For thou art great and dost wondrous things thou art God alone c. Loue him alone or aboue all He knoweth them that loue him and shew it by seruing him only Deut. 6.4.5 The Lord our God is Lord onely And thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with al thy soule and with al thy might c. Mark 12.29.30 as before It should repent vs that euer wee relied vpon any other but him learning hereafter for euer to relie vpon him in our desperatest extremities as these places shew Deut. 32.37.38.39 Isay 37.16 1. Sam 2.2.3 We should therefore keepe the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace as is vrged Ephes. 4.3.6 c. We should therefore vse but one Mediator to him 1. Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediatour betweene God and Man Which is the Man Christ Iesus c. Lastly how happy are his people they are most sure to prosper and grow as from the consideration of this principle is shewed Isai. 44.6.7.8 with coherence Hetherto of the nature of God the workes of God follow His workes are either of Creation or Prouidence CHAP. V. Of the Creation Reuel 4.11 Thou art worthy O Lord to receiue glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy wils sake they are and haue been created THere are fiue principles concerning the Creation That the World had a beginning was not eternall Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the heauen and the earth c. Prou. 8.24 c. When there were no depths was I begotten when there were no fountaines abounding with water c. Ephes. 1.4 As hee hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world c. That this world and al things therein was made by God Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things that are therein c. Iohn 1.3 All things were made by it and without it was made nothing that was made Gens 1.1 Psalm 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the heauens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth Isaiah 40.28 Knowest thou not or hast thou not heard that the euerlasting God the Lord hath created the ends of the earth c. Colos. 1.16 For by him were all things created which are in heauen and which are in earth things visible and inuisible c. That all was made of nothing Rom. 4.17 Before God whom he beleeued who quickneth the dead and calleth those things which bee not as though they were Heb. 11.3 Through faith wee vnderstand that the world was ordained by the word of God so that the things which we see are not made of things which did appeare That God made all things by his word onely He spake and it was created He said let it bee and it was so Genes 1. Heb. 11.3 Psal. 33.6.9 all recited before That all things in their Creation were made good Gen. 1.31 and 2.1 And God saw all that hee had made and loe it was very good c. The vse may be For Information The glorie of the Lord shall endure for euer He shall reioyce in his workes Psalm 104.31 For Instruction and so the Scripture teacheth vs by the creation 1. To feare him and stand in awe of him euen all the inhabitants of the earth who are the work of his hands Psal. 33.6.7.8 2. To study the knowledge of these workes of his to remember them contemplate of them and praise his workmanship and admire his glory that doth great things and vnsearchable yea maruelous things without number c Iob 9.10.11 shall we not sing vnto the Lord all our life and praise our God while we liue c Psal. 104 33. seeing The heauens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth the worke of his hands Psal. 19.1 and the inuisible things of him that is his eternall power and God-head are seene by the creation of the World being considered in his workes c Rom. 1.20 Let vs remember that God gaue a Sabbath of purpose to remember the glory of God in the creation 3. To obserue the distinct glory of euery person admire that Sonne by whom God made the worlds Heb. 1.3 Col. 1.16 and that Spirit that sitting vpon that Chaos first hatched it Genes 1.2 4. To acknowledge Gods soueraigntie let him take whom he will away who can say what doest thou Iob 9.13 God will not withdraw his anger and the most mighty helpes stoope vnder him 5. Vpon all occasions and in all distresses to seeke vnto him for helpe assistance and succour Psalm 124.8 Psalm 134.3 yea beleeuing in him though we see no hope in respect of outward meanes Rom 4.17 Heb. 11.3 Isaiah 37.16 And as this is true of affliction and outward distresses so is it true of all spirituall distresses about the meanes or matter of holinesse for God himselfe vseth the word create in both to shew vs that it is lawfull for that reason to rest vpon him Isaiah 57.19 I create the fruit of the lips to be peace c. Psalm 51.10 Create in me a cleane heart c. so it is applied to good works Ephes. 1.10 and to our protection in generall Esay 4.4 and 5. To shew that if it were as difficult as to make heauen and earth at the first yet God will doe it 6. To teach vs compassion to the creatures we should loue the worke of his hands and not bee cruell to them or voide of pitie These principles also may serue for reproofe of wicked men For not fearing God and not trembling before him as Ierem. 5.22.23 Feare ye not me saith the Lord will ye not be afraid at my presence which haue placed the sand for the bounds of the sea by the spirituall decree a perpetuall that it cannot passe it c. For not regarding his works Isaiah 1.12 And the harpe and viol and timbrel and pipe and wine are in their feasts but they regard not the worke of the Lord neither consider the worke of his hands For hardning themselues in their sinnes notwithstanding Gods threatnings Iob 4.13 with vers 15.16.21 And lastly for consolation to all that put their trust in him Psal. 116.5.6 He can dispose of all since the earth is the Lords and all that is therein Oh what is man that God should bee mindefull of him and giue him such pre-eminence ouer the workes of his hands Psalme 8.4.5.6.7.8 Prouerbs 8.31 Thus of the Creation CHAP. VI. Of Gods Prouidence Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and for him are all things To him be glory for euer Amen THe principles concerning Gods prouidence are That God still knowes and takes continual notice of all things Prou. 15.3 The eies of the Lord in euery place behold the euill and the good Zach. 4.10 These seuen are the eies of the Lord which goe through the whole world Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature
which is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open vnto his eyes with whom we haue to doe Psal. 113.6 Who abaseth himselfe to behold things in the heauen and in the earth That God vpholds and gouerns disposeth of the world so as al things continue through him Psal. 119.91 They continue euen to this day by thine ordinances for all are thy seruants Iohn 5.17 But Iesus answered them My Father worketh hitherto and I worke Acts 17.25.28 He giueth to all life and breath and all things For in him we liue and moue and haue our being Psal. 104.14.21.27.28.30 Hee causeth grasse to grow for the cattle and hearb for the vse of man that he may bring forth bread out of the earth The Lions rore after their prey and seeke their meate at God All these waite vpon thee that thou maist giue them food in due season Thou giuest it to them and they gather it thou openest thy hand and they are filled with good things Againe if thou send forth thy spirit they are created and thou renewest the face of the earth That this prouidence of God reacheth to all things euen the smallest things are gouerned vpheld by God Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and for him are all things To him be glory for euer Amen Matth. 10.29.30 Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father Yea and all the haires of your head are numbred Psal. 147.8.9.16.17.18 Which couereth the heauen with clouds and prepareth raine for the earth and maketh the grasse to grow vpon the mountaines Which giueth to beasts their food and to the young rauens that crie He giueth snow like wooll and scattereth the hoare frost like ashes He casteth forth his ice like morsels who can abide the cold thereof He sendeth his word and melteth them he causeth his wind to blow and the waters flow That of al creatures God hath most care and respect of man Prou 8.31 And tooke my solace in the compasse of his earth and my delight is with the children of men Psal. 8.3.4 What is man say I that thou art mindfull of him and the sonne of man that thou visitest him 1. Cor. 9.9.10 For it is written in the Law of Moses Thou shalt not mussel the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the corne doth God take care for oxen Either saith he it not altogether for our sakes for our sakes no doubt it is written that he which eareth should eare in hope and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope That the good or euill which befalles man is not without Gods prouidence Amos 3.6 Or shall a trumpet be blowne in a Citie and the people be not afraid or shall there be euill in a City and the Lord hath not done it That he doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him in heauen and in earth Psal. 115.3 But our God is in heauen he doth whatsoeuer he will Ionah 1.14 For thou O Lord hast done as it pleased thee Eccles. 3.14 I know that whatsoeuer God shall doe it shall bee for euer to it can no man adde and from it can none diminish For God hath done it that they should feare before him That Gods dominion is euerlasting Psalm 146.10 The Lord shall raigne for euer O Sion thy God endureth from generation to generation praise ye the Lord. The vses are For information this is a glorious subiect to meditate of and if wee search into it distinctly there are many things admirable in Gods gouernment as 1 First the vicegerency of Christ his Son Heb. 1.3 Who being the brightnes of the glory the engraued form of his persō bearing vp al things by his mighty word c. 2 Secondly the splendor of the meanes he vseth euen Kings on earth are his seruants Pro. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the riuers of waters he turneth it whithersoeuer it pleaseth him yea Angels in heauen Oh the admirable glory of the gouernmēt of angels in the world as is shadowed out in Ezech. 1.4 to 15. 3 The variety of meanes he hath and can raise euen all the armies in heauen and earth 4 His working somtimes without meanes Genes 2. 5 His working against means sometimes Psalm 105.12 to 16. The Sunne must stand still Fier must not burne the Sea must not drowne c. 6 The extent of his gouernment what a worke to order all things 7 The preseruation of all the sorts of things euen by the word of God By succession perpetuating his creation and supporting all things prouiding daily for them 8 The destruction he makes amongst the creatures Psa. 104.29 By deluge fier sword pestilence tumbling downe Monarchies c Psal. 68.1 9 The ordering of the disorders of the world turning sinne to good as an Apothecary doth poyson and directing euill instruments wicked men to punish the wicked or to correct the godly To see how God lookes one way and they another Nabuchadnezzar intends to satisfie his owne pride reuenge ambition couetousnesse yet God guides it to another vse euen to correct his people which hee sheweth by burning his rod Esa. 10.5.6 Esa. 14.5.6 and 29. and God directs the euill actions of the wicked to a good end so of the Iewes in killing Christ c. 10 But especially his admirable disposing of all things notwithstanding the infinite multitude of all things in the world which is shadowed in the wheeles Ezech 1.15 c. 11 All this to be done without labour or vexation say therfore as Psalm 104.1.24 My soule praise thou the Lord O Lord my God thou art exceeding great thou art clothed with glory and honour O Lord how manifold are thy workes in wisedome hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psalm 106.2 Who can expresse the noble acts of the Lord or shew forth all his praise 47. Saue vs O Lord our God and gather vs from among the heathen that wee may praise thy holy name and glory in thy praise c. Psal. 107.8 Let them therefore confesse before the Lord his louing kindnesse and his wonderfull works before the sonnes of men 22. And let them offer sacrifice of praise and declare his works with reioycing Psalm 113.2.3.4.5 all the Psalme The second vse is for reproofe and confutation 1 Of such Atheists as say God doth not see or not regard Psal. 94.7 c. Yet they say the Lord shall not see neither will the God of Iacob regard it 2 Of such as acknowledge chance or fortune 3 Of the discontentment that is in man with their condition Dauid calles himselfe a beast for this Psal. 73.22 So foolish was I and ignorant I was a beast before thee an excellent Psalme cleane through 4 Of the security of wicked mē If God gouerne woe to them Psalm 139.7.8 Whither shall they goe from thy spirit or
trust in God 5. As any are more godly so they must know they shall bee more assaulted Thus for instruction This doctrine of the fall hath matter in it of extreame humiliation in that eternall shame lies vpon our nature by this vile offence both in respect of the extremity of our losse and the fearfull displeasure of God Lastly it may comfort the godly to thinke of their estate by Christ hauing receiued the assurance of a better condition then euer they could haue had in Adam and the rather because they are now confirmed as the Angels of heauen that they can neuer fall from the happinesse they haue in Christ. CHAP. IX Of Sinne. Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men for as much as all men haue sinned c. HItherto of the cause of our misery The parts follow viz. 1. Sinne. 2. Punishment The principles concerning sin are First that all men haue sinned Psalm 14.1.2.3 The foole hath said in his heart there is no God they haue corrupted and done an abominable worke there is none that doth good The Lord looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there were any that would vnderstand and seeke God All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one Prou. 20.9 Who can say I haue made mine heart cleane I am cleane from my sinne 1. King 8.46 There is no man that sinneth not c. Eccles. 7.22 Surely there is no man iust in the earth that doth good and sinneth not Rom. 3.9 What then are wee more excellent No in no wise for we haue already proued that all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sin Iam. 3.2 For in many things we sinne all 1. Ioh. 1.8 If we say that we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. The second principle is that the nature of man is stained with sinne from the birth Iob 14.4 Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse there is not one Iob 15.14 What is man that he should bee cleane and hee that is born of a womaÌ„ that he shuld be iust Psal. 51.5 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceiued me That this infection hath ouerspread the whole nature of man hence called the old man For explication of this principle we must consider that the nature of man is tainted 14. waies For there is in man by nature Extreame darknesse sightlesnes especially in the knowledge of God and happinesse Colos. 1.13 Who hath deliuered vs from the power of darknesse 1. Cor. 2.14 But the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned Insensiblenesse and vnutterable hardnesse of heart Ephes. 4.18 Hauing their cogitation darkened and being strangers from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the hardnesse of their heart c. Impotency and extreame disability to deliuer our owne soules or breake off our sinnes Esa. 44.20 He feedeth of ashes a seduced heart hath deceiued him that he cannot deliuer his soule nor say is there not a lie in my right hand Enmity to that which is good Rom. 8.7 For the wisedome of the flesh is enmity to God Rom. 7.23 But I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind and leading me captiue vnto the law of sin which is in my members 5. Impurity foulnes filthines all ouer Tit. 1â— 5. Vnto them that are defiled 〈◊〉 â—â—beleeuing is nothing pure 〈◊〉 euen their mindes and conscienâ—â— are defiled Psal. 14.3 All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one 6. Abundance of false principles 7. Pronenesse to al sorts of euil Rom. 7.14.21 For we know that the law is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne I finde then by the law that when I would do good euill is present with me c. Concupiscence Want of all righteousnesse defects of the loue feare Ioy. c in God so of mercy c Psalm 14.3 All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one c. Rom. 3.10 As it is written There is none righteous no not one The members are naturally seruants of sinne so the senses Rom. 6.13.16 c. Neither giue you your members as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sinne c. Know ye not that to whomsoeuer ye giue your selues as seruants to obey his seruants you are to whom ye obey whether it bee of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse c. A seruile will a will that apprehends no liberty but in sinning Rom. 7.14 A natural aptnesse to be scandalized so as Christ himselfe is an offence a rocke of offence 1. Cor. 8.7 1. Pet. 2.6 A naturall sauouring and relishing of the things of Satan Ephes. 2.2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world and after the prince that ruleth in the ayre euen the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience This hath been euer since the first tentation in Paradise Corruption of memory Forgetting Good Retaining Euill A naturall dis-union one from another lusts of disagreement shunning all harty communion with others through dislike and selfe-loue Iam. 4.1 From whence are warres and contentions amongst you are they not hence euen of your lusts that fight in your members These things proue that wee haue all vile natures that there is not one of a good nature in the world by nature The fourth principle is that besides these sinnes that sticke fast vpon our natures euery man is guilty of horrible and many and vile actuall sinnes Psalm 14. 1.2.3 They haue corrupted and done an abominable worke c. Iob. 15.15.16 Behold he found no stedfastnesse in his Saints yea the heauens are not cleane in his sight How much more is man abominable and filthy who drinketh iniquity like water Rom 3.12 They haue all gone out of the way c. Such as are 1. A world of euill thoughts Genes 6.5 When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were only euill continually Atheisticall thoughts innumerable Impure thoughts innumerable Vaine thoughts innumerable Errours in all parts of Religion 2. Vile affections Impatiency Lust Anger Enuie Suspition Malice Worldly feare Trust Ioy Loue c. 3. Vile words bitter idle false flattering slaÌ„dering proud filthy deceitfull scornfull censuring words 4. Atheisticall workes Psal. 14.1.3 as in many places before Against Gods worship in all the parts Against the Sabbath In our particular and generall calling At home and abroad Secret open Of omission and commission Of ignorance of knowledge Sudden and of custome In
