made it plain That howsoever we differ one from another in some of those Articles which he calls Theological Conclusions the sound and entire knowledg of which is necessary for Divines yet in the Catholique Articles there is full Agreement between the Divines on both sides and that herein we all hold together against the Romish Doctors Take we the very words of Paraeus for having distinguish'd the Articles of Religion into Catholique and Theological as also did Dr. Vsher that Learned and Reverend Primate of Armagh in a Sermon before the King of the Universality of the Church and the Unity of the Faith professed therein he adds these words In both kindes the Protestants are far separated from the Papists In utroque genere Evangelici omnes à Papist is sunt longissime separati invicem autem in articulis Catholicis conjuncti in solis articulis Theologicis dissensiones aliquae hactenus agitantur quae nisi ambitiose magis quà m consulto plebeiorum auribus inculcatae fuissent ad tam infalix Schisma res nunquam venisset Irenic p. 150. consenting yet among themselves in the Catholique Articles onely in the Theological Conclusions there are yet some Dissentions which had they not published to the common people rather ambitiously then wisely we had never faln into such an unhappy Schism So that it 's manifest both that we have just cause to break off from Communion with the Church of Rome because they have broken off from the Foundation and therefore that no Peace can upon safe terms be had with Rome so long as they do with so much obstinacy retain their devilish Doctrines so contrary to the Foundation And also on the other side That we who are Protestants shall do well to lay aside heat on both sides and to agree together considering that in Fundamentals we agree and our Differences are not greater then we see them to be It 's the minde of that learned and moderate Paraeus De Theologicis conclusionibus lacerare velle Ecclesiā nen Christianae charitatis sed Antichristiani est supercilii Iren. About Theological Conclusions to teer the Church in pieces savors not of Christian Charity but of Antichristian Pride 5. Let us labor for the knowledg of the Doctrine of Christ for this is the Foundation of Religion wanting this knowledg we shall be as a man that builds upon the Sand without a Foundation and so our Building will be tottering and subject to ruine This is the Touchstone for the Tryal of all other Doctrines without the knowledg of this Doctrine how shall we make Tryal of other Doctrines and without such Tryal made we shall be in danger to be cheated by every Heretick and false Teacher even to be cheated of our precious Souls then which what danger is or can be greater yea This is Life Eternal says our Saviour to know thee John 17.3 and Jesus Christ See Saint Paul's valuation of this Knowledg I count all things but loss for the excellent Knowledg of Christ Jesus my Lord Phil. 3.8 Upon which place Zanchy brings in Saint Ambrose affirming That the knowledg of the Incarnation Cognitio Incarnationis Passionis Resurrectionis Christi perfectio est vitae thesaurus sapientiae Ambr. apud Zanch. in loc Passion and Resurrection of Christ is the Perfection of Life and the Treasury of Wisdom What things therefore soever they are whereof we remain ignorant let us strive to be more and more acquainted with Christ and to him let us refer the knowledg of all other things and let the knowledg of Christ season all the rest Knowledg of other things without the knowledg of Christ is but Heathenish This is the knowledg which is fit for a Christian Let not therefore the knowledg of other things shut out this but so spend time for the gaining of that knowledg which concerns us in our particular Callings or that in which we take special delight as the knowledg of Physick Law Musick Mathematicks c. that we reserve time and that in a good proportion for the study of Christ Read other Books John 5.39 but above all Search the Scriptures for says our Saviour they testifie of me and this was the care of that pious Eunuch Acts 8.30 who being in his Charet in his return from Jerusalem to Ethiopia gave himself to the reading of the Scriptures 6. Let us for the Doctrine of Christ contend with any that dissent from us for this is the Fundamental Doctrine therefore the Difference is Fundamental but while others agree with us in this let us keep discord from us though they differ in Judgment from us in other things for this Doctrine of Christ is the onely Foundation and therefore the Differences in other things will not be Fundamental 1. I say contend for this it deserves our contention it 's a business of great moment Jude 3 Fight together for the common Faith we cannot be too eager He cannot be saved that is ignorant of this Doctrine nor can he be other then an Heretick that obstinately denies it If any deny Christ to be God or to be Man or to be God and Man in one Person or to be the onely Saviour of the World or to be the Messiah foretold by the Prophets or to be the onely King Priest and Prophet of the Church or to be conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary c. He is an Antichrist and to be withstood and held accursed yea though he be an Angel If we says Saint Paul or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you Gal. 1.8 then that which ye have received let him be accursed Verse 9 He repeats it As