saith is of hearing and hearing is of the word of God not of every hearing nor of every word but of hearing the word of God From which word hearing or the hearing Ear also is effected and proceeds Rom. 10.17 For no man can come unto Christ this Son of Man unless it be given to him of God unless he draws him and he draws by his teaching men the knowledge of him whence it is said every one that heareth and learneth of the Father comes unto him Joh. 6.44 45 65. It is of his own good will that he begets men through the word of truth to be of a contemptible vile worthless creature as man hath made himself by his sin a kind of first-fruits of his creatures a more noble and prime creature to him a new creature a first-fruits of his future new creation therefore it behooves men every one to be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath slow to murmur and be angry at the word of truth and the instructions reproofs and counsels of it because clashing with the wisdom and will of the flesh the principles thoughts and practices of the world and of the wise men thereof but with meekness to receive the ingraffed word the word as God puts and ingraffs it into the heart which is able to save the Soul being not only hearers of the word but doers of it as it is working and so God in and with it to will and to do of good pleasure Jam. 1.18 19 21. Phil. 2.12 13. turning at Gods reproofs therein given from whatsoever in conceit apprehension or opinion we hold or imagine that clashes with the truth discovered in the word and its instructions that we may so conceive judge and believe as that declares and informs us of all things and from whatsoever in affection desire purpose or practice we naturally or through evil principles or customs affect desire purpose or practice disagreeing with and reproved by the light and instruction of that blessed word that so we may obey its counsel and instruction and affect desire purpose and practice what it commends and leads us to seeking after that and so the wisdom of God will pour out his spirit to us and make known his words Prov. 1.22 23. and so hearing the Soul shall live Isa 55.3 there through attaining to know the name of the Lord the Son of Man we shall be strengthened framed and have the will set to trust in him Psal 9.10 in meditating in the law and doctrine of the Lord and exercising our selves in it day and night the heart will be fixed to trust in the Lord and to make him its hope Yea and therein to be rooted grounded and fixed like a Tree planted by the water side so as to abide in the blasts of temptations and be fruitful in every good work increasing in the knowledge of God strengthened with all might according to his glorious power to all patience and long suffering with joyfulness Psal 1.1 2 3. Jer. 17.7 8. Col. 1.10 11. for the Gospel of Christ the preaching of the cross is the power of God to salvation even from unbelief and all the power of darkness to every one that believes it Rom. 1.16 1 Cor. 1.22 23. So as that in taking diligent heed thereto and yeilding up our selves to the power that worketh therein we shall be helped and framed to believe on the Son of God it s through his name that men receive power to believe on him Acts 10.43 and therefore it behooves all men as they would avoid the perishing from Gods way and the everlasting misery and destruction at the end and as they would obtain the everlasting life and happiness propounded and promised to give serious and diligent heed and obedience thereto who would willingly incur pain grief and affliction here or to perish by hunger cold prison gallows or the like and yet these things are infinitely short of the evil of perishing from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power for ever Yea who that is travelling to some remote place where if he go right on to it he shall find great riches honours or gain would be willing or through carefulness expose himself to loose and be lost out of the way and to wander in a Wilderness among bryers and thorns boggs and lakes yea among wild and savage creatures as serpents lyons tygers c. when in a diligent careful inquiry after and attendance to some faithful direction and guide he might go right and safe and attain the good proposed and miss that perishing by hunger cold the teeth of the wild beasts that he is otherwise in danger off and yet that perishing from the way and danger of finally perishing by the ways or means forementioned are little evils in comparison of perishing from Gods way and by what that perishing exposes to who again that hath proffer and opportunity of being made rich honourable living pleasantly and delightfully for a long time so long suppose as was the life of Methuselah would willingly refuse and loose such enjoyments and incur answerable miseries and yet this eternal life which God hath promised to give to them that believe on and follow after the Son of Man is infinitely more excellent then all the honours riches pleasures and most excellent enjoyments of this world though they might be enjoyed safely not only so long as the life of Methusalah but also so long as from the beginning of this world to the end thereof without interruption Oh therefore how concerns it all men to come and believe on the Son of Man and to that purpose to listen to and receive the teachings of God concerning him that such miseries may be missed and such mercies enjoyed that they may not perish in the way and from the end but may have everlasting life Vse 2. How doth this then reprove the vanity folly pride and wickedness of the world which rejects and puts from them and matter not to believe on this most excellent one whom God to such glorious ends hath raised up for us If it be folly and madness in men who may in hearing their Fathers and freinds good instructions in matters of this world live well and comfortably have and get yet more of the good things of this world to maintain them and preserve them from want and beggery and make them live in credit and repute to turn their backs upon such good counsels and thereby willingly and wilfully through their pride folly slothfulness love of bad company or the like bring themselves into debt poverty prisons and nothing but a Series of miseries How much more is it folly and madness for the world or any of us to neglect Gods word and Gods Son and that great Salvation wrought and preached and brought to us by so great and glorious a hand as that of this Son of Man being also the Son of God the mighty God and our Saviour and thereby to
Pet. 1.19 But he was tempted of Satan to things sinful as we may see in Mat. 4.6 7 8. Even to worship the Devil for the injoyment of the glory and Kingdoms of this World And though we find no mention of any temptations but what was there specified after his Baptisme and before his Preaching yet in saying there that the Tempter left him for a season 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or till an opportunity it is implyed that he was not without temptations at other after-times and in other particulars also And so having so great occasions as before is said for Sathan to take hold of he might have such darts cast at him too as motions to pride and haughtiness Yea such a temptation also may I conceive be apprehended to have been inclusively in that saying to him If thou beest the Son of God command that these Stones be made bread And in cast thy self down from the Pinacle of the Temple c. Mat. 4.56 And as in those temptations mentioned in Mat. 4.8 Luk. 4. Our Saviour did not barely by his Authority and Power rebuke Sathan but proposed to himself and made use of such consideration and allegation of the Law and Doctrine of the Lord as was proper to resist and preserve himself from yeilding to those temptations and such as in such cases minded by us would preserve us also such as It is written man liveth not by bread alone but by every word proceeding out of the mouth of God And it is written Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God c. Even so he might make use of such a consideration as this That He was as to the flesh a man descended from men and so the Son of man to repel and keep clear himself from temptations to pride that Sathan upon the above mentioned accounts might tempt him to As also He did and said many things not so much for his own need as to give us an example that we might follow his steps And so he might and did instruct us hereby that we should avoid pride in any thing wherein we differ from and excel others and that it 's a good-way for avoiding it to consider what we are as to our worser state that is as to our Natures in themselves as fallen considered and as we find sinfulness in us or have committed sins for though we be rich honourable strong beautiful of good witt and parts c. Yet we are men Sons of Adam begot and brought forth in his Image and likeness and so are mortal sinful and in our selves miserable those things notwithstanding Yea though Noble born or descended of Religious Parents though we have the Law or Doctrine of God and skill and knowledge therein and many righteous frames and works thereby and thereafter yet this is Gods gift if there be any thing or as to all things really good therein we yet are in and of our selves Men mortal sinful unworthy creatures Yea though we are called of God to Christ and in him owned of God and become his Children accepted and blessed in him and indued with many singular gifts and priviledges yet for all that according to the Flesh we are men sons of men infirm mortal sinful and what we are in Christ we are it meerly and freely by grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ And we