Gospell 2. Thes. 1.8 In flaming fier rendring vengeance vnto them that doe not know God and which obey not vnto the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. And thus for terrour Lastly the doctrine of the last iudgement should be exceeding comfortable to al the godly and that in many respects First if they shall consider who shall be their Iudge euen he that is their brother husband aduocate head and redeemer hee that was iudged for their sakes and therefore they neede to feare no hard sentence from him Secondly if they consider the present assurance of hope For first hath not Christ giuen them many promises that it shal goe well with them at that day 2. Hath not Christ iustified them already and absolued thē from all their sinnes Rom. 3.24.25 3. Haue they not receiued the earnest of the spirit and the seale of the Sacraments 2. Cor. 1.21.22 2. Cor. 5.5 4. Haue they not iudged themselues and therefore are they not free from condemnation with the world 1. Cor. 11.31.32 5. They haue been iudged already the afflictions of this life will be accounted sufficient vnto them 1. Pet. 4.17 They may trust their soules to God and that God that hath begun his good worke in them will performe it till the day of Christ Philip. 1.5.6 1. Cor. 1.8 Thirdly if they consider the benefits they shall attaine vnto at that day for Christ will bee made maruellous in all them that beleeue 2. Thes. 1.10 They shall haue honour and praise their innocency shall be cleared and their miseries and sinnes ended And when Christ shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glory Colos. 3.4 Fourthly if they consider the circumstances of the Iudgment as 1. The neernesse of the time should make them hold vp their heads Matth. 24.22.33 Philip. 4.5 Let your patient mind be knowne vnto all men the Lord is at hand Iam. 5.8 Be ye also patient therfore and settle your hearts for the comming of the Lord draweth neere 2. The greatnesse of the assembly before whom they shall bee so much graced by Christ they shall be honoured before all men and Angels 3. The condition of the sentence it shall be a finall sentence neuer to bee reuoked but acknowledged to all eternity 4. And besides they shall haue this fauour that nothing shall bee remembred but goodnesse in good men their sinnes shall not bee mentioned vnto them Matth. 25. CHAP. XXVIII Of the glory of heauen 1. Cor. 2.9 But as it is written The things which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him HItherto of the principles that concerne the resurrection the last iudgement The principles that concerne the glory of heauen follow There are foure principles concerning the glory of heauen The first concernes the greatnesse of it It is vnspeakable and in respect of vs heere on earth incomprehensible 1. Cor. 2.9 as in the beginning 1. Ioh. 3.2 Dearly beloued now are we the sonnes of God but yet it doth not appeare what we shall bee and we know that when we shall appeare we shall be like him for wee shall see him as he is Colos. 3.3.4 For yee are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God When Christ which is our life shall appeare then shall wee also appeare with him in glory 2. Cor. 12.4 How that hee was taken vp into Paradise and heard words which cannot bee spoken which are not possible for man to vtter Reuel 2.17 Let him that hath an eare heare what the spirit saith vnto the Churches to him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the manna that is hid and will giue him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth sauing he that receiueth it Psal. 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore Psalm 31.19 How great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee and done to them that trust in thee euen before the sonnes of men The second concernes the continuance of it and so it is eternall and therefore is this life called eternall life and immortality Matthew 25. vers 46. And these shall goe into euerlasting paine and the righteous into life eternall 2. Timoth. 1.10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality vnto light through the Gospell 1. Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you c. 2. Cor. 5.1 For wee know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed we haue a building giuen of God that is an house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens The third concernes the cause of it Heauen is the gift of God and proceeds onely from his free grace and not for any merit in vs Luk. 12.32 Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome Titus 3.4 But when the bountifulnesse and loue of God our Sauiour toward man appeared not for our righteousnesse but according to his mercy he saued vs c. Ioh. 3.16 For God so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord c. 1. Pet. 1. all the chapter The fourth concernes the persons that shall enioy it the elect of God onely obtaine this glory 1. Cor. 15.50 c. This say I brethren that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God neither doth corruption inherit incorruption Reuel 21.27 And there shall enter into it none vncleane thing neither whatsoeuer worketh abomination or lies but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life 1. Cor. 6.9 Know ye not that the vnrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God be not deceiued Neither fornicators nor Idolaters nor adulterers nor wantons nor buggeres c. Rom. 2.7 That is to them which by continuance in well doing seeke glory and honour and immortality eternall life 10. But to euery man that doth good shall be glory and honour and peace to the Iew first and also to the Grecian The vses follow and are either for instruction or for consolation First for instruction and then the doctrine of the glory of heauen should worke diuers impressions vpon our hearts 1. We should with all earnestnesse importune God to enable vs to behold by the effectualnesse of contemplation the greatnesse of that felicity is prouided for vs in heauen wee are naturally extreamly vnable for the contemplation of it wee should beseech God by his spirit to force open our eyes and make vs able to stand and gaze with admiration at
the glory to come Ephes. 1.18.19 Rom. 5.2.3 2. Our hearts should be fiered with an ardency of desire and endeauour to praise the glorious and free grace of God which hath without our deserts appointed vs vnto such glory wee can neuer walke worthy of heauen till wee be fitted to a daily and affectionate praise of Gods loue to vs therin All ages should stand and wonder at such rich grace and tender kindnesse of God in Iesus Christ Ephes. 1.6 Ephes. 2.7 Thirdly it should raise vp in vs a wonderfull estimation of the godly who are therfore the onely excellent Ones because as princes of God they are borne heires to so great a Kingdome No meanesse of their outward condition should abate of our reuerence to them that are so rich in faith and heires of such glorie c. Psalm 6.3 Iames 2.5 And seeing we must liue with them for euer we should choose them as the most happie companions of our liues here and receiue them as Christ receiued vs to glorie Rom. 15.7 1. Ioh. 4.7.17 c. And liue in all peace with them Ephes. 4.23 And for this reason husbands should make much of their godly wiues as heires with them of the same grace of God 1. Peter 3.8 And Masters should vse with all respect their religious seruants knowing that of the Lord their verie seruants shall receiue the reward of inheritance Colos. 3.23.24 Fourthly it should exceedingly raise the price of godlines and make vs with all heartie affection deuote our selues to weldoing seeing there is such an vnualuable gaine ariseth vnto such as with patience and painefulnesse continew in doing good wee should be abundant in the worke of the Lord if for no reason yet because of the great reward in heauen 1. Cor. 15.58 Rom. 2.7.10 Fifthly it should make vs to take off our affections from the World with disdaine and indignation at our selues for being so foolish as to settle our hearts on things below And since necessitie enioynes vs to vse the world this religious hope should make vs vse it as if wee vsed it not expressing all sobrietie and temperance and contempt of those transitory things and setting our hearts there where those matchlesse treasures are What profit is it to win all this World if our soules bee shut out of Heauen and what losse can it be if wee loose this World and find our right vnto the World to come This doctrine should make vs feelingly know and professe our selues to bee strangers and pilgrims here to desire to be no other then such as long to be absent from hence that we may bee present with the Lord in this glorie 1. Cor. 7.31 Col. 3.1.2 1. Pet. 1.13 Matth. 6.19.20 Matth 16.25.26 Heb. 11.13 2. Cor. 5.6 Sixthly we should be especially carefull to be all that that is required vnto eternall life And so in generall we must be sure wee bee borne againe else Christ is peremptory wee cannot enter into the Kingdome of heauen Ioh. 3.5 Heauen is an inheritance and therefore we must first be sonnes That glory must penetrate into our hearts by the beames of it so as we be changed from glorie to glorie 2. Corint 3.18 Wee must enter into the first degree of eternall life and that is in this life we must beare the image of Christ. And in particular we must distinctly looke to these things 1. We must be carefull to be prouided of the meanes to teach vs the way to heauen we must labour for the meat that endureth to eternall life Iohn 6.27 As knowing that the preaching of the Gospell is the power of God to saluation Rom. 1.16 Rom. 10.14 2. We must seriously studie the mysteries of this Kingdome and keep our selues close to profitable things which may edifie vs Matth. 13.11 Titus 3.8.9 3. We must purge our selues as he is pure we must seriously and soundly imploy our selues in the duties of mortification of our corruptions 1. Iohn 3.3 And euerie man thaâ— hath this hope in him purgeth himselfe as he is pure c. 4. We must be sure that the tempter deceiue vs not in our faith for that is our euidence for those things which are not seene and that makes them as it were present Heb. 11.1 Now faith is the ground of things which are hoped for and the euidence of things which are not seene 1. Thes. 3.5 Euen for this cause when I could no longer forbeare I sent him that I might know of your faith lest the tempter had tempted you in any sort and that our labour had been in vaine 1 Pet. 1.7 That the triall of your faith being much more precious then gold that perisheth though it be tried with fier might be found vnto your praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 13.5 Proue your selues whether you are in the faith examine your selues know yee not your owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in you except you be reprobates For by faith Christ liues in vs Gal. 2.20 5. We must be sure wee bee not ashamed of Christ in this World and that we doe not denie him here on earth but contrariwise Matth. 10.32 Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse mee before men him will I confesse also before my Father which is in heauen Vers. 33. But whosoeuer shall deny me before men him will I also denie before my Father which is in heauen 6. Wee must get the earnest of this inheritance which is the spirit of promise for that will stablish vs Ephes. 1.14 2. Cor. 1.22.23 For when God giues glorie in heauen then the spirit of glorie rests vpon men in this life 1. Pet. 4.14 And the spirit is our earnest either by anointing vs with sauing grace for they assure vs as infallibly of this kingdom as the oile poured on the Kings did assure them of their Kingdome or by refreshing and satisfying our hearts in hearing the promises or receiuing the Sacraments or answering our prayers But in all this we must remember these things 1. To do this worke first first seeke the Kingdom of God Mat. 6.33 deferre not the time to the last gaspe 2. To doe it constantly Let him that is righteous be righteous still Reuel 22. 3. Praying in the holy Ghost and keeping our selues in the loue of God Iude 20.21 4. To doe it violently Heauen shoul suffer violence Matth. 11.12 5. To doe it humbly renouncing all our owne merits and ascribing all to the free grace of God and the merits of Iesus Christ Rom. 6.23 Ephes. 2.8.9 For heauen is an inheritance and therefore comes by fauour not by purchase and besides we are adopted children too and not naturall 6. Hauing finished al things to stand fast and hope perfectly for the grace of God to bee brought vnto vs at the reuelation of Iesus Christ 1. Pet. 1.13 Secondly these principles may serue for singular consolation and so 1. Against the instabilitie of this present life while wee looke vpon our abiding Citie in
and not to mee onely but vnto all them also that loue his appearing Reuel 21.24 And the people which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vnto it Which as it imports a perfection of splendor in euery Saint so it doth not dissolue the degrees or orders of glory euery man shall bee aduanced in his owne lot Dan. 12.13 But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand vp in thy lot at the end of the dayes 1. Cor. 15.40 There are also heauenly bodies and earthly bodies but the glory of the heauenly is one and the glory of the earthly is another Patriarches Prophets Euangelists Martyrs shall not want their eminency in heauen The fourth is dominion and rule ouer all creatures that which we lost in Adam shall be perfectly restored in heauen after the last iudgement Reuel 2.26 For hee that ouercommeth and keepeth my words vnto the end to him will I giue power ouer nations The fifth is possession of all the pleasures which are at Gods right hand vnutterable ioyes riuers of pleasures This is that which in a sparing language is called the time of refreshing Act. 3.19 Amend your liues therefore and turne that your sinnes may be put away when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Psalm 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore For if the ioy of the godly in this life be called 1. Pet. 1.17 A ioy vnspeakable and glorious And if the Lord giue them drink out of the riuer of thy pleasures in this world as Psal. 36.8.9 How much more shall it exceed all language in heauen called the masters ioy The felicities which I haue here mentioned are for the most part common both to soule and body Now there is a peculiar felicity in heauen belonging to the bodies of men which consists in that maruellous transfiguration of them to a condition in respect of qualities farre aboue what they are or can be in this world Our bodies in generall shall be made like the glorious body of Christ though on earth they are but vile Philip. 3.21 Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working wherby hee is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe They shall enioy eternall health but of the glory of the body I haue entreated before in the vse of the doctrine of the Resurrection Thus of the parts of this glory The Adiuncts of it follow And so there bee foure things in the consideration of the glory to come should much affect vs. First that it is a glory vnspeakable that is it is so great that no language on earth can describe it For though we mention those foresaid parts of it yet our narrow hearts and mouthes are infinitely straitned in comparison of the full glory of man in these things 1 Cor. 2.9 But as it is written The things which eye hath not seene neither eare hath heard neither came into mans heart are which God hath prepared for them that loue him c. Secondly that it is certaine and we cannot be disappointed of it else it were vncomfortable to heare of so much felicitie and holinesse and yet not bee sure to possesse it The certaintie of it that God will bestow such glory may appeare diuers waies 1. There is an act or ordinance for it in Gods eternall Counsell 2. Tim. 2.19 But the foundation of God remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his and Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie Ephes. 1.4 As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that wee should bee holy and without blame before him in loue Rom. 8.30 Moreouer whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom hee iustified them he also glorified Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world 2. Christ purchased it with his blood Ephes. 1.14 3. Christ hath made intercession when he was on earth vnto his Father that hee might haue his redeemed Ones to be where he is Iohn 17.11 And now am I no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keepe them in thy name Vers. 24. Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee bee with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world 4. God hath made vs many promises and giuen vs not onely his word but his oth to assure it vnto vs Heb. 6.17 So God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the stablenesse of his Counsell bound himselfe by an oath Vers. 18. That by two immutable things wherein it is impossible that God should lie we might haue strong consolation which haue our refuge to hold fast the hope that is set before vs c. 5. He hath sealed to it not only in the Sacrament but by his spirit which will bee our witnesse and is our earnest Ephes. 1.13 Wherein also after that yee beleeued you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Vers. