God hath maintained the Lot of the Righteous throughout all Generations kept up his Church from falling contriv'd a Seed to serve him He will not suffer the Gates of Hell to prevail nor overthrow his Family XXIV God brake the Head of Leviathan gave it to be Meat to his People in the Wilderness cut Rahab wounded the Dragon overthrew great Kingdoms and Armies c. gained Victory over mighty Kings and brought the â—â—ruits of all his Works into his Church there are his worthy Acts Doctrine and Book of the Acts and Examples of all his Servants XXV God shut Angels out of Heaven to preserve Peace sent Cain unto the Land of Nod shut the Old World out of the Ark put Saul out of
strongest fleshly Confidence then will signify nothing The Day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is lofty and upon every one that is proud and lifted up and he shall be brought down upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are lifted up and upon all the Oaks of Bashan upon all high Mountains and upon all the Hills that are lifted up and upon every high Tower and upon every fenced Wall that is lifted up with the Haughtiness of Man shall the fierce Indignation of the Lord be kindled even to the bearing it down and laying it low even to the Dust and the Lord shall be exalted in that Day The Mountains quake at him and the Hills are melted and the Earth burns up or is burned up But the whole Earth shall be devoured by the Fire of his Jealousy neither their Gold nor Silver shall be able to deliver them in the Day of the Lord 's Wrath. VI. Wicked profane and ungodly Men are fit Matter and Fuel for the Wrath of God to take hold of and when they are piled together with the horrid Guilt that is upon their Consciences what a dreadful Fire will there be Whilst they are thus folden together as Thorns and whilst they are drunken as Drunkards they shall be devoured as Stubble fully dry VII The consuming Wrath of God or those Plagues of his Fury when he rises up to contend with the Wicked in a way of Vengeance and Indignation with a Person or People turns all their Joy into Mourning and a bitter Day I will saith God by his Prophet undo all those that have afflicted thee The Fire of God's Wrath will utterly impoverish all the Wicked of the Earth c. VIII 'T is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God viz. God being a consuming Fire in respect to this the Apostle spake these Words For our God is a consuming Fire If it be terrible to have a Finger Foot or Hand to burn off or to hear that our Bodies must be cast into a Furnace of boiling Oil or into a fierce devouring â—â—ire how then can Sinners bear the Thoughts of falling into the Hands of the dreadful and terrible God whose incensed Wrath is ten thousand times worse and more intolerable than any Fire that ever Mortals saw or that ever any were cast into IX God when he goeth forth in Vengeance will destroy mightily and in a short space when he rises up to set on fire the Briars and Thorns of the Earth Through the Wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the Land darkned and the People shall be as the Fuel of the Fire Now will I saith God arise and devour at once Destruction is coming upon the Wicked of the Earth Destruction upon Destruction in a Moment will come upon them Let Mystery Babylon look to it this Fire will kindle very suddenly upon that great City in a more terrible and irreparable Manner than her Agents have done upon our Metropolis yea and her Plagues shall come in a Day Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnt with Fire And let the Sinners in Sion tremble for the Light of Israel shall be for a Fire and his Holy One for a Flame and it shall burn and devour his Thorns and his Briars in one day There is vast Difference and Disparity between our common Elementary Fire and the Fire of God's Wrath. Metaphor I. FIre is natural and elementary and so consequently can only seize or consume things that are visible of external or temporal Substances it destroys that only which is fit Fuel for it whilst kept under II. The Flames of a burning and consuming Fire are always seen and the Ruins that it makes are obvious to the outward Eye III. A consuming Fire hath often been overcome and put quite out by Engines Instruments and Industry of Man when it hath burned vehemently a Stop hath been put to it and further Danger prevented IV. Fire is not unquenchable Tho the Burning of Mount Aetna and other burning Mountains where there is much Brimstone and other Sulphureous Matter are impossible for Man to extinguish yet they shall not burn always Disparity I. THe Fire of God's Wrath is Divine or Spiritual and so takes hold of or kindles upon that which is of an immaterial and invisible Substance it seizeth upon Spirits torments Devils and the Souls of Men and Women it kindles not on external Matter only but on internal also II. The Flames of God's Wrath upon the Soul cannot be seen A Man may have a Fire burning in his Conscience like that of Francis Spira and yet by looking upon him you cannot see what Ruine and Desolation it makes there III. God is such a consuming Fire that when his incensed Wrath is kindled in good earnest with a design to burn up and destroy none is able to overcome and put a Stop unto it all the Ways and Means then that Sinners can devise will prove insignificant 'T is not Repentance nor Floods of brinish Tears that can put out or lessen the burning of this Divine Fire 'T is true that when his Wrath is kindled but a little and before the Day of Grace is over his Anger may be appeased but when he lets out the Greatness yea the Deluge of the Vials of his Wrath O then it will be too late IV. The Fire of God's Wrath shall never be extinguished Behold thus saith the Lord Mine Anger and my Fury shall be poured out c. and it shall not be quenched Fire is kindled in mine Anger and shall burn to the lowest Hell And it is said And they shall go forth and look upon the Carcases of the Men that have transgressed against me for the Worm shall not die neither shall the Fire be quenched and they shall be an Abhorring to all Flesh. There the Worm dieth not and the Fire shall not be quenched Application I. IF God be a consuming Fire 't is good to enquire To whom he is so and will be so terrible 1. To the fallen Angels or damned Spirits who once enjoyed him as a gracious Head and Creator but by reason of Sin not being contented with their first Estate were cast out of Heaven and must for ever undergo the incensed Flames of God's Wrath. 2. All profane debauched and ungodly Men who are Enemies to God and Religion who live like brute Beasts upon the Earth who mind nothing but to satisfy their carnal Appetites who wallow in the Lusts of Uncleanness Drunkenness Pride Covetousness c. without timely Repentance as God is so he will for ever be to such a consuming Fire c. 3. All Persecutors Tyrants Murderers Whoremongers and all such that destroy the Saints of God on the Earth the Beast false Prophets and Mystical Babylon to all such will God be continually a consuming Fire 4. All rotten and hypocritical Professors and Unbelievers whether in or out
Books shall be opened and the Dead shall be judged out of those things which are written in the Books XXIII God never judges alone The Son is with him the holy Spirit is with him the Angels and whole Court of Heaven do acquiesce in the Judgments that he executes XXIV God when he peremptorily pronounces Judgment without reserve it stands and must abide If he say Pharaoh and his Host shall be seen no more for ever Babylon the Glory of the Chaldean Kingdom shall be overthrown Israel shall be removed the Land shall be forsaken of both her Kings If he publish the Decree there is no changing his Determinations his Judgment is like the Laws of the Medes and Persians Abraham cannot save Sodom nor Noah Daniel or Job Judah and Israel but when a Decree of Judgment is gone forth they must die by the Sword For the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it God an Hiding-Place Psal. 32.7 Thou art my Hiding-Place thou shalt preserve me from Trouble Psal. 119.114 Thou art my Hiding-Place c. SEcret Place as Mr. Ainsworth renders it a Phrase alluding to some Den Cave or secret Chamber where Men have found and may find Safety in Times of Danger according to what is said Isa. 26.20 Come my People enter thou into thy Chambers and shut thy Doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment The Saints of old hid themselves in Dens in Caves Mountains and Wildernesses from the Rage of Men Heb. 11.38 were sometimes sheltered by the Providence of God when there was a general Combination against them therefore called God's hidden Ones Psal. 83.3 because covered by him when Edom the Ishmaelites Moab and the Hagarens Gebal Ammon and Amalek the Philistines with the Inhabitants of Tyre took crafty Counsel and consulted Mischief against them And in as much as Hiding-Place is a borrowed Speech from a Rock Mountain Cave or Den secret Chamber or Place of Shelter we may consider the Conveniency of the Metaphor and bring in a Parallel from God Metaphor I. AN Hiding-Place is usually a strong Place Men will not adventure themselves in it or think themselves safe without some considerable Strength II. An Hiding-Place is an invisible and obscure Place not known to every Body a Place that Enemies have much ado to find III. An Hiding-Place is a Covering or Shelter from many Evils from the scorching Heat of the Sun the blustering Storms of Wind and Hail IV. An Hiding-Place frees from Fear and much abates the Hurries and Discomposures of the Mind because Men do imagin themselves safe when they have taken Sanctuary in some secret Rock or Cave V. An Hiding-Place doth disappoint the Enemies who please themselves in the thoughts of preying upon the Righteous as Pharaoh said of Israel My Lust shall be satisfied The Enemies of David cry Let us persecute his Soul and take it Aha! thus would we have it Parallel I. GOD the good Man's Hiding-Place is a strong God as a Rock in time of Need nay as the Shelter of a great Rock as the Security of many Rocks His Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks He is as a Place built on purpose for Safety The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous run into it and are safe He is hence said to be the Almighty the Lord strong and mighty a strong Rock Psal. 31.2 Strong Habitation Psal. 71.3 Strong Refuge v. 7. Strong Lord Psal. 89.8 Mighty in Power Isa. 40.26 II. God is an invisible Being in respect of his Essence No Man hath seen God at any time No Man hath beheld his Form or seen his Shape He is the invisible God c. He is invisible also as he is his Peoples Hiding-Place Pharaoh saw not the Covering Israel had when he said I will pursue I will overtake my Hand shall destroy The Enemies of David saw not the Cave the Rock his Hiding-Place when they said There is no help for him in his God Haman was unacquainted with this Covering when he designed Destruction to all Israel The Wicked plot against the Just because they know not where their Safety is In the Lord our God is the Salvation of Israel III. God is no less a Covering to his People than the best of Hiding-Places have been or are unto any People He secures from the Hurt of Persecution when Men rage and rise up against them He secures from Satan's Temptations as well when he appears like a Serpent as when he acts like a Lion or great red Dragon So that not only David and the Old-Testament Church could say Had not the Lord been on our side when Men rose up against us we had been swallowed up quick He breaks the Head of Leviathan and gives it for Meat to the People inhabiting the Wilderness But even the Church now may say He that is our God is a sure Hiding-Place a God of Salvation IV. This Advantage is most eminently enjoyed by the Godly who have made God their Sanctuary and Hiding-Place they are freed from the Fear that wicked Men are surprised with their Hurries and Discomposures are much abated As 't is said of Moses He feared not the Wrath of the King And David saith At what time I am afraid I will put my Trust in thee I will discharge my self of Fears and Discomposures and account my self safe in God my Sanctuary and Hiding-Place I will not fear what Man can do unto me tho Ten Thousand compass me about In the Name of the Lord there is strong Confidence not Fear when evil Tidings come Psal. 112.7 V. God hath throughout all Ages as the Hiding-Place of his People disappointed their Enemies and secured than from being a Prey to their Teeth He saved Israel when Pharaoh pursued them He saved David when Saul hunted him like a Partridg upon the Mountains He destroyed the Host of the Philistins and Assyrians when their Expectations were very high He frustrateth the Tokens of Liars and makes Diviners mad by catching the Wise in their own Craftiness In the things wherein they deal proudly he is above them For Disparities see Rock and Strong-Tower Inferences I. IF God be an Hiding-Place then let all Godly Men flie to him in Times of Trouble and Danger by Faith and Prayer Thus David Deliver me O Lord from mine Enemies I flie unto thee to hide me There is Reason for it for good Men cannot be secure without him 1. Because weak themselves 2. Are pursued and hunted after by potent and subtile Enemies II. Let them that have taken God for their Hiding-Place abide in him for in him there is Safety and no where else 'T is vain to trust in Men or put confidence in Princes to look for Safety from the Hills or Multitude of Mountains For in the Lord alone is the Salvation of Israel THE Second HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories Similes Types and other borrowed Terms RESPECTING The Lord Iesus Christ The
If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted of If thou followest on to know the Lord then shalt thou know him Seek and ye shall find Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved XII Christ's last Will and Testament is the godly Man's Title Whoever he be that Christ hath bequeathed such and such a Blessing or Promise to he is sure enough of it from the Nature of the Covenant and from the Provision that is made by Christ the Testator for the fulfilling and accomplishing thereof My People shall be willing in the day of my Power Christ makes the Condition easy to his Elect. XIII Christ hath resigned this great Trust of fulfilling of his Will into the hands of the Father and the Holy-Ghost who are not only faithful Executors of this his Testament but able to supply the Wants of every one and helps all those to whom the Covenant doth belong Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me I will pray the Father and He shall send you another Comforter who shall abide with you for ever XIV Christ's Will and Testament being confirmed and ratified by his Blood as He will not alter it himself much less may any Man or Angel presume to do it If We or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached let him be accursed If any Man shall take away from the Words of the Prophecy of this Book God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book XV. Christ by dying opened a way and gave Legacies to Sinners to have his Testament executed if the Testator had not died there had been no room nor access to them that are called to receive the Eternal Inheritance Testator I. THe Death of a Testator amongst Men makes only his own Will valid cannot make and confirm the Will of another II. A Testator amongst Men cannot be a Witness to the Will he ratifies and establishes III. A Testator among Men bequeaths or gives Legacies comparatively but to a few IV. A Testator among Men cannot enjoy or possess that Kingdom Estate or Inheritance himself after he hath given it away to others and settled them in possession V. A Testator amongst Men commits his last Will and Testament to Men to be fulfilled VI. The best Legacies Testators among Men bequeath are but earthly and temporal things Disparity I. CHrist did not only give force and value to his own Will but to the Will of the Father also II. Christ is not only a Testator but a Witness of the same Testament as 't is the Father's He is given of God as the great Evidence of Covenant-Love and of all the choice Favours and Good-will to Sinners God so loved the World c. And secondly he is given as the great Covenant-Interest and Relation betwixt God and Sinners He testifies that all that is contained in the Covenant is true and the absolute Will and Pleasure of God He said these things are true and faithful Who is it that affirms and testifies this Jesus Christ who is the true and faithful Witness III. Christ gives Legacies to Thousands and Ten Thousands no Godly Man hath nor ever shall have any spiritual good thing but what was bequeathed to him by Christ's Will and Testament IV. Christ the spiritual Testator tho he hath given away all that he hath and gives the possession to Believers by his last Will and Testament yet is Co-heir of the same Kingdom and Glory and shall possess it together with them V. Christ the spiritual Testator surrogates his Spirit in his absence and after his Death to see his Will executed in all points and to give real and actual possession of all his Covenant-Blessings unto them to whom they are given VI. The Legacies Christ bequeaths are spiritual things of a high and most sublime Nature As all things are given to Christ the Mediator so all that he is or hath he parts with freely to his faithful Followers the Graces of the Spirit Adoption Pardon of Sin Peace of Conscience precious Promises in a word all things that appertain to the Life that now is and to that which is to come All is yours and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's Inferences 1. THis exceedingly shews forth the Grace and Love of Christ to Sinners in that he should assume Man's Nature and become liable to Death and Mortality what marvellous Condescension is here that he should act or do any thing in contemplation of Death and be a Testator and yet could not see Corruption the Grave could not keep him and yet refused not to submit unto Death that thereby through the Spirit he might convey a legal Right and Possession to us of eternal Life 2. From hence we may also see how firm and sure the Covenant of Grace is made to all the true Seed and faithful Children of God 3. And let all the Friends and Legatees of Jesus Christ know that their Right and Title to spiritual and eternal Blessedness is of absolute Grace and meer Pleasure of the Testator 4. And what cause have we to praise the Name of God in Christ who hath published and made known his last Will and Testament unto the Sons of Men We have the Mind of Christ. 5. And in that he hath left one to execute his Will and that it is put into the hands of the holy Spirit in Christ's absence who is able to do it effectually But the Comforter which is the holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things he shall testify of me 6. Moreover let all such tremble that adventure to alter add to or diminish from any thing that is left in Christ's last Will and Testament the Plagues of God without Repentance are like to be their Portion for ever 7. Furthermore from hence you may see what reason we have to examin what is preached for Doctrine or published by any Man as the Mind of Christ for if it be not written or found in his last Will and Testament we ought utterly to reject it tho an Angel from Heaven should preach it Whatever is affirmed to be an Ordinance of Christ's if it be not nor cannot be naturally inferred without Abuse or Wrong to the Text let it be abhorred and contemned by us 8. This affords much Comfort to the Godly whose Names are written in this Testament and in the Lamb's Book of Life You will there find exceeding great and glorious things bequeathed to you and let it be your care to sue for them according to the Will and Directions of the Testator 9. Also let them not forget their Friend nor neglect to keep up his Remembrance in those holy Signs of his Death and Suffering for their sakes
