at his Fathers right hand and receive and bee filled with the holy Gost in our nature glorified to send forth to the sonnes of men and to fill and lead his people and so to be as in his own place a reprover of the world and an advocate and comforter of his people Himselfe when he was in the world did testifie of it That the works thereof were evill Iohn 7.7 And hee declared himselfe the Bread of life Iohn 6. the Son of God and Doore of the sheep Iohn 10. yea the Way the Truth and the life Iohn 14.6 and did teach his Disciples and keep them and manifest his Fathers Name and Words to them Iohn 17.6 7 8. and hee being in that estate and manner of ministration not long to abide in the world did promise to send them another Advocate and Comforter to bee in his stead with them for ever Ioh. 14.16 and that this holy spirit should beare witnesse of him Iohn 15.26 and convince for reprove the world Iohn 16.8 9 10 11. and guide his Disciples into all truth Iohn 16.13 mind them of his sayings teach them all things Iohn 14.26 c. yet even when while Christ in his own personall body was in the world he told this for truth unto his Disciples Iohn 16.7 It is expedient for you that I goe away for if I goe not away the Comforter will not come unto you But if I depart I will send him unto you And when he promiseth such portion of Spirit it was at that time said The H. Ghost was not yet given because Jesus Christ was not yet glorified Iohn 7.39 Now in his ascending and offering himselfe in Sacrifice to God for men hee hath prevailed for this also as appears in that is said Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts in the man that is in the humane nature and for men to give gifts to men Eph. 4.8 yea the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them And so where there was a performance-evident and eminent in visible descent divine operation through some to the convincement of many and drawing in many Acts 2. totum It is said This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the H. Ghost he hath shed forth this which yee now see and hear and so the Spirit of the Lord doth rest on him Isai 42.1 and he is annointed with it to preach good tidings c. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. So that as himselfe hath made peace so he hath received Spirit to preach and give peace Eph. 2.14.16.17 As he hath procured meanes to be used to call men so hee hath received Spirit to send forth according to the means to breath and operate secretly therein towards and with men Gen. 6.3 to enlighten every man Iohn 1.9 to manifest the being and goodnesse of God to them Rom. 1.19 to reprove their evils Pro. 1.23 to lead to repentance Rom. 2.4 that they might seek and find God Acts 7.26 and hee opens his words and gives his Spirit to to them Pro. 1.23 And as he hath himself preached the Gospel and confirmed the truth of it with his blood left it with his servants to minister so he hath received and is filled with Spirit immeasurably Ioh. 3.34 to send forth in the ministration thereof to cenvince the world Ioh. 16.8 9. to bring down every high thought 2 Cor. 10.4.5 to discover grace to men that they might believe Ioh. 1.7 and come to Christ Isai 55.5 to purge the consciences of beleevers Heb. 9.14 and witnesse their sonship Rom. 8.16 And as hee hath shed his blood and presented himselfe with the vertue of it in offering himselfe a sacrifice to God for men and so made a purgation of sinnes and wrought salvation and righteousnesse and obtained eternall redemption for men so hee hath received an office and spirit at his Fathers right hand to offer and call men to to the receite of the same Pro. 8.4.7 Esa 45.22 And by the same spirit to apply the same grace sprinkle the vertue of the same Blood and Sacrifice on such as believe to wash cleanse sanctifie and conforme them to himselfe therewith Esa 61 1-5 Ephes 5.25.26 whence they that come to Jesus are said to come to the Blood of sprinkling Heb. 12 24. And to say in a word As himselfe is the gift of God Iohn 4.10 and full of grace and truth Iohn 1.14 and eternall life is in him and given us in him that whosoever hath him hath it 1 Iohn 5.10.11.12 So is he filled with the abundance of spirit to discover and dispence this gift grace truth and eternall life Esa 42 1-8 and 61 1-4 whence also grace mercy and peace are mentioned for the Holy Ghost coming downe from the Father and the Sonne discovering giving to and effecting in believers grace mercy and peace as is seene by comparing Rom. 5.1 5. and 1. Iohn 5.6.7 with Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.3 2 Cor 1.2 Gal. 1.3 Ephes 1.2 Phil. 1.2 Col. 1.2 And so in all the Apostle Pauls salutations to the Churches 2 Pet. 1.2 Rom 4.5 And so and in every respect as a foresaid hath the Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ prevailed with God for men and this set forth in the Gospel for men as a very truth yea to and for such as do not yet believe but are yet impenitent and disobedient that they might believe and repent it being the foundation of and Door to repentance and faith And so of the first consideration of the vertue efficacy and prevalency of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ even as it was offered to God and hath prevailed with God for men Now let us consider the efficacie in the three following considerations CHAP. IX 2. Of the vertue operation and effectualnesse of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ As through its prevalency with God grace and mercy is shown and extended to men and how fit and forceable to prevaile with them IT is before shewn that through the prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ with God for men mercy is shewn and meanes is used towards men And that though men are so dead in sinne that they have no power spirit or will to discerne God or come into him by these meanes yet Jesus Christ by his Sacrifice hath prevailed with God and received of him in the humane nature the spirit to send forth in and according to the meanes to discover the grace procured by his Blood and Sacrifice and so to call and draw in men to God as is shewn And of the Prevalency of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ with men towards God in this Discovery of grace by his spirit is that here to be noted not what humane studdies artificiall knowledge and forced motives effect But what by vertue of the
this Law but to fulfill it Mat. 5.17.18 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill For verily I say unto you Till Heaven and Earth passe one jot or one tittle shall in no wise passe from the Law till all be fulfilled neither did Jesus Christ come to be an Arbitrator or Dayes-man to plead with God and lay his hand upon him that he might abate to men some part of their duty required in the Law and to lay his hand upon men to enjoyn and cause them to perform some part of their due to the Law to give some satisfying to God so make God men friends that way 1 Sam. 2.25 Iob. 9.33 No such matter but Jesus Christ himselfe in his own person while he was here on earth did perfectly fulfill this Law so as no sin could be found in him but he was in respect of his own particular person righteous and just even by that Law And had he not been a publick person in our stead and so had our sins that Law could never have charged him for he kept it fully Heb. 7.29 Ioh. 8.46 1 Pet. 2.22 Rom. 3.19 Gal. 4.4 Esa 53.2.6 2 Cor. 5 19-21 Gal. 3.13 Rom. 4.25 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 7.4 and 4.25 But as the publick person in the roome of mankind He was made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law and so being under the Law for us he had all our sins that Law could charge us with imputed to and laid upon him and all the curse and death which Law could and did sentence us to imposed upon him And so he suffered the curse died the death for our sins yea for us all so as all are dead And so he hath satisfied the Law that we are dead to the Law by the body of Christ And this Jesus Christ as the publick person is risen again for our justification and hath ascended to heaven and with the vertue of his own blood offered himselfe a ransome and sacrifice to God having obtained eternall redemption and life for men Heb 9.12 Esa 55.5 Iohn 16. Heb. 9.14 and 12.24 Reu. 1.5 to dispense to such as beleeve on him And now sendeth forth of that Spirit he hath received discovering this grace to draw men to believe on him and in the hearts of such as through grace beleeve in Christ he by his Spirit applieth sprinkleth and washeth with that pretious blood so as he enableth them to receive the satisfaction of the Law which himselfe hath made and to answer Law-charges therewith Rom. 4.24.25 5.2 11. 