unto him even to the man Christ Jesus He is the Mediator between God and men who gave himselfe a ransome for all to be testified in due time And this that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father that they should acknowledge his right of Lordship by purchase and redemption and by the Fathers gift to be as large and full as is the Fathers right of Lordship by Creation and absolute propriety in And liberty to dispose of them as his Creatures for the Father hath committed all judgment to him as the Son of Man whence also his ability and fitnesse to judge is the same with the Fathers for the Father hath now actually glorified him in mans nature with his own selfe the glory he had with him before the World was haveing finished the works the Father gave him to doe on Earth which were also so accepted as finished with the Father from the beginning of the World He hath put his spirit on him to bring forth judgment to the Gentiles so that he stands in the strength of the Lord and in the Majesty of the name of the Lord his God Joh. 11. 4 5. Math. 28. 18. Isa 42. 1 6. with ch 11. 1 2. Mich. 5. 4. That Men in honouring him might honour the Father in him and that in hearing his word and through and according to it believing on the Father that sent him and whosoever so doth the Father through that word and according to it justifies them and makes them partakers of eternall life and the rest he holds under condemnation by and according to the same word doctrine law and rule of the Son of Man so bearing witnesse of him yea that men might honour him The glory the Father hath given him is such as in which he is infinitely strengthened fitted and appointed to call all the ends of the Earth as Isa 55. 4 5. 45. 22. Psal 50. 1. Math. 28. 18 19 20. Mark 16. 15 Luk. 24. 47. Act. 3. 22 26. And that in the name and power of God his Father in such wise as to make the dead to hear to open the blinde eyes and awaken those dead in sins or make his word so powerfull to the awakening them that they might in hearing hear even in the light and power of his voyce in the Gospell as that is by any meanes of his appointment witnessed preached to them and that they that in hearing doe heare may be quickned and made alive by it For as the Father hath life in himselfe so he hath given to the Son to have life in himselfe and hath given him authority to execute judgment also both here and hereafter because he is the Son of Man 3 In the verses under consideration he compleates the discovery of the excellency of his person and works and his singular one-nesse with the Father in declarâ—ng those greater and more glorious works which the Father will after shew and bring forth by him in the generall Resurrection and judgment And with this also corrects their sinfull marvelling at what he had before declared Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. The end and scope of our Saviour then in the text appeares to be to discover the excellency of his person and works as he is God-man the word made flesh the son of God the son of man and therein to teach and lead into the understanding and usefulnesse of things to come even of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all And ended this is the prime end and scope of all Scriptures to bear witnesse of Christ Joh. 5. 39 as the Son of God the Saviour of the world the Lord by purchase and so the Judge also of quick and dead 1 Joh. 4. 14. Act. 10. 36 42. yea this is the way of the holy Ghost in them to teach all things and lead into all truth and so to shew even things to come in the demonstration of him or by glorifying him and that in taking of his things and shewing them Therein he commends and displayes the compassionate love mercifull kindnesse and pitty of God to sinners Joh. 3. 16 17. Rom. 5. 5 6 7 8. his faithfulnesse and readinesse in giving all things with him Rom. 8. 32. And to accept all comers into delightfull love and favour without upb ayding or respect of persons 2 Cor. 5. 17. with verses 14 15. Act. 10. 34 35 43. As also his unspeakable terror against scorners that will break forth afterward if while it is to day they receive not the love of the truth to save them 2 Cor. 5. 11. 14 15. Hebr. 10. 29. Yea there he shewes mans sinfulnesse vilenesse and deadnesse in shewing him in whom his help is 2 Cor. 5. 14. And so the unprofitablenesse of all his works and therewith also the greatnesse of the evill of unbeliefe and unthankfulnesse of loving and chusing darknesse when light comes Joh. 16. 8 9 10. yea thereby he leades into all truth and so shewes things to come vers 13 14. The word of the beginning of Christ being the Doctrinall foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God and of the Doctrine of Baptismes and of laying on of hands and of the resurrection of the dead and eternall judgement Hebr. 6. 1 2. Called therefore the great things of his Law the vision of all Hose 8. 12. Isa 29. 11. with ch 28. 12 16. The key of knowledge Luk. 11. 42. 52. That by an exercise of faith in him according thereto we might reape the profit and use of all Scriptures 2 Tim. 3. 15. The way in which our Saviour proceeds in pursuance of the forementioned scope and end in these verses is 1 By warning or admonishing them against sinfull marvelling such as is the proper fruit and issue of unbeliefe and an impediment to faith for there is a marvelling that 's good and commendable such as is of faith an esteeming reverencing and so admiring the unsearchable depth and excellency of the truth wisdome and goodnesse of the things believed and perceived as passing all understanding and knowledge such as that Rom. 11. 31. with Eph. 3 18 19. Phil. 4. 7. Psal 40. 5. and 71. 15 17. But that marvelling that 's not of faith but an impediment to it such as in which a man lookes upon the things set before him in thy testimony of God concerning Christ as strange absurd and incredible because he cannot comprehend it by reason such as that in Nicodemus how can this thing be Joh. 3. 9. like that Joh. 12. 34. with Hosea 8. 12. and Isa 29. 9 12. Against this our Saviour admonisheth them marvell not at this namely that which he had already declared of the present power of the voyce of the son of God by reason of the glory which the Father had given him
that here have rejected the same power in its saving and healing oppaâ—ations have done despite to the spirit of grace And rejected that word and voyce in it which he brought to them by which they must be raised and judged Then by the same spirit which is the light and power of his voyce in the Gospell to them now shall every secret thing be brought to light How the same hath been formerly striving and working with them Discovering the thoughts and intents of the Heart And powerfully reproving and with discoveries of his goodnesse leading to repentance And how they have hardened their hearts And for what empty reasons and lying vanities they have offered despite and gâ—eivance to him The remembrance of which shall be ever with them as the worm that shall never dye evidencing the equity of his Judgment in the fire that never shall be quenched This therefore our Saviour useth as part of the Argument or motive with which he admonisheth them not to murmur now against the light and power of his Doctrine not only that they could not come nor any man without such drawing of the Father as was now vouchsafed them by him But also that he even the same that was now sent in the light and power of his spirit by his word to draw them whether they now come or no he shall raise them up at the last day even in the same power by the same spirit and judge them by the same word Joh 6 44. with ch 12. 48. This likewise evidenceth the voyce of the son of man the preaching of peace by Jesus Christ by what meanes soever he pleaseth to vouchsafe it to men now to be sufficiently powerfull and efficatious to the strengthening dead men to hear and receive it to the creating both light in the understanding and motion or inclination in the will where none was before that men might in its own light and power perceive and receive the great things of his love as discovered and brought unto them therein seeing its the same power and powerfull voyce by which Christ was raised by the glory of the Father And all the dead shall be raised by the man Christ in the glory of the Father obtained by him in Mans nature through and by meanes of his sufferings for men yea this instruction may here seasonably be noted by us as presented by our Saviour in the Text for correcting of their sinfull marvelling at the forementioned present power and efficacy of his voyce in the Gospell on the spirits of men viz. That it is the same voyce by which the dead Bodies shall be raised The light and power of his spirit sent out with his Gospell in the severall preachings of it now vouchsafed is of the same nature with that Power by which Christ was raised And the dead shall be raised It is according to the working of that mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead by which men spiritually dead as to the hearing of the voyce of the son of God are made to hear it in its coming to them whence he is said by the same spirit by which he was quickened or raised from the dead to have gone home to them And preached to their spirits that were disobedient in the dayes of Noah And are now in Prison for their disobedience then 1 Pet. 3. 18 19 20. And so also by which those that in hearing hear are strengthened to believe and quickened and preserved in life in believing Eph. 1. 18 19 20. with Joh. 5. 