own particular persons they can never over-come and without suffering they can have no remission Heb. 9 22. Now to remedy this misery and take away this enmity in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ by the will of God even the will of his Father and his own free-will it being one and the same with the will of his Father hath taken the nature of mankind subjected to infirmities and the cause of mankind upon him and in their stead being made under the Law under which they were fallen hath borne all their sins and suffered all their curse and so dyed for All That all were dead and hath risen again just and free from all their sins imputed to him And a victâ—rer over all their curse and death imposed on him and so ascended and offered up himself to God a spotlesse sacrifice and a ransome to God for all men and God hath accepted it so that for mankind in him mercy and truth are met righteousnesse and peace have kified Psul 85 10. And he is become the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 2.2 having slaine the enmity Ephes 2.10 Having taken out of the way All that was onely between God and us and so was contrary to us Col 2.14 And so hath given himself aransome for All to God and bought all men of God 1 Tim â— 6. 2 Pet. 2.1 And here is the infinite wisedome and great love of God in finding out this remedy for mankind which from the beginning was in himself hidden in his own Bosome And this he brought to passe so putting all to death in the death of his Son and setting them in heavenly places in him That he might shew forth the riches of his grace Ephes 2.5 6 7. And so war God in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their trespasses to them 2 Cor. 5.14 19. And so hath made a way for himself to shew mercy to whom hee will And opened the doore to life and immortality for mankind 2 Tim. 1.10 And thus hath Iesus Christ by shedding his blood and presenting it to his Father redeemed all men of God and taken the enmity out of their stateand condition and is become their Lord Having wrought redemption and salvation in his own body for them even for all men 1 Tim. 2. 5. Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Vngodly and his enemies And that while they were such Roan 5.6 That he might bring them to God 1 Pet. 2.24 and 3.18 And yet unlesse he proceed to do more for men then all this none of them will come into God Iohn 6.44 45. For 2 There is a misery and enmity in the nature of mankind through which he is so averse to God That though the enmity in the state and condition be slain And all that which was between God and Mankind contrary to them taken out of the way Ephes 2.16 Col. 2.14 yet will not mankind come into God but remain sinners and ungodly still foolish disobedient and deceived living to themselves and after their own lusts and so in enmity against God Rom. 3.10 19. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Tit. 3 2 3. And such however ransomed by Christ neither can nor shall enter his Kingdom nor have any inheritance with Christ 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Gal. 15.19 20 21. But if not brought out of this enmity which is as impossible to them to do of themselves as to have ransomed themselves their condemnation will bee more fearfull 2 Thes 1.8 Now to remedy this misery and take this enmity out of the nature of man Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and with the vertue of that bloud he shed for mankind having offered up himself a spotlesse Sacrifice to God and obtained eternall redemption and received all fulnesse of Power Authority and Spirit as the publike person in the humane nature glorified Act. 2.31.32 Psalm 68.18 Doth send forth of that Spirit in the meanes he useth at one time or other to enlighten and move at the hearts of men Iohn 1.9 To reprove and convince them of the sinfulnesse in themselves the vanity of all their Idols and all righteousnesse of their own working and of the fulnesse of that righteousnesse and life in him Iohn 16.8 9 10. And so calleth them Prov. 8.4.5 6. Isa 45.22 and 55.1 2. That in their turning at his reproofe he may power out his Spirit and make known his words to them Prov. 1.23 That so through him they might believe and be saved Iohn 1.5 7. and 3.7 And though all resist and go out of the way Rom. 3.10 19. And that this is the great condemnation when light comes to love or chuse darknesse rather Iohn 3.19 And he might justly give them all up and be righteous Rom 3.5 6. yet for a time he useth patience and striveth with them Gen. 6.3 That they might repent Rom 2.4 And to some he giveth more abundance of his grace and overcomes them as Bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 20. Isa 30.18 And brings them in to believe Ephes 2.7 8 9 10. Phil 1.29 And these he redeemeth with his precious blood by presenting and applying it close to their heart sprinkling it thereon and discovering such free and infinite riches of grace therethrough that all things else though never so fore-thought of as gainfull appeares to them as losse in comparison of this grace allureing to win Christ and be found in him And soe as we by of our Children from their vanities to their bookes Phil. 3.7 8 9. c. with gifts he buyeth and purchaseth us with his blood from our vaine lusts hopes and conversations and from