have no cause to lift up or boast our selves because thereof because we received it of grace only God and Christ are to be glorified therein Yea and by how much the more any man is benefited and priviledged of and by the Lord so much is He the more obliged for it to the Lord. Certainly we find the holy men of God in their injoyments of favour and grace from and with God and honours with him to exercise their minds to sobriety and humillity in themselves from the consideration of what they were in and of themselves or by Nature and Corruption before such grace or honour bestowed upon them So we find Abraham when God so highly honoured him as not to hide from him the thing he intended toward Sodom but to acquaint him with it and admit him to plead with him and make intercession for them thus depressing himself Suffer me that am but Dust and Ashes Gen. 18.27 And when David had been blessing the Lord as his strength goodness fortress and for his great benefits bestowed upon him least he should be lifted up or be thought to have had this favour of the Lord bestowed upon him for any goodness in himself he adds Lord what is man that thou regardest him or the Son of Man that thou makest account of him Man is like to vanity his days are like a shadow Psal 144.3.4 And the Apostle Paul speaking of the grace bestowed upon him and the favour shewed him of God and Christ in counting him faithful and calling him to be an Apostle usually takes this course to hide Pride from himself to confess what he had been and was when Christ came upon him to convince and convert him and take him into that dignity Viz. That he was a Persecutor and a Blasphemer and Injurious not worthy to be called an Apostle because he had Persecuted the Church of God Yea therefore he stiles himself the least of all Saints yea the chief of Sinners 1 Cor. 15.8 9. Eph. 3.8 1. Tim. 1.23 14 15. That so he might the more magnifie the grace of God and Christ and being sensible of his own demerit and unworthiness in himself be the more low and humble the more diligent and obedient in service more compassionate over others though sinners yea more ready to every good work And so Christ here and his Servants ought to be imitated by us in avoiding pride and high-mindedness and in exercising our selves to humility and lowliness Learn we of Christ who was meek and lowly that we may find rest unto our Souls Mat. 11.29 That 's the first reason Reason 2. Secondly he is called the Son of Man not only of some particular man or of the Father of some particular branch or family of men as to say the Son of Abraham or of Heber or of Shem or of David or the like though it 's true he was the Son of all those persons as to descent of his flesh Yea and he is elsewhere stiled the Son of Abraham to signifie that he is and was that Seed promised to him and so the person in whom the blessing for all Nations was prepared And the Son of David to signifie that he was and is the Heir of the Kingdom that God spoke of in his Oath and Covenant to David Mat. 1.1 But that 's not the title that he ever gives himself but speaking of himself both here and often besides he stiles himself The Son of Man which word man is not appropriated and limited to any one Person or Family or condition of men but is common to all men And may he not herein also imply that
night Visions were seen to be brought nigh to the ancient of days to whom the Dominion Glory and Kingdom was given And that phrase because he is the Son of Man in this view of it implies also because of his equity reasonableness sound judgment wisdom and discretion with freedom from all bruitish ignorance self-will unrighteousness cruelty unreasonableness partiality and such other passions and dis-affections as too commonly blind other Governours or persons that exercise Authority Such may be the reasons of Christs being stiled or stiling himself the Son of Man Every of them worthy to be duly considered by us and rightly improved for moving us to love and thankfulness to God High-prizings and ready receit of closing and complying with the Lord Jesus Christ in his addresses to us his gracious calls to and counsels of us turning at his reproofs obeying his commands and submitting to his rule and Government in all things Having hope and confidence in his graciousness who hath shewed such love and respect to us and is so nearly related to yea become one with us But I shall pass on to the remaining particulars now to be considered from this Scripture in hand by us CHAP. V. A twofold sence of the Phrase of lifting up and what is imployed in it in the latter sense especially THE next thing then to be considered by us is That this Son of Man the Lord Jesus Christ must be lifted up Concerning which Phrase it is to be minded that it signifies two ways as used in the Scriptures 1. To lift up Is sometimes to take away or so to lift up as to take away by lifting up from the place or station one is set in by putting him to death and so the phrase of lifting up is used in the interpretation of the Dream of Pharoahs chief Baker Where it is said Gen. 40.19 Yet within three days shall Pharoah lift up thine head from off thee and hang thee on a Tree And in ver 20. It is said of Pharoah That he lifted up the head of the chief Baker hanging the chief Baker as Joseph had interpreted ver 22. And in this sense to lift up is to take away more properly by such a death as in which the body is lifted up from the Earth as to be hanged on a Tree And so it s applyed also to our Saviour with respect to his death and the manner of it as the Jews also understood him John 12. For having said And I if I be lifted up will draw all men to me It is added this spake he as signifying what manner of death he should dye As implying That the Phrase of lifting up had respect to his Death and that the Jews understood it of a way of dying is apparent in the next verse where it follows The people answered him we have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth for ever how sayst thou then the Son of Man must be lifted up who is this Son of Man Plainly implying that they understood his words after an use of it in the Syriack Language then frequently or usually spoken by them to import a taking him away by death And then the Evangelistâ— noteâ— in the verse before that this he spake signifying what or what manner of death he should dye may plainly include in it his being hanged on a Tree as Pharoahs chief Butler was in a sort And as Christ is said to have been in his being Crucified Act. 5.30 The God of our Fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree And the same expression is used by the same Apostle Peter Act. 10.39 And by the Apostle Paul it 's implyed in Acts. 13.29 in saying They took him down from the tree And more plainly in Gal. 3.13 In saying Christ hath Redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us As it is written Cursed is every one that is hanged on a tree Where the same way of punishing that is called by Moses a hanging on the tree is applied to Christs being Crucified Though yet possibly there may be more in that expression signifying what manner of death he should dye Viz. That he should dye as a Sacrifice as a publick propitiatory Sacrifice for us a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2.6 And in this sense Christ was lifted up by men they lifted him up from the Earth so as to take away his life from off the Earth or to cut him off from the Land of the living As the phrase is Isa 53 8. And so it was fore-said by our Saviour John 8.28 When ye have lifted up the Son of Man then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self c. Where it is evident that he was to be lifted up in this sense by the Jews For it was the Jews The hands of wicked men that slew him and hanged him on the tree that lifted him up in this sense And in that sense it behoved him to be lifted up even by men that all things written of him might be fulfilled As it is said When they had fulfilled all things written of him they took him down from the Tree That is When they had put him to death the death of the Cross slain him and hanged him on the tree with all the spite and violence against him they used in reviling him giving him Vineger to drink parting his Garments and casting lots on his Vesture piercing him with a Spear in his side c. for all these things were fore-prophesied of him They took him down c. Implying that their so slaying him and putting him to death their hanging him on a tree was written of before and therefore was to be fulfilled for the Scripture cannot be broken as is said by himself John 10.35 That is They must be fulfilled as he also implyed in his saying to Peter Thinkest thou not that I could pray the Father and he would send me more then twelve Legions of Angels But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be Mat. 26.54 ver 56. All this was done that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled See also Act. 3.18 Mat. 27.35 With Psal 22.16 69.21 Zech. 12.10 With John 19.34.37 As also he must and ought thus to have been lifted up that the purpose of God might be accomplished For they did herein whatsoever his hand and his counsel had before determined to be done As is said Acts 2.23 4.27.28 That so we might be redeemed from the curse of the Law by his being made a Curse for us as is said Gal. 3.13 Now seeing he was thus lifted up and there was such a necessity for it too this sense of his being lifted up must necessarily if not most directly be here included And to the use of the word lifting up in this sense might be referred the lifting up of the Talent of Lead with the Epha into which it was cast signifying
