which we have done but according to His Mercy He saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost That being Iustified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the hope of eternal Life Tiâ— 3 4 5 7.5 How proâ—tigate Sinners who have their hearts full of enmity against GOD â—eing enemies in their mind by wicked works Col 1.21 And who hate Christ and his Faâ—her Iohn 7.7 and 15.18.23 24. Are made willing to lay hold on Christ for their LORD and King and to take on his yoke to believe in him and to rest on him By the Gospel is only made known what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his Mighty Power Ephes. 1.19 And how the Sinner is convinced humbled broken and brought off from his vain hope false grounds and unsound imaginations and perswaded to deny himself and his own Righteousness and to flee to Christ that he may be preserved under the shaddow of his Wings from the tempests and storms of GOD's wrath This Mystery of Godlyness manifesteth unto us how that Limbs of Satan are married unto Christ as their husband Ephes 5.23.6 How the sinner being altogether foul and ugly polluted within and without is made meet to be partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Col 1.12 And sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the word That Christ might present it to himself not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be Holy and without blemish Ephes 5.26.27 The Gospel only manifesteth this real Evangelick way of Sanctâ—fication 7. How cometh it to pass that such a wonderfull chang is wrought in the creature who sometimes was foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lustâ— and pleasures living in malice envy hatefull and hateing one another How now they are tame as Lambs seeking peace with all men crucified to the World dead to the pleasures and vanities which formerly they were drowned being now taught to deny ungodlyness and worldly lusts they live soberly righteously and Godly in their present world Tit 2.12 The Gospel only Discovers to us the right ground of this wonderfull change and lets us see that this is the fruit of his Reigning who iâ— thâ— Râ—d out of the stem of Iesse the girdle of whose Ioyâ—â— is righteousness and faithfulness the girdle of his reins That the wolf shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lay down with the kid and the calf and the young Lyon and the faâ—ling together and a litle Child shall lead them c. Isa 11.1 5 6 7.8 How it is that such as were the curse of the Law heirs of hell under the sentence of condemnation are made heirs oâ— Glory have a sure and Covenanted right to Everlasting Salvation have the lively hope and certain expectation thereof are Coheirs with Christ have the same sealed which he as the head of the Body hath The Gospel brings this eternall Mystery of love to Light and maketh the eternal purpose of GOD and his decreâ— of predestination manifest whereby he hath ordained unto liâ—e his Elect through Jesus Christ here is the Mystery of his will made known unto us according to â—is good pleasure which he had purposed in himself Ephes 1.9 The second principal head is of such Mysteries as relate unto Christ And here is a bundle of Mysteries Revealed and made known by the Gospel which shall be matter of wondering â—or the Redeemed through all Eternity Take but some few instances for his Name is Wonderful Isa. 9.6 And he is answerable to his Name For he is wholy a wonder And 1 That he became a man that God is made man made flâ—sh and made manifest in the flesh 1. Tim 3.16 And dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 That the Creator of the ends of the earth is become a Creature how may the Angels stand astonished thereat that GOD taketh on mans Nature Uniting it in a personal union with himself Who can â—each the ground of this Mystery And how should we have attained the knowledge thereof but through the Gospel 2. That he should not only take on him manâ— Nature but also take upon him the form of a servant though he being in the form of GOD thought it no robbery to be equal with Gâ—D yet notwithstanding should make himself of no reputation Phil 2 6.7 That he should take upon him our infirmities and be made like unto us in all things except sin Heb 2.17 That he should become poor as a servant not haveing whereupon to lay his head and being born had no better intertainment than a manger And that all the dayes of his life he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief And meeting with many injures and reproaches from the hands of friends and foes great and smal from Relations and others What a Mystery of love compassion tenderness and Condescendency is here 3. That he should be