perfect harmony and Concord c. A Tabernacle is almost of the same signification and is put for the Church Militant Psal. 15.1 27.4 5. 84.1 for the Church Triumphant Luk. 16.8 Rev. 21.3 The Tabernacle of David Amos 9.11 Acts 15.16 denotes the Kingdom and Church of the Messiah c. The word Tabernacle is said of the Suns tarrying in heaven Psal. 19.4 and of a humane Body 2 Cor. 5.1 4. 2 Pet. 1.14 because the Soul dwels in it as its habitation till death A Chamber or Inner Room which the Latines calls Penetrale is attributed to God which is a symbol of that divine and intimate Communion which the Saints enjoy with him Cant. 1.4 See John 14.2 where the many Mansions there are thus to be Metaphorically understood viz. variety of heavenly Joys Chambers of the South Job 9.9 and 37.9 this denotes that part of Heaven which is near the Antartick Pole or Southern Axis which being below our horizon cannot be seen of us See Prov. 24.4 and 18.8 By Chambers of Death Prov. 7.27 is denoted Damnation The Chambers of the People Isa. 26.20 are temporal Death or the Graves of the Godly from which at the last day there will be a Resurrection A Prison and Imprisonment is most elegantly translated to Denote Gods Vengeance against his Enemy Isa. 24.21 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall visit that is take notice of the host of every high one with him that is on high and the Kings of the Earth with their Land that is he will punish high and low King and Subject ver 22. And they shall be gathered together with the gathering of Prisoners into the Dungeon and shall be shut up in Prison that is they shall be held Captive by the power of God whatsoever they are that are his Adversaries for this shutting up in Prison denotes any kind of Punishment and after many things they shall be wanting that is they shall never be able to extol or lift themselves up more against God See 2 Cor. 10.4 5. A freeing from prison denotes divine Deliverance Psal. 142.7 A Ship Isa. 33.21 denotes all the force of the Churches Enemies Psal. 48.7 The breaking of the Ships of Tarshish betokens as many Interpreters say the confusion of those Enemies See Isa. 2.16 17. Besides this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make shipwrack of Faith denotes Apostacy from the Faith c. A Grave denotes the depraved Nature of man Psal. 5.9 Rom. 3.13 Their throat is an open sepulchre the Metaphor being taken from the noysome scent of a Grave which is translated to the corrupt and wicked discourse of ill men See Matth. 23.27 28 c. See also Isa. 14.11 Thy Pomp is brought down to the Grave that is none will honour thee c. Metaphors from the various Adjuncts of Men. THese may be Divided into Internal and External of the Internal we have before expounded Many of the Externals by which the various Utensils or Instruments c. useful for humane Life are to be understood we will here treat briefly Arms are translated by a notable Emphasis to denote the spiritual fight or strugling of a Pious Soul against Sin and Temptation Rom. 6.19 13.12 2 Cor. 6.7 10.4 1 Pet. 4.1 Of Which the Apostle treats most Elegantly Eph. 6. upon which see Mr. Gurnal who hath well handled that Subject The Devil is said to be a strong man Arm'd Luk. 11.21 that is well provided with Craft Guile and Subtlety to over-reach and overcome a Soul A Sword denotes 1. A thing hurtful because it is cutting and so betokens most bitter Griefs Psal. 22.20 Luk. 2.35 Hence 't is said of an ill-speaking and virulent Tongue Psal. 55.21 57.4 59.7 Job 5.15 See Psal. 64.3 c. To put a knife to the Throat denotes extreme peril Prov. 23.2 2. It denotes a thing very penetrating and efficacious Psal. 149.6 Micah 5.5 Eph. 6.17 It is said of the Word of God that it is sharper than a two-edged sword Heb. 4.12 Gladio ancipiti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scindendo penetrabilius esse which denotes its piercing efficacy to reach the heart when set home by the Spirit See Isa. 49.2 Rev. 1.16 2.12 16. c. A Bow and Arrows signifie the same thing that is are put for an ill speaking and lying tongue Psal. 64.3 120.4 Jer. 9.3 An arrow flying by day denotes any sudden or invading danger Psal. 91.5 how attributed to God we have shewn in the Chapter of an Anthropopathy page 71. A Quiver wherein arrows are kept is put for a Family wherein Children are well educated Psal. 127.5 see ver 3.4 and Psal. 8.2 Matth. 9.38 Isa. 41.16 Psal. 45.5 Isa. 49.2 the Chaldee renders it It is good for that man that fills his School with them A Shield put for Princes Psal. 47.9 Hosea 4.18 who defend their Subjects as a Shield does the Body Paul calls the Word of God the shield of Faith Eph. 6.16 which quenches all the fiery darts of the VVicked One because when received in Faith it defends a Soul from all the Temptations of the Devil which are as Darts that would obstruct its passage to heaven see Gurnal as before See 1 Thes. 5.8 c. Elisha and Elijah are called the Chariots and the Horsemen of Israel 2 Kings 2.12 13.14 that is their principal strength as Chariots and horsemen are in VVar c. A Staff because it is the supporter of a weak or lame Man denotes help and support 2 Kings 18.21 Psal. 18.18 Hence the Staff of Bread Water c. is put for Meat and Drink by which the life of man is Supported and Refreshed Lev. 26.26 Psal. 105.16 Isa. 3.1 Ezek. 5.16 14 13. c. Hence Bread is said to support in our Version strengthen the heart of man as a staff does the body that is comforts and refreshes him Hence also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fulcire to prop is put for eating 1 Kings 13.7 c. On the Contrary a staff is a symbol of Meanness and Poverty as in the Prayer of Jacob Gen. 32.10 With my staff I passed over this Jordan that is weak and poor the Metaphor being taken from such as are taken Captives in VVar and despoiled of all their Arms and are dismissed with a Staff Because a staff is an Instrument whereby men use to beat It is put for Tyranny Cruelty and severe Government Prov. 10.13 22.8 26.3 2 Sam. 7.14 Psal. 89.32 Isa. 10.5.24 14.5 A Prize is put for the Reward of the Godly the metaphor being taken from such as win a race or overcome any challenger or adversary that contended with them at any exercise 1 Cor. 9.24 Phil. 3.14 For the exercise of Faith and Piety is compared to a Race or Strife 1 Cor. 9.24 25 26. Gal. 5.7 Heb. 12.1 c. Col. 2.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to defraud of that Reward the metaphor is taken from
the only Instrument in the hand of God to save the World from utter Destruction and Ruin and many Thousands of poor Sinners from eternal Torments under the incensed Wrath of an eternal God and is hereby become the everlasting Wonder and Praise of Men and Angels Worthy is the Lamb to receive Power and Riches Wisdom Strength c. Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood c. Metaphor I. HUman Embassadors are but weak mortal and unstable Men and many times cannot accomplish the Business they are employed about or otherwise by reason of Unfaithfulness betray the Right and Prerogative of their Sovereign II. Embassadors among Men tho nobly descended yet always are of a lower Rank than the Prince that sends them III. Embassadors among Men are employed to make up National Differences only and appease the Wrath of Men. IV. Embassadors among Men at their first Arrival to treat of Peace appear in much outward Pomp Splendor and worldly Grandure V. Embassadors amongst Men are sometimes very long and tedious when they begin before they can effect the Issue or Product of their Negotiations VI. An Embassador among Men when he hath made up a long and destructive Breach between Kingdoms and Nations and they are at perfect Peace and Friendship yet he cannot keep them always so but in time new Discord ariseth and the Breach is as wide as it was before Disparity I. CHrist is God as well as Man one mighty to save perfect all-wise stable of one mind no ways defective able to accomplish all his Pleasure true to God highly standing for his Honour wills not that he should abate a tittle of his Sovereignty and rather than his Glory should be stained in the least to save Sinners he laid down his own Life and hath offered whatever the Will and Counsel of God was II. Jesus Christ thought it no Robbery to be equal with God hence called God's Fellow and the express Image of the Father's Person and as touching his Divinity not inferior to him III. Jesus Christ was chosen to make up the spiritual Breach between God and Sinners to appease his Wrath and satisfy Divine Justice that he might not only save Mens Bodies but their Souls also not to deliver from natural only but eternal Death IV. The Lord Jesus when he came when he appeared to the World it was in a low mean and contemptible Condition He vailed his Glory and made himself of no Reputation and tho his Retinue was glorious yet invisible to the Men of the World V. Christ did the great Work of his Embassy in a short time By one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified he soon removed the Enmity by the Blood of his Cross. VI. This blessed Embassador having made Peace between God and Believers this League and Covenant by means of his Mediation is everlasting this Peace shall not cannot ever be broken 't is well ordered in all these things and sure being confirmed by Blood and the Oath of God For the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my Kindness shall not depart from thee neither the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath Mercy upon thee Isa. 54.10 Application I. THis may then really teach us to bless and praise God for the Lord Christ the Messenger of the Covenant or blessed Embassador of Peace between God and us it was the Father that chose and sent him on this Errand and Message II. With what due and great Reverence ought we to receive the Lord Jesus he being the Son of and represents the Magnificent King not only of this World but also of Heaven as in the Scripture-Parable Surely saith he they will reverence my Son III. Accept of the terms of Peace offered to you by Jesus Christ and stubbornly stand out no longer 't is your Wisdom to submit and yield speedily thereunto for fear lest it should be said to you as once to Jerusalem c. If thou even thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes now 't is too late 1. Consider That the Breach and Enmity that is between God and Man was occasioned by our Sin we first brake League and Friendship with him 2. Consider how unable a Man is to stand and hold out in a War against God Who ever hardned himself against him and prospered Who can stand before his Indignation c. Who knows the Power of thine Anger 3. Consider What a black foul and guilty Soul art thou darest thou strive with thy Maker and joyn in a Confederacy and comply with his Enemy 4. Consider how willing God is to be at Peace with you though the offended Party he first seeks for Peace and Reconciliation 5. Consider how long this blessed Messenger of the Covenant hath waited on you and how often by his Ministers he hath invited and sent to you 6. Consider what gracious Promises he hath made to pardon and forgive all by-past Treasons if you will come in and accept of his good and peaceable Terms 7. Consider what great and irresistible Power there is in his Hands are not the Bowels of his Compassion very tender to ease himself of his Enemies 8. Consider what a sweet thing is it to be at Peace with God it passeth all Understanding 9. Consider now is the day of your Visitation this great Work admits of no delay now is the day of your Salvation O how sad will it be when Christ shall say you having not accepted the free tender of Salvation the things that concern your Peace are now hid from your Eyes 10. Consider Jesus Christ condescended very low you may have Peace on very easy Terms viz. Hear and your Souls shall live i. e. hear faithfully and savingly c. and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you c. But by way of Objection some may say What must we do to have Peace with God Answ. 1. You must fight no more against God neither must you joyn with those that in any wise take up Arms against God nor resist his Word his Spirit nor cast a deaf Ear to the Reproofs of Conscience 2. You must not only break your League with Satan but must also fight against him and rebuke him and so that you may have no more Commerce with him but must always desire Divine Assistance to resist his Temptations though he pretends Love to you in offering worldly Profits Pleasures and Honours yet his grand Design is to damn your Souls 3. Do not any longer hold a Confederacy with Sin no not so much as a secret Friendship with your Delilah your choice and pleasant Sin but put all thy Sins as it were to the Sword Mortify the Deeds of the Body c. If you would have Peace you must deal with your Sins as
as well as the fruit and efficacy of both c. To Cure or Heal metaphorically signifies a deliverance or Restauration from Calamity Adversity or Trouble Exod. 15.26 2 Chron. 7.14 and 36.16 John 13.4 Prov. 3.8 and 12.18 and 13.17 and 14.30 Esa. 3.7 and 58.8 Jer. 8.22 and 30.13 14 17. Lam. 2.13 Hos. 14.5 And when Translated to the Soul it denotes the free Pardon and Remission of Sin that disease of the Soul through the merits of our Blessed Redeemer Psal. 6.2 and 41.4 and 147.3 Esa. 6.10 and 19.21 and 30.26 and 53.5 Jer. 3.22 Malach. 4.2 Matth. 13.15 with Mark 4.12 John 12.40 Act 28.27 1 Pet. 2.24 c. And in Regard the knowing and manifestation of the disease and its Cause is the beginning of a Cure therefore this term is Elegantly transferr'd to the Ministers of the Word whose Office it is to shew people their sins and rebuke it Jer. 6.14 They have healed the bruise of the Daughter of my people slightly that is did not reprehend as much as need was To Health are oppos'd in general Diseases Griefs Pains Wounds Stripes c. In which there is a Metaphorical Translation 1. To Inanimates 2 Kin. 3.19 And ye shall grieve or pain every good peice of land with stones that is cover corrupt or mar it It denotes the irruptions of Enemies to annoy the whole Jewish Polity Deut. 29.22 23. Isa. 1.5 6 7 8. 2. To Man denoting his depraved Nature Jer. 17.9 Psal. 38.3 5 7 8. Isa. 53.4 Matth. 9.12 13. Mark 2.17 Luk. 5.31 32. 1 Tim. 6.4 a corrupt captious wrangler about words and questions is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sick about questions to which is elegantly oppos'd ver 3. of the wholsome words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for sound speeches of our Lord Jesus Christ. All humane Calamities which afflict a man like a Disease are represented by this similitude Psal. 77.10 Jer. 10.19 Job 9.17 Eccl. 5.12.15 and 6.2 Isa. 1.6 and 30.26 Jer. 15.8 and 30.12 14 15. Lam. 2.13 Hos. 5.13 Wounds denote sharp reprehension Prov. 27.6 See Psal. 141.5 More specially what are adverse to health and Metaphorically used are Brands or Marks or scars of Wounds are put for persecution for the confession of Christ which Paul gives an account of with respect to himself as you may see by their Catalogue 1 Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 6. and 11. What a seared Conscience is we have before spoke in Metaphors taken from fire Leanness Thinness c. are put for Calamities Punishments and Anguish Isa. 17.4 and 24.16 Ezek. 33.10 Zeph. 2.11 Psal. 73.8 it is spoke of Tyrants Rottenness of bones denotes dolors and terrors of Mind Prov. 14.30 Hab. 3.16 Prov. 12.4 To Rot is to Perish Prov. 10.7 c. The Plague denotes a very mischievous and destroying man Act. 24.5 where Paul was accounted by the wicked Jews a Pestilent fellow Poyson a very killing and fatal Ingredient that commonly destroys men unless expelled by very Soveraign and powerful Antidotes denotes devilish Doctrine as also the malice and malignity of the VVicked who as far as they can destroy the Souls Bodies and Good Name of honest pious men Deut. 32.33 Psal. 58.4 Rom. 3.13 To Life is oppos'd Death which is either the privation of Natural Life because of the separation of the Soul from the Body or the privation of spiritual and heavenly life because of the separation of the Soul from God through sin Both these not Metaphorically but properly are to be understood Gen. 2.17 But To Dye is used Metaphorically when Believers are said to Dye to sin Rom. 6.2 7 11. that is to renounce it and to be idle and unfruitful with respect to it as a Dead man naturally neither Acts nor Operates But To be Dead in Sins and Trespasses is quite another thing Eph. 2.1 5. for that denotes spiritual Death when men by sin separate themselves from the Grace of God and the hope of Eternal Life when their sins are not remitted In which sense Matth. 8.22 Joh. 5.25 1 Tim. 5.6 are taken Paul asserts himself to be Dead to the Law Gal. 2.19 that is the accusation or curse of it for he could not by that be Justified nor did he depend upon works but upon free Grace and so was Dead as to that hope viz. of a legal Justification as a Dead man has not the power of operation See Rom. 7.4.10 To be Dead from the Elements of the World Col. 2.20 is to be freed by Christ from the observation of the difference of Levitical Meats and the Mosaical Ceremonies this was the Jewish Paedagogy by which God inform'd the world Gal. 4.3 And Col. 3.3 see 1 Joh. 3.1 Believers are said to be Dead to the World c. which denotes an abrenunciation of its depraved concupiscences and mad pleasures the Text says for ye are Dead and your life is hid with Christ in God that is as Erasmus sayes in his Paraphrase ye seem Dead to this World because ye do not relish the Glories thereof nor are moved with those vanities which the worldings admire Therefore you do not live here so as to attract the splendid Notice of Men but you live in Christ with God altho' your life is hid according to the Judgment of the World c. Death is attributed to Seed or Corn cast into the Earth Joh. 12.24 1 Cor. 15.36 not because it perishes but because of its change it becoming the root of much fruit In the first text it tacitly denotes the Death of Christ and in the second the Death of Believers whose Resurrection is also denoted by this similitude or Metaphor of a Corn or grain Of Metaphors from Humane Sense GEnerally feeling sense or the Instrument of sense call'd in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are transferr'd to the Mind which Metaphor is frequent among the Latines Luk. 9.45 that they may not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feel it that is understand it as it is expounded Chap. 18.34 Phil. 1.9 what we translate Judgment in the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sense viz. a lively faith in Christ. Tit. 1.1 2. Joh. 17.3 Isa. 53.11 See Rom. 5.1 5. and 8.16 17. and 14.17 See also Heb. 5.14 with 1 Cor. 2. 13.15 Sight or Seeing denotes experience or enjoyment Exod. 20.18 Num. 20.23 Psal. 4.6 7. and 16.9 10. and 27.12 13. and 34.12 13. and 49.10 11. and 60.4 5.89.48 49. Psal. 90.49 50. and 91.15 16. and 98.2 3. and 128.6 Eccl. 8.16 where to see sleep denotes to sleep so to see corruption in Death Psal. 16.9 10. Eccl. 9.9 Isa. 44.16 Jer. 17.8 and 43.14 Lam. 3.1 Luk. 2.26 where to see Death signifies to Dye Luk. 17.22 Joh. 8.51 56. Rev. 18.7 c. Especially the Verb to see is used to denote a real experience of Promises of great things Isa. 53.11 and 60.5 and 66.14 and of Punishment under Comminanation Isa. 26.11 2. It is transferred to the Mind and Intellect and
to apply Pardon and the glad Tidings of Salvation saith Mr. Caryl to such a Soul may be its hardening and undoing Tho Mercy may be tendered to the Ungodly for God justifies such yet says not to a Man that perseveres in his Ungodliness that he will justify or pardon him but contrary-wise says he will not pardon them but condemn and destroy them The worst of Sinners may be saved but God will not save them in their Sins 'T is dangerous to daub with untempered Mortar to pronounce Peace where there is no Peace XIII Christ is very diligent and careful of poor Sinners that he undertakes tries their Hearts and Reins hath Eagles Eyes his Eyes are never off them gives charge to his Servants Ministers of the Gospel to look carefully after them that they want nothing that every Direction be followed and wholsom Diet provided XIV Christ rectifies disorderly Affections and other Faculties of the Soul When Pride or Worldliness would predominate he checks those Evils by his Word Spirit or by Affliction a sharper way of Cure and endeavours to ballance the Soul with an Equality of every Grace that there may be Love as well as Faith and that Patience might have its perfect Work XV. Jesus Christ cures none slightly that he undertakes but searches to the quick breaks the very Heart to pieces and lays it open with applying Causticks and Corrosives viz. Afflictions c. corroding Medicines and then effectually cures it They were prick'd in their Heart XVI Jesus Christ prescribes a way to his Church to cut off a corrupt or rotten Member when no other means will preserve it XVII Christ carries it gently and very tenderly when he hath to do with some poor broken-hearted Sinners The bruised Reed shall he not break Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest XVIII Christ uses many Sovereign Antidotes and Preservatives to deliver from the Infection of Sin his Word Promises Threatnings c. Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not sin against thee XIX Jesus Christ hath prescribed Golden Rules to Saints how they may preserve their Souls in a healthful condition to avoid Surfeiting all Excess and immoderate Use of this World to keep good Company and to keep a good Diet to live under an able and powerful Ministry and to be frequent in the exercise of Religious Duties Prayer Meditation reading God's Word and Christian Conference c. XX. Christ when he finds the Soul of a Believer under Affliction Losses Temptation Persecution c. begins to faint and his Spirit low he gives more of his holy Spirit the Spirit of Faith is the choicest Spirit in this case in the World 't will not only revive and quicken a dying and doubting Christian but will raise to Life such as are dead in Sins and Trespasses I had fainted unless I believed XXI Christ rejoyces greatly when he sees his Word take place upon the Heart of Sinners and when Afflictions like powerful Potions cleanse the Soul from all those noxious Humors that bring Sickness and manifold Distempers on the Soul and that his Patient is effectually cured XXII Christ often visits his poor Patients that stand in need of his Help XXIII Christ is very faithful to poor Sinners he lets them know the worst of their Estate that Death is like to ensue if they repent and believe not Vnless ye repent ye shall all likewise perish And unless you believe that I am he ye shall die in your Sins Metaphor I. THe most learned Physician in the World may be deceived in his Judgment about the Cause and Nature of a Distemper and so miss of the Cure II. Some Physicians through Ignorance or Carelesness administer very destructive and ill-prepared Medicines often killing more than they cure III. Physicians come not to the Sick until they are sent for and tho they come not far yet expect to be paid for that besides their Physick IV. Physicians are mercenary do all for hire some pay for the Physick 't is to be feared much more than 't is really worth V. A Physician will be sure not to expend any of his own Treasure to cure his Patients will not be wounded himself to heal others or part with his own Blood to do it VI. Earthly Physicians cannot raise the Living their Patients dy whilst they are with them and oft-times whilst they look on them VII Physicians cannot bless their Physick know not how to make it effectual to this or that Patient the whole Success of what they give depends upon another VIII Physicians are not patient under Repulses they cannot bear to be kept out of door and slighted by the Sick they come to cure IX Physicians cannot visit many Patients at one and the same time who live far and remote from each other X. Physicians are subject to the like Diseases with their Patients XI The best Medicines other Physicians use are compounded of earthly and corruptible Ingredients and lose their Virtue by keeping long XII Physicians attend the Rich chiefly few of them mind or visit the Poor XIII Physicians provide not Hospitals nor other Accommodations as Food Nurses and other Attendants for their Patients at their own charge XIV A Physician may die himself and leave his Patient uncured Disparity I. CHrist cannot be mistaken about the Cause and Nature of any spiritual Disease because he is God and knoweth all things yea the very thoughts of the Heart There is not a thought in my Heart nor a word in my Tongue but thou knowest it altogether II. Christ never administred any improper Medicines all is well and skilfully prepared that Christ gives forth to his Patients if the Dose be hard and unpleasant to take yet there is no Aloes nor one dram of bitter Ingredient in it more than he sees a necessity of Neither do any miscarry under his hand for he wants neither Skill nor Care So that if a Sinner perishes 't is for not coming to him or not taking his Medicines and not observing of his Directions O Israel thy Destruction is of thy self III. Christ came to us who sent not for him which made him say I am sought of them that asked not for me and found of them that sought me not The Patients seek not first come not first to the Physician but the Physician to the Patient I am come to seek and to save that which is lost and besides he dearly paid all the Charge of his long Journey IV. Christ the spiritual Physician doth all freely without Money and without Price We never read of his taking a Penny of any of all those he cured in the days of his Flesh either of Distemper of Body or Soul V. Christ made himself very poor and laid out plentifully his Divine Treasure that he might cure poor Sinners of all their Maladies He
Flesh as he is now in his Members No sooner was News brought of his Birth but Herod that Fox pursued him Blood-hound like to take away his blessed Life many Dogs were I may say always at his Heels hunting him from one place to another He was seldom quiet or had rest whilst on Earth such was the Rage of the Devil against him that old malicious Hunter IX Jesus Christ saith Mr. Ainsworth is ready to help his Church he is like an Hart for Swiftness Some of the common Epithets expressing the Qualities of this Creature are amongst the rest these nimble agile or winged as if he did rather flie than run now for agility and swiftness none like Christ he is said to come leaping over the Mountains and skipping over the Hills that is over all Impediments that might hinder Good from his People whether it respect their Sins and Unworthiness or the Opposition of the World and their and his Adversaries who are likened to a Mountain Who art thou O great Mountain before Zerubbabel And every Mountain and Hill shall be made low X. So Christ pro sua Ecclesia certamina acria cum Diabolis Morte sustinuit sustained sharp Encounters and Conflicts with the Devils and Sin for his Spouse the Church removing those Mountains that hid his Grace and separated him from her XI Jesus Christ lodges his Children under his own Pavilion he hides them in the secret Place of the Almighty or under the Wings of his Power Love and gracious Protection covering them with the Mantle of his pardoning Mercy But if Believers are stubborn and disobedient kicking like an untamed Heifer the Lord Jesus in a way of Mercy beats them with the Rod lays Afflictions upon them to humble them and bring them to submit to his blessed Pleasure and causing them to be contented with their Condition He teaches his Saints to leap over all Opposition or exercises them to use their Feet from the beginning how to improve their Graces and learn Experiences so that they may escape the Danger of the Hunter and keep clear off the Hounds before pursued And because he would every way secure and save them from Death he acquaints them where their Dens Place or Places of Safety and sure Harbour are Behold there is a Place by me and thou shalt stand upon a Rock I will put thee in a Clift of the Rock and will cover thee with my hand c. XII Jesus Christ when pursued and under the heavy pressure or weight of our Sins saw the great need he had of Help and Succour and therefore 't is said In the days of his Flesh he offered up Prayers with strong Cries and Tears unto him that was able to save him from Death and was heard in that he feared He accepted of Relief from the very Angels who in his Distress shewed their readiness to comfort him XIII There is an unreconcileable Enmity between Jesus Christ and the old Serpent and his Race I will put Enmity between thy Seed and her Seed c. 1. Jesus Christ knows all the Holes and lurking Places of the old venemous and mischievous Serpents and by his Spirit and Breath of his Mouth viz. the Preaching of the Gospel brings them out of the Hearts and Bodies of Men that he may dispossess spoil and destroy them 2. Christ was hard beset with evil Spirits his Enemies were numerous the Devil tempted him many with Serpentine Rage assaulting him grievously annoyed him and at last how did this venemous Off-spring set upon him and torment him in every part of his Body and cast Contempt upon all his Offices and to this day how doth Satan and his Instruments twine about and annoy every Member of his Mystical Body But Christ notwithstanding all their Rage by humbling himself unto Death overcame them all He spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it He shall bruise thy Head To this end was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil XIV Christus destrâ—â—ens Diabolum verè sensit ardentissimum onus irae Dei in se derivari e. When Christ came to destroy break the Head of or devour the Serpent the Serpent as 't was foretold crush'd or bit his Heel he was sensible that the heavy Wrath of God was upon him insomuch that he sweat as it were great Drops of Blood in the Garden and when he was on the Cross he cried out I thirst and with a bitter Cry ran to the Fountain of all Fulness My God my God why hast thou forsaken me XV. Christus post mortem ubi resurrexit c. Christ being slain or after his Death and Resurrection sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father retains mighty Efficacy in himself against the old Serpent and all the Venom of Sin A Man that hath on him the Robe of his Righteousness cannot be hurt or devoured by the Devil The Virtue of his Horn of Power is infinite whether respecting the Power of his Grace to help his Church or the Power of his Anger to destroy his Enemies The whole and every part of Christ is excellent against Satan and the Poyson of Sin the Example of his Life his Death Resurrection Intercession his Word Spirit Gospel and Grace powerfully expell it The Virtue of his Blood is admirable it heals all Diseases of the Soul makes Atonement and cleanses us from all Sin Metaphor I. THe Hart is but a weak Creature in comparison of Lions Elephants c. and can't save himself from his Enemies II. The Hart is a very timerous and fearful Creature will run as being affrighted when no danger approaches III. An Hart is as Naturalists tell us an envious Creature is loth to part with that which is good for others when he has cast his Horn he hides it in the Earth so that 't is hard to find it and is unkind to such of its own kind as are wounded IV. The Hart tho he lives long and is famous for length of Life yet dies at last as well as other Creatures Disparity I. JEsus Christ excells all in strength all the mighty Monarchs of the Earth and Powers of Hell and Darkness are nothing in his hand I have laid Help upon one that is mighty II. Jesus Christ is void of all Fear his Courage is beyond the fearless Courage of a Lion flies from no Enemies c. III. Jesus Christ is ready to part with any thing that will do poor Sinners good He left his Kingdom the Bosom of his Father and shed his precious Blood for our sakes He gives all things that are good both for Body and Soul He envies not our Happiness and is exceeding merciful to poor wounded Sinners IV. Jesus Christ tho he once died yet dieth no more Death hath no more Power over him He ever liveth to make Intercession for us Inferences 1. FRom the Enmity
to the Admiration of all The Matter being known and related to them that that were concerned he had not only his Life but the Lion also to wait upon him who became a faithful Servant to him Hic est Leo Hospes Hominis hic est Homo Medicus Leonis was that which the People would say when they saw him lead along his Lion through the Streets Here goes the Lion which was the Man's Host and there is the Man who was the Lion's Physician XII No Creatures love their Young as you may percieve by the foregoing Story in part more than the Lions which they further demonstrate in their Defence for they will receive many terrible Blows Slashes and Wounds the one opening the bleeding Body and the other pressing the Blood out of the Wounds standing invincible never yielding till Death as if Death it self were nothing to them saith the Historian so that their young Ones might be safe XIII Lions are full of Clemency to them that prostrate themselves at their feet they will not touch such as do as it were by submission humble themselves to them XIV Out of the dead Carcase of Sampson's Lion came forth Sweetness as in his Riddle XV. None can take away the Prey from an hungry Lion XVI 'T is affirmed that if a Man be anointed all over with the Blood of a Lion he shall never be destroyed by wild Beasts XVII The Blood of a Lion as Naturalists say being rubbed or spread upon a Canker or Sore which is swell'd about the Veins will presently cure the Grief Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is the King of Kings the Lord of Lords King of the Kings of the Earth II. Jesus Christ is full of Majesty It may be truly said of him that he carries Majesty in his Face Majesty in his Looks Majesty in his Words Majesty in his Walking Christ being our Captain tho we are timerous Creatures is enough to oppose scatter and vanquish the most potent Army that ever the Prince of Darkness or the God of this World could raise against them his Looks and Words affright his Enemies III. Christ is the Power of God He is a mighty Man nay He is a mighty God mighty to save IV. Christ is of superlative Courage of an invincible Mind for he never encountred with any but he was Conqueror He subdued the Devil yea whole Legions of them and rode in Triumph through the Air. He overcame the World trampling it under his Feet He conquered Sin yea Death it self The Woman bringing forth the Lion of the Tribe of Judah portended nothing less than the Conquest of the Devil's Kingdom V. Christ appears in his Dispensations for some time to couch down as it were suffers himself to be abused in his People and seems to lie still as if he were asleep VI. Christ when he is rouzed up by the Cruelties of the Enemies of his Church and the Cries of his People will be very terrible he will come upon Princes as upon Mortar Tho now he seems still and peaceable like a Lamb yet the Day is at hand when he will rise up like a Lion to destroy and devour at once VII When Christ shall utter his Voice at the last Day and come to Judgment he will make the Nations of the World quake Let all the Inhabitants of the Earth tremble for the Day of the Lord cometh for 't is nigh at hand The Lord shall also roar out of Zion and utter his Voice from Jerusalem and the Heaven and Earth shall shake c. VIII There is nothing hid from the Eyes of Christ he sees into the darkest Corners of Mens Hearts and Imaginations the most subtil Sinners cannot escape his Notice There is no secret Place where the Plotters or wicked Men can hide themselves from him He sees all their horrid Designs and Combinations IX Jesus Christ will reward every one according to the Nature of his Works in the great Day and when he comes forth to judg Babylon he will retaliate upon her according as she hath done Thou hast given them Blood to drink for they are worthy for they have shed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets Reward her as she hath rewarded you X. Christ marks all those that injure him and his People Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God he saith in his Heart he will not requite it Thou hast seen it for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite to requite it with thy hand I remember that which Amalek did to Israel now go and smite Amalek I will contend with them that contend with thee and I will save thy Children And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own Flesh and they shall be drunken with their own Blood as with sweet Wine XI The Lord Jesus as he avenges the Wrongs and Injuries done to his People so he will requite Kindnesses shewed to them Such as feed the Hungry cloath the Naked visit the Sick and those that are in Prison for Christ's sake shall be rewarded Their Work of Faith and Labour of Love shall not be forgotten yea He that gives but a Cup of cold Water in the Name of a Disciple shall not lose his Reward Which is a Reward of Grace not Merit for there is no proportion between eternal Life and the best of our Performances yet God accepts of them XII The Lord Jesus loveth his People with such a strong and endeared Love that he did not only fight with cruel Enemies in their behalf but freely also received many Lashes and sore Wounds in his Body and stood invincible never yielding till Death He made his Soul an Offering for Sin Yea Death it self was nothing to him so that he might save his poor Church from Wrath and eternal Misery XIII The Lord Jesus is full of Clemency Compassion and Tenderness of Bowels to all that humble themselves at his Feet He resisteth the Proud and will tear them in pieces but giveth Grace to the Humble XIV Sampson's Riddle is unfolded best in the slain Body of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah from thence comes all the Honey the Sweetness of Grace and Glory XV. None can deliver themselves out of Christ's hand when he rises up for the Prey XVI That Person whosoever he be who applieth Christ's Blood by Faith or hath every Faculty of his Soul viz. the whole Man bathed therein shall never be destroyed by the Devil nor the Powers of Darkness XVII The Blood of Christ cures all Wounds Cankers and putrifying Sores of the Soul or inward Man when applied by the hand of Faith Metaphor THe Lion is cruel blood-sucking proud preying stony-hearted malitious a Devourer of Flocks and Herds the very Tyrant of Beasts Disparity THe Lord Jesus is mild merciful tender-hearted forgetting Injuries the Preserver and Saviour of the innocent poor weak and helpless Ones c. Inferences 1. LEt the Ungodly tremble
XXII By the Spirit of Christ we are regenerated or born again Holiness Faith Love Joy c. and all such precious Fruits are the Productions of the holy Spirit through Christ. Such as lie as it were buried in the Grave of Sin and spiritual Misery shall when the quickning Beams of this spiritual Sun shine upon their Souls have a Resurrection from that Death and by its efficacy shall their Bodies also be raised from the Dust at the last Day XXIII The Beams of Gospel-Light and Divine Illumination do not shine alike in every Nation nor in every Soul In some European Countries especially in England they are more bright and radiant than elsewhere A great many Places want the Comfort of this Spiritual Sun more than Greenland wants the Presence of the created Sun for there the Sun shines half the year but in many Heathen Countries the Sun-shine of the Gospel has not yet arose yea even in Palestine and the adjacent Countries where it first shined most gloriously its Light is for the most part if not altogether removed and communicated to the Isles afar off to the Glory of his rich and unspeakable Grace and Love to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. XXIV Christ warms and heats the Soul which of it self is cold earthly and of a benummed Constitution He sends the Comforter by him we are quickned c. He gives Rest he is the Resurrection and the Life of his People and therefore their Reviver As a Refiner's Fire he burns our Dross Hay Stubble c. And if this Fire be cherished it parches and dries up the Weeds and Trash the Thorns and Briars that grow in our Souls as predominant Sin and Lust all Self-love Corruption and carnal Confidence c. which else would choak the Word and stiffle all good Motions in us See Refiner XXV Christ is the Light of Men. Natural or Moral Light is too dim like the Moon to discover the secret Pollutions of the Soul it cannot make you see the Corruption and Filth of such as lie in their Blood being Captives to Satan the Heart does receive no Light but what comes from this Sun of Righteousness without it which we shall stumble and fall converse with Sin which envenoms the Soul and at last tumble blindfold into Hell and eternal Damnation By this blessed Light is discover'd 1. What Sin is and its Nature and Consequences for tho natural Conscience if it may be so called arraigns us for Immorality or any Breach of the Law of Nature yet it is too dark and far short of discovering the horrid Filth and abominable Evil of Sin in a Gospel-way that is the Work of the Spirit and 't is only spiritually discerned 2. This spiritual Sun or Gospel-Light shews the sad and lamentable Condition of fallen Man by Sin 3. How insignificant the World with all its outward Pomp and imaginary Glory is to release him and afford any solid Content or Satisfaction 4. It discovers the Craft and Subtilty of Satan that Arch-Enemy of Souls 5. It reveals as far as frail Man can comprehend it the Being of God in his glorious Attributes and most sublime Perfections 6. It holds forth the transcendent Excellency of Jesus Christ and the absolute Necessity there is for poor fallen Man to have an Interest in him in order to his Peace with God 7. It informs us which are false Ways who are Hereticks where the false Church is c. Which are things not to be known but by the blessed Light of this Sun of Righteousness shining in his Word viz. the holy Scriptures This Sun of Righteousness gives us Light and Direction in all the Ways of God's holy Worship this Soul-Guide leads in the right way of Wisdom and in the midst of the Paths of Judgment He leads the Blind by a Way they knew not and makes Darkness Light before them and crooked things streight See the Metaphor Light XXVI What can be so desirable so comfortable as the Light of God's Countenance to have this Sun of Righteousness shining on us David accounted it the one thing desirable That he might dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of his Life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple If the Beams of this spiritual Sun be withdrawn the Soul is restless till it finds them seeking every where and crying out with the Spouse Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth His Favour and Loving-kindness is better than Life XXVII When Christ draws near the Soul by his heavenly Influences he causes it to become green and flourishing When this Gospel-Sun rises high and shines hot in any Kingdom or Country it causes them wonderfully to flourish it fertilizes Souls and Nations and makes them to bring forth beautiful Blossoms and wholesom Fruit but in his Retreats and Withdrawings how do they languish and pine away 'T is Night where Christ is absent and Day where he is present His being at a distance is the Soul's Winter and his blessed Approach is Summer As Birds chant their warbling Notes in the Spring rejoycing at the Sun 's coming so do the Saints with spiritual Melody congratulate the Approaches of Christ. XXVIII Christ the Sun of Righteousness shining forth in the manifestation of the Gospel causeth the Heart of one Man to dissolve and melt like Wax distilling him into Tears of Repentance others are hardned and grow obdurate as a Rock not through the Gospel's fault but their own obstinate and rebellious Minds To some the Word is a Savour of Life unto Life and to others a Savour of Death unto Death XXIX Christ is often vailed so that we cannot see him viz. when strange and dark Providences attend us as in the case of Job How often do our Sins interpose like Clouds betwixt us and this blessed Sun of Righteousness leaving our Souls in the dark Yet in these Withdrawings the Soul is sensible that his Efficacy and Virtue are not removed XXX Some like Felix cannot bear the powerful Influences of Christ's Word and heavenly Doctrine XXXI The dazling Light and transcendent Glory of Christ exceeds all the Glory of the World and all that is therein their Light is but Darkness when compared to him XXXII The Sun of Righteousness is to us eclipsed when this World gets between us and Christ when our Hearts and Eyes are so much upon it that we cannot see him in his Beauty Christ is never totally eclipsed to a gracious Soul because Sin is infinitely less than him XXXIII Jesus Christ rejoyces in doing the Work of the Father his Meat and Drink was in doing the Will of him that sent him Lo I come to do thy Will O God XXXIV Christ by his blessed Word through the Influences of the holy Spirit ripens his chosen Ones for the Harvest which is the end of the World and prepares them for Glory And the Wicked through their own Perverseness