25. And so it s signified to be a new creating word or voyce answerable to that first creating word by which he created light where there was none before 2 Cor. 4. 6. The spirit and power of God by which all things increase and multiply in their severall kinds And by which all things were at first created and had their Beeings given them is the same but not in the same manner put forth to the first as to the last mentioned of these works And so the power or spirit by which men are preserved in their naturall life and do move and act in it And that by which the dead bodies shall be raised is the same but not in a like manner of working put forth to the first as to the latter To the first in an ordinary or naturall way or manner of working so as co-opperating with and strengthening naturall faculties and powers before given To the other in a supernaturall way or manner of working giving beeing and life where there was none before even so likewise we may say It s the same spirit and power of God by which men are instructed and strengthened to the attaining naturall and Worldly Sciences And by which they are instructed and strengthened to know Christ and Gods glory in him and to receive and entertain him in their hearts But it s put forth according to another manner of working to the latter then to the former To the former only in an ordinary and naturall manner of working according to the nature and some fore-capacity of the subject wrought upon strengthening the naturall powers and faculties to what is within their spheare To the latter in a supernaturall way or manner of opperation bringing not only new light revealing the object in Gods wisedome and way of demonstration but also therewith an opening the understanding that they may understand what is discovered new strength and motion to the will and affections that was not there before strengthening to receive what is given even such as were as to that wholly dead before It is such as is making wise the simple that have no understanding in its coming to them for in its revelation of the object it is opening the blind eyes of the mind moving and leading to repentance even such as are not made wise or led to repentance by it Psal 19. 7. Rom. 2. 4. Isa 48. 17 18. Math. 13. 9 12 13 15. such as makes the dead to hear that in hearing they might hear and those that hear to live and therefore shewed to be according to that working whereby he shall raise the dead Yet there are also these dissimilitudes between the manner of the putting forth of the same power for the quickening mens spirits now and for the raising their dead bodies after 1 To the first it s put forth mediately through outward meanes of preaching that voyce vouchsafed To the latter immediately from and by himselfe 2 To the first he works graciously on the mind and spirit enlightening perswading and so drawing by cords of love to make them willing in the day of his power And that they might be made so that through him they might be saved and graciously saving the willing ones Hose 11. Rom. 2. 4. 1. 16 17. but not irresistably forceing To the other he works irresistably without requiring any consent or complyance forcibly and powerfully of himselfe without any act of
so believing on him for it is said to wait through the spirit for all the hope of righteousnesse by faith Gall. 5. 5. He believes on him that justifyeth the ungodly His faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 5. And in the latter end of that Chapter he thus expresseth it It shall be imputed to us for righteousnesse if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our and was raised again for our Justification In both compared it appears not only that Gods justifying the ungodly in every sence in which he doth it is in and through the Resurrection of Christ from the dead for our Justification who was delivered for our offences which is signified in that one is put for another his raising Christ from the dead in the close of the Chapter supplyes the Room of his justification the ungodly in the fifth verse As shewing the ground of it and how he doth it righteously as Rom. 3. 24 25 26. I say not only this appeares but also in both this further is signified that Gods justifying the ungodly in and through the Resurrection of Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification This is the Root the ground and foundation of this faith of the opperation of God which is counted to men for righteousnesse This is that from whence the heart is begotten moved and strengthened to its satisfaction and rest in him dependance and waiting on him for righteousnesse and so seeking righteousnesse and strength in the Lord even this known and believed in the light and strength of Gods testimony That he justifyeth the ungodly having raised Christ from the dead So then there must needs be in this faith which is counted to men for righteousnesse 1 A believing God as Rom. 4. 3. A believing the testimony or record he hath given of his Son 1 Joh. 5. 9 12. viz. That God hath raised him from the dead Rom. 4. 24 25. 10. 9. And so the revelation he hath given of himselfe in his Son that he justifyeth the ungodly 2 A resting in him believing or depending on him from that perswasion and in the light and power of it for righteousnesse And so much is distinctly expressed in the explication of the doing good spoken of in this Text vers 24. He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation c. with reference to which he saith in this Text. They that have done good shall come forth to the resurrection of Life For our better and more usefull understanding of this saith or believing which is unto righteousnesse we shall first and chiefly apply our selves to some consideration of the word or Doctrine of faith in which the ground and foundation of faith is declared and which being with the heart believed is unto righteousnesse and then more briefly speak to the saith or believing in both the branches The hearing his word or believing God in his Word or Testimony And the believing on him through and according to it 1 The Word or Doctrine of faith which being with the heart believed according to the manifestations of it given us is unto righteousnesse is expressed in the verses before the Text to be the word or voyce of the Son of Man even of the only begotten Son of God in Mans nature The word record or testimony of or concerning him and of the Father in him As that is already given forth in these last dayes by him and is true to be heard and believed by every man The preaching of peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all It is first and directly a record or testimony concerning Christ and yet it is also and in the same a testimony or revelation of the Father in and through Christ And so sometimes the record or testimony as it is more directly of Christ or concerning him is delivered as the sum of that whole word or Doctrine to be heard and believed with the heart as Rom. 10. 9. That God hath raised up Christ from the dead and so Rom. 4. 24 25. where he addes who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification The revelation of the Fathers name being in this testimony And sometimes also that revelation of the Fathers name and glory that is given forth in Christ according to this Testimony of him is given as a summary Declaration of the whole Testimony to be so heard and believed it being the sum and result of the whole as 1 Joh. 1. 5. This then is the message even the sum of that ministration of the word of Life which they had received to declare unto others mentioned in the former verses That God is light and in him is no darknesse at all So in that Rom. 4. 5. That God justifyeth the ungodly is given us as an abridgment of the whole word of faith It being the summing up conclusion or result of the whole testimony of God concerning Christ And in the verses before the Text both are wonderfully compact together The testimony of God concerning Christ and the manifestation or revelation of God in Christ as it should after more explicatively be brought forth And that both First in the fundamentall part of it The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father c. And secondly In the superstructure or consequentiall part of it He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation like that in both parts 1 Joh. 5. 10 11 12 13. We shall speak to it in our explication first and chiefly as it is the Testimony or record of God concerning Christ Jesus the Lord comprized in this that God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification This being given us as the sum and abridgment of the whole word or voyce of Christ or Testimony of God concerning him whence who so in hearing heareth shall live Rom. 4. 24 25. with ch 1. 1 4. 2 Tim. 2. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 11-15 Rom. 10. 9. This abridgment of it being also most suitable to the Text and occasion in this testimony of Christ delivered as the sum of the word of faith and doctrinall ground of it Is 1 An acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord carryed in the face of it And 2. A testification that God hath raised him up from the dead as expressed both in Rom. 4. 24 25. and in ch 10. 9. 1 An acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord even that Jesus of Nazareth of the seed of David after the flesh That he is the only begotten Son of God that was in the beginning with the Father and of the Father the same