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory 6. He hath begun eternall life in vs already 7. Christ is gone into heauen of purpose to prouide a place ready for vs Ioh. 14.3 And though I goe to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there may ye be also Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore bretheren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Vers. 20. By the new and liuing way which he hath prepared for vs through the vale which is his flesh Thus of the certaintie of it The third thing is the eternitie of it all this glory were the lesse if it were thought it would euer end but it shall neuer end for 1. Nothing of it shall be lost or decay 2. There shall bee no death there for death and hell are cast into the lake of fier 3. There shall be no old age or withering condition in men that possesse it it withers not 1. Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you 4. God being all in all there shal be no wearinesse no fulnesse of affections or satietie no loathing Diuines are wont to shadow out eternity by the similitude of a little bird drinking vp a drop of water out of the sea if euery ten thousand yeeres the bird should come drink vp but one drop yet the sea might bee dry at length but yet this lasting of the sea is nothing in comparison to the lasting of the glory of heauen Fourthly and vnto these may bee added the proximity of it the day of the Lord is at hand It were some lessening of our happines if it were a long time to it FINIS ERRATA Pag. 4. lin 22. for Praises reade Oracles p. 51. l. 4. r. by a perpetuall decree p. 74. l. 16. put out a. p. 107. l. 17. r. vp for vpon p. 108. l. 16. for Sould r Should p. 407. l. 4 r. wrinckle p. 434. l. 17.21 and p. 435. l. 8 put out Sol and r. Secondly Thirdly Fourthly p. 486. l. 11. put out all the Chapter p. 499. l. 11. r. or secondly 3 Things intended in this Treatise The benefit of attending to this course The warrant of this course Question Answere Principles may bee knowne three waies The diuision of Principles according to their chiefe heads Two principles about the Scriptures The Scripturs are the very word of God proued by testimonies externall and internall Iohn 1.7 Prou. 30.6 Reuel 22.18 The vses 1. For instruction 2 For reproofe 1 Of the Papists in 4. things 2 Of Carnall Protestants 3 Of the godly 3 For triall 4 For consolation 4 Principles concerning God That there is a God is proued first by testimonies internall 2 By testimonies externall and so either in the world or in the Church 10 Glories in the nature of God The vses 1 For instruction If wee would study the glorious nature of God we must obserue 6. rules For humiliation For consolation Proofes for the Trinity Vses of the doctrine of the Trinity That there is but one God proued The vses 5 Principles concerning the Creation Vses 1 For information 6 Vses for instruction Vses for reproofe 7 Principles concerning Gods prouidence The vses 1 For information 11 Things admirable in Gods prouidence Vses for reproofe 8 Vses for instruction Vse for consolation Man was after the Image of God three waies The vses The speciall fauour of God to man in his Creation Duties 1 To God 2 To our selues 3 To other men 3 Principles concerning the fall of man 7 Things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne Obiect Answ. 3 Occasions of Apostasie 5 Degrees of the diuels tentation 4 Principles concerning sinne 14 Foule blemishes in euery mans nature 9 Vses for information 7 Things make ciuill honest men miserable 17. sorts of punishments inflicted on man for his sinne Eph. 5.14 1. Cor. 15. Act. 17.31 Rom. 5. â—2 c. andâ— 1 Mat. 11.29 1. Ioh. 2.1 Gal. 3.13 2. Cor. 5.17 Psa. 22.24 Question Answere Question Answere Question Answere Quest. Answ. Obiect Solution Obiect Solution Obiection Solution Iam. 2.5 What these things meane is vnknowne Rise first in soule
incarnate p. 168. Fiue instructions p. 169.170 Many consolations from the incarnation of Christ. p. 171. to 175. Chap. 14. Of the conception of Christ the vses p. 176. c. Chap. 15. How Christ could be borne of a Virgin with the vses p. 180. to 186. Foure sorts of making man at seuerall times p. 184. Chap. 16. Of the personal vnion with the vses p. 186. to 191. Chap. 17. Principles that concerne the mediator-ship of Christ. p. 191. to 197. When Christ was giuen to be mediator p. 194. Three sorts of couenants of God p. 197. Wherein the couenant of grace and the couenant of workes agree and how they differ in sixe things p. 200. to 206. Nine priuiledges of the couenant of grace p. 206. to 211. The properties of this couenant p. 211.212 Ten arguments to assure the infallibility of the couenant of grace p. 212.213 The persons capable of these priuiledges p. 214. Comforts in the curse of sinne and in the crosse of affliction and in the curse of death p. 215.216 What wee must auoid in respect of this couenant p. 217.218 What we must doe that wee may bee fitted for this couenant p. 219. Eight things to be done that we may walke worthy of this couenant p. 220.221.222 Chap. 18. What the Propheticall office of Christ is the parts of it and the manner how he executed it p. 226.227.228 Seuen principles concerning the propheticall office of Christ. p. 229.230.231 Christ differed in teaching from all others in diuers things p. 235.236 Sixe instructions p. 237.238 Eight comfortable things in the manner of Christs teaching p. 240. to 245. Chap. 19. Foure principles concerning the obedience of Christ. p. 247. to 250. with the vses to p. 254. Chap. 20. Sixe principles concerning the Passion of Christ. p. 255.256.257 The extreame things Christ suffered for vs. p. 257. to 262. Many duties to be performed vpon the consideration of the Passion 1. Towards Christ himselfe p. 263. to 267. 2. Towards others p. 268. to 271. 3. Towards our selues p. 271. to 279. Fiue vses for information p. 279. to 284. Many consolations from the passion of Christ in generall from p. 284. to 291. Many particular consolations p. 291 to 301. Chap. 21. Foure principles concerning the intercession of Christ. p. 301.302.303 Seuen distinct things in the intercession of Christ. p. 304. Confutation of Papists p. 309. Foure instructions p. 310. Ten consâ—lations p. 311. to 315. Chap. 22. Seuen principles concerning the regall office of Christ. p. 315. to 325. The method of the doctrine of Christs Regall office p. 325. to 331. Twelue generall vses for instruction besides particular vses p. 331. to 340. Many consolations p. 340. to 344. Chap. 22. Seuen principles concerning the Church Nine vses for instruction p. 355. to 361 Many consolations p. 361. to 364. Chap. 23. Eight principles concerning Iustification p. 364. to 371. Eight vses for instruction p. 371. to 378. Sixe consolations p. 378. to 381. Chap. 24. Sixe principles concerning sanctification p. 383. to 388. Motiues to holinesse p. 389.390.391 Rules concerning sanctification where ten things to be auoided p. 392. to 396. Rules about the matter end manner and meanes of sanctification p. 396. to 340. Seuen signes of a man vnsanctified p. 402.403 Many consolations against the imperfection of sanctification p. 405. to 409. Chap. 26. Foure principles concerning the resurrection p. 410. to 414. That there shall bee a resurrection proued by varietie of Arguments p. 415. to 419. Sixe things in the manner of the resurrection p. 420.421 Fiue instructions p. 422. to 425. Many consolations p. 425. to 436. Sixe glorious things shall befall our bodies at the resurrection p. 429. Obiections answered p. 433. c. Chap. 27. Seuen principles concerning the last Iudgement p. 436. to 445. Sixe instructions p. 445. to 455. Sixe waies of offending in censuring p. 447. Nine things to be done that we may haue comfort in the day of Iudgment p. 451. to 455. The vse for terrour at large p. 455. to 460. Many obiections answered p. 460. to 478. It shall be a terrible day for fifteene sorts of offenders p. 472. to 478. Many consolations p. 478. to 482. Chap. 28. Foure principles concerning the glorie of heauen p. 482. to 487. Sixe vses for instruction with diuers notes p. 487. to 497. Sixe things we must doe that we may be sure to goe to Heauen p. 492. c. The consolations from p. 497. to the end The description of the parts of the glorie of Heauen and the perpetuitie of it FINIS CHAP. I. Containing the nature and vse of this Treatise THe purpose and drift of this Treatise is to effect three things First to extract out of all Theologie contained in the Scriptures such truths as are of necessitie to be beleeued vnto saluation the knowledge whereof is required of all In the defence whereof we should be ready to suffer the extreamest things euen death it selfe and which wee should account the very Characters of true Religion the distinct knowledge whereof we should lay vp as great riches Secondly to gather out of the Scriptures such euident proofes of each of those truths as might make a full assurance and establishment of heart in the particular beleefe of them Thirdly to poynt out the seuerall vses wee should make of these fundamentall truthes and for what excellent purpose they may serue vs all the daies of our life Singularly great would the profit of this proiect be if there were a heart in man to vse a little diligence in matters of so great moment Is it not a meruailous benefit in this contending world for a man to know distinctly what truthes be infallible and to haue the truthes that are absolutely necessary to be beleeued separated from such as a man may bee ignorant of and yet bee saued And for the second thing it is certaine the most Christians knowe their groundes but by heare-say and the common iudgement of others whereas here they may bee informed of them so as to knowe them by proofes of Scripture which with a little labour they may commit to memory as seed-plots of contemplation And for the third what is the reason that Common-place Diuinitie is so out of vse in popular teaching or that Catechismes are looked vpon so dully and learned or taught with so little profit but that the vse of such doctrine hath not been distinctly shewed so as men thinke of Principles as of certaine inferior truthes because they see other points in textuall course handled with directions for the vse of them Whereas it is certaine that no doctrines in Religion haue more abundant vse in the life of man nor more vrged with varietie of vses in the Scriptures then the heads of Catechisme And for the warrant of the proiect it is euident that the Apostles did make a separation of truthes and did extract the fundamentall truthes out of the maine body of doctrine and those they deliuered to
the Churches as the common treasure of all the Saints and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles They were called the principles of the praises of God Heb. 5.12 The principles of the doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The doctrines of foundation in the same place The patterne of wholesome words 2. Tim. 1.13 The forme of the knowledge of the truth Rom. 2.20 The forme of doctrine into which they were deliuered Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them Now if any aske mee how I will know a Principle I answere by these markes First it is such a truth to bee beleeued as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word and so differ from Doctrines that are deduced from the Scriptures onely by consequence or are there but in darke and obscure words Secondly Principles are first truths that is such as haue been from the beginning and haue been beleeued in all ages of the Church Thirdly they are such truthes as being stubbornely and wilfully denied the whole building falles downe and men hold not the foundation Besides any man may be guided herein that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions and Catechismes though it be true that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes they either haue not all Principles in or else they haue more then Principles such truths as are strong meate and so prooue hard sayings to the weake Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes as is further requisite I shall reioyce in it and thinke I haue attained a happy end I doubt not but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of euery Principle as they teach the grounds to the people yea it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this or the like manner and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion with vse of them in their conuersation Lastly it will be some content vnto ingenious mindes to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight and the more easie learning of them CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge which is the scripture or word of God or the subiect of knowledge which is God himselfe In God wee consider 1. His Nature 2. His Workes The workes of God as the principles take notice of them are 1. Creation 2. Prouidence The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall or as it concernes man onely The prouidence of God as it concernes man hath Principles that looke vpon him in his fourfold estate In the estate of Innocency In the estate of Corruption or misery In the estate of Grace where the principles consider 1 The meanes of grace viz. Election in God and Redemption in Christ. 2 The subiect of Grace viz. the Church 3 The degrees or sorts of Grace viz. Iustification and Sanctification In the estate of Glory where 1 Of the resurrection of the dead 2 Of the last iudgement 3 Of the glory of Heauen CHAP. III. Of the Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God c. THe originall or fountaine of knowledge is the Scripture that is the bookes of the old and new Testament and those bookes were first called Scripture in the new Testament There are two principles concerning the Scripture That they are the very word of God or they flow from God by diuine inspiration That they are perfect without defect or errour euery way sufficient of themselues alone to guide vs in all things needfull to saluation without adding ought to them or diminishing ought from them For the first that they are by diuine inspiration is infallibly euident from the testimony of the Scriptures themselues such as these 2. Tim. 3.16 before recited 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know this that no prophecie of the Scriptures is of any priuate interpretation For the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost And for our more abundant satisfaction there are other testimonies that prooue the Scriptures to bee the very word of God and these both external and internall The externall testimonies are such as these The diuine reuelations with which they were graced from heauen For God was visibly present with Moses the writer of the Law and God testified his presence also by the cloud and smoke about the Arke in the Tabernacle and Temple Fier from heauen deuoured the sacrifices and God gaue answere by the Vrim and Thummim The fulfilling of the prophesies vttered in the Scriptures in seuerall ages The testimony of the Church in all ages acknowledging the bookes of Scripture as the pure word of God The finall confession of the Martyrs who at their death did iustifie so much and willingly died in the defence of the truths contained in the Scriptures The conuersion of the soules of men by the power of the Scriptures and the comfort the godly finde in them in all afflictions The miraculous calling of the men as we may see in Moses and the Apostles that wrote the Scriptures c. The internall testimony is the witnesse of Gods spirit who in the hearts of the godly doth auouch so much and this is a testimony proper to the houshold of God Thus of the first principle The second Principle is that the scriptures are perfect which these places shew 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple Gal. 1.8 But though that we or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then that which we haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed Duet 12.32 Therefore whatsoeuer I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from Prou. 8.7.8 For my mouth shall speake the truth and my lips abhorre wickednesse All the words of my mouth are righteous there is no leaudnes nor frowardnesse in them The consideration of which principles may serue vs for diuers vses both for instruction and reproofe for triall and for consolation First wee should here be perswaded To study the Scriptures with all diligence and to striue to get