her hand which signifies a putting forth her strength and tendring her help to men to turn them to her self and bring them in to God Prov. 1.4 5. 1.20 24. 4. In his reproofs and judgments even to and upon the Heathen for not calling on his name to which believing on him is necessary Rom. 10.14 it being excellent in all the earth and declared by his wondrous works Psal 79.6 Jer. 10.25 Psal 8.1 9. 75.1 Mal. 1.11 14. And for not glorifying him as God nor being thankful to him but withholding the truth in unrighteousness seeing what was to be known of God was manifested in them and God shewed it to them so as they knew but liked not to have him in their knowledge Rom. 1.18 19 20 21 28. Yea for not believing God as now the Jews believe him not Rom. 11.30 All imply that God requires that men believe him and believe on him as made known to and among them But much more evident is this in his often reproofs of Israel among whom he was more signally made known Psal 76.1 2. 147.19 20. in his faulting and judging them for not hearing and hearkening to his voice law and words but rejecting them and for not liking to have him for their God the object of their stay trust and confidence but turning adulterously from him after others Psal 81.9 10 11 12. Isa 66.3 4. Jer. 2.5 13. 6.19 7.25 26. though using more special means with and towards them so as he vouchsafed not to any other Nation to make them cleave to himself Jer. 13.11 Yea his very condemning men both here and hereafter for their not believing on the Son of Man is an evidence that he would they should have believed on him John 5.40 3.18 19 36. 5. Yea in a word all that I have said on Observ 2â— about Gods desire of mens Salvation and living rather then that they dye and perish are evidences of the truth of this also that God requires that men believe on his Son the Son of Man as evidenced and lifted up by him and that their so doing is acceptable to him for so much as that believing on him is necessary to that Salvation and living with him 2. As for the acceptableness of it his requiring it and using or vouchsafing means and power for it and his threatning and punishing men for not improving them thereto and profiting by them so as to practise it evidence that also But much more clearly is this evidenced to and in them that believe 1. In his forgiving their sins as it is said To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth on him shall receive forgiveness of their sins Acts 10.43 2. In his justifying them as righteous there-through as it is said By him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not have been justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.39 3. In giving them the priviledge to be his Children as it is said To them that received him to them he gave this power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name John 1.12 And Ye are all the Sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.26 4. In blessing them as it is said So many as are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham being reputed as his Children Gal. 3.7 9 29. And in a word 5 In that they shall not perish but have eternal life And so this Point of the acceptableness to God of mens believing on Christ is confirmed by the next Observation and what is contained in it Which we shall nextly consider reserving the Use of this Observation in its several branches to afterward CHAP. XIII The fifth Observation having two branches the former of them is here explicated what the perishing is from which the believer on the Son of Man is preserved and how he is preserved from it Obser 5 WHosoever believeth on the Son of Man shall not perish but have eternal life and it is the gracious mind of God it should be so This the next Verse also confirmeth wherein it is said God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And in Verse 36. where it is said He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life And in Chap. 6.40 where it is said This is the will of him that sent me that he that seeth beholdeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life c. But here it is to be minded that he saith not that whosoever believeth on him should not be sick or poor or tempted or dye in Prison or on the Gallows or any such like violent death by men and their authority or any thing of the like nature For any of these may and sometimes do befall those that believe on him For Hezekiah was sick and so was Lazarus the brother of Martha and Mary whom Jesus loved John 11.1 3 11. And so was Epaphroditus Phil. 2.27 30. And Lazarus that begged at the rich mans door was poor and God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith Jam. 2.5 And both Christ himself and his Saints Paul and Peter and many of his Worthies were tempted And we account them happy that endure temptation and so they are For when they are tryed they shall receive a crown of life which God hath promised to tâ—em that love him James 1.12 5.11 Heb. 2.18 11.37 And many Confessors of his Name and Truth have dyed in Prison or been put to shameful deaths for his Names sake as in Heb. 11.35 36 37. besides many other places of Scripture may be seen Let no man therefore think himself unhappy or not approved of God and of Christ in his believing because of such thiÌ„gs as Sathan is busie to tempt some to think 1 Pet. 5.8 they being not the things which God sent his Son to keep those that receive and believe on him from Neither let any man promise himself that in his believing on Christ he shall be saved from such things befalling him otherwise then he sees good to save him there-from lest missing of his hope and expectation therein he should be offended John 16.1 2 3. Think not saith our Lord that I am come to send peace on earth but a sword c. Nor is it said That whosoever believeth on him should have a rich and prosperous life in this world free from crosses and exercises for that is included in the peace which Christ would not have us think that he came to send upon earth Peace in the Hebrew and Scripture Language signifying prosperity No nor a long life upon earth or great promotions and honours with men Much less is it said that they should live here for ever No we see Death is common to all Abraham is dead and the Prophets be dead and so be the Apostles and all others must
he would be yet but Flesh weak sinful and corrupt and that is indeed the reason why its necessary that we be born again or from above of Water that may wash and cleanse away our filth and of Spirit that may infuse a spiritual life force or power into us namely because what is born of the Flesh is Flesh Whether we understand it of the first birth which is of the Flesh or of any change or alteration that we can work in and upon our selves by any wisdom will or strength of the Flesh in any observations of outward Ordinances of the law or much more in devised traditions or precepts of men all that is so begotten and born is but Flesh corrupt weak and sinful But that which is born of the Spirit the new man the renewed mind judgment and heart that is Spirit that is clean holy lasting c. Now whereas Nicodemus marvailed at this as being a Doctrine he had not been before instructed into our Lord therefore adds Marvail not that I said unto thee ye must be born again or from above The wind bloweth where it listeth or the Spirit breatheth where he pleaseth and thou hearest the sound of it but thou knowest not whence it cometh nor whither it So is every one that is born of the Spirit There are hidden and strange secrets in the works of God that fall under our senses which pass our skill how much more are there wonderful things in the spiritual effects and products of the grace and spirit of God which the natural man cannot comprehend As in Eccles 11.5 As thou knowest not the way of the Spirit or of the Wind nor how the bones do grow in the Womb of her that is with child so thou knowest not the works of God who is the maker of all things But in this every one that is begot or born of the Spirit and thereby is made spiritual is like to the Wind that the Natural man may hear his speech perceive a sound find a force and power in his confessing and breathing forth the truth but whence that virtue was received or whence he was born and brought to it and whether he and it tends What is his Original and End the natural man perceives not as is said 1 Cor. 2.14 Nicodemus still being lost in his understanding and not able to conceive those mysteries marvailes at them and replies How can these things be or be done To whom our Saviour answers by way of reproof to his dulness and ignorance Art thou a Master or a Teacher of Israel and knowest not these things as signifying that those that are teachers of others and chiefly in and of Israel the Church of God should be well taught and of good understanding in the mysteries of God themselves and especially of those things that pertain so to Gods Kingdom as to be necessary to their admission thereunto and enjoyment thereof and that for such to be ignorant of and unacquainted with such things is a matter of great shame and blame to them and thence he takes occasion to shew the difference between such masters in Israel and himself and his servants the Teachers sent of God Verily verily I say unto thee what we know we speak and testifie what we have seen and no man receiveth our testimony Wherein our Saviour also further intimates and inculcates upon Nicodemus the weightiness and certainty of the Doctrine he taught him about this Regeneration that he might not doubt of it though generally over-looked and not received by men men are apt to please themselves in other matters far short of this spending their time