Sin but that we could not be were it not that an Atonement is made for us first by the Blood of Christ our Saviour This is true for they that are quickned by the Holy Ghost are quickned by it through the Word of the Gospel which offereth Justification to Sinners through Faith in his Blood yea we are said to be quickned together with him dead and risen with him yet so as by the Spirit of God 2. We are not only quickned by the Holy Ghost but possessed therewith it is given to dwell in our Hearts Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts Gal. 4. 4 5 6. which Spirit is also our earnest for Heaven until the Redemption of the purchased Possession that is until our Body which is the purchased Possession be redeemed also out of the Grave by the Power of the same mighty Spirit of God Ephes. 1. 13 14. 3. By this Holy Spirit we are made to believe Rom. 15. 13. 4. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to pray and call God Father 5. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to understand and apply the Promises 6. By this Holy Spirit the Joy of Heaven and the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart of the Saved 7. By this Holy Spirit we are made to wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith that is to stand fast through our Lord Jesus in the day when he shall judg the World And all this is the Fruit of Redemption by Blood of Redemption by the Blood of Christ. This is yet further evident 1. Because the Work of the Spirit is to lead us into the sayings of Christ which as to our Redemption from death are such as these I lay down my Life that you may have Life I give my Life a Ransom for many And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 2. Because IF the Spirit in the Wisdom of Heaven is not counted a sufficient Testimony on Earth but as joyned with the Blood of Christ. There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood These are the Witness of God The Spirit because it quickneth the Blood because it hath merited and the Watter to wit the Word because by that we are clean as to life and conversation 1 John 5. 8. Ephes. 5. 26. Rom. 8. 16. Psal. 119. 9. 3. Because as by the Spirit so we are sanctified by Faith in the Blood of Jesus Heb. 13. 12. 4. Because when most full of the Spirit when that doth work most mightly in us we are then most in the belief and admiring apprehensions of our deliverance from death by the Blood of Jesus Revel 15. Chap. 5. 9. 5. The Holy Ghost breaheth no-where so as in the Ministry of this Doctrine this Doctrine is sent WITH the Holy Ghost from Heaven yea as I have hinted one of the Great Works of the Holy Ghost under the Old-Testament was to testifie of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. Put all these things together and see if Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath not paid full price to God for Sinners if he hath not obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Fourth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident if you consider how the preaching thereof hath been from that time to this a mighty Conquerer over all kind of Sinners What Nation what People what kind of Sinners have not been subdued by the preaching of a Crucified Christ. He upon the White Horse with his Bow and his Crown hath conquered doth conquer and goeth forth yet conquering and to conquer Revel 6. 2. And I saith he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men unto me but what was it to be lifted up from the Earth Why it may be expounded by that saying As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 12. 32. Chap. 3. 14 15. He was then lifted up when he was hanged upon a Tree between the Heavens and the Earth as the Accursed of God for us The Revelation of this it conquers all Nations Tongues and People And they sang a new Song saying thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. Hence the Apostle Paul chose above all Doctrines to preach up a Crucified Christ and resolved so to do For I determined saith he not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. 1. The Doctrine of Forgiveness of Sin conquered his very Murderers They could not withstand the Grace them bloody ones that would kill him what-ever it cost them could stand no longer but received his Doctrine fell into his Bosom and obtained the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his only Son they shall be in bitterness for him as one is in bitterness for his first-born Zech. 12. 