personall vnion is this of the diuine nature with the humane in one person The mystical vnion is of Christ with the Church in one body The sacramentall vnion is of the body and blood of Christ with bread and wine in one ordinance This vnion is not a vnion of inhabitation as God dwels in the Saints nor of consent only as the faithfull are one in the Father and the Sonne Nor of commixtion as water and wine are one nor of combination as two boords fastened together are one nor of composition when of two things is made some third thing in one But it is I say a personall vnion the humane nature of Christ being assumed into vnion with the person of the Sonne of God From whence ariseth A speciall manner of subsisting in the humane nature of Christ differing from other men For soule and body make a person in other men but not so in Christ. For his soule and body are borne vp and subsist in his diuine nature As the luie or Misseltoe growes without a root of it owne vpon the body of another tree so is it with the humane nature of Christ As soule and body in vs make one man so God and man make one Christ in him A communication of proprieties so as that which is proper to one nature is attributed to the whole person so the Sonne of God was crucified bought the Church with his blood 1. Cor. 2.8 Act. 20.28 The collation of gifts vpon the humane nature after an vnspeakable manner In respect of which the humane nature of Christ doth excell all creatures for wisedome goodnesse holinesse power maiesty and glory in as much as the God-head dwelles in him bodily Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily and so the second Adam doth farre excell the first It was needfull Christ should be God and man in one nature 1. That so he might reconcile or make God and man one againe 2. That so hee might bee a meet Mediator as being a kin to both parties 3. That he might pacifie God by his death which he could neither feele as God nor ouercome as man 4. That the works of redemption done in the flesh might bee sufficient price for sin by which the infinite God was wronged Here is also consolation in this doctrine for hence ariseth manifest reason of hope of pardon and peace with God and besides out of his fulnesse wee may now all receiue grace and a supply for all our wants Heere wee haue all the treasures of wisdome and grace in Christ-man and hee is now able to be a fountaine of more good to vs then euer the first Adam was of euill CHAP. XVII Of Christ as Mediator HItherto of the principles concerning the person of Christ his office followes The principles cōcerning his office consider it either in the whole or in the parts of it The whole office of Christ is to be a mediator and so the principles that concerne the mediatorship are fiue First that there is but one mediatour betweene God and man euen Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one mediator betweene God and man which is the man Christ Iesus Act. 4.12 Neither is there saluation in any other for amongst men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must bee saued Luk. 2.11 That is that vnto you is borne this day in the City of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Because there is none more mercifull Heb. 2.17 Nor more able Heb. 7.25 That the cause of our saluation in his mediation is not merit in man but grace in God and Christ 2. Tim. 1.9 Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was giuen to vs through Christ Iesus before the world was Tit. 3.4.5 But when the bountifulnesse and loue of God our Sauiour toward man appeared Not by the workes of righteousnesse which we had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the holy Ghost Ephes. 2.8 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God That this mediation was from the beginning of the world and shall be to the end Hebr. 13.8 Iesus Christ yesterday and to day the same also is for euer 1. Pet. 1.20 Which was ordained before the foundation of the world but was declared in the last times for your sakes Reuel 13.8 Therefore all that dwell vpon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the booke of life of the Lambe which was slaine from the beginning of the world For in the knowledge destination and acceptation of God the two natures were accounted as vnited and with him the things done and to be done present and to come are all one For explication of this principle if we aske when the mediator was giuen it must be answered three waies 1. If we respect Gods decree he was giuen before all eternity Ephes. 1.4 As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world 2. If wee respect the vertue and efficacie of his mediation he was giuen when need was from the beginning of the world Reuel 13.8 Which was slaine from the beginning of the world 3. If we respect his manifestation in the flesh he was giuen in the fulnesse of time 1600. yeeres agoe Galath 4.4 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman and made vnder the law 1. Tim. 2.6 Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to be a testimony in due time 4. That without the mediation of Christ no flesh can bee saued Act. 4.12 Neither is there saluation in any other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must bee saued Psalm 143.2 And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall none that liueth be iustified Iam. 3.2 For in many things we sinne all 5. That by the mediator a new agreement or contract was made with God Ierem. 