and strength in disputing debating pressing and entertaining discourses about more light and impertinent things about the out-side and form of Religion The Tithing mint cummin and annise neglecting the weighty things concerning Judgment Faith and the Love of God As our Saviour elsewhere faults the Pharisees Luk. 11.42 Mat. 23.23 Busying themselves in cutting and lopping off some superfluous branches of sin while they let the root the heart-blindness ignorance and unbelief of God and his Grace and the rejections of that alone and so under pretences and formes of religion and godliness about which they wrangle they let go or deny the Power life and heart of it Paint and gild over rotten Posts and Pictures and Images of Men destitute of the true Life and Power of God in them The Pharisees could contest about Purifications outward Washings Sacrificings observations of Sabbaths and other times and places of Worship and such like Ceremonies and great zeal they had to bring men to be of their mind and way in such things pretending to and perswading them that that way they should be fit for Gods Kingdom But our Saviour who knew all things perfectly is for the bottom and ground-work of all right and acceptable Religion He knew and taught and spake what he knew that it was in vain to endeavour to make the fruit good while the Tree that should produce it abides naught and corrupt He bids therefore first make the Tree good and then the fruit good because a good Tree cannot bring forth bad fruit nor a corrupt Tree good fruit Instead then of doting about questions and strifes of words and outside Ceremonies and shews or works of Righteousness of our own after the Law which can never make us good or fit us for the Kingdom of God he would have us look to the main to be made new Creatures That is so to know and mind the grace of God in Christ which he after unfolds in the verses I have pitched upon and some that follow them that our hearts may there-through be renewed to love and trust in him and worship God in and by him in Spirit and Truth otherwise let their birth be what it will their Circumcision never so exactly according to the Letter of the Law their Baptisms Washings and Purifications never so many or diligently made their Sacrifices never so costly their Fasts never so frequent their Prayers never so long or fervent their outward walkings among men never so blameless and circumspect yet without a new Heart and Spirit made so by the grace of God discerned and imbraced and his Spirit there-through in his operations and efficacies complied with all would avail nothing to the injoyment of Gods Kingdom And this is very needful to be minded by us and the truth and certainty hereof inculcated and Christ and his holy Servants to be listned to in it as Teachers that knew and were certain of what they taught and not the blind followed that grope at things as in the dark and who while they would be teachers of the Law know not what they say nor whereof they affirm Who as the Prophet Isaiah saith Lay out money for that which is not bread and their labour and strength for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 Doteing about questions and strifes of words of which come contentions and perverse disputes
him Gen. 22.12 How may not we then much more perceive the love of God to us in not withholding but sending down his onely begotten Son from Heaven and making him the Son of Man that he might save us This is Love indeed passing all parallel yea all knowledge Surely we need not as the Pharisees seek after another or greater sign from Heaven that God desires not our ruine but our salvation and happiness but may well rest in this unspeakable gift of God as a sufficient demonstration thereof to us accepting it with all reverence love and thankfulness This is a faithful saying and worthy all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 To save us from the curse of the Law from the wrath of God from the state of death and destruction from the power malice and rage of the Devil and in a word from all that might harm us And had that been all it had been very much but it was not all he sent him also to bring us back to him and so to eternal life glory and happiness 1 Pet. 3.18 John 3.16 Surely this may engage us also Secondly To think well of God to land and bless him perpetually as our great Benefactor our merciful Father our mighty yea almighty Helper as one that so desired our good so loved the world as to send us such a one to save us He may well expect from us and we give to him upon this account all possible love thanks dutifulness and ready obedience He is worthy to be honoured by us that had such a respect for us Well may we cry out with admiration Lord what is man that thou shouldst so magnifie him and that thou shouldst so set thine heart upon him as to send thine own and onely Son not by Adoption and Regeneration a Son onely but by eternal and divine Generation thine onely begotten Son to be the Son of Man and so in Relation and of Kindred to him to help and save him when none else could help him This was the Lords own doing and greatly worthy our admiration Psal 118.22 3. And well may we accept of and confide in such a one as this Son of Man Gods onely Son as a person fit and meet and All-sufficient to save us and to bring us to Heaven and Happiness Good encouragement may this consideration give us as well as it shews us a necessity there being Salvation and Life in none other for us to hearken to him and give up our selves wich full assurance of faith and expectation of good success to his direction and dispose We need not fear but God will be with him to help him in and carry him on with success in all his undertakings for us seeing God is in him and he is God When God sends any on any gracious message he uses to accompany them and give them good success So he was with Moses and Aaron when he sent them to Pharaoh and gave them a command to bring Israel out of Egypt and they effected it in his name notwithstanding the many threatning difficulties and discouragements they encountred with though they were but Gods servants neither of them his proper Son Indeed they led not the people into Canaan because they failed in their faith in and obedience to him not sanctifying him before them at the waters of strife He sent Joshua therefore to lead them in thither expelling and driving out the Gentiles to divide the Land to Israel for their Inheritance And God was with him therein and did not fail him nor forsake him or them that followed him and obeyed his commands but made them successfull by his assisting presence He was with Gideon also when he sent him against their enemies so as with a small handful by unlikely means he vanquished an innumerable number of enemies And what should I mention David Cyrus and divers others Now if God strengthned his servants always in their obedience to him in what he sent them to do how shall we question or doubt the Sufficiency and prevailing powerfulness of his onely Son with whom and in whom he was reconciling the world to himself and is still after a more wonderful way of presence and union of Being then with any of them Surely we may have high expectations of Life and Salvation by him He being sent of God to such purposes to and for us He being neither liable to sin as Moses Aaron and many others did nor hath death any place upon him much less dominion as it had over all them so as that he should fail there-through in his undertakings till he hath perfected what concerns us Indeed his undertakings or the things God sent him to do are and were of a far higher nature and heavier then ever he sent any others about As to take away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Destroy the power of Satan Abolish death through his own death And to save our souls But by how much his work was and is greater by so much is his person more excellent and glorious And why then should we not thankfully entertain and embrace him depend on and trust to him yielding up our selves to his guidance with greatest confidence and fullest assurance both of his sufficiency and faithfulness For in that he is Gods Son his onely Son he hath his power and virtue strength and all-sufficiency rendring him able to save us And in that he is his onely begotten he hath in him his perfect likeness and similitude and therefore God being Love or Charity full of goodness and faithfulness to us he is so also being the express character of his person the brightness of his Glory And being our Kinsman and our Brother and become so on purpose for our good what may we not expect of compassion and faithfulnes from him upon that account also Object But if the Son of God was in his love sent to be our Saviour and he so able and willing to do the work he was sent about how is it then that all are not in the issue saved from perishing nor have eternal life But so many and great multitudes as the Scriptures imply perish If he will save us who can hinder him therein seeing he being Gods onely Son and coming in his Name and Power is Almighty to do what he pleases for and to us Answ He was not sent or came to save us so as to bring us to eternal life absolutely by his omnipotent power otherwise then in a way of willing obedience to him performed by us being endued by him with capacities for such obedience He is able to save us to the utmost and he is willing but he expects that we should come and seek to him in the grace wherewith he prevents us that we may be saved by him and live with him and through him as is agreeable to what we observed in the next place viz. CHAP. XII The Fourth Observation considered and therein the necessity