8 34. And to receive and own to themselves as theirs by faith the righteousnesse that he is become and to rest on him and approach in that to God 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.3.7.8.9 and by the same Spirit in and with the rich grace herethrough streaming he reneweth them Tit. 3.4.5 and worketh love in them 1 Pet. 1.18.21.22 yea a more excellent love then Law discovered in that it is a love of God in and for Christ 1 Iohn 4.10 19. and love of our brother as Christ hath loved us Ioh. 15.1.2 And this love fulfils all righteousnesse yea from a better principle then law could have affoorded Rom. 13.10 the Spirit in working this love writing the law in the inward parts 2 Cor. 3.3 and leading to deny all evill and live godly c. Tit. 2.11.12 and yeelding to and walking after the Spirit a man shall neither fullfill the lusts of the flesh nor be under Law Gal. 5.16.18 but have the righteousnesse of the Law the life it promiseth and cannot give yea a better life fulfilled in him and have an abundant entrance into the Kingdom Gal. 6.8 2. Pet. 11. And thus by Christ himselfe in his body in all his conversation was the Law fulfilled and by him in his own body as the publick person was the Law satisfied for all it had against us and by him through his Spirit applpying that satisfaction to our hearts he enables to beleeve and receive it and in that beleeving sheads abroad his grace in the heart that leads to all righteousnesse the Law requireth though from a better principle that will in due season perfect the same and hee also will fill us with eternall life And without this coming death resurrection and sacrifice of Christ the Law could never have been fulfilled and satisfied and without his spirituall application to the heart it will never be answered by us or fulfilled in us whence that thanksgiving or profession Rom. 7.25 8.1.2.3.4 4. The ends of the making known and giving this holy spirituall and righteous law was neither to justifie those to whom it was given nor to give them lyfe nor to kill and destroy from God for ever for if it had been given to give lyfe and justifie and bring to the inheritance it had been against the covenant and promises of God and saith therein which to conceive God forbid far bee it from us Gal. 3.18 21. Rom. 4.14 And if it had been given to get righteousnesse by it or to destroy from God for ever â—t had been against the grace of God testified in the Death and resurrection of Christ and faith therein which God forbid and far be it from us to conceive Gal. 20.21 and 3.11.12.13 Rom. 4.13 7.24.25 Heb. 2.9 Besides the giving the law in the hand of Moses a Mediator of the first Testament sheweth that it was not given to justifie for then no need of a Mediator nor was it given to destroy from God for ever for then he would not have given a Mediatour Gal. 3.17 And yet the law was given for good holy and mercifull ends For God in his mercy having found a ransome and given us life in him and confirmed a Covenant in him John 1.4 1 Iohn 1.1.2 which grace should have led men to repentance and faith in God and living to him But through blindnesse Esa 44.20 and 55.2 Gal. 3.19 and hardnesse of heart men slighted this great Salvation and put confidence in Idolls and superstitions and lived in and to themselves And because of Transgressions the law was added till the seed should come and this law to discover that righteousnesse which is due from men to God 1 To kill men in respect of themselves of all that lyfe which they have in and from themselves by any excellencyes parts endeavours or workings of theirs in and by themselves By discovering their sinfulnesse and the Immeasurablenesse of it and the curse and wrath due to them that so they may charge themselves with it which without the law they would not doe Rom. 3.19 and 4.15 and 5.13.20 By spoyling them of all hope of lyfe by their own workings that they may say Amen to the curse 1 Cor. 1.6 and yeeld themselves as dead and lost and so receive the sentence of death in themselves Gal. 2.19 Rom. 7.9 Deut. 27.26 2 To
the Blood in an earthly holy place but this High-Priest entred into Heaven it selfe to offer and appeare before God for us Heb. 9.7.8.12.24 They though they offered to God yet they tooke no pleasure in their offerings but this High-Priest offered to God and he hath accepted him and set all his wellpleasednesse in him and set him at his right hand and given all Authority to him Heb. 10 1-12 and 1.4.8 Oh consider how great an High-Priest we have And how excellent then the Sacrifice that he hath offered and by vertue whereof he interceideth Heb. 1. 3 5 7 8. 2 In respect of the Sacrifice it selfe which he offered for every High-Priest is ordained to offer gifts and Sacrifices And it is of necessity that he have somwhat also to offer and that in the Heavens Heb. 8.3.4 And so he hath offered a gift a Sacrifice for satisfaction for ransome for propitiation and for a memoriall to intercede with for us And this was not Gold or Silver nor Bullocks and Lambs c. nor the Blood of others as the other Priests offered but his own most Pretious Blood his own most holy Body even that very Body in which he had borne our sinns to the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 In which he dyed for our sinns and rose for our Justification Rom. 4.25 Yea the Body which is the Body of the Sonne of God Iohn 1.14 In whom the fulnesse of the God-head dwelleth bodily Col. 2.9 This is the gift the ransome the Sacrifice he offered himselfe his own Body without spot to God for us Heb. 9.12.14 and 10 5-10 Oh how fit how satisfying and of what infinite value is this Blood and Sacrifice of his 3 In respect of the Altar on which this Sacrifice was offered and by which it was borne and carried up to God The Altar of Gods appointment whatever it be is greater then the gift or Sacrifice and Sanctifieth the gift Mat. 23-19 Now those other Priests offered upon an Altar of earth or earthly substance Exod. 20.24 But what is the Altar on which this High-Priest offereth this excellent gift that is greater then it and sanctifieth it surely this can be no other but the Divine nature which is greater then the Humane In respect of which Humane clad with our Infirmities he said The Father is greater then I Iohn 14.28 And by the power of this Divine nature he was supported in and through his sufferings Esa 50 1-9 Raysed from the dead Rom. 4.24 and 6.4 Ascended to heaven Act 5.30.31 And offered himselfe to God And so it is expresly said Heb. 9.14 he through the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to God And thus also was God manifested in the flesh Justified in the Spirit c. 1 Tim. 3.16 And so by ransome of the union of the humane nature with the Divine in the person of the Sonne of God one Christ God-man This Blood and Sacrifice if it be rightly understood may be truly called the Blood and Sacrifice of God Act. 20.28 found by God Iob. 33.24 And offered by God unto God according to the will of God though it was the Body or humane nature offere for men And this doth sanctifie and dignifie the offering that it is of Infinite value and prevalency Heb. 10 5-10-19 c. 2 In respect of the Declaration and appearance of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice And so of Christ that by the eternall Spirit hath offered it to God for men and received the same spirit to apply to men and his gratious ends in both the faithfull and playne declaration of this by such as by spirit have received it and as the Spirit hath taught them 2 Cor. 4.4.6 1 Cor. 2.12 Rom. 12.3 Mat. 28.20 Declares this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice to be of great excellency worth and Dignity In that in such declaration as he promised 1 The holy Spirit cometh along and sheweth and testifieth of these things of Christ Iohn 15.26 and 16.14 and manifested the savour of his Knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14.15 And goeth to the heart of men that they might believe Iohn 1.7 Rom. 10.7 8 9 10. And writeth the minde of Christ in the Believer 2 Cor. 3.3 and 13.3 5. So that in the hearing of this Doctrine and Object of Faith and in no Doctrine or observation of any law of workes the Spirit of Christ cometh and testifieth and is received Gal. 3 1-5 2 The free grace and abundant love of God to mankind in the gift of his Sonn To be a ransome for all men 1 Tim. 3 4 5 6. And the Saviour of the world And the propitiation for their sins 1 Iohn 4.10.14 That whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life Iohn 3.17 And his acceptation of his Sonne for men and taking his wellpleasednesse in him Mat. 3.17 2 Cor. 5.14 Heb. 10 1-12 His filling him for men Psal 68.18 Esa 41.1 His readinesse to receive in and through his Sonn and that his Sonn shall give eternali life to all that in his Discovery see and believe on him John 6.40 and 1.12 yea even his peculiar and delightfull love and well pleasednesse in his Sonn and all that by grace are made one in his Sonn Iohn 15.9 and 16.27 All this appeareth and as living water streameth In the Declaration and appearance of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice as it was offered to God And is applyed to the heart Rom. 3.24 25. 1 Iohn 5 6-12.13 3 The great and compleate salvation redemption reconciliation Propitiation and righteousnesse that is in him and which he is become which by himselfe 1 Pet. 2.24 1 Cor. 15.3.4 Rom. 4.25 1 Iohn 2.2 and in his own Body he hath wrought in dying and shedding his Blood for our sinns and riseing for our Justification And through the eternall Spirit offering himselfe a spotlesse and unvaluable Sacrifice to God in which he hath made Purgation of our sinns slaine enmity obtained eternall redemption and made such satisfaction in heaven that he hath thereupon received life to dispense to men Heb. 1.3 and 9.12.14 and 10 1-12 And the power and fitnesse of the same Pretious Blood and Sacrifice by the Holy Spirit applyed to the heart to purchase redeeme and reconcile to God from among men and to wash purge and renew the heart c. Act. 20.28 Ren. 1.5 and 5.9 Heb. 9.14 Tit. 3.4.5 And so worke Salvation in men All this appeareth in this Doctrine or playne faith-and spirituall Declaration of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice so as therethrough from the threefold witnesse in heaven that are one there come these three on earth to men the Spirit and the water and the Blood 1 Iohn 5 6 7 8-12 By all which this Blood and Sacrifice appeareth of infinite Excellency and Dignity 4 In respect of the rich free bright and abundant love appearing in this Sacrifice of the Sonn of God for as it was the love of God to give his Sonn c. as aforesaid even so