GOD and man in two distinct Natures and one person for ever so that it was realy he who was GOD that same Person who suffered all that was laid â—pon him to suffer Therefore are we said to be purchased with his own Blood Act. 20.28 This was the true Emmanuel GOD with us Isa 14.7 Mat 1.23 Luk 1.31 And he is GOD and man at this day and for ever 4 That he should come under the Law who was the great Law-giver Gal 4 4. And that he subjected himself unto the commands of the moral Law and to the Instituâ—ion of the Ceremonial Law that he might fullfill all righteousness Matt â— 15 and 5.17 and mighâ— Redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption oâ— Sons Gal 4.5 What a bottomless depths of love is here 5. That this Person should come as the Fathers servant with his orders and Comission Isa 53.11 and 42.1 Zech 3. â— Joh 6.38 and 10.18 and 15.10 and 17.4 and 20.21 And that he took upon him the Offices of a King Priest and Prophet Psal 2.6 Heb 5.5.6.7 and â— 14 15. Act 13. Luke 18. and alone for our behoove that he might be a compleat Saviour 6 ly That He who was all fullness condescended to receive a fullness as Head and Saviour of His Body that we all of his fulness might receive and Grace for Grace Iohn 1.16 Thus was He anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure Iohn 3.34 Psalm 4 5.7 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2.3 It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell Col. 1.19 Yea in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the God â—ead bodily Col. 2.9 And for that end that he might be compleatly furnished for saving of His people What could make known unto us such a compleat ordained Mediator but this Gospel alone 7. That he fully and faithfully performed the word which he undertook exercising punctually the Offices whice he took upon himself and that
Stars Adam if he had â—tood had never appeared with Christ as a glorious Member of Hîs glorified mystical Body Col. 3.4 He haâ— never been partaker of that Glory which Christ bestoweth upon His own which He hath of the Father as the Redeemed now have Ioh. 17.22 He had never been brought to Glory through Christ as the Captain of Salvation made perfect through Suffâ—rings as the Saints are now brought Heb. 2.10 He had never had that relation and interest in Christ as his elder Brother Hâ—ad and Saviour which Believers now have by veâ—tue of the New Covenant He had never sitten with Christ upon His Throne as Christ sitteth upon His Father Throne But this unspeakable Concotenatâ—on of Glory is carried on through the Covenant of Grace The Glory which he should havâ— purchased should have been but a Glory oâ— his own begetting bought with his poor inconsiderable sweating and legal payment but the Glory of the Gospel is a Glory bought witâ— the Life and heart Blood of the Eâ—ernal Son of GOD The other had been but a Glory of Law work and of Law-merit But this is a matchless Glory wholly through and through shining with the Glory of free Grace Here appearâ— incomprehensible Love wonderful free Grace inconceivable Mercy and a wonderful harmony of Mercy and Judgement Adam had not sung that new Song which the Redeemed now sing in Glory So that upon infinite accounts the Glory of the Gospel far surmounteth the Glory of the Covenant of Works That was unsure as the event did manifest This is sure for all the Seed being grounded and firmly bottomed on the Faithfulness established on the Truth ensured through the Righteousness strengthned by the Oaâ—h of GOD and confirmed by the Death of the Testator c. 4. Compare the Gospel with the formeâ— Administration of the Covenant of Grace before Christ's Incarnation and thô that Administration had its own Glory which nevertheless behoâ—ved to be abolished yet here is a Glory far more excellent A Glory after which in former times the Prophets searched â—nd unto whom it was revealed they Propheâ—ed of this Grace that should come unto you 1 Pet. â— 10 12. The first Dispensation was daâ—k â—s also the Mysteries were vailed with Types â—hadows Ceremonies and Offerings Thereâ—ore Moses put a vail over his face that the Chilâ—ren of Israel should not stedfastly look to the end â—f that which is abolished 2. Cor. 3.13 That Administration in respect of the Administraâ—ion of the New Testament is called the Letâ—er that killeth and the ministration of Death written and engraven on Stones the Ministraâ—ion of Condemnation But this is called the Spirit the Spirit that giveth Life and the Ministration of the Spirit the Ministration of Righteousness So that the Glory of the former Ministration was not once to be compared with the Glory of the latter Ministration That was â—ndeed glorious so that the