because he went to his Father Joh. 14. 12. with Act. 26. 18. Greater works then those visible and sencible demonstrations of his power which they saw made by him on mens bodies amongst which also was his raising Lâzarus though that more singular and as a discovery of his mighty power for raising the dead as it should be more gloriously manifested in due time yet that was not a totall Redemption from death and the power of the grave and therefore might be rockoned among those works that are inferiour to the making alive the spirit for righteousnesse sake while yet the body is dead because of sin if then the quickening and saving operations of his word on the spirits of men now be greater then any of these works forementioned and yet the efficacy of the same voyce spoken of in the text as to come be another and distinct work and greater then that as t is clearly signified to be It s evident from thence it can be no Iesse nor other then that resurrection of the dead bodies of men in which they shall be wholly redeemed from the first death and from the power of the Grave And so the Apostle Paul speaking of the first Resurrection which is more properly then the other called a quickening of the mortall body or raising it unto life mentions it as another distinct and following work And such only as is greater then the making the spirit alive now while yet the body is dead Rom. 8. 10 11. And if Christ be in you the body is dead that is it is yet so because of sin though Christ be in you but the spirit is made alive for righteousnesse sake But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall body or raise up that also in a state of life and unto life by the same spirit that now dwels in you quickening your spirit Yea our Saviour also otherwhere speakes of the generall resurrection at the last day as another distinct work and greater then any spirituall efficacy of his voyce or word now in drawing men or strengthening and quickening the commers which yet also are there signified to be so great and of such a nature that nothing short of that his raising them up at the last day is greater see Joh. 6. 40 44. The Father hath sent him now in the light and power of his word or doctrine to draw men to him that otherwise could not come And to give eternall life through his name to all comers even in the knowledge and faith of it in him and in some first fruits of spirituall enjoyment and in the hope of the harvest To each of these he addes and I will raise him up at the last day signifying nothing short of that is greater then these and clearly mentioning that as another work and greater then any of these which yet also he saith he will do both unto those that come in his drawings to see and believe on him and to those also that break his bands asunder and will not come to him for life And then shall be fulfilled that which is written all that the Father hath given him shall come to him even those that now will not come in his drawings see verse 37 39. with Isa 45. 23 24. Psal 2. 7 8 9. And so in this place The resurrection of the dead is distinguished from and mentioned as a far greater work then any spirituall efficacy of his word or voyce on Mens spirits now And therein signified to be a mighty and wonderfull efficacy of the same voyce on their dead bodies that sleep in the dust of the Earth even such as in which they shall be wholly redâ—emed from the first death and from the power of the Grave Yea 2 So much is plain and full in the expressions 1 In that it s called the resurrection of them 2 It s said to be such as in which all that are in the Graves shall come forth 1 In that it s called the resurrection of them both some to life and others to damnation now there is no work in Scripture called the resurrection of the dead But that in which the whole man is wholly redeemed ouâ— and brought forth of the first death that came in and passed on all men at first by sin nor can be properly so called no not that quickening of the spirit that is now effected in hearing the voyce of the Son of God by what meanes soever preached though that as we have shewed already in respect of the nature and greatnesse of it is the neerest to this yet that is but such a quickening or making alive of the spirit in part or in a first fruites as may and doth stand together with their body being still dead as the fruit of sin Rom. 8. 10 23. yea of those of whom the Apostle supposes they were risen with Christ yet he affirmes of them that they were still dead and their life hid with Christ in God And when he who is our life shall appear then not before shall they also appear with him in glory Coll. 3. 1-5 And of himselfe the same Apostle plainly affirmes that he had not yet attained the resurrection of the dead but was pressing on to it ayming at it even at the first resurrection in which is such blessednesse yet so as looking for it both after the changing this vile body and at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven when he shall bring with him all that sleep in Jesus and not before see Phill. 3. 11-14 20 21. True it is In that gracious or spirituall work in which the spirit is quickened or made alive for righteousnesse sake now through the beliefe of the truth as it is in Jesus Therein also the Believer is said to be risen with Christ Coll. 3. 1. with ch 2. 12. But that is explicated to be not in or by a like act wrought upon our Persons as was wrought upon his when he was raised from the dead But through faith of the operation of God and so effected in the doctrinall and spirituall baptisme as also they are said in the same baptisme in a like sence to be buried with him He is the Person that was dead and buried and was raised again for us and with reference to that his personall buryall and resurrection the Apostle speakes there as also in Rom. 6. 3 4 8 11. shewing that in the spirituall washing of that doctrine of his death and resurrection we are through faith washed from the errors and polutions of the World into the acknowledgment grace and consolation of that his death and resurrection And so in that Baptisme or washing of the spirit which is in the beliefe of the truth we are taught and strengthened to reckon our selves dead and buried in his death and buriall there dead indeed unto sin and so risen with him through
and effectuall with the Father as that through Christ in the name and grace of the Father they might have been saved in due time They could not be righteously judged for denying him that bought them and not receiving the love of the truth that they might be saved His judgment therefore from such demonstrations is and shall be evidenced to be according to truth against them that commit such things see Rom. 2. 2. 4. 5. 10-16 3. 3 4. Act. 17. 30 31. 2 Thess 2. 10. 11 12. Though the spirit that dwelleth in us as of us Justeth to envy and pride yet God giveth more grace and because he doth so therefore he saith He resisteth the proud that still persist in their pride and stubbornnesse notwithstanding his grace bringing salvation did abound and was more then their naturall filthinesse and corruption and would have overcome all for them and in them had it not been willfully again and again rejected by them This is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darknesse Jam. 4. 5 6. Joh. 3. 19. Therefore also in the right understanding of the greatnesse and truth of this love of God in Christs dying for all and through it to manward the Apostles did discern and know the unspeakable greatnesse of his terror against Scorners in that Day of his judging all men by Jesus Christ according to their Gospell 2 Car. 5. 10. 11-14 15. Hebr. 2. 3. 10. 29. And the truth is whatever is said to the lessening or taking off from either the greatnesse or truth of Gods grace in and through Christ to manward tends every whit so much to the extenuating of their evill that sin against it and to the abating or taking off from the clear discoveries of the terror of the Lord and the greatnesse and equity of his severity that shall be against Scorners persisting such and so to the blunting the edge and taking away the force of all Gospell admonitions and warnings for according to his fear or grace and glory in Christ to manward that he might be feared by them now even such so infinite and unspeakable will be his wrath against Scorners then Psal 90. 10 11. 2 This Resurrection and Judgment shall be effected by his mighty power In the immediate and wonderfull putting forth of his voyce even the same powerfull voyce or spirit that now breathes in the Gospell to the awakening the dead or making them to hear and to the making partakers of life them that in hearing hear That it shall be by the same voyce is clear in the 25. and 28. verses compared This more wonderfull efficacy of his voyce in raising the dead and bringing them in judgment is here declared to correct and silence their sinfull marvelling at the 〈◊〉 power and efficacy of the same voyce on the spirits of men before 〈…〉 â—uch is asserted by the Apostle Rom. 8. 11. If the spirit of him that 〈…〉 the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead 〈…〉 also quicken your mortall Bodies that is Raise them in the first Resurrection and to life by the same spirit that now dwels in you And in such wise also the generall Resurrection of all the rest of the dead shall be effected by him in the last day as is signified Joh. 6. 39-44 where he not only saith that he will raise them up at the last day But clearly signifies that he will doe it by the same power by which he was now sent to draw them and was drawing them even by that eternall spirit by which he was raised and with which he is filled and cloathed without measure in that Body in mans nature by vertue of his sufferings and by which he is now striving with and working on the spirits of men to the drawing and quickening them yea that word that he hath now spoken to them and preached by his spirit to their spirits shall judge them at the last Day Joh. 12. 