gather there drive away Darkness and clear the Sight And further saith Quid possit Vitis alia quae fundit sermone explicare nemo potest that no Tongue could sufficiently tell the Virtues of the Vine the like says Pliny Parallel I. JEsus Christ in his state of Humiliation did not appear in that outward Glory Pomp and Magnificence which the proud Grandees of the Earth glitter in he was not entertained with the Royalties of Imperial Palaces for his Kingdom was not of this World He was look'd upon in comparison of the Mighty Men who are compared to the Cedars of Lebanon and Oaks of Bashan as a poor mean and contemptible Shrub as the Prophet foretold He shall grow up before him as a Tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry Ground he hath no Form nor Comliness and when we shall see him there is no Beauty that we should desire him II. Jesus Christ hath a Name above every Name he infinitely excels whatsoever is good great and glorious in Angels Saints and Men. The spendor and Stateliness of Monarchs Courts is nothing in comparison of that unexpressible Lustre and Majesty that surrounds him The Heavenly Luminaries are dim to him he is the Royal Ofspring of Heaven of the sublimest Extraction When he bringeth the first begotten into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him III. Christ when in his young and tender Age grew much in favour both with God and Man and when he was twelve years old disputed with the Learned Doctors hearing them and asking them Questions and all that heard him were astonished at his Vnderstanding and Answers c. IV. Jâ—â—sus Christ is full of Life and Divine Vertue the Treasuries of his communicable Graces are immense and unspeakable All Wisdom and Knowledg are hid in him In him all Fulness dwells his People mystically united to him are his Branches them he supplies with spiritual Quickning Nourishment and Growth and though scattered over many Kingdoms and Nations his Protection environs them round about provides a sufficient Supply for their spiritual Wants which is to be found no where else If a Man abide not in me saith he he is cast forth as a Branch that is withered c. V. Christ the Spiritual Vine is not only a green spreading and flourishing Plant but also exceeding fruitful he was so in his Life going up and down doing good both to the Bodies and Souls of Men fruitful in his Death In that Cluster there is much choice Fruit as Atonement Reconciliation Redemption Victory over Sin and Satan the abolishing of the Law and establishing the everlasting Righteousness he was fruitful in his Resurrection Ascention Intercession c. The Graces of the Spirit Holy Ordinances and Promises of Eternal Life are all Fruits of this heavenly Vine from him is all our Fruit found See Metaphor Light VI. The Lord Jesus brings forth the most pleasant and most desirable Fruit. I sate down under his Shadow with great delight saith the Spouse and his Fruit was pleasant to my Taste No Cup so refreshing as the Cup of Divine Consolation No Wine nourishes or quickens the Body so much as the Love of Christ Peace with God Reconciliation Pardon of Sin Justification Adoption c. These Blessed Fruits of this mystical Vine do chear feed and enliven a Drooping and Languishing Soul VII The Lord Jesus yields Fruit every way profitable All the Good that Soul or Body is capable to receive flows from him and is the Fruit of his Love purchased by his Death and communicated by his Word and Holy Spirit It warms supports and strengthens the Souls of his People His Grace is of a healing quickning and vivifying nature See Metaphor Wine and Ointment c. VIII Jesus Christ is a Shadow to his Church a hiding-place from the Wind and a Cover from the Tempest as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land He defends from the Rage of Satan from Sin from the Fury of Man in the heat of Persecution yea from the wrath of God by which were it not for the interposition of this blessed Skreen or Shade we should be scorched burnt yea utterly consumed See Rock Apple-Tree c. IX Christ the Spiritual Vine being affronted rejected and abused by the rebellious obstinate and unbelieving Jews when he approached and beheld the City He wept over it was grieved for the hardness of their Hearts but more especially when he came under the execution of Divine Wrath for Mans sake and in his stead which he did willingly undergo how did his bruised and abused Body sweat as it were great drops of Blood until he yielded up his blessed Life and precious Spirit for us X. The Grace of Christ the Spiritual Vine is precious Eye-Salve which removes those thick Clouds of Darkness and Ignorance that are upon the Understanding by which a Soul spiritually comes to have a clear Prospect of those never-fading Glories of the other World and plainly discerns the gilded Follies and transitory Vanities of all things here below In a word no Tongue can sufficiently exalt the transcendent Virtues of this ever-blessed Vine Metaphor I. THe Vine is a Plant of an earthly Extract the choicest and goodliest are only the Plantation of Men. II. The Vine is not always green the Leaves fall off in Winter You may look for Fruit when the Vintage is gathered and find none III. The Fruit of the Vine taken to excess is offensive to God hurts and injures the Soul breeds Diseases and destructive Humours in the Body bereaves Men of Reason intoxicates the Brain c. IV. The Fruit of the Vine diminishes by gathering Cluster after Cluster you may soon strip it off all V. The Fruit of the Vine is only good for the Body VI. The Vine wants Support unless it be underpropt it falls being not able to bear the weight of its own Branches Disparity I. CHrist is of an heavenly Original and Extraction a Vine of God's own planting who prepared a Body for him and appointed him to the work of Redemption He is the true Vine and God the Father is the Husbandman no other could plant so Noble a Vine as Christ is II. Christ the Spiritual Vine perpetually flourishes always abounds with Fruit and knows no Winter he is the same from Generation to Generation yesterday to day and for ever without variation or shadow of turning there 's always a full Vintage that never diminishes withers nor decays never grows old but ever remains in its full growth and absolute Perfection III. The Fruit of Christ the Spiritual Vine never hurts any no danger of Surfeit here the more you eat and drink the better 't is here 's no fear of Excess The Wine of Consolation neither gluts nor inflames nor intoxicates but nourishes and feeds the Soul
held forth in the gospel touching his Deity to be Equal with the Father yet this doth not must not lessen or diminish the Fathers glory all are to honour the Son as they honour the Father but not above the Father nay what can or ever did demonstrate or greaten the honour which is due to God the Father like the honour and adoration ascribed and given to him by the Lord Jesus as Mediator O how did he strain to set out and promote the Glory of God the Father My Doctrine is not mine but the fathers that sent me As the living father sent me and I live by the Father c. My father is Greater than I I Honour my father but ye dishonour me for I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he giveth me commandment what I should say and what I should speak VVherein doth the gospel manifest the Fathers glory The Fathers glory shines forth therein to Admiration in respect of his infinite Grace Love and Rich Bounty to poor perishing men 1. Whatever Relief succour and saving Benefit any sinners do Receive in this world or have the promise of Receiving in the world to come the Gospel wholly ascribes it in the first place to God the Father his Compassion his Bowels and his Love and Bounty is set forth in the gospel to be such to his poor Creatures that no tongue is able to Express it He is great and glorious Alexander is said to give like himself be sure the Father hath hath out done him and Araunah too He gives not to Kings but like a King yea like the King of Kings he is wonderful in grace and rich bounty he is wonderful II. Consider what it is he hath given what he hath parted with for and to poor sinners has he not parted with his Choicest Jewel his best and Choicest treasure God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life If it had been a Servant his Noah his Abraham his Moses his David his grace and bounty had been great but alas they could not Redeem us none were found worthy to open the Book nor loose the Seals thereof amongst all the Children of men or Saints of God that ever lived Or had it been an Angel one of the glorious Seraphims or Cherubims the favour had been unspeakable considering what we were but to think it was and must be his Son his only begotten Son that lay in his Bosom his dearly and welbeloved Son in whom he was well pleased a Son that never offended a glorious Son the Joy and Delight of his heart III. Consider whether he sent this his dear Son and wherefore 1. He sent him into the World 2. Into a sad World into a strange Country where he was not known 3. He sent him amongst Enemies amongst wicked men such that hated him and his Father 4. Nay amongst Devils 5. He sent him to be Abased he was Vilified Contemned and Spit upon He was despised and rejected of men 6. Nay he sent him to Die to pour forth his Soul to Death to become a Ransom for many he commanded him to lay down his Life IV. Consider for whose sake he sent him to suffer all this 1. Was it for his Friends such that he was beholden to 2. Or was it for some dear Relation 3. Or was it for some worthy or deserving Creature that had Merited such Favour and Grace from him No it was for such that were his Enemies who Deserved nothing but Hell and Eternal Wrath for ever V. And Lastly Consider what was his great and glorious design in all this 1. Which was to make peace God was in Christ Reconciling the world to himself 2. To Espouse and Marry poor Sinners to himself for ever 3. To Convey a gracious and Legal Pardon to them and to wash them from their sins in the blood of his Everlasting Covenant 4. To bestow the blessing of Adoption upon them i. e. to make such his own Children by Favour and Grace who were his Enemies and Children of Wrath by nature 5. To Purchase a Kingdom for them 6. To save them from Eternal wrath and death and to bestow upon them Eternal Life And thus the glorious Mercy of God the Father shines forth in the gospel for these things fully set forth that the Father is gracious And in the next place let me speak a little of his Justice also for his glorious Justice as well as Mercy shines forth in the Gospel First It must be considered that Justice as well as Mercy is in God as his Mercy is Infinite so is his Justice Secondly It must be granted also that Justice was injured by the Fall and Sin of Man and called for Satisfaction which was signified 1. By the Execution of the Sentence pronounced upon the account of Mans Disobedience 2. By turning him out of the Garden 3. By the flaming Sword 4. By the Law upon Mount Sinai 5. By many severe expressions and fearful Threatnings mentioned in the holy Scriptures God is angry with the wicked every day his Soul lothed them he has whet his Sword c. Thirdly In the next place consider Justice must be satisfied or we must be Damned that God will not save in a way of Mercy to the wronging of his Justice Fourthly It behoveth us therefore to know what will satisfie Gods Justice and appease his wrath And indeed nothing less will do this than perfect and compleat Obedience to the Law for the time to come and a plenary compensation for the wrong done in time past Thou must be holy pure without sin in thine own person or have such a Righteousness by Faith imputed to thee What will the sinner now do may be he will say I will cast my self upon the Mercy of God that is thy only way but if thou hast not an eye to the Attonement and Satisfaction made by Christ Jesus thou wilt Perish notwithstanding for he that said he was Gracious Merciful abundant in Goodness and Truth said also he would by no means acquit the Guilty The gospel shews Gods Wrath must be appeased and that it must be appeased by Sacrifices but if we should Sacrifice a 1000 Rams or 10000 Rivers of Oyl nay do as the Gentiles did Sacrifice our Children or cause them to pass through the fire as the Jews did to Moloch and give the fruit of our Body for the Sin of our Soul it will not be accepted And as a Child cannot by being Sacrificed make an attonement for Sin neither can any mans Brother do it for him they that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their Riches none of them can by any means Redeem his Brother nor give to God a Ransom for him for the Redemption of their soul is precious c. What will the
Souls of the Elect in order to healing and it wounds the Reprobate in order to damning to such it may be called a killing Letter To one we are the Savour of Life unto Life to the other the Savour of Death unto Death VI. The VVord of God hath cut off many a Member of the old Man it will cut off a Right-hand lust of Profit or a Right-eye lust of Pleasure VII So some VVounds that many Sinners receive are such that there is no cure for them viz. such who have sinned the unpardonable Sin There is a Sin unto death VIII He that bears the VVord of the Spirit shews he is a Man that hath great Authority for what he says and that he is a Person for Right and Justice it is that which decides all doubtful Cases c. IX So the VVord of God the Sword of the Spirit is a glorious and victorious VVeapon which will appear If we consider how many it hath struck down dead and sentenced unto eternal Death how many strong Enemies have been slain and subdued by it strong Lusts strong Devils strong and vile Hereticks it is a victorious Sword It is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. Because it is a spiritual Weapon but that is not all 2. Because the Spirit is the Author of it a Weapon it is saith Gurnal which his Hand alone formed and fashioned it came not out of any Creatures Forge Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 3. The Holy Spirit is the only true Interpreter of the Word whence we have that known Passage of Bernard Quo Spiritu factae sunt Scripturae eo Spiritu legi desiderant ipso etiam intelligendae The Scriptures must be read and can be understood by no Spirit but that a lone by whom they were made 4. Because the Spirit only can give the Word its Efficacy and Power in the Soul it is the Office of the Spirit Sigillare animum rerum creditarum Except he lays his weight on the Truths we read and hear to apply them close and as it were cut their very Image in our Minds and Hearts they have no more Impression than a Seal sets upon a Stone or Rock The Spirit will do nothing for Believers without the Word and they can do nothing to purpose without him the Word is the Sword and the Holy Spirit of Christ the Arm that weilds it So that 5. The like use that a Sword is of to a Souldier in War the same is the Word to the Spirit in order to the cutting down and spoiling all his and others Enemies Inferences THis may teach Believers what excellent use the Word is of in all their spiritual Wars with the Devil Sin and all other mortal Enemies of their Souls 2. It may inform us what the great Design of Satan is in seeking so many manner of ways to take away the Word of God from us or in making of it of little or no use to us 3. This justly reprehends the cursed Papists and Church of Rome in respect of their Cruelty to the Souls of Men in disarming them of their Weapons a People disarmed are soon overcome and made a Prey to their Enemies how can we defend our selves when our Sword is taken out of our hands They have some Fig-leaves saith one to hide their shameful Practice they endeavour to perswade Men they do them a Kindness thereby lest they should cut their Fingers with it c. How doth the Apostle condemn speaking in the Church in an unknow Tongue All Men are exhorted to read the Scriptures search the Scriptures but the Pope makes it no less than Death if not Damnation for the Laity to have them in their own Language to read or search fearing lest it should spoil his Trade 4. It reproves them for casting such Contempt upon the Scriptures as if they were insufficient to direct us in the way of Salvation What horrid Blasphemy and Reproach is this saith the same Author to the great God to send his People into the Field and put such a wooden Sword into their hands as is not sufficient to defend themselves or vanquish their Enemies And how much contrary is it to that of the Apostle Timothy who saith It is able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus perfect throughly furnished to all good Works 5. Let us bless God and be truly thankful we have this Weapon left us yet this is in our hands and that all the World may know it hath done great things in our Hearts Let every true Christian and true English-man resolve to dy upon the Spot rather than lose the Word or suffer their Sword to be taken from them 6. Let it also caution all Christians to take heed how they ingage their Enemy without their Sword 7. Labour also to know the right use of it and how and when to offend your Enemy hereby Satan is a cunning Warrier sometimes when thou art tempted to sin may be he will tell thee it is a little one what 's a merry Jest to sport and game to drink and carrouze a little when thou art thus beset draw thy Sword Make no Provision for the Flesh If ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye Put off the former Conversation without Holiness no Man shall see God How shall I do this thing and sin against God 8. Again on the other hand may be he will aggravate thy Sin to drive thee into despair and tell thee by his evil suggestions that there is no Mercy for thee then draw thy Sword again But he that confesseth and forsaketh his Sin shall find Mercy I desire not the Death of him that dyeth All manner of Sin and Blasphemy against the Father and the Son shall be forgiven unto Men c. Such were some of you c. 9. Yield up all your Sins tho never so pleasant and profitable to the Edg of the Sword 10. Prize and highly value the Holy Scriptures the Word of God and say as David once did when he wanted a Sword and it was told him there was none but the Sword of Goliah none like that Satan will it is feared e're long make a diligent search for Arms do as David did hide thy Sword Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not sin against thee Get many Promises ready against thou art beset and shall have need of them The Word of God compared to Leaven Mat. 13.33 Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto Leaven which a Woman took and hid in three measures of Meal till the whole was leavened SOme understand by Leaven in this place the VVord of God others Grace the one concludes it is the VVord of Grace the other the Grace of the VVord a third sort understand the Church of God is intended by it The VVord and Grace of God may be compared to Leaven in three or four Considerations Parable
you wholy and I pray God your whole Spirit and Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ For other places where the Spirit is put for the New Man and spiritual strength see Psal. 51.17 Esa. 26.9 Ezek. 18.31 Matth. 5.3 and 26.41 Acts 17.16 and 19.21 and 20.22 Rom. 1.9 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. and 6.20 Gal. 3.3 c. More especially the SPIRIT is put for those peculiar or extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit which for various uses whether publick or private spiritual or external are bestowed on Man as Numb 11.17 I will take off or separate part off for so the Hebrew is the Spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them viz. the 70 Elders who as verse 25 thereupon Prophesied and did not cease upon which Vatablus says The Lord so abstracted from the Spirit of Moses that he took away nothing as one Candle which Rab. Salomo calls a most Elegant similitude lights several yet loses nothing of its Original light To this may the request of Elisha be referred 2 Kings 2.9 I pray thee let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me where there is an evident Allusion to the right of Primogeniture or first-born Deut. 21.17 where the first-born was to have a double portion c. As if Elisha had said I am your first Disciple received into your School therefore ask of God a greater measure of Spirit for me then any one of your Disciples Daniel had a more excellent Spirit Dan. 5.12 with 6.3 for so the hebrew Text runs and more knowledge and understanding c. then the Presidents and Princes that is more excellent and higher gifts of the Spirit see Luke 1.17 80. and 2.40 Acts 19.2 John 7.39 Acts 1.5 To this may be referred what is spoken of Revelations Visions or Extasies whether real or pretended as Ezek. 37.1 The hand of the Lord carryed me out in the Spirit of the Lord that is by a Vision or Rapture of Spirit So 2 Thes. 2.2 That ye be not shaken in mind or be troubled neither by Spirit nor by Word nor by Letter as from us c. That is by Revelations which are pretended to come from the Spirit so Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit that is in an Extasie or immediate Revelation of the Spirit as 2 Cor. 12.2 Rev. 4.2 c. and 17.3 and 21.10 is described The SPIRIT is also put for Doctrines revealed from Heaven whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 truly or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by vain boasting so pretended as 1 Cor. 14.32 The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets that is the Doctrine or Scripture Interpretation proposed by some Prophets are subject to the Judgement of the rest for it would savour of Haughtiness Ambition and Disdain for any individual to Vsurp an Infallibility and reject the Judgment of the Brethren as verse 29. Let the Prophets speak two or three and let the other Judge If any thing be Revealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his Peace 1 John 4.1 We are thus exhorted Believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits c. The Marks of which are given verses the second and third c. Here it is evident that the Spirit is put for Doctrine whether really revealed or pretended to be so And by seducing Spirits 1 Tim. 4.1 is meant false Teachers that pretend their Doctrine to be from Gods Spirit but is indeed of the Devil Parents or Ancestors are put for their Children or Posterity As Gen. 9.27 Japhet and Shem Jacob and Israel for the Israelites Exod. 5.2 Numb 23.21 and 24.5 17. Deut. 33.28 c. Abraham Isaac Jacob of whom according to the flesh Christ came are put for Christ Gen. 12.3 In thee which the Chalde Translates for thee And the Targ. Hierosol In thy Righteousness or Holiness shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed And Gen. 18.18 All the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed in him which is meant of his Seed as Gen. 22.18 Which Seed is Christ who took on him the Seed of Araham Heb. 2.16 Through whom the blessing of Abraham is come on the Gentiles Gal. 3.14 The Writer or Author is put for his Writing Book or Work Luk. 16.29 31 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them that is they have what Moses and the Prophets by inspiration from God have written and delivered to Posterity for the Canon and Rule of Faith So Luke 24.27 Acts 15.21 and 21.21 2 Cor. 3.15 But even unto this day when Moses is read that is the Mosaical Writings c. The SOVL the noblest part of man is put for Life which is its effect Gen. 9.5 What we translate blood of your Lives is in the Hebrew blood of your Souls and Gen. 37.2 Reuben said let us not kill him the hebrew says let us not smite him in the Soul So Lev. 17.11 Life of the Flesh in hebrew is soul of the Flesh See Ps. 56.13 14 15. Jer. 40.14 1. This Term is sometimes put for the whole Person of man consisting of Soul and Body Gen. 46.27 Acts 27.37 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Souls in the Ship 2. For the Body only Ps. 105.18 Iron entred into his Soul we translate it he was laid in Iron that is the Iron fetters made dints in his Flints 3. 'T is put for Life as before Psal. 94.21 and 7.1 2 5. 4. 'T is put for a Carkass Lev. 19.28 Ye shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the Dead the hebrew is for the Soul and so it is taken Lev. 21.1 And Hag. 2.4 5. It is put for the Rational Soul Ps. 19.7 Deut. 11.18 c. 2. The SOVL is put for the Will Affections and Desires which are operations of the soul as Gen. 23.8 If it be your mind in the Hebrew 'tis with your Soul as Psal. 27.12 and 41.3 and 105.22 The Septuagint translates it if ye have in your Soul the Chaldee If it be the pleasure of your soul. So Exod. 23.9 Ye know the heart of a stranger Heb. the soul of a stranger that is his mind or affection See Deut. 23.24 1 Kings 19.3 2 Kings 7.7 Psal. 17.10 and 27. 12. and 41.3 Prov. 23.2 Jer. 34.16 John 20.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how long dost thou hold our soul in suspense That is as our Translation hath it how long dost thou make us to Doubt It may be referred hither when the SPIRIT which is often put for mans soul is used to express the Motions or Affections of the Soul whether Good or Evil as Gen 45.27 The Spirit of Jacob their father revived Numb 14.24 My Servant Caleb had another Spirit Judg. 8.3 Their anger was abated ' tiâ—â— in the Hebrew their Spirit was abated 2 Chron. 21.16 The Lord stirred up the Spirit of the Philistines c. 2 Chron. 36.22 The Lord stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus c. see Psal. 76.13 and 77.4 Pro. 1.23 and
good to your own This Trope is very frequent also in the Latin Tongue c. It is put for an Experimental sence of a Fact done Mark 5.29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. et scivit corpore and she knew in her body in our Translation 't is she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague Hence by the same Trope or manner of speaking 't is said of Christ verse 30. And Jesus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cognoscens in semetipso knowing in himself that vertue had gone out of him that is feeling and experiencing it 1 Cor. 4.19 I will know not the speech of them which are puffed up but the Power that is I will experience how strong they are in the Faith what zeal they have and how powerfully the Holy Spirit has influenced them More especially by the term knowing Conjugal Society is noted as Gen. 4.1 and 19.5 8. Numb 31.17 Matth. 1.25 Luke 1.34 This was common with the Greeks and Latins as Plut. in Alex. Neque aliam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cognoscebat mulierem that is he knew no other Woman Horat. Ignara mariti ignorant of a Husband To Remember Is put for the Will and Desire Heb. 11 15. If they had Remembred that Country from whence they came they Might have had opportunity to have Returned that is if they had a mind or Desire to have Returned thither c. which exposition is cleared in the following verse viz. But now they desire a better Country that is an heavenly See Isa. 44.21 Joh. 2.7 So Cant. 1.4 We will Remember thy love more then VVine that is by true Faith and sincere Love we will cleave to thee for the great Affection thou hast vouchsafed us which we esteem above all that 's delightsome and precious for such things are synecdochically noted by Wine in this World For the upright love thee that is the Regenerate sons of God who truly know and love Christ and in Life follow him 2 Tim. 2..8 19. Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 11.24 25. In a word to Remember Christ is in a due and faithful sence and apprehension to be united to him and to live to him alone whereas on the contrary To forget God Imports Vnbelief wickedness and Stubbornness of Heart as Hosea 4.6 My People are destroyed for lack of knowledge Because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no Priest to me seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God I will also forget thy Children See 2 Pet. 1.9 Jam. 1.25 Ezek. 22.12 c. Sometimes to Remember signifies a consequent speech or an external real effect as Esth. 2.1 Ahasuerus Remembered Vashti when by the second verse it is evident that he was discoursing of her with his Ministers Ezek. 23.19 Yet she multiplyed her VVhoredoms in calling to mind the days of her youth c. that is both calls to mind and in that very act exercising her former spiritual Whoredom In what sence Remembrance and Oblivion are attributed to God will be seen hereafter Verbs of Affections as to love or to hate are put for the actions themselves which either really or according to the custom or opinions of men are the Results of such Affections The verbs odi and diligo to hate and love do sometimes denote contrary Affections 1. To love signifies seeking and desiring as Luke 11.43 ye love that is ye seek or desire the uppermost seats c. John 3.39 and 12.43 2 Tim. 4.8 'T is put for to be wont as Matth. 6.5 Hypocrites love that is they are wont to pray standing See Psal. 11.5 Prov. 21.17 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having loved this present World which Erasmus well renders hath embraced this present world that is Demas would not be a Companion of sufferers but his desire and seeking was to have good and happy days in this World 2. To Love signifies to prefer regard or take care of one thing more then another To which to hate is opposed which signifies disregard less care and neglect of one thing more then another as Gen. 29.31 with verse 30. John 12.25 He that loveth his Life shall lose it and he that hateth his Life in this world shall keep it unto Eternal Life This is expressed Matth. 16.25 Thus For whosoever will save his Life in the Greek 't is his Soul shall lose it and whosoever will lose his Life or Soul for my sake shall find it By the phrase to Love his Soul is meant a will and resolution to preserve Life even by the denyal or abnegation of the Name of Christ. And to hate his Soul signifies that in comparison of the Name Profession and Truth of Christ the preservation of this Life is a thing not at all valued but that we are ready rather then deny him to suffer even unto Death It is said Luke 14.26 If any man come unto me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own Soul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also he cannot be my Disciple This Text does not injoyn us to hate our Relations for we are Commanded to Love even our Enemies Matth. 5.44 Luke 6.27 But the meaning is that he that can or will prefer the comfort of Society of his Natural Relations before Christ and his Gospel is not worthy to be his Disciple See Psal. 109.16 17. Prov. 8.36 and 17.19 and 13.24 3. It notes a declaration of an external Gesture which is wont to be the result of Love as Mark 10.21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies not that Christ approved his answer or had therefore any singular or peculiar respect for him but as it were sweetly smil'd upon him looking upon his talk to be childish and ridiculous even as we smile upon Children when they prattle of such things as are in themselves simple Verbs of Operation as to do are put for acquisition or gain which is the effect of Action and Labour as Gen. 12.5 The Souls they had made in Charan that is acquired or gotten there Gen. 30.30 And now when shall I make for my house also that is when shall I provide or take care to get so much as will be sufficient for my Family Hence 't is said Matth. 25.16 Then he that had received the five Talents went and traded with the same and made them other five Talents that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he gained them as verses 17 20 22. it is expounded To Judge besides its proper signification denotes also the Consequent actions as Castigation and Punishment Gen. 15.14 2 Chron. 20.12 Psal. 9.19.20 Acts 7.7 Heb. 13.4 Condemnation John 3.18 Rom. 14.3 Freeing Delivering or Absolving Psal. 35.24 Rom. 6 7. c. The Matter of which a thing is made is put for the thing made THE FIRR-TREE of which Lances were made is put for lances Nah. 2.3 The
Firr-trees shall be terribly shaken 'T is put for Musical Instruments 2 Sam. 6.5 And David and all the House of Israel played before the Lord on all Firr-wood so the hebrew that is as in our Translation on all instruments made of firr-wood as the following words shew viz. on Harps and on Psalteries and on Timbrels and on Cornets and on Cymbals Brass is put for Fetters or Shackles made of Brass Lam. 3.7 He hath made my Brass heavy that is my chain or fetters whereby my legs are shackled See Judg. 16.21 2 Sam. 3.34 Ezek. 24.11 and 16.36 You may see more Examples Psal. 68.30 2 Sam. 7.2 Jermiah 4.20 Habak 3.7 Gold and Silver are put for things made of them 1 Chron. 29.2 Psal. 115.4 Their Idols are Silver and Gold that is made of Silver and Gold 2. For Money or Currant Coyn Gen. 23.9 16. Gen. 24.22 2 Kings 5.5 1 Chro. 21.22 24. Gen. 20.16 Deut. 22.19 29. Caedar is put for Caedar-work or Tables made of that Wood Zeph. 2.14 Iron is put for an Axe 2 Kings 6.5 For Fetters Psal. 105.18 Corn is put for Bread Lam. 2.12 with Chapt. 4. verse 4. Wood and Stone are put for Vessels made of them Exod. 7.19 Stone is put for an Idol made of Stone Jer. 2.27 3.9 And for a pound weight Deut. 25.13 2 Sam. 14.26 Prov. 11.1 See more examples Esa. 34.11 Zach. 4.10 and 5.8 Gen. 28.18 22. with verse 11. Wood is put for a House made of Wood Jer 21.14 I will kindle a Fire in the Forrest thereof that is in the House of Jehovah In the House of the King and in the Houses of the Nobles which were built of precious materials brought from the Forrest of Lebanon Jer. 22.7 2 Kings 25.9 2 Chron. 36.19 Jer. 52.13 c. CHAP. II. Of a Metonymie of the Effect A Metonymie of the Effect is when the Effect is put for the Efficient Cause which is done three ways as 1. When the Action or the Effect is put for the Author or Person effecting 2. When a thing Effected by an instrument is put for the Instrument or Organical Cause 3. When the Effect is put for the thing or action Effecting 1. The Action or Effect is put for the Author or person Effecting AS Gen. 15.1 I am says Jehovah to Abraham thy exceeding great Reward that is I am a most liberal giver of Reward Deut. 30.20 He is thy Life and length of Days that is he is the Cause of it Gen. 49.18 I have waited for thy Salvation that is the promised Messiah the Author of Salvation as Luke 2.30 Where Simeon says Mine eyes have seen thy Salvation that is Christ. All flesh shall see 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Salvation of God that is a Saviour See Esa. 49.6 c. Psal. 3.3 4. and 106.20 and 27.1 Thou art my Light Salvation Strength c. that is the Author and Cause of them so Psal. 18.2 and 22.20 and 33.20 and 46.2 Jer. 16.19 and 23.6 John 11.25 and 14.6 1 Cor. 1.30 Eph. 2.14 1 John 5.20 And Heb. 5.9 Rom. 15.5 13. 2 Cor. 1.3 Luke 1.50 Luke 11.14 And he viz. Jesus was casting out a Devil and it was Dumb that is he made the man in whom he was dumb or suffered him not to speak and so was the cause of dumbness See Matth. 9.32 33. and Mark 9.17 25. Luke 13.11 It is said Gen. 26.35 That Esaus wives were a grief of mind or as the hebrew says bitterness of Spirit unto Isaac and Rebecca that is the Cause of sadness and trouble of Spirit See Gen. 25.23 Nehem. 12.31 Rom. 13.3 Rulers are not a terror that is a cause of terror to good men 2 Cor. 1.14 we are your rejoycing as ye are ours the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies glorying or boasting that is the cause of your rejoycing or glorying inasmuch as we instructed you in the Gospel which is the way of Salvation and you likewise are our glory inasmuch as we have won you to Christ 1 Thess. 2.19 20. Rom. 5.2 2. When a thing Effected by an Instrument is put for the Instrument or Organical Cause GLory is put for the Tongue Psal. 16.9 My Heart is glad and my glory rejoyceth that is my Tongue because it is the Organ by which God is and ought to be gloryfied sutable to Acts 2.26 Therefore did my heart Rejoyce and my Tongue was glad See Psal. 30.12 13. and 5.7 9. Power is put for the Organ exerting power as Rom. 1.16 The Gospel is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the power of God unto Salvation to every one that Beleiveth that is the Gospel is the means or organ by which God exerts or puts forth the power of his Salvation to Beleivers Eph. 1.19 Victory is put for the Instrument of overcoming as 1 John 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even your Faith that is the Instrument of victory Eph. 6.16 Life is put for the means of its preservation Deut. 24.26 No man shall take the nether or the upper Milstone to pledge for he taketh a mans Life or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soul to pledge that is the Instruments that are necessary for the preservation of Life Prov. 7.27 Life is put for food or maintenance Luke 15.12 He divided unto them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Life that is his Estate or as we translate it his living Hesiod lib. 2. calls money the soul of a man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. When the Effect is put for the Thing or Action Effecting THis Species of a Metonymie is distinctly found in Nouns and Verbs as when the Effect is put for the cause materially as 2 Kings 4.10 There is death in the pot that is deadly poyson which will cause Death So Death is put for great perils and dangers troubles or Calamities which cause Death Exod. 10.17 Rom. 7.24 2 Cor. 1.10 and 11.23 And for the Plague Rev. 6.8 See Prov. 11.23 Jer. 3.24 Shame is put for an Idol Jer. 11.13 Hos. 9.10 The reason of the Name you may see Jer. 48.13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Kemosh as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence See Ezek. 44.18 Hosea 12.1 Ephraim dayly increaseth lies and desolation that is he commits such evils that nothing can be expected but Desolation and Calamity See more Examples Lam. 2.14 1 Cor. 12.6 8. 1 Cor. 14.3 He that Prophecyeth speaketh unto men Edification and Exhortation and Comfort that is an Edifying Exhorting and Comforting speech Sometimes the Effect is put formally for the Cause as Deut. 30.15 I have set before thee this day Life and Good Death and Evil that is I have clearly shewed and lay'd before thee what is the cause and original of each or for what cause and reason either of these was to come upon thee viz. To Love and obey God brings Life and Good but Rebellion Sin and Disobedience brings Death and Evil as the following
once then to die dayly Beza and others say that it is not likely that the Governess of such a Holy Family as Job's and the Wife and Companion of so good a man should be so impudently wicked as to give that abominable advice to her Husband as either to Curse God or destroy himself Her error say they was she judged him Wicked because thus smitten and that he trusted upon his own integrity c. But others with greater probability judge this Counsel to be very wicked for he reproves her for it plainly Thou speakest as one of the foolish Women speaketh and certainly Job would never have said so if her speech had only imported an humble preparation for his approaching Death It was rather a speaking the Devils mind to bid him Curse God and Dye viz. Curse God that the Magistrate taking notice of it thou mayst be cut off by the Sword of Justice for Blasphemers were sentenced to Death without mercy by the Law of Moses and it is not improbable that the light of Nature might carry those Nations to as high and severe a Revenge against that highest Sin And Die that is dye by thine hand or destroy thy self c. So that the Word must of necessity be understood to Curse by an Antiphrasis as the same Word is used by the Devil Job 1.11 He will Curse thee to thy Face The Word that signifies to be effected or accomplished Prov. 13.19 denotes to be interrupted or broken Dan. 2.1 and I Daniel was refreshed Dan. 8.27 But Pagninus and our Translation render it I fainted for it follows I was sick It also signifies to shine Job 29.3 and 31.26 Esa. 13.10 Also to praise or celebrate Psal. 117.1 Esa. 64.11 c. And by an Antiphrasis to be inglorious or fools Psal. 75.4 Job 12.17 Esa. 44.25 c. The Word that signifies Benignity Mercy and Gratitude Deut. 5.10 Jud. 8.35 2 Sam. 9.1 Psal. 141.4 5. By an Antiphrasis signifies the quite contrary Lev. 20.17 Prov. 14.34 The word which signifies to possess an Inheritance Gen. 15.3 Deut. 2.24.31 1 Kings 21.15 Esa. 14.21 signifies to be destroyed or thrown out of Possession Deut. 2.21.22 Judg. 14.15 Josh. 8.7 and 23.5 The Word that signifies inconstancy Levity and Folly Psal. 85.8 Prov. 9.13 Eccl. 7.26 By this figure signifies Constancy Confidence and Hope as Job 31.24 Psal. 78.7 Prov. 3.26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nephesh which signifies the Soul Gen. 1.30 c. and Synecdochically the Person it self Gen. 2.7 and 17.14 Psal. 11.1 And more generally an animate Body or a living Creature Gen. 1.24 c. by an Antiphrasis signifies a Carkass or a Lifeless Body Lev. 19.28 So 21.1 and 22.4 Numb 6.11 and 5.2 Hag. 2.14 To this signification some Referre Psal. 16.10 Thou shalt not leave my Soul in the Grave that is my Body The Word which signifies to be sanctified or made Holy Exod. 29.37.43 c. signifies also be defiled Deut. 2â—â— 9. Esa. 65.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rephaim Gyants signifies sound and strong Persons Gen. 14.5 Deut. 2.11 and by Antiphrasis men dead or that no medicine can cure from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sanavit he hath cured Psal. 88.10 Esa. 26.14 19. Prov. 21.16 c. To this may be referred the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a vertue as benediction praise a free gift c. Rom. 15.29 2 Cor. 9.5 6. Eph. 1.3 Heb. 6.7 Jam. 3.10 Rev. 5.12 13 and 7.12 c. And also a Vice as an Hypocritical Conformity or dissembling praise in order to deceive as Rom. 16.18 Several other examples occurr as of Words which have one signification in the root or primitive and another in the Derivative some which signifie one thing in one Conjugation and a different in another which for brevity sake are left to the observation of the Learned as Esa. 40. with Numb 3.22 Job 22.25 Psal. 95.3 4. Gen. 38.21 Deut. 23.17 Job 36.14 1 Kings 14.24 and 15.11 2 Kings 23.4 5 6 7. c. Josh. 17.15 18. Psal. 119.40 With Amos 6.8 c. An Irony of Words in a Sentence IN a speech of God and Christ a thing is said or Commanded which must be understood in a contrary sence that the literal meaning may be found as Gen. 3.22 And the Lord God said Behold the man is become as one of us that is he is no ways like us but rather to be abominated for his sin it alludes also to the Devils words ver 5. Ye shall be as Gods knowing good and Evil. Gesner upon the place says Deus ejusmodi Ironia indignatione mendacium Diaboli Ambitionem Adami execratur c. that is God uses this Irony by way of execration of the Devils Lye and Adams Ambition and aptly inculcates the foulness of his sin that he may learn to beware ever after Ambros. de Elia Jejun cap. 4. Irridens Deus non approbans haec dicit that God spoke these words by way of Derision not Approbation Thou thoughtst thou shouldst be like us but because thou wouldst be what thou wert not thou art fallen from what thou hast been so thy Ambition to aspire beyond thy self has thrown thee beneath thy self Deut. 32.37 38. Where are their Gods their Rock in whom they trusted which did eat of the fat of their sacrifices and drank the Wine of their Drink offerings let them rise up and help you now and be your protection as also Judg. 10.14 Go and cry unto the Gods ye have chosen let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation Jehovah in these Words does sharply chide the Rebellious Israelites and illustrates the impiety and blindness of their Idolatries who had hitherto Worshipped such things as Gods which now in their extremity were not able to deliver them from Evil or Desolation Job 38.5 Who hath laid the measures of the Earth if thou knowest c. God speaks these words to Job as if he had said you cannot reach to so extraordinary a pitch of knowledge as to know how God laid the Foundations of the Earth and made all things of nothing verse 20. that thou shouldst take it viz. the way where Light and Darkness dwell as verse 19. at the bound thereof and that thou shouldst know the way to the Paths thereof This is an Ironical concession resulting from the words of the 3 verse I will ask thee and thou shalt make me know c. Esa. 17.3 The Fortress also shall cease from Ephraim and the Kingdom from Damascus and the Remnant of Syria They shall be as the Glory of the Children of Israel Jerome in his Comment says that Glory is by an Irony here put for Ignominy and Disgrace Esa. 29.1 Add ye year to year let them kill Sacrifices upon which Luther says that the Prophet mocks them as if he had said go to proceed in your Sacrifices stoutly it shall happen that you together with your Sacrifices shall perish See more examples Esa. 57.12 Jer.