Children of Israol could not stedâ—â—stly behold the Face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance but it was a Glory that was to be done away But this is much more glorious and surpasseth far in Gloâ—y For even that which was made glorious had no Glory in this repect by reason of the Glory that excelleth 2 Cor. 3.6 7 8 9 10. Therefore until that that Evangelical Day began to down and clear up and Faith or the great object of Faith Christ Jesus came unto the World The Heirs were kept under the Law shut up unto the Faith as in a prison and held under the strict Discipline of a Pedagogue or School Master Gal. 3.23 24 25. Under the Law they were Children differing nothing from Servants but were in Bondage under the Elements of the World and they were Tutors and Governours Gal. 4.2 3. They were under weak and beggerly Elements Gal. 4.9 But we shall not insist longer here this being sufficiently held forth by the Apostle Paul throughout hiâ— whole Epistle to the Hebrews Secondly Further that there are Riches in the Glory of the Gospel will appear providing we in the next place take notice of the glorious and super-excellent Nature of the same Many things might be brought in for clearing of this but we shall satisfie our selveâ— with some fâ—w As 1. This rich glorious Nature of the Gospel appears while it is called The Power of God unto Salvation to every oâ—â— that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek Rom. 1.16 That noble and sharp-fighted Apostle of the Gentiles saw such a Richeâ— of Glory therein that how contempâ—ible so ever it appeared to others whether Iew oâ— Gentile yet with him it had a high esteem he was not ashamed of it that is he gloried in it this being a dimunitive menner of Speech wherein more is understood than is exprest For he descerned it to be the glorious and none-such Instrument of GODs Power to break up Satan's hoof Quarters in the World and so to spread out the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Whereupon he says 2 Cor. 10.4.5 The weapons of our warefare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Justly then might he magnify his Office whileas he was imployed to carry these Treasures unto the Gentiles Rom. 11.13.2 Its Riches appeareth herein that the Gospel is the Cabinet wherein lyeth and the Field wherein is to be found the most enriching Glory imaginable It hath folded up in it that really enriching Pearl which when the wise Merchant had found sold all that he had and bought it which you may read in that Parable and which is doubled with very litle alteration Mat. 13.44 45 46. Christ the alone enriching Pearl of great Price is the whole Matter the Heart and Marrow of this Gospel It is wholly imployed about Him therefore cannot but contain Glory and Riches of Glory therefore it is called The Word of Christ Col. 3.16.3 It appears herein because it is the offering aâ—d the holding forth of the most enâ—iching and glorious Marriage that ever was heard tell of a A Marriage between the lofâ—ly high holy glorious and matchless King of Kings and Lord of Lords and despicable Sinners pooâ— beggerly Creatures by Nature Heirs of Hell It is the word of Reconciliation containing Articles and Conditions of Peace between the Holy Righteous and Glorious GOD and sinful self-destroying Sinners which is intrusted to the Apostles and their Successors 2 Cor 5.10 20. therefore called the word of Peace Act. 10.36 37.4 The Riches of Glory appears herein because the Gospel is the outward Call of God which when the LORD makes effectual He accompanyeth with an inward powerful irresistable Calling to the most glorious things imaginable It is hereby that the Lord Jesus bringeth many Sons unto Glory Heb. 2.10 Hereby do the Elect obtain the Salvation that is in Christ Iesus with
our selves be it never so specious or excellent as an honest heart as they phansie outward holiness blamelessness victory over corruptions singular devotion or whatever it be of that nature will be but aâ— the giving up of the Ghost and come far short of helping or relieving the poor Soul 3. Mark True and lively Hope as it is sounded upon Faith so they go hand in hand togeâ—her 1 Pet 1.21 Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gavâ— him Glory that your Hope and Faith might be iâ— God Hope without Paith laying hold upon â— crucified Saviour according to the tenor oâ— the Covenant is but a meer dream Hope cannot stand but upon the pillar of Faith Therefore the Church first embraceth GOD as her Portion then she wins to the solid exercise of Hope Lam 3 24. The Lord is my portion sayeth my soul therefore will I hope in him 4. Maâ—k Where there is a real Hope oâ— Glory there will be a leaning on GOD