31.33 But this shall be the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my law in the inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall bee my people Heb. 8.13 In that he saith a new Testament he hath abrogated the old now that which is disanulled and waxed old is ready to vanish away Rom. 3.23.24 For there is no difference for all haue sinned and are depriued of the glory of God and are iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus Galath 3.21.22 Is the Law then against the promise of God God forbid for if there had been a law giuen which could haue giuen life surely righteousnes should haue been by the law But the Scripture hath
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
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
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
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
shall bee called the Sonne of God c. The vses may bee raised seuerally from each of the principles and so First the doctrine of the incarnation of Christ may serue 1. For information and that both of the loue of God and of his wisedome which both shine in this worke His loue in that he sent vs a Sauiour to take our nature and his wisedome in that he sent vs his Sonne But what need was there that Christ should bee incarnate and take mans nature rather then any other First that satisfaction might be made to God in the same nature that had offended 2. Because without effusion of blood there could bee no remission Heb. 9.22 3. Because a Mediator should be meet to deale betweene both parties therefore he is God for the businesse with his Father and man for the businesse with men 4. That so he might haue the right of the kinsman to redeeme vs and so of adoption Ier. 32.8 Ruth 3.13 5. To assure our resurrection Heb. 2.14 That he might destroy through death him that had the power of death which is the diuell c. But why was the second person in Trinitie incarnate It was most conueniently and comely it should be so 1. By the Son was man made at the beginning and therefore fitly by him was he redeemed 2. He most fitly repaires the image of God in vs who was himselfe the image of his father 3. He that was the Sonne of God most conueniently makes vs the Sonnes of God Secondly for instruction and so it should teach vs 1. First to acknowledge both natures in Christ and know it is of necessitie to saluation to confesse his glory in both 2. It should worke vpon vs the impressions of humility This is a matchlesse example of humilitie that he that was equall to the father should make himselfe so low as to take vpon him the forme of a seruant c. as it is vrged Phil. 2.6.7 It were intolerable shame for vs to mind our owne things or to stand vpon our glory and greatnesse Oh how should this make vs easily deny our selues if we could throughly thinke vpon it 3. Thirdly it should stirre vs vp wonderfully to a desire to come vnto Christ and to be made one with him and to be like him Hee drew neere to vs when hee tooke our nature and shall not we draw neere to him in imitation of his nature and shew forth his vertues He descended from heauen to vs and shall not we ascend to heauen to him 4. This may serue for great humiliation to al such as receiue not the Sonne of God hath hee taken our nature and dwelt amongst vs and saw we his glory as the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of God and are wee yet ignorant of him doe we yet neglect to come vnto him 5. Lastly the incarnation of Christ is the very fountaine of all our comfort It is the sunneshine of religion we should reioyce in it aboue all things There should be no godly man but his heart should leape within him vpon the thoughts of this glorious grace of God The Angels of heauen sang in the aire when they brought this tidings and can wee sit desolate in heart to whom a Sauiour is borne and for whom he was incarnate Luk. 2.10 Christs incarnation is the most cleare looking glasse to shew forth the wisdome mercy truth and iustice of God This was a worke farre aboue the creation of man this doctrine is comfortable in the very respect of the honour done to the nature of man in that God hath ioyned man so neerely to himselfe and it imports a wonderfull loue that Christ doth now vnchangeably beare to man being himselfe of the same nature but especially it should swallow vp all earthly discontentments to consider that God hath giuen him to vs and Christ is all this for our sakes Esay 9.6 For vnto vs a childe is borne and vnto vs a sonne is giuen c. How should Christ bee vnto vs onely in stead of all things The very peace we haue by him should enflame vs peace aboue vs with God and the Angels peace within vs with our owne consciences peace about vs with all creatures Luke 2.14 and specially it should establish vs in the assurance of the accomplishment of all that yet remaines of our full redemption we need not doubt of his intercession our suites must all needes speed well there sits one at the right hand of God that is our owne flesh and bloud and we need not feare the last iudgement It cannot but be well with vs if our owne brother be our iudge we should not be affraid