it speaking Peace and answering Law-charges it is expressed by Bloud or Death Rom. 8 34. 2 And in respect of the free and rich love of God appearing there-through and entring the heart with its cleansing refreshing and renewing operations It is expressed by water clean water living water or water of life Isa 43.3 Ephes 3.23 Heb. 10.23 Iohn 4 10. and 7.38 And so the same washing is affirmed as a fruit of his love by his Bloud Rev. 1.5 with clean water Ezek. 36.25 and Christ is called The Fountain of living Waters Jer. 17.13 And as these tearms of Bloud and Water are used to set forth the same grace distinctly in divers and distinct respects so one of these tearmes sometimes comprehends both As Bloud in Rev. 1.5 and Waters in John 3.5 Tit. 3.4 5. And so as Jesus Christ in respect of his sacrifice with the efficacy of it as offered to God And by the efficacy of it as applyed to men was shadowed figured and typed out by Water and Bloud Heb. 9.8 12 13 14 19. Even so his first coming and finishing the work his Father gave him to do on Earth 1 Because of the great rich and free love of God in which he sent his Son into the World John 3.16 To be the Saviour of the world 1 John 14.14 By which he tasted death for every man Heb. 2 9. And in love laid down his life for us He is said to have come by water 2 Because of the satisfaction he made for us by suffering and dying for our sins 1 Cor 15.3.4 2 Cor 5.21 Gal 3.13 He is said to have come by Bloud 3 Because by the eternall Spirit he rose from the dead ascended and offered himself without spot to God and so was justified in the Spirit Ro 6.4 1 Pet 3.18 Ro 1.4 1 Tim 13.16 And by that Spirit testifieth of himself Iohn 14.26 and 15.26 27. It is said The Spirit beareth witnesse 1 Iohn 5.6 This is he that came by water and bloud not by water only but by water and bloud and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is Truth And so as there is one God and three Persons in one God The Father who hath loved us and given his Son for us 1 Iohn 4.10 The Son who was made flesh and so dyed for our sins and rose for our justification Iohn 1.14 Rom 5.25 The Holy Ghost who proceedeth from and maketh known the Father and the Son Matth. 16.16 Ioh. 14.26 and 16.13 So it is said 1 Iohn 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost And these three are one and so the Record is the record of one God 1 Iohn 5.10 And answerably there are three that bear record on Earth to men and in the hearts of Believers The Spirit that discovers in and through the Gospell this grace and enlightens the heart to see and believe and so begets a spirituall disposition bringing out of darknesse into his light Matth. 16.16 Iohn 16 7-15 1 Cor. 2.9 15. The Water even that rich free and immense love of God in the Spirits exaltation of Christs appearing Isa 55.1 2 3 4 5. The Bloud even the propitiation made satisfaction given redemption obtained righteousnesse wrought and presented to God and accepted of him and now applyed for satisfaction to the Believer Rom 3.25 26. and 4.5.24.25 and 5.1 11. And all these agreeing in one And so it is said 1 Iohn 5.8 There are three that bear witnesse in Earth The Spirit and the Water and the Bloud and these three agree in one All these witnesses agree in one and bear forth one record and the Spirit is he that beareth forth the witnesse and he doth it with Water Bloud in discovery and application of the free grace of God and the vertue of the precious bloud of Christ Tit. 3.4 5. And so the whole record is the record of God 1 Iohn 5.10 11 12. And this is the record that God hath given of his Sonne Tha God hath given us eternall life and this life is in his Son He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life And so by this whole Discourse wee may understand That 1 When the Scripture speakes of grace or free-love though for the clearnesse purity refreshing and cleansing effects it expresses it by that metaphor of water yet it means of that grace love in which Christ was given to be a ransome and which is testified through Christ who by his bloud shedding and with the vertue thereof presenting and offering himself a spotlesse sacrifice to his Father hath obtained eternall redemption and procured favour to be dispensed and the way of dispensation 1 Iohn 4.10 Rom 5.5 6. 2 And when the Scripture speakes of the Bloud Death and Sacrifice of Christ or the redemption effected thereby It means the Bloud of Christ which through love or grace was shed and presented to God for us and is discovered to us and so the redemption through grace wrought and in and through which grace or free-love appeareth Rom 5 8.-11 Gal 2.20 3 And so when the Scripture speaketh of the teaching witnessing and operation of the holy Ghost It meaneth that teaching witnessing operation of the Spirit of Christ which by vertue of his Sacrifice Christ sendeth forth from the Father and in which he discovereth and witnesseth the things of Christ and so with water and bloud discovering free-grace through the vertue of that pretious Bloud Iohn 15.26 and 16.7 15. And these things are well to be heeded and digested in our hearts as they are comprehended and meant alwayes the most of them and often all of them in using these tearms and expressions The Sufferings Bloud Death Ransome and Sacrifice of Christ Jesus CHHP. III. The manifold ends of the Sufferings Bloud Death and Sacrifice of Christ as the Scripture distinctly sets them forth FOr the right understanding the distinct ends of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ according to Scripture sence and expression There are some things the Scripture mentions to be fore-understood and heeded of us 1 Of Jesus Christ according to his double mission from the Father into the world and also according to his double businesse in leaving the World and offering himselfe to the Father 2 Of Mankind In respect of the double misery and enmity against God they are through the first Adem fallen into 3 Of the Church In respect of the double need they stand in of the contiouall helpfulnesse of Christ Jesus In the understanding and distinct consideration of all these the divers and distinct ends of the Death and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ will appear clearly 1 Concerning Jesus Christ his coming into the world and leaving the world First in respect of his mission from the Father into the world it was two-fold 1 He came and was sent into the world to be the Saviour of the world 1 Iohn 4.14 To save