and committing of our Souls to him for through bearing through all the difficulties Wyndings and turnings in our way Ouâ— hope is coâ—tinually in GOD Psal. 39.7 Others trusteâ— in their Riches they gathered and heaped it uâ— But for David he sayes And now Lord whâ— wait I for My hope is in Thee compared wiâ—â— Psal 71.5 David on this foundation pressâ— to be delivered out of the hands of the wicked because he had alwayes been his hope For he sayeth Thou art my hope O Lord God thou art my trust from my youth Thus casts he all his cares and burdens on the LORD and this was his constant way and continual practise He had no other hope neither acknowledged any other knowing that he was happy that had the GOD of Jacob for his help and whose hope was in the LORD his GOD Psal 146.5 5. Mark Where there is a Reall and Lively Hope of Glory desires after bewitching pleasures will grow cold And now what wait I for saith David Psal 39.7 My hope is in Thee He saw nothing in the World worthy his attendance for his hope he had established it on a sure and sufficient Object he betook himself not to these who said who will shew us any Good Psal 4.6 O! When the heart through hope hath fastened it self on GOD how little values it all the vanity of a perishing world The sight of Glory which they have through hope darkens that lustre and beauty which others see in the perishing things of a world whose eyes being of the same substance with the world are earthly 6. Mark This true Hope is accompanied with a careful endeavour to keep all the Commandments of GOD LORD sayeth David Psal 119.166 I have hoped for thy Salvation and done thy Commandments True hope is an enemy to a careless life and is accompanied with tenderness and earnestness Hope sets the Soul a running Act. 26.7 Vnto which promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving GOD day and night hope to come 7. Mark Hope will sit down down well satisfied on GODS bare Word As Abraham who against hope believed in hope Rom 4.18 And how often sayeth David that he hoped in GODS Word Psal 119.49.114 Psal 130 5. Hope will keep the Soul in Life even when all things seems contradicting the very Promises and to say it is vain to wait any more 8. Mark Hope is a purifying Business 〈◊〉 Job 3.3 It sets the Soul a work to wash iâ—self in the Blood of Christ and makes the Souâ— to labour in the strength of Jesus to get sin kâ—lled the desires of the flesh and mind brought under and the Soul sanctified So that they will wrestle with GOD by Faith in Prayer to be made fit to have an Interest of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light 9. Mark Hope makes the Soul silent anâ— satisfied under great temptations David Psal 38. was under sore trialls the LORD chastned him his an wâ—sâ—stuck fast in him his hand pressed him sore both Soul and Body did bear thâ— marks that GOD was contending with him foâ— sin Yea his heart was oveâ—whelmed withiâ— him and his strengâ—h bâ—â—ailed him And eveâ— when it was thus with him inwardly enemieâ— without were seeking his Life laying snares â—or him and seeking his hurt What was â—t then that quieted and calmed him at this time and made him carry as a man that heareth not and in whose mouth there are no reprooffs but even that which immediately follows For in thee O Lord do I hope Having laid down these Marks wheâ—eby Men may try whither they have an Interest in this lively Hope or not So I would advise such who see ground of fears because without this lively Hope seriously to consider and lay these following things to heart As 1. It is required that the Soul through its dwelling on the thoughts of this so great a Bussiness be more sensible of and affected with the missings of this Grace of Hope Consider what a miserable condition the Soul is in which is without hope in the World and how lamentable their case is who have no other hope then a hope that will perish which will but prove to them as a spiders web and so faill them in their greatest need 2. Be convinced â—erein that through your self you shall never attain unto a lively Hope You must again be be gotten unto this Hope It is wholly and only the Work of GODS Spirit neither nature nor any natural advantages can help you thereto 3. Let the thoughts of your hopeless condition stir you up to self humiliation before the LORD which is the only way to be exalted in due time 4. Foresake all ground of hope iâ— your self So the poor hath hope Job 5.16 For whatever it is in your self you bottom oâ— ground your hope upon it will be sound to be but a â—lippery and â—inful â—oundation And the more you build thereon it shall be the worsâ— 5. Lay hold on Christ as he is offered in the Gospel and cleave to him by Faith