among men unto God 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Reu. 5.9 And then by the spirituall application of the vertue of his blood purgeth the conscience from dead workes to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 And so in his love washeth us from our sins in his own blood Reu. 1.5 And those whom he hath not onely bought of God as he hath done all men 1 Tim. 2.6 but also purchased them unto God from among men and washed them in his love from their sinns 2 Pet. 2.1 Reu. 5.9 and 1.5 Iohn 13.8 These and these onely are his Church and pecular people Act. 20.28 Ephes 5.27 In whose soule and body he worketh salvation through the application of that salvation which the hath wrought in his own body And in this consideration of the double enmity to God into which man fell and the reâ—â—â—cy in Christ appeares three ends of the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ namely two ends of the presentation and offering it to God one to take away the enmity that was in the State and condition of mankinde Ephes 2.16 The other to receive spirit to send forth in the declaration of this grace to reconcile men to God that the enmity in there nature might be removed Ephes 2.7 2 Cor. 5.20 and one end of the spirituall presentation and applycation of it to the heart and conscience
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
8. Heb. 5 9. Rom. 14.2.12 as now he hath come in the flesh and died for our sinnes and is risen for our justification Rom. 1. Heb. 9. and having offered up his own selfe a Sacrifice to God for us is received and exalted at Gods right hand having obtained eternall redemption and so is become the Lord of all the propitation for the sins of the world the Mediator between God and Men Wisdome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption and life in him for all And hee all this for and to all that by the heavenly call beleeve on him and for them the Mediator of the new Testament that they may receive the promises being immeasurably filled with the holy Spirit to send forth to men even the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them and to such as are brought in to him to lead them into all truth having all power and authority to call all the sonnes of men that they might look and live to him to absolve and bring to eternall life all that obey his call and to judge and condemne all that persist refusing and will none of him This Doctrine as it is now declared in the Gospel it is the onely necessary doctrine to be taught known beleeved and walked in and it is a full sufficient and compleat Doctrine or Law and needeth no other doctrine to be added to it either to goe before or follow after or be joyned with it 1 Cor. 2 1-4 Gal. 1.7 8 9. 1. Either to convince the world of sinne or righteousnesse or judgement and to empty a man of himselfe John 16.7 11. Phil. 3 3-8 2. Or to call to Christ and so to repentance and faith and there through to receit of remission of sinnes renewing and life in Christ 2 Thess 2.14 3. Or to encourage beleevers to abide in the faith John 15 1-10 Col. 1 5-23 4. Or to direct and lead Beleevers to sanctification and conformity with Christ in heart and life 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Tit. 2.10.11.12.14 5. Or for Beleevers exercise to preserve and edifie themselves and one another in the faith and love of God in Christ and in the love of one another through all sufferings and services of love till they come to the Inheritance John 15.4 7 8. 1 John 2.24 25. Jude 20. 6. Or to oppose all sins and adversaries and all false Doctrines wayes and hopes withall 2 Cor 6.4 7. and 10.4.5 6. Ephes 6.17 Yea this Doctrine of the Gospell as it now sets forth Christ and life in him is a compleat full and sufficient Doctrine for all this without addition And for better understanding the sufficiency of the Gospell this is to be heeded That the life in Christ the Redemption compleated in his own body for men the redemption in the Declaration thereof tendered to be wrought in men by his Spirit in application of that in himself wrought in such as believe on him ever from the beginning was now is and ever will bee one and the same 1 Iohn 1.4 5 9 12. 1 Iohn 1.1 2 3. Heb 13.8 But the fulnesse and cleernesse of the Doctrinall Declaration and Dispensation as well as of the spirituall communication of Christ and the life in him hath had its diversity of Degrees 1 There was some discovery of this life even of the redemption wrought by Christ in himself for men and the power in him to make it known and tender it to men and give it into believing men even at first And that then declared was Gospell even the same though not so full and cleere as the word of the beginning of Christ now as appears by comparing Gen. 3.15 with Iohn 1.4 1 Iohn 1 1-3 and 3 5-8 2 After some time God was pleased to give a more full discovery of Christ and this life in him in opening to and making with Abraham an everlasting Covenant to assure all the spirituall Seed of this life in Christ and the priviledges thereof by a sure and unalterable Covenant Gen. 17. which was not another but the same Gospell more full come forth and the same that now is though now more open and cleer Gal 3.8 16 28 29. Yet till Christ was actually come God saw it needfull to adde stil something for