shall glorifie thy name Thus must all come before him one day and then he shall separate and dispose of them Matth. 25.32 33. 4. Another particular end in this first next immediate end of the suffering and sacrifice of Christ offered to God was That hee might shew forth to men this rich and abundant grace Eph. 2.4.7 And so it was 1. That this full Gospel and therethrough repentance and remission of sinnes might be preached in his name among all Nations Luke 24.46.47 And for this he hath prevailed so as himself came and preached peace Eph. 2.17 And first began to preach the Gospel of this salvation himselfe Heb. 2.3 and then left the commission for preaching the same unto his Apostles and faithfull Disciples that by grace come to be united to him and endued with spirituall gifts John 17 18-21 2 Corinth 5.18.19.20 1 Pet. 2.3 9. And left his charge to preach it to all Nations Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.13 2. And also that by his laying down his life in witnessing to the truth of the Gospel he taught and the Fathers acceptance of his sacrifice the truth of the Gospel might bee confirmed for all that heare it that they might beleeve John 18.37 1 Tim. 6.13 And in this also he hath prevailed and so it is said he spake the truth which he heard of God John 8.45 And the Apostles have said They spake the words of truth Acts 26.25 and that with great plainnesse of speech 2 Cor. 3.12 by manifestation of the truth 2 Cor. 4.2.5 for saith Peter 2 Pet. 1.16 We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made knowne to you the power and comming of the Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his majesty for he received from the Father honour and glory when c. 3. And also that himself might be the prime motive and example to us for faith and love and walking in both conversation and ministration in patience and meeknesse through sufferings in hope to the death 1 Pet. 2.21 John 13 1-15 And in this also he hath prevailed so as himself points to himselfe for the prime motive and example Joh. 15.12 .20 And the Spirit in the Scripture sets him forth to us for motive and example Col. 3.12 14. and bids us looke to him and consider him Heb. 12 2-7 and follow him Eph. 5.1.2 4. Yea and that he might ratifie the New Testament of pretious promises for all that in the heavenly call are brought in to believe in him that they through the Spirit may wayt for the same through faith Heb. 9.14.15.16 Matth. 26.28 In which also he hath prevailed as Heb. 9.15 sheweth with Gal. 3.15 26. and 5.5 And so the whole Gospel is by the blood and sacrifice of Christ confirmed and sealed for truth 5. That he might also having life in himselfe quicken whom he will and so give eternall life to all that beleeve on him and leave and give up such as will none of his counsell and so persist in refusing to beleeve on him In which also he hath prevailed John 1.17 3.18.19 5.20.28 6.37.40 6. That he may at the last judge all men according to the Gospel which himself first began to preach and then gave his servants to preach And in this also hee prevailed as is evident in that himselfe said John 12.48 He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shal judge him at the last day And his servant by the spirit said Rom. 2.16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel And so it is said of God Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom hee hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance or offered faith unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead And so as Rom. 14.9 to this end he both died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord of both dead and living So it is affirmed on that very ground vers 11 12. 2. Cor. 5.10 We must all appear abefore the judgment seat of Christ c. yea and such as come then to be condemned by him that so died for them and offered himselfe a Sacrifice and ransome for them and used mercy and extended meanes to call them to repentance are charged with sinne for that they have not believed John 16.8.9 and that they have troden under foot the Soone of God counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing and offered despite to the Spirit of grace at least that he called and they refused Heb. 10.29 Prov. 1 24. And this shall be their condemnation light came and they loved darknesse rather Iohn 3.19 They by following lying vanities have forsaken their own mercies Iona 2.8 And lost their own souls Matth. 16.26 And by denying the Lord that bought them brought upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet 1. and so are rightly called * Jude 12 Frees twice dead And the destuction and torment into which they shall be cast is called the second death Rev. 20 6.14 And thus mightily and verily hath the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ offered to his Father prevailed with God so as indeed Jesus Christ hath thereby put away sin abolished death removed enmity out of the condition of mankind bought all men of God and obtained eternall redemption so as he is become the Lord of all and hath remission of sinnes and life to dispense And through him the earth is upheld for men mercy shewed to and means used towards them to draw them to repentance and faith and they all given of God into his dispose and he hath power and shall raise them all from the dead and judge them all according to the Gospel such as have in beleeving been brought to him and abidden in him in the day of grace hee will sentence to eternall life and such as have through the day of grace persisted in refusing him or departing from him he wil sentence to a second death And that men might have knowledge hereof and faith herein to bring them in to him and confidence to abide in him and bee left excuselesse in their refusall he hath also sealed and confirmed the Gospel for a certain truth in the report of the Propitiation and life on beleeving for all men and the New Testament for beleevers And all this true whether men believe it or no. And so far hath the sacrifice as offered to God prevailed and yet further in his having a fitnesse for that to be after said And in respect of all hitherto said the light shineth in the darknesse but the darknesse comprehendeth it not Iohn 1.5 7. And now to remedy this also that the light may be seen and known through the means used there is yet another end of his Sacrifice offered namely that hee might fit
the propitiatory-sacrifice for atonement and purchase to God for men So Heb 8.3 It is of necessity that he have somwhat also to offer Heb. 9 26. now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to take away sin by the sacrifice of himselfe vers 12. By his own blood he entred in once into the holy place verse 14. who through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God see Heb. 10.1 12. Tit. 2.14 Who gave himselfe for us that he might redeem us 1 Tim. 2.6 who gave himselfe a ransome for all 4. Somtime together with all these former sences by the suffering Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ is ment The prevalency and effectuallnesse thereof as presented to God with God for mankind so as he hath made peace slaine enmity obtained eternall Redemption and received fulnesse of spirit to make it knowne and dispense it Ephes 2.15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity so making peace verse 16. Having slaine the enmity Heb. 9.12 having obtained eternall redemption and Psal 68.18 Received gifts in the man and for men Ephes 4.8 even the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell amongst them And this prevalency and effectualnesse of his pretious Blood and Sacrifice offered to his Father for men appeares in many things especially 1. In that the Father hath accepted of him and his Sacrifice for the ends for which he offered the same to him and hath received and exalted him with and at his right hand Mat. 17.5 My beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased Iohn 16.8.10 The Spirit shall convince the world of righteousnesse because I go to my Father and ye see me no more That is He is received and his Sacrifice accepted and so sent forth no more to suffer and offer Sacrifice for sinns as he should have been if he had not satisfied for all Heb. 9.7.8 And wrought a perfect righteousnesse and so it is said Heb. 1.3 After he had by himselfe purged or made purgation of our sins he sat downe on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 10.12 After he had offered one sacrifice for sinns for ever he sat downe on the right hand of God yea the Lord in Testimony of his well-pleasednesse with him hath said to him Psal 110.1 Sit thou on my right hand till I c. Heb. 1.13 2. In that the Father hath released and given over all to his Sonne and given all power and authority into his hands and made him Lord of all so as he shall judge all men And he hath filled him with Immeasurable fulnesse of the Holy-Ghost in the humane nature to dispense to men to make known his grace and that he may according to the Gospel absolve all that believe and condemn all that will not believe Psal 2.8 I shall give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession Mat. 11.27 All things are delivered to me of my Father Iohn 16.15 All things that the Father hath are mine Mat. 28.18 All power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth 1 Pet. 3.22 Angels Authorities and powers being made subject to him Act. 2.36 God hath made Jesus both Lord and Christ Act. 10.36 He 〈◊〉 Lord of all and this by vertue of his death resurrection and ascention Rom. 14.8.9 And he is the Judge Iohn 5.27 Act. 17.31 And is filled with spirit to send forth in the meanes Act. 2.32.33 Ephes 4 7.