For Hope is begotten in the womb of Faith All hope noâ— grounded on Faith and flowing from it is buâ— a meer phansie and chimera 6. Having laid hold on Christ as he is offered in the Gospel and so resting on him for Salvation wait for the breathings influences of the Spirit on the Soul in the careful and earnest undertaking and pursuit of the means that your head may be lifted up thereby in hope For encouradgement thereto observe these following things 1. This lively Hope in the Soul will calm many storms and keep the Soul in aâ— even and stayed posture under sharp and sad dispensations and the multitude of shakingâ— and changings It will deliver the Soul from many disquieting fears and make the Soul sleep sweetly under them all and lift up its head above difficulties so that it shall be freed from perplexities or be secure because there is hope Job 11.18.2 This will encourage to constancy in duty
a new counsellour a new leaâ—er to lead them in all their wayes they walk now in the strength of the LORD being strong in him and in the power of his might Ephes 6.10 They have new principles and new Motives to their work They go now to their Duties upon another ground and for other ends then formerly aâ—d this is not at some times at starts and siâ—s but in a more serious constant and resolute manner For they walk after the Spirit 13 Mark These who have this Spirit of Christ in them they live by Faith â—nd depend upon him for Grace Strength Iâ—fluences and Life that they may sâ—rve him in their naâ—ural ordinary and civil Conversations as well as in their Christian Life That they may be for him and forâ—his Glory in all their eating drinking sleeping walking wiâ—hin and without house in their ordinary calling work and Imployment as well as in the hearing of the Word and in Prayer The Life which they now live in the flâ—sh is by Faith Galâ— 2.20 14 Mark These that have Christ in them are of a broken and contriâ—e Spirit they dare not arrogantly look up to GOD they lyin the dâ—st and cry guilty glorifying GOD and taking shame unto themselves He dwells with him that is of a contrite humble Spirit Isa 57 15. Such a Heart is his second Throne whereas the proud he sees a far off 15. Mark Who have Christ in them they get something of a publick Spirit That mind is in part in them which also was in Christ Phil 2.5 So that they havâ— a heart to lay out themselves more effectually for Zion then formerly Christs cause and the Suffâ—rings of his people lyes nearer theiâ— heart then their own things From these Marks we may try and see iâ— we have ground to think that Christ is really in us or not Now we come in the Third place to speak of these words Christ in you the Hope of Glory n so farr as they are the riches of the Glory of this Mysterie which is now made manifest among the Gentiles which will lead us to speak of the first part of the verse wherein as we said in the beginning is a praise and high commendation of the Gospel on several accounts As 1. Being a Mysterie 2. A Mystery that hath Glory in it 3. A Mystery that hath the Riches of Glory in it 4. A Mysterie now made manifest among the Gentiles 5. Tho so nevertheless the Riches of the Glory of this Mysterie is not made manifâ—st to all the Gentiles nay not unto all that hear the Gosâ—â—l but to the Saints mentioned verse 26.6 And that according to the good pleasurâ— of GOD Tâ— whom GOD would make known 7. So thâ—â— it is aloâ—e GODâ— work to make known this Mysterie For the opening up of this Businesâ— we shall first speak a word concerning every one of these paâ—ticulars severally And then to all joyntly holding â—his forth To wit that Christ in the Believer is the Hope of Glory First then the Gospel is a Mysterie consider it the Doctrine of the Gospel is a Divine deâ—p Mysterious Truth therefore it is called the Mysterie of the Gospel Ephes 6.19 we may undeâ—stand that it is called a Mysterie in these respects 1. In respect of the first finding of it out â—he Gospel was not at first â—ound out by men 〈◊〉 Angels never could they have fallen upon 〈◊〉 It went far above the reach of their capaciâ—â—es to find out the way how the condemned â—â—nner should again be reconciled unto GOD â—â—is only is the invention of GOD therefore 〈◊〉 is called the Mysterie of his will Ephes 1.9 〈◊〉 Mystery unto which he gave a being out of â—â—s own good will and pleasure He willed it â—nd therefore it was â— The Gospel is a Mystery in respect of the discoâ—ery and making known thereof As no flesh â—ould have found it out so no flesh could have â—allen on such a way until it pleased the LORD â—o make it known flesh and blood hath not â—evealed it Math 16.17 Yea the Angels â—ould not have revealled it for they