the nurture and guidance of his people that they might estimate seek and lay hold of Christ and this life in him which still they were apt to sleight and neglect and ready either to extenuate their evils or to magnifie some wisdome and righteousnesse of their own wherefore God gave them a Testament or Law by Moses his servant one part whereof pointing out the righteousnesse due from man to God thereby to discover their sinfulnesse and make them say Amen to the Curse And the other part to type and shadow out Christ that they might in observation therof look and wait for all grace through him that was co come And this Law or Testament was not the everlasting Covenant It was not the Gospell preached to Abraham but a Law added because of transgression till the Seed should come and so long was the teaching and pressing of this Law needfull and usefull as subservient to the Gospell c. Gal. 3.19 to drive to Christ 3 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. Gal. 4.1 4. And hee being come in the flesh and having suffered and being in our nature exalted at the right hand of God he hath given a new Testament which is a first fruits of the everlasting Covenant and the blessing of the Gospell for the nurture of his people and so the old Testament decayed and passed 2 Cor. 3.11 Heb. 8.13 Gal. 3.24 25. And thus though it was the same grace and life in Christ yet in respect of this full and cleer dispensation that is now by the Gospel it was hid in God and not so made known as now since Christ came it was to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit and by them in the Gospel in which the same Spirit still teacheth Eph. 3 2-9 Col. 1.26 1 John 1.2 3 4. And so of the Gospel as now declared is the Affirmation in the Observation to be understood namely That the Doctrine of the Gospel is the onely necessary and full sufficient and compleat Doctrine to be taught known believed and walked in c. And this doth yet further appear in that 1 This Gospell is that Doctrine which God gave Jesus Christ to preach and sent him and filled him with Spirit to preach and he preached it Iohn 12 49 50 and 17.8 18. with Isa 4.2.1 and 61.1 2. Luke 4.18 Mark 1.14 2 This Gospel is that Doctrine which Jesus Christ hath given to his servants to preach and sent them into the world and endued them with spirit to preach and given them in charge to preach it Iohn 17.8 18. and 15.26 27. 1 Iohn 1.1 2 3 7. 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 3 This Gospell is that
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
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
Death in sinne and a Death in punishments and torments due to sinnings against the grace of God manifested in the Creation And had there been no remedy or prevention this death and punishment would have been eternall for men in particular suffering it could never have overcome it to get out of it only by reason of Gods preventing mercy in keepeing man from cating of that Tree of life of which if he had eaten his Body had been immortall and so capeable of eternall sufferings He should suffer eternally in his soalc And his body with the sting and povson of sinn and curse should be alwayes suffering till it turned to rottennesse and so to dust againe and this is the first death which came on all men at first Gen. 2.17 and 3.19 And this Jesus Christ hath in dying for our sinnes and riseing for our Justification as the publike person overcome 2 Tim. 1.10 and obtained of his Father power to ease men in this life of so much paines of this mortalilty as he pleaseth and to raise them all from this first Death at the last 1 Cor. 15.21.22 2 The Death or punishments on men for sinning against the grace of redemption in hardening themselves against the Patience and bounty of God and meanes through Christ procured to leade them to repentance and so for their turning herefrom and going after their own wayes are afflictions and troubles on soule and body name and estate having some mixtures of mâ—rcy and being to hide pride from man and force them to repentance c. Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Iob 33. And these are called wrath Judgements punishments corrections out of which yet there is a way and meane of escape Iob 33. Heb. 1.12 Esa 27.4.5 3 But the Death and torment for these that have persisted in in resisting the spirit in the meanes and refusing this life in Christ and to have him raigne over them till they be given over to satan is more terrible and is eternall on soule and body raised and made immortad and so capeable of eternall suffering And this is called the second death Hell fire The lake of fire unquenchable fire and even that which was at first prepared for the Divell and his Angels into which all these shall goe who by their wilfull persisting in rebellion against the truth and walking in lyes and murthers become of the wicked one the Children of the Divell and the seed of the Serpent And so shall share of the same punishment 1 Iohn 3.12 Iohn 8.41.44 Mat. 25.41 onely in the sting and tormenting worme that never dyeth but alwayes tormenteth there is now this more to these miserable men then to the Divels The remembrance of a Remedy since their first fall which they have refused which will torment exceedingly but that cannot be in the Divels torment 6 