I said before so say I now again If any man preach unto you any other Gospel then that which ye have received let him be accursed And so Saint John Who is a Lyar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ 1 John 2.22 He is an Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son Hear him again If there come any other 2 John 10 and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your House neither bid him God speed The ancient Fathers therefore are hereby to be justified in their heat against Arians Eunomians Ebionites Marcionites Nestorians Maniches c. as among the rest Polycarpus in his heat against Marcion who when Marcion Euseb hist Eccl. l. 4. c. 14. meeting him called to him saying Know us answered him tartly I know that thou art the first-born of Satan Which was agreeable to that which is reported of Saint John who meeting Cerinthus in a Bath would stay no longer lest the Bath should fall upon them And hereby we are in like manner to justifie the zeal of our Forefathers engaging themselves in that Quarrel against the Papists so far that against Transubstantiation c. they have contended even to the death not counting their own lives dear in comparison
no more Think we Is it not much more perswasive to have God himself speaking then onely to read what is written from him And who desires not more to see his Friend and to hear him speak then to receive a Letter from him And as for those godly Persons to whom the Son of God did not appear they had yet their Ancestors that could tell them I have seen the Lord And the Lord hath spoken to me Yea it was far more commodious for the Church which was to enjoy the benefit of the written Word that the foregoing Church should thus be delt withall by Visions Apparitions c. without a written Word then to have had a written Word from the begining without these for this was a mean to gain more credit to the Scripture which was to follow as it appears by that speech of God to Moses Lo I come unto thee in a thick Cloud Exod. 19.9 that the People may hear when I speak unto thee and believe thee for ever In which words God gives this as a Reason why the Israelites should hear God speaking to Moses before Moses should write any thing namely that they should be moved to believe him for ever And so is the case here So that all that space of time which went before the Scripture was to succeeding ages as a preparative to stir up the mindes of men to receive read and hear the Scriptures to be afterwards delivered to the Church with more reverence and undoubted Faith But God would have the Word afterwards commited to writing because then it was needful for that the Church was then much enlarged into many Families and therefore there would have been great uncertainty in matters of Religion and much danger of corruption unless God should still have appeared and spoken to the Fathers of the several Families or unless there were one Prophet in common to teach them all neither of which were or had been so convenient So that had not this heavenly Doctrine been committed to writing there would have been as hath been said much danger of corruption yea we see that before even when the Church was in a narrower compass there was corruption Adam had God revealing his Will to him immediately Gen. 4. 6. and yet Cain his Son brought in corruption yea and afterwards the Sons of God corrupted Religion by their unlawful Marriages God restored the purity of Doctrine to Noah and he teaches it to his Posterity and they being dispersed over the face of the Earth it was committed specially to the Posterity of Shem and yet within the space of two hundred years Terah Josh 24.2 Gen. 20 the Father of Abraham serves other gods God again restores the purity of Doctrine to Abraham and makes him a Prophet Isaac succeeds him and Jacob him who dying commends the keeping of it to his Posterity and it 's probable it was kept pure as long as the Sons of Jacob lived but from the death of Jacob's Sons until their departure out of Egypt there were not many above an hundred years and yet the Rule of Godliness was so worn out in that short space of time Ezek. 20.7 8 that even those Israelites bred and born in Egypt forsooke the Religion of their Fathers and took up the Customs of Egypt and became Egyptian Idolaters Much greater danger there would have been of corruption afterwards if the Rule of Godliness had not then been committed to Writing And therefore it pleased God in his Wisdom and Mercy that now at length the Rule of Godliness should be written both to prevent the Errors which might otherwise have prevailed against the Church and also that the Church might have a Rule certain and certainly known by which to try all Doctrines and Practices whatsoever According to that of the Prophet To the Law and to the Testimony Isai 8.20 If they speak not according to that Word it is because there is no Light in them Stand we still and wonder at the Goodness and Wisdom of our gracious God so providing for his Church and answering her necessities so managing his Dispensations as may be most suitable to the condition of the Church particularly in this That he contents himself to deliver this Rule of Godliness by word of mouth when there was less danger of corruption but then committing it to Writing when there was more danger in this kinde Fail we not Psalm 96.8 to give unto God the Glory