were strangers thereunto and came to the knowledge â—hereof by the Church Eph 3.10 By the Churc was the manifold wisdom of GOD to wit in the mystery of the Gospel made known unto the Principalites and powers in Heavenly places therefore we hear that the Angels are present in the Assemblies of GODâ— people 1 Cor 11.10 and Peter â—els us 1. Pet 1.12 That â—he Angels are desirouâ— to look into these things Tim 3.16 Seen of Angels giving us to know so much They looked up with desire and satisfaction as seeing something new in Him which formerly they had not seen 3. The Gospel is a Mystery in respect of the way and manner of its manifestation For it was not wholy at once revealed buâ— by degrees the more to hold forth the worth and excelency â—hereof for fiâ—st darkly revealed and maniâ—ested to Adam in this The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent Gen 3.14 15 Then 2ly It was a litle more clearly discovâ—red unto Abraham Isaac and Iacob These weâ—e the old stock of Belivers And this was also â—hrough promises when the LORD said unâ—o Abraham â—hat he should be the father of many Nations Gen 15.5 6. And that in hiâ— all families of â—he earth should be blessâ—d Gen 12.3 and 18.18 and 22.18 Such like prâ—mâ—ses we fiâ—d made unto Isaac Gen 26 4 And unto Iacob Gen 28 14. And thâ—â— was the verâ— Gospel as Paul declareth Gal 3.8 And Peter Act. 3.25 3ly It was yet more clearly discovered unto Moses and uâ—to the peoâ—le which Gâ—D then separated for himself in typs shadowes â—ffâ—rings â—â—d â—nd otheâ— figures and legal ceremonies all which held forth the way of Salvaâ—ion through a câ—ucâ—fiâ—d Mediator 4ly Then was â—his business more clearly discoveâ—ed unto David â—o that the good â—hâ—ngs of the Gospel are 〈◊〉 the sure mercies of David Act 13.32 â—3 â—4 compared with Psal. 2 6. Isa 55.3 Psâ—l 16.11.5 After that Christ is now come 〈◊〉 whole business is more fully and distinctly manifested then ever In respect of which clearness the Gospel is now said in a special way to be made manifest and revealed and formerly shut up kept secret Rom 16.25.26 Now to him that is of Power to stablish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Iesut Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery which was kept secret since the world began buâ— now is made manifest see also Ephes 3.3.5 See also the verse that goeth before my text as the subjâ—ct of this present Treatise Col 1.26 4. The Gospel is a Mystery in respâ—ct of the Instruments that reveal iâ— GOD himself first revealed it unto Adam Abraham Isaac and Iacob And men who had immediaâ—e Inspiraions were imployed in this work Now at last his own Son Jesus Christ is imployed in this Embassagâ— Heb 2 3 5. It is a Mystery in respect
of the persons to whom it is openly publâ—shâ—d It must be a mysterious business which Gâ—D will not make known to all the world This doth also hold out the singularity and excellency of the same that not every one can mâ—ke to the knowledge thereof buâ— only some particular persons and Nations GOD revealed the Gospel to few save Abraham family in his dayâ—s And as he revealed it to the posterity of Iacob very few of other Nations wâ—re priviledged with it He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and 〈◊〉 judgements unto Isrâ—el He hath not dealt so wit any Nation Psal. 147 19.20 And so commandeth Christ that for a time his Disciple should not go into the way of the Gentiles noâ— enter into any City of the Samaritans Mat 10 5. In times past GOD suffered all Nations to welâ— in their own wayes Act. 14.16 And eveâ— since the door was opened for the Gentiles the Holy Ghost would not suffâ—r Paul anâ— Timothy to Preach the word in Asia and Bethynia Act. 16.6 7. So there has been iâ— all ages since the dayes of Christ many Nâ—tions living in darkness without the gloriouâ— sun-shine of the Gospel And the present staâ—â— of the Jews and far more then the greatesâ— part of the world gives evidence thereof Foâ— that part of the world this day that is enlightened with the outward administeration of thâ— Gospel is but very inconsiderable in respecâ— of the other parts 6. The Gospel is â— Mystery in respect oâ— the few number of those unto whom it iâ— made known in power and life seeing many are called but â—ew are chosen O! How greaâ— a Mystery is it even unto many who arâ— under the outward administration of the same The Mystery of this Mystery is only made knowâ— unto the Saints as the verse before our â—ext holds sorth and Job 17 6. Vnto the men which â—hou gavest me O How few believe the repâ—rt â—hich is revealed in the Gospel Isa. 5â— 1. 