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
of the Lord which by vertue of his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice he in his ascension Psal 68.18 received and in the day of grace was striving with them Gen. 6.3 to have convinced them and began to kindle a fire that thē would have cōsumed nothing but their fleshly affections and lusts Isa 40.7 their carnall wisdome and confidence and then have healed them and given them life Pro. 1.23.24 but they would none of his reproofes but quenched this heat and resisted this Spirit till he left striting with them But now will this holy and Almighty Spirit from the Lord that bought them return again upon them and contince them of sinne because they have not beleeved on Christ c. John 16.8 9 10. and so set home the sentence to their heart that they cannotavoid it and by his Almighty breathing word like a stream of Brimstone kindle that fire that never shall be quenched Isa 30.33 And this is another efficacy of the Sacrifice of Christ on such as have rebelliously refused him that the Spirit he by vertue of his Sacrifice received to send forth to call men shal yet set home the sentence even on those that rejected him Oh then in that day though to their woe they shall see and confesse what ever before they thought or others told them that Christ died for them though they perish that Christ bought them though they have denied him that hee had wrought redemption for them though they have sold themselves again to vanity that there was mercies for them in him though they forsook them that he strove with them to win them to him though they resisted him that his word and wayes were good though they beleeved not And now to behold him that so dearly bought them and graciously cal'd them and they rewarded him with hatred for his love to come in fury to judge them and to perceive the Blood and Sacrifice that once would have spoken peace to them to rise up against them the Gospel that once declared good tidings to them from the verity of it to bee a condemning word to them mercy that once waited for them to be now turned against them the holy Spirit that was once moving in them to draw them from sinne to God to bee now sentencing them under sinne and unto death O what a terrour will this be And how will the remembrance of the redemption wrought by Christ the mercy once shewn and the doore to life once opened through which they might have been saved now adde to the terrour and the remembrance of all the vanities false Doctrines and humane applause for which they have turned aside will but encrease the vexation and now while they see those that embraced and followed Christ whom they despised to goe into the joy of their Lord into eternall life to see their own sin and judgement in the height and the terrible presence of the Lord driving them into the lake of fire that burneth ever and out of which there is no escape Oh how great this terror yea how easelesse how tormenting how intollerable unavoidable and remedilesse How endlesse will the eternall suffering in that fire be when the least drops of those mercifull effects of the Sacrifice that are in this day tendered and so refused will not be vouchsafed nothing then but biting gnawings torments in every part of soule and body Now consider this yee that forget God Psal 50.22 lest he teare you in peeces and there be none to deliver Those that know and beleeve all these forementioned efficacies of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ they know also this terror of the Lord they are perswaded and recōciled to God in beliefe of the reconciliation God hath wrought in Christ for the world and they in witnessing the same doe perswade and beseech others now in this day of grace to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.10 11 19 20. 6.1.2 in which the comfortable efficacies will be found CHAP. 12. The usefulnesse of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ known and beleevingly remembred THat we may have the better understanding of this it is also to be understood 1. Of what the Proposition is 2. Of what knowing is here meant 3. Of what faith it is here to be understood 4. What remembrance is here meant And 5. what is meant by usefulnesse that in all wee may conceive according to Scripture sense First for the proposition It is of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and that is to be understood both of it selfe primely and of the Doctrine of the Gospel in which it is set forth instrumentally and that as is before shewn concerning 1. The manifold sense in which those tearms are used in Scripture as for his Death His resurnection His Presentation and offering to God The prevalency with God the spirituall application to believers and prevalency in them and the rich love of God and satisfaction to God and conscience and Spirit appearing and streaming there through as is shewn Chap. 2. 