due to his Name even the Glory of his incomprehensible Wisdom and unspeakable Mercy But be we also careful to answer Gods expectation herein And having this written Word as a sure Rule by which to try all Doctrines Eph. 4.14 Let us not be as Children tossed up and down with every wind of Doctrine let us not believe every spirit but try the spirits 1 John 4.1 whether they be of God or not If we be deceived and led into Error having in our hands such a Rule of Tryal who shall pity us But Saint Chrysostom gives another Reason of this various Administration of the Rule of Godliness In the begining God spake to men by himself so he spake to Adam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Ab initio per seipsum loquebatur hominibus Deus secundum quod audire eis erat possibile Sic cum Adam locutus refertur sic cum Noe sic cum Abraham c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Vbi autem genus nostrum proclivius in malitiam declinavit à Parente Conditore suo quasi longa quadam peregrinatione discessit confabulatione cessante literis epistolis ad eos tanquam longe à se positos utitur quibus eos veteris cujusdam amicitiae familiaritatis admoneat Tom. 2. in Genes Ser. 1. to Noah to Abraham c. But when Mankinde declined downwards to Wickedness and as taking a long journy departed from their Father and Maker the Confabulation ending he uses Letters and Epistles to them as being far absent from him by which he brings to their minde that Friendship and Familiarity which sometimes they had with him 2. Another difference in this Administration of the Rule of Godliness is in regard of the Persons to whom it was discovered then to one Nation now to all Nations Exo. 10.22 23 As it was in the Plague of Darkness that was upon Egypt all Egypt was in the dark onely the Hebrews in Goshen had Light so was it in the Times of the Old Testament That Light of saving Truth did then shine onely among the Jews all the World besides was then in Darkness It is the Confession that David made He hath shewed his Word unto Jacob Psa 147.19 20 his Statutes and Judgments unto Israel He hath not so delt with any other Nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them To this also Saint Paul gives his Attestation first of the Jews to that question What advantage hath the Jew
appeares not to our eyes and yet its certain that the Church hath alway a being and is alway enlightened by Christ her Sun So saies Whitaker against Campian Thinkest thou that thou canst perswade us An tu te posse putes nobis persuadere eum esse Ecclesiae statum ut obscurari nequeat ut nil perfidia nil hostes nil Antichristus valeat Delere hi quidem Ecclesiam nunquam possunt in angustias compingere compellere in latebras possunt Ecclesiam Augustinus lunae similem esse dixit quae nunc tota lucet solis incensa radiis nunc luminis magna parte privatur nunc lumen omnino nullum ostendit Ita Ecclesia interdum lumine clarissimo illustratur interdum obscurior apparet interdum vix apparet quidem Ad Campian ra◠3. that the state of the Church is such that it cannot be obscured so that the perfidiousness of enemies and Antichrist can do nothing against it They cannot indeed destroy the Church but they can bring it into a narrow compass and drive it into holes Augustine saies the Church is like the Moon which sometimes shines wholely being enlightened with the Sun-beams sometimes is deprived of a great part of her light and sometimes shewes no light at all So the Church shines sometimes more gloriously sometimes it s more obscured and sometime it hardly appears at all He proceeds to make it manifest by example The face of the Jewish Church saies he was glorious under David and Solomon Si Ecclesiae illius tanta vastitas esse potuit ut ex omni illo piorum numero nullus omnino reliquus esse videretur etsi reliqui erant re permulti mirum esse non potest in regno Antichristi qui omnes Achabos Jezabelas immanitate superat ita fuisse direptam Ecclesiam ut mira esset fidelium solitudo Nec tamen in ista Ecclesiae vastatione efficere potuit Antichristus quin multae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanctorum remanserint qui genua nunquam bestiae flexerint nec signum ejus inuri permiserint Ibid. but under Ahab it was so obscured that Eliah complained that besides himself there was none left And thence he infers ' If that Church could be so wasted that of all that number of godly men none seemed to be left though indeed many were left seven thousand saies God it is no wonder if in the Kingdome of Antichrist who exceeds all Ahabs and Jezabels in cruelty the Church was so laid waste that there was so great a solitude of the faithful Yet neither was Antichrist able in that devastation of the Church to prevail but that there remained thousands of Saints which bowed not the knee to the Beast nor received his mark Hence we may frame an answer to the Romanists frequently assailing us with that question Where was your Church before Luther for this is the confident assertion of Campian the Jesuit of us That for fifteen Ages we cannot finde any one Town or Village or House Quindecim seculis non oppidum non villam non domum reperire possumus imbutum doctrina nostra rat 3. holding our Religion namely till the time of Luther Zuinglius and Calvin But learned Whitaker doth justly deny it Id falsissimum est Campiane Temporibus enim Apostolicis omnes