who think Christ Jesus will never appear as a Lion but always shew himself in his Lamb-like Disposition Christ is a Lion as well as a Lamb and will ere long rise up to the Prey 2. What will become of the Murtherers and Destroyers of his Church in the Day of his fierce Wrath when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood 3. O that Sinners from hence would learn to prostrate themselves at his feet 4. This speaks much Comfort to the Godly He is full of Bowels and like a Lion able to defend and deliver them 5. By Faith and Prayer let us strive to rouze up this Lion of the Tribe of Judah to tear in pieces all his implacable Enemies Christ the true Manna John 6.50 This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven that a Man may eat thereof and not die Rev. 2.17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna CHRIST and the Graces of Christ are called Manna the Antitype of that Manna that fell in the Wilderness Exod. 16. Manna in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manah preparare to prepare because it was Food prepared from Heaven for the Israelites in the Wilderness Flacc. Illyricus and others say That when the Israelites saw it like congealed Dew or small Hail or Snow lying up and down about the Camp they asked one another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What 's that what 's that And because of frequent Repetition that it might be more easily pronounced they added the Letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and pronounced Manhu whence they retain the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man Manna Type I. MAnna was a strange and mysterious thing at first to the Israelites they knew not what it was II. Manna was Food prepared from Heaven III. Manna came down or descended from Heaven IV. Manna was white it was a pure fair and bright thing V. Manna was round in Form and Figure VI. Manna was a Gift it was given to Israel freely it cost them nothing VII Manna was given to all to the Poor as well as to the Rich none were forbidden to partake thereof VIII Manna was pleasant it had all the Taste and Relish of Sweetness in it IX Manna did nourish well and was given in great plenty X. Manna was to be bruised in a Mill that so it might become more useful for Food XI Manna was given equally to all the Israelites they had all a certain measure not one more than another were all Fellow-commoners every Man had his part his Omer XII Manna was a small and little thing unto the Eye like to a Coriander-Seed XIII Manna came down with the Dew it was covered or hid as it were with Dew XIV Manna was not given to the Israelites whilst they were in Egypt XV. Manna fell round about the Camp of Israel and in no other place XVI Manna was given to Israel in the Wilderness it was their only Food whilst they remained in that desert State XVII It was gathered daily except on the Sabbath then there was none to be found XVIII They went out of their Tents to gather it XIX If Manna was kept or received otherwise than God ordained and appointed it stank and bred Worms XX. Manna ceased when Israel came into Canaan XXI Manna was only given to the Israelites XXII Those that would receive the Benefit of Manna were to eat it XXIII Manna came very seasonably to Israel they had else starved XXIV Manna was to be kept and put in a Golden Pot before the Lord to remain in the Holiest for ever XXV Manna was loathed by those evil Murmurers on whom the Wrath of God fell they esteemed it light Bread XXVI In the day before the Sabbath in the night Manna fell abundantly that so they might gather it on that day to provide Food for the Sabbath Parallel I. JEsus Christ is the Wonder of Men and Angels and when He came into this World yea to his own they knew him not II. Christ had a Body prepared of the Father that he might be Food for Believers III. Christ is the true Bread or Manna from Heaven IV. Sic Christus describitur Apoc. 1. So is Christ described without Sin V. Christ respecting his Divinity is infinite perfect and entire no beginning no end VI. Christ is called a Gift the choicest Gift that ever God bestowed given freely for the Life of the World VII Christ is sent to all to Jews and Gentiles to the Small as well as the Great to the Poor as well as the Rich none are excluded VIII Whatsoever is pleasant sweet and delicious in a spiritual sence is found in Christ his Word is sweet as Honey or the Honey-Comb O taste and see how good the Lord is IX Christus sufficit ad omnes c. Christ is very sufficient and plentiful there is in him enough to nourish and feed all What Soul is there but may be filled to the full if he comes to Christ X. Christus ut animis nostris cibus esset doloribus mortis in Cruce contundebatur Christ that he might be Food for our Souls was bruised It pleased the Father to bruise him XI All true Israelites have their equal Share in Christ a whole Christ is given to every Saint they have all one Portion one Husband one Kingdom and Crown that fadeth not away XII Christ was little low and contemptible in the Eyes of the World of no reputation XIII Christ came down with the Dew of the Spirit being baptized or covered therewith hence called as some conceive hidden Manna XIV Christ who is the true Manna is not given to Unbelievers that remain in Bondage and Slavery under the Power of Sin and Satan XV. Christ is conversant within the Limits of his Church The Graces of the Spirit fall upon Mount Hermon the Dew descends upon the Mountains of Zion There God commanded the Blessing even Life for evermore Christ walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks XVI Christ and the Blessings of Christ are given to us who are in the Desert or Wilderness of this World We have no other Food for our Souls but are to live upon Christ by Faith so long as we are in this howling Wilderness XVII Those that would have Christ must seek him in the Time God hath appointed In the Day of the glorious Rest or Sabbath that remains to the People of God there will be no Christ no Manna for Sinners XVIII We must go out of the old Man and sensual Rests and Love of this World if we would participate of Christ. XIX The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper or any other Institutions of Christ made use of or received in other manner than Christ hath ordained and appointed it stinks in the Nostrils of God and is abhorred by good Men. XX. Living by Faith and our being fed by Ordinances will cease when
are in and among Rocks X. Rocks yield Oil The Rocks poured me out Rivers of Oil saith Job And in another place 't is said God made Israel to suck Honey out of the Stone and Oil out of the hard Rock XI Rocks afford a very sweet and refreshing Shadow in hot Countries to weary Travellers XII Rocks are dangerous to stumble at or to fall on especially to fall from When Men get up almost to the Top of a high and mighty Rock and suddenly through want of care fall down such are broken to pieces and perish inevitably Parallel I. THe Lord Christ is a firm and sure Foundation Vpon this Rock will I build my Church c. Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone Another Foundation can no Man lay The Church being built upon Christ the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Whosoever lays the Stress and Structure of his Salvation upon this Foundation the Powers of Hell and Rage of Devils shall never be able to subvert and destroy This made the Apostle to break forth in that holy Triumph Rom. 8. II. God in Christ is a Believer's spiritual Habitation they like the Dove make their Nest in the Clifts of the Rock He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God See Habitation Dove c. III. Christ our Rock is high in respect of the Dignity of his Person He is the high God He was lower than Men in the state of his Humiliation yet far higher and more glorious than the Angels He is high in respect of his Dwelling-place being exalted far above all Heavens high in respect of his Power and Sovereignty having absolute Dominion over Devils Angels and Men. IV. He that by Faith ascends upon the Top of this spiritual Rock may take a better Prospect and Survey of Heaven than Moses could of Canaan when he stood upon the Top of Pisgah He sees most of God and the Glory of the other World that stands upon the Rock Christ. V. God in Christ is the Godly Man's Refuge He that makes God his Defence or flies to Christ for Refuge needs not fear Devils nor wicked Men nor what all the Powers of Hell can do unto him See Strong-Tower VI. The Lord Jesus hath the Stability of a Rock in him He is the Rock of Ages the same yesterday to day and for ever He grows not weak as his Years so his Strength decays not VII All sweet Peace and Comfort proceed from the Rock Christ His Promises are sweeter than Honey or the Honey-Comb VIII That celestial Stream Spring and River of Comfort viz. the Spirit proceeds from the Throne of God and the Lamb From this Rock saith a worthy Writer the clear and crystalline Streams of living Water bubble forth IX In Christ are hidden all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg all the Graces of the Spirit which are compared to but far more excellent than Gold Pearl or precious Stones are only to be found in this spiritual Rock X. Christ affords us Store of precious Oil the Spirit is so called with which the Godly are all more or less anointed We have received an Vnction from the Holy One No Oil like that which comes from this Rock XI Christ is as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land He keeps off all the hot scorching Beams of the Wrath of God and Hell See Apple-Tree XII Christ is a Rock of Offence many stumble at him and fall on him and some fall from him whose State of all is very sad For when Men fall from this Rock having gotten up very high by a speculative Knowledg and Profession they fall suddenly to the lowest Hell Metaphor I. ROcks tho they abide and last long yet are not everlasting II. Rocks in many respects are barren useless and unprofitable things yield no Fruit Seed that falls upon a Rock comes to no maturity Some fell upon a Rock c. III. Rocks are part of the coursest and grossest Element they are but Earth condensed and congealed into a massy senseless Lump Disparity I. CHrist abides for ever and ever he being stiled the Rock of Ages II. Christ the spiritual Rock is very fruitful and every way exceeding profitable III. Christ is of the highest and best of Beings He that made and formed the Elements and gave being to all Creatures and Things who tho called a Rock yet is the Lord from Heaven and a quickning Spirit Inferences 1. TAke heed Christ be not unto you a Stumbling-Stone and Rock of Offence 2. Let the Godly who dwell in this Rock fear no Evil their Rock is not like our Rock 3. Get into this Rock be like the Dove that makes her Nest besides the Holes Mouth 4. When you are down in the Valley and the Waters swell and threaten to overflow you get with David by Faith and Prayer upon the Rock that is higher than you 5. Prize the Rock precious Water Honey and Oil flow from it 1. 'T is a rich Rock 2. 'T is a living Rock 3. 'T is an invincible Rock 4. 'T is a feeding and fattening Rock 5. 'T is a Rock of Pearls and Diamonds 6. 'T is an eternal Rock 6. When you see a great Rock think of Christ. 7. Build all your Hopes of Happiness upon it let your Anchor be so cast as to take hold of this Rock Christ a Fountain Jer. 2.13 They have forsaken me the Fountain of living Water c. Zech. 13.1 In that Day there shall be a Fountain opened c. AMong the many Things that Christ is compared to in the holy Scripture to set forth his transcendent Excellency Beauty Usefulness and Perfections this of a Fountain is none of the least it being a most profitable Metaphor Metaphor I. A Fountain is the Spring and Head of a River from thence Waters issue and stream forth 'T is the Rise and Beginning of Springs and Waters II. A Fountain implies Abundance of Water I will open Fountains in the midst of the Vallies that is Fulness or Store of Water it denotes Plenty III. A Fountain is very tenacious a Place fit dense hard and well-compact to retain the Water leaving some certain Passage for to let its Water out in an orderly manner IV. A Fountain when the Passage or Vent is open le ts out its Water freely V. Fountains always empty themselves into low Places they love to glide in the Vallies of the Earth He sends his Springs into the Vallies VI. Fountains by letting out their Water into Vallies Meadows and low Ground make them very fruitful when Mountains and high Grounds abide barren and unprofitable VII Fountain-Water is usually common to all the Poor and he that hath no Money may partake of it none are forbid to come to a Fountain VIII Fountains yield pure and unmix'd Water Streams are sometimes muddy they may be defiled but Fountain-Water is clear fair and without Filth IX Many Fountains are deep
are fitted as Vessels of Wrath for Destruction Metaphor I. THe Sun is a Creature and had a beginning and when Time is swallowed up of Eternity it will set and rise no more II. The Sun gives Light but cannot give Sight the Sun-Beams tho never so powerful cannot make a blind Man see III. The Sun shines but in one Hemisphere at once when it rises to us it sets to our Antipodes IV. The Sun hath endamaging as well as healing Qualities defaces Beauty maketh Men faint Fruits are sometimes withered to nothing by it V. The Sun is inanimate hath neither rational sensitive nor vegetative Life tho in some sence called the Fountain of Life VI. The Sun is the Servant of Men from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to minister 'T is Idolatry to worship it Disparity I. JEsus Christ is God in his Essence uncreated and without beginning Christ endureth for ever he is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last II. Christ gives Sight as well as Light he made the Blind to see He also cures spiritual Blindness as Saul's by Ananias Acts 9.17 III. Christ is able to shine over the whole World at once It may properly be said of him as of the King of Assyria The Stretching out of his Wings are able to cover the World at one moment IV. Christ hath no hurtful quality he quickens the Soul never makes it faint He makes Deformity beautiful and lovely ripens but never withers the Fruits off Grace His Beams are destructive to none but such as have no root such indeed he withers V. Christ has Life Light and Heat and is often in Scripture called our Life for he gives and maintains both natural and spiritual Life VI. Christ is our Lord whom Men and Angels must worship all the Host of Heaven adore him 'T is gross Impiety not to worship him Inferences I. HEnce we may learn to know the Worth and Excellency of Christ as also the indispensible and absolute Necessity every Soul lies under of receiving Divine Illuminations from this everlasting Sun for as natural Bodies perish without the Influence of the natural Sun so will Souls if the Sun of Righteousness give not his Life-cherishing Efficacy II. Hence we may also see how greatly we are concerned to pray earnestly to God that our Hemisphere may never be deprived of this Sun of Righteousness nor overspread with the Clouds of superstitious Popery nor other Heretical Errors and Darkness III. This may shew the Folly and Madness of such as would drive the Light of the Gospel out of the World 1. In respect of the Wrong and Injury they would do the World thereby if they could effect it 2. Their Inability to accomplish it IV. Hence we may infer the Necessity of labouring whilst it is day we know not how soon our Sun may set and we are not sure of another The Lord thus threatens the Prophets that cause the People to err I will cause the Sun to go down at Noon c. Which Judgment the Lord God in Mercy deliver England from Christ the Root of David Rev. 22.16 I am the Root and Off-spring of David c. THere is a great and glorious Mystery in these Words many understand not how Jesus Christ should be the Root and yet the Off-spring of David This Text agrees with those Words of our Saviour If David called him Lord how then is he said to be his Son They understood him not Christ as he is God is David's Lord and the Root of David but as he is Man he is his Off-spring and hence elsewere called the Branch Christ is and may fitly be called and compared to a Root The Root of 1. Grace 2. Glory Metaphor I. A Root is that from whence the Tree and Branches do proceed II. A Root is a thing hidden in the Earth and not obvious or visible to the Eye III. A Root hath Life nay 't is the Center of Life the Life of any Tree or Plant is principally in the Root IV. The Root beareth the Body of the Tree and all the Branches thereof V. The Root communicates Sap and Nourishment unto the Body and all the Branches thereof VI. The Body and Branches have a necessary dependance on the Root VII There is much Life and Sap in the Root when the Tree and Branches seem dead dry and sapless VIII As is the Soundness and Firmness of the Root of a Tree the more sound firm and stable is the Tree it self with the Branches thereof these being likely to endure when those that have no Root fall away IX The Root is best secured of any part of the Tree being excellently fortified by Nature in the Earth X. Those that would utterly destroy the Tree strike at the Root XI The Root communicates of the same Life and natural Virtue to the Tree and Branches Parallel I. FRom the Lord Jesus Christ the Root of David all Believers do proceed I am the Vine ye are the Branches See Christ the true Vine II. The Deity or Divine Nature of Jesus Christ is a hidden thing cannot be seen with mortal Eyes Christ's Glory was vailed under Afflictions Reproaches Poverty c. as a Root is under the Earth III. In the Lord Jesus Christ is Life He is called the Way the Truth and the Life As the Father hath Life in himself the Son also hath Life in himself Life is in Christ as Sap is in the Root of a Tree IV. The Lord Jesus Christ this Root bears up his Church and every Member thereof V. The Lord Jesus Christ conveys Sap and Nourishment to all his Church and every particular Believer or Branch thereof hence he is called our Life VI. The Saints and Church of God have the like dependance on the Lord Jesus Christ Without thee we can do nothing VII There is much Sap and Life in Jesus Christ for the Godly when oft-times they seem like withered and dry Branches VIII The Goodness Firmness and Soundness of this Divine Root the Lord Jesus Christ shews us the very happy stedfast and secure State of the Church This Root cannot fail nor decay and consequently the Church and People of God shall endure and stand against all the Storms and Blasts of the Devil Antichrist and all wicked Enemies IX The Lord Jesus Christ is secured from Hurt and Danger whilst his Church is daily exposed thereunto being hid in God as it were You are dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God X. The Devil 's grand Design being utterly to destroy all the Godly struck most furiously at Jesus Christ the blessed Root XI Christ communicates of his Spirit and Divine Nature to his Church If the Root be holy even so are the Branches Be ye holy even as I am holy He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Metaphor I. NAtural Roots