2. The ends of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice and that in respect of Christ according to his double Mission into the world and his double businesse in leaving the world and in respect of mankind according to the double misery and enmity against God they were fallen into And in respect of the Church according to the double need she hath of Christ in all of them the ends of the shedding his bloud the end of his offering his sacrifice with the vertue of his bloud to God The ends of the discovery and spirituall application of it to men as is shewn Chap. 3. and 4. 3 The necessity of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice both of his dying and resurrection and of his presentation and offering it to God and of his spirituall discovery and application to men as is shewn Chap. 5. and enlarged by some consideration of the Law Chap. 6. 4 The excellency and dignity of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice and that in the Sacrifice it self in respect of the Priest the Sacrifice the Altar In the Declaration in respect of the three Witnesses the Spirit the Water the Bloud In the abundant grace and the great hope appearing therein as is shewn Chap. 7. 5 The vertue operation and prevalencie of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice of Christ as it was offered to God as is shewn Chap. 8. And as through that prevalency with God mercy is shewn to men as is shewn Chap. 9. And as it is spiritually applyed to the heart of Believers as is shewn Chap. 10. And as it will be laid to the charge of such as have rejected it as is shewn Chap. 11. And all this is to be understood about the pretious Bloud and Sacrifice of Christ and in the Doctrine of Christ and so is the meaning of the Proposition 2 For the knowledge or knowing here meant and of which the Scripture meaneth when it speakes of the knowledge and knowing of Christ
light and motion of his Spirit in and according to the meanes vouch safed whether in the Book of Creatures onely or the Book of Scriptures also For calling All men Prov. 8.4 5. Isa 45.22 And willing them and striving with them at one time or other 1 Pet. 2.12 Gen. 6.3 And so Christ is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1.9 And so in the workes of Creation It is said Rom. 1.19 That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it to them And of the preaching of the Gospel it is said 2 Cor. 2.14 God maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge c. And such as resist the light and motion in either of these meanes resist the holy Spirit Prov. 1.23 24. Act. 7.51 The liberty of giving life to all that believe on him 17. Iohn 2. And all these come through the efficacy and prevalencie of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ presented unto God and accepted of him In which respect The Gospel where it comes sets him forth as indeed he is The propitiation for our sins and the Sinnes of the whole world Rom. 3.25 1 Iohn 2.2 The upholder of the world made by him Heb. 1 2 3. The laver of regeneration or new birth Iohn 3.5.15 Tit. 3.4 5. I he Fountain of leansing and purificatioons for defilements 1 Iob 1.7 Zach. 13.1 The Fountain of life Psal 36.9 He in whom God hath given us eternall life so as he that hath him hath life 1 Iohn 5.10 10 11 12. and as page 5. under this figure 3. 5 Sometimes together with all these four former sences by the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ so presented to and prevailing with God is also farther meant the spirituall Discovery and Application of it to and prevailing efficacy in the hearts and consciences of such as through the appearance of grace are brought to believe Heb. 12.24 To the bloud of sprinkling 1 Pet. 1.2 Unto obedience and sprinkling of the bloud of Jesus Christ vers 19. The pretious blood of Christ which indeed prevaileth with and and in those who in spirituall Discoveries are sprinkled and washed therewith in and with whom it is so powerful and effectuall That it verily pierceth and melteth the heart for all its sinfulnesse and follies against him and all its hard thoughts and oppositions wherewith it hath pierced him Zach. 12.10 Acts 2.37 Reconcileth the heart and powers in their inclination to God 2 Cor. 5.18 20. Giveth an escape from the intangling pollutions that are in the world and holding from God through lusts 2 Peter 1.4 and 2.20 Rev. 5.9 Speaketh peace to the Conscience so as the Believer receiveth justification and peace with God thereby Heb. 12.24 Rom. 4 25. and 5.1.2 Purgeth the Conscience Heb. 9.13.14 from the accusations of sinne and charges of the Law putting in feare Rom. 7.4.6 and 8.2.3 34. from its former corrupt way of dictating to seek peace and righteousnesse with God by frames and performances of its own according to Law And also from speaking peace from such attainments Gal. 2.21 Phil. 3 3 7 8 9. Iob. 9.15.32 Purifieth the heart to a child-like love of God and Christ and his Government Heb. 9.14 Gal. 2.20 21. And so reneweth it with spring of ove ce brethren 1 Pet. 1.19 21 22. And omen 2 Cor. 5.14 And inclinations to serve the living God Tit 3 4.5 Conforming to Christ 2 Cor. 3.3 18. Washeth and cleanseth from such pollutions as befall Believers 1 John 2.7 Sealeth to the Day of redemption Exod. 12.13 with Ephes 1.13 and 4 30. And giveth boldnesse and courage in accesse to God Rom 5.2 Ephes 2.16 18 Heb. 4 16. All which are the efficacies of the pretious bloud of Christ spiritually applied to and sprinkled on the heart And meant when the Bloud is spoken of as Believers are said to be sprinkled redeemed from the world or vain conversation and washed with it Heb. 12.24 1 Pec. 1.19 Acts 20.28 Rev. 5.9 and 1.5 6 Sometimes by these tearms the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ is signified encluded and meant The immense rich and free mercy love or grace of God in finding out a ransome and giving his Son That he might shew forth love Job 33.24 John 3.15 16 17. Ephes 2 4 5 6 7. And so this love made known in the gift of his Sonne and testified in the application of the vertue of his blood Rev. 1.5 and 5 9. In forgivenesse of sinnes Ephes 1.6.7 And there-through shedding abroad his love in the heart by the holy Ghost begetting love and confidence Rom 5 5 10. Vniting to comforting in and conforming to Christ writing his mind in the heart 1 Pet. 8.21 22. 