-12 That so he may absolve and judge according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 Iohn 12.48 3. In that the Holy-Ghost in the Scripture avoucheth such full sufficiency compleatnesse and vertue in this pretious Blood Ransome and sacrifice as it is by Christ in presenting and offering himselfe presented and offered to the Father and by him accepted and received that Jesus Christ is hereby become appointed and accepted of God even Gods salvation to the ends of the earth Esa 49. Ioh. 4.42 Act. 13.47 The Saviour of the world 1 Iohn 4.14 The Mediatour between God and men 1 Tim. 2.5 The great High-Priest Prophet and Advocate for his Church Heb. 3 1.-6 and 7. 1 Iohn 2.2 4. In the appearing and forth-coming of love and grace through the effectualnesse and fruitfulnesse of his pretious Blood Ransome and Sacrifice as it hath been and is presented to God from whom it procureth such Kindnesse and grace to be extended to manward that hereby even by Christ and for his sake and through the vertue of his Sacrifice 1 The earth with the Inhabitants are upheld for men and mens lives reprived and space afforded even to Rebels that they might repent Psalm 75.3 The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof are dissolved I bear up the pillars of is Heb. 1.3 upholding all things by the Word of his Power when he had by himself purged our sins c. Col. 1.17 By him all things consist Joh. 1.4 In him was life and the life was the light of men Rev. 2.21 I gave her space to repent 2 Pet. 3.9 He is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that All should come to repentance 2. Patience and forbearance is extended to men that are yet found sinning and bounty and many mercies vouchsafed which carry forth in them the testimony of his goodnesse and that to this end To lead men to repentance Act. 14.16 17. He in times past suffered All Nations to walke in their owne wayes Neverthelesse he left not himself without witnesse in that he did good and gave us rain from Heaven and fruitfull Seasons filling our hearts with food and gladnesse Rom. 2.4 The goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance And this riches of the goodnesse of God and forbearance long-suffering and fruits of mercy being extended through the sacrifice offered and redemption obtained by Christ and carrying in it the testimony of his goodnesse and leading to repentance and that to this end that men might seek after the Lord Act. 17 26. It is grace and free grace and universally extended and that to a gratious end And as the giving of Christ to be the Saviour of the world 1 Joh. 4.14 was a fruit of Gods rich mercy pitty and love to man-kind John 3.16 17. So this is a fruit of the prevalency of the sacrifice of Christ with God And his kindnesse to manward for Christ his sake Tin 3.4 And so far as it is to all men it is generall and universall sure Matth. 5.44 45. Psalm 17.14 3 The giving of his Word and oracles with his ordinances to many men wherein the Saviour with his peace righteousnesse and salvation is set forth That men might through him believe and in believing have life Joh. 1.4 5 7. And so it is he that hath made peace That comes in the Word preaching peace Ephes 2.17 This was peculiar to Israel from Abrahams time till Christ his Ascension Psalm 147.19 20. And since extended to the Gentiles Ephes 3.5 6. 4 The affording some
the first Testament or the Law A Perfect image made by a curing limmer may clearly present the visage complexion of him whose Image it is though it have no life and so neither see nor breathe c. But a shadow or the first rude draught will not doe so much onely may discover that it is to be of a man or a woman and not of a beast but whether man or woman or whom it sheweth not as the Image finisht in which the shadow passeth doth Now the law had the shadow of good things to come but not the very image of the things they were paterns and figures of heavenly things for the time present but not a full demonstration of them Heb. 10.1 9.9.23 Now then if we call to mind 1. The offering for sin to make Atonement was first slain and after that the blood sprinkled at the Altar and on the Atonement-day before the Mercy-seat and the people afflicted in themselves and blessed by the Priest Lev. 9. 15.22 16. per totum shadowed Jesus delivered to death for our sinnes and presenting himselfe with the vertue of his blood to the Father to make the Atonement obtain redemption for us and his blessing us in sprinkling his blood on our hearts melting and purging the conscience Heb. 1.3 9.12.14.24 10.1 19. The Passover a Lamb without blemish slain and then the blood wth a bunch of hyssop dipt therin sprinkled on the two side-Posts and the upper doore Posts that the striking Angel might passover Exod. 12. And then the flesh roasted with fire eaten Shadowed Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world John 1.29 Heb. 9.26 His dying for our sins 1 Cor. 15.3.4 And by his Spirit sprinkling the vertue of his blood on the beleeving heart without which no safety Heb 12.24 and our feeding on him by faith without which no eternall life John 6.35.36 so that bloodshed presented to the Lord and applied to such as come to the Sacrifices are all held forth distinctly as distinct and divers works 3. For the people that came to these Sacrifices for whom blood was not onely shed but presented to God and who had the atonement and such reconciliation as was thereby affoorded there was yet provided a water of Purification to cleanse them from defilements when they befell them and the defiled person not cleansed with it might not approach to the holy things without danger of death now it was not enough There was for them a water of purification and it was right nor that it was put in a vessell and running water put thereto unlesse a clean person dip with a branch of Hissop and sprinkle him that is uncleane hee remains unclean and must die by Sprinkling is Cleansing And doth not this shadow out Jesus Christ the fountain of cleansing and Laver of regeneration and purification right with with God yet cleasing none in their own hearts c. without application and spirituall sprinkling Heb 9.13 14. 12 24. Zach. 13.1 Tit. 3.4 5. Ezek. 36.25 Consider and compare the Scriptures and say 1 Did not the red Hyfer slain without the Camp and her flesh burnt Numb 19.2.3.5 Numb 19.2 3 5. shadow out Jesus that knew no sin made sin for us and suffering without the gate and after in the power of the Spirit and fire of his love offering up his whole selfe a Sacrifice to God for us 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb 9.14 10.12 13.12 2. Vers 9. Did not the remainders or ashes of the Heyfer shadow forth the remaining Records Testimonies and vertues of the death and sacrifice of Jesus who died for our sinnes and rose for our justification Vers 4. and presented his sacrifice to God and applieth it to us as was shadowed by the blood sprinkled before the Tabernacle 1 Corinth 15 1-4 Heb 9.12.13.14 And is not this the water of Separation or Purification from uncleannesse Ezek. 36.25 Rev. 1.5 3. Vers 9. Did not the clean Place without the Camp where these ashes were kept for a purification for sin shadow forth the Gospel of Christ or word of grace which J. Christ by his Spirit hath breathed and caused to be written and therein declared and testified and kept as in record the truth and vertue of the blood-shed death and sacrifice of Christ and the offering it to the Father and its prevalency with him and for whom and his tender and application of it and the vertue thereof and in whom Are not all the sayings hereabout plain 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Cor. 3.12.13 1.2 Faithfull 1 Tim. 1.15 True 2 Pet. 1.16 19. And in righteousnesse nothing froward perverse equivocall or wreathed in them Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 That we may rather take those sayings as they expresse the matter then any other sayings or glosses they are very righteous and faithfull his word is very pute Psal 119.138 The inspiration of the Spirit of truth 2 Tim. 3.16 4. Did not the ashes of the burnt Heyfer of Purification for sinne and running water put thereto in a vessell shadow forth the Word of Grace setting forth the vertue of the death and sacrifice of Christ inspired and put in the hearts of the servants of God 2 Cor. 5.18.19 and his free and rich grace and love appearing therein shed abroad thereby by the holy Ghost in the heart of those whom he hath brought to beleeve in Christ and so united them to him 1 Cor. 1.30 and so filled them with his love that it springs up like love in them that constrains them to declare this grace and beseech others to accept it 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 1 Pet. 1.21 22. for which cause they are called Stewards and Ministers of this grace 1 Cor. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.3 and said to have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may appeare to be of God and not of them 2 Cor. 4.7 and so are called chosen vessels unto God to beare his name Act. 9.15 5 Did not the clean person taking Hissop dipping it in the water sprinkling the unclean shadow forth Iesus Christ the just who by his own Spirit stirreth this grace in the hearts of his servants and giveth them what to speak 2 Cor. 4.6 5.14 1 Cor 2.12.13 and giveth proof of his own speaking in their ministration 2 Cor. 13.3 Making manifest the savour of his knowledge by them 2 Cor. 2.14 and himselfe by his Spirit turning the heart of men to God Acts 11 21. and weighing his mind in the heart of these so turned to beleeve in him 2 Cor. 3.3 further minding and teaching them that they have heard John 14.26 and taking off the things of Christ and shewing to them John 16.14 and so sprinkling and washing them with this water of purification the vertue of the pretious blood of Christ and his infinite love streaming there-through melting cleansing comforting renewing c Heb.