gather there drive away Darkness and clear the Sight And further saith Quid possit Vitis alia quae fundit sermone explicare nemo potest that no Tongue could sufficiently tell the Virtues of the Vine the like says Pliny Parallel I. JEsus Christ in his state of Humiliation did not appear in that outward Glory Pomp and Magnificence which the proud Grandees of the Earth glitter in he was not entertained with the Royalties of Imperial Palaces for his Kingdom was not of this World He was look'd upon in comparison of the Mighty Men who are compared to the Cedars of Lebanon and Oaks of Bashan as a poor mean and contemptible Shrub as the Prophet foretold He shall grow up before him as a Tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry Ground he hath no Form nor Comliness and when we shall see him there is no Beauty that we should desire him II. Jesus Christ hath a Name above every Name he infinitely excels whatsoever is good great and glorious in Angels Saints and Men. The spendor and Stateliness of Monarchs Courts is nothing in comparison of that unexpressible Lustre and Majesty that surrounds him The Heavenly Luminaries are dim to him he is the Royal Ofspring of Heaven of the sublimest Extraction When he bringeth the first begotten into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him III. Christ when in his young and tender Age grew much in favour both with God and Man and when he was twelve years old disputed with the Learned Doctors hearing them and asking them Questions and all that heard him were astonished at his Vnderstanding and Answers c. IV. Jâ—â—sus Christ is full of Life and Divine Vertue the Treasuries of his communicable Graces are immense and unspeakable All Wisdom and Knowledg are hid in him In him all Fulness dwells his People mystically united to him are his Branches them he supplies with spiritual Quickning Nourishment and Growth and though scattered over many Kingdoms and Nations his Protection environs them round about provides a sufficient Supply for their spiritual Wants which is to be found no where else If a Man abide not in me saith he he is cast forth as a Branch that is withered c. V. Christ the Spiritual Vine is not only a green spreading and flourishing Plant but also exceeding fruitful he was so in his Life going up and down doing good both to the Bodies and Souls of Men fruitful in his Death In that Cluster there is much choice Fruit as Atonement Reconciliation Redemption Victory over Sin and Satan the abolishing of the Law and establishing the everlasting Righteousness he was fruitful in his Resurrection Ascention Intercession c. The Graces of the Spirit Holy Ordinances and Promises of Eternal Life are all Fruits of this heavenly Vine from him is all our Fruit found See Metaphor Light VI. The Lord Jesus brings forth the most pleasant and most desirable Fruit. I sate down under his Shadow with great delight saith the Spouse and his Fruit was pleasant to my Taste No Cup so refreshing as the Cup of Divine Consolation No Wine nourishes or quickens the Body so much as the Love of Christ Peace with God Reconciliation Pardon of Sin Justification Adoption c. These Blessed Fruits of this mystical Vine do chear feed and enliven a Drooping and Languishing Soul VII The Lord Jesus yields Fruit every way profitable All the Good that Soul or Body is capable to receive flows from him and is the Fruit of his Love purchased by his Death and communicated by his Word and Holy Spirit It warms supports and strengthens the Souls of his People His Grace is of a healing quickning and vivifying nature See Metaphor Wine and Ointment c. VIII Jesus Christ is a Shadow to his Church a hiding-place from the Wind and a Cover from the Tempest as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land He defends from the Rage of Satan from Sin from the Fury of Man in the heat of Persecution yea from the wrath of God by which were it not for the interposition of this blessed Skreen or Shade we should be scorched burnt yea utterly consumed See Rock Apple-Tree c. IX Christ the Spiritual Vine being affronted rejected and abused by the rebellious obstinate and unbelieving Jews when he approached and beheld the City He wept over it was grieved for the hardness of their Hearts but more especially when he came under the execution of Divine Wrath for Mans sake and in his stead which he did willingly undergo how did his bruised and abused Body sweat as it were great drops of Blood until he yielded up his blessed Life and precious Spirit for us X. The Grace of Christ the Spiritual Vine is precious Eye-Salve which removes those thick Clouds of Darkness and Ignorance that are upon the Understanding by which a Soul spiritually comes to have a clear Prospect of those never-fading Glories of the other World and plainly discerns the gilded Follies and transitory Vanities of all things here below In a word no Tongue can sufficiently exalt the transcendent Virtues of this ever-blessed Vine Metaphor I. THe Vine is a Plant of an earthly Extract the choicest and goodliest are only the Plantation of Men. II. The Vine is not always green the Leaves fall off in Winter You may look for Fruit when the Vintage is gathered and find none III. The Fruit of the Vine taken to excess is offensive to God hurts and injures the Soul breeds Diseases and destructive Humours in the Body bereaves Men of Reason intoxicates the Brain c. IV. The Fruit of the Vine diminishes by gathering Cluster after Cluster you may soon strip it off all V. The Fruit of the Vine is only good for the Body VI. The Vine wants Support unless it be underpropt it falls being not able to bear the weight of its own Branches Disparity I. CHrist is of an heavenly Original and Extraction a Vine of God's own planting who prepared a Body for him and appointed him to the work of Redemption He is the true Vine and God the Father is the Husbandman no other could plant so Noble a Vine as Christ is II. Christ the Spiritual Vine perpetually flourishes always abounds with Fruit and knows no Winter he is the same from Generation to Generation yesterday to day and for ever without variation or shadow of turning there 's always a full Vintage that never diminishes withers nor decays never grows old but ever remains in its full growth and absolute Perfection III. The Fruit of Christ the Spiritual Vine never hurts any no danger of Surfeit here the more you eat and drink the better 't is here 's no fear of Excess The Wine of Consolation neither gluts nor inflames nor intoxicates but nourishes and feeds the Soul
forth Christ's Glory and Praise in this He excelling all the Sons as far as the Apple-Tree excels all the Trees of the Wood. Simile I. THe Apple-Tree is very profitable to the Owner as it is observed by some it far excels other Trees hence Pliny sâ—â—ith there were many about the City of Rome which were set at a yearly Rent of two thousand Sesterties yielding them more Profit and Revenue by the year than a pretty good Farm II. The Apple-Tree yields diversity of Fruit. It hath saith Mr. Ainsworth more variety of Fruits than any other Tree that grows 't is not easie to reckon up the various sorts of Apples III. The Apple-Tree yields sweet and pleasant Fruit. IV. The Apple-Tree doth wonderfully excel the wild and barren Trees of the Desert which bear no Fruit or else that which is sowr and unwholsome V. The Apple-Tree whether you take it in the Blossom or when its Fruit is fully ripe is a very beautiful Tree and to look upon very lovely and amiable VI. The Apple-Tree in its Leaves Buds Blossomes Fruits c. hath very sweet and comfortable Smells The Spouse alludes to it when she crys to her Beloved to comfort her with Apples VII The Apple-Tree Naturalists observe is a very tender Tree Pliny saith 't is the tenderest of all Trees VIII An Apple-Tree is a very shadowy Tree its Shadow refresheth and by common Experience is found comfortable to sit under in the heat of the Day c. IX 'T is a rare sight to see an Apple-Tree grow in a Wood. X. The Leaves and Fruit of the Apple-Tree are Medicinal XI An Apple-Tree in the midst of the Trees of the Wood affords oftimes much Refreshment to weary Travellers Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus Christ yields his Father more Profit and brings more Glory to him than all the Angels in Heaven or Saints on Earth do or ever did and not only brings Glory to God but also infinite Profit to all his People who are Partakers of his Grace and of the great plenty of Fulness that dwelleth in him II. Jesus Christ excelleth in variety of precious Graces What good thing is it that any true Believers wants or can want of any sort but 't is to be had in Jesus Christ whether Grace or Gifts things for the Soul or things for the Body whether common or special Mercies Of his Fulness all we have received and Grace for Grace III. Jesus Christ the Divine Apple-Tree bears most sweet and pleasant Fruit his Fruit was sweet saith the Spouse to my Taste See the Metaphor of the Vine IV. Jesus Christ infinitly excelleth and surpasseth all Objects and Things whatsoever He is the chiefest amongst ten thousand yea the chiefest in the whole World none like to him in Heaven or Earth V. Jesus Christ is very beautiful whether you consider him in his Incarnation or Exaltation he is most amiable and lovely We beheld his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten Son of God c. VI. How transcendently sweet is the Scent and Odour of our Blessed Saviour How sweet are the Comforts of his Spirit his Word and heavenly Doctrine Thy Word saith David is sweeter than Hony or the Hony-Comb Words fitly spoken are like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver God's Word is not only sweet but rare and valuable Christ is wholly delectable his Conception Birth Life Death Burial Resurrection Ascension and Intercession smell exceeding sweet See Vine VII Christ is of a soft and tender Heart full of Bowels of Compassion to poor Sinners weeping over perishing ones and thus 't was foretold of him by the Prophet He shall grow up as a tender Plant and as a Root out of the dry Ground VIII Jesus Christ is a Shadow many ways to his Church I sat down under his Shadow with great Delight He is a Cover from the scorching heat of the Wrath of God a Shadow for need and he is a Shadow for Delight Refreshing and Pleasantness Shadow is often used in Scripture to denote Protection and Mercy See Rock Habitation Vine c. IX It was a rare sight to see Jesus Christ in the days of his Flesh dwelling in the Wood of this World amongst Men. X. The Leaves of this Tree of Life are for the healing of the Nations XI So when a poor weary Soul or spiritual Pilgrime meets with this Divine Apple-Tree and partakes of the Fruit thereof he is sweetly refreshed and supported thereby Metaphor I. AN Apple-Tree is subject to decay in time it doth wither and dye II. The Fruit of the Apple-Tree will soon rot and come to nothing III. The Fruit of the Apple-Tree hath some pernicious Qualities in it it 's only external and it perisheth in the using IV. An Apple-Tree hath no Fruit Leaves nor refreshing Shadow on it for one great part of the Year Disparity I. THe Lord Jesus Christ never decays nor ceaseth from yielding Fruit. II. But the Fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ is incorruptible and will never fade nor decay it endureth for ever III. But Christ's Fruit hath no bad nor hurtful Quality 't is sweet but surfeits not breeds no Worms but on the contrary purges the Soul from all inward Filth and makes it healthful this Fruit is satsifying The Spouse by eating herereof had abundance of Rest Peace Content and Satisfaction IV. There is Fruit always to be found on Christ and a refreshing Shadow this Tree is ever green and knows no Winter Application I. IS Christ compared to an Apple-Tree among the Trees of the Wood Then from hence we may infer not only the Excellency of the Lord Jesus above others but Sinners Strangers and whoever will may come to him and eat of his Fruit and sit down under his Shadow He the Tree of Life is not pal'd fenc'd nor wall'd in as such which are planted in a Garden or Orchard nor is there an Angel or flaming Sword to keep the way of this Tree of Life nor is the Fruit of this Tree forbidden An Apple-Tree in a Wood is common and free to all poor Beggars and Strangers may have free Access thither and who will forbid them Whoever will may come and partake of Christ's Fruit freely II. Be exhorted then Sinner to hasten to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Tree of Life 1. Consider the Barrenness and Unfruitfulness of all other Trees or Objects of the World that grow in the wide Wilderness where you live what is all the Fruit of earthly Pleasure Profits and Honours of this Life to the Fruit of Jesus Christ To Pardon Peace of Conscience Communion with God Eternal Life c. Let us more particularly consider the nature of Christ's Fruit 2. 'T is exceeding sweet and pleasant to the Taste 't will sweeten all your Bitters 3. 'T is safe Fruit it will do you good abundantly and no hurt nothing is of a surfeiting Nature in it 4. 'T is
of his Faithfulness in performing and making good the same of the reality of his Intentions to make Men happy through believing that he renders the matter on God's side valid against all Contenders whatsoever so as that God shall be clear in Judgment and none be able to answer him one word of a thousand VII Jesus the faithful and true Witness was so necessary to the determination of matters relating to God and man that it could not be done without him otherwise another might have serv'd in his room but none in Heaven nor Earth was found worthy to open the Book and loose the â—â—eals thereof Rev. 5.4 If I had not come and done what no other did you had not had Sin but now you have no cloak for your Sin John 15.22 24. VIII Christ as the chief Witness hath spoke the whole Truth left nothing conceal'd that either concerns God's Glory or Mens Good either by himself before he went to Heaven or by his Apostles since he hath declar'd the whole Counsel of God so that the Record of his Testimony is able to make us perfect and compleat in the whole Will of God and if any add to or take from his Word he shall lose his part in the Book of Life and heavenly Jerusalem IX Jesus is so just and impartial a Witness yea and so great an Abhorrer of Falshood that he is called the Truth it self yea Grace and Truth came by him He was holy harmless separate from Sinners X. As the Testimony of Jesus will put an end to all Controversies the right way and leave the Wicked wholly wiâ—â—hout Excuse and clear the Justice of God So it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom in the day of Judgment than for that City that refuse and reject the Word and Testimony of Christ in the Gospel Divine Justice however will be cleared in the eyes or view of Men and Angels in condemning them that had the Light and would not be determined by it See Christ a Prophet Metaphor I. THe greatest Witnesses amongst Men are but of a short standing they are but of yesterday know but in part therefore can testify but in part II. Earthly Witnesses are but Servants and in many things return the Matter of their Testimony by Information Disparity I. BUt Jesus Christ is an Ancient Witness of long standing was with the Fâ—â—ther from the Beginning saw and â—â—eard all things that he spake and did I was by him as one brought up with him c. Before Abraham was I am II. Jesus Christ is the Son of the great King and Law-giâ—â—er and hath the whole matter of Testimony by Sight and personal Knowledg The Father hath shewed the Son all things that himsâ—â—lf doth c. And what he hath seen and heard that he testifyeth Joh. 3.32 Inferences I. THese things shew the great value God puts upon the Souls of Men that rather than they should miss the Knowledg of his Will and perish for want of Testimony to confirm the Truth he sent Jesus Christ his own Son to witness and testify Divine Things to them God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto our Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son II. That the Gospel is to be highly valued as the perfect Will of God witnessed to not only by him that was true and faithful but perfect and fâ—â—ee from the least stain or spot of Sin III. They deserve to be damn'd that live under the repeated Testimony of Christ the true Witness and yet will not believe it so as to be reformed by it How shall we escpae if we neglâ—â—ct so great Salvation IV. What Confirmation Establishment and Consolation also is here to all that belieâ—â—e and embrace the Gospel in Sincerity 1. This is the Truth as it is in Jesus The true Grace of God wherein ye stand 2. There is a high degeee of Blessedness to them that have not seen and yet believed 3. The abiding by this Testimony and Witness of Jesus Christ gives an Interest â—â— and Right unto Eternal Life 4. It advanceth the great Honour makes Men no less than the Children of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. V. An Exhortation to all them that have received the VVitness and Testimony of Jesus Christ to hold it fast against all Opposition whatsoever There is great danger in being ashamed of and relinquishing the VVord and Testimony of the Son of God He will be ashamed of them before God and the Holy Angels VI. To them that have not received his Testimony to receive it with all speed because it is the word of Life the very Doctrine of Salvation It a fearful thing to refuse him that speaks from Heaven and trample under foot the Blood of the Son of God Christ an Altar Heb. 13.10 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat who serve the Tabernacle THE Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies an Altar where the slain Sacrifices were offered and sometimes as Brightman says on Rev. 16.7 The Altar of Incense or Perfumes It is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Sacrifice or Offering In this Text it Metaphorically denotes the whole Mystery of Christ the Mediator and is put by a Synecdoche for the Oblation or Sacrifice viz. Christ. See 1 Cor. 9.13 10.18 The meaning is that such as still stick to the Ceremonies of the Law by serving the Legal Tabernacle and thereby seek their Justification cannot eat of this Spiritual Altar that is they cannot be Partakers of the Benefits of this Sacrifice purchased by the Death of Christ. Metaphor I. THe Altar of Perfume was appointed by the Lord to be made of Shittim Wood overlaid with Gold having a Crown of Gold about it II. The Altar of Burnt-Offerings was ordaind for Sacrifices to attone for Sin the Flesh of Beasts was offered thereon III. All Sacrifices were to be offered upon the Altar of Burnt-Offerings and all Incense to be burnt upon the Altar of Incense IV. The Altar of Burnt-Offerings was but one and in one place and the Sacrifice to be offered thereon in this place only V. The Altar did sanctify the Sacrifices which were laid upon it VI. The Altar was a place of Refuge Men that were in danger fled to the Horns of the Altar and there intreated for Favour VII The Horns of the Altar were to be sprinkled with Blood and so was the Altar of Incense once a year VIII The Altar had four Horns on the four Corners thereof Parallel I. CHRIST's Humane Nature was covered and over-laid as it were with the Divinity and crown'd with Majesty as the Gold adorn'd the Wood and circled the Altar II. Christ was appointed for Sacrifice his Humane Nature was offered up as a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World III. All our Duties