Pharaohs Court as the Son of Pharaohs daughter yet through faith believing on the Son of Man he was not snared so as to perish from the way thereby but refusing to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproches of Christ greater riches then all the treasures of Egypt for he had respect to the recompence of reward Heb. 11.24 25 26. 5. In case of Gods giving honour power and authority to men they are in a danger to and often do perish from the way either neglecting and sleighting and so missing it or if they were somewhat in it before they wander out of it not believing in the Son of Man to steer them evenly and uprightly in it as is to be seen in many Kings and Princes that are or have been corrupted by power and greatness Instances we have in Saul and Vzziah Solomon and other Kings of Judah and Israel but now if any such believe on the Son of Man and in God through him he will preserve them from perishing from the way as may be seen in David Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah and Josiah though they all had their stumbles and falls in the way and this is that that is implyed in the second Psalme when he saith Be wise now therefore O ye Kings understand or be instructed ye that Judge the Earth Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce before him with trembling Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish out â—f the way if his wrath be kindled but a little Kiss that is imbrace honour submit to believe on the Son even him that is set upon Gods holy hill of Sion to whom God said Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Gods Son this Son of Man the Lord Jesus But then in adding Blessed are all they that trust in him He implies that they who do so in an exercise of faith in or believing on him they shall be happy in this that they shall be preserved from such perishing out of the way as befalls others that do not kiss or believe on him I may also add 6. In case of Gods honouring and lifting up men with great spiritual gifts and favours as knowledg utterance experience and such like priviledges The heart not exercising faith in the Son of Man and living upon him as nothing in and of itself notwithstanding them and as needing always to be found in him upheld and supplied by and presented in him is in danger to perish out of the way As is implied in that counsel and warning of the Apostles to the Gentiles Rom. 11.20 21. Thou standest by faith be not high-minded but fear for if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not thee And as was exemplified in Jerusalem Ezek. 16.16 17 18. That trusting in her own beauty and excellency received from Christ her husband and not living upon and trusting only to and in him plai'd the harlot and perished from the way as is to be seen in the following verses there and in Jer. 2.5 6 7 31. Whereas the living by the faith of the Son of God and exercising it by believing on him preserves and saves there-from as the Apostle Paul and all that in all ages lived by faith in their injoyments of Gods gifts favours and priviledges were Gal. 2.20 Heb. 10.38 7. In case of difficulties and seeming hardness in the words or works of God or Christ so as we cannot find them out or comprehend them by our understanding from want of believing on the Son of Man many perish from the way of truth and righteousness So we find that Israel fell in temptations and provocations not knowing Gods way erring in their hearts through unbelief of his words not mixed with faith in them Psal 95.10 Heb. 3.15 16 18. with 4.2 When Caleb and Joshua that believed followed God with a full heart and were not offended at any of his ways Asaph had like that way to have slipt but that going into the Sanctuary of God through believing what he there met with he was recovered Psal 73. Jeremiah also though he would reason with God of his judgments yet holding fast faith and believing that God was righteous in all his ways was not in danger of miscarrying Jer. 12.1 Yea in a word Great peace have they that love Gods Law and nothing shall offend them either in Gods words or works for they believe that his word is right and all his works are done in truth Psal 119.165 with 33.4 That God is a Rock his work perfect and all his ways judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32.4 But a most eminent instance of this we have in Christs Disciples Joh. 6. where at a hard saying of his about eating his Flesh and drinking his Blood many of his Disciples were so offended that they perished from the way turning back from and no more walking with Christ and that because they believed not hung not upon him as the Christ tho Son of God trusted not to his leading beyond what they could see and comprehend with their own understandings as one they were perswaded of that he would not deceive or mislead them Whereas Peter the other Apostles being asked If that offended them also and if they would go away too replied Whither shall we go Thou hast the words of eternal Life and we know and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God and would not depart from him Joh. 6.60 61 64 67 68 69. Abraham also believing according to what was said and giving glory to God staggered not through unbelief either at the strangness or greatness of what was promised or at the unlikeliness of its being performed and so turned not out of the way however he may be said to have tripped in it by listening to Sarahs advice Gen. 16. Rom. 4.16 17 18. Whereas Israel in the Wilderness as is noted afore not believing for the words sake nor for Gods sake upon the account of his power and faithfulness but judging by sight and appearance and accordingly believing or distrusting turned aside and perished from the way many of them And to say no more in case of temptations generally men not believing on Christ the Son of Man and so on God are in danger to perish out of the way being overcome of their lusts and of Sathan And so all the diverse ways of the people of Israel falling into sin and perishing from the way as by lusting after evil things by Idolatry by murmuring against Christ by tempting Christ and by fornication mentioned 1 Cor. 10. are resolved generally into their unbelief as the grand root and cause of them Heb. 3.19 Jude 5. When as they who hold fast faith in Christ and depend on him continually are thereby preserved from every evil way As it is
may eat of what they labour in and then 3. As for safety they serve a Master so Great as is sufficiently able and so Good that he will not fail to uphold them and save them in all difficulties and against all dangers in their faithful serving him And surely both as betrusted with God's name and honour and as betrusted with and employed about Mens highest concernments it behoves them to be 1. Faithful both to him and them to do the will of God and Christ and speak his words he gives them faithfully so as not to conceal the words of the Holy One Job 6.10 Psal 40.10 but to make known the whole counsel of God and Christ to them as Christ did to his Disciples Joh. 15.14 15. And the Apostle Paul to the Churches who shunned not to declare to them the whole counsel of God Act. 20.26 27. Yea and to declare it as God orders them to do it with such plainness putting away the hidden things of dishonesty or guile flattery and wisdom of words that may obscure and darken the truth and tender the cross of Christ ineffectual Not casting a Veil over their Faces as Moses did hiding from men the messages which they carry that they may not see to the end and tendency of them though what Moses did was done in faithfulness but using all openness and freeness of speech sincerity and soundness of doctrine without adding ought thereto or diminishing ought there-from or changing or altering any thing therein but as of sincerity and as of God commending themselves to every mans conscience and approving themselves as in the sight of God and Christ who imploy them 1 Cor. â— 17 18. 2.1 4 5. 2 Cor. 2.17 and 3.12 13. and 4.1 2. Not seeking or pleasing themselves but seeking to please God and profit men yea and please them too for their good that they might be saved 1 Cor. 9.19 22. and 10.33 Rom. 15.2 3. Not seeking Riches or Honours to themselves nor for any Pleasures of the Flesh or Injoyments of the World nor for Ease Liberty or any thing turning aside from either their attendance to God or faithful discharge of their trust towards him or towards men nor dealing unfaithfully with the Word of God as Persons partial in his Law but leaving themselves to God to provide maintenance and give honour to them as he pleases and contenting themselves with what he by his providence orders them to do the work and service to which he calls them not making merchandize of Gods Word and of the Souls of men for gain honour or livelihood and so deny the Lord who bought them but seeking only the honour that comes of God and the glory of God and good of men in all things depending on God and Christ contentedly to honour and reward them who also will do it abundantly as shall be good for them here but most fully hereafter when the great Shepherd shall appear from heaven 1 Pet. 5.4 2. Greatly diligent and industrious not giving up themselves to sloth and idleness or to follow the lusts and appetites or intangle themselves with the affairs of this World but that they may please him that imploys them seeking diligently by prayer and supplications to God for themselves and all Saints and more especially for those that they are more especially betrusted with and giving attendance to reading meditation c. that they may in their converse with God know and perceive his mind and receive the word from his mouth