48. By the power now graciously breathing in it to make them willing they shall then be brought to his judgment Seat whether they will or no And be judged by and according to it God hath appointed a Day in the which he will judge the World in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised Him from the dead by whom in the mighty putting forth of the same power and spirit he will judge discern discover and bring to light and judgment every secret thing whether it be good or bad And so judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to Paul's Gospell This Instruction is used in Scripture for consolation to those that now receive and retain this voyce of the Son of man This word and spirit in it by which he was raised to dwell in them He shall raise and judge them by the same word and spirit that now dwels in them speaking peace and giving healing to their spirits through his bloud and the love of God therein displayed so that it must needs be to them a resurrection to life and the compleating of that joy to which they are now quickened in their spirits by the first fruites of the same spirit while yet the body is dead because of sin as Rom. 8. 10-11 12. 24-25 so Job 11. 25 26. I am saith our Saviour the Resurrection and the life not only as the procuring Cause but also as the effecter and worker of it And that by the same spirit by which he was raised and with which he is immeasurably filled in mans nature And by which he now accompanies his word that through him men might believe and dwels in the hearts of the receivers in a first fruites of it as is shewed before Therefore says he because I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth on me though he were dead yet shall he live And he that liveth and believeth on me shall never dye he shall not dye or be separated from God or cut off from his hope in that first death or shadow of death which he must passe through And the second death shall have no power on him yea the first fruites of the spirit being to the quickening their spirits that now receive it what can the harvest or fullnesse of the same be to them when it shall be poured out upon them but still more even to fullnesse of efficacy of the same nature life from the dead The totall quickening of soul and body together So likewise the same Doctrine is used for admonition and warning to the rejectors while it s to day to take heed of murmuring against that power by which he is now striving with them drawing and working upon their hearts For by the same power spirit voyce or word of the Son of man they shall be raised and judged in the last day And therefore it must needs be a terrible resurrection and Judgment to those
1. 15. 2 Cor. 4. 14. with ch 5. 1-10 2 Tim. 2 8-19 Hebr. 1. 3. 4. 14. 7. 23 c. 8. 1 6. 9. 11 14. 13 28. 10. 1 12. 13. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 21. 2 The persons for whom or in whose stead and for whose offences he was delivered to death are every of them whose nature he took even every man Adam and all his naturall posterity for therefore he was made a little lower then the Angels even in the nature of fallen man-kind in a Body prepared for him of the seed of Abraham and David after the flesh that by the grace of God he might tast death for every man He was made of a Woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law now we know that what ever things the Law saith it saith to them that are under the Law that every mouth may be stopt and all the World may appear guilty before God who hath therefore concluded all under sin that he may have mercy upon all Hebr. 2. 9 14 15 16. Gall. 4. 4. with Rom. 3. 19 22. ch 5. 20 21. 11. 32. This was the Apostles judgment and so the mind of the spirit of Christ that One dyed for all in their room or stead their death and for their good and commodity that through Him they might be saved and that then God was in Christ reconcileing the World unto Himself not imputing their trespasses to them For he laid or caused to meete on him the Iniquities of us all 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. Isa 53. 6. with Joh. 3. 17. The resurrection then of that Body from the dead that was so delivered up for us all must needes be for the justification of us all even of all man-kind for therefore was he made sin for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him And as the offence of one was upon or unto all to condemnation So in an answerable and more abundant sence the righteousnesse of one the one man Christ Jesus which was compleated in his Resurrection and offering up that Body aâ—spoâ—lesle Sacrifice a ransome or price of redemption for all was upon or unto all men unto justification of life Rom. 5. 18. And he even Jesus Christ the righteous being in his resurrection taken from the Prison and from the judgment acquit of all our sins imputed to him and accepted to all the ends of his laying down his life He is the propitiation not only for the sins of Believers that have him also as their advocate with the Father but also for the sins of the whole World The Mediator between God and men who gave himself a ransome for all a testimony in due time 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. with 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. yea he is Lord of all even a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins and that it should be preached in his name for therefore he both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord of all Act. 10. 36. 39. 43. ch 2. 36. 5. 31. Rom. 14. 9. And that this is also contained in that Doctrine of the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead as one of the great and maine things in that word of faith is evident in the Scriptures already mentioned where this is expressed as the sum of their ministry or of the word or reconciliation committed to them to be ministred by them And so also as the ground of all their exhortations reproofes warnings and encouragements As also of their praying for all men in due time and exhorting others to it Namely that Jesus Christ by the grace of God dyed for all and that so effectually that it is accepted with the Father as if all had dyed so that he hath raised him from the dead for their justification and given him glory that they that live should not hence forth live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again That then in that work God was in Christ reconcileing the World c. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15. 19. That God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth For one God or God is one and there is one Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himselfe a ransome for all a testimony in due time Unto this saith the Apostle I am appointed a Preacher and an Apostle a Teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity I will therefore that men pray c. See also 1 Joh. 4. 14. When after the Apostle hath admonished us not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits whether they be of God and given us this as the first part of his generall Rule for tryall Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is already come not coming in the flesh that so acknowledgeth and lifteth Him up as having already actually finished the works the Father gave Him to do on the Earth and so is risen from the dead and exalted in that body in Mans nature with the right hand of God is of God And then added this as a further part of that generall Rule for tryall of spirits vers 6. That they the Apostles in their Declaration of this word of life Christ raised from the dead were of God and therefore he that knoweth God heareth them assents and comes up to their words so acknowledgeth Christ come in the flesh and the extent ends and vertues of his Cross as they have seen and declared him And he that is not of God heareth them not In which addition of this further part of the Rule he signifies there may be some acknowledgment of Christ as come in the flesh which yet is not according to the Apostles word or Doctrine After this I say in the 14 verse he sums up their word or testimony concerning him which also they have left for the tryall of spirits We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World That spirit therefore that in his confession of Christ doth not hear assent to and acknowledge him according to this their testimony of him is so far forth not of God As also is signified in those Declarations of the testimony of the true spirit concerning Christ by which he may be known and distinguished from other spirits 1 Joh. 5. 6 9. 11. 12. with Joh. 3. 14 15 16 17 c. And likewise in that discovery of the office and work of the true spirit which he executeth with this testimony in the World Joh. 16. 8-14 The further consideration of which we shall here wave for brevity sake 3 The offences he was delivered for are our offences He gave Himselfe for our sins Gall. 1. 4. He dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. Even for all the sins and offences that are ours any mans that is yet joyned to or of the number of the living or not yet blotted