from him Iam. 1.17 Euery good giuing and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights c. What are wee that so great a God should set his heart vpon vs to shew vs mercy Seeing hee is a spirit and so transcendently glorious and knowes all things we should resolue to serue him with all possible affection putting on all the beauties of the best holinesse we can get when we come into his presence Ioh. 4.24 God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Let vs for euer hate sinne and striue for all possible imitation of his holinesse Psal. 36.10 Extend thy louing kindnesse to them that know thee and thy righteousnesse vnto them that are vpright of hart 1. Pet. 1.15.16 But as he which hath called you is holy so be you holy in all manner of conuersation Because it is written Be you holy for I am holy c. 1. Ioh. 5.18.19 We know that whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and the wicked toucheth him not c. Iob 42.6 Therefore I abhorre my selfe and repent in dust and ashes Finally wee should striue to get and encrease in the true knowledge of our glorious God wee should study his glory but then wee must be warned when we go about this study to looke to diuers things 1. We must repent vs of our sinnes for this knowledge requires a cleane heart 2. Wee must bring an humble and teachable mind Psalm 25.9 Them that bee meeke will hee guide in iudgement and teach the humble his way 3. Let the Word bee thy guide looke for him in the Word Thou must captiuate thy Reason and aduance thy faith 4. Thou must goe to the Sonne to reueale the Father pray Christ to shew thee the Father Ioh. 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father hee hath declared him c. 5. Pray for the spirit of reuelation to forme this in thee and resolue to get thy heart established in the knowledge of God by many prayers 6. Obserue him in his Image in his children get affection to them and liue much with them 1. Ioh. 4.8.12.16 Hee that loueth not knoweth not God for God is loue No man hath seene God at any time if wee loue one another God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect in vs c. Thus much for Instruction Here is also much matter of humiliatioÌ„ for those vile Atheisticall thoughts and base conceits which are in mens minds coÌ„cerning God and for the daily neglect of Gods presence forgetting him dayes without number and for daring to sinne in his sight but especially for want of those burning desires after God and that surpassing loue of his glorious nature Thirdly here is singular Consolation vnto all those that are assured they are in fauour with God Why doe not our hearts say Wee haue none in heauen but God and doe desire none in earth with him Psalm 7.3.23 seeing he is so all-sufficient able to doe vs so much good and our plentifull reward Genes 17.1 and knowes our wayes Psal. 1.6 and entertaines his people with so much grace Psalm 36.7.8 and the rather because he will neuer change and loue thee with an eternall loue Iam. 1.17 2. Tim. 2.13 Numb 23.19 This should be the life of our liues it is very eternall life to know him to be ours in Christ. Ioh. 17.3 Ierem. 9.24 Thus of the second principle The third Principle is that there be thre persons in the Trinity which may be proued two waies That there is more then one person Gen. 1.26 Furthermore God said Let vs make man in our owne Image according to our likenesse c. That there are three in number Mat. 3.16.17 And loe the heauens were opened vnto him and Iohn saw the spirit of God descending like a Doue and lighting vpon him And loe a voice came from heauen saying This is my beloued Son in whom I am well pleased c. Matth. 28.19 Goe therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost 2. Cor. 13.13 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen Ioh. 14.16.17.28 And I will pray the Father and hee shall giue you another Comforter that he may abide with you for euer c. Ioh. 15.26 But when the Comforter shall come whom I will send vnto you from the Father c. 1. Ioh. 5.7 For there are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one c. These three were called in the old Testament the Lord the Angell of the Lord and the Spirit of God and in the new the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The vse should be To teach vs to conceiue of God with all possible adoration of his glorious condition who hath in the manner of his nature what is beyond the reach of men or Angels thou must beleeue that this is so though reason cannot tell â—hee how it is let it suffice thee to know that it is Thou shalt know more how it is both when they knowledge is more growne on earth and when thou commest to thy perfect age in heauen When thou commest to worship God make conscience of it that thou rob not any of the persons of their glory But know that there are three persons not one person onely Learne thou in thy course of life from the word and works of God to giue to each person his glory as it is written of him or done by him This may be an vnspeakeable comfort to thee if thou consider what the blessed Trinity is to thee thy holinesse and happines was conceiued decreed framed purchased renewed and shall be for euer testified by â—â—ree in heauen 1. Iohn 5.7 For there are three which beare record c. Gen. 1.26 as before Thus of the third principle That there is but one God is proued in these places Deu. 6.4 Heare O Israel the Lord our God is Lord only c. Esay 44.6.8 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts I am the first and I am the last and without me is there no God You are my witnesses whether there be a God beside me c. Mark 12.29 Heare Israel the Lord our God is the only Lord c. Ephes. 4.5.6 1. Cor. 8.4 We know that an idoll is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one c. The vses are these Adore him whom al creatures are bound to serue and acknowledge who hath no partners in his supreame Soueraignty Psal. 86.9.10 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O Lord and shall glorifie thy name
are not the children of God but the children of promise are counted for the seed 3. By the sanctification of their afflictions euen by the many experiences of Gods loue in afflictions as when God comforts their hearts in the midst of distresse when they come to him making their mone and when he turnes the crosse to a blessing to them making them more humble by it exercising their gifts purging out their sinne c. and at the length giuing gracious deliuerances causing all to worke together for the best so as they themselues being Iudges they can say it was good for me that I was afflicted Rom. 8.28.29 Also we know that all things worke together for the best to them that loue God euen to them that are called of his purpose c. Psalm 119. in many places Now as God manifests his owne choie by these and such like signes so the godly make sure their owne election by diuers markes of it as generally by the sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the truth 2. Thes. 2.13 But we ought to giue thanks alway to God for you brethren beloued of the Lord because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of truth so in particular 1. By the vertues of Christ which more or lesse in some measure shine in them such as are humilitie piety knowledge temperance and contempt of the world patience in aduersitie and other excellent sauing graces in them 2. Pet. 1.5.6.7.10 1. Pet. 2.9 By their fruits you may know them Ioh. 15.16 2. Secondly by the affections of godlinesse that are in them aboue al others Ephes. 1.5 1. Ioh. 3.14 They approue themselues to be elect by loue that is by their great affections to God to the word of God and his ordinances and by their brotherly kindnesse to the godly and this loue is the more euident marke when it lasts euen in affliction when no distresses makes vs abate of our affection to God or good things or good men Rom. 8.28 3. By their Priesthood Gods elect are a kingdome of Priests they offer God daily sacrifice they haue the spirit of prayer they daily mortifie the beast their sinnes vpon the Altar of Christ crucified So then by their praying and their mortification Gods elect may bee euidently knowne 1. Pet. 2.9.10 4. Fourthly they are vsually knowne by the opposition of the world If they were of the world the world would spare and loue his owne but because they are chosen out of the world therefore the world hates them and pursues them with reproches and indignations of all sorts Ioh. 15.18.19 If the world hate you you know that it hated mee before you If ye were of the world the world would loue his owne but because ye are not of the world but I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 5. Lastly this doctrine of Election should fill the hearts of all the godly with vnspeakable reioycing Euerlasting ioy should be vpon their heads and sorrow and mourning should fly away and the rather if they consider the maruellous priuiledges of their Election and the wonderfull happinesse vnto which they are chosen of God For if by the former signes thou know thy selfe to be one of Gods Elect. 1. First thou art sure of thy saluation and the glory of heauen when thou diest 2. Thessal 2.13.14 Whereunto hee called you by the Gospell to obtaine the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ. 2. The loue of God to thee is vnchangeable God will neuer cast off the people whom he hath chosen Rom. 11.2 God hath not cast away his people whom hee knew before 3. Thou art sure of gratious entertainment in Gods house and sweete communion with God whilest thou liuest Psal. 65.4 Blessed is he whom thou chusest and causest to come to thee he shall dwell in thy courts and we shall bee satisfied with the pleasures of thine house euen of thine holy Temple Esa. 65.13.14 Therefore thus saith the Lord God behold my seruants shall eate and ye shall bee hungry behold my seruants shall drink and ye shall bee thirsty behold my seruants shall reioyce and ye shall be ashamed Behold my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart and ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and shall howle for vexation of mind 4. Thou shalt be sure of protection against all aduersaries that dare or can rise vp against thee Esa. 41.10.11.12.13 Feare thou not for I am with thee bee not afraid for I am thy God I will strengthen thee and helpe thee and will sustaine thee with the right hand of my iustice Behold all they that prouoke thee shall bee ashamed and confounded they shall bee as nothing and they that striue with thee shall perish 5. Fifthly all thy afflictions shall be sweetned vnto thee and work together for the best Rom. 8.28 Also we know that all things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God euen to them that are called of his purpose 6. In all thy suites to God thou art sure of audience and compassionate respect howsoeuer thou bee neglected in the world Ioh. 15.16 Yee haue not chosen mee but I haue chosen you and ordained you that yee goe and bring forth fruit and that your fruit remaine that whatsoeuer ye shal aske of the Father in my name hee may giue it you 7. Christ will graciously communicate to thee the secrets of God and the mysteries of the kingdome vsing thee therein as a most deare and carefull friend Ioh. 15.16 as before 8. Lastly all complaints brought vnto God against thee are sure to be non-suted and cast out so as nothing can bee laid to thy charge nothing can condemne thee in as much as Christ hath paid all thy debts and sitteth at the right hand of God to make request for thee Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth c. CHAP. XII Of Christ. Act. 4.12 Neither is there saluation in any other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must be saued HItherto of Election The second fundamentall meanes of grace is Christ concerning whom the principles respect either 1. His Person 2. His office The principles concerning his person looke either 1. Vpon his diuine nature 2. or vpon his humane The principle that concernes his diuine nature is this That Iesus Christ is very God and that he is God may be proued 1. First by testimony of Scripture Esa. 9.6 For vnto vs a child is borne and vnto vs a sonne is giuen and he shall call his name wonderfull Counsellor the mighty God Ioh. 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and that word was God Rom. 9.5 Of whom are the fathers and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God ouer all blessed for euer Amen 1. Tim. 3.16 And without controuersie great
shall bee called the Sonne of God c. The vses may bee raised seuerally from each of the principles and so First the doctrine of the incarnation of Christ may serue 1. For information and that both of the loue of God and of his wisedome which both shine in this worke His loue in that he sent vs a Sauiour to take our nature and his wisedome in that he sent vs his Sonne But what need was there that Christ should bee incarnate and take mans nature rather then any other First that satisfaction might be made to God in the same nature that had offended 2. Because without effusion of blood there could bee no remission Heb. 9.22 3. Because a Mediator should be meet to deale betweene both parties therefore he is God for the businesse with his Father and man for the businesse with men 4. That so he might haue the right of the kinsman to redeeme vs and so of adoption Ier. 32.8 Ruth 3.13 5. To assure our resurrection Heb. 2.14 That he might destroy through death him that had the power of death which is the diuell c. But why was the second person in Trinitie incarnate It was most conueniently and comely it should be so 1. By the Son was man made at the beginning and therefore fitly by him was he redeemed 2. He most fitly repaires the image of God in vs who was himselfe the image of his father 3. He that was the Sonne of God most conueniently makes vs the Sonnes of God Secondly for instruction and so it should teach vs 1. First to acknowledge both natures in Christ and know it is of necessitie to saluation to confesse his glory in both 2. It should worke vpon vs the impressions of humility This is a matchlesse example of humilitie that he that was equall to the father should make himselfe so low as to take vpon him the forme of a seruant c. as it is vrged Phil. 2.6.7 It were intolerable shame for vs to mind our owne things or to stand vpon our glory and greatnesse Oh how should this make vs easily deny our selues if we could throughly thinke vpon it 3. Thirdly it should stirre vs vp wonderfully to a desire to come vnto Christ and to be made one with him and to be like him Hee drew neere to vs when hee tooke our nature and shall not we draw neere to him in imitation of his nature and shew forth his vertues He descended from heauen to vs and shall not we ascend to heauen to him 4. This may serue for great humiliation to al such as receiue not the Sonne of God hath hee taken our nature and dwelt amongst vs and saw we his glory as the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of God and are wee yet ignorant of him doe we yet neglect to come vnto him 5. Lastly the incarnation of Christ is the very fountaine of all our comfort It is the sunneshine of religion we should reioyce in it aboue all things There should be no godly man but his heart should leape within him vpon the thoughts of this glorious grace of God The Angels of heauen sang in the aire when they brought this tidings and can wee sit desolate in heart to whom a Sauiour is borne and for whom he was incarnate Luk. 2.10 Christs incarnation is the most cleare looking glasse to shew forth the wisdome mercy truth and iustice of God This was a worke farre aboue the creation of man this doctrine is comfortable in the very respect of the honour done to the nature of man in that God hath ioyned man so neerely to himselfe and it imports a wonderfull loue that Christ doth now vnchangeably beare to man being himselfe of the same nature but especially it should swallow vp all earthly discontentments to consider that God hath giuen him to vs and Christ is all this for our sakes Esay 9.6 For vnto vs a childe is borne and vnto vs a sonne is giuen c. How should Christ bee vnto vs onely in stead of all things The very peace we haue by him should enflame vs peace aboue vs with God and the Angels peace within vs with our owne consciences peace about vs with all creatures Luke 2.14 and specially it should establish vs in the assurance of the accomplishment of all that yet remaines of our full redemption we need not doubt of his intercession our suites must all needes speed well there sits one at the right hand of God that is our owne flesh and bloud and we need not feare the last iudgement It cannot but be well with vs if our owne brother be our iudge we should not be affraid in the meane time in the euill day He will succour vs he hath had experience of the frailtie of our nature and therefore hath a feeling of our infirmities and will helpe vs in all time of our need Heb. 2.18 For in that he suffred and was tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 4.15 For we haue not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted in like sort yet without sinne Yea the very glory of Christ in heauen is by this meanes ours Christ is my portion my flesh and my blood where my portion raigneth there beleeue I that I raigne where my flesh is glorified there I thinke my selfe in glory where my blood ruleth there thinke I my selfe exalted And all this is the more comfortable if we consider that God had not respect of persons in this which may appeare by the manifestation of the incarnation It was reueiled to shepheards and to the Wise men the one poore the other rich the one learned the other vnlearned the one Gentiles the other Iewes the one neere the other farre off This light appeared to Anna a woman as well as to Simeon that iust man And besides note the wonderfull wisedome of God in the manner of reuealing Christ viz. to euery one according to his owne estate For to Simeon and Anna as more spirituall persons the natiuitie was reuealed by the instinct of the Spirit To the Shepheards as ruder men by the voice and speech of Angels To the Priests and Scribes that searched Scripture by an Oracle of the Scripture To Herod a stranger by the testimony of the Wise men that were strangers To the Wise men that were students of Astrology by the rising of a new starre CHAP. XIV Of the conception of Christ. THus much of the vses of the incarnation of Christ the vses of his conception follow The doctrine of his conception by the holy Ghost may serue First for information and that in diuers things 1. First concerning the wonder of his birth heere is a new birth giuen to the world neuer such a one before he that is the onely Sonne in heauen is by this meanes the onely man on earth to be admired When God was to be made visible on