and be strengthned to declare it faithfully and boldly unto men not fearing their faces or being flattered from it by them and to be useful to and have cause of joy in them in their service toward whom also they are to use great diligence and therefore they are compared to and stiled by the name of Labourers to signify that they must not be idle and loyter and give themselves to ease carelesness and effeminacy they are to digg and plow sowe and plant and water and do all the work of the Lords husbandry which the people are and of his building Vineyard and Garden which his Church is Yea as Shepherds they must watch their Flocks and that by Night and by Day least any ravenous Beast devour them or disease infest or any Thief steal them or any harm from one another come to them Yea and so much the more as the souls of men are more precious then their bodies about which the earthly husbandry building and other acts and manufactures are employed the loss of the soul is of wonderful great concernment and God will require it of whomsoever the loss of it proceedeth if he would require the blood of men at the hands of men as is said Gen. 9.7 Surely much more will he require the Souls of men at the hands of men with whom they are betrusted if lost by their negligence seeing he hath valued them so highly as that he hath not spared his own Son nor Christ his own Life and Soul but hath poured it out to death to save them And shall thy Brother for whom Christ dyed perish through thy meat For thy sloth thy ease thy will or pleasure Surely if this were considered it would make men careful how they undertake the Ministry and having undertaken it how they discharge it it would make them watch and labour with diligence least any should miscarry through want thereof or through want of skill the product of sloth and idleness or some such miscarriage and so the blood of their Souls should be required at their hands as God threatned the Prophet Ezekiel Chap. 3.17 18 19 20 c. 3. Great humility and lowliness of mind bewaring of pride least being puffed up they fall into the condemnation of the Devil Indeed while they look upon the heighth and honourableness of their Employment their Liberty to and Intelligence with Heaven the secrets they see into above others and the excellent discoveries they have and make of the great and high things of the Gospel and the like they may have Temptations to be proud and lifted up and many there are that are apt to miscarry that way but it is a dangerous deceit a Rock earnestly to be shunned and indeed none have cause to be less proud Considering 1. The exceeding heighth and weightiness of their place and work and their exceeding imbecility of themselves as of themselves for the discharge thereof This made Paul cry out Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 Especially considering too the great woe will befall them as guilty of betraying Cods Name and Honour and his great Design the work and business of highest consequence and as guilty of the lose of Souls that are most precious in Gods sight if through their miscarriage they be lost and perish Oh therefore with what care and humbleness of mind should they walk Indeed their honour is great and their reward will be great if faithful and successful but the difficulty
Perfections And so 1. We may find him as the Son of man the First-born or most Choice and Excellent of every Creature and to be before all things As he in whom the choicest Virtues of all the choice Creatures are transcendently met And well they may seeing by him all things were made and by him received their several Beings Forms Properties and Virtues We may take a brief view of some of the prime of them as they are used in Scripture Speech to be as his Shadows or Representations of something of his Excellencies Who is the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3.14 The Wisdom in and by which all things were made Psal 104.24 Prov. 3.19 20. and 8.22 30. And here let us view 1. The Creatures made before man Of which 1. The Light was the first we read of distinctly mentioned And Truly the Light is sweet and of great good in the Creation comfortable and very useful discovering all things else and rendring them visible and affording Direction and something of Capacity for our Working Walking and comfortable Fruition of other Creatures And he is the Light of the World the true Light lightning every man coming into the World the Light of Life giving a right and true discovery of all things and affording Direction to us and Capacity for our right demeanour of our selves toward them and comfortable Injoyment of the Benefits in or by them inlightning the mind and inlivening the inward man John 1.9 and 8.12 2. The Earth with its Furniture and Garnishments is used also to represent some of his Excellencies For he is both as the Fruitful Soil that brings forth and gives Fruitfulness to the Vegetables there-on For in him the Trees of Righteousness are Planted and do Grow he being in the most choice sense the House of the Lord Psal 92.12 John 2.21 Col. 2.9 The fruitful Hill or Horn of Oyl Isa 5.2 Yea his Garden and Vineyard with all their pleasant Flowers Spices and Fruits have their Rooting in him Col. 2.6 7. And Grow in the Grace and knowledg of him 2 Pet. 3.18 Cant. 4.11 12.16 and 2.2 13. He the Word falling into the Earth the Humanity and Dying in the Manhood brings forth much Fruit that grows from and in him John 12.24 Yea he is both the Root and Off-spring of David too Rev. 22.16 Though Growing as a tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry Ground Isa 53.2 The Branch out of the Root of Jesse Isa 11.1 10. with Rom. 15.12 The pleasant Plant the Man whose Name is the Branch Zech. 3.8 and 6.12 The Branch of the Lord Beautiful and Glorious and the Fruit of the Earth Excellent and Comely No such Branch or Root or Fruit as he Isa 4.2 The True Vine John 15.1.4 Whose Grape and Juice chears both the Heart of God and man Judg. 9.13 The Apple-Tree amongst the Trees of the Forest whose Shadow is fragrant and delightful to sit under and whose Fruit is pleasant to the taste Cant. 2.4 5. Yea the goodly Cedar of Lebanon so strong and durable and the Palm-Tree so Tall and Streight growing up though under Weights and Pressures are Emblems of him and his Kingdom he being the Head of the Righteous the First and Prime of them Psal 92.11 The Green Olive-Tree also in the House of God is he ra-rather then any other trusting as man in the Mercy and Bounty of God and so Living by the Father that sent him John 6.57 For ever Psal 52.9 He is the choice Flower in Gods Garden and his Cheeks are said to be sweet Flowers Cant. 5.13 Again In the solid parts of and in the Bowels of the Earth he is represented by what is therein Excellent Whether it be what is hard and durable only or what is also precious the Stone for strength He is the Stone and Rock of Israel Gen. 49.24 2 Sam. 23.3 The Rock of Ages The Foundation of Gods Building that cannot be moved the sure Foundation the precious Corner Stone with whom what is united and upon whom whoso trusteth shall not be ashamed 1 Pet. 2.4 6. Isa 28.16 Yea if their be any Pearls in the bottome of the Sea Gems Jewels or precious Stones or Mettals in the Bowels of the Earth he is far more Rich and Precious then they He being and affording that which in the Spirit is called The Gold of Ophire and the Stones of the Brooks the Almighty that is the Defence or Gold of those that acquaint themselves with him and receive the Law from his Mouth As in him also we may find plenty of Silver or Silver of Strength His Word being as Silver seven times purified in the fire Job 22.22.24 Psal 12.6 Yea The words of his Mouth are better to the Soul then Gold then much fine Gold yea Then thousands of Gold and Silver Psal 9.10 and 119.71 He is the Pearl of Price which the wise Merchant sells all to purchase counting as Loss and Dung the most goodly and glistering Pearls besides that he may win him Mat. 13.44 45. Phil. 2.7 8 9. Yea He and the knowledg of him is that Wisdom that is better then Pearls and Rubies not to be valued with the Onyx Stone or Topaz of Ethiopia or what ever other Gems and Jewels All things that can be desired not being comparable therewith Job 28. Prov. 3.14 15. 3. If we View the Waters He is the Ocean of Goodness and of plenteous Redemption Into whose Depths he will cast all his Peoples sins Mich. 7.18 19. The Spring and Fountain of Living Waters Jer. 2.13 The place of broad Rivers and Streams much more safe then the Seas for therein goes no Gally with Oars nor gallant Ships Isa 33.21 And the Waters which he gives far transcend all others in Virtue and Goodness both for Cleansing for they cleanse the fowlest Spots make clean such as the house of David and Inhabitants of Jerusalem Persons guilty of bloody sins like Scarlet or Crimson Zech. 13.1 Isa 1.10 18 21 22. And for Fructifying for they cause the Trees of Righteousness always to be green and to bear forth precious and prosperous Fruits Psal 1.2 3. Ezek. 47.7 12. And for Quenching the Thirst for they cause the Drinkers of them to Thirst no more John 4.14 Rev. 7.16 17. Yea they also produce a multitude of Fish Souls trusting to and Swiming in the Goodness of God as manifested in him Yea and they give Life and Healing to all they come to Ezek. 47.7 8. And what are not healed by them are like Marshes and Miry places the Sinks of sin And these Waters are Christ and the knowledg of and abundance of Grace in him John 6.35 and 7.37 38 39. 4. View we the Air and there we shall find the Clouds useful for shading from the heat and the Rain and Dew thence refreshing the Earth and producing Fruits therein And is not Christ a Cloud of Protection and Shadow to his Servants Isa 4.4 And he shall come down like Rain on