build upon this Foundation VI. Christ is the only Foundation as he is every way fit and meet to be laid in the bottom of the Building so he is without Fault And no other Foundation can be laid than that which is laid which is Christ Jesus But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel to you than what we have preached unto you let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 VII Christ is a Foundation that can never be shaken the greatest Revolutions Mutations Changings Turnings and Over-turnings that can come cannot over-turn this Foundation nor remove it out of its place Foundations of Kingdoms Nations Commonwealths and Constitutions of Antichristian Churches may and shall be shaken but Christ the Foundation of the true Church shall abide for ever VIII Christ the Spiritual Foundation is able to uphold and preserve the Hâ—â—use or Soul that is built upon him I know whom I have believed and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him Vpon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Inferences I. THis informs us of the great Wisdom and Condescension of God in contriving such a blessed Foundation for the Church and all true Believers to build upon it was the purpose of God to found his Temple upon a sure Basis even the Rock Christ Jesus II. It also sets forth the happy and glorious State of the House of God what can add greater Glory to it than to have a Foundation so precious lasting and permanent III. It shews the Honour and Excellency of Gospel-Ministration Ministers do not only propound Christ but in a subordinate sence in the Ministry of the Word may be said to lay Christ as a Foundation Hence Paul saith I have laid the Foundation c. for we are Labourers together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 10. IV. It reproves those that lay aside and reject this Foundation and build upon others as 1. The Papists that build upon Peter and on their own Merits and what their Merits are England and other Nations can soon resolve 2. The Quakers who build upon the Light of Natural Conscience they refuse the Person of Christ and the valuable Price of his Blood and introduce in his room an inward Quality viz. that Beam of Light that shines in Men from Jesus Christ considered as Creator 3. Such as build but in part on Christ come justly under the verge of this use of Reprehension because they do not lay all the stress and hope of their Salvation upon this Foundation V. It serves also to put Men and Women upon Trial to see whether the Lord Christ be their only Foundation or not 1. Do you really remove your selves off all other Foundations 2. Do you not build on nor confide in Pharisaical Righteousness even a Righteousness of your own 3. Do you not build upon Federal Holiness and upon Birth-Privileges think not to say within your selves We have Abraham to our Father 4. Do you not build upon Legal Conviction or outward Reformation 5. Do you not build upon a bare believing the History of the Gospel upon the Faith of Credence 6. Do you not build upon a Confession of Sin 7. Do you not build upon outward Priviledges upon visible Church-Membership and External Ordinances remember the Foolish Virgins 8. Do you not build barely on the Mercy of God not well considering he is just as well as gracious and will not acquit the guilty notwithstanding your Repentance and moral Righteousness without the Atonement made by the Blood of Christ. 9. Do you not build upon present Purposes and Resolutions to change your ways and course of Life hereafter is not this that which supports and stays your Minds 10. Do you not build upon Learning Parts and that Knowledg you have in Divine Things above others 11. Do you not build upon Men Ministers the Church taking all upon Trust that such and such Doctors and able Divines say VI. This may caution all Preachers of the Gospel to take heed how and what they build Upon this Foundation if they build Wood Hay or Stubble they will suffer Loss Let them be very careful they preach nothing for Doctrine but what Christ hath given in Commission and receive none lay none into the Building but living Stones such as are well hew'd and squar'd and fitted by the Spirit and Word for the Spiritual Building for God's Temple must be built with Gold Silver and precious Stones VII Let all such that are not built upon this sure Foundation be exhorted with all speed to get an Interest in this Rock for otherwise your Building will be on the Sand and you will fall into the lowest Hell at last VIII It demonstrates the happy State of those that are built upon this sure Foundation the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone in whom all the Building c. And let all those that speak the Truth grow up in Love unto him in all things who is the Head Labour to be well fixed cemented and united to this Foundation that you may be established in the Faith IX And lastly This may comfort the Godly in the worst of Times for as it is a Foundation of God's laying and of so excellent a nature in its self you may be sure 't is not in the Power of Men nor Devils to raze or destroy it be sure you shall be saved whoever you are that build in a right manner on the Rock of Ages the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ the Corner-Stone 1 Pet. 2.6 I lay in Zion a chief Corner-Stone elect and precious Psal. 118.22 The Stone which the Builders refused the same is become the Head of the Corner CHRIST by a Metaphor called Anthropopatheia is not only called a Stone but also by a very emphatical Phrase a Corner-Stone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 21.42 Acts 4.11 1 Pet. 2.6 And whereas Builders place the strongest and most durable Stone in the Corner-Foundation it denotes the firmness strength and duration of Christ the Foundation or Spiritual Stone upon which the whole Church is built It is said 〈◊〉 3.17 The Lord will smite the corner of the Head so the Hebrew of the Daughter of Zion The exterior Angle of an Edifice has a Prospect to each side and is put for Principality or the chief Ruler Judg. 20.2 1 Sam. 14.38 Isa. 19.13 hence it is attributed to Christ Psal. 118.22 expounded Eph. 2.15 16 17 20. he having the chief over-sight of as well as he is the principal Foundation to his Church METAPHOR I. A Corner-Stone sustains and upholds the building if the Corner of the House fall the whole Structure is in danger There came a Wind from the Wilderness and smote the four Corners of the House and it fell upon the young Men and they are dead Some Stones may drop out of the middle of the Building
come to have our Sins forgiven 't is he that gives us a Heart to ask it and a Hand to receive it Is Christ All to thee in respect of every Grace He gives Faith 't is he that is the Author and Finisher of it 't is he that sheds Love abroad in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost All Grace is treasured up in him all Grace is communicated to us through him Is he all to thee in the Ministry of the Word 't is Christ that is preached 't is he that gives Grace to preach and opens the Ear to hear the Word preached and helps the Soul to receive the Word Is Christ all to thee in Ordinances The Lord's Supper holds forth his Death his Body broken and his Blood shed He is the sum and substance of it Baptism shews his Burial and his Resurrection In Ordinances or Duties art thou not satisfied unless thou meetest with Christ Jesus 9. Art thou willing to accept of Christ as the Father offers him Art thou willing to have him to be thy Prince as well as thy Saviour to destroy thy Sin as well as to save thy Soul 10. Dost thou long to be like him art thou willing and desirous to be holy as to be happy to live to him here as well as to live with him hereafter Is every thing in Christ or that belongs to Christ precious to thee V. Reproof This reprehends those that lay aside and would build without this precious Corner-Stone Who they are see Metaphor Christ the Foundation VI. Labour to esteem and highly value Jesus Christ. What are all things without him If he is not precious to thee nay thy All all thy profit by him at last will be nothing at all what wilt thou do at Death Qu. Some may say What shall we do to get Christ to obtain him who is so precious 1. Let thy Sins go 2. Let all thy Righteousness go in point of dependence do not trust to that 3. Let all Consultations with Flesh and Blood go and close immediately with Christ. 4. Improve the Means of Grace God is pleased to afford thee attend upon the Ministry of the Word Lastly Here is comfort to all true Believers you that have Christ have all and let me tell you you can never have less than all for this precious Stone can never be taken away from you you having made the blessed Choice that one thing needful with Mary Christ the Wonderful Counsellour Isa. 9.6 And his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour c. COuncellour is a word of a double Signification respecting two ranks of Men. 1. Such as appertain to the high Courts of Princes called Counsellors of State 2. Such as appertain to the high Courts of Judicature who are called Counsellors at Law These two Ranks of Men have their proper Work and Business peculiarly appropriated to them c. The first of these Ranks of Men are in Councel with the King to make and establish Laws therefore called Elders or Senators c. 2. The proper Work and Business of the second Rank or Order of Men is to unfold and plead Law therefore called Barresters or Counsellors c. Many things belonging to each Station do very fairly agree to the Son of God who therefore is not unfitly called Wonderful Counsellor c. Wonderful because the greatest and wisest that ever was Counsellor because his Place Work and Circumstances agree thereto as appears in these following Considerations Counsellour I. SOme Councellors are of a noble Extraction well descended which gives them Advantage above others Such have a double Advantage 1. In respect of Honour 2. In respect of Education Men basely or meanly born and descended are seldom or never advanced to the Honour of Counsellors in the highest Courts especially of Parliaments II. A Counsellor is brought up to useful Learning for so great an Employ or Office Men who are illiterate being unfit for it III. A Counsellor is a Man of Worth otherwise unfit for that Function or to appertain to any Court IV. A Counsellor of State is or ought to be a Man of an high and heroick Spirit not concerned about Triffles and things of an inferior Nature but mostly taken up with the more weighty and more considerable matters of the Law V. A Counsellor of State is chosen to that high Sphere and Dignity he comes not in of himself but by choice VI. A Counsellor of State is admitted into the Kings Court takes his place at the Council-Table and his chief Business lies there VII A great and wise Counsellor of State is made acquainted with the most secret Purposes of the King himself without whose Counsel and Consent there is nothing acted nor brought to light VIII A Counsellor of State is one who is thought worthy to be the Kings Familiar and Companion IX A Counsellor of State is one of the highest Ranks of Men none above him but the King himself X. A Counsellour of State is concerned in the agitating of Great Affairs such as immediately concern the King and the good of all his Subjects as the issuing out of Proclamations and the approving of other Ministers to be imployed in the King's Business XI A wise worthy and good Counsellor of State tho he be a Subject and Favourite to the King yet he is a great Glory to a Kingdom and it is the more respected for his sake I. A Counsellor at Law is a publick Officer belonging to a Court of Judicature II. A Counsellor at Law gives Advice and Councel from whence he derives the Denomination of being called a Counsellor III. A Counsellor at Law makes known the Law to those that are ignorant or unlearned he being the Mouth as it were of the Law IV. A Counsellor at Law resolves doubtful Cases which other Men cannot V. Counsellours at Law make Conveyances of Estates and most Men think these Conveyances not sufficient unless made by such able Men as they VI. Counsellours at Law have great respect amongst Men especially those who do most need them and make use of them VII A Counsellour at Law puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Party which is on the Adversaries side VIII A Counsellor at Law makes Contracts in great and weighty Cases between Parties IX A Counsellor at Law discovers Flaws in Evidences to undeceive the over-credulous X. A Counsellor at Law is of general use to Men since their tempers have been corrupted their manners vitiated and a necessity of multiplying Laws to correct them c. XI A Counsellour at Law is a Pleader of Causes which is none of the least part of his work Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is of an high and sublime Extraction well descended according to the Flesh of the Blood Royal of the Lineage and Stock of David the King of Israel and in respect of his Diviniâ—â—y the eternal Son of God Possessor of Heaven and Earth He is Lord of the Angels and King of Saints and
other Stars is fixed in its Orb wherein it performs a constant Motion IX The Morning Star gives most Light just before break of Day X. It is the Opinion of some that the Morning Star doth send forth very blessed Influences upon those Bodies that are under its Dominion XI The Morning Star doth chiefly govern pleasant and delightful Plants XII The Morning Star is accounted the master Planet for Moderation said to cause gentle Storms in Winter and moderate Heat in Summer XIII The Morning Star is said to be the cause of Beauty XIV The Morning Star doth most Service in Winter because the greatest part of that Season is Night and Darkness XV. The Morning Star hath an honourable Name it is called the Son of the Morning XVI The morning Star is known to be the Evening Star as well as the Morning Star and in both respects is useful to the World XVII The Morning Star tho it may be obscured by Mists Fogs Clouds and dark Vapors yet nothing can hinder its Course but it constantly keeps its Motion and Circle in the Heavens cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Power whatsoever Thieves and evil Men like not its Appearance yet cannot obstruct its Motion in the Firmament nor stop its Light from shining on the Earth XVIII The Morning Star as it hath those Properties and Excellencies already exprest so lastly it exceeds all other Stars for Brightness and Glory Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is a very solid Light whose Glory is not like others who have their Intermissions but he abides steady his Glory and Bright-shining is always alike his whole course of Life was as if it had been but one continued Act of Goodness He is the same in the Morning Noon and Night Yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 II. Jesus Christ he is the Harbinger of the great Joy to all Nations How joyful was that time when the Day-spring from on high did first visit us The People that sat in Darkness saw great Light and to those that dwell in the Vallies of the shadow of Death great Light is risen c. His coming was the fulfilling of God's gracious Promise unto the Fathers and as the blessed manifestation of God's rich Favour and good Will to Man he is also the Fore-runner or the Harbinger of that Dominion that the Just shall have in the Resurrection the morning of the longed-for Day The path of the Just is as a shining Light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 The upright shall have Dominion over them in the Morning The Night is far spent the Day is at hand This above all others is the day that the Lord hath made for good Men therein to rejoyce and be glad Psal. 118.24 III. Jesus Christ is not only an Ornament to the Christian Church and Profession far beyond what Moses was to the Jews but even to Heaven it self and the Holy Angels who did not a little rejoyce at his ascending into Heaven God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet sing Praises to our God sing Praises Psal. 47.5 IV. Jesus Christ is a very pleasant Object to Men that are spiritually inlightned therefore it is that they do ardently desire to be near him and with him where he is David tho he had not so clear a sight and prospect of this bright and morning Star as Men have under the Gospel yet that prospect he had made him use this pious Prayer O when shall I come and appear before God! Psal. 42.2 Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness c. Psal. 17.15 I have a desire saith Paul to depart and to be with Christ c. Phil. 1.23 Those that look for him do also cry Come Lord Jesus come quickly V. Jesus Christ is highly esteemed by all that sail Heaven-wards no steering the right Course without him He gives good Assurance to all that follow him they should not abide in Darkness but have the Light of Life The Following of Christ Jesus is the most certain way to avoid the Rocks the Sands and the Hands of all spiritual and temporal Enemies VI. Jesus Christ is really the most excellent and chiefest Light that ever God set in the Church Moses and the Prophets John Baptist and the three Beloved Apostles Peter James and John and Paul who was most eminent were shining Lights and glorious Stars who adorned the Profession of the Holy Gospel but in all things this Bright and Morning Star infinitely surpassed them in Splendor and Brightness VII Jesus Christ is a great Terror not only to wicked Men but wicked Angels to all that love Darkness more than Light they hate him and fear him they consulted against him and more times than once attempted to pluck this Star out of the Firmament that so they might walk in Darkness carry on their black Designs and Deeds without discovery Satan attempted his Destruction from the Pinacle of the Temple sets a Squadron of the black Regiment to resolve upon his Death knowing him to be the Fore-runner of the Day which Thieves and Robbers cannot endure Come let us kill the Heir c. They hate the Light come not to it lest their Deeds should be reproved They led him to the Brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong Luk. 4.29 The evil Angels thought he came too soon Why art thou come to torment us before the time VIII Jesus Christ is constant in his Orb or Station he is a Priest for ever a Prophet to guide for ever a King to govern for ever he leaves not his Office as inconstant Men do but makes good his Word as settled in Heaven And lo I am with you always to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee or leave thee to a forsaking IX Jesus gave a great Light unto the World by the Ministry of John by the Appearance of himself and by the Ministry of the Apostles and their immediate Successors But the greatest Light is reserved to the flying of the Angel through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel before the great and notable Day come wherein the whole Earth shall be lightned with his Glory both Jews and Gentiles shall acknowledg the Blessed Messiah Arise and shine for thy Light is come the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee The Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the Brightness of thy rising Isa. 60.1 3. The Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Hab. 214. X. Jesus doth send forth very blessed and sweet Influences upon the Bodies and Souls of Men that are under his gracious Rule and Dominion it is he who sends down the Holy Ghost If I go away I will send you another Comforter the Spirit of Truth c. Joh. 16.7 8. XI Jesus Christ tho all
they see themselves on a sudden surprized but know no way of Escape Men startled Women quaking Beasts crying but none to help them Then they will say to the Rocks and Mountains Fall on us and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb for the great Day of his Wrath is come and who shall be able to stand V. The coming of the Day of the Lord will make the World much amazed and forget all their former Pleaurses and Enjoyments as if they had never been and would gladly accept of their Lives for a Prey or to be extinguish'd or cease to be but alas 't is in vain nothing but Hell and eternal Burnings remain for them where they shall be always dying yet never dead VI. By the coming of the Day of the Lord there will be such Execution done as will be to the utter Ruin and Un-doing of wicked Men who shall be stripp'd of all they have formerly set their Hearts upon and would now give the whole World were it in their possession for so much Grace as would help them to Heaven and save them from the dreadful Judgment Simile I. A Thief comes with a wicked Intent to gratify his wicked Will unrighteously II. A Thief 's coming may be prevented III. The coming of a Thief is but to a few and the Dammage he does is but to a few Families Disparity I. THe Lord cometh with a good intent to fulfill his Father's Will to save his People from all their Troubles and to render Justice to God's Enemies II. But the coming of the Day of the Lord cannot be prevented The Day of the Lord will come in which c. III. The coming of the Day of the Lord and the dismal Effects of it will be to all the Wicked The Lord cometh with Ten Thousand of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly c. Inferences 1. REproof 2. Caution 3. Exhortation 1. Reproof to ungodly Men that there should be such a Day to come and notice given of such a thing and they so heedless and careless about it 2. Caution to the Godly to take heed and carefully mind the Counsel of Christ and Warnings of his Servants unto such a due Watchfulness as may prevent the Danger of being found sleeping and so the Day come upon them at unawares 3. Exhortation to all both good and bad to make ready for only they that shall be found ready will go in with him into the Marriage-Chamber the Door will be shut against all others whether Professors or Prophane Be ye therefore ready for at an Hour you think not of the Son of Man cometh Christ the Judg of All. Acts 10.42 And be commanded us to preach unto the People and to testify that it was He which was ordained of God to be the Judg of Quick and Dead THe Term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Judg is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to judg which word has various Significations And tho the word Judg is not brought here as a Metaphor Christ being really and properly a Judg yet it being a Phrase alluding to earthly Judges we shall for Edification sake run the Parallel wherein are amply set forth the Qualifications and Properties as well as the Authority of a temporal Judg with the correspondent Analogy and Disparity when applied to Christ the Judg of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Living and the Dead METAPHOR I. A Judg necessarily supposes a People under a Law to be judged by for there can be no Action where there is no Object nor any Exercise of Power or Judicial Proceeding without a Subject II. A Judg is or ought to be a Person fit for the Place and Office whereto he is called 1. A Judg ought to be a Man of great Wisdom and Prudence 2. A Judg is a Man of Knowledg 't is necessary that he should be well acquainted with all the Laws of his Sovereign 3. A Judg is or ought to be a Man of Goodness not subject to Anger Malice or Revenge and it is very requisite it should be so otherwise great Dammage might ensue upon the ill disposition of the Judg. 4. A Judg is or ought to be a Man of Justice and Impartiality that will not respect Persons in Judgment take Bribes or know the Faces of any tho never so great among Men. Aaron was not to know his Father nor Mother in Judgment 5. A good and upright Judg is a Man of Courage and Boldness will not say to the Wicked Thou art righteous nor excuse the Faults of great Men through fear III. The Place and Work of a Judg is grounded upon good Reason 1. The Honour of the Sovereign 2. The Reasonableness of Sovereignty or Authority 3. The Justness of the Laws 4. In respect of the Subject IV. A Judg is appointed to his Place and Office he acts not of himself but by Commission V. A Judg hath his set Time or Days limited wherein to keep a general Sessions or hold a solemn Assize for the Honour of his Sovereign Lord the King VI. A Judg when he hath received his Commission and the set Day is come hath power to summon all Parties concerned and order all Offenders to appear before him in Judgment VII A Judg after this great Appearance upon his Summons enters upon his Work which consists chiefly in three great Points 1. To open the Law 2. To examine Witnesses 3. To arraign the Offenders VIII A Judg charges Matter of Fact in Judgment and proceeds to clear Proof and Evidence by a sufficient Number of proper Witnesses touching the same IX A Judg by this Order and Method of Proceeding keeps up the Honour of the Law which he makes his Rule in all his Acts of Judgment X. A Judg is very terrible upon the Seat of Judgment in three respects 1. He is cloathed with Majesty 2. He hath very great Attendants as the Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and the Gentry of the County about him 3. He passeth a solemn and fatal Sentence upon guilty Criminals XI A Judg hath the Command of Officers to see Sentence executed and pronounced as Sheriffs deputy Sheriffs with Keepers of Prisons and the like Parallel I. CHrist being called a Judg doth clearly hold forth that there are a People to be judged by him Before him shall be gathered all Nations We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ. I saw the Dead both small and great stand before God II. Jesus Christ infinitely excells all other Judges in respect of Fitness to this Office or Excellency of Qualifications as will appear by what follows 1. Christ is wise not only far beyond David and Solomon but all the Angels in Heaven the Learned amongst the Jews admired his Wisdom He is called as hath been often hinted the Wisdom of God 2. Jesus Christ fully knows all Divine Laws as