in the meane time in the euill day He will succour vs he hath had experience of the frailtie of our nature and therefore hath a feeling of our infirmities and will helpe vs in all time of our need Heb. 2.18 For in that he suffred and was tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 4.15 For we haue not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted in like sort yet without sinne Yea the very glory of Christ in heauen is by this meanes ours Christ is my portion my flesh and my blood where my portion raigneth there beleeue I that I raigne where my flesh is glorified there I thinke my selfe in glory where my blood ruleth there thinke I my selfe exalted And all this is the more comfortable if we consider that God had not respect of persons in this which may appeare by the manifestation of the incarnation It was reueiled to shepheards and to the Wise men the one poore the other rich the one learned the other vnlearned the one Gentiles the other Iewes the one neere the other farre off This light appeared to Anna a woman as well as to Simeon that iust man And besides note the wonderfull wisedome of God in the manner of reuealing Christ viz. to euery one according to his owne estate For to Simeon and Anna as more spirituall persons the natiuitie was reuealed by the instinct of the Spirit To the Shepheards as ruder men by the voice and speech of Angels To the Priests and Scribes that searched Scripture by an Oracle of the Scripture To Herod a stranger by the testimony of the Wise men that were strangers To the Wise men that were students of Astrology by the rising of a new starre CHAP. XIV Of the conception of Christ. THus much of the vses of the incarnation of Christ the vses of his conception follow The doctrine of his conception by the holy Ghost may serue First for information and that in diuers things 1. First concerning the wonder of his birth heere is a new birth giuen to the world neuer such a one before he that is the onely Sonne in heauen is by this meanes the onely man on earth to be admired When God was to be made visible on
earth and to come to dwell amongst men a heauenly temple is prouided for him the holy Ghost builds him a temple in the wombe of a Virgin 2. Concerning the freedome of Christ from Originall sinne we might aske How could Christ be free from sinne seeing he came of Adam whose nature was infected in all his posteritie Now this is answered in this principle for Christ came of Adam but not by Adam but by the holy Ghost The holy Ghost miraculously formed Christs body of the substance of the Virgin stopping the course of originall sinne and sanctifying it sinne comes into the world by propagation only 3. Concerning the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ It must needes bee an admirable sacrifice that is thus fitted from the wombe 4. Concerning the superstition of the Papists about the Virgin Marie for they attribute the purity of Christs nature to the holinesse of the Virgin that shee was without sinne whereas it is euident it is to be attributed to the holy Ghost 5. Concerning the possibilitie for Christ to be borne of a virgin It is as easie for God to frame vnto Christ a body in the wombe of a Virgin as to make mans body at the first of the myer of the earth Secondly for Instruction and so this conception by the holy Ghost should teach vs 1. First to be wise to sobriety in this mysterie of the incarnation of Christ a purer sense and a cleaner hearing is called-for here the ouershadowing of the virgin shewes that we must bring faith to beleeue the mysterie without further inquiring 2. To desire feruently the sanctifying of our natures that wee as his members might bee conformed vnto him as our head and so we are if Christ be conceiued in our hearts by the holy Ghost as hee was conceiued in the womb of the Virgin Gal. 4.7 For consolation and so his conception is comfortable especially in two things 1. First the holinesse of his conception will iustifie vs from the vnholinesse of our conception and quit vs from the guilt and filth of originall sinne 2. Secondly it may comfort vs in the expectation of our perfect holinesse Hee that was so carefull to haue his naturall body fitted so exquisitely will not neglect his mysticall body the Church but will loue it and wash it till it bee without spot and wrinkle and the rather because it is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Ephes. 5.25.26 And thus of the vse of the conception CHAP. XV. Of Christ as borne of a virgin THirdly in that our Sauiour was borne of a Virgin it may serue For Information and so 1. Concerning the maruelous wisdome of God in the maner of our saluation By a woman came sinne and death into the world and loe here the seed of the woman breakes the Serpents head The diuell got to be the god of the world by beguiling a woman Now see how the Lord hath deuised to destroy his dominion by one made of a woman they were both Virgins affianced to husbands but not yet knowne of man But might some one say This is beyond beliefe that a Virgin should bring forth and yet remaine a virgin hauing neuer knowne man this seemeth to be incredible If it had been a thing which had no resemblance in nature yet it had been nothing to beleeue the power of the God of nature but yet there is instance of things borne in