the mown Grass those that are taken down and cut off from their Carnal confidences and Fleshly rejoycings in themselves and as the showres that water the Earth So as in his days the Righteous shall flourish Psal 72.6 7. Yea and his Doctrine is as the Rain the small Rain and as the Dew to the tender herb or heart because his Name is therein Proclaimed Deut. 32.1 2. And his Spirit poured out is like Water upon the thirsty and his blessing like floods of water upon the dry Land Isa 44.3 4. so as he causes to grow as among the grass and as the Willows by the water courses And He will be as the Dew to Israel a sweet refreshing so as he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Lebanon his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive-tree and his smell as Lebanon Hos 14.5 6. Yea and he makes them that are in him and partake of him to be as the dew too from the Lord and as the showres upon the grass as he is held forth in and by them that tarryeth not for man to help forward by his Art and industry nor waiteth for the Sons of men Mic. 5.7 In the Air also is the cool refreshing breath the winds that sometimes bring clouds and rain and sometimes drive them away sometimes carries on mens endeavours and sometime breaks down what resists And his Spirit is as the wind which bloweth and breatheth where it listeth and brings forth the Clouds that have rain in them his gifted Servants Joh. 3.8 Isa 5.6 and showres of heavenly doctrin and blessing And it is sometime like a mighty rushing wind too strong for all that make resistance there-against Act. 2.2 and 6.10 And he drives away from or brings storms upon men as he sees fitting Rev. 7.1 2. Yea Christ by his Spirit sometimes fills the Soul with a fresh Gale and carries it on with a full Sail of assurance of faith and hope while they as Vessels swim upon the Ocean and Streams of his Goodness and commit themselves to his care and assistance Coll. 2.2 Heb. 6.11 and 10.22 Yea and in the Air there be Thundrings and Lightnings too representing his Voice and the discoveries of Himself and his wrath while He thunders from heaven upon his enemies 1 Sam. 2.10 and answers his people by terrible things in righteousness in the secret place of thunder Psal 65.5 and 81.7 Yea and He makes his Servants and Disciples too sometimes Boanerges Sons of Thunder Mark 3.17 And his Lightnings his suddain forcible discoveries of himself his truth and judgments inlighten the earth Psal 97.4 5. The Fire also represents him who was as devouring Fire in the sight of the Children of Israel Exod. 24.13 and who sits as the Refiners fire to purify the Sons of Levi that they may offer a pure offering Mal. 8.3 And surely He is that light of Israel that is for a Fire and his Holy one that is for a flame to burn and devour his thorns and briars the wicked amongst and against them with all wicked works 2 Sam. 23.6 7. Ezek. 2.6 and 28.24 Mal. 4.1 Heb. 6.8 Isa 10.17 Yea his Law is a fiery law Deut. 33.2 And his word as fire to give light warmth and helpfulness for purifying melting and burning up what is meet for such operations Jer. 23.29 and his spirit a Spirit of burning Isa 4.4 where-with also as also with fiery tryals and afflictions he baptizeth Matth. 3.11 6. View we the Heavens there the bright and the morning star very comfortable to them that watch for the Morning and the Sun pleasant for the eye to behold are to be seen and He is the bright and the morning star Rev. 22.16 The Day spring East or Morning that hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the ways of peace Luc. 1.77.78 A great light Matth. 4.16 Yea He is the glorious Sun of righteousness that shall arise to those that fear him with healing under his wings and as the Sun in the Firmament hath rejoyced and doth to run his course Mal. 4.2 Psal 19.6 Yea He is far above the Sun in excellency for the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield too and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 7. View we the Animals and living Creatures what excellencies or usefulness is in them that be not far more excellently in him the meekness of the Lamb its cleanness for Sacrifice to God goodness sweetness wholsomness for food and profitableness for clothing to men its patience in suffering c. are far more excellently in him the Lamb of God the spotless Lamb and without blemish that takes away the sin of the World Joh. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.19 Joh. 6.51.53 55. a Lamb against the ravenous Beasts who though hated and hunted by them bears all with patience and meekness dumb before the Shearers and when led to the slaughter opened not his mouth Isa 53.7 and at the last overcomes them Rev. 17.14 The strength and courage of the Lion and the comeliness of his going that turneth not away from any being found in him too who is therefore stiled the Lion of the Tribe of Judah that hath prevailed Prov. 30.30 Rev. 5.5 Yea he overcomes the old Lion and Dragon and all the Beasts of prey which rise up against him The stately Unicorn and his erected Horn is but an emblem of Him and his Kingdom having the strength of the Unicorn Numb 23.22 and 24.8 and his glory and strength called his Horn shall be exalted like the Unicornes horn Psal 92.10 The Roe and the young Hart leaping on the mountains is he in the liveliness of his love Cant. 2.9 17. and 8.14 The Hen or any other Bird most loving to her Chickens or young ones are short of him too in his desire to gather Souls under him for his defence and in keeping warm and safe those that trust under the shadow of his wings Matth. 23.37 Psal 91.3 II. View we Man Gods prime workmanship at the first Gen. 1.26 and Christs delight Prov. 8.31 and we shall find no excellency given Man wherein Christ excells not View we 1. His Body with its Members they are made use of to express or rather figure his excellencies who also was made Man and took an humane body now made glorious under the names of Mans bodily members he hath discovered his perfections but so as far surpasses all that 's in other mens bodies for his Head is as the most fine gold to signify the preciousness of his Deity and Authority his Rule and Government and how exceeding rich and precious his thoughts and inventions 1 Cor. 11.3 Psal 139.17 18. His locks bushie and black as a Raven his thoughts exceeding many to us and deep and so are the acts and exercises of his Authority and Government
And surely he in his Divine Nature or Spirit bare up the Sacrifice of his own Body and the fire of his Divine Love kindled it and made it an whole Burnt-offering unto the Lord and on him as our Altar are all our Sacrifices to be offered too Heb. 13.10.15 For as the Divine Nature in him sanctified the humane as the Altar the Sacrifice Mat. 23.19 So it 's he that is our Sanctifier 1 Cor. 1.30 And by the Faith of him are we sanctified to him Acts 26.18 Though as there the Altar could not sanctifie any unclean thing forbidden by the Law nor might it come thereon So here we may not think to offer up any sin or what is in it self sinful by retaining the corruption in it to be sanctified by Christ but that that is made clean in him and through his Word commanding or allowing it and his Spirit springing it up and then the Pollutions thereto cleaving he takes away as he himself was the spotless Lamb and Sacrifice to which was no Pollution adhering 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 8. There was a Laver appointed that the Priests might wash their hands and feet and so go to the Altar and offer the Sacrifice Exod. 30.18 and 40.7 With respect to which David said I will wash my hands in Innocency and so will I compass thine Altar O Lord Psal 26.6 And this we have in Christ who washeth his Church with the Water in the Word as the Greek reads * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 5.26 Which Water what is it but that Free-grace Love and Knowledg of God therein declared 9. Yea all the things in the Tabernacle we have in him as for brevity to say in few words The Table of Shew bread whereon were the Twelve Loaves according to the number of the Children of Israel might signifie him the Bread of God for all the Israel of God John 6.35.48 And making us as Bread to God such as his Love feeds on to the rejoycing of his heart in our welfare as presented in him for by eating of him who is that Bread we also become one Bread and one Body saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.17 The Candle stick and its Lamps giving Light in the Tabernacle or House of God represented that Light which we have and are made to be in him Ephes 5.8 For though the Churches are compared to and represented by the Candlesticks yet they both are so as they are in him for in him it is that any are made a People and Church to God and he and the knowledg of him are the great and true Light shining in and through them John 8.12 The Altar of Gold by the Vail and the Incense burnt thereon to perfume the Services of the Tabernacle we have in him and his Mediation and Intercession in which with the Virtues of his Obedience and Sacrifice he perfumes all our Services done in the Spirit And he himself was an Offering of a sweet smelling Savour to God for us Rev. 8.2 Ephes 5.2 Yea and in him we have 10. What was in the Sanctuary or Holy of holies yea and the Vail between both which is said to be his flesh Heb. 10.20 the Ark of Gods strength wherewith he shewed forth his presence and the strength of it as in drying up Jordan throwing down the Walls of Jericho c. and in which was the Covenant of God was a Type of him the Strength and