given assurance to all men in that he hath raised him from the Dead Acts 17.31 All which shewes the necessity of Christs resurrection and ascension and with the verrue of his own bloud presenting and offering himselfe to God in the Heavens for men to the ends fore-shown 3 For Jesus Christ that hath dyed and risen and with the vertue of his own bloud entred the Heaven and by the eternall Spirit offered himself a spotlesse sacrifice to God for men Also by the same Spirit to discover this grace thereby to call and draw in men to him and then to sprinkle and wash them with the presentation and application of the vertue of his pretious bloud And by his grace there-through discovered to renew them unite and conforme them to Christ This also is altogether necessary in respect of menâ—â—eceit and enjoyment of justification eternall life and inheritance for however this salvation which Jesus Christ hath wrought the redemption justification and eternall life he by himself in his own body as the Publike man obtained for men with God be such and so received by him for mankind That it may be truly said of him and in respect of what he hath as the Publike person done obtained received and hath in his own hands to dispense that he is the Saviout of the world Ioh. 4.42 And hath by himself made purgation of our sins Heb. 1.3 and 9.26 and obtained eternall redemption Heb. 9.12.50 That as Rom. 3.23 24. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and Rom. 5.18 As by the offence of one unto all men to condemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one unto all men to justification of life yea 1 Joh. 5.11 God hath given us eternall life and this life is in his Son yet notwithstanding all this Unlesse this grace be so discovered by the Spirit to men that they be drawn in to Christ and hee by his Spirit sprinkle his bloud on their heart and shed abroad his love therein and so wash and renew them they cannot in their own particular persons be justified and partake of eternall life and receive the inheritance with him Rom. 3.25 26. Tit. 3.4.5 And this necessity of his sprinkling and washing the Conscience with his pretious bloud may be seen true in many respects 1 In respect of sinne It sufficeth not for bringing mens particular persons into the Kingdome of Heaven That sinne is satisfied for by the sacrifice of Christ and so purged away by him as the publike person that he in the room of all mankind appearâ—tâ— spotlesse at the Throne of God But its requisite also that it be purged out of the Conscience and out of the nature and conversation of such particular persons as enter that Kingdome yea and though this work be not as the former done at once in the very act of his presentation and offering himself to God Heb. 1.3 and 9.12 and 10.10 12. But by degrees yet those Degrees are according to the entrance 2 Cor. 3.18 2 Pet. 1.11 Rom. 8.23 And so it s said Rev. 21.21 There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or a lye 1 Cor. 6.9 The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolater nor Adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor Theeves nor covetous nor Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. The work of the flesh are manifest which are Adultery Fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse Idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulation strife seditions heresies envyings murthers drunkennesse revilings and such like They which doe such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Ephes 5.5 no Whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an Idolator hath any inheritance in the Kingdome of Christ and of God so that such unlesse they be washed justified purged and sanctified they cannot enter nor can any sorrowes tears sacrifices works of righteousnesse of their owne wash of the guilt and take away the venome of these sinnes nor make their hearts and natures new It is only the pretious bloud and sacrifice of Christ which by the eternall Spirit he offered to God by the same Spirit discovered to and sprinkled on the heart enabling to believe in which Peace is spoken to the heart remission of sins received and liberty by faith to reckon themselves according to Christ and as they are in him who by his Spirit worketh his mind in them and conformeth them to him self 1 Pet. 1.2 Rev. 1.5 and 5.9 Rom. 3.25 26. and 5.1 5.1 C o 6.11 2 Cor. 3.18 Tit. 3.4 2 By reason of the blindnesse darknesse and enmity that by reason of sinne is the nature of man For it sufficeth not for mens personall entrance into the Kingdome that in and through Christ God is light and in him is no darknesse at all unlesse men be brought into this light and this light be in them that they may walke in it 1 Iohn 1.5.7 and 2.8.9 1 Thes 5.4.5 nor yet is it enough for mens personall entrance into the Kingdome that the enmity in their State and condition be removed unlesse also the enmity in their nature be removed Psal 68.21 neither is there any study or labour of man in any wisdome or workes of righteousnesse of his own that can bring him into this light of God and take this enmity against God out of his nature but onely the spirit of Jesus Christ which when he offered up himselfe a Sacrifice to God for men he received in the man Psal 68.18 Discovering and testifying of Christ and the vertue of his Blood and the rich grace appearing therethrough that brings out of darkenesse into his marvelous light and reconcileth the heart and powers to God Iohn 14.26 and 15.26 and 16.14.15 Col. 1.4.5.12.13 1 Pet. 2.7.9 2 Cor. 5.14 18 19 20. Tit. 3 4 5 6 7. 3 In respect of the first and naturall Birth and that which men are by propagation and nature from the first Adam whose Image they therein and thereby partake of and beare and so are by nature dead in sins and trespasses Children of wrath c. Rom. 5.19 1 Cor. 15.46.48.49 Psal 51.5 Iob. 14.4 and 15.14 Ephes 2.1 2 3 So that however Christ as the publike person hath wrought salvation in himselfe for men with God and is justified and glorified at Gods right hand yet unlesse a man be borne againe borne from above even of water and the Spirit the free and rich grace of God manifested in the Application of the precious Blood of Christ to the heart And that by the holy Spirit of Christ in that Knowledge and Application of the precious Blood giving him an escape from the Pollutions that are in the world through lust and makeing him partaker of the Divine nature That so as he perpartooke of
misery by having his being from Adam and partaking of his nature he may partake of justification and lyfe by having his being in Christ and partaking of his Divine nature without this new Birth he cannot enter the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3.5.6 2 Cor. 5.17.20 2 Pet. 1 2 3 4. Tit. 3.3 4 5 6 7. And indeed till so borne from above men are Aliens from God and Christ and the lyfe of God in Christ Ephes 2.12 and 4.18 And however it be true that in Christ and that he hath done obtained and received God hath given us eternall lyfe and this life is in his Sonne yet this is also true that whoever of us hath not the Sonne the same hath not lyfe lyfe is received and enjoyed onely in the receite and enjoyment of the Sonne 1 Iohn 5.11.12 And that is when through his spirituall Discovery and sprinkling of his Pretious Blood and Dispensation of his grace there-through to the heart a man is brought to believe on him And so quickoned borne and renewed Ephes 2.5.10 Esa 55.1 9. And so such he gives the priviledges of the Sonnes of God who to receive him and are so borne Iohn 1.12.13 2 Thes 2.13.14 So that the truth is the necessity in respect of mens personall entrance into the Kingdome and being eternally saved to be spiritually sprinkled and washed with the Blood of Christ is so great as there can be no greater there being no other way to the enjoyment of remission of sins Humiliation for sinn Justification before God wisdome righteousnesse Sanctification and redemption nor any fruitfulnesse that God will accept But by this pretious Blood of Christ which he shed and with the vertue thereof offered himselfe to God by his spirit sprinkled on the conscience And his rich and abundant grace manifested through the same by the same spirit shed abroad in the heart and so leading to God in which respect Christ onely is the way for all accesse to the Father and without whom there is no coming to God nor doing any thing he will accept Iohn 14.6 Rom. 3 25. Ephes 1.7 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 15.4 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Ephes 2.17.18 Heb. 10.10 19. This necessity of Christ his sprinkling his Blood on the Conscience the whole Gospel and all the writings thereof and Testimonies and examples therein do shew and so doth the Law also rightly understand CHAPTER 6. A