Feet Hissing is attributed to God by which a Divine Call or summons of God for men to gather together and appear in a certain place is noted as Esa. 5.26 and 7.18 For 't is customary with men oftentimes to call certain Beasts to them that way This Hissing of God is used in a good sence Zach. 10.8 I will hiss for them and gather them for I have redeemed them and they shall increase as they have increased which is understood of the gathering of the Church by the voice of the Gospel Breathing is ascribed to God Gen. 2.7 And he Breathed into his Face the breath of Life that is he endued the Body he had formed with a living soul in the Image of God Sometimes it denotes Gods Anger the Metaphor being taken from Angry men who then puff and blow strongly as Evek 21.31 I will pour out mine indignation upon thee I will blow or breath against thee c. See Act. 9.1 Laughing and Deriding are attributed to God Psal. 2.4 He that sitteth in the Heavens shall Laugh the Lord shall have them in Derision Psal. 37 12. The wicked plotteth against the Just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth Verse 13. The Lord shall laugh at him for he seeth that his day is coming This is spoken by an Anthropopathy the Metaphor being taken from a wise and prudent man who when he sees some heady and inconsiderate undertaker rush on towards his fancied exploits without deliberation or a solid foundation laid and bragging of extraordinary matters has him in contempt and as it were laughing in his sleeve expects an unhappy event that is to say when this Mountain shall bring forth a Mouse as it is vulgarly spoken So men deride an Enemy that threatens when he has no strength or power to execute his menaces But this phrase notes the most wise Providence of God which slights the folly of his Enemies whom he tolerates for a time and to whose malice he hath appointed bounds and at the appointed season confounds tramples on and destroys them As it is said of wicked and stubborn men Prov. 1.26 I will also laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh By which is to be understood the neglect and rejection of the Wicked in their Adversity As if he had said Even as you neglect and despise my wholesome admonitions so will I despise and neglect your applications and reject you when your Calamities comes c. Kissing is ascribed to God when the speech is of the Son of God incarnate as Cant. 1.2 Where the optative words of the Mystical spouse viz. the Church are had let him kiss me with the kisses of his Mouth upon which place the Chaldee says that it is allusive to Gods speaking face to face to the Israelites as a man does to his Friend and kisses him for love But more truly it is to be understood or expounded of the promulgation or publishing of the Gospel by the Son of God made man John 1 17 18. 1 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 1.1 c. Solomon says Prov. 24.26 That every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer which by way of eminency is applicable to him of whom it is said Esa 40.4 The Lord hath given him the Tongue of the learned that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary and Psal. 45.2 Into whose lips grace is poured Jehova kissed that is shewed intimate tokens of his love to his people in the Old Testament times by many appearances and by Moses Prophets and Angels employed to make discoveries of him but this came short of this Kiss which the Church under the term of Spouse here desires Let him Kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth that is let him comfort me with a manifestation more eminent then the former viz. of Christs coming into the Flesh and compleating the work of redemption The paraphrase of Origen upon this Text is How long will my Spouse send me Kisses by Moses and the Prophets Now I long to have them personally of himself let him assume my natural shape and Kiss me in the Flesh according to the Prophesies Esa. 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall Conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Emmanuel so that this is a Prayer for the Incarnation of Christ the Blessed Spouse and Bridegroom of our Souls Heb. 1.1 To this Divine Kiss by a mutual relation of Faith answers Cant. 8.1 O that thou wert as my Brother that sucked the brest of my Mother when I should find thee without I would Kiss thee By which the sincere Love of the Church and the unblemished obedience of Faith is understood Psal. 2.12 Kiss the Son lest he be Angry by which the Kings of the Earth and the potents in the World are instructed to yield homage and obedience to the King of Glroy Christ the Son of God being exhibited in the World For in former times subjection was signified by a Kiss as Gen. 41.40 1 Sam. 10.1 1 King 19.18 Hosea 13.2 A Military Clamor or the crying of a Travailing Woman is attributed to God Esa. 42.13 14. By which is noted that his Lenity Patience and Long Forbearance are changed into a severe vengeance Junius and Tremellius do remark from Vegelius that the Roman Souldiers were wont in the beginning of Battle to fall on with a horrible Clamor to daunt the Enemy Also a Travailing Woman though in great pain yet patiently endures it to the utmost extremities of her throws and then being overcome by the violence of her greif Orphans breaks out into Cryes and Vociferation which most elegantly expresses the Patience and Forbearance of God and the extremity of his Wrath when provokt See Psal. 78.65 66. Rom. 2.4 5. Speaking and Speech is attributed to God Where we must note that those places of Scripture wherein God is said to speak or utter certain Words that he might manifest his Divine pleasure to men that way do not belong to this place God sometimes thus spake immediately as to our first Parents Gen. 2.16 and 3.9 To Noah Gen. 6.13 To Abraham Gen. 12.1 chap. 16. and 17. and 18. To Moses Exod. 3.4 5. and the following verses and to Patriarchs Prophets c. in the Old Testament 2. Sometimes God spake mediately by divinely inspired men in whom a mind enlightned by the Spirit of God was formed into words an account of such is found every where in Scripture as also of Angels who are his Ministring spirits now God does not speak thus by way of Anthropopathy or Metaphor but truly and properly although in a far different and excellent manner then men do or can think But that speaking of God which belongs to this figure is 1. When the effectual or efficacious decree of the Divine Will about the Creature and the executions thereof is revealed or expressed after the manner of humane speech as Gen. 1.3
and defends them Psal. 31 20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence Psal. 64.2 Hide me from the secret Counsel of the Wicked from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity Psal. 91.1 3. He is said to Wipe when he destroys 2 Kings 21.13 a Metaphor taken from Dishes which are VViped or made clean by rubbing with the hands He is said to Wipe away Tears from off their Faces when he Comforts and Rejoyces his People Esa. 25.8 Rev. 7.17 4. He is said To Gird with Strength when he Comforts and Supports as Psal. 18.32 and 30.11 12. 5. He is said to Build when he produces a being by way of Creation Gen. 2.22 And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man Builded he a Woman See Exod. 1.21 2 Sam. 7.11 6. He is said to Bind up Wounds when he spiritually heals men and secures them from mischief Job 5.18 Psal. 147.2 3. Esa. 61.1 Hosea 6.1 Come let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will Bind us up 7. He is said to Open the gates of Heaven when he bestows Divine and Miraculous blessings Psal. 78.22 23 24. Though he had Commanded the Clouds from above and Opened the doors of Heaven and had rained down Maâ—â—a upon them to eat and had given them of the Corn of Heaven c. And also when he sends down Rain Deut. 28.12 He is said to Open the door of speech when he affords a fit occasion and saving means to his Ministers of Preaching the Gospel 1 Cor. 16.9 2 Cor. 2.12 Col. 4.3 To Open the door of Faith when he calls and admits men to the Faith and Communion of the Church Acts 14.27 To Open the Heart and Mind when he gives the saving understanding of his word Luke 24.45 Acts 16.14 Psal. 119.129 130. 8. He is said to Hold the right-hand of Cyrus when he gave him a prosperous success in his warlike expedition against Babilon Esa. 45.1 9. He is said to Conclude men in Sin and unbelief when as a most just Judge he declares them obnoxious to sin and therefore liable to Eternal Damnation Rom. 11.32 Gal. 3.22 10. He is said to Try and Prove as Silver is Tryed after the manner of Goldsmiths or others concerned in Mettals when he Purifies and Tryes the Godly with Crosses and Afflictions Psal. 17.3 and 66.10 Zach. 13.9 So when he Purifies and Reforms Doctrines Mal. 3.2 3. Or Destroys such as are obstinately wicked Ezek. 22.18 c. 11. He is said to break with a rod of Iron when he Chastises and Destroys Psal. 2.9 and 3.7 Esa. 38.13 and Lament 3.4 c. 13. He is said to Sift in a sieve when he tryes his People by Calamities and yet preserves them Am. 9.9 and when he scatters or disperses his Enemies like chaff Esa. 30.28 To Sift the Nations with the sieve of Vanity that is they shall be cast on the Earth as through a sieve that so dispersed they should no longer appear He compares the multitude of the Gentiles by whom Jerusalem was to be distressed to dust or chaff which is easily blown away so that little will remain of a great heap 14. He is said to make Bald the Head when he despoiles men of their Ornaments Esa. 3.17 24. for the cheif adorning of Women was in their Hair as 1 Pet. 3.3 15. He is said to Blot out of the Book of Life when men are not accounted in the number of the saved Exod. 32.32 33. Psal. 69.28.29 He is said to Blot out sins when he remits or forgives them Psal. 37.2 3. For the Scripture speaks as if there were an account kept of them in a certain Written Book which because the Messias has made satisfaction are Blotted or crossed out See Col. 2.13 14. 16. He is said to Devour or Swallow when he totally destroys as Exod. 15.7 Esa. 25.8 1 Cor. 15.54 He is to said to make Room or enlarge when he vouchsafes Deliverance from difficulties and troubles Gen. 26.22 Psal. 4.1 2. Psal. 119.31 32. He is said to Direct or make plain the way when he gives a happy issue and conclusion to the endeavours of men as Psal. 5.8 9. Esay 45.2 13. To Lose or Vngird the Loyns when he makes men feeble and unarmed and so uncapable of defence or offence Esa. 45.1 To Pour out his Anger when he Punishes Psal. 79.5 6. Ezek. 9.8 and 20.13 21 33. To Pour out his Spirit when he largely distributes his gifts Joel 3.1 2. Zach. 12.10 Act. 2.17 18 33. Rom. 5.5 Tit. 3.5 6. To make Void Counsel when he disappoints and blasts the purposes of men Jer. 19.7 To Pour out a Blessing when he plentifully distributes his benefits Mal. 3.10 He is said to Hew by the Prophets when he terrifies men by fearful Admonitions and legal Threatnings as Hosea 6.5 and when he spiritually kills them as in the following verses He is said to Stretch out the line of Confusion and the Stones of emptiness when he leaves Kingdoms and Nations to the Desolations of the Enemy Esa. 34.11 This Metaphor is taken from Architects who use lines perpendiculars and little Ropes c. He is said to Bear or carry when he Preserves Sustains Supports and Governs his People as Deut. 1.31 Exod. 19.4 Esa. 46.3 4. Heb. 1.3 He is said to Break the Head when his Wrath falls heavy and destroys men Psal. 110.5 6. Hab. 3.13 He is said to Sling out the Souls of Davids Enemies as out of a Sling 1 Sam. 25.29 that is he will violently take it away as a stone out of a Sling flies with greater force a greater way without further regard of him that throws it The Metaphors is taken from the weapons of David which was a Sling c. On the contrary the Soul of David is said to be Bound up in the bundle of Life denoting Gods Fatherly care of him in securing him from Death which his Enemies designed and preserving him so safe that nothing could be forced away from him He is said to make Way to his Anger when with just Judgments he recompences the unjust stubborness and contumacy of the Wicked Psal. 79.50 He made Way for his Anger he spared not their Souls from Death but gave their Life over to the Pestilence He is said to Weigh the Mountains in Scales and the Hills in a Ballance Esa. 40.12 Which notes with what facility and ease the Lord can sustain and manage the whole Universe even as men do a small pair of Scales The Lord is said to Weigh Spirits Prov. 16.2 by which his most exact knowledge of our Minds and inward frames is noted this metaphor is taken from men who do with a great deal of exactness Weigh things that they may know their value See Prov. 5.21 and 21.2 and 24.12 God is said to
Luke 5.34 John 3.29 This Title is ascribed to Christ for many Causes principally for his unspeakable Love to his Church which is by Faith espoused to him Hosea 2.19 Eph. 5.26 27 28 c. He is called a Witness which term is applyed to the Messiah Esa. 43.10 and 55.4 Rev. 1.5 and 3.14 Because of a certainty he discovers heavenly Truth to us John 18.37 As also because he hath most exactly fulfilled whatsoever the Prophets of the Old Testament have foretold concerning him John 1.17 c. External Adjuncts of a man are either inseparable or separable The inseparable are being in a place and time Each of these is attributed to God who in his own nature is Eternal and not circumscribed to place by an Anthropopathy First More Generally Place is ascribed to God Psal. 24.3 Who shall stand in his Holy Place viz. The Holy Kingdom where the Scriptures say his Habitation is He is said to Go out of his place when he manifests his conspicuous and apparent presence as Esa. 26.21 Micah 1.3 He is said to Retire or Return to his place when he withdraws the benefit of his Grace and as it were hides himself in order to punish offenders Hosea 5.15 More specially a seat or Throne is attributed to God Exod. 17.16 of which before Psal. 9.7 8. and 11.3 4. and 47.8 9. Esa. 66.1 Matth. 5.34 By which his most superexcellent Majesty sublimity and Authority is intimated The Prophet Jer. 14.21 Prays God that he would not abhor or disgrace the throne of his Glory By which Judea is understood wherein the visible or peculiar Kingdom of God was contained and where God vouchsafed the most eminent appearances of his Power and Glory Or else the Temple of Jerusalem as in chap. 17.12 It is taken upon which Rabbi Moses Maimon Every place which God hath appointed for the manifestation of his Power and Glory is called his Throne For great and powerful men as Kings and Princes sit in their Thrones when they make a solemn appearance so are we to understand this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kiss solemn Throne of the Magnificence Power and Dignity of him to whom it is attributed When a Throne and sitting upon it is attributed to Christ we are to understand that heavenly Kingdom and Government to which he was exalted in his humane nature as Psal. 45.6 7. Esa. 16.5 Matth. 19.28 Heb. 1.8 and 4.16 and 8.1 c. The Earth is said to be the Lords Footstool Esa. 66.1 Matth. 5.35 By which is noted his immensity for he is present in the lowermost part of the World Or the Ark of the Covenant in which by special revelation he was to manifest his presence according to 1 Chron. 28.2 Psal. 99.4 5. and 132.6 7. Lam. 2.1 Some by this appellation would understand the Sanctuary of God See Psal. 99.4 5 8 9. Upon which Illyricus says the sence is know that no where else nor with any of the Gentiles is the true Worship of God and his propitious presence to be found Therefore seek him here according to his Word and Promises When it is said of Christ Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right-hand until I have made thine Enemies thy Footstool and 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must Reign till he hath put his Enemies all under his feet and Heb. 1.13 It intimates that he will most perfectly conquer and subdue his Enemies as it is said Psal. 8.6 Eph. 1.22 Heb. 2.8 c. That all things are put under his Feet Neither is Place only ascribed to God but a local Posture or Situation also as Psal. 10.1 Why standest thou afar off by which the delay of Divine help is noted A metaphor taken from men who when they stand at great distance cannot lend a helping hand To stand at the right hand notes his powerful help and favour as Psal. 16.8 Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved So Act. 2.25 God is said to Sit Psal. 29.10 and other places in the same sence that a Throne is ascribed to him by which his Government Divine Judgement and exercises in peculiar actions are signified He is said to Sit upon a Cherub Psal. 80.1 and 99.1 because of the peculiar manifestation of his presence in that place He is said to Sit upon the Circle of the Earth Esa. 40.22 because of his Majesty in Glory which infinitely excells all the Glories of the World and therefore the Inhabitants of the Earth are called Grashoppers c. Of the sitting of Christ at the right hand of God we have spoken before God is said to Dwell on High in Sion in the Church and in Contrite hearts c. Psal. 68.16 17. and 132.12 13 14. Psal. 135.20 21 Esa. 57.19 Ezek. 37.27 John 14.23 2 Cor. 6.16 by which the gracious Manifestation Action Defence Illumination Consolation and Salvation of his Divine presence to his people is to be understood It is an emphatical word which Paul uses 2 Cor. 12.9 That the power of Christ may rest upon me the words properly are that the vertue or power of my God may dwell upon me or that he would place his Tabernacle upon me and as an Vmbrage or Shadow may surround cloth and protect me When the Cloud of Glory had filled the Temple Solomon said 1 King 8.12 The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness that is by this sign he manifests himself to be present as he said to Moses Lev. 16.2 I will appear in the Cloud upon the Mercy-Seat See Exod. 19.9 and chap. 16.10 Num. 9.15 Esa. 6.4 Matth. 17.5 c. The phrase of Gods sitting in the Heavens or dwelling there as Psal. 2.4 Psal. 103.18 19. 1 King 8.39 43. and Illyricus thus expounds Heaven neither ought nor can when it is called the Habitation of God be understood of a certain real or material place but it has rather a metaphorical signification and denotes that spiritual Kingdom Glory and Felicity in which God with his Holy Angels and other blessed Spirits Lives and Reigns as Psal. 115.15 16. The Heaven even the Heavens are the Lords but the Earth hath he given to the Children of men that is he requires and Commands spiritual good and Divine Worship to be given to him and leaves them to enjoy the good things of the World for he in a proper sence requires not Money Calves or Kids c. And the Learned Gerhard says God is every where with respect to his Essence but he is said to dwell in Heaven with respect to the more ample appearance of his Majesty and Glory so the whole soul is in every part of the Body but most radically in the head most effectively in the head because its most excellent effects are from thence produced So Alcuinus God is therefore said to dwell in the Heavens because the Angels and the Souls of blessed Saints have a clearer and more illustrious prospect
Calamity Esa. 13.10 Ezek. 32.7 Joel 2.10 as was said before of the Sun and Moon The brightest Star that shines in our view is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 phosporos in Latine Lucifer both which words signifie a bringer of light in Hebrew 'tis called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 halal which signifies to shine and is metaphorically translated to describe the unexpected ruine and overthrow of the King of Babylon Esa. 14.12 How art thou fallen from Heaven O Lucifer Son of the morning That Star is called Son of the Morning because while it accompanies the morning it seems as it were to be born of it It s course is perpetual and constant so that it was not feared that it should fall from Heaven And therefore to appearance it seemed impossible and incredible that so great a King illustrious and splendid in power and Majesty beyond other Kings as the Morning Star is before other Stars should fall from his lofty and magnificent grandeur Pope Gregory upon Ezekiel and other School Doctors expound this of the Devils fall because the Prince of Devils is called Lucifer But this Epithet does not belong to that malignant spirit in this place for God himself confirms our explication ver 4. saying thou shalt take up this Parable Proverb or Taunting speech for so the Hebrew is against the King of Babylon not against the Devil c. Where Christ our Saviour is called Lucifer is expounded before in the chapter that treats of an Anthropopathy Besides the phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after proinos stella matutina the Morning Star is a symbol of the glorious light in Eternity Rev. 2.28 See also Dan. 12.3 1 Cor. 15.41 42. Metaphors taken from Light THere are two principal effects of the Luminaries and ornaments of Heaven viz. to give light to the World and distinguish times In Metaphors taken from light we will distinctly treat of Nouns and Verbs which are sometimes joyned together Generally light is taken 1. For Life it self Job 3.20 Wherefore has God given light to the miserable so the Hebrew the explication follows and Life to the bitter in soul ver 21. Which long for Death but it cometh not Hence comes the phrase to see the Light that is to live or be born alive Job 3.16 To walk in the light of the living that is to act amongst the living or to live either a corporal or spiritual Life in God Ps. 56.13 So David prays Ps. 13.3 Lighten mine Eyes lest I sleep the sleep of Death 2. For any prosperity and joy of mind arising from thence Esth. 8.16 The Jews had light and gladness and Joy and Honour where the synonymous terms make out that it signifies the eminency of the Jews prosperity and joy for their Divine deliverance Job 29.3 By his light I walked through darkness that is being free from Calamities I led a happy Life ver 24. The light of my countenance they cast not down that is they grieved me not but studied to please and gratifie me in all things Psal. 97.11 Light is sown for the Righteous the explication follows and gladness for the upright in heart The word sowing is also emphatical as if he had said 't is reposited and hidden as seed is in the ground but in its own time it will certainly come forth See Esa. 61.11 Col. 3.3 4. It is sow'n with the seed of the heavenly word and a most full and bright harvest of this celestial seed will follow in the Resurrection to eternal Life So light is also taken Psal. 112.4 Pro. 13.9 Esa. 45.7 and 58.8 and 59.9 The Reason of the comparison in this and the forgoing passage is to be fought in the profitableness and pleasure of light Eccl. 11.7 c. 3. For the open and manifest state of things Matth. 10.27 What I tell you in Darkness that speak ye in the light another Metaphor of this publication follows and what ye hear in the ear that Preach ye upon the house tops The sence is you are therefore called by me that you may Preach publickly to the whole World what you privately heard from me So Zeph. 3.5 John 3.21 1 Cor. 4.5 4. For Grace Benevolence or Favour Prov. 16.15 In the Light of the Kings Countenance is Life the exposition follows and his favour is as a cloud of the latter Rain So t is taken of God as was said in the chapter of an Anthropopathy More especially the mystery of Regeneration Renovation and Salvation is frequently expressed by the metaphor of light and that respecting 1. The Organical cause which is the word of God which is frequently called so by a Reason deduced from the quality of light which represents the difference and knowledge of things to the Eyes Psal. 43.3 Prov. 6.23 Esa. 2.5 5.20 2 Cor. 4.6 1 John 2.8 Thus the Apostles because of their Preaching the word of God are called the light of the World Matth. 5.14 and their light is said to shine before men ver 16. that is the light of Doctrine by diligent Preaching as also the light of a good life and example 2. The Formal Cause which is the saving knowledge of Christ and true Faith manifested by love and good Works Act 26.18 Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 1.7 Hence believers are called Sons of light Luke 16.8 Eph. 5.8 1 Thes. 5.5 And good works the Armour of light Rom. 13.12 3. The Final Cause and the last scope and effect of Faith which is life eternal often noted by the term of Light Esa. 60.19 20 John 8.12 Act. 26.23 2 Tim. 1.10 c. From these there may be an easie Judgment made of certain Verbs belonging to light Psal. 13.3 Lighten mine Eyes lest I sleep the sleep of Death He prays for the light of heavenly wisdom from the Word of God also the light of watchfulness and circumspection whereby he may avoid the snares of the Adversary He alludes to humane sleep which easily overcomes those that sit in darkness or shut their Eyes whereas if the light shines in our Eyes we can hardly sleep Psal. 19.8 The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightning the Eyes that is the mind by giving understanding and knowledge as well of the Divine Will as of our own corruption and prudence in the management of affairs that a man may not belike a brute which is void of rational intellectuals Psal. 34.6 They looked on him and were enlightned that is believers were made glad by the Lord by his gracious and saving deliverance lest they should be dejected and derided by the wicked See Prov. 4.18 19. Eccl. 8.1 with 2 Cor. 3.18 Esa. 60.5 John 7.37 38 39. John 1.9 That viz. Christ was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh or coming into the World Upon these words Erasmus very fairly paraprases In this darkness of the World men eminent for holiness shined as little Stars in the thick obscurity of night and as
2.14 and 5.2 and 6.8 And its Eyes the Eyes of Doves Cant. 1.15 and 4.1 By which Metaphor its simplicity as Matth. 10.6 its Chastity Brightness and its view and desire of heavenly things are denoted c. Among Insects Hornets denote terrors sent from God among men by which the Enemies of the People of God shall be as it were stung and rooted out Exod. 23.28 compared with ver 27. Deut. 7.20 Josh. 24.12 The Enemies of the people of Israel are called Flies and Bees Esa. 7.18 because of their multitude and swiftness or nimbleness as the Flyes and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or power of hurting as in Bees The word Flies is attributed to the Egyptians and Bees to the Assyrians which Metaphor Jerome in his Commentary Elegantly expounds thus He calls the Egyptians Flies because of their filthy Idolatry See Eccl. 10.1 and because they were a weak people But the Assyrians he calls a Bee because they had at that time a powerful Kingdom and were very warlike as Bees represent as it were a very well ordered Monarchy and are very resolute to annoy their Enemies Or because all the Persians and Assyrians went armed with Darts whose points were like the stings of Bees The Metaphor is continued ver 19. And they shall come and rest all of them in the desolate Vallies and in the holes of the Rocks and upon all Thorns and upon all Bushes Because he once named these Enemies Flies and Bees he keeps to the same Metaphor in the rest as if all places were to be filled with those Insects Of the fulfilling of this Prophesie thus writes Jerome in the same place Let us read the Books of the Kings and the Chronicles and we will find that the Good King Josiah was slain by the Egyptians and the Israelites subdued to an Egyptian yoke so that they appointed them a King And not long after comes Nebuchodonosor with an innumerable multitude of Souldiers took Jerusalem destroy'd the other Cities of Judaea burnt the Temple and planted Assyrian Inhabitants in the Land 2 King 23. and 24. 2 Chron. 25 and 36. c. The Sting of an Insect metaphorically denotes the power of Death 1 Cor. 15.55 56. Brentius upon the place says As a Bee that has lost her sting may threaten to sting yet cannot so when sin is pardoned which is the sting of Death Death may terrifie but cannot hurt us Aquatiles follow By the metaphor of Fishing a falling into the hands of Enemies and Captivity is understood Amos 4.2 He that is the Enemie will take you away with hooks and your posterity with Fish-hooks as if he had said you indeed are like fat Kine ver 1. But ye shall be drag'd by the Enemy as if you had been little Fishes in spight of your pride and fatness the same metaphor we find Habbak 1.15 16 17. By Fishers Jer. 16.16 are understood the Egyptians Esa. 19 8 9 10. See 2 Kings 23.29 By Hunters the Chaldeans and Babylonians so called from Nimrod the Builder of Babylon Gen. 10.9 which Prophesie is fulfilled 2 Kings 24. and 25. Besides this Translation of the Terms Fisher and Fishing The Apostles are called Fishers of men Mark 4.19 and 1.17 Luk. 5.10 the explication is given elsewhere See Ezek. 47.10 Of the kinds of Aquatiles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thannin a huge serpent and the Leviathan that is a great Dragon or Whale is used metaphorically Psal. 74.13 thou didst break the Sea by thy strength thou breakest the head of Whales in the Waters ver 14. Thou breakest the heads of the Leviathan in peices By VVhales or Crocodiles as Ezek. 29.3 The Grandees and Captains of Pharaoh are understood who persecuted the people of Israel Exod. 15.4 By the Leviathan Pharoah himself who with his intire Host was swallowed up in the Red Sea But that which follows thou shalt give it to be meat to the people inhabiting the VVilderness is not to be referred to the words immediately going before but is a sentence by it self and is to be understood of the Manna and Quails which the people fed upon See Esa. 51.9 and 27.1 CHAP. XII Of Metaphors taken from Man and what belongs to Him IN Man we are to Consider what are 1. Essential 2. What are Accidental The Essentials are his Body with its members and its Vnion with the Soul which is Life The Accidentals are partly Internal as some differences betwixt Men and their Actions of divers kinds Partly External as the containing Subjects and various Adjuncts Of which in Order Metaphors from a Humane Body and its Members THE Body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soma is frequently put in the New Testament for the People of God or the Church Rom. 12.5 1 Cor. 10.17 and 12.13 27. Eph. 1.23 2.16 4.4 12 16. 5.23 Col. 1.8 24. 2.19 3.15 The Explication of which Trope is easie And to speake concisely we shall shew it 1. With respect to Christ the Head of the Church and whose Body the Church is called 1. As the Head is not at a distance from a living body but most closely joyned to it so there is a sacred and most Mystical Union betwixt Christ and his Church or Believers 2. As the Head Rules the whole body and influences it with a vital power So Christ wisely directs and moderates strongly preserves quickens by Counsel instructs and eternally saves his Church Eph. 1.23 and 2.16 and 4.16 and 5.23 c. 2. With respect to true Christians who are spiritual Members of that Body Of these the Metaphor of a Body signifies many things chiefly these three 1. The various Gifts and Offices of Christians especially the Preachers of the Gospel For 1. As one Body has divers Members which have their particular and distinct Offices So there are peculiar Gifts and Offices in the Church which particular persons fitted for their exercise are chosen for 2. As the Members of a Humane body differ among themselves with respect to exexcellency and operation yet those of an inferior office do not envy the superior neither does the superior despise the inferior So among true Christians there is a Society and Conversation without envy in the lowest or scorn in the highest Rank to each other Rom. 12.4 5. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. 2. Of the bond of perfection which is Love with its Fruits and Vertues The Members of a humane body have a natural instinct of love and sympathy one to another if one be in pain the rest are unquiet and ill at ease If one be well the rest rejoyce and each contributes to supply the necessity of the other of its own accord neither will one willingly part with the other So true Believers sincerely love each other and by tender sympathizing compassionate fellow feeling love and mutual aid of each other declare themselves to be living Members of the Mystical body of Christ Rom. 12.5 1 Cor. 12.21 Eph. 4.3 4 16. 3. With respect to the spiritual knowledge of Faith
It carries the notion of Love because of Conjugal embraces Deut. 1â—â— 6 and 28.56 Eternal Life is called the Bosome of Abraham Luk. 16 22. Upon which Brentius in his Commentary By the Bosome of Abraham you are not to understand a certain corporal or external place in this World but either the promise of Christ made to Abraham In thy Seed shall all Nations be blessed or Christ himself who came of the Seed of Abraham for in this sense all the Godly that sleep in the Lord are reposited or rest in Christ himself till in the last day they rise together with their bodies Acts. 7.59 Phil. 1.23 Therefore when Lazarus is said to be carried by Angels into Abrahams Bosome we are to understand that he was in the enjoyment of supreme felicity in Christ in the latter day shall be revealed c. Abraham is proposed as the Father of all believers Rom. 4.11 12. Because such as follow his steps and constantly persevere in Faith and Godliness to the end shall as our Saviour shews be gathered together in Immortal Life For tender Children are wont to be carried and cherished in the Bosome of their Loving Parents Ruth 4.16 1 Kings 17.19 This Term denotes the condition of Eternal Life for the carrying of Infants in the Bosome of the Parent denotes love and intimate good Will so in the heavenly Life there is most pure love from whence arises true Joy In the Bosome of the Parent the Infant finds rest and defence so in heaven there is certain security and a most quiet tranquillity c. A Bosome by a Metonymie signifies a Garment that covers it which being loose is convenient to receive and carry things Prov. 6.27 and 16.33 Therefore metaphorically it is put for the retribution of reward or punishment Of Reward as 2 Sam. 12.8 Luk. 6.38 Of Punishment as Psal. 79.12 Esa. 65.6 7. Jer. 32.18 To Strengthen feeble Knees signifies to comfort such as are cast down by anguish or sorrow of mind and confirm them by Instruction and Counsel Job 4.4 Esa. 35.3 Heb. 12.12 The metaphor being taken from outward perils which invade upon a sudden in which the knees of an affrighted and fearful man are weakned because the strength of the Nerves and Muscles by the terror of sudden danger leaves its operation which for bearing the body resides in the knees Hence a sudden or pannick fear is expressed by the weakness or beating together of the Knees Psal. 109.24 Ezek. 7.17 Dan. 5.6 Nahum 2.11 The Feet are metaphorically as well as by another Trope taken divers ways Of which take some of the Chief 1. With respect to Externals Job says chap. 29. ver 15. That he was Feet to the Lame that is he relieved the miserable as the Feet help men to get out of danger See Gen. 30.30 noting the marginal reading The Foot of Pride Psal. 36.11 denotes the violence of proud Enemies The slipping halting c. of the Feet c. denotes danger and Calamity Job 12.5 Psal. 38.17 and 116.8 and 140.4.11 c. See Jer. 30.16 On the contrary to deliver the feet from falling denotes divine protection against any malignant Enemies Psal. 56.13 and 18.36 and 91.12 Psal. 121.3 c. To tread with the feet denotes to disgrace or to insult upon one as an Enemy Psal. 7.5 and 91.12 13. Ezek. 34.18 19. Matth. 7.6 Luke 10.19 Heb. 10.29 Lameness or Halting which is a disease or accidental hurt of the Feet denotes Calamity Affliction and Dangers Psal. 35.15 In mine halting we translate it adversity they rejoyced Psal. 38.18 Jer. 20.10 Mich 4.6 7. Zeph. 3.19 In which two last places the Term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Feminine alluding to the voice of a sheep upon which Illyricus says That it is a speech taken from Sheep For many of them in the Summer especially those of hotter Countries do halt or go lame or else it may relate to the People and Church of which the Scripture speaks in the Feminine Gender as before 2. With respect to Internals and spirituals because the Life of man and the exercise of Godliness is compar'd to walking or running and so the Feet translated to the mind signifie desire and a holy endeavour as the outward running or hastning to a place is performed by the Feet Psal. 17.5 and 119.59 105. with ver 32. Prov. 4.26 27. Eccl. 4.17 The Beautifulness of the Apostles feet Esa. 52.7 Rom. 10.15 is not to be understood of their bodily Feet but of the interior and Divine as well with respect to their Mission or being sent as also the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fervor in teaching as a footman in an Errand of great concern performs his Journey speedily Nahum 2.1 Some interpret it thus It is not prancing Horses Cathedral Seats costly and magnificent Vestments Cardinals Hats and other precious worldly accoutrements that are commended but simply the feet which denotes the humility of their Apostolical legation or Embassy and all their Successors are exhorted to the same vertue 1 Cor. 2.3 4. Gal. 4.13 14. c. Eph. 6.15 The Feet are said to be shod upon which a learned Expositor says the feet signifie the Ministry of the Gospel which must be shod that is defended with Boots or Shooes from Thorns Bryars and Dirt that is that they may be able to go through all Dangers in Teaching and Confessing the Gospel See Ezek. 16.10 What we translate uprightly Gal. 2.14 is in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 recto pede incederent that is walk with a right foot viz. according to the rule and measure of the Gospel See Heb. 12.13 Hitherto we have treated of the dissimilary parts of a humane Body The similary parts yeild but few Metaphors The biting of the Flesh Job 13.14 is transferred to the mind why should I take away my Flesh with my Teeth that is consume my self with Cares See 1 Sam. 19.5 Eccl. 4.5 Blood in a Metaphor as Illyricus says Cl. Script Col. 1083. signifies spiritual Death or Eternal Destruction Ezek. 3.18 and 33.8 Acts 18.6 and 20.26 c. Of Metaphors from such things as concern the Life of Man TO the Body and its Members aptly succeeds its Vnion with the Soul whence Life proceeds The word Soul has no metaphorical notion except when attributed to God which belongs to an Anthropopathy as was before expounded Life is used metaphorically as Living waters are put for such as flow briskly and plentifully Gen. 26.19 Prov. 10.11 Jer. 2.13 and 17.13 c. Time is said to live and a Building to be quickned of which before chap. 9. Sect. 4. See Hab. 3.2 To Live and Life are put for happiness strength and health 1 King 1.25 Psal. 69.32 33. Eccl. 6.8 Health or Soundness is put for the Word or Doctrine of God and Eternal Life the consequence of receiving it 1 Tim. 1.10 and 6.3 2 Tim. 1.13 and 4.3 Tit. 1.9.13 and 2.1 2 8. Hereby is denoted the condition and quality
the Measure of your Fathers viz. of the sins of your Fathers as Erasmus paraphrases it go on imitate your Ancestors and what they wanted of extreme cruelty do ye make it up they killed the Prophets and you him by whom and of whom they Prophesied The highest pitch of villany is noted by this phrase beyond which there is no further progress and makes ripe for Divine Vengeance and severest punishment which certainly follows it as payment follows things fully measured and sold. See the examples of the Amorites Gen. 15.16 Of the Sodomites Gen. 18.20 c. Of the Amalekites Exod. 17.14 1 Sam. 15.2 c. 3. Because there is a mutual equality and proportion in giving and restoring therefore it is metaphorically said in a Proverb with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again which we find three times with a different or diverse scope 1. Denoting just Retaliation either with respect to reward or punishment Matth. 7.2 Luke 6.38 Relating to our Neighbour 2. A legitimate and saving handling of the Word of God Mark 4.24 As Euthymius says as ye attend the Word so ye shall profit in knowledge Or 3. As Piscator says If ye communicate the word of God liberally God will communicate the knowledge of his Divine Mysteries more liberally to you and augment your Gifts c. For this heavenly Talent is improved and multiply'd by communicating it to others A Razor which shaves off hair is put for the King of Assyria Esa 7 2O Denoting that God would permit him to destroy Israel 'T is called hired with respect to the fact of Ahaz who hired the King of Assyria to assist him against the King of Syria 2 Kings 16.7 8. Moab is call a wash pot by David Psal. â—â—0 9 denoting the baseness of those people and that they were only fit for the vilest Offices 2 Sam. 8.2 A Burthen denotes things troublesom and difficult Exod. 6.6 Psal. 55.22 Esa. 9.4 and 10.27 14.25 Matth. 23.4 c. Weight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the greatness of heavenly glory 2 Cor. 4.17 frequently Trouble and Misfortune Matth. 10.12 Acts 15.28 Gal. 6.2 1 Thess. 2.6 Rev. 2.24 See Prov. 27.3 Sin is called heavy Heb. 12.1 because it is an impediment in our heavenly race or course to heaven Of a Seal we have treated before A Looking glass denotes an imperfect knowledge of the Mysteries of God in this Life 1 Cor. 13.12 because it gives but an imperfect reflection of the figure or object compared to the object it self And because some Looking-glasses reflect the rays or beams of the Sun when it shines on them to an object The Apostle elegantly says uses the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beholding in a Glass for the light of Divine knowledge 2 Cor. 3.18 But we with open face beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image that is are eminently illuminated and communicate light to others from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. Spoils taken from an Enemy denotes Christs Victory over Satan Esa. 53.12 Luke 11.22 Col. 2.15 a mans life is said to be to him for a prey which denotes deliverance from present Death as he that takes a booty exposes his life to Danger Jer. 21.9 and 38.2 and 39.18 and 45.5 Stipend or wages given to a Soldier is attributed to Sin Rom. 6.23 whose due wages is death Eternal A Table is attributed to the heart when it is fixed upon any thing Prov. 3.3 Jer. 17.1 A Cover or Covering denotes ignorance because if a thing be covered we cannot see it Esa. 25.7 2 Cor. 3.14 15 16. Lam. 3.65 A Sheath or Scabbard is put for the body because the Soul lodges there as a Sword in a Sheath Dan. 7.15 A Vessel is put for a mans body 1 Sam. 21.5 1 Thess. 4.4 Paul calls himself and his Collegues Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 because of the Contempt Calamities and Hazards that they were expos'd to in the World as Earthen Vessels are more despised and more obnoxious to be broken than such as are made of Silver and Gold 1 Pet. 3.7 Peter calls a Woman the weaker Vessel because more subject to weaknesses and infirmities than men Paul is called a chosen Vessel by Christ Acts 9.15 that is a most choice and excellent instrument whom he would use to Convert the Gentiles Vessels of Grace or Honour are such as are saved by Grace and Vessels of Wrath and Dishonour such as rejected and damned for their Infidelity and Contempt of the Messiah Rom. 9.21 22 23. See 2 Tim. 2.20 21. Where there is an express comparison See Esa. 22.8 c. A Garment which covers the body defends and adorns it yeilds a double Metaphor 1. It denotes Salvation by the application and appropriation of the great benefits of Christ as well in this life as in that which is to come Psal. 45.8.13 14. Esa. 61 10. Rev. 3.18 and 7.14 and 16.15 The reason of the Comparison is excellent 1. From the hiding of indecenâ—â— nakedness of which Psal. 32 1. Rom. 4.6 7. 2. Because thereby the body is defended from Cold and other noxious things Matth. 2â—â— 12 Rom. 8.30 c. 3 Because it adorns and beautifies Psal. 110.3 c. See the Parables Ezek. 16.10 c. Math. 22.11.12 Luke 15.22 The Typical Visions Zach. 3.3 c. Rev. 7.13 14. and 19.8 and 21 2. The Typical Actions Gen. 3.21 and 24.52 The Putting on and constant keeping of this spiritual Garment is primarily by Faith in Christ Rom. 13.14 Gal. 3.26 and 27. And consequently by the Renovation of Holy Spirit and the Conversation of a Holy Life Rom. 13.12 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 12. 1 Pet. 3 3 4. Contrary to this is the Garment spotted with the Flesh Jude ver 23. The defiling of Garments Rev. 3.4 which is the old man Eph. 4.22 Col. 3.8 See Esa. 59.5 6. c. 2. With respect to outward Conversation Sheeps Cloathing is attributed to the False Prophets and False Teachers in the Church Matth. 7.15 Which denotes any outward things which are specious and made use of craftily to acquire authority and popular favour as when men make use of a dissembling personated or hypocritical sanctity as a Cloak to inveagle and deceive others When they pretend to be called of God Jer. 23.25 30. 1 Kings 13.18 Matth. 7.22 When they make a flourish about the knowledge of Tongues Universal Learning great Eloquence and other acquired Ornaments Rom. 16.18 1 Cor. 13.1 2. and gifts especially the working of Miracles whether truly done or by meer Imposture Deut. 13.2 Matth. 7.22 2 Thess. 2.9 See 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. 2 Tim. 3.5.6 Col. 2.18 To this Sheeps Cloathing is fitly oppos'd A Wolfish mind denoting 1. The quality of their Doctrine viz. it was damning and a Wolf is a destroyer of Sheep 2. Their bloody principles that would cruelly Lord it and Tyrannize over mens Consciences