up in the blessing Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord from hence forth yea saith the spirit c. He that endureth to the end shall be saved Be thou faithfull unto death saith Christ and I will give thee the crowne of life Math. 24. 13. Rev. 2. 10. So James affirming the blessedness of the man that endureth temptation saith That when he is tryed namely to the end when that work of trying purging and making white through manifold temptations is finished he shall receive the crown of life Jam. 1. 12. Many that have been going right on their way yea runing wel suffered many things yet afterward wickedly drawing back and departing from the living God by an evill heart of unbeliefe have not been found among the righteous nor shall be found among them when he appeareth they so persisting till sin be finished Therefore let us not be weary of well doing In due season we shall reap if we faint not Thus we have done with the first branch of the point under consideration namely who they are that have done good And what we have said in it leads into the understanding of the next branch namely who they are that in a like scripture-sence according to the rule of the Gospell have done evill To that therefore we shall ad but a few words The doing evill that is imputed to men and which brings under condemnation the wrath of God is clearly expressed according to what is also shewed before to be mens being contentious against and not obeying the truth when it is manifested to them in their minds by the evidencâ— demonstration of the spirit and powerfully leading to repentance They then like not to retain it in their knowledge or so to receive the love of the truth as to save them but are incensed against Christ and his gospell because he reprooves their deeds by the light and power of it Rom. 2. 6 7 8 9. with ch 1. 18 19 21 28. 2. 1-4 5. 2 Thess 1. 8. 2. 10 11 12. Isa 45. 24. Their willfull refusing to come in his drawings to â—imselfe for he is drawing all in due time even to himselfe for life And this is the condemnation that when light comes men love and chuse darkness Hose 11. Job 6. 47 with ch 12 31. 32. Psal 2. Joh. 12. 47. 48. 25. 22. 24. nor is any man under a state of condemnation or wrath but for such seeing hateing hearing and rejecting for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son And so the time of their doing evill in this sence is in the very opportunity given them for doing good even when light comes when he is preaching peace and witnessing goodness to their spirits when his goodness is leading and drawing to repentance even when and as they are so called to the most high they goe back and willfully refuse to exalt or honour him in those discovery â—s and operations of his goodnesse and glory in and through him vouchsafed Hose 11. 1 Pet. 3. 19. Joh. 3. 19. Rom. 2 4 5. If light had not so come to them or he had not so spoken to them they had not known or been capable of sins of this nature as now charged upon them But yet mens evill or in quities of this nature though they are truly said to be Doers and workers of it while they continue in it yet are not in a full and proper sence said to be done or finished nor so reputed of God While yet the day of salvation lasteth to any man that is while God is yet calling his grace bringing salvation to them If yet they repent and seek him none of their former wickednesse shall be remembred to him that is joyned to all the living there is hope but when sin is finished it brings forth death In an utter separation of the person from Gods mercy and binding him over and sealing him up to the wrath to come They that have done evill to the resurrection of damnation 2. The next and last point to be considered in this last position propounded is where in the manifest difference that shall be made between them in the resurrection standeth or how it shall be made and made to appear in the coming forth of the one by the power of his voyce to the resurrection of life of the other by the power of the same voyce to the resurrection of damnation there is a reall difference between the doers of good and the doers of evill now in this day before either of them have finished their course And a very great one too see 1 Ioh. 5. 19. 20. The whole world lies in wickednesse even in the wicked one for while they willfully remaine in the state and condition or in the darknesse of this world in ignorance of God in Christ strangers to the life of God loveing and chusing their darknesse when light comes they consequently remaine under the Power Bondage and Dominion of Satan holding in captivity to sin the mind conscience and whole man So that they are in their uncleannesse and not washed from it in the flesh and under the wrath of God for not believing on him that came to save and deliver them is bringing that salvation to them through the power and in the grace of his truth But saith the Apostle speaking of themselves and other Believers or doers of truth God hath given us an understanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true namely as the fruit of the knowledge of him we are brought into him to have our hearts and mindes stayed there as a full object and foundation of rest and satisfaction to our soules a sure refuge and house of defence to save us from sin and Satan and hide us from the wrath of God we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so in God This is the true God this is eternall life Babes keep your selves from Idols They in whom the word of truth the things heard from the begining in the word of the truth of the Gospell remaines or abideth do continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Ioh. 2. 24 25. As the fruit of which knowledge of and union with God in Christ The righteous is more excellent or abundant then his neighbour But the way of the wicked seduceth them Prov. 12. 26. But this difference is not yet manifest or visible as to outward appearance or to be seen by the carnall mind nor otherwise then as faith is the evidence of things not seen while Christ doth not yet appear personally in his glory on the Earth and in his spirituall presence in through and according to the Gospell is hidden not discerned known or taken notice of by the World But under reproach his people also are in lâ—ke manner a hidden people and rendered as the filth and off-scouring of all things unto this day As he
Instruction to the Living FROM THE Consideration of the future State OF THE DEAD OR The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the DEAD and of Eternal Judgment by CHRIST as the sum of it was delivered at the Funerall of Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison in Boston Jan. 1657 8 By Tho. Moore Junior If any man will come after me saith Christ let him denie himselfe and take up his Cross and follow me For whosoever will save his life shall loose it And whosever will loose his life for my sake shall find it and keep it unto life eternall Joh. 12. 25. for what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole World loose his own soule or what shall a man give in exchange for his soule For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angells And then shall he reward every man according to his works Math. 16. 24-27 Wherefore saith the Apostle we labour that whether present namely in the body or absent from it we may be accepted with him knowing that we must all appeare before the Judgment-seate of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 9 10. For to this end Christ both Dyed Rose and Revived that he might be Lord Both of the Dead and Living Rom. 14. 9-11 To him therefore shall men come And all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed Isa 45. 24. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we perswade men LONDON Printed by E. Brudenell for John Allen at the Sun-Rising in St. Pauls Church-yard 1659. To The READER AT the importunity of the late Husband of the Deceased I promised some notes of what was delivered at his said Wives Funerall Intending only a Breviary of the heads of that But when I set on the performance of my promise not knowing how publique it might be made I thought it expedient to speak more fully and explicatively to many of the things herein discoursed then I could have done in such a Breviary or had opportunity to doe at the first Delivery of it which work requiring more time then I could redeeme to it for a good while by reason of many unexpected occasions It hath lyen the longer by me I hope also God might order it so that it might come forth to thy greater advantage I shall here add but this word That the things chiefly treated of are of the great things of the Law or Doctrine of God very needfull to be well knowne and earnestly heeded by us The good Lord graciously pardoning my weaknesse and brokennesse in putting them to remembrance give us all a more clear understanding of them then is made over in my rude expressions and so direct us to a hearty reception and profitable usefullnesse of the things themselves as contained in the Scriptures is the desire of the most unworthy of all that have received mercy From my house at LYNN Novemb. 4. 1658. Tho. Moore Junior THE Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead And of Eternall Judgment by CHRIST as Evidenced in the Testimony of Christ spoken too in some explication of those words of our Saviour Job 5. 28 29. as considered with the foregoing Verses and compared with other Scriptures Joh. 5. 