2 Cor. 3.3.18 And herein is love That he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 1 John 4.10 and 3 16 And herein is love communicated That he hath washed us from our sins in his blood Rev. 1.5 And so when we speak or in the Scripture read of the Sufferings Bloud Death and Sacrifice of Christ and the love of God to manward and the hope and benefit set forth to all men thereby wee are to understand it as of the bloud of Christ 1 That shed it and dyed for our sins 2 That overcame Death and rose for our Justification 3 That by and with the vertue of this bloud did through the eternall Spirit effer up himself without spot to God and hath thereby obtained eternall redemption And 4 that thereby procureth favour and meanes for the Sons of men That they might believe and in believing be saved And when the Scripture speaketh of so much and no more in any Proposition for Faith it speaketh of it as for the world John 1.29 Mer 1 Tim 2.6 Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And such like generall tearms it useth 2 Cor. 5.19 But when we speake or in the Scripture reade of the Sufferings Bloud Death and sacrifice of Christ as the vertue and efficacy thereof is found in any And the peculiar love and choice priviledges thereof affirmed of Then wee are to understand it farther 5 Of the vertue of that pretious Bloud applyed to and working in the heart And 6 of the rich and free love of God testified to and shed abroad in the heart thereby And then and so we are to understand it not only in the foure former sences but both in them and these two latter also And so it is never spoke of in generall for all men but for the Church Act 20.28 Ephes 5.25.26 27 Believers 1 John 1.7 His called and chosen ones Heb. 9.14 Revel 1.5 and 5.9 And so the same vertue and grace of Christ by Spirit given and made effectuall 1 In respect of Christ his dying for our sinnes and in respect of his entring into Heaven by his own bloud And in respect of his Application of it to the conscience And in respect of the first effects of
of men namely to purge the conscience and wash them from their sins and renew them to God Heb. 9.14 Concerning the Church of God on earth in respect of the double need they stand in of the continuall helpfullnesse of Christ 1. The believers though made free in Christ and their conscience purged their heart renewed and spirit made alive for righteousnesse sake Iohn 8.36 Gal. 5.1 Heb. 9.14 Ezek. 36.25 Rom. 8.10 yet for the time of their warfare there is a remaining of the old Disposition although unthroned from the heart and weakned yet working in all the powers and faculties of the soule and parts and members of the body lusting against the spirit and to satisfie the affections and lusts of the flesh and attempting to leade Captive to the law of sin and death Gal. 5.17 Rom. 7.14 24. Besides the manifold temptations from the world by Customs Promises Threats Asurements Terrors 1 Iohn 2 16. And also from Satan takeing advantage from the flesh and the world and adding strength to the lusts and temptations thereof adding his own fiery and he lish suggestions c. 1 Pet. 5.8 whereby it falleth out that in many things we even Believers offend all Iames 3 1. 1 Iohn 1.8 10. Which remaining evill and off nees overtaken which doe defile and make unmeete to appeare before God and if they be not pardoned and purged away they will exclude from his presence and bring to death againe Psal 5.4 5 6. Now the Blood of Jesus and the grace therethrough extended is the onely thing that can purifie and cleanse from these defilements Heb. 9.14 Reu. 1.5 1 Iohn 1.9 So that here is still need of coming to Christ for his cleansing herewith Zach. 13.1 1 Iohn 1.9 2 The believers having so many great enemies fighting against them Ephes 6.12 so many and great sufferings to undergoe Act. 14.22 2 Tim. 3.12 And so many and great servises of love to goe forth in till they be wholly conformed to Christ Col. 2.6 and 3 12.-16 Phil. 2 1.-6 And they having no good thing dwelling in their flesh Rom. 7.18 nor ability in themselves for a good thought as of themselves 2 Cor. 5.5 so as unlesse he work all for and in them there will be no abiding peace Esa 26.12 Great need have they therefore of his continuall presence and sending forth supplyes of spirit to overcome their enemyes Mat. 10.19 20. Rom. 16.20 to support in sufferings Esa 43.1 1 Cor. 10.13 to sanctifie them throughout 1 Thes 5.23.24 And to comfort teach and lead into all truth and to the inheritance Esa 54 13.14 Iohn 15.26 and 16.13.14.15 And so to perfect all that concerneth them Psal 138.8 And for this cause is he by vertue of his precious Blood and Sacrifice an Advocate and great High-Priest and Mediatour of the new Testament at his Fathers right hand for believers that are his called and chosen ones 1 John 2.2 Heb. 3 1.-6 8. 