and mighty Potentates of the Earth who are ungodly I had rather be a Door-keeper in the House of God than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness Moses contemned the Glory of Pharoah's Court by seeing him who is invisible to be his Portion XIII So he that hath God to be his Portion esteems highly of him He loves the Lord with all his Heart with all his Soul and with all his Strength I will love the Lord as long as I live Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee God runs continually in his Mind XIV A Saint having God to his Portion viz. having obtained an Interest in God through Christ comes thereby to have Right to Baptism that initiating Ordinance into the Church when he comes the Door is opened immediately to him into the Heavenly Family and Houshold of God XV. So a Saint having Interest in God he is made capable of helping and doing much Good to others 1. By his Prayers for the Ears of God are open to his Crys they are his Delight What Good did Israel receive by Moses's Prayer c. 2. By good Counsel 3. By comforting others that are cast down with the same Comfort wherewith they themselves are comforted of God 4. By helping against Satan by shewing his Devices c. 5. And by their holy Example and Conversation The wicked also receive great Advantage by them they are the Light of the World the Salt of the Earth how was Laban blest for Jacob's sake and the House of Potephar for Joseph's sake and what said the Inhabitants of Jerusalem in Isaiah's time Except the Lord of Host had left us a very small Remnant we should have been as Sodom and we should been like unto Gomorah XVI So a Saint having God to be his Portion is furnished with whatsoever is truly good and desirable viz. 1. Heavenly or divine Life to quicken him He is our Life The Man who hath not received the Spirit lies dead in Sins and Trespasses 2. Light to direct them 3. Wisdom to Counsel them 4. Power to aid and assist them 5. Spiritual Joy to cheer them 6. Heavenly Bread to feed them 7. Glorious Robes to cloath them 8. Excellent Graces to adorn them 9. The Angels to guard and protect them c. A Saint lives upon God he receives so much of that spiritual Good Profit and Delight here from his Portion that he is able to take in all that Good God sees necessary for him METAPHOR THE best of Portions and Inheritances in this World are earthly and corruptible II. Other Portions are laid up in Reversion for this and that Child Friend or Brother and they have no Benefit of it at present III. Other Portions tho great yet not infinite immense and unsearchable the Worth of the greatest earthly Portion may be computed or reckon'd up IV. Other Portions may be great and yet not Alsufficient it cannot supply the Possessor with whatsoever good thing he needeth V. Other Portions and Riches here may be good and yet there is no necessity of them Men may be happy without them worldly Riches are not absolutely necessary VI. All other Portions have their mixtures they are as one observes a bitter-sweet many Snares and Evils attend a Man that has a great Portion of worldly things VII Other Portions are common to Men to the vilest of Men in every Nation Riches are often given without distinction Saints and Sinners have them alike VIII Another Portion is not universal it doth not comprehend all good things it may lie in Gold in Silver in Land Houses but not comprehend all Portions or all good things whatsoever IX Other Portions may be taken away by Thieves wasted or consumed by Fire X. Other Portions may be great and yet not suitable in all respects to all Persons and at all times what will Gold or Silver signify to the Soul what help can it administer at Death XI Other Portions cannot satisfy the Man that enjoys them all the World cannot fill the Soul nor give full Satisfaction to it XII Other Portions may be spent a Man by living upon them may waste them the Prodigal Son wasted all his Portion XIII Other Portions are but for a time they pass away and Riches are uncertain things they are upon the wing they will not abide for ever III. The largest Inheritance cannot make a man absolutely happy DISPARITY GOD is a Portion immortal and incorruptible he is the same and changes not called often the Eternal and Immortal God and so an Immortal Good II. God is a present Portion present Help a present Support present Riches present Honour Thou art my Portion in the Land of the Living III. God is an immense infinite and incomprehensible Portion none is able to account or compute how rich a Saint is what are all Nations of the World to him even less than nothing and Vanity IV. But God is an Allsufficient Portion in him is a sufficiency of all good Things a Saint can need no Good will he with-hold from him that walketh uprightly V. But God is a Portion that is absolutely necessary he that hath all other good things and not God no Interest in him is miserable and shall be damn'd VI. But God is a pure unmixt Portion there is nothing in him but Goodness Light and no Darkness Joy and no Sadness Life and no Death and this they will find when they come to the full Possession and Injoyment of Him VII But God is a peculiar Portion he gives himself only to his own People to his own Elect He is saith David the Strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever this God is our God The Lord saith a gracious Soul is my Portion there is not a wicked Man in the World can say so VIII But God is an universal Portion whatsoever is good it is to be had in him whether for Profit or Delight he comprehends all Portions all things that are desirable so he that has God hath all nothing is good without him nothing can be evil that fals upon a Saint that hath him God is good in every thing and he is good of himself alone when every thing else is gone Having nothing yet possessing all things IX God is a Portion that none can rob the Soul of no Fire can destroy the Soul's Inheritance X. But God is a sutable Portion to all Persons in all things and at all times this Portion suits the condition of the Soul the necessities of the Soul the wants and desires of the Soul Is the Soul blind naked sick wounded poor sutable Supplies in these respects and all others are to be had in him XI But God is a Portion that satisfies him who hath a part and interest in him My Soul shall be satisfied as with Marrow and Fatness He gives the Soul full content and satisfaction XII But God is a Portion
his protection like a refreshing shade is round about them Thou hast been a shadow from the heat II. God is the Souls chief and only Sanctuary When I am afraid saith David I will trust in thee that is as the Emphasis of the word bears I will retire into thee my blessed Habitation for thou art a strength to the poor and needy and a refuge from the storm When the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the wall c. In the strangest Convulsions of State Revolutions of Kingdoms and Epidemical Calamities that afflict the World the Inhabitants of this blessed Mansion are sure to enjoy certain safety and tranquility III. Such as dwell in this heavenly habitation are preserved from a dead frozen and benummed frame of spirit they are made zealous and warm for God fervent in spirit serving the Lord inflamed with a divine fervour by the influence of the holy Spirit which is called Fire animating them with courage and resolution to stand for God and his ways against all opposition IV. God is a good mans chief comfort he is the joy and delight of his Soul for as he is the summum bonum in himself so all good things are radically and originally derivative from him therefore such as would partake thereof must have recourse to him In him is the Saints treasure laid up with him is the most desirable Communion Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I desire besides thee says David V. Such is God to the Soul thither is the weary and heavy laden sinner invited in order to receive rest there 's eternal repose after the troublesome Pilgrimage of the flesh in reversion for all that die in the Lord Return unto thy rest O my Soul saith David c. VI. God is a Christians Home one may be said to be absent from God when he strays abroad giving the full Reins to a loose carnal and dissolute mind pursuing the vanities and follies of the world neglecting the solid comforts and delights of his proper home exposing himself to the hazards and disorders of a strange and dangerous entertainment among his Soul-Enemies whereas to live with God in a way or spiritual Love and Communion is to dwell in God and makes way for a more immediate and personal participation of his glory after death which made the Apostle desire to depart Phil. 1 21 22 23. Because death was gain to him inasmuch as it was to state him in his blessed and eternal home VII The Lord Jesus is the way that leads to this heavenly habitation I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me he is a Priest to attone a King to govern and a Prophet to teach and direct his people VIII God is a Sanctuary to his Saints and a safe retreating place from the assaults of Satan sin and in-bred corruption From these Enemies there is no safety but by flying to the mercy of God in Christ. IX Christ is the Door that lets into this heavenly habitation this Door is always open to such only as are his known and approved Friends I am the Door by me if any man enter he shall be saved No man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son shall reveal him X. This heavenly habitation is furnished with all those glorious Ornaments that are needful for spiritual profit or delight Gospel Institutions and Ordinances are by Expositors understood to be the Galleries of this habitation where the King is held In all places where I record my Name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee The blood of Christ is a Fountain of life Rev. 21.6 A Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Zach. 13.1 His Church is his Garden A Garden inclosed is my Sister my Spouse Cant. 4.12 His word as a green and pleasant pasture Psal. 23.2 and his Spirit the Spring that waters every plant and flower I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed c. Isa. 44.3 XI 'T is an Interest in God that makes a Soul to value him at so high a rate Thou art my God I will praise thee Thou art my God I will exalt thee Psal. 118.28 The Lord is my portion therefore will I hope in him XII To this heavenly habitation friends are solemnly invited Hoe every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without monâ—â—y and without price Now hath God granted to the Gentiles who were Strangers and Aliens repentance unto life This is the receptacle of poor hungry souls where a plentiful relief is daily given and freely distributed XIII He that dwells not in God through Christ is in a very sad and dismal condition being exposed to the cursâ—â— of the Law and divine wrath upon the wicked he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest XIV The glorious Attributes of God are as so many retiring Rooms and places of security and repose to which the Saints must have recourse in times of danger Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as if it were for a little moment until the indignation be overpast More particularly inasmuch as he is Omniscient he knows what 's best for us and we ought to acquiesce in his will He is all wise and therefore orders all things to work for our spiritual good He is Almighty and can accomplish or effectually bring to pass whatsoever his knowledge dictates for our good He is faithful and therefore whatsoever he has promised shall be certainly fulfilled He is good and merciful which is a great encouragement to sinners to make application to him and commit themselves to his protection When I am afraid saith David I will put my trust in thee He is eternal and therefore an Everlasting Salvation c. METAPHOR I. A Habitation or house though never so stately and magnificent is yet the work and contrivance of a humane Architect and is composed of perishing materials II. Habitations here below serve only to accommodate the body the Rich Man in the Gospel that fared sumptuously every day had no Habitation for his Soul but Hell verse 23. III. A Habitation may be overthrown by an Earthquake blown down by a Storm demolished by an Enemy consumed by fire or the decays of time c. IV. A House may secure from some but not all dangers for Thieves may rob us of our Treasure or an Enemy if stronger may dispossess us and strip us of that and all our Estate V. A Habitation in its circumference and dimensions is limited and may be easily filled neither is any so compleat but may admit of further improvement or
Deliverance will soon follow the Church Vse IT shews the great Affection and Love of God to his People the Truth and Certainty of their Deliverance and the utter Confusion and Downfall of their Enemies God a Shield Psal. 84.11 The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield Psal. 18.2 The Lord is my Shield THis Term Shield is Metaphorically attributed to Princes and great Men Psal. 17.10 Hos. 4.18 because they protect and defend their Subjects or Dependents from Injustice and Violence as a Shield does the Body from Blows For this reason God is called a Shield because he protects and secures his People from the Attempts of Spiritual Adversaries as well as Temporal Metaphor I. A Shield or Buckler is for Defence and Safeguard of the Body in time of Battel II. A Shield or Buckler is not only to defend and preserve one Part of the Body but every Part and not the Body only but the whole Armor also that a Man hath Hence it was made very large and for its largeness called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Gate or Door denoting that which is large and broad enough to hide or cover the whole Body and shelter it from Harm III. A Shield is used to keep that part of the Body that is struck at by the Enemy 't is a moveable Piece of Armour that a skilful Hand can turn this way or that way to take the Blow or Arrow according as he sees 't is directed against him Parallel I. GOD is the Defence and Safeguard of his Saints in all their Spiritual War and Conflicts with the Enemies of their Souls II. God defends every part of the Soul he preserves our Judgments from Corruption our Wills from growing stubborn and rebellious our Affections from being misled and ensnared with worldly Objects our Consciences from Defilement and so the whole Soul from the Venom and Poyson of Sin and Satan and not only so but he preserves and keeps our Graces from Decays and Witherings Thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with Favour thou wilt compass him about as with a Shield III. God keeps off the Blows and fiery Darts of the Devil from wounding that Part or Grace of the Soul which is in the greatest Danger Sometimes Satan strikes at the Faith of a Christian God presently appears by his Word and Spirit for the strengthning of that Sometimes the Grace of Love is struck at God then presents immediatly Divine Objects before the Soul and shews it more and more the Baseness Deformity and Emptiness of this World and thereby increases and preserves the Love of the Soul to Himself and to Jesus Christ. Again the Will is aimed at some Temptations are laid to catch that Some Commands of God cannot be obeyed without much Self-denial because they cross us in that which our own Wills are naturally carried out very strongly to desire so that we must deny our Wills before we can do the Will of God A Temptation comes very forcibly when it runs with the Tide of our own Wills when 't is to save our Estates Children or Lives from the Danger of Enemies What saith the Devil wilt thou serve God when he thwarts thee in every thing that thou takest delight in If thou lovest any one thing more than another presently he must have it from thee No Lamb in all the Flock will serve for a Sacrifice but Isaac Abraham's only Child must be offered up No Place will content God that Abraham should serve him in but where he must live in Banishment from his Father's House and all his dear Relations Wilt thou saith Satan stoop to these low and contemptible Ordinances be a Companion to these base despised and persecuted People What follow God and yield to such hard Terms as these be Now God directs himself strait-way by his Word and Spirit to preserve the Soul from this terrible Arrow shewing what reason there is that his VVill should be done rather than ours and that we shall lose nothing by suffering for his sake and so makes the Soul willing to yield to all his Pleasure as Abraham did And this indeed of God's being a Shield unto him was the Motive that induced him not to fear After these things the Word of God came unto Abraham in a Vision saying Fear not Abraham I am thy Shield as much as if he should say I will defend and save thee from all the Darts and Arrows of thine Enemies By this Shield every Faculty of the Soul and Grace of the Spirit is preserved Metaphor I. A Shield is a Defence or Safeguard for the Body II. A Shield or Buckler cannot defend every Part of the Body at once III. A Shield may be beaten out of a Man's hand and be rendred wholly unserviceable to a Man IV. A Shield can however preserve from Temporal Enemies only Disparity I. GOD is a Defence and Shield for Soul and Body both II. God is a Buckler that saves and defends every Part and Faculty of the Soul at one and the same time he is an universal Cover III. God is a Shield that can never be rendred useless or unserviceable to a Christian that keeps close to God IV. God is a Shield or Defence that preserves from the Power and cruel Assaults and Temptations of the Devil Inferences 1. IF God be the Saints Shield let them take heed that they never engage their Enemies without God 2. This may greatly encourage the Godly in their Spiritual Warfare they have a sure Shield and Buckler that will never fail them 3. Moreover it may direct them to the right use of their Shield 't is a great part of Wisdom to know how to defend our selves by our Shield from Satan's Assaults and the Temptations of this evil World God a VVall of Fire Zech. 2.5 Thus saith the Lord I will be unto her a Wall of Fire round about I Will be unto her that is unto Jerusalem or the Church of God a Wall of Fire This Metaphor is taken from those Fires that People make round themselves when they are cast into a howling Wilderness to secure themselves from fierce and devouring Beasts and they being within the said Circle or Wall of Fire no wild Beast dares approach them c. The Speech is a Metaphor and the Epithete of Fire is added to denote that God is the Defender of his Church and a terrible Avenger that will consume its Enemies as Fire does any combustible Materials c. Metaphor I. A Wall of Fire is made for Defence and Security from Adversaries that are cruel brutish and merciless as Lions Bears Dragons c. II. A Wall of Fire is a Defence and Security to People that live in a Wilderness where they are in danger of wild Beasts it abounding with such devouring and ravenous Creatures III. A Wall of Fire is for Defence and Security when there is no other Security to be had IV. A Wall of Fire is both for Offence
and Defence it defends them that are within and offends them that are without V. A Wall of Fire is most amazing dreadful and terrible to an Enemy VI. A Wall of Fire is dangerous to attack or approach unto no devouring and cruel Beasts dare come near it the Lions tremble at the Sight thereof VII Those that are environ'd round about with a Wall of Fire are very safe in the midst of the greatest Multitudes of evil Beasts VIII Nothing will keep off as Naturalists observe cruel and devouring Beasts but a Wall of Fire IX Those that are environ'd round by a Wall of Fire are not only safe from Enemies but are also thereby kept warm from piercing Cold. X. Those that see they are compassed about with a Wall of Fire are made very fearless and couragious thereby Parallel I. GOD is the Defence and Security of his People from the Devil that roaring Lion and old red Dragon and from wicked Men who for their cruel brutish devouring and merciless Dispositions are compared to Lions Bears c. II. God is a Wall of Fire or such a Defence and Security to his People whilst they remain in the howling Wilderness of this World where their Danger is very great there being Multitudes of brutish and devouring Men or rather Beasts nay Monsters Devils in the shape of Men ready to destroy them III. God is a Wall of Fire and Defence unto his People there being no other Security for them I looked and there was none to help therefore my own Arm brought Salvation and my Fury it upheld me IV. God is a Defence to his Church and 't is He who offends and discomfits their Enemies I will undo them that afflict thee c. V. God in being a Defence or Wall of Fire to his People greatly amazeth and terrifieth the ungodly and brutish Persecutors how terrible was God to Pharaoh when he was a Wall of Fire to Israel VI. It is a very dangerous thing for any to make Attempts upon God Who is able to stand before such a Wall of flaming and devouring Fire Wicked Men are compared to Briars and Thorns and who would set them saith God against me in Battel The Devils themselves tremble before his Sacred Majesty VII Those that are surrounded about on every side by the Power Wisdom and merciful Providences of the Almighty God this great Wall of Fire need not fear Devils nor brutish Men tho never so cruel and bloody VIII Nothing can keep off cruel and merciless Men from making a Spoil of God's Church but God himself Conscience cannot the Cry of the Widow and fatherless Children no nor the Fear of Hell Therefore God walls his People round about in a wonderful manner that Men cannot find nor come at them IX Those that have God for a Wall of Fire are secured from all the cold Blasts of Sin and Temptation are sweetly refreshed and comforted for such is the property of this Wall of Fire also unto them X. Those that see they have God as a Wall of Fire round about them are thereby made very valiant and couragious saying I will not fear what Man can do unto me c. Metaphor I. A Wall of Fire is made of outward Materials viz. Wood or such like Fuel II. A Wall of Fire properly is to secure the Body from ravenous wild and devouring Beasts III. A Wall of Fire may be quenched or for want of Fuel go out and so those that were secured by it may be exposed and laid open to the Rage of cruel and merciless Beasts Disparity I. GOD who is said to be a Wall of Fire for defence of his People is the Maker of all things By him all things were made c. II. God is a Wall or Defence to keep safe and secure both Body and Soul not only from wild Beasts but also from cursed Men and Devils III. This Wall of Fire can never be quenched nor go out whilst there be any wild Beasts and devouring and bloody Persecutors in the World This Fire will burn and be a Wall to the Godly let the Devil and Rome do what they can the Church of Christ shall never be left to the Rage of Papal Fury Inferences 1. FRom hence we may note an Use of Terror to wicked Men Their cruel Attempts upon the Church of God will prove their Ruin they will get nothing thereby but a feared and wounded Conscience this Fire will devour them 2. We may see how God is pleased to represent wicked Men doth he not intimate to us by this Metaphor that they are no better than ravenous Beasts 3. What great Folly doth this demonstrate to be in the Hearts of the Adversaries Will they who are but Briars and Thorns set themselves against the Great God who is a consuming Fire 4. It also shews the infinite Love and Care of God to his Saints 5. In what Safety do the Godly dwell Let the Beasts roar and tear and goar one another whilst God's People are thus defended and preserved from their Rage and Cruelty But some may object and say How is God said to be a Wall of Fire to the Church c. It may have respect to his Divine Attributes as Wisdom Power Goodness Truth Faithfulness Justice by which he preserves his Church and People through his glorious Providences in this World as thereby he defeats their Enemies God a Iudg. Gen. 18.10 25. Shall not the Judg of all the Earth do Right Psal. 58.11 Verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth Psal. 82.1 God standeth in the Congregation of the Righteous he judgeth among the Gods GOD is really and properly a Judg for he is the Judg of all the World and therefore he is not brought here under the Notion of a Metaphorical Judg But in regard this Term seems to be allusive to Earthly Judges we think it may not be unprofitable to draw a Parallel for the Edification of the Reader As there is nothing more frequently attributed to Almighty God in the Holy Scriptures than the Title of Judg so there is scarce any Attribute or Action of the Most High grounded upon more Reason Of which take this following Account 1. There is in the World viz. on the whole Earth a great and mighty People for Number like to the Stars of Heaven or Sands by the Sea-Shore 2. There this numerous People are almost as various in their Humors as they are in their Numbers Ages Sizes and Complections 'T is very rare if not impossible to find two that in all Points do exactly accord 3. That this numberless Multitude are all addicted to run byass to a particular thing call'd Self-love and this too from an indissoluble Principle or Impression of Nature 'T is natural for all Men to love themselves 4. That after they are grown up to some degree of Ripeness and Maturity they have ready prepared to their Eyes the bad Examples of ill-living Souls which too often have
subsequent to Man's Obligation IV. Christ being a fit Person undertook not only to be a Mediator betwixt God and Man but also to be the Surety of the Covenant on Man's part upon consideration of his Impotency or Inability to perform the Conditions of the first Covenant since the Fall and to bear the Punishment for the Breach of it for Man having once failed and become Bankrupt God will neither treat nor trade with him more without a Mediator and such a Surety as Christ. Because they continued not in my Covenant I regarded them not saith the Lord. See Dr. Owen on Heb. 7.22 p. 225. V. The Stability of the new Covenant depends upon the Suretiship of Christ and 't is secured to Believers thereby For the first Adam in whose hands the whole Estate and Riches of Mankind were trusted ran out of all and therefore God established another Covenant and constituted Christ as a responsible Security of known Fidelity and mighty to perform to be the Surety thereof that so it might be a firm and sure Covenant between Him and Man VI. Christ by becoming Surety stands engaged to the Father to satisfy in the behalf of Man so far as God sees it necessary or comports with his Wisdom and the Perfections of his holy Attributes That he might be just and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus VII Those that Christ the Surety of the Covenant undertook to make Peace for were not only spiritual Debtors but Criminals also such as deserved Death dead in Law and under the Sentence thereof spiritually dead being under the deprivation of the Light of God's Countenance VIII Christ seeing how unable we were to make Satisfaction according to the Demands of Law made a full Compensation and laid down a valuable Price satisfactory to Law and Justice for he bore the Punishment due to us for our Sins First he endured Death and the Curse of the Law he died and was made a Curse for us Secondly he bore or sustained the Wrath of God being under a deprivation of the Light of his Countenance the Favour of God was for a time suspended and withdrawn from him My God my God why hast thou forsaken me He was made Sin for us that knew no Sin c. God hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all IX Tho Christ was appointed by the Father to be the Surety of the Covenant yet all that he did was his own voluntary Act I lay down my Life freely no Man taketh it from me c. X. The Love and Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was such that tho he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich I. live says the Apostle by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Surety I. A Surety among Men is not of the Creditor's but of the Debtor's procurement II. Sureties and Debtors amongst Men enter into the same Bond and the Debtor is look'd upon to be the principal Bondsman III. Among Men when the Surety makes a full Compensation for Debts the Party indebted cannot be said to receive a Release or Discharge in a way of Grace and Favour but only in a way of Justice IV. Among Men usually the Surety's Bond is for Debts contracted at or before the Surety's Bond is given in and for a particular Sum or Sums specified V. A Surety sometimes repents his coming into Bonds and 't is a great Trouble and Perplexity to him and seeks ways to be released My Son if thou be a Surety for thy Friend if thou hast stricken hands with a Stranger thou art ensnared with the Words of thy Mouth c. VI. A Surety many times undoes himself by being bound for other Men he engages for more than he is able to pay and is thereby cast into Prison and never capable to deliver himself out Disparity I. THe Surety of the Covenant was of God's procurement who is Man's offended Creditor or rather Creator God chose called and anointed Christ to this Office tho 't is true he was as ready to accept of it as the Father was to assign it him In this the infinite Grace and Mercy of God was manifest to Mankind for among Men the Creditor is not concerned to seek out a Security from the Debtor But should a Creditor do so all must confess 't is in his Choice to propound when how and upon what Terms the Debtor should be discharged and it would be thought very reasonable especially if he hath wronged or abused the good Name of his Creditor that before he be acquitted he should be brought upon his Knees and humbly confess his Fault and beg Forgiveness in regard tho a Compensation was made according to the Demands of Law and Justice for the Debt yet the Surety being of the Creditor's own procurement and indeed his own Son who having vast Riches and Abilities and likewise equal Love with the Father to the poor Debtor knowing the Law was such that Satisfaction must of necessity be made offered freely to lay down the Price or full Sum. Even so God and Christ in making of this Covenant in behalf of Sinners agreed that upon Christ's laying down his Life as a satisfactory Price when and upon what Conditions we should be discharged of the Guilt of Sin which binds us over to eternal Wrath And these Conditions are expressed in the Word of God viz. Faith and Humiliation for 't is certain that no Man is actually acquitted before he believes and takes hold of the Satisfaction purchased by Christ applying his Merits and the Virtue of his Blood unto his own Soul by the help of the Spirit which Christ the Surety hath promised to give to all sincere Ones that he might thereby make his Death effectual to them and so compleat his Work and Office of Suretiship II. Christ engaged as our Surety without us Our Bonds and Obligations signify nothing by reason of our utter Inability Christ hath therefore changed our Name and in the room and place of it put his own so that Death and the Curse fall upon him He was wounded for our Transgressions He looked and there was none to help therefore his own Arm brought Salvation III. Christ the Surety of the Covenant of Grace makes full Compensation for Sin and yet the Sinner receives his Release in a way of Grace which may be thus demonstrated First God as was said and not the Sinner found or provided the Surety which his own Sovereign Grace and Goodness moved him to being wholly at his own choice whether he would save Man or no having cause enough to cast him off for his Disobedience as he did the Angels that sinned So that whatever Relief or Discharge Sinners receive it is of Grace being wholly the Contrivance of the Creditor to find out the way which best comported in his Wisdom to the satisfying of Law and Justice
as rather kill than cure that instead of having virtue in them to cure are of a poysonous nature or have no virtue at all XII A Physician doth not only know what Medicines are good for his Patient but also takes care to apply them at a right Time if those things that are proper for the Disease be not rightly and wisely applied the Effects are lost A Man may do as much hurt by giving a good Medicine as by giving an ill one Hence it is vulgarly said That that which is one Man's Help is another Man's Death one Man's Meat is another Man's Poyson XIII A Physician is very diligent and careful of his Patient he hath in Cure looks with a quick Eye tries the Pulse and gives great charge to all that attend upon him XIV A Physician rectifies Disorders and Inequality of Humors XV. A Physician searches Wounds to the bottom to prevent inward Festering Corruption or proud Flesh that may spoil the Cure XVI A Physician in desperate cases when a Member is corrupted and comes to a Gangreen so that the Body is in danger prescribes ways to cut it off XVII A Physician deals very tenderly in binding up the Wounds of his Patient tho he hath a Lion's Heart when he hath to do with some in dangerous cases yet he hath a Lady's Hand when he comes to others XVIII A Physician gives Antidotes to preserve from Distempers and save from Infection XIX A Physician prescribes Rules to Men and Women to preserve Health as to Meat Drink Sleep Exercise c. XX. A Physician when he finds his Patient's Spirits ready to faint swoon and die away gives him of his choice and high-prepared Spirits XXI A Physician greatly rejoyces to see his Medicines take their desired Effect and work an effectual Cure on his Patient XXII A Physician often visits his Patient XXIII It behoveth a Physician to be faithful to his Patient to let him know how it is with him whether better or worse if Death is like to ensue he lets him know it that he may prepare for it Parallel I. JEsus Christ is very skilful in Distempers of the Soul and Body too he knows what the Nature of every Sin is which is the Disease and Sickness of the Soul II. Christ knows what the Nature Virtue and Property is of all spiritual Medicines that are good to cure the Soul viz. the Nature of his Word Spirit c. III. Christ the spiritual Physician is authorized and appointed to this Work The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor He hath sent me to preach Deliverance to the Captives and recovering of Sight to the Blind to set at liberty them that are bruised All he did was as he received Commandment from the Father He was tried many ways and gloriously approved to be every way able and capable to undertake the Care and Cure of Souls IV. Christ when he was asked about his Commission or by what Authority he did those things shewed his Power and License to all produced his Father's Seal to his Commission by the mighty Wonders he did he had John also to bear witness to him but saith he I receive not Testimony from Man but have a greater Witness than that of John for the Works which the Father hath given me to finish the same do bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me By which means he made it appear that he was no Deceiver And indeed whoever they be that take upon them to bring in new Ways and Means to cure Souls if they cannot confirm their Doctrines by such Mediums that no Deceiver can pretend unto they are meer Cheats and Impostors V. Christ knows the inward Parts knows every Sin and Disease of the Soul knows whether it be the Distemper of the stony Heart or the Tympany of Pride or Unbelief that Consumption of the Soul or whatever Plague or Disease doth afflict thee VI. Jesus Christ doth not only know every Distemper of each Man and Woman but also the Cause of it the first Rise from whence it springs what Diseases are Epidemical and what not whether the Cause arises from within from that inward and universal Depravity the original Cause indeed of all spiritual Sickness or whether the present Grief arises more immediatly from an infectious Air Persons or distempered Companions the Ruine of many Souls whether it arises from Unbelief or Worldly-mindedness or Neglect of Duty Temptation of Satan or from other Causes He knows them all VII Christ knows the Inclinations of every Soul what Sin or Sins do most easily beset them or they are chiefly subject unto whether it be Pride or Passion or the inordinate Love of the Creature or whatever else VIII Christ knows all the habitual Diseases of the Soul such Distempers as are inveterate stubborn contumacious from those common Weaknesses and Infirmities of Christians which the best of Men may be overtaken with IX Christ is well experienced no Physician so ancient or hath had so long Experience of Distempers of the Body as he hath had of the Diseases of the Soul How many hath he cured since the beginning of the World of all manner of Sicknesses and Diseases whatsoever X. Jesus Christ useth proper and meet Preparatives to dispose and fit Men for their spiritual Cure makes them sensible of their State and Condition by Nature humbles and lays them low at his Feet puts them upon the Duty of Prayer and hearing the Word and quickly after the Cure follows XI Jesus Christ knows what is proper for every Disease of the Soul and applies such Medicines as are meet and proper according to the Distemper such as are not hurtful and dangerous or that have no healing or saving Quality in them doth not send them to the Light within to Principles of Morality to Popish Pardons or Dispensations from Rome to a bare Reformation from a notorious and scandalous Life or an external Profession of Religion Prayer hearing the Word Alms-Deeds c. to trust to or rely upon for Salvation But contrary-wise to Faith in his own Blood to Repentance and Remission through the Atonement and Merits of his Sacrifice on the Cross. XII Christ makes a right Application of Truth as well as he applies that which is good and proper in it self he does not preach the Terrors of the Law the Severity and Justice of God to a poor broken Soul that lies languishing and trembling that has the Pillars of his Comfort shaken with the breakings of Divine Wrath for such an one he does not prescribe Corrosives but Cordials and Supports from the Mercy of God He pours the Oil of Gladness into his Wounds and gives him the Wine of Consolation On the other hand when a Soul is stubborn swell'd in Pride impenitent presumptuous contemning Advice and godly Counsel c. yet say They shall have Peace tho they add Drunkenness to Thirst
that was rich became poor and He was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities by his Stripes we are healed We could not live such was our Disease unless our Physician died he therefore poured forth his own Blood to wash and cleanse our wounded Sin-sick Souls VI. Christ cures not only the Living but also the Dead he out-does all other Physicians in this respect if he speaks the word Lazarus come forth The Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live You hath he quickned who were dead in Trespasses and Sins VII Christ can make effectual all his Medicines he can say peremptorily This Soul this Sickness I will heal and it is immediatly done As the Father quickens them even so doth the Son quicken whom he will VIII Christ the spiritual Physician is endued with infinite Patience under all those base Repulses he meets with from vile Sinners When he comes to heal he oft-times stands at their Doors and knocks waiting till his Head is wet with Dew and his Locks with the drops of the Night before he can persuade Sinners to open to him other Physicians will not do so IX Christ can visit Thousands yea Millions of Thousands if he please and speak to them all at one and the same moment tho they live Thousands of Miles asunder X. Christ was made like unto us in all other things but not in this he was without Sin tho he bore our Sicknesses he had none of his own He was made Sin for us that knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him XI The Medicines Christ uses are heavenly his Word and Spirit abide for ever they never lose nor can lose their Virtue but have the like efficacy they had five thousand years ago XII Christ takes more care of the Poor than of the Rich he had rather attend upon the Poor such his Bowels yearn unto and helps out of Pity as he did the Woman that had the Bloody-Flux twelve years when all her Money was gone XIII Christ is at all the charge with poor Sinners he like the good Samaritan sets the poor Soul on his own Beast brings him to his own Inn or Hospital which was his Church and gives Money to the Host to provide all things necessary for him with a Promise he would discharge the whole Score at last XIV Christ dies no more Death hath no more power over him so that he lives to see every Cure perfected that he takes in hand Corollaries I. THis shews us the weak and distempered State of Mankind by reason of Sin that Sin wounds and brings Sickness upon the Soul every Sin is a Disease But because this is handled under its proper Head we shall not enlarge upon it here See Metaphors concerning Sin II. Moreover we may from hence perceive the great Care Love and Goodness of God towards miserable and impotent Sinners that rather than they should die of their Sickness he would send them his own dear Son to be their Physician III. It shews also the great Grace and Condescension of Christ to undertake the Cure of such miserable Souls at such a dear and chargeable Rate viz. with his own Blood IV. This shews where Help for Sin-sick Souls is to be had and to whom they should go when they are sensible of their Sickness V. The Reason why Men perish in their Sins we may infer from hence is because they come not to Christ the only Physician of the Soul VI. And if Christ be such a Physician as you have heard be encouraged then poor polluted Sinners to come to Christ. For Motives consider 1. Thou art sick who is without Sin and so consequently without Soul-Diseases 2. Thou art sick of a dangerous Distemper 't will procure Death without a speedy Cure 3. There is no other Physician but Christ neither is Salvation in any other For there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved 4. Christ is a Physician ready upon every Invitation nay he comes without sending for is now knocking at the door 5. He will make an absolute and perfect Cure of it if he undertakes the Work before he leaves thee 6. Besides thou mayest have him tho thou hast no Money no Righteousness nothing to bring or offer to him as a spiritual Present 7. Christ cures all that come to him whatsoever the Distemper be he has an universal Medicine with which he infallibly cures all Sicknesses Diseases and Wounds of the Soul save one viz. the Sin against the Holy-Ghost All Sin and Blasphemy against the Father and Son shall be forgiven unto Men. He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him How many Thousands and Ten Thousands hath he cured which are now in Heaven who once were sick of the same Diseases that thou art afflicted with Pride Passion Unbelief blasphemous Thoughts c. VII If Christ be such a Physician as you have heard how inexcusable will all vile and wilful Sinners be found that perish in their Blood and refuse to come to him Cautions I. Take heed you do not delay seeking out for Help Some when they are sick never mind going to a Physician till Nature is decayed and the Disease has seized on them in such sort that 't is too late there is no help so do some Sinners did not Jerusalem do thus II. Take heed you make use of no other Physician There are many that boast of their Skill how good they are at curing of Souls beware of them they privily bring in damnable Errors even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift Destruction These are like deceitful Quacks and Impostors that design to make Merchandize of you Remember their Medicines are poysonous and destructive III. Value not Womens Advice too high Eve lost her Skill in the Garden and learned little afterwards The Apocalyptical Woman of Rome like many old Wives would fain be tampering with the Sick but above all take heed of her for she like the adulterous Woman Solomon speaks of hath slain and killed many yea many a strong Man hath been cast down by her Her way is the way to Hell tending down to the Chambers of Death IV. Take heed you rob not Christ of the Honour which is due to him as a Physician which may be done two ways 1. When we attribute the Cure to our own Industry to Skill and Power of our own or to Duties c. 2. When we attribute our Help and Cure to Instruments to Ministers c. V. If thou art made whole by Christ take heed of a Relapse Sin no more saith Christ lest a worse thing come upon thee But for Comfort If by the power of Temptation thou hast fallen and backslidden from God he can heal thee again I will heal their