that there was one above even God that seeth all things Besides these two Witnesses that are of such mighty Credit there may be three more added namely 1. The good Angels which are much busied in this World to watch Men and inspect their Ways 2. The evil Angels who are never out of Mens Company and have voluntarily of their own accord been Accusers of the Brethren who will give Testimony at the Bar of Christ against their own Proselites if God calls for it 3. The ordinary Companions of Transgressors with whom Counsel was held about evil Projects Designs and Actions of Murder Theft Drunkenness and Adultery whose Tongues shall no doubt be as ready to accuse their Comrades as to confess their own Faults concerning whom we are inform'd that not only every Knee shall bow but every Tongue shall confess c. IX Jesus Christ will magnify the Law and make it honourable in that the Word or Law spoken by Angels by Moses by Himself and his holy Apostles shall be the Rule of Judgment at the last Day X. Jesus Christ the high and great Judg of Heaven and Earth at the end of the World on his Judgment-Seat will be very terrible in three respects 1. He is set forth as being cloathed with Majesty as Judges are with their Scarlet-Robes Red in his Apparel cloathed with a Garment down to his Foot girt about the Paps with a Golden Girdle his Hair like Wooll as white as Snow his Eyes like a Flame of Fire and his Feet like fine Brass as if it burned in a Furnace his Countenance as the Sun shining in its Strength and his Voice like the Roaring of a Lion the Noise of Thunder or the Sound of many Waters 2. He will have great Attendance even all the Angels in Heaven When the Son of Man shall come and all the holy Angels with him he shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory All the Saints that ever were in the World since the beginning thereof shall sit upon the Throne with him The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with him Know you not that the Saints shall judg the World 3. He will pass a most solemn and fatal Sentence upon the Ungodly They shall not stand in this Judgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righteous The Sentence will be Depart from me ye workers of Iniquity I know you not Go ye cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Which with the Consequences of it and Reasons assigned you have at large Mat. 25. O the sad Shreeks the hideous Noises the woful and lamentable Out-crys from high and low that will attend this solemn Sentence which no Tongue of Man is able to express XI So Jesus Christ the Universal and Supream Judg hath the full Command of all the good and elect Angels who attend the Court at the great Assizes to see that no Resistance nor Escape be made but that Sentence be fully executed upon all the treasonable black rebellious and condemned Crew Take and bind them hand and foot and it follows These shall go away into everlasting Punishment Inferences IF there be a Judge a Time a Place and work of Judgment we do infer these three things I. What great need Unbelievers Rebels Traitors and all Offenders have of Pardon there being nothing else will stand them in stead when they appear before the great Judge where there will be no pleading not guilty because of full Evidence as to matter of Fact no pleading Ignorance because a known and establish'd Law is broke No benefit of Petitions because the King is gone off the Mercy-Seat No relying upon the wrong Verdict of Corrupt Jurors because no such Persons will be found there to afford help Nothing avails with the Judge in this Judgment-Day but a white Stone a Wedding-Garment the spotless Righteousness of Jesus Christ all who want this Robe will in that day be speechless II. How sad will it fare with all those that go out of this World without Faith in the Son of God without the Pardon of their Sins Wo unto such in that day that ever they were born Look to it all you Unbelievers Swearers Whoremongers Persecutors Liars Sabbath-breakers lovers of Pleasures more than lovers of God Covetous Persons Proud Persons Thieves Drunkards and Backsliders what will you do in that day as sure as God liveth you will be all condemned unless you repent and believe in Christ to the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone What will you do in this day of Visitation who shall plead for you now you have lost the prevailing Advocate Where will Sinners and ungodly Ones appear how will you be able to look the Judg in the Face How can you escape this Judgment that have neglected so great Salvation How can you escape the Damnation of Hell that have no Christ no Faith no Pardon III. But thrice happy are they who appear before this great and mighty this high and terrible Judg with a white Stone with a Wedding Robe with a Pardon under Hand and Seal 1. The Law is silent being fully answered 2. The Judg smiles and takes Knowledg of them as the Favorites of Heaven Well done good and faithful Servant c. Come ye blessed of my Father enter into the Joy of your Lord. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you c. 3. The Witnesses are freed from Trouble and excused from giving Testimony against them because Guilt was owned the Fact was confessed a self Judgment passed and the King's Pardon obtained through the Redemption that is in Christ's Blood Now if God be for us who can be against us If God justifies who shall condemn who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect Who shall condemn if Christ hath died shed his Blood and sent his Spirit to seal that Pardon God the chief Witness is pleased Conscience is purged Peace being there his Power to accuse is gone the inward Thoughts are for excusing altogether What remains now but Liberty proclaimed There is no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 And the Joyous Jubilee sounded forth Lo this is our God we have waited for him the Lord is our Lawgiver our Judg our King He is come to save us we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation He is come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe Sing Praises to our God sing Praises to our King sing Praises to our Judg sing Praises Glory be to God and to the Lamb to the King and to the Judg for ever and for ever World without end Amen Christ compared to the Brazen Serpent Joh. 3.14 15. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life Type
discomforted Thus the Jews came to Mary to comfort her when they heard that her Brother Lazarus was dead and Job's Friends when he was in the depth of Sorrow came to comfort him V. A Comforter imports a Person able and willing to comfort and relieve such as are in a sorrowful mournful and afflicted condition VI. A faithful Comforter manifesteth much Love and Tenderness to his oppressed and afflicted Friend particularly 1. In coming to him 2. In supplying the Want he sustains of those things he is deprived of VII A wise Comforter uses many and weighty Arguments to infuse Comfort into a distressed and disconsolate Soul 't is not enough to come and give a bare Visit and look upon a Friend but to take apt and suitable Words and Motives to do it VIII A Comforter sympathizes with him he comes to visit to comfort him in his Grief and Trouble Job's Friends lifted up their Voice and wept and they rent every one his Mantle and sprinkled Dust upon their Heads So they sat down with him upon the Ground seven days and seven nights c. IX A true Comforter will intercede to others to administer support and relief in whose power it is to succor as well as himself X. A true Comforter will search into a Persons State and Condition to know how it is with him that thereby he may the better understand how to speak a word of Comfort to him XI A Comforter sometimes is slighted by the Person or Persons he comes to visit and administers Succor unto and all his good and sweet Advice is not regarded for a time XII A Comforter many times keeps his Friends from utter despondency and wonderfully revives and consolates his Soul and thereby makes Sighing and Heaviness to fly away The moving of my Lips should asswage your Grief c. XIII A faithful and true Comforter will not only give his distressed and disconsolate Friend a Visit but if he sees there is need of it will make his Abode even stay with him many days Job's Friends did so XIV A good faithful Comforter is highly esteemed and greatly beloved by his Friend especially when the worth of him is known or he is sensible of the Profit and much good rejected by him XV. A faithful Comforter will deal plainly with his Friend and not speak Peace and Comfort when he knows there is not just and good reason so to do but will reprove sometimes also if he finds cause for it Parallel THe Saints and People of God are in this World attended with manifold Troubles Afflictions and Sorrows Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous for all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the World shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowful but your Sorrow shall be turned into Joy II. The Disciples of Christ tho they mourn here or are in a sorrowful State upon many considerations yet they are capable of Comfort and fit Subjects of it They are not such as uâ—â—terly refuse or are unaâ—â—e to receive Relief and Comfort Such as have committed the unpardonable Sin or are already in Hell are uncapable of receiving true Peace and Comfort but so it is not with God's People Whatever their State and Condition is it admits of Relief tho through Satan's Temptations they are sometimes backward to take hold of it III. The holy Spirit is a Divine Person he is placed in the same Rank and Order without any Note of Difference or Distinction as to a distinct Interest in the Divine Nature with the other Divine Persons Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy-Ghost There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Son and the Spirit and these three are one 2. He hath also the Names proper to a Divine Person only for he is called God Why hast thou lied unto the Holy-Ghost Thou hast not lied unto Man but unto God 3. He hath personal Propertieâ—â— assigned him viz. a Will He divideth to every Man severally as he will and an Understanding The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 4. He is voluntary Author of Divine Properties he of old cherished the Creation he formed and garnished the Heavens he inspired acted and spake in and by the Apostles 5. The same regard is to be had to him in Faith Worship and Obedience as unto the Persons of the Father and the Son for our being baptized in his Name is our solemn Engagement to believe in him yield obedience to him and worship him as it puts the same Obligation upon us to the Father and Son IV. So the holy Spirit comes unto a gracious Person in the time of greatest Need when he is most dejected and discomforted whether it be under Temptation Affliction or Persecution for Christ's sake Hence the Apostle saith When we came into Macedonia our Flesh had no Rest but we were troubled on every side without were Fightings and within were Fears Nevertheless God that comforteth those that are cast down comforted us c. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you V. The holy Spirit is able and willing at all times to comfort sincere Christians in their Afflictions Such is the Power Ability and Efficacy of the Spirit upon this account thâ—â—t 't is more câ—â—pable and able to comfort Believers than the bare bodily Presence of the Lord Jesâ—â— is able to do Nevertheless I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away pray mind the Reason our Saviour gives of it For if I go not the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him VI. The holy Spirit doth manifest much Love and Tenderness to Believers which appears 1. In his coming to them that are poor and contemptible in the eyes of the World 2. By making up the Want of Christ's bodily Presence 3. In bearing Repulses from them how often hath the Spirit been slighted and his Motions rejected instead of being friendly entertained when in Love he comes to them VII The Holy Spirit doth not only come and give poor Believers a bare Visit in their Distresses but also uses fit and suitable ways and means to comfort and support their Souls He shall bring all things unto your Remembrance that I have spoken unto you He shall take of mine and shall shâ—â—w it unto you and he shall shew you things to come c. The Spirit usually comforteth Believers in and under their Sorrows and Afflictions 1. By shewing them whatsoever Christ hath done and suffered for them 2. By opening and applying the gracious Promises of Christ unto them he shall bring whatsoever I have said to your Remembrance 3. By sealing up Christ's Love unto them As many as I love I rebuke and chasten 'T is no sign they are hated by Christ or
things lie naked and bare V. So in the Assumption of this Form there may be some respect had to Noah's Dove signifying Peace and Reconciliation by Christ and the ceasing of the Wrath of God to all those who shall fly to the Lord Jesus and rest upon him by a lively Faith VI. The Holy Ghost is swift God is said to fly upon the Wings of the Wind the Spirit is God and the Flight of the Dove saith Reverend Blackwood denotes the divine Influence of the Spirit coming from Heaven into the Members of Christ as well as into the Head the Holy Ghost can quickly come to the Aid and Succour of a Believer when in Trouble or beset with Temptation or to strengthen him when he hath any great Work and Business to do for God That Spirit appeared like a Dove and yet the Learned tell us it was of a fiery Colour and we must not think this Substance saith Mr. Blackwood or Body resembled by a Dove to be hypostatically united to the Holy Spirit as the humane Nature of Christ is to the divine but as Angels appeared oft-times to Men in humane Bodies and laid them down again so did the Holy Ghost The Holy Spirit the Saints Guide Joh. 16.13 He will guide you into all Truth c. Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God The Spirit is the Saints Guide Guide A Guide is very necessary for Strangers in a Wilderness where there are many ways and turnings II. An eminent and able Guide is well skill'd in all ways and able to give Directions in the most difficult Cases that are very hard to find out III. A faithful Guide gives notice of all the Dangers that are in the way and shews also how a poor Travellor may escape them and so go safe unto his desired Place IV. An able Guide frees a Man that commits himself to his Guidance from many Cares and Fears that attend such who have lost their Way and have no Guide V. An able and faithful Guide gives plain and full Direction to the ignorant so that they cannot well miss the way if so be they exactly follow his Directions Parallel SO the Guidance of the Holy Spirit as it is contained in the Holy Scripture is necessary to Believers whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World where one says this is the way and another that II. So the Holy Spirit is able to guide poor Sinners in all the ways of God he led Moses and the Prophets under the Law and led the Apostles and all the Primitive Christians under the Gospel-Ministration Holy Men of God spake as they were moved and guided by the Holy Spirit There is no Precept nor Promise of God needful for the Children of Men to be instructed in but the Spirit in the holy Scripture hath left it upon Record for our Direction and Consolation and whatsoever is hard to be understood that is contained therein The Spirit that searcheth all things can open and explain it to a gracious Soul the Spirit guides in the way of Morality in the way of Faith and Gospel-Obedience in the way of Church-Constitution and Discipline and in Gospel-Holiness and Conversation III. The Holy Spirit hath in the Holy Scripture for in that is contained all the Directions of the Spirit touching all matters and cases necessary to alvation given notice to all Spiritual Travellors of all the Dangers that may attend them in the way to Heaven First the Danger of Unregeneracy the common Road that most Men and Women walk in the Spiritâ—â— hath told us positively if we go in that way we shall perish for ever Except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Secondly The great Danger of the way of Presumption Thirdly The Danger of Despair Fourthly The Danger of Idolatry Heresy and Error Fifthly The Danger of Disobedience to Christ's Commands Acts 3.22.23 Sixthly The Danger of loving or liking of any one Sin Seventhly The Danger of Hypocrisy Eighthly The Danger of Apostacy c. IV. So the Holy Spirit frees a poor Saint from many Fears and Cares which attend others whilst he wholly commits himself to the Guidance of God's Word and to the Directions of the Spirit many are at a loss and know not what to do nor which way to go whilst he rests satisfied resolving to go wholly by this Guide V. So the Holy Spirit in the Scripture of Truth hath given such plain and clear Directions in all Cases of moment about Faith and Holiness that the ignorant and unlearned cannot miss the way to Heaven if they carefully observe the Rules laid down therein Guide OTher Guides tho very skilful and have good Knowledg of a way or matter they undertake to guide Men in may notwithstanding in some things miss being not infallible cannot give infallible Demonstrations to all doubtful Persons that they are right and that those who follow their Directions shall never go astray Disparity BUT the Holy Spirit in such a glorious manner by many Signs and Wonders so confirmed the way to Heaven as they are recorded in the Holy Scripture that those that follow his Counsel shall not go astray he is an infallible Guide and never imposed any Rules Laws or Precepts upon Men but left such convincing Evidence of the Truth of his Testimony that there remains no just ground for a Doubt or Objection as might be shewed in respect of the giving forth both of the Law and Gospel therefore those who pretend they are led by the Spirit or Inspiration and yet cannot prove and demonstrate what they say to be true by such ways and means that no Deceiver can pretend unto or do the like c. lie and abuse the Holy Ghost who is a certain and infallible Guide Inferences BLess God for this Spiritual Guide in matters of Faith and Practice and that there are such sure Rules left by him in the written Word What should we have done had God never afforded us such a Teacher and Guide as the Holy Ghost is 1. For Man naturally is blind I will lead the Blind in ways they knew not c. 2. There are many By-ways and were there not one sure and perfect Guide how could a Man find his way It is as easy for one Man to say he is led by the Spirit and Inspiration as it is for another and how shall a Man were it not for the Word know which of them is in the right 3. Some pretend they are led by the Spirit and they walk quite contrary to the Scripture which contains all the Truth of God necessary to be known believed and practised in order to Salvation He shall guide you into all Truth he shall bring my Word to your Remembrance Quest. How shall we know who follows the Spirit 's Guidance Answ. Art thou led to repent to leave thy Sins to believe in Christ to obey his Commands to