that are bruised c. The vses may be First for consolation vnto all the godly and this comfort in their Mediatour and the new couenant in him may be the more distinctly formed in vs if we consider 1. The priuiledges and benefits wee reape by this new couenant 2. The properties of the couenant 3. The persons to whom it may belong For the first by meanes of the Mediatour in this new couenant we receiue many admirable prerogatiues and blessings as 1. The abrogation of the old couenant Heb. 8.13 In that hee saith a new Testament he hath abrogated the old now that which is disanulled and waxed old is ready to vanish away So as now we are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace Rom. 6.14 For sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you for ye are not vnder the Law but vnder grace c. 2. Communion of Saints from all parts of the world men of all Nations comming in vpon this new agreement Isaiah 49.6.11 And he said it is a small thing that thou shouldest be my seruant to raise vp the Tribes of Iacob and to restore the desolations of Israel I will also giue thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou maist bee my saluation vnto the ends of the world Matth. 8.11 But I say vnto you that many shall come from the East and West and shall sit downe with Abraham Isaack and Iacob in the Kingdome of heauen c. 3. Reconciliation with God and the pardon of all sins 2. Cor. 5.19 For God was in Christ and reconciled the world to himselfe not imputing their sinnes vnto them Ier. 31.33.34 But this shall bee the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those daies saith the Lord I will be their God and they shall be my people And I will forgiue their iniquitie and will remember their sins no more Heb. 9.15 And for this cause is he the Mediator of the new Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament c. The mediatour paying all our debts 4. A righteousnesse answerable to that of the Law wrought for vs and imputed to vs Rom. 8.4 That the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in vs which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit 5. The inhabitation of the Spirit of God taking possession of vs vnto Gods vse for euer Isai. 59.21 And I will make this my couenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit that is vpon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seede saith the Lord euen from henceforth for euer 6. The Law of God put into our hearts from the least to the greatest Ier. 31.33 But this shall be the couenant that I wil make with the house of Israel After those daies saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts write it in their hearts c. 7. A couenant with all creatures who must be at peace with vs and seruiceable to vs Hosea 2.18.21.22 And in that day will I make a couenant for them with the wilde beasts and with the foules of the heauen and with that that creepeth vpon the earth and I will breake the bow and the sword and the battell out of the earth and I will make them to sleepe safely And in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will euen heare the heauens and they shall heare the earth And the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oile and they shall heare Israel 8. Gods sanctuary in the midst of vs and his presence with vs for euer Ezech. 37.26.27.28 Moreouer I will make a couenant with them of peace it shall be an euerlasting couenant with them and will set my sanctuarie amongst them for euermore My tabernacle also shall bee with them yea I will be their God and they shall be my people 9. The promise of an eternall inheritance Heb. 9.15 And for this cause is he the Mediatour of the new Testament that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament they which were called might receiue the promise of eternall inheritance c. The second part of the consolation may be raised from the consideration of the properties of the couenant which are That it is free and God stands not vpon desert in vs Isai. 55.1.2.4 He euery one that thirsteth come yee to the waters and yee that haue no siluer come buy and eate come I say buy wine and milk without siluer and without mony Wherefore doe you lay out siluer and not for bread and your labour without being satisfied hearken diligently vnto me and eate that which is good and let your soule delight in fatnesse Behold I gaue him for a witnesse to the people for a Prince and a Master vnto the people c. That it is vnchangeable and eternall Isaiah 54.10 For the mountaines shall remoue and the hilles shall fall downe but my mercy shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace fall away saith the Lord that hath compassion on thee And we may the rather be assured of this if we consider 1. The nature of God Mercy pleaseth him and he is so desirous of reconciliation that hee beseecheth men to be reconciled 2. Cor. 5.19.20 Hosea 2.19 2. The propitiation in Christ God hath proclaimed it from heauen that in him hee is well pleased and fully pacified Mat. 3.17 c. And Christ is giuen for a couenant of the people Isai. 49.8 3. That there is an act for it in the counsell of God from euerlasting 1. Cor. 2.7 4. That God hath sworne to keepe this couenant Heb. 6.18 and 7.19.20.21.22 Isai. 42.6.7 5. That it is confirmed by the death of the restator Heb. 9.16 Matth. 26.27 6. Because he euer liueth to make request for vs at the right hand of God and is able perfectly to saue those that come vnto him Heb. 7.25 13.8 7. Because the Law cannot disanull it Gal. 3.17 8. That we haue sacraments to confirme it and seale to it and if wee can bee perswaded that the Flood shall come no more when we see the Rainbow how much more should the glorious sacraments of the new Couenant settle vs in the assurance of the vnchangeablenesse of Gods good will towards vs 9. That the couenant is kept not only in the word which cannot be blotted but also wee haue the keeping of it in our owne hearts Rom. 10.4.5 10. That God is now long since knowne to the Church by the name of Iehouah which notes both his constancy and al sufficiencie Exod. 6.3 This is comfortable if we consider the persons that may be capable of the priuiledges of this new Couenant God stands not vpon desert Esay 55.1 the stranger and the Eunuches may be as well accepted here as the sonnes and daughters if their
into heauen viz. as Adam did into paradise naked in body but clothed in soule with Innocency and immortality but chiefely to expiate for our shamefull wickednesse before God 10. Hee was hanged vpon a tree that so as death by the tree entred into the world so on a tree it should be destroied and life brought backe againe And besides herein Christ answered the type in Isaacks offering vp and the brasen Serpent lifted vp on high Ioh. 3.14 and that Christ lifted vp in the aire might ouercome the Prince of the aire and all his spirituall wickednesses Coloss. 2.15 And that he might beare the curse of the Law being in that kind of death made a speciall curse for vs Gal. 3.13.14 11. He dranke gall and viniger wherein he both fulfilled the Scriptures Psal. 69.21 For they gaue me gall in my meate and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drink c. And as the second Adam bare the punishment of the first Adams offence in tasting the iuice of the forbidden fruit 12. The nailing of his hands and feete assures vs of the cancelling of the hand-writing of ordinances that was against vs both of the dissolution of all ceremoniall agreements and of the full cancelling of the bond morall for so much as concernes the forfeiture that lay vpon vs Coloss. 2. 14 c. CHAP. XXI Of Christs intercession HItherto of the expiation of sinnes The third part of the Priesthood of Christ followes and that is the intercession of Christ concerning which there are foure principles 1. That Christ at the right hand of God maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.34 Who shall condemne It is Christ which is dead yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them 2. That we haue no other intercessour in heauen but Christ 1. Tim. 2.5.6 For there is one God and one Mediator betweene God and man which is the Man Christ Iesus Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to bee a testimony in due time Isaiah 59.16 And when he saw that there was no man he wondred that there was no intercessour therfore his arme did saue it and his righteousnesse it selfe did sustaine it 3. That the intercession of Christ is perpetuall hee so doth it once as hee will neuer faile to doe it in all ages Heb. 7.25.28 For the Law maketh men high priests which haue infirmitie but the word of the oth that was since the law maketh the sonne who was consecrated for euermore 4. That he makes intercession onely for the Elect Iohn 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast giuen me for they are thine c. Now for the explication of these principles three things must be opened The first is the acceptation of the word intercession for it signifieth Sometimes the prayers which the godly make in the name of Christ the intercessor to turne away Gods iudgements from their brethren in this world and so it is taken 1. Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giuing of thanks be made for all men c. Sometimes the complaints that men make or pretend to make against the faults of others Thus Elias made intercession against Israel Rom. 11.2 And the Iewes made intercession against Paul Acts 25.24 But vsually it signifieth that part of the mediation of Christ in which he appeares before God to preuent or pacifie his displeasure towards the Elect. 2. The second is how many waies Christ makes intercession for vs and so there are seuen distinct things in the intercession of Christ for 1. First he presents himself before God with his merits tendring his sacrifice for our satisfaction Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places that are made with hands which are similitudes of the true sanctuary but is entred into very heauen to appeare now in the sight of God for vs. And so pacifying God toward vs Ier. 30.31 2. Hee praied and still doth pray for vs all his prayers on earth were a part of his intercession and he still prayeth for vs in heauen Rom. 8.34 Who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them c. 3. He offers vp our prayers and praises to God Reuel 8.3.4 That he should offer with the prayers of all Saints vpon the golden altar which is before the throne And the smoke of the odours with the prayers of the Saints went vp before God out of the Angels hand And so all our good works Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without fault in his sight 4. He vndertakes for vs before God and giues his word for vs that we being mindfull of reconciliation through him shall eschew sinne by his grace and not prouoke God any more as wee haue done This sponsion is a necessary part of the office of an intercessor Iohn 17.6 I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou gauest mee out of the world thine they were and thou gauest them mee and they haue kept thy word 25. O righteous Father the world hath also not knowne thee but I haue knowne thee and these haue knowne that thou hast sent me 26. And I haue declared vnto them thy name and will declare it that the loue wherewith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them 5. He pleades our cause as an aduocate and remoues and non-suites all accusations which men or Diuels may make against vs to God Rom. 8.34 as before 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust c. 6. He poureth out vpon vs the spirit of intercession which causeth vs after an vnutterable manner to make our moanes and requests to God Rom. 8.26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighes which cannot be expressed c. So in the 15 For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6.7 And because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba Father c. 7. Hee sprinkleth his blood vpon vs by application of his merits to vs which cries and makes intercession for vs Heb. 12.24 And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that
of Abel c. The third is in which nature he maketh intercession I answer in both For howsoeuer if we cōsider the Diuine nature of Christ Christ is then equall with the Father and the same in essence and so it cānot fitly be said that Christ requesteth any thing of the Father yet if we respect the person of Christ in his diuine nature as it is personally vnited to the humane in the dispensatiō of grace as voluntarily he hath vndertaken for vs so it is no more inconuenient to pray for vs thē it is to take vpon him the forme of a seruant for vs and the office of a Mediatour vnto which belongs this worke of praying The vse of all may be first for confutation of the Papists who do most sacrilegiously dishonor the intercession of Christ by substituting secondary intercessors The office is bestowed onely on the Kings son and they most iniuriously would imploy the kings seruants we know no Master of requests but Iesus Christ nor doth it help thē that they say they haue mediators of intcrcession but not of redēption but only Christ for when they acknowledge and beg not only the prayers but the merits too of the Saints to purge away their sinnes and supply their wants they make them mediators of redemption also Secondly for instruction and so it should teach vs 1. To imitate this part of the Priesthood of Christ both by praying to God for our brethren and for all sorts of men though they bee our enemies 1. Tim. 2.1 and also by making peace and keeping it as much as is possible amongst men Blessed are the peace-makers for this makes them like the Sonne of God Matth. 5 7. and seeing the Saints shall iudge the world they should put in to end the quarrels amongst the brethren if it may be 2. Secondly to liue so as Christ may haue credit by vs in giuing his word for vs. Hath Christ vndertaken for vs to God and shall not we bee carefull to the vttermost of our power to be such as he hath promised for vs we shall be Iohn 17.10.18.19 3. To pray and giue thankes much and so to doe all the good we can seeing it shall all be presented to God by Christ Colos. 1. 22. Reuel 8.3.4 4. To establish our selues in the full assurance of faith seeing all our imperfections are couered in Christs intercession and we may approch to God by this new and liuing way and be sure of heauen also euen to come within the vaile when we die Heb. 10.19 Thirdly for consolation for wee may and ought to bee much refreshed if we consider that by the intercession of Christ 1. The fauour of God is established vpon vs and God is kept quiet from being prouoked against vs God and we are now through him all one Ioh. 17.21 2. The compassion of God is implored in the times of distresse and affliction Zach. 1.16 c. 3. The diuell is restrained he cannot hurt vs either by tempting or accusing our faith shall be kept that it faile not Zach. 3. 3. Rom. 8.34 Luke 22.32 4. Our sinnes which we daily commit are forgiuen vs he being an earnest aduocate to pleade for vs 1. Iohn 2.1.2 5. We shall be protected against the hatred of the world Iohn 17.14.15.16 I haue giuen them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the world I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from euill c. 6. Our prayers and suites shall bee all presented and obtained Reuel 8.4 7. We shall be kept from euill and preserued vnto the end vntill wee be perfected from all sinnes and wants Ioh. 17.11 And now am I no more in the world these are in the world and I come to thee holy Father keepe them in thy name euen them whom thou hast giuen me that they may be one as we are 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from euill 23. I in them and thou in mee that they may bee made perfect in one c. 8. We haue assured hope of the glory of heauen and to dwel in the most holy place that is within the vaile Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore brethren that by the blood of Iesus we may bee bold to enter into the holy place c. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore hee is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them c. Ioh. 17.24 Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee bee with me euen where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst mee before the foundation of the world Colos. 3.1 If ye then bee risen with Christ seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God 9. We shall be laden with al needfull blessings in the meane time Heb. 12.24 10. All this is the more comfortable because hee liueth euer to make request for vs. There is no cessation of this office but at all times we may haue the benefit of it Ioh. 17.20 Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them c. CHAP. XXII Of the Regall office of Christ. HItherto of the priestly office of Christ his regall office followes And heere first I will plainly lay downe the principles and proue them and then for more euidence methodically for explication shew the parts of his office heerein and lastly make vses of all There are seuen things to bee beleeued concerning Christ which belong to his regall office First that he ouercame sinne death the graue and hell and rose againe from the dead and ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God in maiesty That he is risen from the dead these places are euident to keepe in our memories Rom. 1.4 And declared mightily to be the Sonne of God touching the spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification 1. Cor. 15.54 Then shall bee brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp into victory Ioh. 20.12 And saw two Angels in white sitting the one at the head the other at the feet where the body of Iesus had laien c. Mark 16.6 But hee said vnto them be not afraid ye seeke Iesus of Nazareth which hath been crucified he is risen he is not here behold the place where they put him c. 14. Finally hee appeared vnto the eleuen as they sate together and reproued them of their vnbeleefe and hardnesse of heart because they beleeued not them which had seene him being risen vp againe 2. Tim. 2.8 Remember that Iesus Christ made of the seed of Dauid was raised