of the Hart to Serpents which our Parallel shews to be true of Christ in a spiritual sence we may infer That the eternal Ruin and final Overthrow of the Devil and his cursed Off-spring is at hand he will tread them down under his Feet shortly 2. Moreover from hence we may infer further Terror to the Enemies Christ's quick and piercing Eye sees all their secret Abominations pries into their Cabals and close Councels and as he sees what Mischief and Violence is hatching by them so he is swift-footed will soon skip over all Mountains and with his direful Vengeance confound them 3. Besides this we may learn from hence what Fools many Men are whilst they pursue after the poor Hart they study not the way to hunt for this spiritual Venison Jesus Christ is worth the Chase who would not hunt for such an Hind 4. Let Saints be comforted Christ has Hind's Feet He will soon get over all Difficulties and deliver them Lastly Let us pray with the Church Make haste my Beloved and be thou like a Roe or a young Hart upon the Mountain of Spices Christ a Door John 10.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am the Door c. AMongst the many Metaphors that our Blessed Saviour is expressed by in the Holy Scripture certainly this of Door must carry some Emphasis and Signification for Use and Improvement otherwise He that was wiser than Solomon and spake as never Man spake for excellency of Matter and Form would never have likened himself to a Door And therefore whatever may be imagined concerning a Door in point of Excellency and Usefulness in respect of Appointment and Necessity to the Children of Men according to the Scope of the Text that even that by way of Eminency is the Son of God unto Sinners For the better understanding of which we shall distinctly consider the Subject and run the Parallel as followeth Metaphor I. A Door is of the same substance with some part of the House to which it is purposed or intended as an useful Part. II. A Door is fitted by the Power and Wisdom of him who is concern'd to do it for a premised End III. A Door is set a part or assign'd to a proper Place and Service which other parts of a House are not fit for IV. A Door is of necessity who can be without it that is of human Race whose dwelling is with Men V. A Door is as really the Propriety of the Owner of the House as any other part or parts of the House besides VI. A Door lets into possession if Men hire or purchase and take possession the Door is the Entrance thereto VII A Door is under the Command of the Master that owns it 't is he that shuts and opens it at his own pleasure VIII A Door is the place of legal Entrance no Men are allowed by Law to climb up to Windows or break down any part of the Walls for entrance IX A Door is the common Passage for the Family and Strangers for Children and Servants for Friends and Enemies X. A Door is of use to all even to Emperors and Kings as well as meaner Men and Cottagers XI A Door is not only for the convenient Entrance of Men and Women whether of the Family or not but for the bringing in of other things that the Master likes of and requires to be brought in XII By the Door admittance is given to view the inward Excellencies of the House who can see what there is within if they are without the door XIII A Door lets into the best Parts and Privileges of a House into the Dining-Room for Meat into the Cellar for Drink into the Wine-Cellar for Wine into the Wardrobe for Cloaths into the Treasury for Cash into the Closet for Books c. XIV The Door is the Privilege-place for the Poor where they often meet with good Gifts and Refreshments Parallel I. JEsus Christ the Spiritual Door was of the same substance in respect of his human Nature that Men are even like to them in all things Sin only excepted In as much as Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood he himself took part of the same therefore very often in Scripture called a Man II. Jesus Christ is fitted by the Power and Wisdom of Him who hath laid a most worthy Platform and Contrivance and premiseth all things to his own most wise and admirable Ends. He sent forth his Son made of a Woman A Body hast thou prepared me III. Jesus Christ is sanctified or set apart by God the Father to be a Mediator and Saviour which no other besides himself is fit for Whom the Father hath sanctified or set apart and sent into the World And there is no Name under Heaven given by which Men can be saved but by him IV. Jesus Christ is of such absolute necessity that none can be happy without him that have immortal Souls to save Whoso findeth me findeth Life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. He that hates me loves Death Except ye believe that I am he ye shall abide without viz. die in your Sins V. Jesus Christ is truly and really God's Propriety as the Church and each particular Believer or Member thereof therefore in Scripture is called his own Son All is yours ye are Christ's and Christ is God's VI. Jesus Christ has the Honour and Office of letting all true Believers into the possession of that eternal Inheritance purchased by his own Blood for them 't was he that gave the poor Thief entrance into Heaven Luk. 23.43 VII Jesus Christ is under the Command of God the Father as Man and he receives in and shuts out according to his pleasure acts even so and speaks even so as he receives Commandment from the Father VIII Jesus Christ is the legal way of Entrance whether into the visible Church or into the Kingdom of Heaven Whosoever shall attempt to enter into either of these otherwise than by Christ will be look'd upon as Thieves and Robbers IX Jesus Christ is the common Passage to the Mercy of God to the Privilege of Children to the Fellowship of the Sheep and to eternal Life all are admitted through him No Man comes to the Father but by me X. Jesus Christ is useful to all even to Emperors and Kings to mean Men and Cottagers none of them can by any means deliver his Brother or give to God a Ransom for him c. Riches profit not in the day of Wrath. He is the only Saviour of all Men that are saved neither is their Salvation in any other XI Jesus Christ is not only for the acceptance and entrance of Men and Women to God the Father but for the acceptance of their Works and Services as Prayer Thanks-giving c. Their Services and Performances are accepted in and through the Beloved as well as their Persons Thy Prayers and Alms are come up XII Jesus Christ
what I should speak As I have kept my Fathers Commandments c. VI. Jesus Christ to do the Work of God as Mediator was sent on a long Journey as far as 't is from Heaven to Earth and was thereby exposed to much Difficulty and great Hardships from Men and Devils He was persecuted from place to place his Life being often in jeopardy he had no-where to lay his Head and was at last most basely betrayed and put to Death VII The Lord Christ was most faithful Tho he was a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things he suffered My Meat is to do the Will of him that sent me and to finish his Work I delight to do thy Will O God Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's Business VIII The Lord Christ was faithful in doing all things which God required of him he went not beyond his Commission nor did he neglect any part of his Work He that God sent speaketh the Words of God and I know that his Commandment is Life everlasting Whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so speak I. Who was faithful to him that appointed him as Moses was faithful in all his House IX The Lord Jesus Christ hath an absolute Right to a Reward for his Work 's sake Tho there is no Merit or Desert for the Works which Believers do being unprofitable Servants when they have done all yet there is very great Merit and Worth in what Christ did And the Father will give him his Wages he shall have his Wife his Church for whom he served above fourteen Years nay He shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost Parts of the Earth for his Possession Behold my Servant shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high I will divide him a Portion with the Great and he shall divide the Spoil with the Strong because he hath poured out his Soul unto Death But we see Jesus who for suffering Death is crown'd with Glory and Honour c. X. The Lord Jesus Christ having in his eye that eternal Advantage his Elect should receive and what Glory He as Man should be raised unto as the Reward of his Undertaking went through all his Sorrows with much cheerfulness Who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despised the Shame and is set down at the right-hand of the Throne of God XI The Lord Jesus Christ was subject whilst he was here in our Nature in the Form of a Servant at some time unto Fear He was made under the Law 'T is said He was troubled in Spirit and was heard in that he feared Metaphor I. A Servant and the Master are not essentially and inseparably one II. A Servant amongst Men hath not an inseparable Interest in his Master's Goods and Estate III. Servants among Men many times through Temptation prove unfaithful and deceive either Father or Master yea the best Servants of good Men have in something or other miscarried IV. A Servant may be turn'd out of his Master's Service and lose his Honour V. The Servant abides not in his Master's House for ever VI. A Servant differs from the Heir in Place Dignity and Privilege VII Too many are oftentimes forced to become Servants because they cannot otherwise tell how to live Disparity I. JEsus Christ altho a Servant is essentially one with the Father the Father Son and Spirit are but the one everlasting and eternal God I and my Father are one There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are inseparably one II. Christ hath a full a clear and inseparable Interest in all that the Father hath All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them III. It was impossible for Christ to be unfaithful or disobey God his Father because he was without Sin and Satan had nothing in him to fasten a Temptation upon IV. The Lord Jesus Christ did not could not displease his Father and therefore did not nor could lose his Honour I do always the things that please him V. Jesus Christ abideth in the House of God for ever VI. Jesus Christ tho he be called the Servant of God yet is he his own beloved Son and Heir of all things by whom he made the World There is none in Heaven or Earth that hath greater Glory Place or Privilege conferred upon upon him than the Lord Jesus Christ. VII Christ had no necessity of Nature laid upon him to accept of the low Place and Office of a Servant He was not forced to it because he could not tell how to live without serving he being infinitely happy in himself from Eternity but the Glory of his Father and the dear Love he bore to the Creature even to poor lost Man moved him to become a Servant he did it freely for our sakes that we might be Lords Inferences I. WE may note from hence the wonderful Condescension of Jesus Christ there is nothing which sets forth his great Abasement for our sakes more than this what Grace is this Doth the Son of God who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth become a Servant He that thought it no Robbery to be equal with God made himself of no reputation and took upon him the Form of a Servant The Son of Man came not to be ministred to but to minister Quest. But some may enquire Whose Servant is Christ c. 1. He is God's Servant Behold my Servant c. 2. He is his Peoples Servant The Son of Man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his Life for many II. Let us learn from him hence-forward to humble our selves Let the same Mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus Shall the Lord become a Servant and shall the Servant swell in Pride and Arrogancy and nothing content him but to be called Lord nay and lord it over God's Heritage whose Servants they ought to be if they would be Gospel-Ministers Surely Christ abhors him who calls himself the Servant of Servants whilst at the same time he exalts himself above All that are called Gods III. If the Lord Christ became a willing humble laborious and faithful Servant for us let us labour to be humble faithful and sincere Servants to him He hath done all the hardest Work and if any remain too hard for us he sticks not to set his hand to it Thou hast wrought all our Works in us and for us IV. Let this teach us to follow his Example and be Servants one to another I have given you an Example that you should do as I have done to you for this is acceptable to him V. Remember 't is an honourable pleasant and gainful thing to be Christ's Servant Paul seems to glory more in it than
unsearchable Riches of Christ. 7. He shuts evil Persons out of the Church as he served Judas and will shut them out of the new Jerusalem at the last Day He scatters Wickedness by his Laws and Doctrine of Holiness He takes care of his Subjects and smites those that persecute his Church He is a Praise to all them that do well and much more will be when he advanceth his Saints to be Rulers over many Cities and sets them upon Thrones and he pronounces the Sentence Well done good and faithful Servant enter into the Joy of thy Lord. King I. THe Kings of the Earth do not create their Subjects II. The Kings of the Earth are naturally weak and many ways defective in point of Qualification III. The Kings of the Earth are ordinarily made and instituted by Men. IV. The Kings of the Earth have their Political Power Strength and Maintenance from their People V. Kings have their Power limited and confined to a certain part of the Earth VI. The Kings of the Earth may be over-reached in their Politicks as Solomon was by Women VII The Kings of the Earth may alter from better to worse and turn Tyrants as too many have formerly done VIII The Kings of the Earth may be toss'd from their Thrones and have their Kingdoms taken from them by an invincible Force which they cannot withstand as in the Case of Nebuchadnezzar and many others IX The Kings of the Earth are mortall and must die I said ye are Gods but you shall die like Men and fall like one of the Princes Mors pulsat aequo pede pauperum Tabernas Regúmque Turres Horat. X. The Kings of the Earth even the greatest and highest amongst them are but the Sons of Earth earthly very low and meanly descended in comparison of Christ. XI The best and greatest Honours and Favours the Kings of the Earth can confer on Men are temporal and fading XII The Kings of the Earth in their Execution of Wrath and taking Revenge can but hurt and kill the Bodies of their Enemies the Soul is out of their reach Disparity I. JEsus Christ the King of Kings created his Subjects both Angels and Men Whether they be Principalities or Powers Things in Heaven or Things on Earth all Things were made by him and for him II. Jesus Christ hath more than the Strength of an Unicorn is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg yea all Fulness III. Christ is a King made and set up immediatly by God himself who hath made him higher than the Kings of the Earth and set him King for ever upon the holy Hill of Zion He hath exalted one chosen out of the People IV. Christ's Riches and Strength are of and from himself He that has the Power of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him needs not Strength or Maintenance from others V. Jesus Christ is Lord of all hath all Power in Heaven and Earth committed to him He hath an unlimited Power Angels and Principalities are subject to him he is set up over all the Works of God's hands VI. Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God and could not be circumvented by great Beelzebub who is the most subtil Politician all his mysterious Stratagems were to Him but as the Cords of Tow to Sampson in the Mightiness of his Divine Strength This great Captivity Jesus led captive and having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly and was with a most Majestick Triumph attended to his Throne in Heaven VII But Jesus Christ being naturally and essentially good abides immutably so is the same yesterday to day and for ever VIII But Jesus Christ is for ever set down at the right hand of God upon the Throne of his Excellency and there will continue till the end of Time till all his Enemies shall be made his Footstool He will overthrow the Dragon with all his Infernal Force so that there shall be no more Place found for them and in a short time will swallow up Death in Victory The last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death IX But Jesus Christ being raised from the Dead by the Glory of his Father dies no more Death hath no more dominion over him I am he that was dead and am alive and behold I live for evermore and have the Keys of Death and Hell To Him it is said Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom X. Jesus Christ is highly discended the immediate Off-spring of God greater in point of Pedegree than all the Sons of Nobles called in Scripture the Man of God's Right-Hand his Fellow He thought it no Robbery to be equal with God The second Man Adam is the Lord from Heaven Therefore truly called the Lord of Glory Had they known him they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory XI But Jesus Christ the King of Heaven can confer Honours and enrich with such Favours as are everlasting With him are durable Riches and Righteousness He hath promised a Crown which never fadeth away XII But the Lord Jesus can destroy both the Bodies and Souls of Men whether Kings or mighty Ones of the Earth that are his Enemies and make them cry out to the Rocks to fall on them and to the Mountains to cover them and hide them from the Wrath of the Lamb who can cast the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet with all their Adherents into the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone Inferences I. FRom hence we may plainly see the clear and undoubted Right which the Lord Jesus Christ hath to all the Works of God's hands 1. By his great Descent he is the natural Son of God The Word was with God and the Word was God and Being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God called the Man that is God's Fellow 2. He is qualified 3. He is chosen 4. Anointed 5. Proclaimed All which may challenge a Right to a Regal Power II. From hence we infer the undoubted Duty of all both Angels and Men to obey him Emperors Kings Princes Nobles and all the Judges of the Earth owe Homage and Service to him therefore commanded to kâ—â—ss the Son c. III. From hence we infer the good and happy State of all his Friends and Favourites He both can and will do great things for them gives great things unto them saves them from Sin Death and the Devil He will invest them with a Kingdom a Crown a Throne and unspeakable Glory Which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive the Things which God hath laid up for those that love him IV. Moreover from hence we may infer what the sad and miserable State of his Enemies will be without Repentance and the Necessity of their
respect of his Prophetical Office is hinted in the Particulars following Prophet I. A Prophet is a Mouth to others to speak forth what is the Sence and Mind of God to them And the Lord said unto Moses See I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh and Aaron thy Brother shall be thy Prophet and speak unto Pharaoh II. A Prophet speaks not of himself but the Word of God comes to him to teach him what he shall say For when David was up in the morning the Word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Gad David 's Seer saying c. III. A Prophet doth anoint others and install them into Office as Samuel did Saul and as Nathan did Solomon IV. A Prophet gives direction for cleansing from Filthiness Uncleanness or Leprosy The Servant of Naaman came near and spake unto him and said My Father if the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing wouldest thou not have done it How much rather then when he says unto thee Wash and be clean V. A Prophet was to pray for the People as the proper Work of his place hence Samuel saith God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you c. VI. A Prophet tho never so good or great is slighted by his own Neighbours and People he is without Honour in his own Country VII A true Prophet is ordained of God is sent forth to do that Work and Business Before thou camest out of the Womb I ordained thee to be a Prophet unto the Nations VIII A Prophet is anointed to do and perform the Work proper to his place as 't is said Elisha the Son of Shaphat thou shalt anoint to be a Prophet IX A Prophet is the Leader and Guide of the People as 't is said By a Prophet the Lord led Israel out of Egypt X. A true Prophet ought to be believed Believe his Prophets so shall you prosper XI A Prophet bears witness to the Truth To him give all the Prophets Witness XII A Prophet is a Man of God a Servant of God and knows his Secrets XIII The Prophets of God laid a Foundation for the Church to build upon in respect of Faith and Doctrine And that the Church is built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets XIV The Work of a true Prophet is to perfect the Work appertaining to the Church as well as to lay the Foundation of it He gave some Prophets c. for the perfecting of the Saints c. XV. Prophets are to be Examples to others Take my Brethren the Prophets for an Example XVI Prophets gave forth Scripture by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit for Men to have recourse to at all times for Quickning Comfort and Instruction in Righteousness As it is written in the Prophets According to the Scriptures of the Prophets The Prophecy came not in old Time c. XVII Prophets do not only expound and shew what is past and already fulfilled but foretell and predict things to come which they all did more or less as a proper part of their Work Parallel I. JEsus Christ is the Mouth of God who speaks forth his Mind and Will unto the Sons of Men. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son The Words which I speak are not mine but the Father 's that sent me II. Jesus Christ speaks not of himself as he was Man but the Word of God came to him to direct him what he should speak I speak not of my self The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his Servants things that must shortly come to pass III. Jesus Christ doth anoint others and install them into Office of whom it is said We have received an Vnction from the Holy One that teacheth all things I thank Jesus Christ who hath put me into the Ministry IV. Jesus Christ gives direction for cleansing from all Uncleanness both in respect of Body and Soul He said to the Leper I will be thou clean c. And when he saw the Lepers he said unto them Go shew your selves to the Priests and it came to pass that as they went they were cleansed Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken to you He doth not only direct but giveth cleansing Having wash'd us from our Sins in his own Blood V. Jesus Christ did eminently answer the Work of a good Prophet in praying for the People 1. For his Friends I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter 1. That they may be kept from Evil. 2. That they may be sanctified through the Truth 3. That they may be brought to an inseparable Vnion Nay more than this 2. He prayeth for his Enemies Father forgive them for they know not what they do VI. Jesus Christ tho he was the greatest and best of Prophets that ever was sent to the Children of Men yet was he slighted by his own People and rejected by his near Neighbours He came unto his own and his own received him not Is not this the Carpenter's Son whose Father and Mother we know c. VII Jesus Christ was ordained and sent of God to do the Work and Office of a Prophet I came not of my self but the Father sent me He was faithful to him that appointed him as Moses also was VIII Jesus Christ is anointed to be a Prophet and to perform the Work proper to his place as it is said Because thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows The Lord God hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor c. IX Jesus Christ is the Leader or Guide of his People called the Fore-runner and Captain of our Salvation He shall feed his Flock like a Shepherd and gently lead those that are with young c. Behold I have given him for a Witness to the People a Leader and Commander to the People X. Jesus Christ ought to be believed God commands all Men to hear him and unless they believe in him they shall die in their Sins For Moses truly said unto the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things he shall say unto you And it shall come to pass that every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the People XI Jesus Christ did bear witness to the Truth He witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate and is called the faithful and true Witness and First-begotten from the Dead XII Jesus Christ is a Man of God indeed a Servant of God whose Meat and Drink it was to do his
a most divine and sublime Nature III. Jesus Christ is the Fountain that heals all Diseases both of Body and Soul 'T is opened for Sin and Uncleanness of the inward Man more especially IV. Christ giveth Life to Men yea a threefold Life 1. Natural Life 2. A Spiritual Life 3. Eternal Life He raises from the Dead and quickens whom he will hence called our Life V. But he that drinketh of the Water that flows from Christ this living Fountain shall thirst no more VI. Christ cannot fail of his Fulness He cannot be stopp'p up by the Skill of Men nor Devils nay none can hinder the glorious Streams that flow from Him from watering and refreshing his People Inferences I. WE may infer from hence That Sin is of an hainous and defiling Nature 't is called here Vncleanness and such Vncleanness that is not easily washed off II Behold the exceeding Greatness of God's Love and of the Love of Christ to polluted Mankind in providing such a Fountain to wash their Souls their defiled Souls in III. Be sure that God's People shall never want sufficient Means for inward cleansing and purification IV. How inexcusable are those that die in their Filthiness under the Gospel If Naaman after the Prophet directed him to wash in Jordan had returned without washing who would have pitied him if he had died a Leper Sinner who will pity thee if thou refusest to wash and 〈◊〉 clean V. Let polluted and unclean Sinners come to this Fountain and for their further encouragement observe these following Motives and Considerations 1. There is abundance of Filth in thy Heart and Life which must be purged and washed away or thou must perish 2. There is no Fountain can wash away thy Sin but this all Soul-cleansing is by Christ's Blood All the Legal Purifications pointed to the spiritual Purgation by Christ's Blood the like does Baptismal Washing the outward Washing of the Body signifies the inward Washing by Faith in this Fountain 3. This Fountain can wash and heal thee whatever thy Uncleanness and Sickness is it cleanses from the Guilt of Sin and from the Filth of Sin also 4. This Fountain is opened which Expression signifies 1. The Willingness of Christ to accept and embrace poor Sinners 2. It shews the Clearness of Gospel-Revelation above the Legal Non dubito c. saith Calvin I do not doubt but by this word he shews the Differences between Law and Gospel Christ was a Fountain for Sin under the Law but he was as it were a sealed Fountain or hid and vailed under many Types Shadows and Ceremonial Washings the Stone is now removed that lay upon the Mouth of the Well 3. It shews the Readiness and Easiness of Access which is afforded to poor Sinners to come to Christ. 5. Consider the Multitude of Sinners that have been cleansed by Christ. 6. Consider the Multitude of Sins in every one Sinner washed away 7. Consider the happy State of all such as are made clean 8. Thou knowest not how soon this Fountain may be shut up as to thee Caution Take heed of slighting and undervaluing of the Fountain of Christ's Blood What do they less than slight it who think they can get cleansing from Sin by the Light within What do the Papists less who have other Purgations who go to their Mass and call that a propitiatory Sacrifice who go to the Merits of their own Works thinking thereby to expiate Sin and purchase God's Favour What do all such else that rely upon the Mercy of God without having an eye and respect to Christ's Blood What do all those less that never come tho very guilty and unclean and often invited to this Fountain Let the opening of this Fountain move thee to open thy Heart Exhort To love him who hath washed thee to be thankful to believe to be humble and deny thy self When ever thou seest a Fountain of Water think upon Christ the spiritual Fountain Consolat Here is Comfort a Fountain of Comfort for poor Saints Thou hast a bitter Fountain in thee here is a sweet one to cleanse thee Thou hast a filthy Fountain here is a clear and chrystal one to bathe and wash thee Christ is more able to cleanse than Sin is to defile Darest thou say that thy Filth is greater than this Fountain can wash away O Soul Christ can wash the Black-Moor white Remember whatever Satan says this Fountain is open Christ the Head Col. 2.19 Not holding the Head THe Son of God is very often in the holy Scriptures called an Head and may be so for divers Considerations 1. In respect of Angels He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers 2. In respect of Man the whole Race of Man the Head of every Man is Christ. 3. In respect of the Powers of the World He is the Head of Kings and Princes and all the Powers of the Earth 4. He is the Head of the Gospel-Building The Stone which the Builders rejected the same is become the Head-Stone of the Corner 5. He is the Head of the Body the Church which alludes to a natural Head and doth agree therewith in divers respects of which take these Examples Metaphor I. THe Head is the highest part of the Body more loftily placed than all the rest of the Members II. The Head is the Seat of the Senses There is the Eye to see the Ear to Ear the Organs to smell and taste by which things are truly distinguished even the good from the bad for the benefit of the whole Body III. The Head is the common Treasury of the whole Man whatsoever comes is lodged there for the rest of the Members IV. The Head doth transmit or cause to be transmitted by way of communication all the Supplies accruing to all other parts of the Body whether it be Ease from Pain by Application of Comfort c. V. The Head is the very Fountain of Strength and cunning Policy so signified concerning the Serpent He shall bruise thy Head c. VI. The Head is the Place where Burthens are carried c. Three Baskets were on the Baker's Head VII The Head is the Seat of Sorrow there it is received and centered VIII The Head receives the Hand of Blessing from the Father IX The Head receives the Consecration of God both in case of Nazarite and High-Priest The anointing with Oil or the holy Unction was upon the Head whereby the whole Man became sanctified and set apart for God X. The Head beareth the Glory whether it be the holy Mitre and sacred Crown appertaining to the Priest or the Royal Diadem appertaining to Secular Princes and Crown of Gold XI The Head is the principal Object of Envy and Fury most threatned and struck at and receives the Signs of Death Jezebel threatned the Head of Elisha the Wife of Heber struck at the Head of Sisera The Beast appointed for Sin-Offering
Race of Mankind VI. Bread tho it be prepared be suited be good given and ordained to an high a very high and excellent End yet it must be taken and us'd according to the Intent of the Giver and proportionable to the end of it otherwise we shall starve in the midst of Plenty VII Bread is pleasant to the taste of all but especially to the needy The full Soul loaths the Hony Combe but to the hungry every bitter thing is sweet VIII Bread renews Strength and preserves Persons Lives not only David and the Samaritans found it so but it is the common Experience of all Mankind without it Faintness immediately succeeds and soon after Life expires IX Bread as it renews Strength and preserves Life so it fits for Work and Business no Man can work much or continue long in Business without it X. Bread is of universal necessity and benefit the Rich want it as well as the Poor the Landlord as well as the Tenant the King as well as his Subject Children in their Non-age young Men in their full Strength and the old Man that is going out of the World they all need it and have Benefit by it XI Bread is the best of all earthly Blessings Beauty Ornament Wealth Treasures are below it and inferiour to it and not to be valued with it A Man will pawn his Cloaths dispose of his Treasure mortgage his Land rather than want Bread XII Bread hath a hidden Virtue in it which cannot be known but by Taste or Experience A Man may see and hear much but this is nothing 't is Taste Relish and Experience that discovers the Virtue of it and a small Morsel tasted is better than the great King of Babylon's Feasts that were seen and not partaken of XIII Bread is a free Portion and common to all that will work for it it belongs to the Poor as well as the Rich none excepted from it but on a Forfeiture he that will not work neither let him eat XIV Bread is absolutely necessary to comon Happiness a Man cannot enjoy himself his Relations without it if he hath glorious Apparel sumptuous and fair buildings gallant Gardens large Fields and Pasture if it were possible to have the Wisdom Wealth and Glory of Solomon and want Bread he could take no Comfort in it the fretting and hungry Humour would haunt him and like the Worm and devouring Caterpillars of Egypt eat up and devour all his Comforts XV. Bread in a sence of the want of it will occasion violent Motions according to the old Proverb Hunger will break stone Walls c. XVI Bread as it comprehends the greatest of Blessings when promised so the greatest of Judgments when denied Bread shall be given and thy Waters shall be sure Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus was prepared by God the Father to be a meet and fit Saviour and Food for our Souls A Body hast thou prepared me II. Jesus Christ is well suited to the Soul or Subject that is to receive him all Qualifications which are really useful to support and refresh the Soul are in him viz. Mercy Kindness Goodness Gentleness Pity and Sympathy He administers to the Poor feeds fills satisfies c. Of his Fulness we receive and Grace for Grace III. Christ is good in himself and in his own nature and he cannot but be so because there is no evil quality can mix incorporate or convey the least Tincture into him altho he seems to refuse the Attribute of absolute Good Why callest thou me good c. Yet was he really and compleatly good in his whole Nature and Quality being God c. IV. Jesus is not inherent in us as some imagine but is a distinct Person or Substance without us the Gift of God to us He came to his own but his own received him not But to as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God c. V. Christ was ordained of God to a very high and excellent end even to uphold the whole Race of Mankind this Lamb was fore-ordained That through him Sinners might be saved Thou shalt be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth VI. In like manner tho Jesus Christ the blessed Saviour be prepared and suited be good and given be ordained and appointed to a very high and excellent End yet if he be not taken and made use of according to the intent of the Giver and proportionable to the end for which he was given misguided and careless Men may perish the Supper of the great King did only benefit the Receiver the rest that came not when invited perished They that were hidden shall not taste of my Supper The Prodigal had starved had he not come to his Father's House for Bread VII In like manner Jesus Christ is pleasant and sweet to a hungry Soul that is sensible of the want and need of him Vnto those who believe he is precious c. VIII In like manner Jesus Christ renews strengthens and preserves the Souls of Men before he comes they are without Strength and those that refuse him shall certainly die in their Sins c. IX Even so Jesus Christ received doth fit for spiritual Work and Business I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me But without him nothing can be done to any purpose Without me ye can do nothing X. The Lord Jesus is of universal necessity and benefit the Rich want him as well as the Poor the Landlord as well as the Tenant the King as well as the Peasant young Men in their full Strength old Men when they are going out of the World they all need him For there is no other Name given under Heaven by which Men can be saved All have some Benefit by him He is the Saviour of all Men but especially of them that believe XI Jesus Christ is the best of Blessings beyond compare The Chiefest among ten thousand He is that Bread that addeth Strength to the Faculties creates a healthful Appetite in every right Receiver yea Beauty Ornament Wealth Treasures are below him and not to be valued with him he is better than Gold yea the most fine Gold Better than Rubies and all things that can be desired are not to be compared unto him Wise Men Masters of the best Reason have sold left forsaken all for him Moses left all the Riches and Honours of Egypt for Jesus Christ. David crys Whom have I in Heaven but thee c. The Primitive Saints parted with their Substance their Cloaths their Peace yea their Lives and all for Christ's sake We have left all and followed thee c. I account not my Life dear unto my self c. for whom I have suffered the loss of all Things c. XII In like manner the Bread of Life the Bread of God hath hidden Virtue in him which none can know but those that have
are fitted as Vessels of Wrath for Destruction Metaphor I. THe Sun is a Creature and had a beginning and when Time is swallowed up of Eternity it will set and rise no more II. The Sun gives Light but cannot give Sight the Sun-Beams tho never so powerful cannot make a blind Man see III. The Sun shines but in one Hemisphere at once when it rises to us it sets to our Antipodes IV. The Sun hath endamaging as well as healing Qualities defaces Beauty maketh Men faint Fruits are sometimes withered to nothing by it V. The Sun is inanimate hath neither rational sensitive nor vegetative Life tho in some sence called the Fountain of Life VI. The Sun is the Servant of Men from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to minister 'T is Idolatry to worship it Disparity I. JEsus Christ is God in his Essence uncreated and without beginning Christ endureth for ever he is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last II. Christ gives Sight as well as Light he made the Blind to see He also cures spiritual Blindness as Saul's by Ananias Acts 9.17 III. Christ is able to shine over the whole World at once It may properly be said of him as of the King of Assyria The Stretching out of his Wings are able to cover the World at one moment IV. Christ hath no hurtful quality he quickens the Soul never makes it faint He makes Deformity beautiful and lovely ripens but never withers the Fruits off Grace His Beams are destructive to none but such as have no root such indeed he withers V. Christ has Life Light and Heat and is often in Scripture called our Life for he gives and maintains both natural and spiritual Life VI. Christ is our Lord whom Men and Angels must worship all the Host of Heaven adore him 'T is gross Impiety not to worship him Inferences I. HEnce we may learn to know the Worth and Excellency of Christ as also the indispensible and absolute Necessity every Soul lies under of receiving Divine Illuminations from this everlasting Sun for as natural Bodies perish without the Influence of the natural Sun so will Souls if the Sun of Righteousness give not his Life-cherishing Efficacy II. Hence we may also see how greatly we are concerned to pray earnestly to God that our Hemisphere may never be deprived of this Sun of Righteousness nor overspread with the Clouds of superstitious Popery nor other Heretical Errors and Darkness III. This may shew the Folly and Madness of such as would drive the Light of the Gospel out of the World 1. In respect of the Wrong and Injury they would do the World thereby if they could effect it 2. Their Inability to accomplish it IV. Hence we may infer the Necessity of labouring whilst it is day we know not how soon our Sun may set and we are not sure of another The Lord thus threatens the Prophets that cause the People to err I will cause the Sun to go down at Noon c. Which Judgment the Lord God in Mercy deliver England from Christ the Root of David Rev. 22.16 I am the Root and Off-spring of David c. THere is a great and glorious Mystery in these Words many understand not how Jesus Christ should be the Root and yet the Off-spring of David This Text agrees with those Words of our Saviour If David called him Lord how then is he said to be his Son They understood him not Christ as he is God is David's Lord and the Root of David but as he is Man he is his Off-spring and hence elsewere called the Branch Christ is and may fitly be called and compared to a Root The Root of 1. Grace 2. Glory Metaphor I. A Root is that from whence the Tree and Branches do proceed II. A Root is a thing hidden in the Earth and not obvious or visible to the Eye III. A Root hath Life nay 't is the Center of Life the Life of any Tree or Plant is principally in the Root IV. The Root beareth the Body of the Tree and all the Branches thereof V. The Root communicates Sap and Nourishment unto the Body and all the Branches thereof VI. The Body and Branches have a necessary dependance on the Root VII There is much Life and Sap in the Root when the Tree and Branches seem dead dry and sapless VIII As is the Soundness and Firmness of the Root of a Tree the more sound firm and stable is the Tree it self with the Branches thereof these being likely to endure when those that have no Root fall away IX The Root is best secured of any part of the Tree being excellently fortified by Nature in the Earth X. Those that would utterly destroy the Tree strike at the Root XI The Root communicates of the same Life and natural Virtue to the Tree and Branches Parallel I. FRom the Lord Jesus Christ the Root of David all Believers do proceed I am the Vine ye are the Branches See Christ the true Vine II. The Deity or Divine Nature of Jesus Christ is a hidden thing cannot be seen with mortal Eyes Christ's Glory was vailed under Afflictions Reproaches Poverty c. as a Root is under the Earth III. In the Lord Jesus Christ is Life He is called the Way the Truth and the Life As the Father hath Life in himself the Son also hath Life in himself Life is in Christ as Sap is in the Root of a Tree IV. The Lord Jesus Christ this Root bears up his Church and every Member thereof V. The Lord Jesus Christ conveys Sap and Nourishment to all his Church and every particular Believer or Branch thereof hence he is called our Life VI. The Saints and Church of God have the like dependance on the Lord Jesus Christ Without thee we can do nothing VII There is much Sap and Life in Jesus Christ for the Godly when oft-times they seem like withered and dry Branches VIII The Goodness Firmness and Soundness of this Divine Root the Lord Jesus Christ shews us the very happy stedfast and secure State of the Church This Root cannot fail nor decay and consequently the Church and People of God shall endure and stand against all the Storms and Blasts of the Devil Antichrist and all wicked Enemies IX The Lord Jesus Christ is secured from Hurt and Danger whilst his Church is daily exposed thereunto being hid in God as it were You are dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God X. The Devil 's grand Design being utterly to destroy all the Godly struck most furiously at Jesus Christ the blessed Root XI Christ communicates of his Spirit and Divine Nature to his Church If the Root be holy even so are the Branches Be ye holy even as I am holy He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Metaphor I. NAtural Roots