And yet there is one thing more in which appeareth the effectualnesse of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ on these rebellious refusers and that proveth the appearance of the same to be in all these 5. forementioned poynts And that is the judgement and condemnation of these Rebe's in that 1 The Lord Jesus Christ that shed his Blood and offered this Sacrifice shall even by vertue thereof be their Judge even he that dyed and rose and revived for them to be their Lord Rom. 1.4 9.12 he that bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 even he shall be their Judge and they shall appeare before his judgement sear 2 Cor. 5.10 yea even because he dyed for them God hath exalted him and they shall come before him to acknowledge him Lord by whom they might have been saved and shall be judged righteously Phil. 2.10.11 Esa 45.23 And of this God hath given assurance and offered faith to all men in that he raised him from the Dead Act. 17.31 And this is one efficacy of his Sacrifice on such as refused him in whom they might have enjoyed the comfortable efficacies that they shall acknowledge him Lord and be judged by him Rom. 2.16 2 Tim. 4.1 And they shall yeeld it right it should be so 2 That which shall be layd to their charge in this Judgement and that by which their sinnes shall be evidenced and agravated against them their sinnes that will be layd to their charge will be their ignorance of God and not obeying his Gospel 2 Thes 2.8 Their unbeliefe with all the fruits thereof Iohn 16.8.9.10 Their Impenitency and not profiting by but hardening their hearts against the meanes by the Sacrifice of Christ procured and extended to leade them to repentance Rom. 2.4.5 Their evill thoughts and hard speeches of him and his goodnesse in his word wayes people Iude 15. and so for every Idle word and all their Idolatries and unmercifulnesse and ungodly deeds which through their disobedience to his goodnesse they have runn into Iude 15. Mat. 12.36 yea every secret thing shall then be manifest That by which the vilenesse of their sinnes and justnesse of their Judgement shall be evidenced will be the put chase Christ hath made for them and they denyed him that so dearly bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 The mercy extended to them against which they hardened themselves Rom. 2.5 And all the meanes yea even the Gospel sent to move them to seeke the Lord Mat. 11 16-24 yea the very blood and Sacrifice of Christ by which all the residue was procured for them which they have contemned Heb. 10.29 yea and the Spirit of grace with all his spirituall hints of light motions reproofs and allurements which they have despised Heb. 10.29 Prov. 1.24.25 c. All which will then appear as aggravations of their sinne and judgement and this is another efficacy of the blood and Sacrifice of Christ on such as have refused him that when the day of grace is past it will occasion the evidencing and aggravation of their sin and judgement 3. The order rule law or medium by and according to which the judgement shall proceed and that is the Gospel in which Christ had before been set forth a saviour for them the propitiation for their sinnes and full of Spirit to send forth and so inviting them to repentance and faith with assurance of renovation remission and life on believing and warning that the issue of all other wayes would be death This Gospel as it is the word which Christ and his Apostles spake so such is the truth and verity of it that even the rejectors thereof it shall judge and hee shall judge them by and according to it Joh. 12.47.48 49. Rom. 2.16 And this is another efficacie of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ on such as have rebelliously refused it that by the declaration or word thereof and according to that declaration shall be the judgment Rom. 1.1.18.20 10.18 John 15.22 4. That which shall convince of sin and set home the sentence of sinne and of judgement to the heart and so kindle the fire that never shall be quenched is even the same Spirit
which he giveth to men 1 It is not that knowledge or knowing which is naturall Rom 3.10 and 11.34 Truth it is that as God through Christ and for his sake for a time preserveth the naturall life of man so through Christ and for his sake he giveth and preserveth unto men for the time of this naturall life their naturall understanding reason judgmentaind conception Job 35.11 Rom. 1.32 By which they may learne and understand some things in the workes of God Job 36 24 25. And some things in the Narration or History of the Scriptures or Word of God Rom 2.17.21 Luke 10.26 27. And it is also true that God hath imprinted and manifested his wisdome even some testimonies of his being and goodnesse in his workes of Creation and Providence Psalm 19 1-6 Act. 14.17 Rom 1.19 20. and 2.4 And in the Scriptures or Word of God hath set forth Christ the wisdome of God what he hath done what he is and what he will do and doth 1 Cor. 1.24 Io. 5.39 46. Rom 4.23.25 And yet this is also true that in respect of all men that are but naturall and have but their naturall life and understanding though preserved in mercy for Christs sake This light shineth in darknesse and the darknesse comprehendeth it not Iohn 1.5 Men by their naturall wisdome do not find out or attain to know God in the wisdome