28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice And shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evill unto the resurrection of damnation OUR Saviour having healed an impotent man that had an Infirmity 38 yeares by his word in which also he bad him rise take up his bed and walk and done these things on the Sabbath day as we read in the beginning of the chapter The Jewes as soon as they heard it did the efore persecute and seek to slay him because he had done these things on the Sabbath day vers 15 16. Our Saviour that he might also heal their minds and so allay the heat of their ignorant zeale and sury graciously instructs them My Father saith he worketh hitherto and I work his Father did work in this work by his word to the making the man whole shewing that to be a good Sabbath days work as also the like Mark 3. 1 5. And therefore he ought not to be blamed seeing he therein did not nor doth he any thing at any time but the works of the Father and in the Counsell Name Power and Authority of the Father that did work by him all that he did having also made him Lord of the Sabbath as Mark 2. 27 28. At this the Iewes conceived yet further displeasure and sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the Sabbath as they still imagined not minding his gracious instruction But also because he said that God was his Father Immediatly and in such wise as therein to their apprehension he made himselfe equall with God which indeed to him was no. robbery Phil. 2. 6. Our Saviour takes occasion still from their ignorant fury and malicious opposition farther to instruct them into the excellency of his person and works and the glory the Father had given him to possesse in that body in mans nature and for mans good as also that glory that should after be more gloriously actually conferred on him and he cloathed with it in that body and it manifested in and through him That in and by him men might know honour and beleive in God This instruction he carryes on in all the following discourse to the verses we have pitcht on shewing in all that to him it was no robbery to be equall with God Instructing and admonishing them by all to reverence him and seek to know and worship God in and by him So infinite are his Compassions and gentlenesse towards even such rebellious sinners he was not yet provoked by all their malicious forwardnesse to rise up in fury against them or hide himselfe and with hold his gracious instructions from them But as one that hath received gifts even for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them is still ladeing them with heavenly instructions teaching sinners in the way blessing them that curse him doing good to them that despitefully use him and persecute him giving us herein an example that we should follow his steps according to that instruction The Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle to all men apt to teach in meeknesse instructing them that are ignorant and oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 2. 24 25 26. not frowardly or unfaithfully withholding from them for fear or shame or revenge any of those things that may tend to commend Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the World and render him precious nor being selfe-willed or soon angry but speaking the truth in love while we have opportunity This discovery of the
come forth But having mentioned that hour or time coming that then was already begun as a distinct hour or time of it selfe he then mentions this as another and following hour in which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. This hour then shall not come untill that be finished that was then already begun Yen 3 That it shall immediatly succeed that is evident also in the expressions In that of the first he saith the hour is coming and now is and then with reference to that saith of the following the hour is coming as who should say The next after this hour or time that now is or is already begun it shall follow it at the heeles Now then for our understanding the time of the Resurrection of the dead and of eternall judgment as expressed and signified to us by our Saviour in this text It s needfull for us to consider 1. What is that hour or time mentioned in the 25 verse as coming and already come or begun 2 What is that hour or time immediatly following or coming next after that mentioned in the 28 verse after which is our enquiry 1 The hour or time mentioned in the 25 verse of which our Saviour saith it was coming and was then already begun it appeares by comparing it with the former verses to be the time of the ministeriall preaching of the voyce or woâ—d of the son of God in mans nature as already come in the flesh which was begun by the Lord himselfe his forerunner John preparing the way to it And confirmed by those that immediately and personally heard and received it from himselfe Hebr. 2. 4. This ministration or dispensation is called the preaching of peace by Jesus Christ Act. 10. 36. His speakeing from Heaven as distinguished from Moses ministration or speaking on earth Hebr. 12. 25. For though this voyce did begin to come forth in our Saviours personall ministration on earth yet it was confirmed and given forth in full by him from Heaven after his ascension in that wonderfull pouring out of the holy Ghost on the first witnesses And by them to all Nations for the obedience of faith And he is spiritually present with it to the end of the World yea that beginning of the coming forth of it in his personal ministration on earth was also his speaking from Heaven He being then in the bosome of the Father so as never man was did more fully and clearly reveale him And so it s here called the voyce of the son of God even of the only begotten son of God that was in the bosome of the Father as Joh. 1. 18. Both as now already begun in his personall ministration and as after more fully to come forth from him when ascended into Heaven in that ministration of the spirit which yet was not so given till he was glorified Joh. 7. 39. This is that called the coming forth of grace and truth by Jesus Christ of the fullnesse of which ministry the Apostles received after his ascension And so called as distinguished from the coming of the law by Moses Joh. 1. 16 17 18. The preaching of the Kingdom as distinguished from the Law and the Prophets Luk. 16. 16. The manifestation of the righteousnesse of God by the faith of Christ as distinguished from the former witnesses of it in the Law and Prophets Rom. 3. 21 22. Christs bringing life and immortallity to light by the Gospell 2 Tim. 1. 10. And so the testimony of the Lord verse 8. And here the voyce of the son of God his word preaching or ministry Gods speaking to us by his Son as distinguished from his speaking in sundry manners in former times Hebr. 1. 1 2. Now the time of the continuance of this ministry is expresly shewed to be To the end of the World in this corruptible state of it or the World that now is All power saith our Saviour is given unto me namely in mans nature even in that body in which he bore our sins to the Tree being now raised from the dead and as the great and last Prophet to the Nations Gods light to the Gentiles and his salvation to the ends of the Earth Goe yee therefore Disciple the Nations baptizeing them that is in pouring out this word or Doctrine upon them Publishing his name and repentance and remission of sins in it for all And also in outward sealing or witnessing the truth of that in that ordinance of baptizeing with water in that name And so baptizeing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost as now come forth in him Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and loe I am with you alwayes to the end of the World Math. 28. 18 19 20. And so the Apostle saith They had received the grace of Apostleship fully to make known and give forth the preaching of Christ which was kept secret since the World began but was now given by the Father to the man Christ raised from the dead As the last and great Prophet even the same which he began personally to preach on Earth The fullnesse of which he had now given to them as his Ambassadors for obedience of the faith among all Nations for his name Rom. 1. 5. 16. 25 26. 2 Tim. 4. 17. Yea our Saviour further saith That this Gospell of the Kingdome must be preached in all the World for a witnesse unto all Nations And then shall the end come Math. 24. 14. This ministration is to continue till then whence 't is called the dispensation of the fullnesse of times Eph. 1. 10. And those gifts that are so given unto the Church as that they are said to be set in it as distinguished from those that were added to accompany them chiefly in the beginning of that dispensation 1 Cor. 12. 28. with Eph. 4. 11. They are so given and set in it for that work of the ministry and to be exercised therein till we all come in the unity of the faith and acknowledgement of the son of God to a perfect man to the measure of the full age of Christ in his body The Church even till the time when they shall all be brought together in a perfect state in the first resurrection Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Whence also the times and ages or dayes of the World that now is from the beginning of the coming forth of that voyce of the son of God are called the last dayes as distinguished from those former sundry times in which God spake in divers manners Hebr. 1. 1 2. yea the last time or age of the World and the time of the last dispensation or ministration to be given to it 1 Joh. 2. 17 18. with Eph. 1. 10. The hour or time of the voyce of the Son of God or of the preaching of Jesus Christ and by him in the man our Saviour shewes to be the last After he