9.15 And in this consideration of the Churches need of Christ and his way of supply we may see one end of his continual presenting the vertue of his Blood and Sacrifice before his Father and applying it to the hearts and consciences of his people both together to keep them cleane before his Father and to cleanse purifie and conform them to himselfe Rev. 1.5 And so in respect of both his presentation of his Sacrifice to his Father and his gracious and spirituall application of the same to believers It is said Ephes 5-25 26.27 Christ also loved the Church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that as he presents it in himselfe spotlesse before the Father Coloss 1.22 so he might present it to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And in the right understanding of these things we may understand the ends of the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ First the ends of the sheeding his blood and so of his suffering and dying was 1. To satisfie for the sinne of the world and so to fulfill the truth of God and satisfie Diuine Justice and answer the Law and abolish death as is foreshewn page 2. 2. To confirm and ratifle the new Testament of pretious Promises for all that through the heavenly call beleeve on him as is shewn page 14. 3. To testifie obedience love and faithfulnesse in his Ministration and so to confirme his doctrine and give all his Disciples an example as is shewn p. 13. Secondly the ends of the vertue of this his pretious blood and death in offering himeelfe a spotlesse sacrifice to his Father Scripture sheweth to be 1. That he might be the Propitiation for the sins of the world as page 3.4.6.7 2. That he might obtain eternall redemption for mankind and procure some mercy means and patience to be used towards them as pages 5 6 13. 3. That he might be the Mediator between God and men as page 4.12 4. That he might be the great high Priest Prophet King and so the Advocate for and of his Church p. 15.16.12 5. That through him by his Spirit there might be a shewing declaration and tender of the grace of God to men to call them lesse clearly in his workes of creation and providence and more fully and clearly in the Gospel of salvation preached to men as p. 6.12.14 Thirdly the ends of his spirituall discovery tender and application of his pretious blood and sacrifice to men Scripture shews to be 1. To convince men of sinne and the vilenesse of sin in themselves and the vanity of all thier own wisdome and righteousnesse to help them and of the compleat righteousnesse that is in him thereby to empty them and pierce their hearts and submit them to himselfe Zach. 12.10 Gal. 2.21 Phil. 3.7 8. Joh. 16 8-10 Luke 2.34 2. To purchase and redeem these convinced from among men and from their Idols and vain conversation unto God Rev. 5.9 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Act. 20.28 26.18 3. To wash and cleanse these his so purchased in the discovery of the freenesse and abundance of his grace through his pretious blood enlightning enlivening comforting sanctifying and preserving them to the inheritance Eoh. 5.25 26.27 And these things considered distinctly as the Scripture sets them forth lead to the right understanding of the ends of Christs death and sacrifice when it is spoke of in respect of his dying and blood-shedding And when it is spoke of in respect of that and also his presenting himselfe with the vertue of that to his Father and when it is spoke of in both these former respects and also together therewith in respect of his spirituall discovery tender and application thereof to men in which is variety of the extent of the sense and signification CHAP. IV. A Digression shewing how these things were shadowed in the Sacrifices and Ordinances of
the first Testament or the Law A Perfect image made by a curing limmer may clearly present the visage complexion of him whose Image it is though it have no life and so neither see nor breathe c. But a shadow or the first rude draught will not doe so much onely may discover that it is to be of a man or a woman and not of a beast but whether man or woman or whom it sheweth not as the Image finisht in which the shadow passeth doth Now the law had the shadow of good things to come but not the very image of the things they were paterns and figures of heavenly things for the time present but not a full demonstration of them Heb. 10.1 9.9.23 Now then if we call to mind 1. The offering for sin to make Atonement was first slain and after that the blood sprinkled at the Altar and on the Atonement-day before the Mercy-seat and the people afflicted in themselves and blessed by the Priest Lev. 9. 15.22 16. per totum shadowed Jesus delivered to death for our sinnes and presenting himselfe with the vertue of his blood to the Father to make the Atonement obtain redemption for us and his blessing us in sprinkling his blood on our hearts melting and purging the conscience Heb. 1.3 9.12.14.24 10.1 19. The Passover a Lamb without blemish slain and then the blood wth a bunch of hyssop dipt therin sprinkled on the two side-Posts and the upper doore Posts that the striking Angel might passover Exod. 12. And then the flesh roasted with fire eaten Shadowed Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world John 1.29 Heb. 9.26 His dying for our sins 1 Cor. 15.3.4 And by his Spirit sprinkling the vertue of his blood on the beleeving heart without which no safety Heb 12.24 and our feeding on him by faith without which no eternall life John 6.35.36 so that bloodshed presented to the Lord and applied to such as come to the Sacrifices are all held forth distinctly as distinct and divers works 3. For the people that came to these Sacrifices for whom blood was not onely shed but presented to God and who had the atonement and such reconciliation as was thereby affoorded there was yet provided a water of Purification to cleanse them from defilements when they befell them and the defiled person not cleansed with it might not approach to the holy things without danger of death now it was not enough There was for them a water of purification and it was right nor that it was put in a vessell and running water put thereto unlesse a clean person dip with a branch of Hissop and sprinkle him that is uncleane hee remains unclean and must die by Sprinkling is Cleansing And doth not this shadow out Jesus Christ the fountain of cleansing and Laver of regeneration and purification right with with God yet cleasing none in their own hearts c. without application and spirituall sprinkling Heb 9.13 14. 