digression to shew how the Law shewes the necessity of this Blood-shedding Death and Sacrifice of Christ BEfore in Chapter 4. was shewn how the ends of the suffering Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ was shaddowed in the leviticall law and types of old and the necessity of the acting presenting and applying the same now if we view the morall law even the law of workes the holy and righteous law of God It also will shew and urge the necessity of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ in all the respects aforesaid and that every way If we consider this holy law 1. In respect of it selfe 2 In respect of the ends of giving it and 3. In respect of the power it hath in this lyfe in the consciences of men till set free by Christ 1 The Law it selfe is holy spirituall and righteous Rom. 7.12 Mat. 22.38.39 1 Iohn 3.4 Rom. 7.7 Iam. 2.10 Mail. 1.6 It is a holy Law pointing us all to live to God the holy one and according to his Will and Commands enjoyning to love God with all our heart soule and strength and our neighbour as our selves and to walke in that love of God and our neighbour and so it forbiddeth every sinn and commandeth every Duty And it is a spirituall Law requiring the Inmost heart and Spirit And the utmost and perfect obedience of the whole man so as the least rising motion to any evill it forbiddeth and concludeth it sinn yea and the least want of the through spirituall and perfect performance of all or any one point it condemneth for sinn and for that sinn putteth under the guilt of the breach of the whole Law And it is a righteous law requiring of man noe more then is due from man to God and which shall be the righteousnesse of a man before God if he fulfill it so as the law find no fault in him Rom. 2.13 and 10.5 Gal. 3.10.12 Rom. 6. Deut. 27 15-26 and it promiseth life to the observers and will performe it that being the righteousnesse of the Law and it sentenceth to death and curse every one that sinneth against any point or cometh short of the least title it requireth so that this Law is holy spirituall and righteous in its Commandements of Duty In its Justifying the doers of it in its convincing the Transgressors and in its leaving Transgressors to the curse And indeed so holy spirituall and righteous is this law that in their own persons and performances noe one man since Adam fell but onely Jesus Christ our Lord hath fulfilled it to every Jota or can be Justified and have lyfe by it For. 1 Though a man had such knowledge of the Law that he could see all his Duty therein required And had also such a heart to keepe this Law that he had respect to every Commandement in it and did his utmost to avoid every sinn and to perform every duty and that constantly in all his conversation yet if he attaine not to the utmost the Law requireth but fayle of that if it were but once and but in one point the Law puts him under the guilt of sinn and danger of Curse and Death Rom. 6.23 the wages of sinn is Death and James 2.10 whosoever shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one poynt he is guilty of all and Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the booke of this Law to do them and Rom. 5.12 all have sinned Iames 3.2 In many things we offend all so that by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified Rom. 3.20 2 A man having once sinned and fallen under the guilt of sinne and so into the desert of death and curse as all men have there is no after-righteousnesse of his performance that can take away that sinne which unlesse it be taken away he cannot be justified before God though in his after righteousnesse he could answer the whole Law but onely for that one offence whence those sayings Job 9.15.20.21.22 nor can any teares confessions or washing themselves with snow water take off this sinne that they may appeare righteous before God Job 9.30.31.32 Nor can any gifts or sacrifices of Bulls and Goats Heb. 10.4 nor of thousands of Rams or ten thousand Rivers of Oyle or the first borne of Beasts or of a mans body satisfie for and take away sin Mich. 6.6.7 3. Neither can there be any mangling impairing or abating much lesse abolishing of this holy and spirituall law that the Almighty will tolerate nor did Jesus Christ come to destroy
sinned and come short of the glorie of God being justified freely through his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ which God nath set forth to be the propitiation through faith in his blood for the remission of sinnes And Rom. 5.18 As by the offence of one unto all men to condemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one unto all to justification of life And then it followes as the fruit of this vers 19. For as by the disobedience of one many were made sinners so by the obedience of one many shall be made righteous so is he justified so hath he by sacrifice prevailed 2. To remove stay and take away the enmity that by reason of sin death entred the dominion of the law was between God and man in the very way and in the state and condition of mankind standing as a partition Iron Bar to keep God from shewing mercy to men and men from any passage of coming in to God The removing of this was one end of the suffering and sacrifice of Christ as also the enmity occasioned between Jewes and Gentiles by the Law of Ordinances in rites and sacrifices and so to make peace And so it is expresly said of his sufferings and sacrifice Isai 53.5 The chastisement of our peace was upon him and 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself And of his prevalency for this with God for men doth not the Spirit in the Scripture affirm Psal 85.10 Mercy and truth are met righteousnesse and peace have kissed and that he Col. 1.20 hath made peace through the blood of his crosse and Eph. 2 13-16 Now in Christ Jesus yee who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for hee is our peace who hath made both those mentioned verse 1 2 3 one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us having abolished in his flesh the Law of Commandements in ordinances for to make in himselfe of twain one new man so making peace And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the crosse having slain the enmity thereby or in himself And this preceding peace-preaching and yee are become dead to the Law by the body of Christ Rom. 7.4 who hath abolished death 2 Tim. 1.10 and taken out of the way all that was contrary to us Col. 2.14 and so is affirmed to be 1 John 2.2 the Propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of the whole world such his prevalency with God 3. To redeem and buy all of God that they might not perish its that necessity of perishing into which they had sold themselves nor be judged to eternall death by and according to that Law under which they were fallen nor carried away by the Divell as their rightfull Lord by vertue of his first conquest over mankind But that they all might be released and given over to his own dispose and so he be the Lord of all as it is said Rom. 14.9 For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord both of the dead and living And so effectuall was his sacrifice and such the prevalency of it with God for men in this respect that he is affirmed to have bought even those that deny him 2 Pet. 2.1 And on this ground it is said whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords Rom. 14.8 And he is Lord of all Acts 10.36 Yea God hath made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ Acts 2.36 And in this particular end many particular ends as branches thereof are included for which also he hath prevailed As to instance some 1. That he might uphold and preserve the earth and the inhabitants thereof and the heavens for them till the end come In which he hath prevailed and so it is said Psal 75.3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved I beare up the pillars of it Col. 1.17 And by him all things consist And Heb. 1.3 He upholdeth all things by the word of his power when he had by himselfe purrged our sinnes c. 2. That he might for the time of this naturall and dying life remove and take off from men so much of that sorrow weaknesse pains and cursed terrors which the falling into sinne did necessitate to be on men as in his love and wisdome hee sees fit And in this also he hath prevailed and so it is said Acts 17.28 In him wee live and move and have our being Psal 145.8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger great in mercie The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works vers 9. 