and follow the holy Rules and Directions thereof VI. The gospel is Called the Power of God to Salvation i. e. a mighty and glorious Instrument or means of Gods saving Power Metalepsis VII The gospel is called the Joyful sound the law was a sound of Fears and Terror a sound or voice of words that were Exceeding Dreadful The Gospel is the Antitype of the sounding the Trumpet of the great Jubilee to proclaim full Liberty and Freedom from all bondage and Tyranny of Sin Satan Hell and Wrath. VIII The gospel is called the unsearchable Riches of Christ. 1. It shews how Rich our Mediator and Husband is In him are hid all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell 2. It shews the nature of his Riches both of grace and glory 3. The gospel makes all spiritualy and gloriously Rich who truly Receive it tho' never so poor before 4. All true Riches are communicated to us through the gospel such that would have this golden Ore must dig in this Mine this is the Field where the Pearl lies hid IX The gospel is called the word of Faith 1. It presents the object before the Soul 2. It opens the way to see this Object 3. It gives by means of the Spirit a hand to take hold of the Object X. The gospel is called the faithful word Because whatever its promises are they be faithfully performed XI 'T is called the Ministration of the Spirit because through it Persons come to receive the Spirit Received ye saith the Apostle the spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of Faith XII It is called the gospel of Salvation 1. It Interesteth the Soul through the Spirit into Salvation as well as shews the way of it 2. There is no other way of Salvation but that which is revealed or manifested therein XIII 'T is called the glorious gospel of God 1. The glory of God shines forth in it 2. It was the glorious contrivance of his eternal wisdom 3. It wholly Exalts God and sets him forth in all his blessed and most glorious Attributes and Perfections beyond what any other Ministration doth whatsoever XIV The gospel is called a Book 1. Yea it is a Book by the inspiration of God as all holy Scriptures were All other books save the Bible are humane but this is Sacred and Divine 2. There is a Blessing pronounced to him that reads this book 3. And a much greater Blessing to him that understands it and keeps the things therein contained 4. 'T is a Book of all truth and no error can that be said of any other book 5. 'T is a Book Ratified and Confirmed by wonders 6. 'T is a Book that all other books point to Moses points to it the Prophets point to it all holy books of godly Men point to it 7. 'T is a book that all good and godly books are taken out of 8. 'T is a book that hath filled the world with good and profitable Books These things considered may serve as a sound Gradation to set forth the glory of the gospel and word of God Thirdly To come more directly unto the thing it self to set forth and further illustrate the glory and splendour of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1. 'T is glorious in respect of the time and contrivance of it It was found out or contrived before the world began Hence Christ is said to be a Lamb slain before the foundation of the world 2. It is brought in as the result of that great and glorious Council which was held in Eternity Hence Jesus Christ our Mediator is said to be delivered up by the determinate Counsel and fore-knowledge of God God that is Father Son and Holy Ghost all agreed that the second Person should assume Mans nature and by shedding of his blood proclaim Peace and reconciliation to sinners The Counsel of Peace saith the Prophet shall be between them both Zech. 6.13 3. It may not be unnecessary to note here the matter this great Council had before them and did then debate about and that was how a way might be found out that God might display his own Glory and magnifie himself in every one of his glorious Attributes particularly how the two great Attributes of Justice and Mercy might meet together in sweet harmony and shine in equal glory that God who is Just might appear so and yet exceeding gracious 4. It was to find out a way how in a glorious manner God might destroy the works and designs of the Devil for to this purpose we Read the Son of God was manifested 5. It was a Council held upon the account of sinful man lost man whom God then saw dead and fallen how he might be delivered from sin and eternal wrath 't was not a Council held to ruine and destroy men but to save and make them happy This is the third thing to illustrate this Great truth that the gospel or word of Christ is a glorious Gospel Fourthly The gospel is glorious upon the consideration of that Revelation there is in it of God personally considered or the Persons of the Blessed Trinity or Gods manner of being 1. Though God is often called a Father in the old Testament yet how hard is it without help of the gospel to find out where he is so called or taken in distinction from the Son and holy Spirit sith Father as many Divines observe in some places of Scripture respects all the three Persons and hence the Jewish Rabbies who allow not of the new Testament manifestly declare their Ignorance touching this Great Truth of the Trinity tho' that may in part be imputed to that Judicial blindness they are left under yet it must be granted there is in the gospel a more clear and full discovery of this glorious Mystery then in the Law or old Testament how plainly and by manifest testimony is this bore witness to 1. By the Angels Luk. 1.32 2. By that Voice from the Excellent glory Mat. 3.17 2 Pet. 1.17 3. By the testimony of Christ himself I thank thee Father Lord of Heaven and Earth even so Father the Father that sent me is with me the Father loveth the Son the Father hath not left me alone I and my Father are one and 't is observed that he calls God Father near an hundred times in the gospel of John 4. By the Testimony of the holy Apostles how clearly is this witnessed by them especially by the Blessed beloved Apostle and Paul the great Apostle of the Gentiles Fifthly The gospel appears yet to be more glorious upon the Consideration of the glory of every one of the Persons in the blessed Trinity which shine forth most excellently therein I. In respect of the Father who did not design to vail his own glory but to greaten and magnifie it by the gospel For tho' the Lord Jesus is
at his feet and he laid his Right hand upon me saying I am the first and the last Seventhly The gospel declares that Spiritual Worship or Divine Adoration doth appertain or belong to Jesus Christ which proves undeniably he is God Eternal and from Everlasting for that 't is Idolatry spiritually to adore and worship a Creature That Christ was and ought to be worshipped with the same worship that is due to the Father see Mat. 8.2 chap. 28.17 Luk. 24.52 Joh. 9.38 chap. 5.23 And again when he bringeth his first begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Eighthly The gospel shews Jesus Christ hath power to forgive Sins none have power to forgive Sins but God Ergo Jesus Christ is God Ninthly He to whom the Saints ought and do Pray is the most high God but the gospel shews the Saints do and ought to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ therefore he is the most high God Tenthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ had not only power to lay down his own life but also to take it up again destroy this Temple and in three dayes I will raise it up again but he spake of the Temple of his body This proves clearly his Divinity for who besides him that was God could give Resurrection to himself Eleventhly He that was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God and whom the Scripture calls Gods Fellow must needs be God blessed for ever but Jesus Christ was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God and is called Gods Fellow therefore he is God Twelfthly He that is the Object Author and Finisher of the true Believers Faith is God Eternal Blessed for ever Amen But Christ is the Object Author and Finisher of true Believers Faith Ergo. Thirteenthly He that hath Power to Baptize with and give the holy Spirit and the saving graces thereof is God But the Lord Jesus Christ hath power to Baptize with and give the holy Spirit Ergo He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and Fire when he ascended up on high he gave gifts to men c. Fourteenthly He who can in his own Name and by his own Power and Authority give power or priviledge to others to become the Sons of God must needs be God But the gospel shews that this power the Lord Jesus Christ hath Ergo He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as Received him to them gave HE power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed in his name He Adopts Regenerates and makes men and women Gods Children by the effectual workings of his own blessed Spirit in their hearts by which they are Interessed into all the Priviledges Promises and Blessings of the Covenant of Grace which none can do but God alone Fifteenth He that is the Believers life is God but Jesus Christ is the Believers Life therefore God Sixteen He that is Omnipresent must be God but the gospel shews the Lord Jesus is Omnipresent who can go out of Christs Presence Lo I am with you always to the end of the world Seventeen He that sees all things or before whom all things are naked and bare and hears all the Cryes and Prayers of his People in what place or corner of the earth soever they live is God But all this the gospel shews to be true of the Lord Jesus Christ Ergo. Eighteen He that is the Saviour of all the Elect and Chosen People of the Lord is God but Jesus Christ is the Saviour of all such and therefore God How often is he called our Saviour Neither is there salvation in any other His name shall be called Jesus Nineteen He that can and will Raise the Dead by his own power at the Last Day is God But Jesus Christ will raise the Dead by his own power at the last Day Ergo No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth c. Thus we have briefly shewed the gospel is glorious in respect of the Revelation that is made therein of the Lord Jesus First In respect of the excellency of his Person which we have shewed appears by his being Man Secondly By his being God which has been evinced Thirdly His glory and excellency consisteth in his being both God and Man truly Man and truly God in one Person Can Heaven and Earth make a Lovely and an Admirable Beauty O then Christ is he He is David's Root and David's Off-spring David's Lord and David's Son See Metaphor Branch and Root What Kind of Beauty and Perfections is the Beauty and are the perfections of our Lord Jesus Christ You have heard 't is the beauty of God the beauty of Man the perfection of those Beauties which are in God and Man But to answer this Question more distinctly 1. He is the original of all Beauties and Perfections of Beauty that is in Angels the Soul the Body the Face of a Man the Sun the Stars the Firmament c. 2. His Beauty is a desirable Beauty saw ye him whom my Soul loveth with my soul have I desired thee in the night One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever that I may behold the Beauty of the Lord and inquire in his Temple And hence he is called the desire of all Nations 3. 'T is holy and chast beauty there is no snare nor pollution in it Joseph was a beautiful Person but it was attended with a Snare here you may look and love and fear no danger 4. It is a Real beauty not a seeming beauty a paint on a wall What 's humane beauty to the beauty of the Son of God 5. Christs beauty is a soul ingaging beauty how did it make Moses to leave all Peter and John leave all who ever saw him and could forbear to Love him neglect all and follow him 6. It is a Communicative beauty he can transmit his beauty to the making others beautiful and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through the comeliness which I put upon thee c. 7. It is satisfying and delighting beauty it fills and contents each Soul to the full who beholds it 8. It is a mystical and hidden beauty carnal eyes can't see it they behold no beauty nor comliness in him to desire him 9. It is an admirable and wonderful beauty Angels in Heaven and Saints on Earth are amazed and stand astonished at the sight thereof 10. 'T is a lasting and never fading beauty The beauty of Mortals is like a
Eternity he is God and so all things in heaven and earth are his all things that the Father hath are mine saith Christ Joh. 16.15 2. He is Rich as Mediator so it pleased the father in him all fulness should dwell he was made heir of all things 3. The gospel shews the father hath given all things to him he came by them as the free Donation of the Father 4. Christ obtained his Riches also by Conquest he has recovered them for us by overcoming his and our Enemies all the Riches Christ hath as Mediator he got by quest as Israel got Canaan Sin and Satan those spiritual Thieves had Robbed us of our Riches but Jesus Christ hath rescued or recovered them again out of the hands of these Robbers 5. Christ the gospel shews hath obtained his Riches by purchase Grace is purchased gifts are purchased glory is purchased the Church which is called his Inheritance is purchased Heaven is purchased How do you make it appear that Jesus Christ is gloriously Rich 1. Because he had enough to pay all our debts yet never a one of us owed less than Ten Thousand Talents 2. Christs Riches were glorious Riches because they will satisfie glorious Justice which no other Riches could do no not the Riches of Ten Thousand Worlds nor all the worth and Riches of the Angels of Heaven 3. Because he provides for and maintains all in heaven and earth at his own charges and as all have their beings from him so likewise they are fed and sustained by him they all eat at his Table none keeps such a house hath such a family as Christ he has a good stock great comings in that thus abundantly layeth out 4. Christs Riches are glorious Riches appears in that he hath enriched so many Men and women since the World begun and not only so but also with variety of Choice and precious Riches oh what abundance of Souls hath the Lord Jesus enriched thousands and ten thousands how many before the Law and under the Law and under the Gospel who can account or reckon up their number John declares the number of them that he beheld Round about the Throne to be ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands how many hath he made great Advanced on high honoured greatly on earth bestowed vast Treasures and Riches upon how many Millions hath he Adorned and gloriously Dect with Jewels Precious Stones and Pearls of an inestimable value and yet never the poorer 5. Christs glorious Riches appears in that he is generally Rich Rich in all things all the gold and silver and precious stones in the world are his he is the proper Proprietor of them the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof The Cattle upon a thousand hills The Wool Flax and Oyl are his nay moreover all Divine vertues and spiritual gifts are his he is Rich in wisdom and knowledge in grace and glory 6. Christ is gloriously Rich appears in that he has a Kingdom yea a glorious vast and splendent Kingdom and Crown to give to every one of his faithful followers Every Saint shall have a Kingdom and Crown that fadeth not away Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life 7. Because his Riches are of such an Excellent Nature that they enrich the Soul of Man other Men may have vast Riches may have store of gold and silver and other good things and yet none of these Riches can enrich their Souls spiritually they may be poor and miserable notwithstanding their great abundance 8. Christ is gloriously Rich appears in that he hath enough to enrich all come who will thousands and ten thousands yea millions of thousands if they come to him he has Riches of grace and glory for them all Oh there is abundance yea a redundancy of grace and Riches in Christ he is as fall of grace as the Sea is full of water or the Sun is full of Light 9. Christ is gloriously Rich because his Riches are Incomparable in respect of their nature and quality Happy is the man saith Solomon that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding for the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of silver or the gain thereof than fine gold she is more precious then Rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her A little Faith tho' it be but as a grain of Mustard seed is worth more then Thrones Crowns and Kingdoms of the earth one dram of grace is better then all the gold of Ophir 10. Christs Riches are glorious Riches because they cannot be spent Christs Treasury is inexhaustible it can never be drawn dry Christ gives abundantly out but never wastes his Stores nor hath a farthing the less the Riches of Christ are unsearchable O the height the depth the breadth and length of Christs Riches who can find out the bottom of his Rich love and grace the bottom of his Rich wisdom and knowledge we may well cry out upon this account with the Apostle O the depth of the Riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God how unsearchable are his Judgements and his ways past finding out 11. Christs Riches are glorious riches because his riches are harmless as a Divine well observes they are riches that will not hurt nor harm the Souls of such that possess them never were any made worse by being spiritually Rich. The riches of the World have undone many they have been as Thornes to them by which they have been peirced through with many sorrows Many will one day curse the Day that ever they had such store of earthly riches Riches are a snare to the Possessors hence Christ saith 't is hard for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven 12. Christs riches are glorious riches because they are satisfying riches Silver and Gold will not satisfie he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver nor he that loveth abundance of Increase he that has Christ and his riches has enough nay he has all he has Pardon and Peace of Conscience what can he desire more that has God and Christ and a Title to Heaven Hence the Scripture saith he shall abide satisfied such thirst no more their Inordinate desire after the world is allayed 13. Lastly Christs riches are glorious riches because they are Permanent they are lasting yea everlasting riches Other riches fly away like smoke they are here to day and gone in a moment with one spark of fire or with one blast at sea but Christs riches are durable riches and honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousness Thirdly Why is Christ held forth in the Gospel to be thus gloriously Rich 1. That the Doubts and Scruples that are in sinner hearts might be removed is there enough in Christ is there enough Grace enough Pardon enough Strength c. 2.