12 24. Zach. 13.1 Tit. 3.4 5. Ezek. 36.25 Consider and compare the Scriptures and say 1 Did not the red Hyfer slain without the Camp and her flesh burnt Numb 19.2.3.5 Numb 19.2 3 5. shadow out Jesus that knew no sin made sin for us and suffering without the gate and after in the power of the Spirit and fire of his love offering up his whole selfe a Sacrifice to God for us 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb 9.14 10.12 13.12 2. Vers 9. Did not the remainders or ashes of the Heyfer shadow forth the remaining Records Testimonies and vertues of the death and sacrifice of Jesus who died for our sinnes and rose for our justification Vers 4. and presented his sacrifice to God and applieth it to us as was shadowed by the blood sprinkled before the Tabernacle 1 Corinth 15 1-4 Heb 9.12.13.14 And is not this the water of Separation or Purification from uncleannesse Ezek. 36.25 Rev. 1.5 3. Vers 9. Did not the clean Place without the Camp where these ashes were kept for a purification for sin shadow forth the Gospel of Christ or word of grace which J. Christ by his Spirit hath breathed and caused to be written and therein declared and testified and kept as in record the truth and vertue of the blood-shed death and sacrifice of Christ and the offering it to the Father and its prevalency with him and for whom and his tender and application of it and the vertue thereof and in whom Are not all the sayings hereabout plain 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Cor. 3.12.13 1.2 Faithfull 1 Tim. 1.15 True 2 Pet. 1.16 19. And in righteousnesse nothing froward perverse equivocall or wreathed in them Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 That we may rather take those sayings as they expresse the matter then any other sayings or glosses they are very righteous and faithfull his word is very pute Psal 119.138 The inspiration of the Spirit of truth 2 Tim. 3.16 4. Did not the ashes of the burnt Heyfer of Purification for sinne and running water put thereto in a vessell shadow forth the Word of Grace setting forth the vertue of the death and sacrifice of Christ inspired and put in the hearts of the servants of God 2 Cor. 5.18.19 and his free and rich grace and love appearing therein shed abroad thereby by the holy Ghost in the heart of those whom he hath brought to beleeve in Christ and so united them to him 1 Cor. 1.30 and so filled them with his love that it springs up like love in them that constrains them to declare this grace and beseech others to accept it 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 1 Pet. 1.21 22. for which cause they are called Stewards and Ministers of this grace 1 Cor. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.3 and said to have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may appeare to be of God and not of them 2 Cor. 4.7 and so are called chosen vessels unto God to beare his name Act. 9.15 5 Did not the clean person taking Hissop dipping it in the water sprinkling the unclean shadow forth Iesus Christ the just who by his own Spirit stirreth this grace in the hearts of his servants and giveth them what to speak 2 Cor. 4.6 5.14 1 Cor 2.12.13 and giveth proof of his own speaking in their ministration 2 Cor. 13.3 Making manifest the savour of his knowledge by them 2 Cor. 2.14 and himselfe by his Spirit turning the heart of men to God Acts 11 21. and weighing his mind in the heart of these so turned to beleeve in him 2 Cor. 3.3 further minding and teaching them that they have heard John 14.26 and taking off the things of Christ and shewing to them John 16.14 and so sprinkling and washing them with this water of purification the vertue of the pretious blood of Christ and his infinite love streaming there-through melting cleansing comforting renewing c Heb.
his words Mark 1.15 Iohn 2.22 and 5.47 And so this faith and trust is in praising God in his Word Psal 56.10 and glorifying his word Acts 13.48 And so the object of this faith is God in Christ in and according to his word The first next Instrumentall and outward mediate object of this faith is the word and Gospel with the promises thereof which discovereth Christ and God in Christ and that in which and for which we are to trust in him Psal 119.49.50 The second inward inmost and absolute mediate object of this Faith is Jesus Christ in that which hee hath done is become doth and will doe which the Word reporteth and assureth Phil. 3.3 The last inmost and utmost object of this Faith is God in Christ in his infinite wisdome love power c. which appeareth in and through Christ 1 Tim. 4.10 And so the object of faith altogether in one is God in Christ as discovered in his Word by his Spirit This and this onely is the object of this faith So that no Arme of Flesh or device of men not multitude of men Ammunition or Forts not riches nor strength nor wisdome nor any self-wrought righteousnesse or workes can be in any sort the object of Faith Jer. 9.23 Job 9. 1. Either the inmost and utmost object of faith and trust God onely is that Mark 10.24 1 Tim. 6.17 2. Or the inmost and absolute mediate object through which men beleeve and trust in God Christ Jesus is only that Luke 18.19 2 Cor. 10.4.7 18. 