again from the dead according to my Gospell c. That hee ascended into heauen these places may suffice to proue it Mark 16.19 So after the Lord had spoken vnto them he was receiued into heauen and sat at the right hand of God Luk. 24.51 And it came to passe that as he blessed them he departed from them and was carried vp into heauen Act. 1.9 And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken vp for a cloud tooke him vp out of their sight Ephes. 4.8.9.10 Wherefore hee saith when he ascended vp on high hee led captiuity captiue and gaue gifts vnto men Now in that he ascended what is it but that hee had also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth Hee that descended is euen the same that ascended farre aboue all heauens that he might fill all things That hee sitteth at the right hand of God these places proue Mark 16.19 So after the Lord had spoken vnto them hee was receiued into heauen and sate at the right hand of God Heb. 1.9 Vnto which also of the Angels said he at any time Sit at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot-stoole c. Heb. 8.1 Now of the things which wee haue spoken this is the summe that we haue such an high Priest that sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the maiesty in heauen c. Eph. 1.20.21 Which he wrought in Christ when hee raised him from the dead and set him at his right hand in the heauenly places Farre aboue all principalities and power and might and dominion and euery name that is named not in this world onely but also in that that is to come c Colos. 3.1 If yee then bee risen with Christ seek those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God 2. That Christ who purchased the Church by his blood is appointed of God to be the King and head of the Church and Prince ouer the people of God hauing all power in his owne hands Psalm 2.6 Euen I haue set my King vpon Sion mine holy mountaine Matth. 28.18 And Iesus came and spake vnto them saying All power is giuen vnto mee in heauen and in earth Ioh. 13.3 Iesus knowing that the Father had giuen all things into his hands and that hee was come from God and went to God Colos. 1.18 And he is the head of the body of the Church he is the beginning and the first borne of the dead that in all things hee might haue the preeminence Reuel 19.16 And he hath vpon his garment and vpon his thigh a name written The King of kings and Lord of lords 3. That he is likewise appointed to bee the law-giuer to the Church and the Iudge of the whole world Iam. 4.12 There is one law-giuer which is able to saue and to destroy who art thou that iudgest another man Ioh. 5.22 For the Father iudgeth no man but hath committed all iudgement vnto the Sonne 27. And hath giuen him power also to execute iudgement in that he is the sonne of man Act. 10.42 And he commanded vs to preach vnto the people and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God a iudge of quicke and dead Act. 17.31 Because hee hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath appointed whereof he hath giuen him an assurance vnto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead c. 2. Tim. 4.1 I charge ye therefore before God and before the Lord Iesus Christ which shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdome c. 4. That his gouernment extends to the people of all nations Psalm 2.8 Aske of me and I will giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the endes of the earth for thy possession Matth. 28.18 And Iesus came and spake vnto them saying All power is giuen vnto mee in heauen and in earth c. Phil. 2.10.11 That at the name of Iesus should euery knee bow both of things in heauen and things in earth and things vnder the earth And that euery tongue should confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord vnto the glory of God the Father 5. That his kingdome is not of this world but a spirituall and celestiall kingdome Ioh. 18. 36. Iesus answered my kingdome is not of this world if my kingdome were of this world my seruants would surely fight that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes but now is my kingdome not from hence Rom. 14.17 For the kingdome of God is not meate nor drinke but righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost 6. That hee will bee with his people to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you and loe I am with you alwaies vntill the end of the world Amen 7. This his kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome Luk. 1. 33. And hee shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome shall be no end Heb. 12.28 Wherfore seeing we receiue a kingdome which cannot be shaken let vs haue grace wherby we may so serue God that wee may please him with reuerence and feare Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heauen set vp a Kingdome which shall neuer be destroyed and this kingdome shall not be giuen to another people but it shall breake and destroy all these kingdomes and it shall stand for euer Dan. 7.14 And he gaue him dominion and honour and a kingdome that all people nations and languages should serue him his dominion is an euerlasting dominion which shall neuer be taken away and his kingdome shall neuer be destroyed c. Against this last principle may bee obiected the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.24 Then shall be the end when hee hath deliuered the kingdome vp to God euen the Father when he hath put downe all rule and all authority and power And therefore after that time it seemes hee shall raigne no more For answere thereunto we must know that Christ shall not then cease to raigne but only cease to raigne after the same manner he doth now That manner of administration which hee now vseth in gathering and preseruing his Church shall then cease there shall be then no need of it Thus of the principles Now for the explication that wee may more distinctly conceiue of this office of Christ as King we must consider of foure things in it 1. The victory ouer the enemies that opposed his title 2 His kingly glory with which he was qualified and prepared for gouernment 3. His taking of possession of the kingdome 4. His administration after he had possession For the first Christ fought for his kingdome and most victoriously ouercame the Diuell sinne death and hell and rescued his subiects from their thraldome 1. Cor. 15.54.55 Colos. 2.15 Heb. 2.14 And this victory
hee accomplished and proclaimed in his resurrection from the dead For the second the Regall glory of Christ consisted in two things the first was the glorification of his humane nature And the second was his triumph ouer his enemies The glorificatiō of his humane nature contained 1. the deposition of all the infirmities accompanying our nature which hee vndertooke for our sakes so as now hee ceased to hunger or thirst or bee weary or feele any paine or griefe nor could he suffer any more or die 2. The perfecting of his humane nature with all the degrees of celestiall gifts and endowments could possibly befall a created nature both in body and mind His very body was glorified surpassing the Sunne in the firmament for splendor and brightnesse Now for the triumph of Christ he acted it two waies 1. In those frequent manifestations after his resurrection for the 40. dayes hee was pleased to abide on earth 2. In that most glorious ascension riding in the chariot of triumph vp into heauen leading with him captiuity captiue The third thing is his taking possession of his kingdome and this he did when he sat downe at the right hand of the Maiesty of God and was exalted aboue all that is named and had power ouer all things giuen him of his Father The fourth thing is his administration of the kingdome of which hee is now possest and this hath in it foure things 1. The calling and gathering together both of Iewes and Gentiles belonging to the election of God Rom. 8.30 Ephes. 4.11 12. Esa. 11.11.12 2. The prescribing of lawes as the onely law-giuer of the Church and this he doth when hee propoundeth vnto his subiects the rules both of beleeuing and liuing by the word and ministry of the same adding thereunto the work of the Spirit writing his lawes vpon their hearts Iam. 4.12 Ier. 31.33 2. Cor. 3. 17.18 3. The donation of gifts inabling men to the Kingdome of God Ephes. 4.8 Philip. 1.29 4. The execution of Iustice and so he doth iustice 1. Amongst his owne subiects and so he doth them Iustice 1. In iustifying them from their sins in acquitting them and pronouncing them absolued from all the sentences of Gods iustice giuen out against them 2. By distributing rewards among them both in spirituall and temporall things 3. By keeping them in their bonds and preseruing them in the feare of God and a iust course of life 2. Against his enemies whom he either restraines or subdues hee restraines them by setting them their bounds which they may not passe by infatuating their counsels and by being a wall of brasse about his owne He subdues them either by conuerting them and so making them come in and doe him homage or else by confounding them which he begins partly by outward iudgements partly by induration as deliuering them vp to a reprobate sense and accomplishing it in their miserable ends casting them into vtter darkenesse This administration of his kingdome he executes partly in this life and partly in the world to come the one is his kingdom of grace the other of glory what is but begun here is fully made compleate in that other world The Vses of the Regall office of Christ follow And those are partly for Instruction partly for Consolation First for Instruction and wee should learne 1. To ascribe all glory and dominion to him for euer wee should so admire the greatnesse and maiesty of our King as our hearts should bee most affectionately moued to his continuall praises Let the people praise thee O God yea let all the people praise thee O sing praises to our God sing praises sing praises with vnderstanding Psal. 47.6.7 Reuel 1.5 Reuel 5.12.13.14 Saying with a loud voice Worthie is the Lambe that was killed to receiue power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and praise And all the creatures which are in heauen and on the earth and vnder the earth and in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying Praise and honour and glory and power be vnto him that sitteth vpon the throne and vnto the Lambe for euermore c. And to this end wee should learne 2. To pray that God would giue vs the spirit of wisdome and reuelation that the eies of our vnderstanding may bee enlightned to discerne the working of his mighty power which hee wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his owne right hand in heauenly places farre aboue all principalities and powers and euery name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come hath put all things vnder his feete and made him head ouer all things belonging to the Church Ephes. 1.17 to the end And with all we should stirre vp our selues 3. To pray daily that his kingdome may come that the people that yet are in darkenesse may be conuerted and that his glory may shine more and more in those that haue submitted themselues to his Scepter and to this end that the ordinances of his kingdome especially the preaching of the Gospell may run with power and mightily conquer and enlarge the bounds of his kingdome and that all opposite kingdomes may be subuerted as is that of Anti-Christ especially that his kingdome of glory may be hastened vpon vs. And for our owne parts wee should euery one be ready 4. To send our Lamb to the Ruler of the earth Isai. 16.1 to tender our homage and offer our seruice testifie our aleageance with all humilitie and thankefulnesse vnto this King of Kings the Lord our mighty Redeemer and throughout the course of our liues 5. To bow at the name of Iesus and to feare him that is a great King aboue all gods and hath a name aboue all names to confesse his soueraigntie and submit to his gouernment and to tremble before him and to thinke of him with all reuerence Phil. 2.9.10 11. Psalm 2.10.11 6. And to come willingly at all the times of the publike assembly of his armies in holy beauty we should all flock to the colours of the King and neuer giue ouer the care of assembling our selues in the courts of our God but with al gladnesse go vp to the house of the Lord the courts of the King the place of his holy presence where he sits in his throne amongst vs Ps. 110.3 7. To seeke to Christ in al our necessities seeing hee is so exalted that now he is able to help vs in all times of need according to the riches of his glory 8. To be tender and zealous for the glory and honor of Christ shall not our hearts rise at the dishonour of our King 9. To obserue whatsoeuer he commands in nothing refusing him that speaketh from heauen Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you c. Heb. 12.25 See that ye despise not him that speaketh for if they escaped not which refused him that spake on
earth much more shall we not escape if wee turne away from him that speaketh from heauen c. 10. To seeke those things that are aboue where he sitteth at the right hand of God and to haue our conuersation in heauen since as subiects of his kingdome wee are freemen of the new Ierusalem the Metropolis of his kingdome Philip. 3.20 But our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ. Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God c. 11. To dwell securely as acknowledging wee haue secure protection in his seruice and not to be afraid of any feare Ier. 23. 5.6 Behold the daies come saith the Lord that I will raise vnto Dauid a righteous branch and a King shall raigne and prosper and shall execute iudgement and iustice in the earth In his daies Iuda shall be saued and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby they shall call him The Lord our righteousnes c. 12. To carry our selues as the seruants of the King His subiects should differ in their manners from all other nations and his seruāts should order themselues so as may become his honour And thus wee should alwaies resist to our power the kingdom of darkenesse and set our selues to ouercome the world and as conquerours to denie our selues in the affection to the profits and pleasures c. of the world and liue out of the feare of the disgrace of the world knowing it is honor enough to be such a Kings seruants and out of feare euen of death it selfe as knowing our deliuerance by the victory which our Sauiour had ouer death and the assurance that he will come againe and make our vile bodies like to his glorious body And as this may teach men in general so there be diuers things to bee vrged from hence vpon particular persons as First Kings Iudges and Rulers of the people should take notice of this and do their homage and bring their presents to this King of al Kings Psalm 68.29 and seeing they are but his Vicegerents they should bee learned in the Lawes of his kingdome and get wisdome to carry themselues so as may become those that represent his person not daring to oppose the gouernment of Christ or to set themselues to oppresse his subiects Psalm 2.10.11 Secondly Ministers should especially stirre vp themselues to mind this great worke of separating men from the world to the kingdome of Christ. Thirdly priuat Christians must take heed of iudging one another for all iudgement is committed to the Sonne and hee is the onely supreme Iudge and Lawgiuer and therefore the Apostle Iames inferres wee ought not to iudge our brethren Fourthly such as haue parted with their friends by death must not sorrow for them that are gone as men without hope seeing the kingdom of God is come vpon them and they are with the Lord and their dead bodies shall Christ bring with him in his comming therefore they should not shame the gouernment of Christ by the ignorance heereof but comfort themselues with these things 1. Thes. 4.13 Secondly this may serue for wonderful consolation to the godly and that two waies 1. The children of Zion may reioyce in their King Psal. 149. 2. Let Israel reioyce in him that made him and let the children of Zion reioyce in their King If they consider their wonderfull happinesse in being subiect to such a King as 1. Was chosen and appointed by God himselfe immediately Psalm 2.6.7.8 Euen I haue set my King vpon Zion mine holy mountaine 2. Was qualified with gifts aboue all his fellowes euen aboue all the men on earth or Angels in heauen Psalm 45.2 3. Is independant his subiects are not charged with supporting or defending him but he defends and maintains them Isaiah 9.7 4. Is alwaies present with his subiects Matth. 28.20 And loe I am with you alway vntill the end of the world Amen 5. Is head of all principalities and powers and hath all honour and power giuen him in heauen and earth rules ouer all nations people and languages Col. 2.9 Dan. 7.13 14.27 6. Cannot die but liues for euer 2. They ought exceedingly to reioyce if they consider the priuiledges they haue in being subiects in the Kingdome of Christ for thereby 1. They haue the fauor and presence of God with them his couenant of peace and his sanctuary with them Ezech. 37.26.27 2. They haue great dignitie they are made Kings themselues a roiall Nation they are Princes of the people euen all the people of the God of Abraham Reuel 1.6 1. Peter 2.9 3. They haue roiall entertainement and are daily feasted of their King daily banquets in the Word and Sacraments Christ supping with them Reuel 3. yea giuing his owne body for meate and his own blood for drink Isa. 25.6 4. They dwell safely and find shelter and succour in all distresses Isaiah 25.4 Ezech. 34.25 Michael the great Prince standeth for the children of the people Dan. 12.1 5. Their King is exalted to the supremest honour and therefore is able to preserue them wonderfully and promised before hee was exalted that he would prouide them a place Iohn 14.2 CHAP. XXIII Of the Church Ephes. 1.22 And hath made all things subiect vnder his feet and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church c. HItherto of the meanes of grace the subiect of grace followes and that is the Church The Church is the whole multitude of men elected to eternall life by God in Christ. Concerning the Church there are these Principles First that it is a companie of men separate from the world gathered by the voice of Christ the Scripture still makes a difference between the world and the Church and the word signifieth such as are gathered together by the voice of Gods Criers Iohn 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast giuen me for they are thine Vers. 14. I haue giuen them thy Word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the world c. Secondly that she is one Eph. 4.4 There is one body and one spirit euen as ye are called in one hope of your saluation Cant. 6.8 But my Doue is alone and my vndefiled shee is the onely daughter of her mother and shee is deare to her that bare her c. Gal. 3.28 There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor femal for ye are all one in Iesus Christ. And the Church is one as in many other respects so because all the godly are mistically vnited in one body Rom. 12.5 So we being many are one body in Christ and euery one one anothers members Ephes. 4.15.16 But let vs follow the truth in loue and in all things grow vp into him