nature without generation The Bees haue young and yet know not marriage The Easterne bird the Phenix is borne and new borne successiuely and yet without parents and shal we hold it beyond beliefe for God to doe this great work vpon him that was to restore the world Christ is like the flower which hath the heauen for father and the earth for mother But how can it become the greatnesse of the Sonne of God to abase himselfe to lie in the wombe of the Virgin The Sunne in the firmament receiues not infection from any place nor can any thing cast into the fier steine it much lesse can the Sonne of God be polluted by being borne of a Virgin 2. Secondly this may furnish vs with an argument against Transubstantiation The Scripture teacheth vs to beleeue that Christ was made of a woman Gal. 4.4 but not a word is there that hee should bee made of a piece of bread Secondly hath God created this new thing in the world that a woman should compasse a man why then doe we go about why loose we our labour Why settle we not our hearts directly vpon this Iesus who is assigned vs thus wonderfully of God to bee our way our light and our life This very doctrin was vsed long since to rebuke mens extreme distractions and losse of time and labour in the way to the Kingdome of heauen Ier. 31.21 Yea this doctrine ought to be vnto vs Gods signe that he will deliuer vs certainely and fulfil al his promises and it extremely threatens the vnbeliefe of man as the Prophet Isaiah vrgeth it in the daies of Ahaz Isaiah 7.14 Thirdly this should kindle in vs a vehemēt desire to haue God reueale his sonne in vs and to haue Christ borne in our hearts we thinke the Virgin blessed aboue women that Christ was conceiued in her wombe why certainely it is a great wonder and wee were blessed amongst men and women if the Lord Iesus bee conceiued in our hearts and we keepe our selues chast virgins to him There hath been foure waies of making man 1. The one was to make man without either man or woman so was Adam made 2. The second was to make man without a woman so was Eue made 3. The third was to make man by both man and woman and so we their posteritie are made 4. The fourth way was to make man without man by the woman only and so was Christ-man made Now if wee admire the first second and fourth of these why should wee not also admire the creating of a man without wombe euen in the heart of a man Is it not a great wonder that the Sonne of God should be formed in our breast and yet such is the worke of God in the new birth of a Christian Christ is formed in them Galath 4.9 My little children of whom I trauell in birth againe vntill Christ be formed in you CHAP. XVI Of the personall vnion ANd thus of the birth of Christ of a Virgin The personall vnion may serue both for information and for consolation For information concerning the maruellous glory of Christ especially of the exaltation of the humane nature Heere is an vnion singularly wonderfull and wonderfully singular Nay what say I a vnion Why there bee so many vnions in Christ that worthily all may bee said to bee gathered together in one in him There is a naturall personall mysticall and sacramentall vnion in Christ. The naturall vnion is with the Father and the holy Ghost in one nature or essence The
humiliation to all stubborne-hearted wicked men that deny this holy one partly by their vnbeleefe when they regard not his words whom they can conuince of no sinne Ioh. 8.46 Which of you can rebuke me of sinne and if I say the truth why doe you not beleeue me And partly by wicked life keeping out all conformity with Christ as also by chusing rather to liue in wicked company then to cleaue to Christ Is not this to denie the holy one and to chuse a murtherer to bee giuen them Act. 3.14 What communion betweene Christ and Belial betweene his righteousnesse and such vnrighteousnesse Thus much of his obedience to the law CHAP. XX. Of the expiation of sinne THe principles that concerne the expiation of sin follow This expiation was made by the passion of Christ concerning which wee must belieue these things of necessity 1. That the Passion of Christ was by the decree euerlasting fore-appointmeÌ„t of God Act. 2.23 Him I say haue ye taken by the hands of the wicked being deliuered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God c. 2. That the sufferings of Christ were for our sinnes and for our sakes so as he bare all our iniquities 1. Pet. 2.24 Who his owne self bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that wee being deliuered from sinne should liue in righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed c. Isaiah 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed 8. For the transgression of my people was he plagued c. 12. Therefore will I giue him a portion with the great and hee shall diuide the spoile with the strong because hee hath poured out his soule vnto death and hee was â—ounted with the transgressors and hee bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trespassers Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification 1. Cor. 5.7 For Christ our Passouer is sacrificed for vs. 3. That by his passion he did pacifie God and make expiation for all our sinnes Mat. 17.5 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased beare him Ephes. 