3. Or the Instrumentall and outward mediate object through and according to which men beleeve and trust in Christ and in God in Christ his Word onely is that Psal 56.4.10 As for prayers and endevours in use of means when they issue from and be the fruits of this faith and confidence in God in Christ according to his Word then in this confidence blessing may bee expected in them 2 Sam. 7.27.29 But they cannot be the object either as Rule or Medium or Object as aforesaid Rom. 9.32 10.2.3 The Word the Rule Christ the Medium God the Object and so God in Christ according to his word is onely and altogether the object of this faith Secondly for the Mover or Worker of this faith that which produceth it and in and by which it is raised and wrought it is not the force of any humane discourse reasoning or Argument 1. Cor. 2.1.4.5 nor is it the issue or birth of any fervent endevours or workings of men in and according to the law of works Gal. 3.2 yea though endeavoured and done to get Christ the righteousnesse of God thereby Rom. 9.31.32 and 10.2.3.4 neither yet is it a conclusion or spring from the appearance of any inward or outward changes effected in a man by any such reasonings or endeavourings Luke 18.11 12. 2 Cor. 10.7.12.18 But this Mover and effector verily is 1. The appearance of the grace of God in and through the Gospel even of that free and immense love of God in the gift of his Sonne to be the Saviour of the world and the satisfaction made by Christ and the fulnesse of grace and truth in him This grace of God appearing in and through Christ moveth to believe encourageth and draweth thereto whence this faith is called The gift of God by grace and not of works Eph. 2.8.9 and they that have it are said to have believed through grace Acts 18.27 2. The Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne in discovery of this grace effecteth this faith and so the hand of the Lord that is the Spirit of the Lord or the demonstration of the Spirit and power is said to bring to believe in God Acts 11.21 1 Cor. 2.4.5 And in respect of both these this grace and Spirit working faith it is said After the kindnesse and love of God to manward appeared he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3.4.5 And so the beleevers are said to be borne of water and of the spirit Iohn 3.5 And so as the spirit worketh faith so for working it he doth not glorifie the workes of the Law or any frames or workes of men But he glorifies Christ and Gods rich grace in Christ to beget faith and hope in men Iohn 16.13.14 1 Pet. 1.21 And so to say in a word It is the spirituall appearance of rich grace in and by which this faith is wrought Grace is the mover 3 For the nature and Act of this faith There be three things together meeting in one in this Act of believing or this faith of which is here teached as Scripture and experience of Believers shewes that is to say 1 An assent and credit-giving to the report or Testimony of the Gospel and that which by the spirit is evidenced and appeareth through the same report the want of which the Prophet complaines of Esa 53. Who hath believed our report which not-believing the Apostle calles making God a lyer 1 John 5.10 And this assent and credit-giving to the report of the Gospel was in those Act. 13.48 They magnified the word of the Lord counted it good and true and so received the Testimony and so did the Thessalonians likewise 2 Thes 1.10 And this is the first Act without which no faith at all Iohn 5.47 and 8.24 2 An inward and hearty approbation of the goodnesse of that reported in the Gospel in respect of that Christ hath done and that he is become and that he doth and that he is ready to do And in respect of the rich free and great love of God appearing therein so as all other Excellencies are but losse and Dung in comparison of it 1 Pet. 2.7 Phil. 3.7.8 9. 3 Through this assenting and believing-approbation there is an inward and hearty resting and relyance upon Christ and God in Christ for the dispensation of this grace and perfecting that which appertaines to him to do Rom. 5 1.2.5-10 First creditting the savings of the Gospel and through those sayings Believing Christ himselfe and the spirits Testimony of him and in that believing trusting in God in Christ for that promised and so believing the sayings receiving Christ and trusting in God through Christ is the nature and Act of this believing 4 For the motions orstrings in this believing or faith they are 1 An inward and hearty acknowledgement of and submission to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour and so to this grace appearing in him 2 Cor. 5.15 He dyed for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose againe and so Rom. 14.8 Whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we die we die unto the Lord c. verse 9. and 1 Cor. 6 19-20 Ye are not your own yet are bought with a price c. Rom. 6.17 Ye have obeyed from the heart the forme of Doctrine to which ye were delivered True it is that all men