3 That he might exercise patience shew mercy and use such means as he pleaseth to move and lead men to repentance and seeking after him and submission to him and in this also hee hath prevailed and so it is said John 1.4.5 In him was life and the life was the light of men and the light shineth in darknesse 2 Pet. 3.9 The Lord is patient and longsuffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance Rom. 2.4 The goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance Acts 14.17 17.26.27 that they should seek the Lord and live to him Rom. 14.7.8 2 Cor. 5.14.15 4. That he may rule over all and dispose of their wayes conditions and trials c. And in this also he hath prevailed and so the Father in approbation of his Sacrifice said Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession c. Psal 2.8.9 And himself saith All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth c. Matth. 28.18 And the Spirit in the Scripture saith Psal 66.7 He ruleth by his power for ever Psal 103.19 And his Kingdome ruleth over all 5. That after the end of this life he may raise all men from the first death and make them alive and set them before him that they may bow to him and acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God And in this also he hath prevailed and so the Spirit in the Scripture saith 1 Cor. 15.21.22 since by man death by man also the resurrection from the dead For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive And himselfe saith Joh. 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me And even because of his obedience in suffering it is said Phil. 2.9.10.11 wherefore God also hath highly exalted and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow c. And that every tongue shall confesse that Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God And so David confessed and prophesied Psal 86.9 All nations whom thou hast made shal come and worship before thee O Lord and
of the Lord which by vertue of his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice he in his ascension Psal 68.18 received and in the day of grace was striving with them Gen. 6.3 to have convinced them and began to kindle a fire that thē would have cōsumed nothing but their fleshly affections and lusts Isa 40.7 their carnall wisdome and confidence and then have healed them and given them life Pro. 1.23.24 but they would none of his reproofes but quenched this heat and resisted this Spirit till he left striting with them But now will this holy and Almighty Spirit from the Lord that bought them return again upon them and contince them of sinne because they have not beleeved on Christ c. John 16.8 9 10. and so set home the sentence to their heart that they cannotavoid it and by his Almighty breathing word like a stream of Brimstone kindle that fire that never shall be quenched Isa 30.33 And this is another efficacy of the Sacrifice of Christ on such as have rebelliously refused him that the Spirit he by vertue of his Sacrifice received to send forth to call men shal yet set home the sentence even on those that rejected him Oh then in that day though to their woe they shall see and confesse what ever before they thought or others told them that Christ died for them though they perish that Christ bought them though they have denied him that hee had wrought redemption for them though they have sold themselves again to vanity that there was mercies for them in him though they forsook them that he strove with them to win them to him though they resisted him that his word and wayes were good though they beleeved not And now to behold him that so dearly bought them and graciously cal'd them and they rewarded him with hatred for his love to come in fury to judge them and to perceive the Blood and Sacrifice that once would have spoken peace to them to rise up against them the Gospel that once declared good tidings to them from the verity of it to bee a condemning word to them mercy that once waited for them to be now turned against them the holy Spirit that was once moving in them to draw them from sinne to God to bee now sentencing them under sinne and unto death O what a terrour will this be And how will the remembrance of the redemption wrought by Christ the mercy once shewn and the doore to life once opened through which they might have been saved now adde to the terrour and the remembrance of all the vanities false Doctrines and humane applause for which they have turned aside will but encrease the vexation and now while they see those that embraced and followed Christ whom they despised to goe into the joy of their Lord into eternall life to see their own sin and judgement in the height and the terrible presence of the Lord driving them into the lake of fire that burneth ever and out of which there is no escape Oh how great this terror yea how easelesse how tormenting how intollerable unavoidable and remedilesse How endlesse will the eternall suffering in that fire be when the least drops of those mercifull effects of the Sacrifice that are in this day tendered and so refused will not be vouchsafed nothing then but biting gnawings torments in every part of soule and body Now consider this yee that forget God Psal 50.22 lest he teare you in peeces and there be none to deliver Those that know and beleeve all these forementioned efficacies of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ they know also this terror of the Lord they are perswaded and recōciled to God in beliefe of the reconciliation God hath wrought in Christ for the world and they in witnessing the same doe perswade and beseech others now in this day of grace to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.10 11 19 20. 6.1.2 in which the comfortable efficacies will be found CHAP. 12. The usefulnesse of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ known and beleevingly remembred THat we may have the better understanding of this it is also to be understood 1. Of what the Proposition is 2. Of what knowing is here meant 3. Of what faith it is here to be understood 4. What remembrance is here meant And 5. what is meant by usefulnesse that in all wee may conceive according to Scripture sense First for the proposition It is of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and that is to be understood both of it selfe primely and of the Doctrine of the Gospel in which it is set forth instrumentally and that as is before shewn concerning 1. The manifold sense in which those tearms are used in Scripture as for his Death His resurnection His Presentation and offering to God The prevalency with God the spirituall application to believers and prevalency in them and the rich love of God and satisfaction to God and conscience and Spirit appearing and streaming there through as is shewn Chap. 2. 2. The ends of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice and that in respect of Christ according to his double Mission into the world and his double businesse in leaving the world and in respect of mankind according to the double misery and enmity against God they were fallen into And in respect of the Church according to the double need she hath of Christ in all of them the ends of the shedding his bloud the end of his offering his sacrifice with the vertue of his bloud to God The ends of the discovery and spirituall application of it to men as is shewn Chap. 3. and 4. 3 The necessity of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice both of his dying and resurrection and of his presentation and offering it to God and of his spirituall discovery and application to men as is shewn Chap. 5. and enlarged by some consideration of the Law Chap. 6. 4 The excellency and dignity of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice and that in the Sacrifice it self in respect of the Priest the Sacrifice the Altar In the Declaration in respect of the three Witnesses the Spirit the Water the Bloud In the abundant grace and the great hope appearing therein as is shewn Chap. 7. 5 The vertue operation and prevalencie of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice of Christ as it was offered to God as is shewn Chap. 8. And as through that prevalency with God mercy is shewn to men as is shewn Chap. 9. And as it is spiritually applyed to the heart of Believers as is shewn Chap. 10. And as it will be laid to the charge of such as have rejected it as is shewn Chap. 11. And all this is to be understood about the pretious Bloud and Sacrifice of Christ and in the Doctrine of Christ and so is the meaning of the Proposition 2 For the knowledge or knowing here meant and of which the Scripture meaneth when it speakes of the knowledge and knowing of Christ