had been holden of Death or the Grave and not been taken from the prison and from the judgment If he after the same consideration of him in which he was delivered for our offences even Jesus of the seed of David after the flesh be not raised again and so mightily declared to be the Son of God by the Resurrection from the Dead we are yet in our sins and must needs perish in them we can have no justification from them by him if he himselfe in that his own personall Body in which he bore our sins to the tree and gave himselfe for our sins be not raised and exalted in the name and Glory of the Father by the power of the eternall Spirit now no more to returne to corruption If there were any truth in such Imaginations as that there is some quickening or translateing work that is or may be effected upon the soule or spirit as Distinct from and without its body that may properly be called the Resurrection of that person on whom it passeth from the Dead yet that truth would doe us no good as to a word of saith Such a Resurrection here would not help us nor any thing lesse or besides the resurrection and exaltation of the same Body in which he was delivered if the same flesh or body be not raised exalted and glorified with God we can have no faith or hope in him For this also we finde that that Body was prepared for him as absolutely necessary to doe the whole will of God in for mans salvation and that through him they might be saved as well as also that by him they might be judged in Righteousnesse according to the Gospell And so not only that he might therein suffer our Death and Curse But also that he might have it as through sufferings made perfect to offer up in Sacrifice to God as the Ransome or price of redemption in which God might smell a savour of Rest for fallen mankind and likewise to appear in in the presence of God as the Mediator between God and men and as the Great Apostle and High Priest of our profession that all fullnesse dwelling in him bodily we also of his fullnesse might receive c. yea that it is through the offering up of the Body of Christ once for all that we are sanctified 'T is through this man and because God hath raised him from the Dead that repentance and remission of sins is preached to us and by him all that believe are justified c. Yea because this man continueth ever therefore he is able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him and therefore also all judgement committed to him see Hebr. 10. 5-10-12 with ch 9. 11. 12. 14. 23. 24. 25. 26. 28. and ch 8. 1-3 4. and 7. 23. 24. 25. c. 1 Tim. 2. 5. 6. Joh. 1. 14. 16. with Coll. 2. 9. Act. 13. 37. 38. 39. Ioh. 5. 27. Act. 17. 31. This therefore is mainly considerable in that testimony of Christ delivered as the Ground of all our faith and hope that God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences even the same Jesus of Nazareth and in that his own personall Body in which he was to delivered Jesus Christ of the seed of David after the flesh Rom. 1. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 8. This truth we have before sufficiently proved for confirmation of the hope of the Resurrection of our Bodies that dye in Adam Here we shall only farther shâ—w of how great weight and importance our Saviour and the holy Ghost by the Apostles signify it to be and the asserting and acknowledgement of it as one of the first and greatest things in the Word of faith on which the other things in it depend and in which they are included and therefore not to be passed over as a lighter matter or bieopinion to be so discoursed of or only to be of some lesser use To this it is very observable That our Saviour after his Resurrection In all those his appearances and instructions to his Apostles before his being taken up in which he was confirming and preparing them for that great work of giving forth the full preaching and revelation of the Word of faith to all Nations for the obedience of faith he then chiefly insisted on this to shew himselfe to them alive after his passion and that it was he himselfe the same that suffered and was hung on a Tree And that he had the selfe same body flesh and bones hands and feet really as a spirit without a body hath nor though it may sometimes assume such shapes that it was the same in which he sometime conversed with them in weaknesse that was nailed to the Crosse pierced with a speare c. And withall he instructed them that all this was necessary these things must needs be so fulfilled that repentance and remission of sins might be preached in his name Luk. 24. 36 48. Ioh. 20. 24. 27. with Act. 1. 3. Likewise the Apostle Iohn summing up the Word of faith The testimony of God concerning Christ they had received of him to declare unto us cals it a declaration of that which they had looked upon with their eyes and their hands had handled of the Word of life which being with such apt alusion to those words of our Saviour handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as yee see me to have Luk. 24. 39. with Ioh. 20. 24. 27. Must needs meane the Lords body raised from the dead The man Christ Jesus alive after his passion in the same body in which he bore our sins to the tree which other believers are said not so to have seen Ioh. 20. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 8. yet to believe and in the beliefe of it to rejoyce and be blessed 1 Ioh. 1. 12. Hence also we read in that whole story of the Acts of the Apostles as in all their Epistles that they in giving forth the Gospell of Christ the Word of faith after the holy Ghost was poured out upon them from on high doc chiefly insist on this as the first and fundamentall things of all Orracles of God as now come forth The foundation of all our faith hope as now declared and of the resurrection of the dead and eternall judgment that God had raised up and exalted the same Jesus of Nazareth of the fruit of David's loynes according to the flesh that was crucified that his soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see corruption that God had given him glory in that Body in which he bore our sins to the Tree that our faith and hope might be in God And from hence do evidence repentance and remission of sins to be therefore preached to us through this man and in his name as Act. 2. 22-36 3. 14-21 4. 10-12 5. 30-32 13. 23-37 38. 39. Rom. 1. 1-5 4. 24. 24. 10. 9. 1 Cor. 15.
necessity of ceasing from a mans own works that he may attain righteousnesse yea that this cessation is in and with that believing that is imputed for righteousnesse The working here mentioned and the believing on him that justifies the ungodly cannot stand together There is then in this believing with the heart which is unto righteousness A ceasing from a mans own works an entring into rest as Hebr. 4. which also answers to that instruction in the verses before the Text shewing the hearing his word and believing on him that sent him to be such as in which the Son is honoured and so the Father in him who is not truly honoured or gloryed in without this ceasing from our own works in which is a relinquishing all glorying in the flesh and not suffering it to glory or lift up it self in his presence Phil. 3. 3-10 1 Cor. 1. 29-31 with Jer. 9. 23 24. 1. The hearing his word Joh. 5. 24. The believing God Rom. 4. 3. in his testimony or record that he hath already given of his Son as 1 Joh. 5. 9-12 This is the first and fundamentall act in this faith of the opperation of God where this is with the heart and unfeined there is equally the other act or acts in it produced by the power of the word of truth so believed Therefore this alone is given as a description of that whole faith of the opperation of God wherwith a man believes to righteousnesse Rom. 10. 9 10. with ch 4. 3. Such it is as in which a man being enlightened and made to hear by the preventing grace of God in which the voyce of the Son of God in the witnesses of Gods goodnesse that is in and through him or in the preaching of peace by him comes to him even to his spirit by Gods spirit in and through the meanes vouchsated opening the eyes and eares of his mind with which grace God in and by Christ prevents every man in due time and alwayes before he require any hearing or receiving of them Such I say as in which a man in that enlightening and perswasion that is in that evidence and demonstration of the spirit in which his testimony that he hath already given comes to them Falls down before it gives glory to it as to the word of the Lord ceasing from his own thoughts words and works on Gods holy day even in the day of Gods power or powerfull word coming to him he is in that evidence and demonstration of the spirit in it perswaded of the truth goodnesse and faithfullnesse of it in it selfe and in all it saith and embraceth it esteemes loves receiveth and reverenceth it as the word of God and not of man As a good word a faithfull saying worthy to be received with all acceptation as the truth which teacheth all things and of which is no lye And accordingly rejoyeeth in it as having found all riches and that which answers all needs and is worthy to be submitted too and that all reproved by it should be parted with for it and so with meeknesse receives the ingrafted word that is able to save the soul without inward wrath murmurings or disputeings against it Ceasing from the workings of their own thoughts reasonings or Imaginations and so from consulting with the Doctrines and traditions of men that life up themselves against the knowledge of God suffering them to fall before it as the weapons thereof are mighty through God to cast them down they let God be true and themselves and every man lyars Neither seeking to measure or comprehend this light or word of truth brought to them by the darknesse of their reason or Imagination or by Philosophy and vain deceite after the traditions of men But perceiving in this light every man to be brutish in his knowledge as Jer. 10. 