this faith closing with and the believer therein united and become one with the object of faith it is still one and then stable and sure to abide Heb. 4.2.3 And this is the faith Scripture speaks of Fourthly for the remembrance here spoken of it is not that humane exercise of thoughts in running over and recording the words stories severall doctrines reasons and uses c. that one hath heard and read thereby to habituate them in memory that one may have them to think and speak of at all times though there bee a good use of such remembring notwithstanding some turn it to an evil Mat. 27.63 But the remembrauce here spoken of is a beleeving remembrance when in this faith the death resurrection and Sacrifice of Christ with the vertue of its presentation to God and of its application to us 1 Cor. 15.3.4 2 Tim. 2.8 the love and power there-through testified and dispensed the hope therein given and that therethrough tendered to be wrought is believingly 1. In the discoveries testimonies and sayings thereof noted observed and heeded diligently as Jacob observed the saying Gen. 27.11 and Lydia on the opening of her heart attended to the things c. Acts 16.14 As Moses said Set your hearts to all the words which I testifie Deut. 32.46 2. The grace consolations hope and instructions tendered in their discoveries to accept and retain in the heart with the choyce estimate love desires and submission Luke 8.15 Prov. 6.20.21 22. as Mary kept the saying in her heart Luke 2.51 and David Psal 119.11.16.24.72 3 The motions and teachings of this grace yeeld up to and vent forth Rom. 12.1.2 Phil 2.1.2.12.13 Tit. 2.11.12 Gal. 5.24 as David Psal 16.7 4. The taking all occasions and being minded by all occasions for the revived remembrance of these things in and of Christ Psal 16.8 By the creatures of God the heaven the earth and the inhabitants which being by sin dissolved are through the Sacrifice mediation and power of Christ upheld Psal 75.3 Col. 1.17 and so shewing forth his glory Psal 19 1-6 2. By the particular mercies of God extended as a fruit of the Sacrifice of Christ and that life that is in him John 1.4.5 carrying forth some testimony of his goodnesse Acts 14.17 and leading to repentance Rom. 2.4 These give apt occasions to remember these things 3 By the chastisements God layeth on men especially the sufferings of Believers for the Gospel apt to mind us of him that bare all our sorrowes Isa 53.4 And hath sanctified sufferings for us to whom we are to be conformed and who is ready and able to do us good by them and to deliver c. Rom. 6.4 5. Heb. 12 2-7 4 The Word of God minding us of these things In Moses writing Iohn 5.45 In the Shadowes and Sacrifices of the Law Heb. 9. and 10. In the Prophecies Act. 3.24 Rom. 1.2 3. In the Doctrine Invitations and Promises Isa 53 1-6 with Act. 13.34 In the full and plain Narration 1 Cor. 15.3 4. 5 The Ordinances of God mind us of these things as Preaching 1 Cor. 2.4 and 15 1-4 1 Iohn 14.14 Writing Iohn 20.31 1 Iohn 1 1-5 Confirming Jud. 20.21 1 Thes 4.18 and 5.10.11 Prayer c. The Dore for which is opened by Christs sacrifice and mediation Heb. 10.19 20 22. and 4.15 16. 6 The grace of God with the fruits thereof given by the Spirit of Christ into the believing heart aptly mindes of these things Rom. 5 1.5-11 7 The beholding believers through grace brought out of the state and fellowship of the world into union and fellowship with Christ and one another in him mindes us not only of the bloud of Christs shed and his ransome given for all men by which he hath bought all of God but of the vertue of his bloud also by his Spirit discovered and applyed and they there through redeemed and purchased from among men unto God Act. 20.28 Rev. 5.9 8 Yea even the beholding men as men though in their naturall condition doth aptly mind of these things Rom. 8.3 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 2 Cor. 5.14.15 20. 9 Yea even the follies disobedience c. of such men are fit occasions to put these things to remembrance Tit. 3.2 3 4 5. 10 Yea even our own sins being that for which he was crucified Isa 53.6 and the combates within all freedome being given in and through him doe give occasion of remembrance of these things as is seen Rom. 7.24 25. and 8.1 2 3 4. and so wee might proceed So that in the believing the truth and goodnesse of the things of Christ set forth in the Gospel with such a love retaining them in the heart as by all occasions to be stirred up to this receiving attending accepting and yeelding up thereto is the remembrance here meant And to have the word of Christ dwell plenteously in us teaching c. Col. 3.16 The way to this remembrance is in the acknowledgment of our own weaknesse and the vanity of all humane helps through the beliefe of his love towards us and what he hath done for us when we were enemies and his more speciall love in making his grace known to us to depend on him for his spirit to mind us of him and his words Rom. 5 6-11 Gal. 5.5 for which he hath given us his promise Iohn 14.26 and 16.7 15. And this remembrance in the believing heart is profitable 1 To preserve and save from falling 1 Cor. 15.2 3 4. 2 To return and raise out of falls and decayes Rev. 3.3 3 To meet with comforts teachings c. Psalm 63.5 6 7. And thus of the faith and remembrance here meant CHAP. XIV Of the usefulnesse here meant what and how manifold it is THE usefulnesse of the pretious bloud and sacrifice of Christ believingly remembred so as there-through God is depended on Is in and to the believer two-fold 1 In respect of themselves 2 In respect of others and both wayes manifold First In respect of the Believer himself it is four-fold 1 Receiving 2 Springing up 3 Streaming forth And 4 waiting 1 The first use is receiving and so believing and receiving are used one for another Iohn 1.12 And the receit in believing view and remembrance is manifold as is fore-shewn namely 1 Of the Word of Christ the Record and Testimony God gave of him 1 Cor 15.1 2 In receit of his testimony is received the mind of Christ so far as to receive information light and discerning in some measure of 1 That which Christ hath done in his death resurrection ascension and sacrifice offered to God what for all men and what for all that by the heavenly call believe on him as is shewne before 2 That which by vertue of this which he hath done he is become and that in generall for all men as that he is the propitiation for their sins 1 John 2.2 And the Mediator between God and them procuring for them patience mercies and some meanes for their Call