which is the head that is Christ. By whom all the body being coupled and knit together by euery ioynt for the furniture thereof according to the effectual power which is in the measure of euery part receiueth encrease of the body into the edifying of it selfe in loue Thirdly that shee is knit vnto Christ her head by an indissoluble vnion Colos. 1.18 And hee is the head of the body of the Church hee is the beginning and the first horne of the dead that in all things he might haue the preeminence Colos. 2.19 And holdeth not the head whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioynts and hands encreaseth with the encreasing of God 1. Cor. 12.27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members for your part Ephes. 1.22.23 And hath made all things subiect vnder his feet and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church Which is his body euen the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things So as she is truly bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Ephes. 5.30 For wee are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones One with Christ not in nature as the Trinity is one nor in person as the two natures in Christ but in spirit Ioh. 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen vs of his spirit For the spirit of the Sonne dwelleth in vs. Fourthly that shee is holy Ephes. 5.27 That he might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame c. 1. Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light c. Dan. 7.18 And they shall take the kingdome of the Saints of the most high and possesse the kingdome for euer euen for euer and euer And so she is holy 1. By separation from the world in that the godly are consecrated to holy vses they are holy by calling 2. By inchoation of true holinesse in nature and practice Tit. 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renuing of the holy Ghost 3. By imputation of Christs holinesse being washed in his blood Heb. 10.10 By the which will we are sanctified euen by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once made 4. By consummation of all holinesse in the other world Fifthly she is Catholick this is one of the Articles of the Creed the Church is Catholick in three respects 1. In respect of time all the godly being members of this one body though they liue in all the seuerall ages since the beginning of the world 2. In respect of place because all the iust both in heauen and earth are all of this one body Ephes. 1.10 That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of the times hee might gather together in one all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in Christ. And so from all parts of the world is the Church gathered all the particular Churches in the world are but members of this Church vniuersall 3. In respect of persons because it is gathered especially since Christ out of all nations there being no difference put in respect of mens outward condition Reuel 5.9.10 And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof because thou wast killed and hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood out of euery kindred and tongue and people and nation And hast made vs vnto our God Kings and Priests and wee shall raigne on earth Galath 3.28 There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for yee are all one in Christ Iesus Sixthly that shee is militant that is she is in this life exposed to crosses and afflictions and tentations and oppositions 2. Timoth. 4.7.8 I haue sought a good fight and haue finished my course I haue kept the faith For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at the day and not to mee onely but vnto all them also which loue his appearing Luk. 9.24 For whosoeuer will saue his life shall lose it and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake the same shall saue it Act. 14.22 Confirming the disciples hearts and exhorting them to continue in the faith affirming that wee must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God c. Reuel 1.9 I Iohn euen your brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ was in the isle called Patmos for the word of God and for the witnessing of Iesus Christ. Reuel 12.11 But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loued not their liues vnto the death c. Ephes. 6.12 For we wrastle not against flesh blood but against principalities against powers against the worldly gouernours the princes of the darknesse of this world c. Now the Lord would haue his Church so exposed to crosses both for his owne sake and for hers and for his enemies sake 1. For his owne sake that he might shew his hatred of sin euen in his owne and the glory also of his power and mercy in their deliuerance as well as his iustice in their afflictions 2. For their sakes that being in the warfare humbled and tamed for their sinnes they might not perish with the world 1. Cor. 11. 31.32 and may be herein like to Christ Rom. 8.27 3. For their enemies sake that they may know that they shall neuer bee spared if God spare not his owne children 1. Pet. 4.17 For the time is come that iudgement must begin at the house of God if it first begin at vs what shall the end be of them which obey not the Gospell of God Seuenthly that she is inuincible Matth. 16.18 And I say also vnto thee that thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not ouercome it Rom. 8.37 Neuerthelesse in all these things we are more then conquerers through him that loued vs. 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come 39. Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1. Pet. 5.10 And the God of all grace which hath called vs vnto his eternall glory by Christ Iesus after that yee haue suffered a little make you perfect confirme strengthen and stablish you c. The vses of these principles may be either
righteousnesse by that man whom he hath appointed c. Obiect But some one may say what tell ye vs of these terrible things we haue no reason to thinke of our selues that we are vnsanctified how can we or you tell who are not sanctified Sol. It is easie to tell in the negatiue who are not sanctified you may know it of wicked men 1. Because they are a sleepe and dead in sinne and haue not not any true feeling of the hatefulnesse of their many sinnes Ephes 2.1 And you hath he quickned that were dead in trespasses and sinnes 2. Because sinne raignes in them it hath an vnlimited power in them Rom. 6.12 Let not sinne reigne therefore in your mortall body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof 3. Because they sinne by couenant they hire themselues their purpose is with their whole harts to commit and continue in sin they obey as seruants Rom. 6.16 Know ye not that to whomsoeuer yee giue your selues as seruants to obey his seruants ye are to whom ye obey whether it be of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse 4. Because they are silent from prayer and confession of sinne Psalm 32.23.5 5. Because they haue no sauor of the things of the spirit but altogether sauour fleshly things Rom. 8.5 For they that are after the flesh sauour the things of the flesh but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit 6. Because they neuer had any marriage affections to Iesus Christ Rom. 7.5 7. Lastly a wicked man finds in himselfe not onely an impotency but an impossibilitie to be subiect to the Law of God Hee resolues that he cannot possibly yeeld to the directions of the word nor will not whereas a godly mind loues the Law desires to obey endeuours it subiects himselfe to it though hee faile many waies Fourthly and lastly the godly may bee comforted in the obseruation of this worke of the spirit of grace that is in Iesus Christ which killes sinne in them and hath made them aliue from the dead Obiect But some weake Christian might say There is much comfort in this doctrine of the healing of their natures saue that the imperfection of their sanctification is a continuall discomfort Solut. Christians may and ought to comfort themselues against the imperfection of their sanctification many waies and so if they looke 1. Vpon the Spirit of God in their hearts and so two things may relieue them first the assistance of the Spirit which will helpe their infirmities Rom. 8. 26. And then if they consider the very fountaine of all good actions and euery good gift to be the same spirit of God they must needes conclude it is some diuine thing which is wrought in them in as much as it flowes from the holy Ghost howsoeuer it be imperfect through the corruption of their hearts 2. Vpon Iesus Christ and so if they behold 1. His intercession and that likewise hath a double comfort in it for first Christ made intercession for vs when hee praied for our sanctification it should much comfort vs to remember that our sanctification was one of the things Christ praied for Iohn 17.19 Secondly Christ in his intercession in heauen couers all the imperfections of the godly and is their aduocate before the Father 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 8.34 2. His death and resurrection from whence flowes a vertue continually which is of singular power to make our sinnes still die in vs and quicken vs to newnes of life Rom. 6.4 For this cause did Christ sanctifie himselfe that hee might sanctifie his members by the influence come from him as from their head Iohn 17.17 3. Vpon the hope of perfect holinesse for the time will come when they shall be without spot or wrincle Ephes 5.27 The merit of their perfect holinesse is found in the price paied by Iesus Christ Heb. 10.14 It should much solace them that one day there shall be a perpetuall end of all sinne and infirmities 4. If in the meane time they looke vpon the good nature of God assuring them by his promises 1. That they are vnder Grace and not vnder the Law Rom. 6.14 2. That hee will not deale with vs after our sins Psalm 103. 3. That he will spare vs as a man spareth his sonne that serueth him Mal. 3.17 4. That hee will accept of the wil and desire for the deed 2. Cor. 8.12 5. That he is slow to anger and ready to forgiue Psalm 103.8 And mercie pleaseth him Micha 7.18 6. That hee will passe by our infirmities meere frailties and not take notice of them Micha 7.18 CHAP. XXVI Of the Resurrection Ioh. 5.28.29 Maruell not at this for the houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voice And they shall come forth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation HItherto of the principles that concerne the third estate of man The fourth estate of man is the estate of glory and in this we are to consider the three degrees of it 1. The Resurrection of the the body 2. The last Iudgement 3. The glory of Heauen The principles concerning the resurrection are these First that the bodies of dead men shall rise out of the dust of the earth and their owne soules shall enter into them againe Iob 19.23.26 For I am sure that my Redeemer liueth and hee shall stand the last on the earth And though after my skin wormes destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh Esa. 26.19 Thy dead men shall liue euen with my body shall they rise Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of hearbes and the earth shall cast out the dead c. Ioh. 5.28 Maruell not at this for the houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voice 1. Cor. 15.16 For if the dead be not raised then is Christ not raised c. in the whole chapter Secondly that the bodies of all men shall be raised Ioh. 5.28 as before Small and great the earth sea fier beasts fowles aire c. shall deliuer vp their dead Reuel 20.12.13 And I saw the dead both great and small stand before God and the bookes were opened and another book was opened which is the booke of life and the dead were iudged of those things which were written in the bookes according to their workes And the sea gaue vp her dead which were in her and death and hell deliuered vp the dead which were in them and they were iudged euery man according to their works Iust and vniust shall rise Act. 24.15 And haue hope toward God that the resurrection of the dead which they themselues looke for also shall bee both of iust and vniust Though the vniust shall not rise in the same manner nor by the same power that is by the vertue of Christs
learne diuers things First it should teach vs not to mourne immoderatly for the dead since when Christ comes againe he will bring them with him and the earth and seas shall make a true account of their dead in the day of Christ 1. Thes. 4.13.14 Secondly it should teach vs to haue the very body in honor and not to transgresse against it seeing it is redeemed by Christ and shall be raised to immortality at the last day Now men sin against the body 1. When according to the traditions of men and through wil-worship they withhold from the body due sustenance Col. 2.23 2. When men pollute their bodies that should be prepared to immortality with filthinesse such as is whoredome drunkennesse sodomitry and such like abominations 1. Cor. 6.13.14 3. When the bodies of the Saints are not carefully and with meet honour buried or their burying places vnciuilly dis-regarded Thirdly the consideration of this great worke of the resurrection of mens bodies should teach vs to trust God in lesser matters and beleeue his promises though there bee neuer so great vnlikelihood of the accomplishment in respect of outward meanes and appearance Rom. 4.17.18 Fourthly we should especially be careful to get the assurāce that our bodies shall haue a glorious resurrection Act. 24.15 And that we may be so assured 1. Wee must pray God to giue vs his holy spirit as the pledge of it For then if the spirit of Christ be in vs the same spirit that raised Christ will raise vp our naturall bodies at the last day Rom. 8.11 2. Wee must bee sure of the first resurrection that the body be dead in respect of sinne and the soule raised vp to a liuely care of newnesse of life they that haue their part in the first resurrection shall neuer taste of the second death Rom. 6. Reuel 20.6 3. In particular we must bee sure to get faith in Iesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life and in whom whosoeuer beleeueth he shal not die for euer Ioh. 11.25 Fifthly we should resolue to liue like such as beleeue a glorious Resurrection and to this end 1. We should be stedfast and vnmoueable in all conditions of life 1. Cor. 15.58 2. Wee should liue as men deuoted wholy to the seruice of Iesus Christ whose we are both in life and death Rom. 14.7.8 3. We should striue to abound in the worke of the Lord 1. Cor. 15.58 rousing vp our selues to the care of well doing 1. Cor. 15. 34. studying to keepe a conscience void of offence toward God and man Acts 24.16 4. Our minds should run on that time and our conuersation should bee in heauen Philip. 3.20 Thus much of the vses for instruction Thirdly the doctrine of the resurrection hath singular comfort in it and Christians are charged to comfort themselues and one another with these things 1. Thes. 4.18 And Dauid did reioyce and was glad at heart for this reason Psalm 16.9 For that is the time of the refreshing of all Christians Acts 3.19 And so the godly haue been wont to comfort themselues against diuers maladies as 1. Against the paines and tortures of the body so did Iob Iob 19.25.26.27 For I am sure that my Redeemer liueth and he shal stand the last on earth And though after my skin wormes destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh Whom I my selfe shall see and mine eies shal behold and none other for me though my reines are consumed within me And so did the godly mentioned Heb. 11.35 The women receiued their dead raised to life other also were racked and would not bee deliuered that they might receiue a better resurrection 2. Against the troubles and generall miseries of this life and so Gods people are comforted Dan. 12.1.2 And at that time shall Michael stand vp the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as was neuer since there began to be a nation vnto the same time and at that time thy people shall be deliuered euerie one that shall bee found written in the booke And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake some to euerlasting life and some to shame and perpetuall contempt Isaiah 26.19 Thy dead men shall liue euen with my body shall they rise Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of hearbs and the earth shal cast out the dead 3. Against death it selfe and so the Apostle triumphs 1. Cor. 15.55.56.57 O Death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law But thankes be vnto God which hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ. Obiect Now if any aske What in the doctrine of the resurrection should comfort vs in those cases Solut. I answere The consideration of the maruelous glory of our bodies in which they should rise should fill vs with sweet refreshings Phil. 3.21 Who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the working wherby he is able to subdue al things vnto himselfe For sixe things shal befall our bodies at that day 1. Immortalitie so as they can neuer die againe 1. Cor. 15.42.43.44.53 2. Incorruptiblenesse they shall neuer be inclined to putrefaction or any corruption 3. Spiritualnesse our bodies shall bee raised spirituall bodies they shall be like spirits as it were and that in diuers respects 1. Because they shall be possessed fully by the Spirit of God so as they shall be both gouerned by the Spirit and be subiect to the Spirit wholly 2. Because they shal liue as the Angels in heauen do without meate or raiment or any other bodily helpes or sustenance 3. Because they shall be for nimblenesse as it were spirits they shall bee able with incredible swiftnesse to passe into all the parts of the world earth or aire c. for they shall meete Christ in the aire 1. Thessal 4.17 4. Power for of bodies full of weakenesse and subiect to many calamities and distresses and paines they shall bee raised in power that is strong able and impassible 5. Perfection for they shall be freed from deformitie vnhandsomnesse maimes lamenesse c. and become most faire and comely neither infancie nor old age hindring them but shall appeare in full age and beautie 6. Shining and splendor as the Sunne or Starres in the Firmament the bodie being clothed with a celestiall glory and diuine light 1. Cor. 15.40 Dan. 12.3 And they that bee wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse shal shine as the Starres for euer and euer Matth. 13 43. Then shall the iust men shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Hee that hath eares to heare let him heare c. And as we may comfort our selues by the meditation of these distinct