satisfying Fruit no other Fruit can satisfy not only good for Food but choice and satisfying Food 5. There is store of Fruit on this Tree see how the Tree hangs the Boughs thereof are wonderfully loaden the Plenty is great in this 't is like the Tree spoken of by Daniel 6. It s Fruit is lovely and delightful to the Eye do not the Looks of these Apples invite you 7. It s Fruit is durable cannot corrupt nor decay 8. 'T is the Tree of Life Eat of this Fruit and thou shalt not dye but live for ever Such are past from Death to Life and shall not come into Condemnation Joh. 5 2â—â— 9. 'T is Fruit that those that eat thereof shall be made wise by it 10. It yields a sweet Smell comforting under Faintness 11. It is medicinable the Fruit of this Tree will purge out the evil Venome and horrid Poison that came into our Natures by old Eve's eating of the forbidden Fruit contrary to the Command of God 12. It s Shadow is most excellent for refreshing it gives great Consolation yea the greatest Consolation to poor fainting wearâ—â—ed Souls that willingly sit down under this Tree 1. He shelters from the scorching heat of God's Wrath due for Sin 2. He shelters or is a Covert from the hurt and heat of Persecutors or Rage of such 3. 'T is a delightful Shadow Refreshing to the weary Soul and in a troublsome Land a sweet Resting-place 4. 'T is a Shadow that yields full Content and Satisfaction I sat down in the Text signifies her acquiescing there or making her Abode under the same she desires no better nor no other Happiness seeks noâ—â— to Angels to Saints nor to her own Works 1. I sat down with Delight now this Delight is neither carnal nor sinful but 't is spiritual 2. 'T is great Delight which the Church has even ravishing Joy 3. 'T is abiding and lasting Delight increasing it will be more and more as it is said of the Light of the Righteous it shines more and more to the perfect Day 4. This Delight is an Earnest of that Delight which the Soul shall have in Heaven 5. 'T is a compleat and perfect Shadow it answers all Needs a Shadow for the Head Heart and every part and at all times From hence we infer 1. What great cause have we to admire the Goodness of God tho he denied us in Adam to eat of that Tree of Life after the Fall yet hath he provided us another Tree of Life to make us immortal 2. What Fools are all those who refuse to eat and live for ever 3. Let us also learn from hence when we are faint and weary to seek to none but Christ the Tree of Life for Refreshment 4. How happy are Believers who sit under the Shadow of Christ's Protection his Ordinances and Divine Doctrine Christ an Embassador Mal. 3.1 And the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come into his Temple even the Messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in c. THe Words Embassador Legate or Messenger are synonimous Terms properly such as are commission'd or deputed betwixt distant Parties to transact Affairs of moment The Term is applied to Christ who is the Angel Messenger or Embassador of the Covenant who not only transacted but compleated the Work of Redemption thereby reconciling God and Man who were before at variance and Enmity Which shall be further manifested in the following Parallel Metaphor I. AN Embassador or Messenger of Peace is an honourable Person and usually a great Favourite to the King II. An Embassador is a wise Person skilled in State-Affairs and knows how to adjust National Differences or to make up a Breach or Breaches that may be between one Kingdom and another III. An Embassador must be of known Integrity and Faithfulness as well as of Ability great Trust being reposed in him IV. An Embassador is appointed and made choice of to this great Employment and Place of Trust by the determination and decree of the King V. A Person that is chosen to go an Embassador must accept of the Place and Work before he takes his leave of the Court. VI. An Embassador is entrusted with Matters of great weight and moment things that concern Peace and War the Weal and Wo of Kingdoms and Nations VII An Embassador as he is chosen and entrusted with Matters of great consequence so likewise that he might be invested with a Legal Power he receives a special Commission from the Prince or State he represents which does authorize him to that Work and Office VIII An Embassador having received his Commission leaves his own Kingdom and goes into that Country to which his Prince hath ordered him there to negotiate the Affairs that are committed unto him IX An Embassador of Peace represents the Person of the Prince or State that sent him so that the same Honour and Dignity or Indignity that is shewed to him is shewed thereby to the Sovereign whom he represents And it is easy to guess how much they esteem the Prince by the Respects they pay to his Embassador X. An Embassador is strictly tied to the prescribed Rules Precepts and Directions which are delivered to him and doth not must not proceed contrary unto them XI An Embassador is oftentimes sent to prevent or put an end to War that thereby great Effusion of Blood Ruin and Desolation might be stopp'd and prevented XII An Embassador offers Terms or makes Proposals to the adverse Party thereby finally to conclude and make a lasting Peace XIII An Embassador that hath a tender Heart is greatly grieved when he sees his Mediation and merciful Terms of Peace to be slighted and rejected and from the consideration of the woful Misery and Calamity that is like to follow he is the more importunate using many Arguments to cause Compliance XIV An Embassador hath many Servants or a great Retinue waiting upon him and is a Person deserving much Honour in discharging his Trust with very much Awe and Fidelity to his Prince XV. An Embassador hath Power given him to ratify and confirm Articles of Peace between Kingdoms and Nations who are at variance that so there may be Commerce between them in future Times XVI A faithful Embassador is received with abundance of Joy at his return home and is highly preferr'd as a Testimony of great Favour for his Works sake XVII An Embassador not having success in his Business in bringing the Adversary to amicable Terms of Peace and Reconciliation many times against those Nations or People that refuse bloody War is proclaimed and great Desolation follows XVIII An Embassador is oftentimes an Instrument to save Thousands and Ten Thousands of Souls from Death and Kingdoms from Fire Sword and Destruction and thereby he raises Trophies to his Fame and Glory Parallel 1. CHrist the Embassador or Messenger of the Gospel of Peace is a most noble honourable and renowned Person Lord of Lords most excellent in Worth and Dignity one near-allied
between Christ and the Church as the Foundation is Holy Divine and Spiritual excellent in Nature and Form so is the House or Temple of God XI The Lord Jesus Christ doth not only bear the weight of the whole Church but also all that appertain to it all the Pillars Braces under-props and supports viz. the Prophets Apostles Ministers c. that are called Pillars in the House of God He bears up the Covenant the Covenant stands firm in him I have saith God made a Covenant with my Chosen He is the Mediator and Surety of it all the Precepts of God are built upon him He is the Foundation of every Ordinance Appointment and Institution of the Gospel What ever any Man preaches or practises for Doctrine or Discipline that hath not its Rise Ground and footing from Christ the Foundation it ought to be cast away and utterly rejected and abominated as altogether unfit for Gods Building All the Promises are built upon him To Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made not to Seeds as if many but to thy Seed which is Christ all the Promises are in him yea and in him Amen c. Union and Reconciliation with God are founded on Christ 't is he who hath made Peace by the Blood of the Cross. When we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Justification Sanctification Righteousness and Redemption Vocation all are built upon him they all have their Rise and Foundation from Christ. Moreover Pardon of Sin and Peace of Conscience are from him Woman thy Sins are forgiven thee go in Peace My Peace I give unto you All Duties of Religion are built upon Christ it is he that hath commanded every thing that is to be done by us whether it respects the first or second Table all is to be done in Christ's Name by his Authority and in his Strength and by the help of his Spirit and to his Praise and Glory Faith Love Hope yea every Grace and all Gifts of the Holy Ghost which adorn the Soul and House of God are from Christ they are purchased by him and do flow from him to us by the Spirit Again the Ministry is from him he is the great Subject of Gospel-Ministration We preach Christ crucified c. The Efficacy of all is from him he gives the Encrease Lastly Eternal Life is built upon him This is the Record that God hath given to us Eternal 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 1 Joh. 5.11 12. METAPHOR I. OTher Foundations are laid with many Stones joyned and cemented together II. Other Foundations are laid of sensless breathless Stone or Brick things that are natural things that are terrestrial congealed into a massy lump or artificially made and prepared III. Other Foundations many times decay and by that means the whole Building is in danger and tumbles down IV. Other Foundations are laid by some Man for as Man builds the House so he it is that first lays the Foundation thereof V. Other Foundations are laid of Stones of little Value and Worth comparatively the Foundation of a House is not laid with precious Stones as Jasper Saphyr Beril Jacinth Amythist Diamond c. VI. A Foundation is often removed fault being found with it and another laid in the room of it a Man may remove a Foundation which he hath laid at his pleasure or may lay more Foundations than one VII Other Foundations may be shaken an Earthquake may remove them out of their place VIII Other Foundation cannot preserve the House that is built upon it that may be totally demolished and destroyed and yet the Foundation may remain Disparity I. THis Foundation is but one whole entire Stone which adds to the Strength and Firmness of it Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone not Stones nothing besides Christ nothing of our own must be built upon as a Foundation for Salvation II. Christ is a living lively and active Spirit hence called a living Stone disallowed indeed of Men he created the Stones and Dust of the Earth as God he hath his Being of himself and from everlasting not made nor created III. Christ being a living Stone in whom is Spirit and Life doth not cannot decay and by this means the Church of God and every particular Soul that is built upon him stands sure he transforms the Building into his own nature and so keeps and preserves it from Rottenness and all manner of Decays whatsoever Living things do not rot nor putrifie as other things do And as the Body by Joynts and Bands from the Head hath Nourishment ministred and knit together groweth and encreaseth in Strength and Beauty so is it with the glorious Body the Church and Soul of a true Believer that is joyned to Christ this blessed Head and living Foundation Because I live ye shall live also IV. Christ is laid as a Foundation for us and in our Souls by the Father 't is God's Act and not our own Behold I lay in Zion c. Who can lay Christ for a Foundation but God He was first laid by God in his Decree and then he laid him by the Prophets and Apostles And lastly by the Spirit also is he laid in the Hearts of Believers Christ is infinite How can a finite Hand or Power move an infinite Being or Thing God first removes or razes by his Spirit all other Foundations he takes of Man's hopes off Heaven by his own Works Legal Conviction Tears Humiliations Vows Covenants Resolutions c. and in the place and room of all lays Christ crucified as the ground of Hope and Happiness Hence is all Boasting excluded and Salvation wholly of Grace See Mr. Tillinghust Christ the only Foundation V. Christ the Spiritual Foundation is a precious Stone to whom coming as to a living Stone disallowed indeed of Men but chosen of God and precious Christ is not a common Stone but a choice rich Stone a Stone of inestimable Value and Price Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone elect and precious This sets forth the Excellency of a Foundation and not only so but it adds a Lustre and Glory to the House which is built upon it The Foundation of New Jerusalem is said to be laid with all manner of precious Stones and then you read of the Excellency of the Superstructure the Building of the Wall was Jasper and the City was of pure Gold O how glorious must that City needs be that hath such a Foundation as Christ is and not only so but how durable also are some precious Stone The Diamond is the hardest Stone it cuts Glass there is nothing as Naturalists say can break it Jesus Christ makes Impression on the hard hearts of Men by his Graces O then how safe must it of necessity be for us to
come to have our Sins forgiven 't is he that gives us a Heart to ask it and a Hand to receive it Is Christ All to thee in respect of every Grace He gives Faith 't is he that is the Author and Finisher of it 't is he that sheds Love abroad in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost All Grace is treasured up in him all Grace is communicated to us through him Is he all to thee in the Ministry of the Word 't is Christ that is preached 't is he that gives Grace to preach and opens the Ear to hear the Word preached and helps the Soul to receive the Word Is Christ all to thee in Ordinances The Lord's Supper holds forth his Death his Body broken and his Blood shed He is the sum and substance of it Baptism shews his Burial and his Resurrection In Ordinances or Duties art thou not satisfied unless thou meetest with Christ Jesus 9. Art thou willing to accept of Christ as the Father offers him Art thou willing to have him to be thy Prince as well as thy Saviour to destroy thy Sin as well as to save thy Soul 10. Dost thou long to be like him art thou willing and desirous to be holy as to be happy to live to him here as well as to live with him hereafter Is every thing in Christ or that belongs to Christ precious to thee V. Reproof This reprehends those that lay aside and would build without this precious Corner-Stone Who they are see Metaphor Christ the Foundation VI. Labour to esteem and highly value Jesus Christ. What are all things without him If he is not precious to thee nay thy All all thy profit by him at last will be nothing at all what wilt thou do at Death Qu. Some may say What shall we do to get Christ to obtain him who is so precious 1. Let thy Sins go 2. Let all thy Righteousness go in point of dependence do not trust to that 3. Let all Consultations with Flesh and Blood go and close immediately with Christ. 4. Improve the Means of Grace God is pleased to afford thee attend upon the Ministry of the Word Lastly Here is comfort to all true Believers you that have Christ have all and let me tell you you can never have less than all for this precious Stone can never be taken away from you you having made the blessed Choice that one thing needful with Mary Christ the Wonderful Counsellour Isa. 9.6 And his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour c. COuncellour is a word of a double Signification respecting two ranks of Men. 1. Such as appertain to the high Courts of Princes called Counsellors of State 2. Such as appertain to the high Courts of Judicature who are called Counsellors at Law These two Ranks of Men have their proper Work and Business peculiarly appropriated to them c. The first of these Ranks of Men are in Councel with the King to make and establish Laws therefore called Elders or Senators c. 2. The proper Work and Business of the second Rank or Order of Men is to unfold and plead Law therefore called Barresters or Counsellors c. Many things belonging to each Station do very fairly agree to the Son of God who therefore is not unfitly called Wonderful Counsellor c. Wonderful because the greatest and wisest that ever was Counsellor because his Place Work and Circumstances agree thereto as appears in these following Considerations Counsellour I. SOme Councellors are of a noble Extraction well descended which gives them Advantage above others Such have a double Advantage 1. In respect of Honour 2. In respect of Education Men basely or meanly born and descended are seldom or never advanced to the Honour of Counsellors in the highest Courts especially of Parliaments II. A Counsellor is brought up to useful Learning for so great an Employ or Office Men who are illiterate being unfit for it III. A Counsellor is a Man of Worth otherwise unfit for that Function or to appertain to any Court IV. A Counsellor of State is or ought to be a Man of an high and heroick Spirit not concerned about Triffles and things of an inferior Nature but mostly taken up with the more weighty and more considerable matters of the Law V. A Counsellor of State is chosen to that high Sphere and Dignity he comes not in of himself but by choice VI. A Counsellor of State is admitted into the Kings Court takes his place at the Council-Table and his chief Business lies there VII A great and wise Counsellor of State is made acquainted with the most secret Purposes of the King himself without whose Counsel and Consent there is nothing acted nor brought to light VIII A Counsellor of State is one who is thought worthy to be the Kings Familiar and Companion IX A Counsellor of State is one of the highest Ranks of Men none above him but the King himself X. A Counsellour of State is concerned in the agitating of Great Affairs such as immediately concern the King and the good of all his Subjects as the issuing out of Proclamations and the approving of other Ministers to be imployed in the King's Business XI A wise worthy and good Counsellor of State tho he be a Subject and Favourite to the King yet he is a great Glory to a Kingdom and it is the more respected for his sake I. A Counsellor at Law is a publick Officer belonging to a Court of Judicature II. A Counsellor at Law gives Advice and Councel from whence he derives the Denomination of being called a Counsellor III. A Counsellor at Law makes known the Law to those that are ignorant or unlearned he being the Mouth as it were of the Law IV. A Counsellor at Law resolves doubtful Cases which other Men cannot V. Counsellours at Law make Conveyances of Estates and most Men think these Conveyances not sufficient unless made by such able Men as they VI. Counsellours at Law have great respect amongst Men especially those who do most need them and make use of them VII A Counsellour at Law puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Party which is on the Adversaries side VIII A Counsellor at Law makes Contracts in great and weighty Cases between Parties IX A Counsellor at Law discovers Flaws in Evidences to undeceive the over-credulous X. A Counsellor at Law is of general use to Men since their tempers have been corrupted their manners vitiated and a necessity of multiplying Laws to correct them c. XI A Counsellour at Law is a Pleader of Causes which is none of the least part of his work Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is of an high and sublime Extraction well descended according to the Flesh of the Blood Royal of the Lineage and Stock of David the King of Israel and in respect of his Diviniâ—â—y the eternal Son of God Possessor of Heaven and Earth He is Lord of the Angels and King of Saints and
day the things thou belong to thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes O Jerusalem Jerusalem Why what 's the matter An Enemy is at hand Ruine is at the door Why will you die O House of Israel Now 't is to England yea to London O that they would once hear Christ's Calls before it is too late and the things that concern their peace be hid from their eyes c. V. The Lord Jesus stands with his Arms and Heart open ready to receive all true penitent Sinners that come unto him I have spread out my Hands all the day long c. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you Rest c. VI. The Lord Jesus hath such Bowels of Pity and Compassion to sinful Mankind that he would have none of them perish But come to the Knowledg of the Truth and be saved How desirous is he to get them all under his Wings of Grace and Protection Turn ye turn ye why will ye dy O House of Israel turn and live saith the Lord How often would I have gathered thy Children together c. VII The Lord Jesus calls to Sinners that they may have the Bread of Life Ho every every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters c. Eat ye that which is good yea the Bread that never perisheth Christ gives Bread that never perisheth VIII All sin-sick and diseased Souls that are weak and hang down their Heads or their Wings and go drooping all the day as it were half dead no sooner are they got under the Wings of Christ but he graciously succors and refreshes them making them brisk and very lively IX Christ out of his infinite Bowels to his People finding no other Meat was so good and excellent for them gave them Food from Heaven even his own Body My Flesh is Meat indeed c. Simile I. THe Hen cannot save and defend her Chickens under her Wings when she hath gathered them to her being a poor weak inconsiderable Creature II. The Hen when her Chickens are grown up cares not for them she will 't is noted rather strike at them and beat them from her III. The Hen loses often-times her Chickens the Kite gets them away from her and makes a Prey of them IV. A Hen soon forgets her Chickens which she hath bred and brought up Disparity I. THe Lord Christ is strong and able to save hide and defend all his People that come to him under his Wings being the most High Omnipotent Eternal Jehovah The Father and I am one He thought it no Robbery to be equal with God II. Our Blessed Saviour will never cease to take care of and provide for his poor Children his Eye is as well upon the oldest and strongest Christians as upon the weakest and youngest Cast all your Care upon him for he careth for you c. III. The Lord Jesus Christ cannot will not lose one of them that the Father hath given him those that thou hast given me I have lost none but the Son of Perdition c. I give them Eternal Life and they shall never perish c. IV. Christ never can nor will forget his Saints Can a Woman forget her Sucking Child that she should not have Compassion on the Son of her Womb yea she may but I will not forget thee Inferences I. WHat great Encouragement doth this Similitude afford to all yea to the vilest of Sinners O what Compassion is there in Christ's Heart towards you how willing is he to gather you to himself II. It also informs us of that great Blindness and horrid Obstinacy which is in the hearts of wicked Men How often would I have gathered Israel and they would not be gathered I would but ye would not How dare Sinners then to charge their eternal Overthrow Perishing and Ruine upon the Lord Jesus Christ Know O Sinner thy destruction is of thy self III. It also truly informs us that all Safety and Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Under his Wings we must get if we would be secure from the Enemy of our Souls and be delivered from eternal danger Vnto Him shall the gathering of the People be IV. Of what amazing nature was the great Condescension of the Blessed JESUS who made himself of no Reputation became weak poor and sensible of our Infirmities touching the Flesh that we might be strong rich and partake of his Perfections and Glorious Fulness V. Here is also very much Comfort to all true Believers whoever they be that are gathered by the Word and Spirit unto Christ He will succour guide revive and defend them for ever He infinitely out-doth the Hen his Bowels exceed the Bowels of the tenderest Mother to her sucking Child He is strong enough also as well as tender not only willing but able Fear not Satan he hath swallowed up Death in Victory The Kite hath as one observes as it were an aking tooth at the Chickens fain would he make a prey of them so would the Devil of Believers Christ knows how to preserve them by gathering them all under his Wings Soul fear not if thou art under the Protection of the Lord Jesus Christ thou art in safety from all temporal and spiritual dangers VI. If Christ be so tender and compassionate unto Sinners and seeks to gather them unto him who will pity them if they perish at last and are damned when all is from their own vile stubborn and wilfull Obstinacy VII If the Lord Jesus Christ be so tender of and kind to his Saints which he hath gathered to himself and sheltered under his Wings Then let this Doctrine teach Christians in an especial manner to be kind one to another and tender one of another and to do their utmost endeavour to defend one another in this evil day from the common Enemy both of Body and Soul VIII This may serve for seasonable Reproof to all those who profess the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and hope for Preservation by him and Shelter under his Wings yet instead of endeavouring to the utmost to help one another revile backbite and persecute one another for small and circumstantial Differences in Profession and thereby give the common Enemy Advantage upon them both A divided House cannot stand Christ the Captain of our Salvation Heb. 2.10 To make the Captain of our Salvation perfect through Sufferings THis is a military Term the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Captain being derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to lead and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also a Captain derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Beginning Chief or Government denoting in a borrowed sense from Military Commanders the Rule Dominion and Principality of Christ over all and that he leads his Spirtual Militia safe through all Perils in their Christian Warfare Being to enter upon a Military Subject and
Smoak perfumed with Myrrh and Frankincense with all the Powders of the Merchant We read of the sweet Scent of the Church but how comes she to smell so rarely but from the Communication of the sweet Graces of Christ to her Sinners are very unsavoury until this Myrrh-Tree has dropp'd upon them II. Christ is the richest and purest Perfume Heaven and Earth can afford none so sweet How fragrant is he in the Nostrils of God the Father He even ravishes the Senses of Angels and Saints makes us and all our Duties as sweet Odours unto the Father III. Christ hath in him a preserving Quality or Power were it not for that Life he has communicated to us and the rest of Mortals how soon would our Bodies rot But in a special manner he preserves our Souls Sin is of a rotting stinking and putrifying Nature compared to a Leprosy and filthy Sores now if Christ did not drop daily a little of his Myrrh I mean the Grace of his Spirit into our Souls how loathsom should we soon become IV. Jesus Christ makes every Believer beautiful they have no Comeliness but what he has put upon them 'T is he that makes their Faces to shine who takes away every Spot and Wrinkle and presents them a perfect Beauty in the Father's sight by imputing and imparting of Righteousness unto them through Faith V. Christ the true Christ of God is not easily known to the ignorant many take a false Christ for the true Christ. Some are so blind that they think the Light which is in every Man the Light of natural Conscience is the Christ of God and Saviour of the World VI. Jesus Christ hath many medicinal Virtues By his Stripes we are healed He dries up all evil and offensive Rheums makes Prayer the Breath or Breathings of the Soul savoury clears the â—â—oice and helps our Infirmities by which â—â—eans we pray more elegantly and fervenâ—â—y in the Spirit takes away all Impediments so that our Prayers are heard and accepted by the Father VII The Spirit of Christ and Graces thereof are compared to Oil He is the Myrrh-Tree from whence the Divine Oil flows wherewith the Ministers and Saints of God are more or less anointed See Oil of Gladness 1. In Christ is abundance of Divine Sweetness not a Sprig or two but a great Bundle not two or three Grains but a Bag filled with it or a Bundle of heavenly Myrrh 2. Whatever is good in Christ is laid up safe Believers may waste or lose much of the Grace of Christ in them but none of that which is bound up in this sacred Bundle can be lost METAPHOR I. MYrrh has some Dregs in it tho never so purely refined II. Other Myrrh may be bought for Money III. Other Myrrh will lose its Virtue if kept over-long IV. The Myrrh-Tree doth not always drop this Gum distills but at certain Seasons of the Year Disparity I. IN Christ is no Dregs no Sin nothing but what is invaluably precious II. All the Riches of both the Indies can't purchase one drain of this Divine Myrrh III. Christ's Virtue is ever the same IV. Christ the spiritual Myrrh-Tree is always dropping Application 1. CHrist is a precious Jesus and saving Grace worth the prizing 't is like to sweet-smelling Myrrh 2. What a Mercy is it to have our spiritual Senses so exercised as to discern between things that differ 3. What Eyes do they see with that despise and slight Jesus Christ This Bundle of Myrrh this Rose of Sharon this Lilly of the Vallies is not so much regarded by the most of Men as a Bundle of Thorns and Briars 4. You that love a sweet Smell here is a precious Perfume for your unsavoury Souls Notwithstanding all your rare Gums Odors and fragrant Flowers Spices and choice Powders you will smell ranck and unsavoury in the Nostrils of God if you have not this Bundle of Myrrh to perfume your Souls and Services 5. If Believers receive all their Graces and Sweetness from Christ let them make grateful Acknowledgments thereof to Him Christ the Saints Wedding-Garment Mat. 22.11 12. And he said unto him Friend how camest thou hither not having a Wedding-Garment c. THIS Text is part of the Parable of the Marriage Mat. 22. And the Word Parable is thus expounded by Jerome Tom. 3. Epist. 51. ad Algasiam q. 6. p. 359. Parabola hoe est Similitudo quae ab eo vocatur quod alteri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hoc est assimilatur quasi umbra praevia Veritatis est A Parable that is a Similitude so called because it is like another thing and is as it were a previous shadow of Truth The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to compare or liken it answers to the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mashal In the New Testament it signifies an Enigmatical or Allegorical Comparison c. For further account the Reader is referred to the Place where we treat of Parables The Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Wedding-Garment is borrowed from a custom among the Ancients where every Guest at that Solemnity was arrayed in a Habit peculiar only to such Feasts and such as wanted it were accounted Intruders viz. such as without any Right thrust themselves in Now in this Parable all Orthodox Expositors affirm that by the King ver 2. we are to understand JEHOVAH by his Son the Messiah by his Servants the Ministers of the Gospel by such that found pretences of Absence worldly-minded Persons that prefer their temporal Pleasures before Grace and true Religion by the Invitation of the Guests the calling of the Gentiles c. by him that wanted the Wedding-Garment Hypocrites or such as have not put on Christ spiritually that is are not clothed with his Righteousness by Faith whose doom is damnation ver 13. All the best Expositors agree by the Wedding-Garment is intended Christ's Righteousness or Imputed Righteousness which is put on the Soul by Faith for Justification For the further demonstration hereof see the following Parallel METAPHOR I. THe use and necessity of Garments came in by the Fall Adam in Innocency had no need of them II. Garments are to cover Nakedness that Shame and Deformity may not appear to others for this reason did our first Parents sew Fig-leaves together to cover themselves and from hence God afterwards made them Coats of Skins c. III. Garments differ much in Worth and Excellency we read in Scripture of filthy Garments and likewise of glorious Apparel IV. Garments are for Ornament they set off natural Excellency making Men and Women appear very lovely and amiable in the eyes of others V. Garments are of great Utility in respect of Defence they secure us from many Hurts and Dangers which naked ones are exposed to they are Munimenta Corporis they are as light Armor to the Body in the Winter they save the Body from peircing Cold
other Stars is fixed in its Orb wherein it performs a constant Motion IX The Morning Star gives most Light just before break of Day X. It is the Opinion of some that the Morning Star doth send forth very blessed Influences upon those Bodies that are under its Dominion XI The Morning Star doth chiefly govern pleasant and delightful Plants XII The Morning Star is accounted the master Planet for Moderation said to cause gentle Storms in Winter and moderate Heat in Summer XIII The Morning Star is said to be the cause of Beauty XIV The Morning Star doth most Service in Winter because the greatest part of that Season is Night and Darkness XV. The Morning Star hath an honourable Name it is called the Son of the Morning XVI The morning Star is known to be the Evening Star as well as the Morning Star and in both respects is useful to the World XVII The Morning Star tho it may be obscured by Mists Fogs Clouds and dark Vapors yet nothing can hinder its Course but it constantly keeps its Motion and Circle in the Heavens cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Power whatsoever Thieves and evil Men like not its Appearance yet cannot obstruct its Motion in the Firmament nor stop its Light from shining on the Earth XVIII The Morning Star as it hath those Properties and Excellencies already exprest so lastly it exceeds all other Stars for Brightness and Glory Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is a very solid Light whose Glory is not like others who have their Intermissions but he abides steady his Glory and Bright-shining is always alike his whole course of Life was as if it had been but one continued Act of Goodness He is the same in the Morning Noon and Night Yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 II. Jesus Christ he is the Harbinger of the great Joy to all Nations How joyful was that time when the Day-spring from on high did first visit us The People that sat in Darkness saw great Light and to those that dwell in the Vallies of the shadow of Death great Light is risen c. His coming was the fulfilling of God's gracious Promise unto the Fathers and as the blessed manifestation of God's rich Favour and good Will to Man he is also the Fore-runner or the Harbinger of that Dominion that the Just shall have in the Resurrection the morning of the longed-for Day The path of the Just is as a shining Light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 The upright shall have Dominion over them in the Morning The Night is far spent the Day is at hand This above all others is the day that the Lord hath made for good Men therein to rejoyce and be glad Psal. 118.24 III. Jesus Christ is not only an Ornament to the Christian Church and Profession far beyond what Moses was to the Jews but even to Heaven it self and the Holy Angels who did not a little rejoyce at his ascending into Heaven God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet sing Praises to our God sing Praises Psal. 47.5 IV. Jesus Christ is a very pleasant Object to Men that are spiritually inlightned therefore it is that they do ardently desire to be near him and with him where he is David tho he had not so clear a sight and prospect of this bright and morning Star as Men have under the Gospel yet that prospect he had made him use this pious Prayer O when shall I come and appear before God! Psal. 42.2 Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness c. Psal. 17.15 I have a desire saith Paul to depart and to be with Christ c. Phil. 1.23 Those that look for him do also cry Come Lord Jesus come quickly V. Jesus Christ is highly esteemed by all that sail Heaven-wards no steering the right Course without him He gives good Assurance to all that follow him they should not abide in Darkness but have the Light of Life The Following of Christ Jesus is the most certain way to avoid the Rocks the Sands and the Hands of all spiritual and temporal Enemies VI. Jesus Christ is really the most excellent and chiefest Light that ever God set in the Church Moses and the Prophets John Baptist and the three Beloved Apostles Peter James and John and Paul who was most eminent were shining Lights and glorious Stars who adorned the Profession of the Holy Gospel but in all things this Bright and Morning Star infinitely surpassed them in Splendor and Brightness VII Jesus Christ is a great Terror not only to wicked Men but wicked Angels to all that love Darkness more than Light they hate him and fear him they consulted against him and more times than once attempted to pluck this Star out of the Firmament that so they might walk in Darkness carry on their black Designs and Deeds without discovery Satan attempted his Destruction from the Pinacle of the Temple sets a Squadron of the black Regiment to resolve upon his Death knowing him to be the Fore-runner of the Day which Thieves and Robbers cannot endure Come let us kill the Heir c. They hate the Light come not to it lest their Deeds should be reproved They led him to the Brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong Luk. 4.29 The evil Angels thought he came too soon Why art thou come to torment us before the time VIII Jesus Christ is constant in his Orb or Station he is a Priest for ever a Prophet to guide for ever a King to govern for ever he leaves not his Office as inconstant Men do but makes good his Word as settled in Heaven And lo I am with you always to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee or leave thee to a forsaking IX Jesus gave a great Light unto the World by the Ministry of John by the Appearance of himself and by the Ministry of the Apostles and their immediate Successors But the greatest Light is reserved to the flying of the Angel through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel before the great and notable Day come wherein the whole Earth shall be lightned with his Glory both Jews and Gentiles shall acknowledg the Blessed Messiah Arise and shine for thy Light is come the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee The Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the Brightness of thy rising Isa. 60.1 3. The Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Hab. 214. X. Jesus doth send forth very blessed and sweet Influences upon the Bodies and Souls of Men that are under his gracious Rule and Dominion it is he who sends down the Holy Ghost If I go away I will send you another Comforter the Spirit of Truth c. Joh. 16.7 8. XI Jesus Christ tho all
THe People were stung with fiery Serpents and thereby mortally wounded II. Neither Moses nor the Law could cure the People that were stung with those fiery Serpents but the Brazen Serpent III. The Serpent of Brass was to be lifted upon a Pole IV. After many People died that were stung the Brazen Serpent was appointed to be lifted up as an Ordinance of healing V. A Serpent wounded and a Serpent healed The first that wounded had Poison in him but the second tho called a Serpent it was without Poison or Sting it had the Similitude of a Serpent but had no Venom VI. The Brazen Serpent was not forged by Man's Hand or Hammer but in a Mould in the Fire VII It was made of Brass and not of Gold which Metal besides that it is of a fiery Colour and so might resemble the colour of the Serpent it 's also strong and durable Is my Strength saith Job the Strength of Stones or is my Flesh of Brass VIII They that looked up unto the Brazen Serpent tho never so greivously wounded or stung yet were healed and saved from Death IX They who looked upon their Sores to and grievous Wounds and not the sign that was erected by God's Appointment died notwithstanding the Serpent of Brass X. If they sought to Chirurgeans or Physicians or used any Salves or Medicines of their own or others yet they perished XI The Brazen-Serpent was an unlikely thing or way to Human Reason to heal such deadly Wounds XII He that had a weak Eye or Eyes and yet look'd up to the Brazen-Serpent was cured XIII It was a wonderful means of Cure and undeservedly appointed by God of his meer Pity against the Merit of those Murmurers Parallel SInners are stung with Sin that is like the sting of a Serpent The poison of Asps is under their tongue Sin wounds the Soul My Wounds stink and are corrupt II. So neither the Law nor Levite nor any Creature could cure Mankind nor redeem them from the sting of Sin and Death but only Jesus Christ. III. So Christ was lifted up upon the Cross and is lifted up in the Ministry of the Word and the Ordinances of the Gospel and thereby in the hearts of Believers IV. So after Mankind sinned and was brought under Death Christ came by the appointment of God to dy and be crucified or lifted up upon the Cross to heal and recover us of our Wounds V. So saith Mr. Guild as the first Adam lost Mankind the second Adam redeemed Mankind The first had Sin and venomous Poison in him by means of his harkening to the old Serpent the second tho called a Sinner and made to bear our Sins and had the Similitude of of a sinful Man but yet without Sin VI. So Christ was not begotten by Man but conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin VII So was Christ sent not with outward Glory or worldly pompous Shew but mean and humble in outward Appearance Brass being strong c. in this respect it might figure out the Strength of Christ who is able by the power of the Godhead to endure and overcome all his Tribulations VIII So they who look up to Christ by a true Faith tho never such great Sinners shall be healed and saved from eternal Death By recovery of natural Lifeâ—â— in the Israelites was figured Eternal Life by Christ. IX So they who are bitten and grievously wounded with Sin if they fix their Eyes thereon and grieve and mourn in the sight of it and do not look unto Christ by believing they despair and dy eternally notwithstanding the blessed Saviour X. So whosoever seek to any for help but Christ or endeavour by their own Works or Reformation of Life to have Peace with God or trust to and rely upon the bare Mercy of God considering his Justice and do not come to Jesus Christ and look up to him as crucified to satisfy for their Sins are like to perish for ever Let the Men that talk of the Light within look to this XI So Christ crucified is to the Jews and many others in the World an unlikely way to save Mens Souls We preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a Stumbling-Block and to the Greeks Foolishness but unto them that are called Christ the Power of God c. XII So he that hath but a weak Faith yet looks up unto Christ shall be saved We read of three Degrees of Faith in the Gospel and yet the weakest obtained Help and Cure from Christ. First one comes to him and saith If I can but touch the Hem of his Garment I shall be whole The second saith Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me whole The third said If thou canst do any thing have compassion on us and help us One would think the last had no Faith at all it seemed so weak he questioned the Power of Christ. A weak Faith if true will justify and save the Soul as well as a strong Faith XIII So is the Death of Christ to sinful and rebellious Mankind an admirable Work of unmerited Mercy infinitely above what we deserved it was not only above but against our Merits God so loved the World c. Behold what manner of Love is this c. Type THe Brazen Serpent cured only the Wounds of the Body and saved thereby only from Temporal Death II. The Brazen-Serpent retained not always its Virtue to cure also it was not to be worshipped it was gross Idolatry so to do and when in the days of Hezekiah it came to be that way abused it was destroyed and broken in pieces Disparity CHrist cures all the Diseases and Wounds of the Soul and thereby saves from Eternal Death See Physician II. Christ the Anti-type of the Brazen-Serpent retains the like Virtue and Efficacy to save that ever he had ought to be worshipped is the same yesterday to day and for ever Inferences THis shews not only the Necessity of a Saviour but also of Faith in him None were healed but those that look'd up to the Brazen Serpent so no Man shall be saved but he that looks up by Faith to Jesus Christ. 1. Look up timely 2. Look up daily for Sin daily wounds thee 3. Look up with a fixed or single Eye Christ is All and in All. Col. 3.11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision nor Vncircumcision Barbarian Scythian Bond nor Free but Christ is All and in All. NOw to conclude with this second Head of Metaphors Similies Types Parables and other borrowed Terms concerning the Lord Jesus I may well infer from the whole of what hath been said That Christ is All and in All. The Words are a Proposition in which you have 1. The Subject But Christ. 2. The Predicate He is All and in All. Christ is All in all things that are necessary to Salvation and that to all Persons that do believe on him Christ is a