5.2 And walke in loue euen as Christ hath loued vs and hath giuen himselfe for vs to bee an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vnto God 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust and he is the reconciliation for our sinnes 4. That in his owne person he fulfilled and finished all sufferings needefull for our saluation he did it once for all 1. Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to God Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many and vnto them that looke for him shal be appeare the second time without sinne vnto saluation Heb. 10.11.12 And euery Priest appeareth daily ministring and oft times offereth one manner of offering which can neuer take away sinnes But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God 5. That the passion of Christ is a sufficient price for the sinnes of the whole world Ioh. 1.29 Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world 6. That Christ suffered extreame things for vs euen the most grieuous things could bee imagined as 1. A maruellous priuation of his owne glory abasing himselfe that was in the form of God to liue amongst men without shewing that fulnesse of Maiesty and glory which was in his nature Ioh. 17.5 And now glorifie me thou Father with thine owne selfe with the glory which I had with thee before the world was 2. Most base entertainement in the world such as extreame pouerty in his birth and life Luk. 2.12 And this shall bee a signe to you yee shall finde the child swadled and laid in a cratch Matth. 8.20 But Iesus said vnto him the foxes haue holes and the birds of the heauens haue nests but the Sonne of man hath not whereon to rest his head Exile and flying before his enemies Matth. 2.14 So hee arose and tooke the babe and his mother by night and departed into Egypt Mark. â— 6.7 And the Pharisies departed and straight way gathered a Councell with the Herodians against him that they might destroy him But Iesus auoided with his disciples to the sea c. Ioh. 11.54 Iesus therefore walked no more openly amongst the Iewes but went thence c. Ioh. 8.59 Then tooke they vp stones to cast at him but Iesus hid himselfe and went out of the Temple Slanders and extreame indignities called a Samaritan a glutton a seducer a traitor despised mocked buffeted railed on beaten betrayed and sold by his owne seruant and that for a base price forsaken of his owne disciples denied and renounced by oath falsly accused whipped spit vpon taken and bound as a malefactor c. as the story of the Euangelists shew c. 3. Imputation of the sins of all the elect vnto him so as the guilt of them was laid vpon him and hee sustained their person This is a wonderfull abasement hee was made sinne for vs that knew no sinne in himselfe 2. Cor. 5.21 4. Fearfull agonies in his very soule arising 1. First from seuerall conflicts and tentations Hebr. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 But especially set vpon with all their furie inuisibly when he was on the Crosse Colos. 2.15 And hath spoyled the principalities and powers and hath made a shew of them openly hath triumphed ouer them in the same Crosse. 2. Secondly from the pouring out of the vials of Gods wrath for sinne which befell him chiefly in the garden when hee swet blood for very anguish on the Crosse when hee cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 5. A most miserable manner of death to die as a condemned man and condemned too both by Iewes and Gentiles to die such a cursed death as the death of the Crosse which was both by God and man designed out as the most ignominious kind of death and to bee put to death in the middest of such malefactors being reckoned amongst sinners Esa. 53.12 Therefore will I giue him a portion with the great and hee shall diuide the spoyle with the strong because hee hath poured out his soule vnto death and hee was counted with the transgressors and hee bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trespassers And to suffer the nailing of his body yea and the effusion of his most precious blood These are exquisite things The consideration whereof may serue both for 1. instruction 2. for information 3. and for consolation For instruction and so it may teach vs diuers duties which we should performe 1. To Christ himselfe 2. To our neighbours 3. To
we must for euer separate from them if they persist in their heresies for they teach vs that Christ did not once for al fully sacrifice to God but that the sacrifice must be renewed daily in the Masse contrary to the expresse words of the text Heb. 9.26.28 For then must heâ— haue often suffered since the foundation of the world but now in the end of the world hath he appeared once to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe So Christ was once offered to take away the sinnes of many Heb. 10.11.12 And euery Priest appeareth daily ministring and oft times offereth one manner of offering which can neuer take away sinnes But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God And besides they teach that men may make satisfaction to God for their sins by their owne workes and by the workes of the Saints 3. Thirdly concerning the most wofull condition of wicked men that liue in their sinnes they may fully see how they shall speede with God by this that befell Christ. If God spared not his onely begotten Sonne that was