vngodly among them Rom. 14.9 For Christ therefore died and rose againe and reuiued that he might bee Lord both of the dead and the quicke c. 2. Cor. 5.10 For we must all appeare before the iudgement seate of Iesus Christ c. Ro. 14.10 We shall all appeare before the iudgmeÌ„t seat of Iesus Christ. Psalm 9.8 For hee shall iudge the world Obiect All men are beleeuers or vnbeleeuers now the beleeuers shall not come vnto iudgement as appeares Ioh. 5.24 Verily verily I say vnto you he that heareth my word and beleeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life And the vnbeleeuer is condemned already Ioh. 3.18 He that beleeueth not is condemned already Solution The beleeuer shall not come into the iudgement of condemnation and the vnbeleeuer is condemned already in effect and substance 1. In the counsell of God 2. In the word of God 3. In his owne conscience but yet the manifestation and finishing of this iudgement remaines vnto the last day Fourthly all the secret things of mens natures or workes shall be brought to light Luk. 8.17 For nothing is secret that shall not be euident neither any thing hid that shall not be knowne and come to light 1. Cor. 4.5 Therefore iudge nothing before the time vntill the Lord come who will lighten things that are hid in darknesse and make the counsels of the heart manifest Rom. 2.16 At that day God shall iudge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ. And therefore called a day of reuelation or declaration Rom. 2.5 Fifthly it shall bee at the last day but the precise day and houre is not knowne to any men or Angels the proofe for the like principle concerning the resurrection serues for this place Mat. 24.36 Sixthly the iudgement shall be most iust and righteous and all shall confesse it Rom. 14.10 But why dost thou iudge thy brother or why dost thou despise thy brother for we shall all appeare bofore the iudgement seat of Christ. 2. Tim. 4.8 For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous iudge shall giue me at that day and not to me onely but vnto all them also which loue his appearing c. Rom. 2.5 But thou after thine hardnesse hart that canot repent heapest vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God Psalm 9.8 For he shall iudge the world with righteousnesse and shall iudge the people with equitie Seuenthly the iudgement shall bee according to mens workes 2. Cor. 5.10 Euery man shall receiue the things which are done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or euill c. Rom. 2.6 Who will reward euery man according to his workes Obiect Wee are iustified by faith alone without workes Solution 1. Workes are inquired after in the last iudgement as the signes of faith and vnbeleefe Sol. 2. We are iustified by faith onely but shall bee iudged by faith and workes both together For that iudgement doth not serue to make men iust that are vniust but only to manifest them to be so indeed which were so in this life being truly iustified The consideration whereof should serue for diuers vses and first for instruction and so it should teach vs First in generall speedily to repent vs of our sinnes and it should stirre vs to all possible care of holy life and to the loue of all well doing by which our reckoning might then bee furthered Act. 17.31 2. Pet. 3.11 Seeing therfore that all these things must bee dissolued what manner persons ought ye to be in holy conuersation and godlinesse 14. Wherfore beloued seeing you look for such things be diligent that yee may bee found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse Philip. 1.10 That ye may discerne things that differ one from another that yee may bee pure and without offence vntill the day of Christ. Tit. 2.12.13 And teacheth vs that wee should denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should liue sâ—berly and â—ighteously and godly in this present world Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the mighty God and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Secondly in particular it should teach vs 1. Not to doate vpon earthly things seeing they must all bee consumed in that day in the fier 2. To bee patient vnder all wrongs seeing wee are assured there shal be vengeance rendred at that day 2. Thes. 1.5.6.7 Iam. 5.6.7 Phil. 4.5 Thirdly to take heed of rashnesse in iudging other men and men offend in censuring 1. When they inflict censures and meddle ouer busily or curiously with them that bee without 1. Cor. 5.12 For what haue I to do to iudge them which are without 2. When men speake euill of that which is good and call good euill Esa. 5.20 Woe vnto them that speake good of euill and euill of good which put darknes for light and light for darknes that put bitter for sweet sweet for sowre 3. WheÌ„ men iudge of things doubtfull as the hiddeÌ„ things of the heart the secret things of darknes 1. Cor. 4.5 Therefore iudge nothing before the time vntill the Lord come who wil lighteÌ„ things that are hid in darknes and make the couÌ„sels of the hart manifest And censure things in the worst sense 4. When men vncharitably censure others about things indifferent Rom. 14.3.4 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not and let not him which eateth not iudge him that eateth for God hath receiued him 4. Who art thou that condemnest another mans seruant he standeth or falleth to his owne master yea he shall be established for God is able to make him stand c. 13. Let vs not therefore iudge one another any more but vse your iudgement rather in this that no man put an occasion to fall or a stumbling blocke before his brother 5. When men commit what they condemne Rom. 2.1.2 Therefore thou art inexcusable O man whosoeuer thou art that iudgest for in that thou iudgest another thou condemnest thy selfe for thou that iudgest dost the same things But we know that the iudgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things Or being guilty of greater faults condemne others for lesser Mat. 7.1.2.3 Iudge not that ye bee not iudged And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye and perceiuest not the beame that is in thine owne eye c. 6. When men make a fault worse then it is Fourthly it should strike a feare into our hearts concerning God and his dreadfull Maiesty and Iustice and make vs afraid to offend him and seeke by all meanes to glorifie him whatsoeuer become of vs and the world Reuel 14.7 Saying with a loud voice feare God and giue glory to him for the houre of his iudgement is come and worship him that made heauen and earth
Heauen Thus the Patriarches comforted themselues Heb. 11.13 2. Against the griefe for the death of our friends why doe we sorrow for them that are so happie 3. Against the many afflictions of this life the feare and care of which should bee swallowed with the hope of eternall life as these places shew Rom. 8.18 For I count that the afflictions of this present time are not worthie of the glorie which shall be shewed vnto vs. 2. Cor. 4.17.18 For our light affliction which is but for a moment causeth vnto vs a farre most excellent and an eternall waight of glory while wee looke not on the things which are seene but on the things which are not seene for the things which are seene are temporall but the things which are not seene are eternall 4. Against the feare of death for these principles teach vs to belieue that the dead are blessed Reuelat. 14.13 Then I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me Write Blessed are the dead which hereafter die in the Lord euen so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them And that this death will be quickly swallowed vp of victorious life 1. Cor. 15.16.17 The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law But thanks be to God which hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ. These comforts will bee the more abundant if wee consider either first the particulars of this glory secondly or the properties of it For the first our glory in heauen may be thus shadowed out It consists of perfection of holinesse and happinesse Our holinesse shall then bee perfect we shall be without spot or wrinkle Ephes. 5.27 Gods people shall then bee all righteous Isaiah 60.21 Thy people also shall be all righteous And this perfection shall be both of Nature and of Action In nature we shall be perfectly holy which may bee considered in respect of the holinesse First of our soules secondly of our bodies thirdly of our soule and bodie together First in our soules there shall bee 1. Exquisite knowledge wee shal then know as we are known when that which is in part is done away we shall no more vnderstand as children but shall haue our minds enlightned aboue the knowledge of Prophets and Apostles in this world for God himselfe shall be our euerlasting light 1. Cor. 13.10.11.12 But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be abolished When I was a child I spake as a child I vnderstood as a child I thought as a child but when I became a man I put away childishnes or childish things For now we see through a glasse darkely but then shall we see face to face now I know in part but then shall I know euen as I am knowne Isaiah 60.19 Thou shalt haue no more Sunne to shine by day neither shall the brightnes of the Moone shine vnto thee for the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glory 2. Freedome of will when all the impediments of desire and endeuours shall bee taken off which now as fetters hinder vs in communion with God and as cords hale vs after vanitie where it shall bee also as easie to doe good as to desire it 3. Vnspeakeable charitie our hearts being fild with al those affections that are now any way required in the word of God either toward God or man 1. Cor. 13.8 Loue doth neuer fall away though that prophesying be abolished or the tongues cease or knowledge vanish away What is now the life of our liues more then to loue and to be beloued This earthly loue is but a sparke in comparison Secondly in our bodies there shall be a perfect conformitie of all the members for the seruice of God and the soule they shall bee no more weapons of vnrighteousnesse as they haue been Rom. 6.13 Rom. 6.19 Thirdly in both body and soule there shall be 1. The perfect Vision of the admirable beauties of God which of it selfe is more worth then the possession of the whole world and this Vision of God shall not onely be mentall by contemplation of which 2. Cor. 12.2 but also corporal for so Iob auoucheth Cap. 19.25 For I am sure my Redeemer liueth and he shall stand the last on earth Vers. 26. And though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie yet shall I see God in my flesh Vers. 27. Whom I my selfe shall see and my eies behold and none other for mee though my reines are consumed within me We shall then see him perfectly in the creatures and haue him perfectly in our selues and behold the Trinitie in the glorie of it after a way now vnutterable 2. The perfection of the image of God in both we shall then be as hee is partaking perfectly of the diuine nature 1. Iohn 3.2 2. Pet. 1.4 which is signified by those pure white garments mentioned Reuel 3.4.5 6.11 7.13 19.8 Thus shall we be perfect in nature The perfection of our actions or obedience shall then bee obtained wee shall then serue God loue our brethren without all defect We shall praise God with the Angels to all eternitie for that shall be the maine outward seruice of God for prayer shal thē cease Reuel 4.10.11 Thus of the perfection of holinesse The perfection of happines shal haue in it diuers things The first part of our felicity is acknowledgement in the kingdom of heauen which is a worke of Christ declaring vs in particular to bee elected of God and his children and friends And this is more comfortable because we shall thus bee proclaimed the heires apparant of heauen before God and all his holy Angels Matth. 10.32 Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse mee before men him will I confesse also before my father which is in heauen 2. Glorious liberty reserued for the sonnes of God vnto that day of which Rom. 8.21 And this liberty may be considered two waies viz. 1. From what we shall bee free 2. To what we shall bee free For the first we shall then be free First from the torments and miseries of the damned in hell wee shall haue an eternall discharge from that most fearfull place which is promised vs already in this life Rom. 8.1 Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus which walke not after the flesh but after the spirit c. Reuel 20.14 And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fier this is the second death c. Secondly from the displeasure of God he will neuer be angry with vs any more there shall be no more curse or Anathema Reuel 22.3 And there shall bee no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lambe shall be in it and his seruants shall serue him Thirdly from sinne and the power to sinne our holinesse shal be better then Adams in Paradise he might sinne but wee shall be confirmed as the Angels of heauen so as we
shall not only bee free from sinne but from the possibility to sinne Ephes. 5.26 Fourthly from all aduerfary power we shall neuer more bee molested by diuels nor by wicked men either spirituall or corporall There shall be a perpetuall triumph without warre all our enemies shall bee cast into the lake of fier Reuel 21.8 Reuel 20.14 Reuel 22.3 As wee shall not loose a friend so wee shall not feare an enemy Fifthly from all infirmitie in our natures as from ignorance and all disabilities from sorrow discouragement hardnesse of heart feare and perturbations Reuel 21.4 And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and there shall bee no more death neither sorrow neither crying neither shall there bee any more paine for the first things are passed And so also from all such graces as suppose either imperfection in vs such as faith hope and repentance or misery in the creatures without vs as griefe anger feare hatred and the like 1. Cor. 13. Sixthly from all inferiority and subiection and seruitude none shall bee vnder the iurisdiction of others all Oeconomicall Politicall and Ecclesiasticall relations shall then cease Wee shall sit downe with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the kingdome of heauen Matth. 8.11 Seuenthly from all labour and affliction of life Their labours shall cease and afflictions shall bee cast into the sea they shall enioy an eternall Sabbath the true Canaan Reuel 14.13 Then I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me Write blessed are the dead which hereafter die in the Lord euen so saith the spirit for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them c. Heb. 4.9 There remaineth therfore a rest to the people of God c. 2. Thes. 1.7 And to you which are troubled rest with vs when the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels c. And by labors I vnderstand also all the paines or difficulties we are at euen about the seruice of God for God shall bee all in all Eighthly from all shame and blushing There shall be nothing but honour and praise to all eternity whereas in this world the inward shame of some offence imputed or committed make life it selfe many times a burthen and there is little ease to the minde but in remembrance of the day of Christ when it shall be remoued Ninthly from all enuie enuie is said to be bitter 1. Cor. 3.3 But when charity shall be perfect then shall that property of not enuying bee made perfect too 1. Cor. 13. Tenthly from all interruption both in holinesse and felicity which in this life is grieuous and ariseth many times from good things and good persons as well as euill Eleuenthly from all the means of a naturall life and from the inconueniences too there shall be no need of meat drinke sleep marriage raiment physicke nor the light of the Sunne For there shall be no hunger thirst heate cold darknesse or the like grieuances but wee shall liue as the Angels of heauen c. And so in a word we shall bee free from the first things Reuel 2.4 Thus much of what wee shall be free from Now followes what wee shall be free to First we shall bee free of heauen the most holy place Heb. 10.19 Seeing therefore brethren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Paradise Luk. 23.43 Then Iesus said vnto him verily I say vnto thee to day thou shalt be with me in Paradise Our fathers house Iohn 14.2 In my Fathers house are many dwelling places if it were not so I would haue told you I goe to prepare a place for you The new Ierusalem Reuel 21.2 And I saw the holy City new Ierusalem come downe from God out of heauen prepared as a Bride trimmed for her husband The heauē of heauens which for lightnes largenes purenes delightfulnes and all praises of a place almost infinitely excels all this visible world Nor shall the godly be restrained only to heauen but they shall be free of the new earth wherein dwels righteousnesse 2. Pet. 3.13 But wee looke for a new heauen and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnesse c. Secondly we shall be free to the enioying of the happy society of all the glorious Saints and Angels of heauen Hebr. 12.22.23 But ye are come vnto the mount Sion and to the City of the liuing God the celestiall Ierusalem and to the company of innumerable Angels And to the congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen and to God the iudge of all and to the spirits of iust and perfect men Thirdly to the glorious presence of God and the Lambe we shall alwaies dwell in the Kings presence Reuel 21.3 And I heard a great voice out of heauen saying behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be their God with them Reuel 21.23 And the City hath no need of the sunne neither of the moone to shine in it for the glory of God did light it and the Lamb is the light of it Reuel 22.3.4 And there shall be no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lambe shall be in it and his seruants shall serue him And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their fore-heads Fourthly to all the treasures of heauen which are vnexpressable shadowed out by some comparisons as by being free to eate of the tree of life Reuel 22.2 In the middest of the streete of it and of either side of the riuer was the tree of life which bare twelue manner of fruits and gaue fruit euery moneth the leaues of the tree serued to heale the nations with c. As also by being free to drink of the water of life freely Reuel 21.6 And hee said vnto me It is done I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end and I will giue to him that is athirst of the well of the waters of life freely euen out of a riuer that is pure as Chrystall Reuel 22.1 And hee shewed me a pure riuer of water of life cleare as Chrystall proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lambe And such like Thus of Liberty The third part of our felicity in heauen is maiesty al the godly shall be there seated as Princes in thrones of Maiesty and prince-like splendor being crowned with crowns of glory which glory shall be so great that the Kings of the earth are supposed to bring all their glory and honour to it and yet all too little to shadow out this exceeding glory of all the Saints Reuel 3.21 To him that ouercommeth will I grant to sit with me in my throne euen as I ouercome and sit with my father in his throne 2. Tim. 4.8 For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day