cause a Man to vomit it up by unfeigned Repentance by which means the Life of the Soul is preserved for if by the Operation of the Spirit Sin is not vomited up Death will certainly follow Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Luk. 13.3 For the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one to the other Gal. 5.17 IV. The Spirit of God will never mingle nor become one with the Flesh the Spirit is from above and ever endeavours to be uppermost in what Heart soever it is 't will not be under the command of Sin nor Satan Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh. V. The Spirit wonderfully revives comforteth and infuseth Spiritual Warmth and Heat into the Soul of a Believer when he is anointed with it and indeed nothing else will refresh enliven and warm the inward Man hence 't is compared to Fire and called the Spirit of Life and blessed Comforter VI. the Spirit cannot be dried up by the heat of Persecution nor the scorching beams of Satan's Temptations that will live and abide the same in the Souls of sincere Converts losing none of its gracious Influences and Operations And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that shall abide with you for ever Joh. 14.16 See Comforter VII The Spirit cleareth the Eyes of the Understanding 't is call'd Eye-salve and from hence the Apostle prayeth for the Ephesians That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory would grant them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of him That the Eyes of their Vnderstanding being enlightned they might know what was the hope of his calling c. Clouds and Mists of Darkness are upon the Eyes of all that have not received the Spirit so that they cannot behold things a far off VIII The Spirit of God is the only Remedy for all Obstructions of the inward Man those that scarce breath or pray at all by receiving a measure of the Spirit breath out freely their desire to Almighty God Likewise the Spirit helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit maketh Intercession c. No Man can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 IX The Spirit feeds the Soul yea it makes it fat and well liking nothing nourishes comparable to the Spirit the Word and Ordnances of God are but dry Bread to it this is the chief of those fat things full of Marrow by which God feasts and makes fat the Bones of his Saints X. The Spirit of God being received and lived upon the Abundance of the things of this World that have in them by means of Sin some hurtful and surfeiting Quality are made hereby very good and profitable to Believers but for want of the Spirit 's seasoning and sanctifying they become deadly and destructive to wicked Men their Table Bed and all they enjoy are made Snares to them Take heed to your selves lest at any time your Hearts be over-charged with surfeiting and Drunkenness and the Cares of this World c. Luk. 21.34 XI The Holy Spirit is of exceeding great use against all Tremblings and Convulsions of the Soul in evil Times it frees the Godly from all slavish Fears which shake some Men for want of it out of their Faith Honesty and Religion and it keeps sincere ones stedfast and imovable from being shaken by false Doctrine and lying Spirits which have troubled many with strange Convulsions Shakings and Tremblings in this Nation so that as my Author saith they have even foamed at the Mouth when Quakerism first came up amongst us XII The Holy Spirit is made use of by the Lord Jesus Christ our Heavenly High-Priest in cleansing the Leprosy of Sin he puts it into or upon every Faculty of the Inward Man the Will the Affection the Understanding the Conscience the Head the Hand the Heart the whole Soul is anointed therewith before it is pronounced clean by the Lord. I will put my Spirit within you and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness Now are you clean through the Word that I have spoken to you the Words that I have spoken to you they are the Spirit and the Life XIII The Spirit of God is that spiritual Oil that the Wise Virgins took in their Vessels and in their Lamps by which means they were accepted by the Bridegroom and the Foolish for want of it their Lamps of Profession went out and they not suffered to go into the Wedding-Chamber XIV The Holy Spirit hath an excellent beautifying Quality there is no scar spot nor deformity in the Soul but the Spirit can purge and cleanse it they that are anointed with this Oil shine in the Eyes of God and good Men 't will make a Blackmore white and beautifful fetches out those Wrinkles and foul-Staines and Spots that naturally are in the Souls of Men and Women it takes of Christ's Beauty and puts it upon the Soul and so places a shining Lustre upon the Inward Man Thy Beauty for it was perfect through my Comliness which I had put upon thee c. How glorious and beautiful to be hereby And all that sat in the Councel looking stedfastly on him saw his Face as did Stephen appear if it had been the Face of an Angel Acts 6.15 XV. There are some nay many Men in the World that love not like not the Spirit they are naturally so averse to it that they will not be perswaded to make trial of it they can't believe there is any Sweetness Benefit or Savour in it The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are Foolishness unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discern'd 1 Cor. 2.14 XVI The Spirit is good to strengthen the weak and decayed Hands and Knees of a poor Saint and thereby makes the Soul more fit for Motion Godwards lively quick agile and fit for Heavenly Service XVII The Lord Jesus was anointed with the Spirit that Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Moreover every Minister of the Gospel must be anointed therewith or he is not accepted of God METAPHOR OTher Oil is of an earthly Extract and several sorts of it are prepared and made fit for use by the Art and Wisdom of Man being extracted from earthly things II. There is not one sort of Oil that hath all kind of excellent Qualities in it that which may be good to beautify and of a dulciferous Scent may not be medicinable III. Oil will not last long its Virtue is soon gone it quickly decays and becomes unsavoury Disparity THe Spirit is from above and without beginning Flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. But the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of
METAPHOR AN Earnest among Men is usually a certain Sum either more or less of Gold or Silver which are but corruptible and earthly Things II. The best and greatest Purchase an Earnest among Men is given for consists but of temporal things that pass away and perish as all Sublunary Things do III. Sometimes among Men a Person who has given Earnest for such or such a Commodity does afterwards recant his Bargain IV. Sometimes the Purchaser loses his Earnest by flying from the Bargain and so never has the Inheritance V. Amongst Men the Earnest of an Inheritance is given by the Purchaser to the Seller and he expects something of equal worth for that he parts withal for it VI. An Earnest among Men is given by the Purchaser with an intent or design to advantage himself thereby 't is chiefly his own Interest and Profit which he aims at in this Action Disparity THe Earnest of the Saints Inheritance is of an inestimable value being of an heavenly and sublime Nature the holy blessed and eternal Spirit of God in the Operations Gifts and Graces thereof II. The holy Spirit is the Earnest of an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life III. There never will be any recanting about giving or receiving this Spiritual Earnest God will never repent that he gave his Spirit to his faithful Children it being bestowed upon them as the Result of his eternal Purpose in Jesus Christ. And Believers have no cause to recant their Bargain in yielding themselves up to God both Body and Soul all they are and are capable to do for the Glory of Free-Grace for their Gain will be unspeakable thereby Godliness is profitable to all things having the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come it is great Gain IV. God will never can never lose those Souls for whom he gave his Son as the Price of their Redemption and his Spirit as an Earnest to make sure of them My Father which gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hands V. The Spiritual Earnest is given by the Father upon the account of Christ's Purchase unto Believers The Lord Jesus bought the Inheritance and received the Earnest of it for us as Mediator who freely gives it to us out of his own good Will he bestows it upon us as an Assurance of the full possession of eternal Life VI. The Lord giving his Spirit as the Earnest of future Blessings designs 't is acknowledged his own Glory thereby but chiefly the Profit will be ours 'T was our Good our Advantage Christ designed and aimed at in dying for us and in giving his Spirit to us Inferences WHat admirable Grace and Favour is here Did God give Christ to die for us to redeem us from Sin and Wrath to come and did he receive the holy Spirit as Mediator to give it unto us the Earnest of that purchased Possession Let this be to the Praise of his Glory Christ purchases that we might possess Others purchase that they might inherit themselves and give Earnest to make sure the Estate to themselves but the Lord Jesus needed not to do so he was Heir from everlasting and all that he did as Mediator was for us to enrich and make us happy and blessed for ever 2. If God hath given to Believers the Holy Spirit as the Earnest of their Inheritance let them take heed they do not go about to defraud him of his Bargain They are not their own they are bought with a Price and they have consented to this holy Contract by taking an Earnest from his hand 'T is great Injustice to deprive or keep back any part of a lawful Bargain from the Buyer especially when he hath given Earnest for it 3. This shews what certain Hopes and good Assurances a godly Man hath of eternal Life 'T is bought or purchased for him 't is given by Promise to him the Promise is sealed nay more than this he hath received a Pledg or Earnest of it What little ground is there then for any Soul to despond or doubt of the eternal Inheritance The holy God deals with us after the manner of Men about the great Concerns of another World the bare Promise of God would be Security enough we need not require a Seal and an Earnest of him O how doth Divine Goodness condescend to poor Creatures that the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolation 4. From hence Believers may learn how to repell and withstand the Temptations of Satan Simon saith our Saviour Satan hath desired to have you c. But might not Simon and so consequently every true Christian say I am not mine own thou comest too late Satan I have received Earnest of a better Estate of a better Kingdom than thou hast I have given up my self to Jesus Christ and he hath taken possession of me by his Spirit that I might possess and enjoy him to Eternity 5. And let Sinners who would have an Interest in God and enjoy this eternal Inheritance learn from hence the ready way to come to it First They must believe The Saints that are sealed with the Spirit which is the Earnest of the purchased Inheritance are said to trust in God after they heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of their Salvation In whom saith the Apostle after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased Possession to the Praise of his Glory Secondly As they must hear attend upon the Word go out of themselves to Christ rely upon him and trust in him believe and receive the Record God hath given of his Son so they must submit to his Ordinances The Spirit is promised to those that keep his Commandments John 14.15 16. If this be done in Truth and Sincerity you shall certainly receive the Earnest of future Happiness as well as others 6. Those that would have a Trial of their Estates and Conditions who desire to know whether they have received the Spirit of God or not may read the Metaphor where the holy Spirit is compared to a Seal Nothing is more needful all may see from hence to make sure of the Spirit take heed you be not mistaken about it c. And let them that have received it live upon it Such need not fear wanting any good thing this Earnest-Penny will as hath been shewn already defray all their Charge whilst they are in this World 'T is a great Sum God gives like himself and answerable to that Inheritance prepared and purchased for Believers 7. What Fools are they that slight and despise this Earnest God offers Men in the Gospel everlasting Life and to assure them of it promises them if they will come to his
at his feet and he laid his Right hand upon me saying I am the first and the last Seventhly The gospel declares that Spiritual Worship or Divine Adoration doth appertain or belong to Jesus Christ which proves undeniably he is God Eternal and from Everlasting for that 't is Idolatry spiritually to adore and worship a Creature That Christ was and ought to be worshipped with the same worship that is due to the Father see Mat. 8.2 chap. 28.17 Luk. 24.52 Joh. 9.38 chap. 5.23 And again when he bringeth his first begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Eighthly The gospel shews Jesus Christ hath power to forgive Sins none have power to forgive Sins but God Ergo Jesus Christ is God Ninthly He to whom the Saints ought and do Pray is the most high God but the gospel shews the Saints do and ought to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ therefore he is the most high God Tenthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ had not only power to lay down his own life but also to take it up again destroy this Temple and in three dayes I will raise it up again but he spake of the Temple of his body This proves clearly his Divinity for who besides him that was God could give Resurrection to himself Eleventhly He that was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God and whom the Scripture calls Gods Fellow must needs be God blessed for ever but Jesus Christ was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God and is called Gods Fellow therefore he is God Twelfthly He that is the Object Author and Finisher of the true Believers Faith is God Eternal Blessed for ever Amen But Christ is the Object Author and Finisher of true Believers Faith Ergo. Thirteenthly He that hath Power to Baptize with and give the holy Spirit and the saving graces thereof is God But the Lord Jesus Christ hath power to Baptize with and give the holy Spirit Ergo He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and Fire when he ascended up on high he gave gifts to men c. Fourteenthly He who can in his own Name and by his own Power and Authority give power or priviledge to others to become the Sons of God must needs be God But the gospel shews that this power the Lord Jesus Christ hath Ergo He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as Received him to them gave HE power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed in his name He Adopts Regenerates and makes men and women Gods Children by the effectual workings of his own blessed Spirit in their hearts by which they are Interessed into all the Priviledges Promises and Blessings of the Covenant of Grace which none can do but God alone Fifteenth He that is the Believers life is God but Jesus Christ is the Believers Life therefore God Sixteen He that is Omnipresent must be God but the gospel shews the Lord Jesus is Omnipresent who can go out of Christs Presence Lo I am with you always to the end of the world Seventeen He that sees all things or before whom all things are naked and bare and hears all the Cryes and Prayers of his People in what place or corner of the earth soever they live is God But all this the gospel shews to be true of the Lord Jesus Christ Ergo. Eighteen He that is the Saviour of all the Elect and Chosen People of the Lord is God but Jesus Christ is the Saviour of all such and therefore God How often is he called our Saviour Neither is there salvation in any other His name shall be called Jesus Nineteen He that can and will Raise the Dead by his own power at the Last Day is God But Jesus Christ will raise the Dead by his own power at the last Day Ergo No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth c. Thus we have briefly shewed the gospel is glorious in respect of the Revelation that is made therein of the Lord Jesus First In respect of the excellency of his Person which we have shewed appears by his being Man Secondly By his being God which has been evinced Thirdly His glory and excellency consisteth in his being both God and Man truly Man and truly God in one Person Can Heaven and Earth make a Lovely and an Admirable Beauty O then Christ is he He is David's Root and David's Off-spring David's Lord and David's Son See Metaphor Branch and Root What Kind of Beauty and Perfections is the Beauty and are the perfections of our Lord Jesus Christ You have heard 't is the beauty of God the beauty of Man the perfection of those Beauties which are in God and Man But to answer this Question more distinctly 1. He is the original of all Beauties and Perfections of Beauty that is in Angels the Soul the Body the Face of a Man the Sun the Stars the Firmament c. 2. His Beauty is a desirable Beauty saw ye him whom my Soul loveth with my soul have I desired thee in the night One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever that I may behold the Beauty of the Lord and inquire in his Temple And hence he is called the desire of all Nations 3. 'T is holy and chast beauty there is no snare nor pollution in it Joseph was a beautiful Person but it was attended with a Snare here you may look and love and fear no danger 4. It is a Real beauty not a seeming beauty a paint on a wall What 's humane beauty to the beauty of the Son of God 5. Christs beauty is a soul ingaging beauty how did it make Moses to leave all Peter and John leave all who ever saw him and could forbear to Love him neglect all and follow him 6. It is a Communicative beauty he can transmit his beauty to the making others beautiful and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through the comeliness which I put upon thee c. 7. It is satisfying and delighting beauty it fills and contents each Soul to the full who beholds it 8. It is a mystical and hidden beauty carnal eyes can't see it they behold no beauty nor comliness in him to desire him 9. It is an admirable and wonderful beauty Angels in Heaven and Saints on Earth are amazed and stand astonished at the sight thereof 10. 'T is a lasting and never fading beauty The beauty of Mortals is like a
Because the Gospel holds Christ forth to be the store house of all Divine grace and blessings he is ordained to convey all spiritual Riches to his Church and to every Member thereof 3. To allure and engage souls to love him and close in with him how can any refuse such a friend reject such a Saviour that is so beautiful to look upon and also so exceeding Rich. 4. That it might leave all men and women without excuse in the great Day what will they have to say that reject such a Saviour that turn their backs upon such a Christ when they are called to answer in the Day of Judgment 5. To relieve the tempted Soul 6. To strengthen the Faith and chear the hearts of all that do believe in him Fourthly The gospel is glorious in respect of Christ the glorious Object of it as it reveals his glorious Power Power in Scripture is taken two manner of ways or it shews a twofold power in Christ. 1. A Commanding Power his power of Soveraignty or Regal power that which we call Authority 2. The power of working or effecting that which he would have done Some have power to command but want a power to Effect that which they command cannot accomplish what they would have done but what Christ commands he can do or cause to be done at his Pleasure 1. I shall shew that the power of Christ is a glorious power 2. Shew why Christ hath such power 1. Christ hath a commanding Power he hath great Authority he hath a Regal Power or Superiority over all 1. Over Angels 2. Over the Church 3. Over the Devils I will lay upon the shoulders of Eliakim the Keys of the house of David Isa. 22.22 Keys is a borrowed speech signifying Government and Legal Power Christ hath the Keys of David Rev. 3.7 All Power in Rule and Government in Commanding Forbidding Punishing Binding Loosing Damning Saving is in Christs hand See Christ the Head and Heir of all things Keys of Hell and Death signifieth Christs Regal power over the Devils and delivering up unto Death and Hell or keeping out of it Over men mighty men Kings of the Earth He is the only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords They are all his Subjects shall and must Submit to him 4. He hath an universal Power therefore glorious Power the Sun the Moon the Stars the Winds the Seas obey him 5. Christs Power is absolute he bears the Image of God he is God as you heard before None hath absolute power but God he doth what he pleaseth 6. Christs Power is Just therefore glorious in Power it is not a Might without Right 't is in him Essentially as God and is given to him as Mediator in the one Respect he derived it from none in the other sence he received it from the Father 7. Christs Power is Infinite he made the World he upholds the World therefore glorious in Power He could have made a Thousand Worlds can do beyond all that we can conceive or speak 8. Christs Power is glorious because he can bring all other Power to nought in a moment at his pleasure whether of Men or Devils 9. Christs Power is glorious Power in that it is everlasting Power Men may be powerful for a time but they may soon lose it must die and so cannot hold it long but Christ sits King for ever his power is from everlasting to everlasting of his Kingdom there shall be no end 10. Christs power is Dreadful he looketh upon the earth and it Trembles he can make all tremble before him who can Thunder like God 1. He has a glorious commanding Voice 2. A glorious restraining voice what is swifter than the Sun which he can stop in a moment 3. Glorious in his reproving voice Psal. 50.21 4. In his threatning voice Rev. 2.16 and Chap. 2.23 11. He hath a Glorious Victorious Conquering and Subduing Power he hath overcome Sin Devil Death Hell c. 12. Christs Power is Glorious because nothing is too hard for him to do nay nothing is hard for him to do he can do what he will with a word of his mouth 13. Christs Power extends not only over the Body but over the Soul also works mightily in us as well as for us and can do wonderful things by weak Instruments by foolish and contemptible ones in the eye of the VVorld VVhat mighty things did he do by a few poor Fishermen and others not accounted off 14. Lastly Nothing is hard for Christ to do tho' all the Devils of Hell and Men on Earth oppose and resist him I will work and who shall let it VVhy hath Christ as Mediator such great and glorious Power given to him 1. From the greatness of his work he is to accomplish 2. Because no Souls whatsoever Discouragements they meet with should despair in coming to him or in relying upon him 3. That he might be feared and dreaded by all yea that his very enemies might tremble before him 4. That he might be honoured and adored Honour belongs to Sovereignty Thirdly As the gospel is Glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. So likewise in Respect of the Holy Ghost the gospel shews the Spirit in himself to be a distinct living powerful intelligent Divine Person Not only a distinct self subsisting Person but also a participant of the Divine Nature not the chief of all created Spirits and so the head of all good Angels as some imagine but that he is uncreated truly and ready God coeternal with the Father and the Son This we shall speak a little unto together with his glorious work Office and Operations First The VVord of God holds forth and positively declares that the holy Spirit is in himself a distinct intelligent Divine Person and which ought to be believed concerning this great truth viz. the Diety and Personality of the holy Ghost may be seen in the ensuing Testimonies according as they are Collected to our hands by a Reverend Divine Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the spirit of his mouth Job 26.13 By his spirit he hath garnished the Heavens Psal. 104.30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit they are created Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Act. 1.16 That Scripture must needs hath been fulfilled which the holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake Act. 5.3 Peter said to Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the holy Ghost Ver. 4. Thou hast not lyed to man but to God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 12.11 All these worketh that one and the self same Spirit dividing to every severally man as he will And there are
for the Holy Ghost whereunto he might be exalted on the account whereof he might become God seeing this would acknowledge him to be a Person which they deny So he is called the Comforter Joh. 16 7. A Personal Appellation this is also and because he is the Comforter of all Gods People it can be the name of none but a Divine Person In the same place also it is frequently affirmed that He shall come that he shall and will do such and such things all of them declare him to be a Person Thirdly He hath Personal properties assigned unto him as a VVill. He divideth to every man severally as he will and understanding the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God As also the actings that are ascribed unto him are all of them such as undeniably affirm Personal Properties in their Principle and Agent For Fourthly He is the voluntary Author of Divine operations he of old cherished the Creation the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters He formed and garnished the Heavens he Inspired Acted and Spake in and by the Prophets well spake the holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet unto our Fathers The Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost He Regenerateth Enlighteneth Sanctifieth Comforteth Instructeth Leadeth Guideth all the Disciples of Christ as the Scriptures every where testifie Now all these are Personal Operations and cannot with any pretence of Sobriety or consistency with Reason be constantly and uniformly assigned unto a quality or vertue He is as the Father and Son God with the Properties of Omniscience and Omnipotence of Life Understanding and VVill and by these Properties workes acts and produceth effects according to VVisdom Choice and Power Fifthly The same regard is had to him in Faith VVorship and Obedience as unto the other Persons of the Father and Son For our being Baptized into his name is our solemn engagement to believe in him to yield obedience to him and to worship him as it puts the same obligation upon us to the Father and the Son So also in reference unto the worship of the Church he Commands that the Ministers of it be separated unto himself The holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them Acts 13.2 ver 4. So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost departed VVhich is comprehensive of all Religious VVorship of the Church And on the same account is he sinned against as Act. 5.3 4 9. for there is the same Reason of Sin and Obedience Against whom a man may sin formally and ultimately him he is bound to Obey VVorship and believe in And this can be no quality but God himself for what may be the sence of this expression thou hast lyed to the efficacy of God in his operations or how can we be formally obliged unto Obedience to a quality There must then an antecedent unto Faith Trust and Religious Obedience be supposed as the ground of rendering a Person capable of being guilty of Sin towards any For Sin is but a failure in Faith Obedience or VVorship These therefore are due unto the holy Ghost or a man could not sin against him so signally and fatally as some are said to do in the foregoing Testimonies I say therefore unto this part of our Cause as unto the other that unless we will cast off all Reverence of God and in a kind of Atheism which as I suppose the prevailing wickedness of this Age hath not yet arrived unto say that the Scriptures were written on purpose to decieve us and to lead us into mistakes about and misapprehensions of what it proposeth unto us we must acknowledge the holy Ghost to be a Substance a Person God yet distinct from the Father and the Son For to tell us that he will be our Comforter that he will Teach us Lead us Guide us that he spoke of old in and by the Prophets that they were moved by him acted by him that he searcheth the deep things of God works as he will that he appointeth to himself Ministers in the Church In a word to declare in places innumerable what he hath done what he doth what he sayes and speaks how he acts and proceeds what his will is and to warn us that we grieve him not sin not against him with things innumerable of the like nature and all this while to oblige us to believe that he is not a Person an Helper a Comforter a Searcher a Willer but a quality in some especial operations of God or his power and vertue in them were to distract men not to Instruct them and leave them no certain conclusion but this that there is nothing certain in the whole book of God And of no other Tendency are these and the like immaginations of our Adversaries in this matter Dr. Owen Secondly The Gospel is glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of the Spirit touching his glorious Works and Operations 1. The framing forming and miraculous Conception of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Womb of the Blessed Virgin was the peculiar and special work of the Holy Ghost This work I acknowledge in respect of designation and the Athoritative disposal of things is ascribed unto the Father for so the Lord Christ speaketh unto him A body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10.6 but this preparation doth not signifie the Actual Forming and making Ready of that body but the eternal designation of it was prepared in the Council and Love of the Father As to the voluntary assumption it is ascribed to the Son himself Heb. 2.14 For as much as the Children were partakers of flesh and blood he himself partook of the same He took unto him a Body and Soul entire humane nature as the Children or all Believers the same Synedochically expressed by flesh and blood ver 16. He took on him the Seed of Abraham But immediate Divine Efficiency in this matter was the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1.18 VVhen his Mother Mary was Espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found to be with Child of the holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 The Angel answered and said unto her the holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 1. The Person working is the holy Ghost he is the wonderful Operator in this glorious work and therein the power of the most high was exerted For the Power of the most High is neither explicatory of the former expression the holy Ghost as though he were only the power of the most High Nor is it adjoyning of a distinct Agent or Cause unto him as tho' the holy Spirit and the power of the most High were distinct Agents in this matter Only
shall mention is Reconciliation which is a glorious blessing what is more fully opened and held forth in the gospel than Reconciliation with the means and manner how and by whom accomplished which will appear 1. By Considering the parties Reconciled 2. By Considering the Nature of the breach that was between them 3. By Considering the means and manner how it is accomplished 4. By Considering the Fruits and Effects of it 1. Considering the Parties that were at Variance who by the gospel are Reconciled God and Man the infinite God the holy God and Man these were at Enmity 't is sad when a difference rises in a Family in a Congregation in a City in a Kingdom or between one Kingdom and another but much more sad is it to have God and sinners at Enmity Adam runs from God hides himself he knew God was now become his Enemy the word declares the Creature to be Gods Enemy whilst he stands in old Adam in the state of nature and you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds c. And then God declares himself to be the Sinners enemy he is angry with the wicked every day he is said to fight and war against them which plainly shews he is their Enemy But now what a glorious blessing is this to have these two Parties reconciled when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son You that were enemies in your minds by wicked works or as in the Margent by your minds in wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through Death Secondly Gospel reconciliation appears to be glorious reconciliation if we consider the nature of the breach that was between them 1. It was an old breach no sooner was man made but straitway he became an Enemy to God nay every Soul that comes into the world comes into it an enemy of God or in a state of enmity 2. 'T is so great a breach that all the Angels in heaven nor all the Saints on earth could not make up 3. It was such a breach that lays the Soul obnoxious to Gods fearful Curse 4. It is such a breach that makes the Creatures of God at enmity one with another and Mankind in danger of being Devoured by them and also hath set man one against another 5. It is such a breach that sets man against himself it hath caused his own Conscience to be his Enemy and to accuse and fight against him and condemn him If our Hearts condemn us God is greater c. 6. It is such a breach that unless made up will produce an eternal Separation from God depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devils and his Angels c. Thirdly 'T is glorious Reconciliation if we consider the means and manner how and by whom it is wrought about and accomplished every Person in the glorious Trinity hath a hand in it and are eminently concerned about it God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself All things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ c. The Lord Jesus the second Person is imployed we may see from hence as one fitly qualified to make up this dreadful Breach and in order thereunto he took our Nature on him There was a necessity of Christs coming to reconcile God and man God his Law and Justice was wronged and God was resolved to have this wrong made up and his Justice satisfied which none but Christ could do God was willing to be reconciled yet nevertheless he will wherein he was wronged be righted and have his Justice fully and compleatly satisfied Christ knew what would appease and satisfie both Law and Justice what he hath done hath infinite worth and efficacy in it this way tends most to glorifie God the Father the Son is glorified most this way the Spirit is glorified most this way and there was no way like this to melt the Sinners heart to abase him and lay him at the feet of God See Christ the Mediator c. 2. Christ doth not only reconcile God to the Creature but also reconciles the Creature unto God he undertakes to bring God near to Man and Man near to God whose heart is full of Sin and Enmity to his Maker and not subject to his Law he lays his hands upon both the first is done by his death Christ like Jonas is cast into the Sea as it were of wrath to make a Calm The second is done by the Spirit he breaks the heart changes the inward qualities and evil dispositions he takes away the heart of stone and gives a heart of flesh Fourthly Gospel Reconciliation is glorious in respect to the nature of it 1. It is a free Reconciliation it is a work of free grace alone it is not of man not of him that willeth or him that runneth but of God that shewed mercy Hence the Apostle saith All things are of God speaking of Reconciliation 2. It is mysterious Reconciliation we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world begun to our glory the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God This is one of those deep things which many because they cannot comprehend it in their own natural Wisdom cavil against it 3. It is a certain reconciliation God is at Peace and fully Reconciled in Jesus Christ Christ shall not will not loss his glorious design in coming into the world and taking our nature on him and dying the cursed death of the Cross. Those therefore that are brought to accept of the terms of Peace and Reconciliation as offered in the Gospel stand in a state of Real Peace and Friendship neither let any once imagine that after all these glorious transactions of the blessed Trinity about this work that the issue of the whole in order to the making of it effectual depends upon the Will and power of man 4. The Soul is taken into perfect Love and Union with God God hereby intirely loveth us and is so for us or on our side that his Friends and Allies become our Friends and Allies and all our Enemies become his Enemies so that what is done to us he takes as done to himself 5. It is an honourable Reconciliation it is a Reconciliation upon honourable Terms God suffereth not in any of his glorious Attributes If God had passed by our offences so that we had Pardon and Reconciliation without more adoe without a compensation for sin the Devils perhaps saith a Divine might have cryed out against him and have said where is the Glory of thy justice these have sinned against thee as well as we and the breach they have made upon thy justice is no wayes made up but now their mouths are stopt for ever This Reconciliation will be to the glory of God in the sight of Angels and Men to
which God that cannot lie promised before the world began 3. Glorious Promises if we consider the Vileness Unworthiness and Nothingness of them as they are in themselves to whom the Promises are made 4. Gospel Promises are glorious Promises considering through whom and by what means they are given Christ procures the Promise as well as Remission by pouring forth his precious blood he paid dear for them that the Slave might be adopted and saved the Son is sacrificed 5. They are free Promises not made for any merit or worthyness in us but purely proceed from the free Grace and Favour of God and therefore Glorious God doth not sell himself his Son and precious Promises to Sinners but they are given freely without money and without price not for thy Beauty Righteousness Excellency c. he that hath promised to love us freely pardons us freely Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins thou hast wearied we with thine iniquities I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgression for mine own sake and will not Remember thy sins Salvation is freely promised not by works of Righteousness that we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost 6. Gospel Promises are glorious if we consider the extent of them they Run not only to the lineal seed of Abraham but to all Believers to Jew and Gentile bond and free none are excluded whoever will let him take of the water of life freely 7. Gospel Promises are glorious Promises in respect of what is given 1. Christ is given God hath given his Son not only for the sinner but to the sinner Christ promiseth to give himself offers to betroth himself to us for ever The Spirit is promised with all the blessing grace gifts and operations thereof 2. God promises in the gospel to give himself I will be your God and you shall be my People This Promise is the highest the fullest and sweetest of all promises Austin speaking of it breaketh forth in Admiration VVhat is better than this goodness what is or can be greater happiness than this can God give any thing greater than himself 3. VVhatsoever he is has or can do in a gracious way is promised to be given in this one promise He is one Eternal All-sufficient Immutable Infinite Glorious Incomprehensible Omniscient Omnipresent Holy and Gracious God His Goodness Truth Power VVisdom Mercy Loving-kindness Faithfulness is ingaged for Believers 4. O what is in man that thou art mindful of him is all below thy self too little and not good enough for man that thou givest thy self to fill and satisfie him All that God is or hath so far as communicative is promised c. Life Light Grace Strength VVealth Riches Pleasure Honour is the Believers 5. VVhatsoever he can do so far as comports with his own glory and our good is pomised viz. to feed support suppress fears prevent danger keep in or deliver out of trouble c. 6. The greatness of this Promise will appear by Considering what all other things are in comparison of God if heaven be nothing what is earth in comparison of him all other things come from him as water from a Fountain what are all things without him whether Spiritual or Temporal consider the necessity of him men make a shift to live without enjoying God tho' such are dead whilst they live but know not how to die without him nothing but God is a suitable good for the Soul 'T is not Cloaths that can Cloath it it is not Silver Gold nor Pearl which can adorn it 't is not fire that can warm it nor bread can feed it nor wine can chear it nor money can satisfie it nor earthly Friends can comfort it it is God only that can supply all the wants and necessities of the Soul 7. This is a great promise because nothing is yours till God is yours by Union with him the Soul is interested into all spiritual and temporal good things 8. 'T is a part and portion which can never be spent you may live upon God there is enough in him for Millions and Millions of Millions See God a Portion God is better than heaven better than grace better than glory better than things present or things to come the promises are like a rich Ring of Gold but this is the rare Diamond in that Ring it is the Crown the Top Excellency of all promises his Wisdom is the Souls for Direction his Power for Protection his Grace for its Acceptation his Spirit for its Consolation his Creatures on earth to serve us his Angels to Guard us his Ordinances to Feed and Strengthen us his Grace to Adorn us his Riches to Advance and Crown us to Eternity This is a great Promise the greatest Promise God gives Light when he gives himself he gives Life when he gives himself God is Light without Obscurity how sweet is that Light he is Life without Mortality how sweet is that Life Peace without perplexity Love without Mutability how sweet is such Love God fills and satisfies all that enjoy him beyond God the heart can desire nothing 8. Promises of the Gospel are glorious and precious Promises if we consider the seasonableness and suitableness of them Rest is Promised to the Weary Soul Food to the Hungry Soul Cloaths to the Naked Soul Pardon to the Guilty Soul Liberty to the Captive Soul Strength to the Weak Soul Health and healing to the Sick and Wounded Soul Courage to the Faint-hearted Soul Riches to the Poor and Needy Soul Light to the Blind Soul Life to the Condemned Soul VVere a man cast for Life and condemned to die a painful and horrible Death suppose it were to be burnt or rosted alive and a pardon should be proffered to him in the very nick of time how sweet and precious would that be to him even so seasonable and sweet are the Promises of the Gospel to poor condemned sinners God gives them into the Soul when it sees 't is just dropping into Hell to be burned for ever in eternal Flames 9. Promises of the Gospel are glorious in respect of the firmness and stability of them Gospel Promises are firm and sure Promises 1. Made or given forth by one who cannot lye nor deny himself In hope of Eternal life which God that cannot lye promised before the world began 2. They are not yea and nay not uncertain doubtful mutable and variable but yea and Amen in Christ Jesus God ever kept his Promise with his People 1. He Promised Noah he would not drown the VVorld any more and how graciously hath he kept that Promise and continued the token of it in the Cloud unto this day 2. God promised Abraham a Son and will work Miracles rather than not make that promise good 3.