but a suretie for sinne will he spare them that are principals would not God find out such a mercy to Christ as to free him from such extremities and do they trust to a mercy in God neuer reuealed in the word neuer shewed to Christ was not Christ able without such wofull tortures to beare the wrath of God and doe they thinke to be able to endure those riuers of brimstone and fier in Hell 4. Concerning a singular and new way of obedience in Christ if wee will needes haue workes of supererogation let vs acknowledge them onely in Christ for the doctrine of his passion tels vs of an obedience to a commandement of God that was not in the Morall law and that was his speciall submission to that singular will of his Father in being that one that should die for the people To expiate for other mens sinnes is a speciall kind of righteousnesse not mentioned in the Law 5. Concerning the offence of the Crosse though both Iewes and Gentiles stumbled at this doctrine at the first yet we see there is no reason why wee should bee troubled at the abasements of Christ but rather to reioyce and wonder at the dreadfull expiation was made to God for vs in them For thus it behoued him to suffer as all the Prophets from Moses haue witnessed 1. Cor. 1.23 Luk. 24.45.46 Thus of the vse for information The consolations follow The doctrine of the passion of Christ is exceeding comfortable and that both in generall and particular consolations It is generally comfortable 1. First in respect of the establishment of our hearts in the assurance that Iesus of Nazareth was the true Messias promised to the Fathers Which may appeare if we consider but the history of his passion in as much as in him were fulfilled al these signes foretold in the seuerall ages of the old Church The old prophesies were all accomplished in him The scepter was now departed from Iuda foretold Genes 49.10 They diuided his garments and cast lots vpon his vesture according to Psalm 22.8 They pierced his hands and feet Psal. 22.16 The chiefe builders refused him according to Psal. 118.22 In his arraignment hee was silent opened not his mouth according to Esa. 53.7 Hee was reckoned amongst the wicked in his death according to Esa. 53.12 They gaue him gall and vineger to drinke according to Psalm 69.21 He accomplished the meaning of the sacrifices in shedding his blood and suffering without the campe Heb. 9.14 Heb. 13.11.12 2. Secondly if we consider the effects of his passion for from hence flowes to vs and euery beleeuer 1. First the purchase both of our soules and bodies 1. Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought for a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit for they are Gods Rom. 7.4 So ye my brethren are dead also to the law by the body of Christ that ye should bee vnto another euen vnto him that is raised vp from the dead that we should bring forth fruit vnto God 2. The ratification of the eternall couenant Heb. 9.16 For where a testament is there must bee the death of him that made the testament c. 3. The reconciling of vs to God Rom. 5.10 For if when wee were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled we shall be saued by his life 1. Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust that hee might bring vs to God c. 4. The abolishing of sinne both in respect of the remission of the guilt 1. Ioh. 1.7 The blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne cleanseth vs from all sinne Matth. 26.28 For this is my blood of the new testament that is shead for many for the remission of sinnes And sanctification against the power of it Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serue sinne c. 5. The swallowing vp of death 1. Cor. 15.54 So when this corruptible hath put on incorruption and this mortall hath put on immortality then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp into victory Vanquishing him that had power of death freeing vs that were in bondage to the feare and that of death Hebr. 2.14.15 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe likewise tooke part with them that he might destroy through death him that had the power of death that is the diuell And that hee might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage 2. Tim. 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 c. 6. Liberty to enter into the most holy place of heauen by a new and liuing way Hebr. 9.12 Neither by the blood of goats and calues but by his owne blood entred he in once vnto the holy place and obtained eternal redemption for vs. Hebr. 10.19 Seeing therefore brethren that by the blood of Iesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place Thirdly if we consider the order of priesthood of which he was in offering this sacrifice He was a Priest after the order of Melchisedeck and not after Aaron Psalm 110.4 The Lord sware and will not repent thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 7. all the chapter Of all the Priests that were types of Christ Melchisedeck was the most liuely and noblest type and did most fully shadow out both the person and office of Christ For by Melchisedeck three most comfortable things in Christ were shadowed out The first was his dignity hee was so a Priest as he
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
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