7. The Gospel is a Mystery In respect of thâ—â—ptaking or rather defect of the uptaking of many even of those whoâ— have the reâ—ort thereof sounding in their â—atâ— how many remain ignorant thereof Is it not a â—tumbleing block unto some as it was unto â—he Jewes And foolishness unto others as it â—as unto the Greeks Cor 1.23 Therefore â—e see that not many wise men after the flesh â—ot many mighty not many noble are called But â—OD hath chosen the foolish things of the world â—o confound the wise And GOD hath chosen â—he weak things of the world to confound the things â—hich are mighty And base things of the world â—nd things which are despised â—hath GOD chosen 〈◊〉 and things which are not to bring to nouhge â—hings that are Cor 26.27 â—8 These things â—re hid from the wise and prudent and revealâ—d unto babes Mat 11 2â— 8. It is a Mystery even in respect of those â—ho are savingly enlightened â—or they know â—ut these Mysteriâ—s and prophesie in part 1. â—or 13. they see now but through a glass â—arkly 1. Cor 13.12 So that it remains â— Mystery even to those who see most of it â— It is a Mystery in respect of the Matter 〈◊〉 treats of which will appear if we take it up more Generally or more particuliarly First More generally so it contains a Mystery 1. It is called the Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven Matt 13.11 Mark 4.11 Luk. 8.10 Here is indeed singular Mysteries oâ— state whereof few have knowledge or understanding 2. It is called the Mystery of Christ Ephes 3.4 Because that therein that great Mystery is revealed whereof Paul speakeâ—h 1. Tim. 3.16 great is the Mystery of Godlyness GOD was manifest in the flesh Iustifiyed iâ— the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up unto Glory The Mystery of Christs Incarnation and his beâ—ng under the Law and of his conception and Birth of his Nâ—tures and of the uniting the same in one Peâ—son of his Offices fiâ—tedness for and excercise of his Offices of his Life Doctrine sufferings and death with the concomitans oâ— all these all which is revealed and known unto us in the Gospel 3. It is called the Mystery of GOD and of the Father and of Christ Col 2.2 As being the Mystery that was joyntly carried on by the Father and the Son whereof the foundation was laid in that old or fundamental conâ—ract of Covenant of redemption betwixt the father and the Son concerning mans Salvâ—tion And in so 〈◊〉 the Gospel makes known unto us how GOD was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself 2. Cor 5.19 Again we take it up more Particularly and it may be called a Mystery because the great Mysteries are folded up therein and thereby Discovered and brought to Light and that in such a Measure of clearness and Revelation as no where else or by no other means is to be obtained These Mysterysare many we shall bring them to Three Heads The first Principal head is of such Mysteries as chiâ—ly respect men whereof we shall name these following 1. How or on what conditions is it that lost and condemned man an heir of hell by Nature under the Wrath of GOD is again reconciled unto GOD and united to him to wit through Faith in Jesus Christ which therefore is called the Mystery of the Faith 1. Tim 3.9 This is only brought to Light through the Gospel 2. How that the Gentiles who someâ—imes were a far off without Christ Aliens from the common wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenants of promise having no hope and without GOD in the world are now made nigh by the blood of Christ And now are no more stranger and forreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the houshold of GOD Ephes 2 1â—.13.17.18.19 and 3.5.6.3 How justice is satisfyed so that the poor Bankrupts who had Forfeited their Right to Glory and banished from the presence of GOD by Law and Justice by reason of their breaking of the Law in Adam and the Original Corruption of the Heart and because of their dayly transgressions are restored again into a State of Friendship and brought again into the favour of GOD and made Heirs of the Kingdom The Gospel only brings these Mysteries to Light For Life and Immortality are brought to Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 4. How that Sinners by Nature standing under the Senteâ—ce of the Law and guilty before GOD are Justified in the presence of a Righteous GOD and are Cloathed with a Righteousnes which is not their own from any thing in themselves but imputed unto them and received by Faiâ—h This is realy the Mysterie of Faith and of the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation Tit. 2.11 And this is Justification by Faith and through the Grace of GOD which the Gospel maketh known and fully revealeth For therein the Kindness and Love of GOD our Saviour toward man appears Not by works of Righteousness