Doctrine which the Apostles confessed to have received of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.11 12. 2 Cor. 5 19. 1 Iohn 1.5 To be sent to preach 1 Cor. 1.17 And for the preaching whereof a necessity was laid upon them 1 Cor. 9.16 4. This Gospel is that Doctrine which the Apostles did preach to all men every where Luke 9.6 Acts 2. 3. 4 5. 10. 13. c. and professed themselves to have preached 1 Cor. 15 1-5 and to determine to know no other doctrine 1 Cor. 2.1 4. and have denounced the curse on all that shall preach any other doctrine Gal 1.8.9 5. Yea the fulnesse sufficiency and compleatnesse of this doctrine of the Gospel doth yet further appeare many wayes 1. In the Name of it the Gospel that is a joyfull message of good newes or glad tidings from heaven Isai 52.7 with Rom. 10.15 It is good newes indeed in that it is truth Prov. 8.4.8 from God of peace and good will to men Nahum 1.15 Luke 2.10 for mankind of salvation 1 Tim. 2.4.5 6. which is in Christ Isa 46.9 and shall be given to all that in beleeving come in to him Joh. 3.16 1 John 5.10 11 12. 2. In the Titles of it which are all full of truth the Gospel of God Rom. 15.16 the Gospel of Christ Rom. 1.16 the Gospel of the grace of God Acts 20.24 the Gospel of Salvation Ephes 1.13 the Gospel of the Kingdome Matth. 4.23 the glorious Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 the Gospel of peace Ephes 6.15 the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 of life c. 3. In the sum of it both in the narration and affirmation shewing the Sonne of God to be come and what he became suffered and did for us and what hee is and doth and what hee will do in and for all that beleeve in him as this whole Treatise hath declared 4 In the holy Spirit that is promised to be sent forth in the ministration of this Gospel by which Christ will continue his owne presence with his servants ministring the same John 14.16 17. 15.26 27. 16.7 15. Matth. 28.19 20. 5 The effects of the Spirit in the Gospel forementioned both witnessed to be effected thereby and examples of its efficacies set forth therein as Tit. 3.4 And to conclude all in one word In respect of the Medium or Doctrine the Gospel is the Foundation to be built on Eph. 2.20 1 Cor. 3.10.11 the way to walk in Col. 2.6 2 Joh. 9. and the Schoolmaster to guide and lead in the way Tit. 2.11 12 c. and how full and prevalent this whole treatise hath shewn in particular And as God hath given us foundation so likewise one way Jer. 32.39 and as Jesus Christ is the foundation the way the truth the life and the Prophet and Leader 1 Cor. 3.11 John 14.6 Acts 3.22 26. and his Spirit that by which hee discovereth testifieth draweth to and buildeth on himselfe comforteth sanctifieth teacheth and leadeth his children Iohn 14.26 15.26 16.13 14 15. Rom. 8.2.14 even so the Doctrine of the Gospel is the Medium or instrument through which Christ by his doth all this 2 Cor. 3.18 4.4 6. whence all such as abide in the Doctrine of Christ are affirmed to have both the Father and the Son 2 Iohn 9. Objection But some are ready to object this magnifying the Doctrine of the Gospel makes void the Law and taketh away all use thereof Answer The truth is It establisheth the Law and leadeth to the right usefulness therof which is met with not in law-teaching pressing but in the right teaching the doctrine of the Gospel as may be seen by comparing Rom. 3.21 31. with 1 Tim. 1.5 11. For by the Doctrine of the Gospell setting forth Christ understood and believed the holynesse righteousnesse goodnesse spirituality and perfection of the Law is known and seen not abolished but ratified and fulfilled in and by Jesus Christ the Son of God In that 1. He came and fulfilled all the righteous affections and services to the utmost that it requireth 2 He as the publike man for us suffered the curse it sentenceth it too for all the sins it can charge us with 3 He rose justified and presented himself righteous before God in the behalf of us 4 Hee received spirit to send forth in the Declaration hereof that men might believe on him and in believing on him have him for their righteousnesse before God and be freed from being under the obligation of the Law to be under the obligation of grace to depend on him and so receive spirit from him to conform them to himself so raise up from a better principle The righteous affections and services law called for and gave no strength whereby they might be produced and to give the life law promised and could not give Rom. 3 10-27 and 8.2 3 4. Gal 5.16 18 22 23. and 6.8 as may be seen in that before said in the 6. and 14. Chapters In receit of which grace in the doctrine of the Gospell as the believer is freed from the obligation of the Law so hee enjoyeth the goodnesse thereof in the right ends and uses of it in that 1 They own themselves as in and of themselves the sinners and cursed ones for whom Christ was made sinne and a curse and so are dead to themselves their own strength wisdome and righteousnesse Gal. 5.24 and 2.19 Rom 10.3 4. 2 They see the mercy of God in giving the law for such ends and freeing them from the obligation of it Rom 7 9-25 and 8.2 3. They are in every thought of this Law kept from turning to it again for life of justification sanctification or glory and so occasioned to stick closer still to Christ for all Rom 7 9-25 Phil. 3.7 8. 4 They in remembring any good that law bound them to count themselves much more obliged for the grace of Christ to doe it 1 Cor 8.8 16. Ephes 6 1-4 5 They have the commands as coming from the Gospell not to get life but to testifie and exercise charity 1 Tim. 1.5 6 They can in Christ see all the commands turned into Promises so as in hearkning to him he will effect all in them Psalm 81.8 9. and 138.8 So that the Doctrine of the Gospell containes all that is meet to be taught and doth not abolish but establish the Law Observation 2. 2 That the Doctrine of the Gospell containeth both the Word of the beginning of Christ setting forth what he hath done and received and is for all and hath to bestow on them when they believe And all the everlasting Covenant and new Testament setting forth what he is to and will in due season doe for those that in believing are made one with him Heb 6 1-4 and 8 9 as is shewn throughout this Treatise The first of these is to be preached to all men as the foundation to repentance faith c Heb. 6 1-9 The second is to be opened to Believers for the encouragement of their hope and for their edification c. Obser 3. 3 That the grace of God discovered by the Spirit of Christ in this Gospell and put in the heart of the Believer is through the same Spirit a sufficient Prop and School-master for and to the Believer to witnesse peace to comfort renew teach lead and preserve in wayting for the coming of Christ Tit 2.11 12. Gal 5.5 16 18. Obser 4. 4 That the believing-remembrance of this grace of Christ is the way of Believers drawing frō Christ all receites springs streams of consolation and fruitfulnesse in themselves and for others as is fore-shewn it being the drift of this whole Treatise CHAP. 15. A pointing to some Applicatory usefulnesse 1 IN this fore-discovery of the Gospell setting forth Christ is Ground of Reproof of 1. Those that slander the Gospell of Christ and of the grace of Christ and the doctrine thereof as insufficient to prepare men for Christ or to sanctifie Believers or as if it were Antinomianisme and a doctrine of fleshly liberty 2 Those that confound things that are distinct and make them one and of like large extent which the Gospell distinguisheth setting forth the one as more generall the other as speciall As the Reconciliation wrought by Christ in himself with God for men And the Reconciliation which by Spirit applying the former hee worketh in men to God His mission to make propitiation and offer sacrifice And His mission to preach the Gospell And to His laying down his life to satisfie Justice And To confirme the New Testament And To seale his ministration and testifie love and therein give us example 3 Those that put all receit of eternall life upon the very Act of Christs suffering rising and offering himself a sacrifice to his Father whereas all this did but procure it into his hands to bestow and it is the spirituall application to the heart in which the receite is 4 Those that take faith only for a perswasion raised by consequence and arguments from Scripture and frames or that thinke faith to be nothing else but a believing to be saved by Christ or that one stands spotlesse before God All which follies and mistakes are discovered in this Treatise 2. Here is ground of Admonition and Exhortation to all that through grace believe in Christ diligently and constantly at all times and in all things To heed the Gospels Declaration of Christ and his grace there-through made known And To abide and walk in the acknowledgment and faith thereof And To suffer the grace there-through moving and teaching to have its perfect work in us and to yeeld up thereto And how it will work in us save sanctifie renew comfort and lead us is already shewn The experiment of the truth whereof the Lord fill us with As prayeth The unworthiest of all he hath shewn mercy to Tho. Moore FINIS