of God set forth in the bookes of Creatures or Scriptures 1 Cor 1.21 The naturall man cannot know the things of the Spirit of God which he teacheth concerning the things of Christ because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor 2.14 So that the naturall man with all his naturall powers and parts cannot attaine the right knowledge of the things of God in Christ by all his search either in the Workes of God or in the Word of God Eccles 10.15 2 It is not that knowledge which is both naturall and artificial attained by knowledge of Arts in use of Arts and artificiall helps whence that interrogation challenge Isa 33. where is the Scribe c. A truth it is that through Christ and for his sake God blesseth mens industly in study of Letters Tongues Arts and Sciences that are naturall and honest and also their honest industry in use and exercise thereof So as many thereby become very knowing wise prudent and skilfull Orators and Disputers In study of the works of God they may attain excellent knowledge about the variety of soyles and seasons the nature of Beasts Birds Plants the nature dispontion and manners of men and so be very skilfull for husbandry trading and merchandize Government of Common-weales Isa 3.1.4 Lawes Warre Physick c. And this is a great mercy to a Common-wealth and a correction to want them And in study of the Scriptures such may attain excellent knowledge for translation of Tonguâ—s understanding and explicating Histories discerning of Times and some Proprecies and of the scope and circumstances of places and etyâ—â—ologie of words which is a mercy to the Nation where they live while they keep their bounds yea and to the Churches also Matth. 2.5 6. Luke 12.54 57 Isa 3.1 4. But yet this is also true that the verity excellency depth pretiousnesse enjoyment and efficacy of the things of God in Christ these Rabbies and Princes of the World for wisdome and understanding cannot by this wisdome find out discern approve or receive though they reade and study the words in which it is exprest yet in those words it is hidden from them and they by their wisdome in all their searching cannot finde out this mysterious wisdome of God in Christ 1 Cor 1 20.21 and 2.7 8 14. Matth. 11.25 Luke 10.21 So as naturall and artificiall knowledge and wisdome cannot reach or attaine the right knowledge of the things of God in Christ Prov. 30.2 3 4. So that the knowledge or knowing here spoke of is not naturall or artificiall but supernaturall as shall be shewn anon 3 Neither yet is this such a knowledge or knowing of which nature is no way capable of the receit of it or such as doth destroy the naturall or artificiall knowledge or as if they could no way consist and be together in the same subject Act. 18.24 28. and 7.22 23 Heb. 11.24 25. The body or humane nature of our Lord Jesus Christ neither did nor could raise it self yet was it capable of being raised and was by the Divine Power not destroyed but raised And yet the resurrection though it was of the humane nature yet it was not at all by the humane but by the divine nature the very Spirit and Power of God that not the divine but the humane nature was raised Act. 2.23 24 30 31. Rom 4.24 and 6.4 The eyes of blind Bartemeus could by no naturall meanes attain to see but they were capable of receiving sight by the guift of God Mark 10.46 52. And for the better understanding this businesse wee may consider that it is appointed to men once to dye Heb. 9.27 Eccles 9.10 and when they do dye and give up the Ghost then all their naturall and artificiall knowledge and wisdome dyes together with them And as they shall be one day raised again by the Spirit and power of Christ so then the knowledge they have shall not be naturall or artificiall but only that which they shall have from the power of God that raised them 1 Cor. 13.11 12. And the members of Christ by vertue of their union with him shall have all knowledge tending to happinesse from him by the divine nature filling them with light and leading both soule and body 1 Iohn 3.2 So that they shall then know perfectly and see as they are seen and know as they are known But here in this life as their bodies so their naturall powers are spiritually humbled and mortified that they may in the regeneration be quickned by Rom 8.10 11 12.23 and made serviceable to the Spirit not annihilated or slain nor is the man perfectly and totally made alive in the regeneration here wrought nor will be till perfectly and totally dead in respect of all naturall life but the Spirit is alive for Righteousnesse sake 1 Cor 13.9 And the Spirit quickneth also the mortall body and so he may as pleaseth him The naturall powers and faculties for such service as he pleaseth 1 Cor. 1.29 The to tall redemption of the body being yet waited for our knowledge yet imperfect so then though neither natural nor artificiall knowledge bee the knowledge of spirituall things nor doth nor can attain it yet the spirituall knowledge may consist and be together with them in the same subject and having humbled and slaine the pride of them may make such use of them in some services as the Spirit pleaseth and as it is a punishment or correction during this life to have the body by Diseases disabled from service and tormented with pain Deut. 28.28 so is it to have the naturall reason and