14 23. with Prov. 30. 2 3 4. They fall down in the sence and acknowledgment of their inabillity by any wisedome or strength of man to receive and comprehend what is discovered and brought to them That so they may be made wise in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit that brings it attending to receive all their demonstrations of truth and light and power to receive and embrace them in and from Gods testimony in a silent adhearing to it as fooles in themselves And so in believing the truth goodnesse and faithfullnesse of the word in its own sayings though they be never so short in understanding what is contained and plainly expressed in it yet believeing they waite for all further wisedome understanding and strength seeking it in the Lord and not in man or the things of man that no flesh may glory in his presence Likewise in this receiving his word with the heart there is a ceasing from the workings of the carnall mind in its inclinations affections and lusts which are set upon the riches of this World the praise of men the pleasures of this life or some exaltation or lifting up himselfe in some selfe sufficiency and that not only before men but before God or in his presence A ceasing from these 1. In their lifting up themselves in direct opposiâ—ion to the testimony or word of truth And to hinder the receiving and acknowledgment of it 2. In their seeking to get seeret service and satisfaction to themselves in mens receiving and closeing with it Either of which wayes the flesh with its affections and lusts will hinder mens hearty and unfeined receiving the word of truth the Gospell of their salvation if they suffer it not to be crucified and themselves to be brought of from it in the light and power of that word Therefore those that are Christs are said to have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Implying that they could never have so received and retained his word in their heart as to draw and unite them to Christ if they had still lived in the flesh or suffered that to live and rule in their spirit or minded the things of it and made provision for it for they that are in the flesh cannot please God Some by working in the wisedome and Imaginations of the flesh seeking and professing to be wise consulting with Philosophy and vain deceite their own thoughts and the traditions of men and so by murmuring among themselves close the eyes and eares of their mind against the truth when opened by it break his bands by which he is drawing them in his Doctrine And so keep out the light of his knowledge and themselves from acknowledging or understanding the truth of his sayings Joh. 6. 41 42 43 44. 12. 34 35 Rom. 2. 21 22 23. 1 Cor. 1. 21 22 23. 1 Tim. 6. 20 21. Others when convinced of truth yet still seeking after wisedome in themselves to find out and comprehend the truth of Gods sayings by their Imaginations or by the same wisedome and reason of man with which before they did or others yet do oppose it And to build their faith
only perfect and worthy to be sought after and submitted too They honour the Son and so the Father in him they ascribe righteousnesse to their Maker as more largely we have shewed in our lamentation over the dead in Christ published on the death of Henry Rixe 3. Because they herein do that which is good and profitable as to the attaining righteousnesse And so is confirmed to be good in the good fruit of it all works of darknesse are unfruitfull the workers of them reap no profit or good fruit of them Eph. 5. 11. Rom. 6 21. Job 33. 27. Hence they are called dead works which have not profited those that have been occupyed in them Hebr 9. 14. 13. 9. But the work of righteousnesse shall be peace and the fruit of righteousnesse quietnesse and assurance for ever Isa 32. 17. Yea it is so now in a first fruites of the spirit The God of hope filles with all joy and peace in this believing that they may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost Rom. 15. 13. This faith is so counted to them for righteousnesse that they are therein made partakers in a first fruites of the spirit of what they believe on him for even the fruit of his righteousnesse with which faith closeth in the forgivenesse of their sins acceptance of their persons into favour and fellowship with God dayly washing sanctifying justifying and changing into his Image in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornfull But his delight is in the Law or Doctrine of the Lord and therein doth meditate or exercise himselfe day and night And so through and according to that Doctrine trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is He shall be as a Tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth forth her rootes by the River and shall not see when heat comes but be always fragrant and fruitfull The ungodly not so c. see and compare Psal 1. with Jer. 17. 7 8. He that abideth in him sinneth not misseth not his mark failes not of the end of his faith the saving of his soul attaines righteousnesse 1 Joh. 3. 6 1 Pet. 1. 8 9. Rom. 9. 30-32 1. In that they are made accepted with God in the beloved even in and according to that perfect righteousnesse that he hath compleated for them on which their parts and mindes are stayed In him they are compleat it being the office of the righteous one so to present them in himselfe so that as he is righteous and faithfull in his office And the Father righteous in his promise and covenant confirmed in him so he that doth righteousnesse believes in him for righteousnesse in which also he doth that which the righteousnesse of God discovered in Christ works in him both to will and to doe is righteous yea his righteousnesse that is imputed to him by him that imputes righteousnesse without works even the righteousnesse of God not of man made theirs through faith in Jesus and in which through saith in it he is accepted It is perfect and answerable to the holinesse of God such as in which his truth is fulfilled his justice satisfied so that they are made the righteousnesse of God in him that was made sin for them And in an answerable sence viz. by imputation as well as also by making them partakers of the fruit and blessednesse of it as he was made a curse for them of which more in the next considerations For as being accepted in Christ their iniquities are pardoned in Heaven not remembred or retained there against them So 2. They are made partakers of that forgivenesse of their sins in their mindes and consciences through his name and in the opening of it filling them with joy and peace in believing that also they may abound in the hope of his righteousnesse for further washing and saving to the utmost and perfecting what concernes them By him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses This blessednesse comes upon them in believing through his name Act. 10. 43. 13. 39 Rom. 8. 2 3. 3. 25 26. 4. tot Gal. 3. 9-14 Heb. 9. 14. 10. 22. The Law of the spirit of life in Christ even the Gospell of Christ declaring his righteousnesse in suffering and redeeming us from the curse of the Law is the power of God to save them that believe making them free from the Law of sin and death and quickening them to a new and living hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead that truth believed in the opening of it makes free from sin from the guilt accusation and bondage that they may serve him without fear in righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes of their life Yea 3. They are also created in Christ in the light and power of his grace believed and believed in unto good works which God hath before ordained that they believers should walk in them And so also as well as in the sence forementioned he that abideth in him sinneth not that is he doth not commit sin he saith not he hath no sin but he doth it not he is kept from committing or serving it There is sin in them still dwelling and more stirring and warring in the members then formerly But he that abideth in him is dayly strengthened through his name against it that he doth not consent to or serve it or let it reigne in his mortall body and so he that is boâ—n of God or that is led of the spirit of God which alwayes leedes or carryes out of a mans selfe into Christ for satisfaction righteousnesse and strength he doth not commit or serve sin nor can he for the seed of God the word of truth abides in him And wheresoever that is suffered to dwell in the heart it will preserve and deliver from every evill work The power of God which is in it to that purpose being greater then the power of sin and Satan Therefore sayes David thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee If therefore sin prevaile over any of us so as we are thereby brought into bondage it must needs be acknowledged we are not then or therein born of God not led of the spirit of God not carryed out or brought forth of our selves into Christ for teaching and strength but leaning to our own understanding and retaining in our heart some Worldly principle or inclination and secretly consulting with that minding the things of it walking in the flesh and not in the spirit we reape corruption For that grace of God that brings salvation to all men Teacheth us that denying ungodlinesse and Worldly lusts we shâ—uld live soberly righteously and godly in this present World looking for the blessed hope