unto Christ and spiritual Intimacy and Communion with him O when wilt thou come unto me 'T is the Voice of my Beloved that knocketh With my Soul have I desired thee in the Night IV. The Spouse desires such Favour and Manifestations of Christ's Love and Grace that she may never forget his Love We will remember his Love more than Wine V. The Spouse desires as doth every gracious Soul that Christ would lay himself under such Obligations of Love and Friendship to her that he may never forget her The Death of Christ is the greatest Expression of his Affection to his Elect. Let him seal up his Love to us by the Kisses of his Mouth viz. by his gracious Promises and we are sure enough VI. The Spouse desires the greatest Confirmation of Christ's Love and gratious Affection to her to have clear Evidence of her Union with him and eternal Life VII Manifestations of Christ's Love do belong properly to the Church and covenanted People of God Hence the Spouse presumes to speak thus unto her Beloved Let him kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth I have the Liberty and Privilege to request it of him VIII Manifestations of Christ's Love are greatly prized by gracious Persons after there hath been a seeming Strangeness or Breach in their Apprehension between them knowing they were wholly in the fault and the only Cause of the Breach IX The Love-Tokens or Expressions of Christ's blessed Favour to the Spouse make the Daughters of Jerusalem to long after Christ's Love and Favour as well as she Whither is thy Beloved gone O thou fairest among Women that we may seek him with thee This was after she had declared His Mouth is most sweet he is altogether lovely X. How sweet and exceeding comfortable are the Kisses of Christ's Mouth or Evidences of his Love after a long time of spiritual Desertion XI Manifestations of Christ's and the Father's Love are glorious Tokens or Acts of Acceptance of poor Sinners who having been very vile and rebellious return home at last to their Father's House and embrace a precious Saviour XII The Kisses of Christ's Mouth who is the only King and blessed Potentate of Heaven and Earth are an infinite Honour can a poor Creature be more eminently dignified Let him kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth BY Mouth Annotators generally understand is meant his holy Word or his own lovely and gracious Doctrine that is Let me have expressions or give evidence of thy Love to me from thy Word Kiss me with the Kisses of thy Mouth by a Metonymy of the Cause viz. Cum causa organica sive sermonis formandi instrumentum pro ipso sermone sive loquelâ ponitur That is when the Organical Cause or the Instrument that forms Speech is put for the Speech it self as the Mouth is put for Testimony Deut. 17.6 15.19 Mat. 18.16 which is expounded John 8.17 It is also written in your Law that the Testimony of two Men is true The Mouth is also put for a Command or Appointment as Gen. 45.21 where the Mouth of Pharaoh so 't is in the Hebrew signifies the Command of Pharaoh So the Mouth of the Lord is put for his Command Word and Appointment Exod. 17.1 Numb 3.16 39. 20.24 27.14 Deut. 1.26 43. 34.5 Where the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 juxta Os Domini at the Mouth of the Lord with us translated Word is by the Targum attributed to Jonath Vziel rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad osculum Verbi Domini To the Kiss of the Word of the Lord. Lying Lips do not become a Prince that is lying Words Now the Reason why the Church desires Kisses of Christ's Mouth may be as followeth METAPHOR KIsses of the Mouth are Expressions of high Favour much more than to kiss the Hand II. Kisses of the Mouth have Virtue in them they tend to encrease Love in the Object or beget more ardent Affection III. Kisses of the Mouth are plain and visible Evidences of cordial Affections and many times put a Person out of doubt about the Reality of the Giver's Love IV. The Mouth is the Instrument or Medium to convey the inward Conceptions of the Heart and Mind whether it respects Thoughts or Actions to the Knowledg and Understanding of others Parallel CHrist in a high manner expresses his Favour and exceeding great Affection unto his People in his Word I lay down my Life for my Sheep Greater Love than this hath no Man II. Evidences of Christ's Love from his Word and gracious Promises are full of Life and Virtue they wonderfully draw out the Soul in Love and Longings after Christ. How did that sweet Word or Kiss of Christ to Mary endear her to the Lord Jesus Woman thy Sins are forgiven thee III. Evidences or Manifestations of Christ's Love to a believing Soul are clear Demonstrations of Christ's real Affection When a Promise is set home and imprinted upon the Soul or Spirit of a doubting Christian it causes all his Fears to flie away Remember thy Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope IV. The Word of Christ is the Way or glorious Medium he makes use of to convey or make known those gracious high and eternal Conceptions of his Heart and Mind to his Elect also hereby he opens and explains to us the End of his Coming into the World and his Design in dying and in all things he did which otherwise would have been hard to us to have found out METAPHOR OThers many times kiss them they do not love out of Complement II. Others give sometimes a flattering and dissembling Kiss like that of Absalom's kissing the People thinking thereby to steal away their Hearts from David his Father III. Others salute Persons oftentimes with an unchast and wanton Kiss IV. Others kiss when they design to murther Thus Joab kissed Abner and slew him Judas our Saviour and thereby betrayed him Disparity CHrist never vouchsafes any the Kisses of his Mouth but to those that he dearly loves II. Christ always when he vouchsafes his gracious Favour to any Soul doth it in all Simplicity and Integrity of Heart in his Heart is no Guile or Deceit III. All Christ's Kisses are holy chast heavenly harmless and innocent IV. Christ's design is to save those whom he kisses He came to seek and to save that which was lost I come that ye might have Life Inferences FRom hence we may perceive what a vast difference there is betwixt the Godly and the Wicked The one have their Hearts set upon heavenly Objects the other on carnal the Desires of the one are holy heavenly and spiritual the Desires of the other are fleshly earthly and sensual II. If the Kisses of a Saviour or Evidences of his Love are so sweet methinks this should stir up all to desire Kisses of Christ's Mouth III. It may be some Souls are ready to enquire How may I come to
God's People VII The Word of God is durable All the Endeavours of wicked Men from time to time have been to destroy the Word it hath been in many Fires as I may say and yet it remains and abides the same Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my Word shall not pass away All Flesh is Grass and all the Glory of Man as the Flower of the Field The Grass withereth and the Flower thereof fadeth away But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached to you VIII The Word of God is of a Soul-enriching Nature it enriches the Mind with the Wisdom and glorious Knowledg of Jesus Christ and blessed Experience of his rich Love and Grace Let the Word of God dwell in you richly in all Wisdom No Treasure is like to the Treasure of God's Word We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels See Metaphor Treasure David hid it and Mary as a precious Treasure laid it up in her Heart IX So those that would be enriched with the Word of God have much of it in their Heads and Hearts must take Pains they must dig in these Golden Mines as it were for it Search the Scriptures saith Christ. It is a Word taken from Miners such as seek for Gold they must do it carefully vigorously and resolvedly If they would find the Power Virtue and Excellency of the Word so as to make it their own they must seek for it as for hidden Treasure X. The Word of God is called a tried Word it has been tried by many thousand Christians and found to be what it is taken to be viz. pure Gold sacred Truth yea and sweeter than the Honey or the Honey-Comb It never failed them that trusted to it As for God his Way is perfect The Words of the Lord are pure Words as Silver is tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times XI Those People or particular Souls that do possess and enjoy much of the glorious Word of God are in danger of being set upon by spiritual Thieves and Robbers Satan and many other his Emissaries will be sure to assault such What experience hath England had of this for many Years but more especially of late How is it beset by bold impudent and bloody Romish Thieves What is the reason Why England is rich it hath got much Gold in it much of the Word of God Here are a rich People many rich Churches rich Souls and therefore this grand Thief hath consulted with many of his Company to set upon us and rob us of all our Treasure And hence it is we take or ought to take such Care to secure the Word of God and our selves from being undone by losing it XII So the Word of God is by all true Christians known and by common Experience found to be a most Sovereign Cordial for the Soul to revive and comfort a desponding and drooping Spirit excellent good to cure inward Distempers METAPHOR GOld and earthly Treasures are by the permission of God at the Will and Command of Men. Daniel tells us that the vile Person shall have Power over the Treasures of Gold and Silver c. They may take away and dispossess us of the best of earthly things II. Gold may canker and corrupt Your Gold and Silver is canker'd and the Rust of them shall be a Witness against you III. Tho Gold will do many things for the Body yet it cannot profit the Soul it will beautify and enrich the outward Man but it cannot beautify purge or enrich the inward Man IV. Gold and Silver will not satisfy or fill the craving Desires of Man Neither is his Eye satisfied with Riches He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied therewith Disparity THe Word of God received into the Heart viz. into the Affection and Understanding c. no Man can take it from us it is not in their Power to rob and dispossess us of this sacred Gold They may take away our Bibles out of our hands but cannot take the Word of God out of our Hearts as it is engraven upon the fleshly Tables thereof II. The Word of God is incorruptible so pure that it can never canker neither lose any of its excellent Glory Beauty and Virtue it admits not of any Rust or Pollution Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever III. The Word of God enriches beautifies and purges the Soul Now are you clean through the Word that I have spoken unto you He is spiritually the richest Man that hath most of the Word of God abiding in him who hath store of precious Promises laid up against a Time of Need. IV. The Word of God received in Truth is of a Soul-satisfying Nature The Fear of the Lord tendeth to Life and he that hath it shall abide satisfied c. This is that Water of Life that whosoever drinketh thereof shall thirst no more have no more an inordinate and unsatiable desire after worldly things See Water Inferences 1. FRom hence you may see who are the richest Men in the VVorld 2. It reproves them that desire Gold above the VVord and that labour for it above the Blessings of the Word and grieve more for the Loss of it and of other earthly Treasure than for the Loss of the Word and other spiritual good things 3. It may also stir up all to hold fast the Word and every part and parcel of it Let the Saints of God in England consider of the Worth of the Word and that it is more precious than Gold How will Men expose themselves before they will be robbed of Thousands of Gold and Silver 4. Esteem of the Precepts and Promises and of every Jot and Tittle of God's Word above Gold Be not careless of it nor throw it by but lay it up as carefully as you lay up Gold hide it in your Hearts The Word of God called Milk 1 Pet. 2.2 As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that they may grow thereby Heb. 5.13 For every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness for he is a Babe BY Milk here we must understand the Doctrine of the Gospel which is easily taught unto the Capacities of such as are Children in Understanding METAPHOR MIlk is good to nourish the Body and Physicians tell us Where it is well digested it maketh good Blood II. Milk is proper Food for Children and new-born Babes it nourisheth them exceedingly they grow and thrive thereby tho they have nothing else to feed upon III. New-born Babes greatly desire and long after the Milk of the Breast IV. Milk is a Restorative excellent good in Consumptions or for them that be lean V. Milk was one of those choice Blessings that Canaan did abound withal 'T is called a Land flowing with Milk and Honey as much as
keep up the heat and burning of it Persons may be said to quench the Spirit when they neglect the Means which God hath appointed for the keeping feeding and preserving of it in its full Vigor Heat and Operations in the Soul when they neglect Prayer reading hearing of the Word Meditations the Fire of the Spirit Zeal and Fervency soon decays 2. The Spirit of God may be quenched by neglecting to stir it up Paul exhorts Timothy to stir up the Gift that was in him If Fire be not stirred and blown up it will soon lessen its Burning and go out No Man stirreth up himself to take hold of thee 'T is not enough to pray read and hear the Word but to stir up our selves to do these Duties of Religion fervently if there be never so much Wood on the Fire yet if it be not blown and stir'd up the dead Ashes will obstruct the Burning So in like manner tho Men be never so much in the performance of Religious Duties yet if they let the Ashes of Formality and Deadness remain upon their Hearts the Fire of the Spirit decays 3. Fire is quenched by opposing somewhat of a contrary Nature and Quality to it as Water or the like Fire and Water are contrary the one to the other by reason of their contrary Qualities a little matter will weaken and lessen the burning of Fire and if a Man pour in much of it 't will soon quite exstinguish it so in like manner the Word and Spirit by suffering a little Sin and Corruption to remain in the Heart or Life will soon decay in its Operations Sin is unto the Spirit as Water to the Fire The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these two are contrary the one to the other Gal. 3.17 But now if a Man yields to some Sins to some hainous Sins or once lay the Reins loose as it were upon the Neck of his Lusts plotteth and premeditates Sin regards it likes it and watcheth an Opportunity to sin this will soon like much Water quench the Fire also Sin reiterated and often committed tho not so notorious or scandalous hath the like Effect The frequent acting of Sin is like a continual dropping upon the Fire nothing more dangerous than a trade in Sin That you may escape this great Evil of quenching the Word and Spirit observe these Particulars following 1. Consider 'T is a divine Spark which is kindled in your Souls 't is heavenly Fire 't is a holy and sacred thing Men know not what they do when they quench the Motions of the Spirit and will not suffer the Word to kindle in them 2. Consider Who it is that hath kinled this Fire in thee or strives to do it is it not the Almighty the ever blessed God wilt thou adventure to put out the Fire which the Majesty of Heaven and Earth hath kindled in thee 3. Consider how much Pains God hath taken to kindle it how long was it and what means did the Lord make use of before he could cause to speak after the manner of Men the Word to take hold of thee Did he not send a Spark upon thee at one Sermon and then blow upon it that it might break out into a Flame and then send another Spark another Sermon and then another and another and may be after all he brought thee into Affliction and used many ways to effect this great and good Work of his own Spirit and Grace upon thy Heart and wilt thou adventure to mar and spoil this Work and quench this Fire which is thus of the Lord 's kindling If a Father Mother or any eminent Superiour should take much Pains and be at great Charge to kindle a Fire and a Child should know this and yet adventure to throw Water upon it and put it out or yield to a cursed Foe of theirs so to do would it not be judged a notorious Offence 4. Consider the gracious Design of God in kindling this Divine Fire in the Soul 't is that he might raise thee to Life give thee Light melt thy hard Heart and make it fit to receive an heavenly Impression 't is to cement and unite thy Heart to himself that thou mightest glorify him injoy him and be glorified with him for ever 5. Consider If this Fire go out thou canst never kindle it again 't is beyond thy Skill and Wisdom If thou quench another Fire it may be thou mayst kindle that again and make it burn as before but 't is not in thy Power to make this Fire burn Of his own Will begat be us with the word of Truth As many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Who were born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God He is said to begin this good Work in us He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith Lord thou wilt saith the Prophet ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our Works in us 6. Consider Thou knowest not whether God will ever set about this Work again or no shouldst thou hearken to thy Lusts and Satan's Temptations to quench the Spirit and put out those good Motions and Desires that are in thy Mind remember that Word My Spirit shall not always strive with Men. And also what our Saviour in the Gospel spake concerning Jerusalem O that thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things that belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes 7. Consider 'T is grievous to the Spirit to be quenched the Spirit is thy great Friend thy Comforter the Spirit helps thee at every dead Lift and maketh Intercession for thee with Groanings which cannot be uttered And therefore do not grieve him Wilt thou quench and put out the Motions of such a Friend Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption 8. Consider The Spirit is thy Light put out the Spirit and thou wilt become a dead Man or lessen his Burnings and gracious Operations and thou wilt become a dying Man would'st thou not have thy Eyes out of thy Head nor thy Life out of thy Body then do not quench the Spirit the Eye and Life of thy Soul 9. Consider what the Cause and Reason is Men quench the Spirit 1. Is it not because they would be indulged in their Sins and lie down on the Bed of Sloath and carnal Security Men put out their Fire when they have a mind to go to Bed 2. Is it not because the Fire burns too hot for them it hath kindled such a Fire in their Consciences that scorcheth them so sorely that they know not how to indure it and from hence wickedly go about to quench the Spirit Thus 't was with Felix he heard Paul preach of Righteousness Temperance and
LEaven is of a diffusive Quality it infuses it self into every part till the whole Lump is leavened II. Leaven is of an assimilating Quality it turns the Meal in which it is hid into its own Nature III. The Woman took the Leaven and hid it in the Meal Leaven must be hid that so it may leaven the Meal the better IV. Leaven secretly and invisibly worketh and altereth the Meal and maketh a Change therein turning of it into Dough. V. Leaven doth not change the whole three measures of Meal all at once but it accomplishes its Work by degrees VI. A little Leaven will leaven the whole Lump 1 Cor. 5.6 Gal. 5.9 Parallel THe Word and Grace of God is of a diffusive nature it will where it is received in a spiritual sence leavens every Faculty of the Soul until the whole Man Body and Spirit is leavened therewith By three measures of Meal some understand the Body Soul and Spirit to be meant II. The Word of God where it is in Truth received such is the assimilating Nature thereof doth convert by its powerful Operation the whole Soul into its own Likeness it changes the evil Quailties thereof and works divine and spiritual Qualities in the room of them making a glorious and visible change in the Heart and Life III. The Word of God must be received into the Heart it must be hid as it were there like Seed that is covered in the Earth that so it may have its blessed Effect in order to leaven the Soul in a spiritual Sence the better Thy Word have I hid in my Heart IV. So the Workings and Operations of God's Word are secret and invisible our Saviour alludes to this when he compares the Work of the Spirit in Regeneration to the Wind as is well observed the Word and Spirit work secretly their Operations are invisible to the outward Eye V. So the Word and Grace of God works not that blessed Change in the Soul all at one instant but Grace is carried on in Believers by degrees I deny not but at the first Infusion of Grace or Act of Faith a Man is really and actually justified yet the Work of Conversion and Holiness is gradually carried on and may be a great while before it is perfected VI. So a small Quantity or but a dram of true Grace will spiritually leaven and change the whole Man hence Grace in the beginning is compared to a Grain of Mustard-Seed Parable LEaven is taken in the Scripture in an evil sence for Hypocrisy evil Doctrine Malice and Wickedness from that sowre Quality that is in it Disparity THe Word of God hath no unpleasant or sowring Quality in it but contrariwise it is the only means through the Spirit to purge out that old Leaven whether it be evil Doctrine Hypocrisy Malice or Wickedness that sowreth and corrupteth the whole Man 2. This may further inform us touching the nature of the Word and Grace of God And from hence we may be able to make some Judgment whether Conversion be truly wrought in our Souls or whether the Kingdom of God where Christ spiritually rules which is Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit be in Truth begun in us or no The Word of God compared to Glass 2 Cor. 3.18 Beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord and like unto a Man beholding his natural Face in a Glass BERNARD understands by Glass here to be meant the Gospel with divers others and we see no cause to question this Exposition Simile A Glass is a Medium that represents Persons and things unto the sight of our external Eyes II. Some Glasses shew us such things that we cannot see nor discern without them as common Experience shews which are called Perspective-Glasses III. A Glass seems to bring such things near to us that are at a great distance Some by looking in a Glass have discovered Things and Persons many Miles of as if they were just by them IV. A true Glass shews or represents unto a Man his own natural Face by looking therein he may see what manner of Man he is he may take a plain view of himself whether fair or deformed V. A Glass is used by some as a thing to dress themselves in by it they know how to put on their Attire and to deck themselves with all their Ornaments if any thing be wanting or amiss which they would have on they soon perceive it by looking in a Glass VI. A Glass is a thing that some Persons take much Delight to look into VII He that would have a full or plain sight of a Person or Persons that he hath a desire to behold in a Glass must look therein with open Face he must not look asquint upon it VIII A Man that beholds his natural Face in a Glass and goes his way soon forgets what manner of Man he was if he saw Spots or Blemishes or other Deformity in his Face or any uncomly Features he soon forgets them IX If a Man looks into a Glass he sees there but the Image Resemblance or Representation of a Person or a Thing not the Person or the Thing it self Parallel THe Gospel is the best Medium which represents God the Father the Lord Jesus Christ and holy Spirit Angels and Saints with things past present and to come to our spiritual Sight or to the Eyes of our Faith II. The Word of God shews us such things and Mysteries that without it we could not see nor have the least Knowledg of as the manner of the Creation of the World in six Days the cause why God sets his Bow in the Cloud the glorious Attributes of God together with God's manner of being or the glorious Trinity the Conception Birth Life Death Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ as also God's positive Law and instituted Worship III. The Word and Gospel of God brings things that are afar off very near it represents to our Faith the Judgment-Day and shews us how matters and things shall be managed then who shall be cleared and who condemned it brings near to the Eye of our Faith the glorious Kingdom of Jesus Christ and many things of like Nature IV. So the Word of God shews forth not only the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ as also what this World is what Sin is c. But it shews what Man is before Grace how wretched blind naked deformed polluted and also after Grace through Christ how happy adorned beautiful and glorious V. So the Word of God is absolutely needful or necessary for all Christians to look into who would dress and deck themselves with the Ornaments of Grace that they may be comely in the sight of God By looking into the Word they may see what Ornaments are wanting and how to put them on so as to be compleatly dressed and every way ready for the Bridegroom 's coming VI. The Word of God is a thing that all true Christians
III. Treasure hath a great Influence upon the Hearts of the Sons of Men. IV. Treasure is much sought after with great Care and Pains and when obtained Men are very loath to part with it V. Treasure is usually kept in some strong or secure place to the end it may be safely preserved VI. Treasure sometimes signifies Store and Plenty of good Things VII Much Treasure makes Men great and honourable in the World VII Treasure will carry a Man a great way in and through great Straits Afflictions Sorrows and Sufferings Parallel THe Gospel is much in little it hath been of that Esteem that in the time of its scarcity a Load of Hay hath been given for one Leaf of the Epistle of James in English See the Word of God compared to Light II. So doth the Gospel How many poor miserable wretched Men and Women have not only been supplied as to their need but enriched thereby III. So hath the Gospel through the Spirit and therefore the Lip of Truth saith Where the Treasure is there will the Heart be also IV. What Pains did the holy Men of old use in seeking after a Discovery of the Truth of the Gospel and of the things therein contained And what a Cloud of Witnesses are there who rather than they would part with this Treasure parted with their Lives and all they had V. So the Word and Gospel of God hath been preserved in the worst of Times when the great Design of Men and Devils hath been to destroy or corrupt it Thy Word have I hid in mine Heart VI. There are Store of good Things held forth in the Gospel viz. Christ Grace Glory and every good Thing else with him and by him VII Faith in the Gospel raiseth to great Honour O what Dignity ariseth from that noble Birth that is from above until which how mean and disgraceful an Object is fallen Man VII So the Gospel and the Grace of it O how far and through what Difficulties will it carry a Man With what contentment have Christians behaved themselves in the want of all outward Enjoyments having had a little of this Treasure METAPHOR ALL Treasures here be they never so rich or rare yet they are but earthly or from the Earth II. Earthly Treasures are corruptible and many times are spoiled they become worth little or nothing Lay not up Treasure on Earth where Moth and Rust doth corrupt c. III. Earthly Treasures tho they may go far and supply many bodily Wants yet they cannot supply Soul-Wants IV. The Poor have but little of worldly Treasure and therefore 't is they are accounted poor it is mostly in the hands of the great Men of the Earth V. Men by their natural Care and Industry may get worldly Treasure and grow rich thereby VI. Worldly Treasure may be taken away by Thieves as well as eaten by Moths Disparity BUt such is the Glory of the Gospel as that it is a Treasure from Heaven and of an heavenly product and extract II. But the Gospel and Grace thereof is a Treasure incorruptible it cannot putrify or be spoiled its Splendor and Glory is durable But of incorruptible the Word of God c. III. But the Gospel or Word of God extendeth to the Supply both of the Soul and Body The Gospel heard and received by Faith makes up a full Supply to the Soul of whatever it needs My God shall supply all your Wants c. IV. But it is evident that the Poor receive the Gospel and James saith expresly that God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith c. The Poor of this World have generally most of this sacred Treasure and so are the richest Men. V. No Man whatsoever tho never so worldly wise ingenious careful and industrious in laying out all his natural Parts can enrich himself with this sacred Treasure What hast thou which thou hast not received VI. But the Gospel is a Treasure that cannot be taken away by Thieves nor can the Moth corrupt it it is called the everlasting Gospel Inferences THis shews who are the truly rich Men and Women in the World and what is indeed the true Treasure that will make them so here and to Eternity Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.10 II. It shews the Folly and Madness of those that slight and despise the Gospel Heb. 2 2 3. Jer. 8.8 9. III. What strong Motives might I produce in order to the getting of this Treasure 1. Would you be rich for ever would you have durable Riches c. 2. VVould you be defended and know how to subsist another Day Then get much of this Treasure Quest. But is not this the way to be in the more danger For 't is not the Poor that the Thief cares to meddle withal but the Rich We see what Assaults they meet withal that have this Treasure therefore 't is best to be at ease and quiet and forbear to middle with it Answ. God's Power and Strength is laid out for its Preservation and of the Vessels in whom it is It is God's Treasure and the Vessel too for his People are his peculiar Treasure He will keep it night and day lest any hurt it meaning his People whom he hath enriched with this Treasure Quest. But why is this Treasure put into such earthen Vessels Is it not in the greater danger therefore to be lost they being so subject to be broken Answ. 1. They are tho mean in the VVorlds eye and also in their own yet chosen and sanctified Vessels and fitted for the Lord's use so that the Treasure can suffer no loss by the Vessel 2. The Power of God is the more manifested in preserving this Treasure in an earthen Vessel Object But these Vessels may be nay have been and are often broken and turned to Dust. Answ. Yet God never wanted a Vessel for this Treasure nay those that are turned to Dust are not destroyed they are but dissolved that the Treasure might be the more diffusive and spread it self The Blood of the Saints hath been the Seed of the Church FINIS ADVERTISEMENT THere is a second Volume ready for the Press which consisteth of two Parts The First opens by way of Metaphor and Parallel c. about One hundred sixty eight Metaphors Similes Allegories and other borrowed Terms contained in the holy Scriptures consisting of all the principal Metaphors Similes c. that the Authors can meet with under these ten Heads following 1. Such as concern the Graces of the Spirit and Ordinances of the Gospel 2. Such as concern the holy Angels and the Souls or Spirits of Men. 3. Such as respect the Church of God 4. Such as concern 1. Man in general 2. Good Men 3. Wicked Men. 5. Such as concern the Ministers of the Gospel 6. Such as respect Sin wherein the odious Nature of Sin is largely opened 7. Such as concern the Devil 8. Such as concern the false Church and false
Obedience in our Conversion to God be not the effect of his Grace in us he doth not work in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure 1. The work of Conversion it self and in especial the act of Believing or Faith it self is expresly said to be of God to be wrought in us by him to be freely given unto us from him the Scriptures saith not that God gives us ability or power to believe only Namely such a power as we may make use of if we will or do otherwise but Faith and Conversion themselves are said to be the work and effect of God But it maybe Objected that every thing which is actually accomplished in potentia before There must therefore be in us a power to Believe before we do so actually The Act of God working Faith in us is a creating work for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus And he that is in Christ is a new Creature now the Effects of creating acts are not in potentia any where but in the active Power of God so was the World it self before its actual existence This is termed potentia logica which is no more but a Negation of any Contradiction to existence not potentia physica which includes a disposition unto actual existence Notwithstanding therefore all these preparatory works of the Spirit of God which we allow in this matter there is not by them wrought in the Mind and Wills of men such a next power as they call it as should enable them to believe without further actual grace working Faith it self Wherefore with respect to believing the first act of God is to work in us to will So Phil. 1.13 he worketh in us to will This God worketh in us by that grace which Austin and other Learned men call gratia operans 2. Faith and Repentance 'T is said to be given of God Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and remission of sin to you it is given in behalf of Christ not only to believe but to suffer for his sake By Grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is gift of God Our own ability be it what it will however assisted and excited and Gods gift are contra-distinguished If it be of our selves it is not the gift of God if it be the gift of God it is not of our selves and the manner how God bestows this gift upon us is declared ver 10. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good work And from hence Faith is called the Faith of the operation of God 3. Love that precious prevailing Grace is planted in the Soul by the Spirit causing the Soul with Delight and Complacency to cleave unto God and his wayes the Lord God will Circumcise thine heart to love the Lord Deut. 30.6 Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 The fruit of the spirit is love Gal. 5.22 4. It might be further demonstrated by considering how Conversion with the manner how it is effected is set forth in the holy Scripture The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart c. What is this but the putting off the Body of Sin Col. 2.11 This is the mediate work of the Spirit of God no man ever Circumcised his own heart A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and will take away the stony heart that is that impotency and enmity which is in our hearts unto Conversion 5. The work of grace upon the Soul is called a vivisication we are by nature dead in Sins and Trespasses in our Deliverance from thence we are said to be quickened The Dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and Live being made alive now no such work can be wrought in us but by an Effectual Communication of a Principle of Spiritual Life and nothing else will deliver us Some think to evade the power of this Argument by saying that all these Expressions are metaphorical and arguing from them are but fulsome Metaphors And 't is well if the whole Gospel be not a Metaphor unto them But if there be not an Impotency in us by nature unto all Acts of spiritual Life like that which is in a Dead man unto acts of Life natural if there be not an alike Power of God required unto our deliverance from that Condition and the working in us a Principle of spiritual Obedience as is required unto the Raising of him that is dead they may as well say that the Scripture speaks not truly as that it speaks metaphorically 6. Believers are said to be begotten and born again of the Spirit by which it appears that our Regeneration is not an Act of our own I mean not so our own as by outward helps and assistance to be educed out of the Principles of our nature Of his own will begot he us by the word of truth c. Born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible c. Which were born not of blood nor of the will of man but of God This being so it behoveth them who plead for Active Interest of the will of Man in Regeneration to produce some Testimonies of Scripture where it is assigned unto it as the Effect unto its proper Cause where is it said that a man is born again or begotten anew by himself and if it be granted as it must be so unless violence be offered not only to the Scripture but Reason and common sence that whatever be our Duty and Power herein yet these Expressions must denote an Act of God and not ours Regeneration being thus proved to be the glorious working and operation of the holy Ghost we shall now proceed to shew further the nature and excellency of grace as it shines forth in the gospel and is experienced by every sincere Christian. 1. Gospel grace is glorious because when received in Truth it delivers the Soul from Bondage it breaks the bonds For the Soul is not set at liberty by the bare shedding of Christs blood without the application of it by the spirit or infusion of grace into the heart 2. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth opens blind Eyes it makes them see that never saw in a spiritual sence before it opens their eyes that were born blind how blind was Saul till the gospel grace shone upon him or rather in him 3. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth raises the dead Soul to Life 'T is hereby we come to be quickened the flesh profiteth nothing 't is the Spirit that quickeneth that is the Humane nature without the Divine cannot accomplish Salvation for us nor shall any Soul receive any saving
Benefit by the flesh or Death of Christ unless he be quickened by the Spirit 4. The gospel in the grace of it when received in Truth works out that cursed enmity that is in the heart against God and thereby reconciles the sinner to the blessed Majesty of Heaven 5. The grace of the gospel works Regeneration makes the sinner another Man a new Man It forms the new Creature in the Soul 1. It infuses new qualities 2. It makes the Proud Person humble and not to vaunt himself 3. It makes the Unclean Person Chast and to loath Lascivious thoughts 4. It makes hard-hearted sinners full of Bowels 5. It makes the impatient Soul to bear all things 6. It makes the Covetous Person Liberal and to distribute to the poor 7. It makes the worst Husband the best Husband the worst Wife the best Wife the worst Children the best Children the Rebellious ones to be Obedient ones 6. The gospel in the grace of it brings the Soul into Union with God No Grace no Christ. God is the Fountain of this Union Christ is the Conduit-pipe as Mediator the Spirit and the grace thereof is the stream Union is let into the Soul at this door no grace no God no union with him and no Union with him no Communion with him 7. The grace of the gospel washeth the polluted Soul it cleanseth the filth of the heart and Pollution of the Life He put no difference between them and us purifying their hearts by faith 8. The grace of the gospel or saving operations of the Spirit heals the wounded Soul he poured in Oyl and Wine c. 9. Gospel grace gives the Soul a right to all the Blessings of a Crucified Christ 't is that which puts on the Wedding garment It was a pretty saying of a good Man 1. The Father weaves this Garment he was first concerned about it he prepared the matter with which 't is made 2. The Son made it he has wrought Righteousness for us 3. The Spirit puts it on 10. The grace of the gospel makes a glorious Soul a glorious Man a glorious Woman a glorious Family a glorious Church a glorious City a glorious Kingdom where 't is generally received in Truth It makes a glorious Soul It finds it naked and clothes it It finds it starved as it were and feeds it It finds it wounded and heals it It finds it cold and warms it It finds it unclean and sanctifies it It finds it poor and inriches it It finds it in bonds and sets it at liberty It finds it an Enemy to God and reconciles it It finds it Condemned and justifies it It finds it Dead and gives it Life 11. The grace of the gospel adornes the Soul it puts Ornaments upon the head and Chains beyond those of Gold upon the Neck It decks it with Jewels I decked thee with ornaments I put Bracelets upon thy hands and a chain on thy neck I put a Jewel on thy forehead earings in thine ears and a Beautiful Crown on thy head thou wast dect with Gold and silver with silk and broidered work It puts a Ring on the Finger it adorns the Soul with a meek and a quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 12. The grace of the gospel makes a man to behold a beauty and glory in the gospel to love it and to suffer for it The gospel is worth little in the sight and esteem of that man that has not the grace of the gospel What is the word of grace without the grace of the word 13. Gospel grace is an excellent preservative against the Plague of Sin No Pestilence so bad as this How shall I saith Joseph do this thing and sin against God It is also a Potion to work it out as well as to preserve from it 14. Gospel grace is good really good alwayes good and glorious at all times 't is good in health the Soul cannot have health without it good in Sickness 't is good in Prosperity 't is good in Adversity 't is good in good times and wo to them that want it in bad times we are blessed that have it but they are cursed that are without it whatsoever Profession they make For the Profession of the gospel without the grace of the gospel will do a man no good 't is but the name without the nature the Cabinet without the Jewel the Lamp without the Oyl 15. The grace of the gospel makes men like to Christ to love Christ and to die for Christ. 16. Gospel grace makes men to live to God they live to themselves that have it not they live to God that have it It makes men wise to be men of Understanding to live sober to themselves to live righteously to men and to live holy towards God to live in Subjection to God to obey God to delight in God and to live in Obedience and Subjection to his Church 6. The gospel is glorious in respect of the tenders and offers made therein to the Sons of Men. VVhat is tendered Repentance is tendered Pardon is tendered Peace is tendered Bread and VVater of Life is tendered perfect Righteousness is tendered Adoption is tendered Glorious Liberty is tendred in short God is offered he makes a tender of himself Christ is tendred with all his Benefits who is the Pearl of great price worth Millions yea more than ten thousand worlds a Marriage with Christ is tendered the Spirit is tendered with all the blessings of it a Kingdom is offered in the gospel a Crown is offered a Crown of endless glory a Crown that fadeth not away Eternal Life is tendered VVho is it that makes these tenders and offers in the gospel The great God he that has them to bestow and a right to give them VVho are they offered to To such that are his Enemies Rebels even the worst of Sinners in a word who ever will he that hath a will to receive them may have them Upon what Terms are they offered Freely offered without Money and without price tho' a man as to Righteousness hath nothing of worth nor Beauty in him being in himself but a Lump of Sin and Filthiness yet he may have these things they are offered unto such They are sincerely and faithfully offered God doth not mock men and women offer them such things as these and yet never intend to bestow them upon them if they have a heart a Mind to them my Life for theirs they may enjoy all these and many more like glorious good things Nay and more then this they have been often tendered with much Affection and in Bowels of Compassion God bewails and Christ bewails the state of such who do refuse them O then what Fools are mortals to slight and reject these tenders 7. The gospel is glorious in Respect of the glorious things that are brought about and accomplished thereby The first I