Arm of God by whom he hath shewed forth strength in overthrowing the strength of Satan and what stood against our happiness and in whom are all the Promises and Covenant of God Yea and Amen 1 Cor. 1.22.24 2 Cor. 1.20 And in a secondary sense through him the Gospel of Christ the power of God to Salvation And the Pot of Manna and Rod of Aaron we have in him for whereof were they Types but of the hidden Comforts in him and of his Rod and Sceptre flourishing and bringing forth much Fruit even his Power and Prevalency as High-priest with God in his Mediation and Blessing men in his Name He also is the Propitiatory or covering Mercy-seat for our sins through Faith in his Blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle himself tells us Rom. 3.25 And the Cherubims of Glory over that was but a shadow of that shadow of his Protection which he affords them who dwell in his secret place who trust in the Ark and Mercy-seat his Mercy and Truth and are directed and guided by that heavenly Voice that proceeds from him that sitteth on those Cherubims of Glory Rides on the Heavens and useth the Ministry of the Angels for the Protection and Safety of his Servants as is at large expressed Psal 91.1 2 3 4 9 11 c. And now we being furnished in him with all this for our approaching to God having him to teach us the way of his Worship and him as the Person by whom we may present our Worship and that furnisheth us with all that may render our Worship orderly and acceptable What wanteth but that we may Worship God acceptably and live Godlily approaching with Boldness and Confidence by him into his Presence with true hearts and full assurance of Faith Except we shall say there are two things wanting yet viz. a God to Worship and a Spirit of Life and Power to put life and breath into us with an heart to worship him but surely in him we have these two also as follows to be seen For CHAP. XXIII That all the Perfections of God both the Father and holy Spirit are in Christ Jesus IN him are all the Perfections of God even God himself both Father and Spirit for In him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily so that in him we are compleat who is the Head of all Principality and Power He is so glorified with Gods own self that he is the Mighty God Isa 9.6 The great God and our Saviour Tit. 2.13 God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 He even he also sits between or upon the Cherubims of Glory and gives forth the Answers and Commands of God and hears the Prayers and accepts the Services and Sacrifices offered up in his House and with respect to this doubtless it was that Ezekiel in his Visions saw Over the Firmament upon the heads of the living Creatures the likeness of a Throne as the appearance of a Saphire stone and upon the likeness of the Throne as the appearance of a man above it Ezek. 1.22 26. Plainly importing that the Nature of man in him is Exalted to the Throne of God and that the supreme Power and Authority above all Creatures is given to him And indeed the Cherubims and Mercy-seat were the Throne of God the Throne of Grace And he tells us himself That he is set down with the Father in his Throne having overcome all his and our Enemies in and through his Sufferings Rev. 3.21 Being herein infinitely higher then the high Priests under the Law of Moses for
shall pluck my feet out of the Net Psal 25.15 And when he had in vain looked for refuge to other things and they failed him then he looked to the Lord for refuge who never fails them that seeks him Psal 142.4 5. and 9.10 For indeed in vain is Salvation either in Grace unto Glory or from Enemies as Sin Satan and their Instruments or Designs looked for from any thing else and therefore it 's good to look to the Lord in whom alone is our Salvation and to wait for him the God of Salvation as in Jer. 3.23 Mich. 7.7 Yea in a word 8. Look to him for all Grace and Blessing the Promises of this Life and of the Life to come For in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen to the Glory of God 2 Cor. 1.20 And he is the God of all Grace all the fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him the Fountain of Living Waters who gives freely and liberally and upbraids no man Look therefore for the Mercy of this our Lord Jesus Christ even for the blessed hope and his glorious appearance unto Eternal life Jude 21. Tit. 2.13 And look we to him for all this Secondly In all means As to say 1. In minding his Word and looking into that perfect Law of Liberty as it is called James 1.26 There he is exercising his Spiritual power and affording his help that being Spirit and Life Rom. 1.16 John 6.63 A Ministration of Spirit that quickens and gives Life Strength and Grace 2 Cor. 3.6.8 Ephes 3.16 Heb. 10.29 And gives Wisdom and makes wise the simple Psal 19.9 and 119 130. Yea as it is written The holy Scriptures are able to make a man wise to Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 And he that hath the Doctrine of Christ in his heart so as to Believe Mind Love and Obey it hath Christ nay both Father and Son 2 John â— There he is Discovered Pourtraied or set forth so as there-through we may see what an One he is and behold his Grace and Glory with open face as in a Glass through the help of his Spirit as is signified Isa 52.15 Gal. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.18 Look upon him there therefore and there wait on and for him And with this 2. In meditating on him as there set forth musing on and pondering his words and on him as declared therein So it 's said Kings shall shut their mouths at him for what they had not been told shall they see and what they had not heard shall they consider Isa 52.15 They shall understand or mind with themselves namely as looking herein and considering them as Preached in the Gospel for unto that the Apostle applies it Rom. 15.21 Spiritual meditation being as it were an inward Contemplation and wister looking into the Law of Liberty and upon him as set forth therein My meditations of thee shall be sweet saith David Psal 104.34 3. In Praying to him and to God in and through him Then we lift up our faces to him Job 22.26 And therein a man may see his Face oft-times with joy lifting up pure hearts and hands to him Job 33.26 In Prayer we both look up to him and upon him fixing the eyes of our mind upon him we lift up our eyes unto and our eyes are upon the Lord our God till he have mercy on us Psal 123.1 2. There we are to take notice of and know his Name in calling upon it Psal 91.14 15. Exercising Faith which is the exercise of the eyes of the mind also to behold as well as of the hand to lay hold of him in him and his Name otherwise it 's not a Prayer of Faith as it should be and as it 's called Jam. 5.15 4. In his Sacraments or Ordinances of Communion together with him In Baptism we may behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1.29 And in the Supper we have to do with his Body and Blood and his Death shewed forth therein it being a Communion of his Body and Blood held forth there to be taken notice of by us and received of us 1 Cor. 10.16 and 11.26 And for and in all these it 's good to look to him 5. In the Unity of the Spirit with his people and in Fellowship with them in his House his Church his Temple those that have his Name upon them and with them Many people shall say Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the House of the Lord to the House of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his Ways c. Isa 2.3 And Oh how good is it for Brethren to dwell together in unity for there the Lord commandeth the Blessing even life for evermore Psal 133.1.4 Thirdly Look we to him and upon him at all times Hear in season and out of season for that 's implied in that the Word is to be Preached in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.2 for there is no Preaching but to some hearers meditate on him as set forth in it night and day Psal 1.2 whether literally understood for so David Seven times a day will I praise thee Psal 119.164 Consider my meditation in the morning will I direct it unto thee and will look Psal 5.1 3. And Mine eyes prevented the night watches that I might meditate in thy Word Psal 119.148 Or Metaphorically for times of Prosperity and Adversity when we are merry beholding his Goodness set forth in his Word or proved in his Works The Word of Christ dwelling in us will lead us to sing Psalms and when sad and heavy then considering in the day of Adversity him that is able to help us Pray Col 3.16 with James 5.13 Eccles 7.14 Yea that we may Bless him at all times and his praise be continually in our mouth it 's needful that the thought of Him and his Name and so the Consideration and Contemplation of him be always habitually in our hearts That out of the abundance of the heart the mouth may speak and we may out of the good treasure there bring forth good things Psal 34.1 2. and 145.1 2. Mat. 12.34 35. 4. With all earnestness and serious diligence even with the whole heart as Psal 119 10. Jer. 29.13 for this is not a matter of sport and divertisement only from some weightier matters but the main and chief thing of all our whole lives Matth. 6.33 The one thing needful or necessary Luc. 10.42 to be looking up to and upon the Lord Jesus therefore the one thing desired by David to dwell in his House that he might behold the fair beauty of the Lord as was noted before Psal 27.4 The things of greatest moment depending hereupon as to say 1. The deliverance of our Souls from the stings and venome of the old Serpent even from sin and death spiritual death and guilt and filth now and everlasting curse and misery hereafter And is this a thing to be trifled