Ecclesiae omnes urbes omnia oppida familiae omnes eandem fidem religionem coluerunt quam nos profitemur Ibid. This is most false saies he for in the times of the Apostles all Churches all Cities all Towns all Families held the same faith which we professe he means all Cities Townes and Families in which the Church was planted by the Apostles And the truth of this may with ease be manifested by comparing the particulars of our Religion professed by the Reformed Churches with the Religion of those Apostolical Churches but that would take up too much time It s true that sometimes the Church hath been much obscured and kept under the hatches yet still there hath been a Church that hath maintained the faith of Christ against heresies springing up When Arianisme prevailed most under the Emperors Constantius and Valens there wanted not those that maintained the faith of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father And when Heathenisme had the upper hand under the Emperors that were before Constantine the great and under Julian that infamous Apostate who succeeded Constantius still there were such as professed the Christian faith and defended it against the heathen resisting for it even unto blood And so in the times when as the Church lay under the greatest darkness by reason of the Apostasy and Tyranny of the Romane Synagogue even in all Ages there have been such as have professed and defended even unto death the faith of Christ received from the Apostles against the Heresies and abominable Superstitions of Rome witness the glorious Martyrs that have suffered death for the cause of Religion in all those times both at home and abroad So that to this question of the Romanists we may justly answer that our Church was before Luther though not alway equally appearing but sometimes as some grains of corn covered over with chaff in the floor and as fire on the hearth in the night-time covered over with ashes CHAP. XI The Church and a Mother SAint Paul makes use of this resemblance while he saies That Jerusalem Gal. 4.16 which is above is the mother of us all on which place hear Luther This Jerusalem saies he which is above is the Church Est illa Hierusalem coelestis quae sursum est Ecclesia id est credentes per totum orbem qui idem evangelium eandem fidem in Christum eundem Spiritum Sanctum eadem Sacramenta habent Ideo sursum non intellige de Ecclesia triumphante in coelis sed de militante in terris In loc that is believers dispersed through the whole World which have the same Gospel the same faith in Christ the same holy Ghost and the same Sacraments Understand this therefore that it s here said above not of the Church-triumphant in Heaven but of the Church Militant on Earth And this Church is the mother of us all that is of all believers both Jewes and Gentiles both high and low both rich and poor for towards us all she doth perform all the offices of a mother as Saint Austin speakes excellently The mother Mater Ecclesia mater est Patris tui matrisque tuae haec nos ex Christo concepit haec martyrum sanguine parturivit haec in sempiternam lucem peperit haec fidei lacte nutrivit nutrit Ep. 38. ad Laetum the Church saies he is the mother of thy Father and of thy Mother she hath conceived thee of Christ she hath travelled of thee by the blood of the Martyrs she hath brought thee forth to the everlasting light she hath nourished and doth nourish thee with the milk
upon Saint Matthew why Christ is called a stone namely Because Christ is to his a strong Foundation Quia suis fundamentum est forte nulla illecebrarum seductione solvuntur qui super illum consistunt nec persecutionum tempestatibus moventur hom 40 and they that rest upon him are not removed from their stedfastnesse by any enticements or by tempests of persecutions III. There is Lapis refugii a stone of refuge such is a Rock in the Sea to a man that is in danger of drowning he hastes to it and gets upon it and so is safe against his danger And such is Christ to all that being in danger to be over-born with any temptation of Satan and so to be overwhelmed in the Sea of dispair do lay hold upon Christ by a true and lively faith they finde that in Christ by which they are held up in hope of mercy and so saved from the danger of despair IV. There is lapis offensionis petra scandali a stone of offence and a Rock of scandal as a Rock in the Sea against which a ship dashes her self and so is broken to pieces or a stone in the street or high way at which a man or horse not seeing or not minding it stumbles and falls and endangers himself or the horse himself Isa 8.15.16 and his rider So is Christ as ye have heard to all his enemies Jewes Pagans Hereticks 1 Pet. 2.8 and all wicked livers among Christians how have they found Christ to be such unto them Look upon the Histories of the Church and we shall finde plentiful examples of this in all kindes And this is another reason which the Authour of that Imperfect work upon Saint Matthew gives why Christ is called a stone namely Because there is in Christ a great power to break to pieces all his wicked enemies Quia in Christo magna est iniquorum confractio Sicut enim omnis res quae percutit lapidem ipsa quidem colliditur lapidem autem non laedit sic omnis qui Christianitatem persequitur se quidem corrumpit Christianitati autem non nocet Ibid. for as every thing that strikes a stone it hurts not