Benefit by the flesh or Death of Christ unless he be quickened by the Spirit 4. The gospel in the grace of it when received in Truth works out that cursed enmity that is in the heart against God and thereby reconciles the sinner to the blessed Majesty of Heaven 5. The grace of the gospel works Regeneration makes the sinner another Man a new Man It forms the new Creature in the Soul 1. It infuses new qualities 2. It makes the Proud Person humble and not to vaunt himself 3. It makes the Unclean Person Chast and to loath Lascivious thoughts 4. It makes hard-hearted sinners full of Bowels 5. It makes the impatient Soul to bear all things 6. It makes the Covetous Person Liberal and to distribute to the poor 7. It makes the worst Husband the best Husband the worst Wife the best Wife the worst Children the best Children the Rebellious ones to be Obedient ones 6. The gospel in the grace of it brings the Soul into Union with God No Grace no Christ. God is the Fountain of this Union Christ is the Conduit-pipe as Mediator the Spirit and the grace thereof is the stream Union is let into the Soul at this door no grace no God no union with him and no Union with him no Communion with him 7. The grace of the gospel washeth the polluted Soul it cleanseth the filth of the heart and Pollution of the Life He put no difference between them and us purifying their hearts by faith 8. The grace of the gospel or saving operations of the Spirit heals the wounded Soul he poured in Oyl and Wine c. 9. Gospel grace gives the Soul a right to all the Blessings of a Crucified Christ 't is that which puts on the Wedding garment It was a pretty saying of a good Man 1. The Father weaves this Garment he was first concerned about it he prepared the matter with which 't is made 2. The Son made it he has wrought Righteousness for us 3. The Spirit puts it on 10. The grace of the gospel makes a glorious Soul a glorious Man a glorious Woman a glorious Family a glorious Church a glorious City a glorious Kingdom where 't is generally received in Truth It makes a glorious Soul It finds it naked and clothes it It finds it starved as it were and feeds it It finds it wounded and heals it It finds it cold and warms it It finds it unclean and sanctifies it It finds it poor and inriches it It finds it in bonds and sets it at liberty It finds it an Enemy to God and reconciles it It finds it Condemned and justifies it It finds it Dead and gives it Life 11. The grace of the gospel adornes the Soul it puts Ornaments upon the head and Chains beyond those of Gold upon the Neck It decks it with Jewels I decked thee with ornaments I put Bracelets upon thy hands and a chain on thy neck I put a Jewel on thy forehead earings in thine ears and a Beautiful Crown on thy head thou wast dect with Gold and silver with silk and broidered work It puts a Ring on the Finger it adorns the Soul with a meek and a quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 12. The grace of the gospel makes a man to behold a beauty and glory in the gospel to love it and to suffer for it The gospel is worth little in the sight and esteem of that man that has not the grace of the gospel What is the word of grace without the grace of the word 13. Gospel grace is an excellent preservative against the Plague of Sin No Pestilence so bad as this How shall I saith Joseph do this thing and sin against God It is also a Potion to work it out as well as to preserve from it 14. Gospel grace is good really good alwayes good and glorious at all times 't is good in health the Soul cannot have health without it good in Sickness 't is good in Prosperity 't is good in Adversity 't is good in good times and wo to them that want it in bad times we are blessed that have it but they are cursed that are without it whatsoever Profession they make For the Profession of the gospel without the grace of the gospel will do a man no good 't is but the name without the nature the Cabinet without the Jewel the Lamp without the Oyl 15. The grace of the gospel makes men like to Christ to love Christ and to die for Christ. 16. Gospel grace makes men to live to God they live to themselves that have it not they live to God that have it It makes men wise to be men of Understanding to live sober to themselves to live righteously to men and to live holy towards God to live in Subjection to God to obey God to delight in God and to live in Obedience and Subjection to his Church 6. The gospel is glorious in respect of the tenders and offers made therein to the Sons of Men. VVhat is tendered Repentance is tendered Pardon is tendered Peace is tendered Bread and VVater of Life is tendered perfect Righteousness is tendered Adoption is tendered Glorious Liberty is tendred in short God is offered he makes a tender of himself Christ is tendred with all his Benefits who is the Pearl of great price worth Millions yea more than ten thousand worlds a Marriage with Christ is tendered the Spirit is tendered with all the blessings of it a Kingdom is offered in the gospel a Crown is offered a Crown of endless glory a Crown that fadeth not away Eternal Life is tendered VVho is it that makes these tenders and offers in the gospel The great God he that has them to bestow and a right to give them VVho are they offered to To such that are his Enemies Rebels even the worst of Sinners in a word who ever will he that hath a will to receive them may have them Upon what Terms are they offered Freely offered without Money and without price tho' a man as to Righteousness hath nothing of worth nor Beauty in him being in himself but a Lump of Sin and Filthiness yet he may have these things they are offered unto such They are sincerely and faithfully offered God doth not mock men and women offer them such things as these and yet never intend to bestow them upon them if they have a heart a Mind to them my Life for theirs they may enjoy all these and many more like glorious good things Nay and more then this they have been often tendered with much Affection and in Bowels of Compassion God bewails and Christ bewails the state of such who do refuse them O then what Fools are mortals to slight and reject these tenders 7. The gospel is glorious in Respect of the glorious things that are brought about and accomplished thereby The first I
shall mention is Reconciliation which is a glorious blessing what is more fully opened and held forth in the gospel than Reconciliation with the means and manner how and by whom accomplished which will appear 1. By Considering the parties Reconciled 2. By Considering the Nature of the breach that was between them 3. By Considering the means and manner how it is accomplished 4. By Considering the Fruits and Effects of it 1. Considering the Parties that were at Variance who by the gospel are Reconciled God and Man the infinite God the holy God and Man these were at Enmity 't is sad when a difference rises in a Family in a Congregation in a City in a Kingdom or between one Kingdom and another but much more sad is it to have God and sinners at Enmity Adam runs from God hides himself he knew God was now become his Enemy the word declares the Creature to be Gods Enemy whilst he stands in old Adam in the state of nature and you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds c. And then God declares himself to be the Sinners enemy he is angry with the wicked every day he is said to fight and war against them which plainly shews he is their Enemy But now what a glorious blessing is this to have these two Parties reconciled when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son You that were enemies in your minds by wicked works or as in the Margent by your minds in wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through Death Secondly Gospel reconciliation appears to be glorious reconciliation if we consider the nature of the breach that was between them 1. It was an old breach no sooner was man made but straitway he became an Enemy to God nay every Soul that comes into the world comes into it an enemy of God or in a state of enmity 2. 'T is so great a breach that all the Angels in heaven nor all the Saints on earth could not make up 3. It was such a breach that lays the Soul obnoxious to Gods fearful Curse 4. It is such a breach that makes the Creatures of God at enmity one with another and Mankind in danger of being Devoured by them and also hath set man one against another 5. It is such a breach that sets man against himself it hath caused his own Conscience to be his Enemy and to accuse and fight against him and condemn him If our Hearts condemn us God is greater c. 6. It is such a breach that unless made up will produce an eternal Separation from God depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devils and his Angels c. Thirdly 'T is glorious Reconciliation if we consider the means and manner how and by whom it is wrought about and accomplished every Person in the glorious Trinity hath a hand in it and are eminently concerned about it God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself All things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ c. The Lord Jesus the second Person is imployed we may see from hence as one fitly qualified to make up this dreadful Breach and in order thereunto he took our Nature on him There was a necessity of Christs coming to reconcile God and man God his Law and Justice was wronged and God was resolved to have this wrong made up and his Justice satisfied which none but Christ could do God was willing to be reconciled yet nevertheless he will wherein he was wronged be righted and have his Justice fully and compleatly satisfied Christ knew what would appease and satisfie both Law and Justice what he hath done hath infinite worth and efficacy in it this way tends most to glorifie God the Father the Son is glorified most this way the Spirit is glorified most this way and there was no way like this to melt the Sinners heart to abase him and lay him at the feet of God See Christ the Mediator c. 2. Christ doth not only reconcile God to the Creature but also reconciles the Creature unto God he undertakes to bring God near to Man and Man near to God whose heart is full of Sin and Enmity to his Maker and not subject to his Law he lays his hands upon both the first is done by his death Christ like Jonas is cast into the Sea as it were of wrath to make a Calm The second is done by the Spirit he breaks the heart changes the inward qualities and evil dispositions he takes away the heart of stone and gives a heart of flesh Fourthly Gospel Reconciliation is glorious in respect to the nature of it 1. It is a free Reconciliation it is a work of free grace alone it is not of man not of him that willeth or him that runneth but of God that shewed mercy Hence the Apostle saith All things are of God speaking of Reconciliation 2. It is mysterious Reconciliation we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world begun to our glory the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God This is one of those deep things which many because they cannot comprehend it in their own natural Wisdom cavil against it 3. It is a certain reconciliation God is at Peace and fully Reconciled in Jesus Christ Christ shall not will not loss his glorious design in coming into the world and taking our nature on him and dying the cursed death of the Cross. Those therefore that are brought to accept of the terms of Peace and Reconciliation as offered in the Gospel stand in a state of Real Peace and Friendship neither let any once imagine that after all these glorious transactions of the blessed Trinity about this work that the issue of the whole in order to the making of it effectual depends upon the Will and power of man 4. The Soul is taken into perfect Love and Union with God God hereby intirely loveth us and is so for us or on our side that his Friends and Allies become our Friends and Allies and all our Enemies become his Enemies so that what is done to us he takes as done to himself 5. It is an honourable Reconciliation it is a Reconciliation upon honourable Terms God suffereth not in any of his glorious Attributes If God had passed by our offences so that we had Pardon and Reconciliation without more adoe without a compensation for sin the Devils perhaps saith a Divine might have cryed out against him and have said where is the Glory of thy justice these have sinned against thee as well as we and the breach they have made upon thy justice is no wayes made up but now their mouths are stopt for ever This Reconciliation will be to the glory of God in the sight of Angels and Men to
Judgment to come and he trembles his Conscience smote him but now to quench the Spirit and allay that Heat he might find within he sends away Paul When I have saith he a convenient time I will call for thee 3. Is it not because this Fire of the Word and Spirit is too chargeable and costly for them they like Men grudg that which the Fire consumes or will if it be kept burning The Young-Man in the Gospel was not willing to sell his Possession and part with all for Christ. When Men see they must part with so much to the Minister God having ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel and so much to the Poor Saints and besides all this be exposed to suffer the Prosecution of such and such Penal Laws this great Charge they see already fall upon them and what further they know not may fall upon them by keeping up the Fire of the Word and Spirit the thoughts of which they cannot bear and from hence wickedly go about to quench the Spirit 4. Do not Men quench the Fire or lessen its Burning when it makes the Pot boil over when they fear that all that is in the Pot or Vessel will be lost even so some Men when the Fire of the Word and Spirit is so hot and strong that it is like to boil out a beloved Lust which they have prized for its Profitableness like a Right-hand or for Pleasures like a Right-Eye then they haste to lessen the Fire and like Judas think there needs not be so much waste Now what a vile thing saith one is this to quench the Fire of the Spirit rather than the Scum and Filthiness of Sin should be worked and boiled out thereby See how God threatens such Ezek. 24.6 Wo to the Pot whose Scum is therein and whose Scum is not gone out of it therefore saith God Verse 11. Set it emptey upon the Coals that the Brass of it may be hot and may burn and that the Filthiness of it may be molten in it that the Scum of it may be consumed She hath wearied her self with Lies her Scum shall be in the Fire In thy Filthiness is Lewdness Her Obstinacy was such that tho God had made use of means to purge her she refused to be purged And therefore God pronounced that dreadful Threatning against her Thou shalt not be purged from thy Filthiness any more Some are not willing to part with their Sins they would keep the poisonous Liquor and Scum in the Vessel and for this the Vessel and Scum must be burned together and shall never be parted 5. Do not Men quench the Fire and put out their Candle when 't is like to expose them to danger when Thieves and cursed Enemies are abroad out of fear they keep all close and are not willing any should see Fire-Light nor Candle-Light nor any thing should discover them So out of Fear in time of Common danger some Men quench the Fire of the Word and Spirit the Word like a Candle is thrust under a Bushel or under a Bed and the Motions of the Spirit for a publick Testimony are put out 6. Men quench the Fire saith the same Author when 't is like to set the House on fire so some Professors quench the Spirit when they see what fiery Trials they are like to pass through if they continue in the heat of their Zeal 7. Some Men quench the Fire when they are warm enough without it they warm themselves by the Sparks of their own kindling these saith God shall lie down in sorrow they conclude their own Righteousness and their old Ways and Conversation will be sufficient and so turn with the Dog to his Vomit and with the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire 8. Some Men let the Fire go out saith he through a multitude of Business their Minds being taken up with other things they forget it So some Men forget the Word Spirit and Religion being like Martha troubled about many things Now what a wicked thing is it from all or any of these Causes to quench the Spirit 10. Consider 'T is by the Spirit thou must mortify the Deeds of the Flesh which thou must do or be damn'd Rom. 8.13 And how canst thou do that when the Spirit is quenched 't is no marvel if Corruptions prevail when the Spirit is put out that should burn them up 11. Consider 'T is by the Spirit and Word which is called the Sword of the Spirit by which you should wrestle and resist all the Temptations of Satan but when the Fire of the Spirit is quenched it puts an Opportunity in Satan's hand to kindle the Fire of Pride Malice and Lust of Concupiscence in thy Heart when the Spirit is quenched and the Sword thrown away what Execution can be done upon this spiritual Enemy 12. Consider 'T is by the help and influence of the Holy Spirit thou must perform all Duties of Religion or they will never be accepted of God and how can that be done when the Spirit is quenched and the Motions and Operations thereof cease If the Word and Spirit be compared to Fire let us bless God for kindling this Fire in our Hearts and Nation and pray that he would be pleased to blow more and more upon it that it may burn up all the Chaff and Dross of our Corruptions and inflame our Souls with a greater degree of Love to God and Zeal to Religion And let us take heed we do not quench the Spirit in others Wicked Men would fain put this Fire quite out what unwearied Attempts have they made from time to time in this and other Nations to extinguish the Light of the Word Ungodly Papists can't indure the heat of this Fire they are not more ready to kindle other Fires to the spoiling and impoverishing of the Kingdom than they are to put out this they will not suffer it to burn in themselves so they as much as in them lies indeavour to quench it in others like those Men whom our Saviour reprehended in the days of his Flesh who would not go into Heaven themselves nor suffer them who would go thither to enter in But in the last place Let them and all other wicked Persons take heed how they quench this divine Fire for if it burn not up their Sins and Corruptions and kindle Grace and Holiness in them they must burn one day in Hell for either this Fire must be suffered to burn in them or they be condemned to eternal Burning for quenching of it The Word of God compared to a Hammer Jer. 23.29 Is not my Word like as a Fire saith the Lord and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in pieces IN these Words the Word of God is compared to Fire which we have already spoken of 2. As the Word is compared to Fire so likewise to a Hammer 3. The Heart of a Sinner is compared to a Rock