the stone but is it self broken to peeces so the enemies of Christian Religion cannot prevail so farre as to hurt it but they mainly hurt themselves Hence learn we divers things 1. See here the difference between the Church of the old Testament and the Church of the New or as Saint Austin speaks between the Synagogue and the Church The former did consist of Jewes onely the latter of Jewes and Gentiles together of the former its said Psal 76.1 In Jury is God known his name is great in Israel the Gentiles were then excluded by the Partition-wal of the Ceremonial Law Eph. 2.12 and then they were strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel aliens from the Covenants of Promise without Christ without hope without God in the world In respect of this it is that God said to the Jewes Am. 3.2 You onely have I known of all the Families of the earth Gal. 4.4 Eph 2.14 Psal 118.22 But in the fulnesse of Time God sent his Son who by his death broke the middle wall of Partition down and rising again is made the corner-stone making Jewes and Gentiles one body one new man c. And whereas God is onely worshiped in the Church the Prophesy of Malachy is now fulfilled Malâ— 11 That from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same the Name of the Lord is great among the Gentiles and in every place incense is offered up and a pure offering So that now Rom 10.12 as the Apostle sayes There is no difference between Jew and Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him 2. See the sad estate of all the enemies of Christ such as there have been and are many in the world Jewes Pagans Hereticks ill-living Christians they kick and spurn against Christ rejecting him opposing his Religion persecuting his members refusing to be ruled by his Lawes thus they do but what do they get by it nothing but wo and ruine to themselves So a ship dash't against a Rock is broken to peeces so a man violently kicking against a stone-wall gets nothing by it but the wounding of his feet Christ is a Rock they that kick and spurn against him what can follow upon it but their own ruine we may see this in the experience of all times And if any feel it not here but continue to prosper while they continue to oppose Christ most fearful is the expectation of such hereafter A time shall come and is coming when as they now say Luk. 19. we will not have this man to raign over us so they shall hear it said to them As for those my enemies Vers 27. that would not have me to rule over them bring them hither and slay them before me 3. See what comfort belongs unto all godly Christians Christ is the stone for the Foundation and a sure Foundation he is to uphold the building no cause therefore have they that are built upon this Rock to fear the opposition of all the powers of hell The gates of hell shall not prevail against them Matth. 16.18 they may shew their teeth they may heave and shove against them to cast down this building but all in vain it shall stand and all that are built upon this sure Foundation shall stand maugre their malice Christ is a stone of Refuge as a Rock in the Sea saving a man from drowning that gets upon it Be of good cheer therefore ye that by a true and lively faith lay hold upon him the Devil seeks to drown you in the sea of despair but he shall not prevail in this his design ye may finde that in Christ which may fence you against this danger Satan will set before you your manifold violations of Gods righteous Law and Gods infinite Justice in respect of which he will suggest to you that it is impossible for you to be saved but in Christ ye shall finde your debts discharged and Gods Justice infinitely satisfied so that though looking at your selves in your selves ye can see nothing but a necessity of perishing yet looking at Christ ye may have a certainty of Salvation ye casting your selves upon Christ by faith and heartily repenting of your sins by which ye have offended God Finally Christ is the corner-stone making Jewes and Gentiles one body and one sheepfold this may well comfort us Gentiles against the insultations of the Jewes they insult over us as having no interest in God because we are not of them but let not this trouble us though in former times we were as without God yet now Christ hath made room for us in the Church and we believing have as good an interest in God as ever the Jewes had 4. Let us learn hereafter not
to oppose Christ not in Himself not in his Religion not in his Ordinances not in his Members If we do such opposition will cost us dear no other then our ruine can be the fruit of it As we therefore love our selves let us desist 5. Let us cast our selves upon Christ for Salvation so shall we be impregnable against all opposition 6. Let us Gentiles praise God for his mercy giving his Son to dye for us by which he hath taken away the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances and so breaking down the middle wall of partition and by his Resurrection making him the chief corner-stone by whom it comes that we Gentiles who were once farre off are now made neer and become fellow-citizens of the Saints and of the houshold of God CHAP. XV. Christ and the Sun CHrist our Saviour is set forth to us under this notion as in that Prophesy of Malachi unto you Mal. 4.2 that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousnesse arise In which place as is acknowledged by all Interpreters promise is made to the godly of the coming of Christ in the flesh And so Saint John sets out the Church as a woman clothed with the Sun that is Rev. 12.1 with Christ And the resemblance holds in many particulars 1. The Sun hath no spots though the moon may have so the Church and the members of it have impurity remaining in them for the work of Sanctification is onely begun in this life and the height of a Christian while he lives in this world is onely a progresse towards perfection of Holinesse Of a Christian while he lives here its true that the Apostle saies The flesh lusts against the Spirit Gal. 5.17 and the Spirit against the flesh therefore while we live here we have a mixture of flesh and spirit old and new man corruption and grace Gen. 25. as Rebeccah had two contrary Nations in her womb we must so long as we live give our selves to the exercise of Mortification Col. 3.5 Mortifie your members that are on the Earth that is corruption Therefore there are remainders of impurity in the best men which is the subject of this mortification And while we live here we are tyed to that precept Grow in Grace 2 Pet. 3 18 therefore the work of Grace and Holinesse is imperfect in us all for perfection and growth are inconsistent Finally it s most true that Saint James saies Jam. 3.2 In many things we offend all therefore there are in us remainders of impurity Thus is it with the best men But with him it s farre otherwise He was and is holy Heb. 7.26 1 Sam. 2.2 harmless undefiled Considered as God he is infinitely holy incomparably holy There is none holy as the Lord. So its true of him that Saint John saies 1 Joh. 1.5 He is light and in him there is no darkness Considered as man he is perfectly Holy the Holy Ghost Sanctified the womb of the Virgin and stopt the course of Original sin that it should not diffuse it self to the Humane Nature of Christ therefore he is called That Holy thing Luk. 1.35 and hence it was that His Life was sin-lesse so that he could appeal to his enemies Which of you convinces me of sin 2. The Sun drives away darknesse and enlightens the World so doth our blessed Saviour by his Gospel outwardly and by his Spirit inwardly drive out the darknesse of ignorance and enlighten our mindes savingly to know God and the things that concern our everlasting happinesse Joh. 1.9 He is the true light saies Saint John that enlightens every man that comes into the world And of him Saint Paul saies 2 Tim. 1.10 who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel 3. The Sun enlightening the world cheeres man so doth Christ giving us the knowledge of God cheer and comfort us 4. The Sun gives as light so heat and warmth to the creatures on the earth and so is an instrument to further their growth So Christ warmes our hearts by the expressions of his love unto us Who that is so much as ingenuous hearing or thinking what Christ out of his love to us hath done or suffered for us hath not his heart burning within him who doth not grow in love to God to Christ to his Brethren in this respect To be sure this Love of Christ hath an aptness to produce these effects in us We hear the inferences that that beloved Disciple made in this kinde We love him 1 John 4.19 because he loved us first And If God hath so loved us Verse 11 we ought also to love one another And Saint Pauls serious consideration of Christs Love so warmed his Heart that he doubted not to pronounce that dreadful sentence If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 16.22 let him be Anathema Maranatha 5. The Sun purges the Earth Water and Ayr by exhaling and drawing up the Mists and Fogs that are in them so doth Christ sanctifie the Soul and purge the Heart This is attributed to Christ Eph. 5.26 That he might sanctifie and cleanse it He that is Christ It that is the Church And again Sanctified in Christ that is 1 Cor. 1.2 sanctified by Christ Hence we may learn sundry things 1. That Christ is fit to be a Saviour to us and an High Priest for us in that he was and is so transcendently pure unspoted Heb. 7.26 for such an High Priest it became us to have who was holy harmless undefiled had he been in any degree polluted with corruption and defiled with sin he had been so far from having been a meet Saviour for us that he should have needed some other to have been a Saviour for him or he should have needed to have offered sacrifice first for his own sins Verse 27 and then for the peoples as it was with the Levitical Priests Nor had he been fit to have been a Sacrifice for us for all the Creatures that were to be sacrificed under the Law were to be without spot and blemish But behold he is transcendently pure then was he an Alsufficient Saviour Priest and Sacrifice 2. See what a Gift Christ is surpassing all other Gifts that God gives to the Sons of men for behold the great conveniencies that accrue to us by him To know God and Christ how great a benefit is it John 17.3 for this is Life Eternal To have comfort under all the saddest accidents that can befall us how desirable is it And to be made holy and pure what a conveniency is it for without it the beatifical Vision of God is not to be expected Without it says the Apostle we cannot see God Heb. 12.14 and having it we cannot miss of it Matth. 5.8 for says our Saviour The pure in Heart shall see God Behold all these we have from Christ this Sun of