within V. So the Gospel and Word of God as a Plough by its powerful Convictions upon the Conscience is but a preparative Work in order to the sowing the Seed of Grace in the Heart VI. Never doth the Word of God so kindly work in plowing up the fallow Ground of the Heart as when the Gospel-Clouds dissolve and the true Grace and Love of Jesus Christ comes sweetly showering down upon it VII So the Word of God by its powerful Convictions and Operations upon the Heart kills Sin at the Root causing the Soul to loath what it formerly loved VIII That Heart is not savingly wrought upon where one Lust is spared and left untouched or when it reacheth not to the changing the evil Qualities of every Faculty The Word must noâ—â— reach the Conscience only but the Judgment Will and Affections also IX So Youth before evil Habits or a Custom and Course of Sin be taken and more abundantly cleave to them are as 't is found by experience sooner wrought upon by the Word of God than old Sinners when Sin hath got Root in their Hearts X. So the Gospel and the Profession thereof must be held owned acknowledged and profess'd in Truth and in Uprightness of Heart constantly to the end even through the whole Journey Length and Race of our Lives we must not grow weary nor faint in our Minds He that sets his hand to the Plough i. e. professes the Gospel and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven Inferences THis may convince all Persons what need there is of the Spirit to join in and work with the Word For our Gospel came not to you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy-Ghost and in much Assurance 2. See that your whole Soul is wrought upon that there is a Work upon every Faculty thereof 3. Take heed of a long continuance in a Course of Sin Let the old Sinner tremble but if wrought upon in his old Age admire the infinite Grace of God 4. From hence you may perceive the hardning Nature of Sin 5. Tremble at the Thoughts of Apostacy and take heed you do not shrink your hands off in the Day of Trial or refuse to plow because it is cold or because the Sun shines hot c. Mr. John Flavel's Poem upon the Plough THere 's Skill in Plowing that the Plowman knows For if too shallow or too deep he goes The Seed is either buried or else may To Crows and Rooks become an easy Prey This as a lively Emblem fitly may Describe the Blessed Spirit 's Work and Way Whose Work on Souls with this doth symbolize Betwixt them both thus the Resemblance lies Souls are the Soil the Gospel is the Plow God's Workmen hold the Spirit shews them how The Spirit draws and in good Ground doth bless His Workmens Pains with sweet and fair Success In Hearts prepar'd God scatters in the Seed Which in its season springs No Fowl or Weed Shall pick it up or choak this springing Corn Till it be housed in the heavenly Barn When thus the Word plows up the fallow Ground VVhen with such Fruits his Servants VVork is crown'd Let all the Friends of Christ and Souls say now As they pass by these Fields God speed the Plow The Word of God compared to Seed Mat. 13. The Seed is the Word of God METAPHOR GOod Seed is prepared by the Husbandman and is reserved out of the choicest Wheat and principal Barley 't is that which the Husbandman highly esteems and values II. The Ground before the Seed is sown is plow'd up and made fit to receive the Seed III. The Husbandman either sows the Seed himself or employs a Seeds-man to sow it one that hath Skill in that Employment IV. When Seed is cast into the Earth it must be covered or else the Birds may pick it up besides it will not otherwise so well take Root V. Seed lies some time in the Ground before it springs up Clods also oftentimes hinder it from springing up VI. Frost and Snow conduce very much to the well-rooting of the Seed they tend also to kill the Weeds which otherwise might choak it under the Clods by which means it roots spreads and flourishes more abundantly VII The earlier Seed is sown the better it is rooted and enabled to endure the Sharpness of the Winter VIII Some Seeds which the Sower sows fall upon stony Places and some on thorny Ground as Experience shews which Seed brings not forth Fruit unto perfection and some also falls by the High-way-side which the Birds devour IX Fruitfulness of Seed depends much upon the Sun shining and the Rain falling upon it by this means it is quickned and abundantly springs up X. Weeds many times come up with the Seed and if they are not pluck'd up or weeded out they will hinder the Growth of the Seed if not quite choak it XI The good Ground only brings forth Fruit unto perfection XII Men are very diligent and industrious in sowing their Seed they are up early and labour hard morning and evening XIII Winds and Storms do not prevent Sowers in the sowing of their Seed but let the Wind be high or low blow from the North or from the South yet they do and will sow XIV Men usually are not sparing of their Seed but scatter it abroad so plentifully that all and every part of the Field which they intend to sow may be sown therewith Parallel THe Word of God is a choice and precious thing and that which God highly values and accounts of He hath magnified his Word above all his Name Thy Word it very pure II. Our Hearts are naturally hard and have need to be plowed up which is also done by the Word and Conviction of the Spirit hence the Gospel is called a Plow See Plow III. Jesus Christ is the spiritual Seeds-Man 't is he that sows the Seed who wants neither Care nor Skill to do it The Sower is the Son of Man IV. So the Word of God ought to be hid or covered in our Hearts that Satan may not steal it away from us and that it may take good Root downward and bring forth Fruit upward David hid the Word of God in his Heart It is not enough to have it in our Heads but in our Hearts Let the Word of God dwell in you richly We ought to labour to understand it to love it and keep it in our Memories yea and to let it be well rooted in every Faculty V. The Word of God does often like Seed lie hid for a while in the Heart of a Sinner before it eminently shews it self Clods of Corruption and Temptations hinder its Growth and springing up VI. So Affliction when sanctified to gracious Persons which they meet with after their Conversion and many times in their very Seed-Time tends to kill the Weeds of Corruption and breaks and mollifies the Heart by which means they come
the Kingdom puts a difference between Egypt and Israel secludes Hymeneus and Philetus Hypocrites and Hereticks and all unclean Persons that the Peace of the Family may be preserved hath threatned they that trouble it shall bear their Judgment whoever they be God divorced the Church of Israel c. XXVI God upon this Ground hath tho he account it his strange Work turn'd to be an Enemy to those â—â—f his own Houshold and hath not only cast them out but drawn his glittering Sword made sharp by whetting bent his Bow and prepared his Arrows upon the String made sick in smiting and utterly destroyed aâ—â— in the Case of Israel Judah and Jerusalem XXVII God sware in his Wrath that they should not enter into his Rest and left them to expectation of fiery Indignation XXVIII Thus God dealt with Israel and Judah gave Jacob to the Spoil and Israel to the Robbers and was so far from interposing between them and Danger that he gave them up to fearful Ruine from the Chaldeans and to the Romans in the Time of Josephus declaring that his Eye should not pity neither would he have Mercy And as to particular Persons David told Solomon that if he forsook God God would cast him off for ever Thus those are confounded even as Judas Iscariot was and as Jesus Christ speaks of the Branches that abide not They are cast off and Men gather them and they come to Burning and as Salt when good for nothing is cast to the Dunghill and trodden under foot XXIX God that he might be justified in all his Actions hath appointed a general Judgment to bring forth his Works and Actions that he may clear himself and overcome when he is judged Hence it is said He hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness call all his Houshold to account before the Angels and there make his Justice shine as the Sun at Noon in respect of all his Providences and Dispensations XXX God certainly rewards all Men for well-doing both in this World and that which is to come Verily shall one say there is a Reward for the Righteous when there is a God that judges in the Earth The Righteous shall be recompenced in the Earth Godliness hath the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come Metaphor I. AN Housholder in this World hath but a small Family tho never so great a Person Solomon was the greatest we read of yet small in comparison c. II. An Housholder in this World is but a Steward under another c. III. An Housholder in this World wants Wisdom and may be defective in respect of Government over his Houshold IV. An Housholder cannot of himself make his Family V. An Housholder in this World cannot communicate Strength nor secure from falling by Sickness or Death till they have finished the Work which he hath committed to them VI. An Housholder in this World may be taken away from his Houshold by human Force or by Sickness and Death VII An Housholder in this World may be from home about other Business not all times doing his Family good VIII An Housholder in this World tho he be at home and well yet he may be asleep and Evil come in the same Instant IX An Housholder may be taken away captive or forced to flie from his Family tho as valiant as David as wise as Solomon as great and mighty as Belshazzar and Darius X. An Housholder cannot always preserve his Family in Peace nor give them everlasting Rewards Disparity I. GOD hath a very great Family as numerous as the Stars or the Sand of the Sea The God of the whole Earth shall he be called The Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness thereof The Fathers and the Children are all his and the whole World receives great Benefits by him c. He gives all their Meat in due season He makes the Sun to shine and the Rain to fall on the Just and Vnjust II. But God is absolute Head and Lord under no Commission neither in subjection to any III. God is infinitely wise and good perfect in Knowledg hath all Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg hath Depths of Wisdom and Knowledg unsearchable and past finding out 'T is impossible for him to err or miscarry in any case his Way is perfect IV. But God is the Maker of his Family from the highest to the lowest Thou hast made us and not we our selves c. V. But God is able to make all Grace abound to make the Arms of their Hands strong to renew their Strength like the Eagle to make the Weak become as David and David as the Angel of God so as to run and not be weary to walk and not faint VI. God is always abiding as he hath no beginning of Days nor end of Life He is the eternal and ever-living God VII God is never from home about other Business cannot be out of the way of doing his Family good because every where present on Earth as well as in Heaven He fills his own Work therefore promised to be with them in the Fire and in the Water and promised never to leave them nor forsake them VIII But God the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps for Night and Day the Dark and the Light are alike to him and between the Land and the Sea there is no difference For his Ways are in the Dark in the Deep and his Footsteps are in the mighty Waters IX But God yea the Omnipotent God cannot be invaded nor carried away captive he keeps his Place and is immoveable None hath an Arm like God and by Strength nor no other way shall any prevail over him God is Omnipotent Powerful Invincible c. X. But God the Preserver of Men and of the Souls of his Saints can so preserve in Peace that none darâ—â—s approach to rob his Family of it God gives his Family Consolation and good Hope here and Reward or Inheritance hereafter which shall never fade away nor be taken from them Inferences 1. IF God be an Housholder we infer against Epicures that he is and must be concerned in the Affairs of this lower World why otherwise should all things look up to him as the Psalmist saith and how should they be cared for and provided for as Christ himself and St. Paul averr God gives not his Spirit once and no more but it is given to his People daily and hourly 't is that gives us our daily and common Bread and taketh care of us c. 2. We infer how greatly ignorant most of the World are in that they do not account it a great Privilege to be under the Conduct of God and enquire what they should do to please him 3. What a mighty Blessing and Privilege they have who are under his Conduct that is able to do all manner of Good for them in this World and reward with everlasting Life in the World to come
nothing eminent and refreshing in any Creature in a natural way but it is supereminent and infinitely more in a spiritual way in Christ. Christ is singular touching the Unity of the two Natures in his Person singular in his Incarnation in his Humiliation in his Conquest and Exaltation c. VII Jesus Christ was not planted by Man but by the hand of the Father and when brought forth into the Field of this World how open did he lie to evil Beasts such as Herod and the Jews were how was he pluck'd to pieces as it were and trodden under their Feet He was laid open to almost all manner of Sorrow and Suffering VIII Jesus Christ is free for all poor Sinners whoever will may come and take the good and gracious Virtue and Soul-refreshing Blessings that are in Him He is a Fountain opened The Good that is in God is no other ways communicated to Mankind but in and through Him IX The Son of God is the Beauty and Glory of Mankind by assuming of our Nature into Union with himself 'T is He who is the Crown of Mortals sitting in Glory at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven X. Christ is to be found in green Pastures in his Churches where his Word is truly preached and Sacraments are duly administred He leads me in green Pastures XI Jesus Christ affords a very precious Oil called the Oil of Gladness which is of a most Sovereign Virtue See Oil. Metaphor I. A Rose is only pleasant and grateful to the external Senses II. A Rose can be had but in one Season of the Year you may look for a Rose in the Winter and find it not III. The Rose is a very fading Flower the Naturalists tell us of some that seem to wither in their budding all their Beauty and sweet Savour passeth away IV. A Rose may be taken presented given and received by an human Hand V. One Person can but have one and the same Rose entirely to himself at one and the same time Disparity I. JEsus Christ delights and gratifies the spiritual Senses of the Soul II. Jesus Christ this Rose of Sharon may be had at any time of the Year in Winter as well as Summer The Soul meets with him rather in Adversity than in Prosperity III. Jesus Christ is a Rose that never fades he remains in his full Beauty and Glory throughout all Generations he never loses his Savour If he does not smell so sweet to our Senses 't is because our spiritual Senses are decayed the Cause lies in us not in him Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever IV. Jesus Christ is taken presented and given by a divine hand viz. the hand of God himself God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son c. And he is not otherwise received but by Faith the spiritual hand of the Soul V. Jesus Christ the Rose of Sharon is of such a Nature that Thousands may have him entirely to themselves as if but one only had him and this at one and the same time Inferences 1. IF Jesus Christ be the Rose of Sharon so sweet and lovely a Flower let me advise all Ladies and young Virgins and others who delight in Flowers above all to get this Rose you never found the like in all your Lives none so sweet nor yields such a fragrant and odoriferous Smell as Christ doth Nay and more than that 't will be a glorious Ornament unto you 't will make all good and gracious Ones in love with you 2. Moreover this shews us that most of the Men and Women in the World have lost their Smell their spiritual Senses are gone they can find no such Savour in Religion no Sweetness in a reproached persecuted and crucified Jesus no Delight in Ordinances Prayer hearing the Word nor in Sacraments 3. Labor to be stored with the Conserves and precious Vertues of this Divine Rose prize the Distillation of it You love to wash in Rose-Water 't is very grateful and pleasing to you come then and wash in the sweet and fragrant Water of the Rose of Sharon let Heart and Hands be washed in it It will not only cleanse away the Filth but will supple and heal all the Wounds and Bruises of your diseased Souls If you wash in the Water of the Spirit that flows from a crucified Christ it will make you a sweet Savour in the World your Conversations will be of a fragrant Scent 4. Besides it shews how happy they are that have got Jesus Christ and what Fools Men of the World are who slight and dis-esteem him They prize the Thorn and Briar the pricking Pleasures and Profits of the World above the Rose the lovely Rose of Sharon 5. You that are God's Children that have had the sweet Scent of the Rose of Sharon value him above your chiefest Joy account him as indeed he is the Rose and Diadem of your Souls bear him not only by an outward Profession in your Breast but take down the sweet-smelling Savour of his Grace into your Hearts Ye can never overvalue Christ. On the Rose of Sharon IF Nature such a Magazine discloses Of artless Beauty in our common Roses As does the Pencil's Artifice outvie Commanding notice from each curious Eye Whose Sense-refreshing Fragrancy does yield Perfumes enriching the enamell'd Field Sweetning the ambient Air to entertain With Balmy Odours the invading Train Of flanting Gallants Does to each distribute A lovely Nosegay as a Vernal Tribute Yet 't is but fading With the Suns up-rise Vnfolds its Bud and in the Evening dies What shall we say to this Illustrious Bud This Rose of Sharon Language never cou'd Express its Glories Glories that excell In Beauty peerless uncompar'd in Smell No Myrrh no Cassia nor the choice Perfumes Of bruised Spice or Oriental Gums Breath equal Sweetness All the Flowers that be Tinctur'd with Nature's rich Embroidery Yield Him the chief Preheminece Then let Each Soul make haste our Sharon's Rose to get In Him is Life we perish if we taste not In Him are Joys eternal Joys that waste not Christ an Advocate 1 Joh. 2.2 We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous ADvocate in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one called or retained to speak or plead for them who have Indictments against them or otherwise were impleaded in any Court of Judicature and intreated to favour another in Judgment and Intercessor Advocate I. AN Advocate is or ought to be a wise and learned Person in a Court of Judicature because entrusted with weighty Causes II. Advocateship is a relative Office one related to a Judge and Court of Judicature III. An Advocate belongs to the Law which is to be his Rule in all his Practice IV. An Advocate is legally call'd and appointed to his Place and Office V. An Advocate undertakes Causes when they are brought to him VI. An Advocate pleads all Causes that he undertakes for he