10. Now was this Scripture eminently fulfilled when the Kindness of a Crucified Christ broke to pieces the Hearts of them that had before been his Betrayers and Murderers Now was there a great mourning in Jerusalem now was there wailing and lamentation mixed with joy and rejoycing 2. Though Paul was mad exceeding mad against Jesus Christ of Nazareth yea though he was his avowed Enemy seeking to put out his Name from under Heaven yet the Voice from Heaven I am Jesus c. I am the Saviour how did it conquer him make him throw down his Arms fall down at his Feet and accept of the forgiveness of Sins freely by grace through Redemption by Faith in his Blood 3. They at Samaria though before Philip preached to them worshipped and admired the Devil in Magus yet when they believed Philip's preaching of Christ unto them and forgiveness of sins through Faith in his Name great joy was amongst them and they were baptized both Men and Women Act. 8. He preached saith the Text the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ that is all the Blessings of Life through the Name of Jesus Christ for he is the Mediator and without his Blood come no spiritual blessings to men 4. How was the sturdy Jailer overcome by a Promise of forgiveness of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. It stopt his Hand of self-murder it eased him of the gnawings of a guilty Conscience and fears of Hell-Fire and filled his Soul with rejoicing in God Act. 16. 30 31 32 33. 5. How
Light for them that sit in Darkness OR A DISCOURSE OF JESUS CHRIST AND That he undertook to accomplish by himself the Eternal Redemption of Sinners ALSO How the Lord Jesus addressed himself to this Work with undeniable Demonstrations that he performed the same Objections to the Contrary Answered BY JOHN BUNYAN Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us Gal. 3. 13. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Corrthil 1675. The Author to the Reader Gentle Reader IT was the great care of the Apostle Paul to deliver his Gospel to the Churches in its own simplicity because SO it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth And if it was his care so to deliver it to us it should be ours to seek so to continue it And the rather because of the Unaptness of the Minds even of the Saints themselves to retain it without commixture For to say nothing of the Projects of Hell and of the cunning craftiness of some that lie in wait to dâ—ceive even the Godly themselves as they are dull of hearing so much more dull in receiving and holding fast the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from their Sense and Reason and Unbelief and Darkness arise many imaginations and high thoughts which exalt themselves against the Knowledg of God and the Obedience of Jesus Christ wherefore they themselves have much ado to stand compleat in all the Will of God And were they not concerned in electing love by which they are bound up in the Bundle of Life and blessed with the Enjoiment of Saving Grace which enlightneth their Souls and maintaineth their Faith and Hope they would not only be assaulted and afflicted with their own Corruptions but as others overcome thereby Alas How ordinary a thing is it for Professors to fall from the Knowledg they have had of the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God and to be turned unto Fables Seducing-Spirits and Doctrines of Devils through the Intoxications of Delusions and the Witchcrafts of false Preachers Now this their swerving from the Gospel ariseth 1. Either from their not-having or having notretaining the true Knowledg of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ Or 2. From their not believing the true Causes of his Coming into the World with his Doing and Suffering there Upon one or both these accounts I say it is that they everlastingly perish for if they have not and do not also retain the Knowledg of his Person they want the HE on whom if they believe not they 〈◊〉 die in their Sins And if they know not the Reason of his Coming Doing and Suffering they are in the same condition also Now those Professors that have had some Knowledg of these things and yet have lost them it hath come thus to pâ—ss with them because they first lost the Knowledg of themselves and of their Sins They know not themselves to be such nothing-ones as the Scripture reporteth them to be nor their Sins to be so heinous as the Law hath concluded Therefore they either turn again with the Dog to his Vomit or adhere to a few of the Rags of their own Fleshly Righteousness and so become pure in their own Eyes yet are not purged by Blood from their Filthiness For the Person and Doings of Jesus Christ are only precious to them that get and retain the true Knowledg of themselves and the due Reward of their Sins by the Law These are desolate being driven out of all these embrace the Rock instead of a Shelter the Sensible Sinner receiveth him joyfully And because a miscarriage in this Great Truth is the most dangerous and damning Miscarriage therefore should Professors be the more fearful of swerving aside there-from The Man that rejecteth the true Knowledg of the Person of the Lord Jesus and the Causes of his Doing and Suffering in the World takes the next way to be guilty of that Transgression that is not to be purged with Sacrifice for ever That FEARFUL Transgression for which is left NO Offering AT ALL nor any thing to be expected by the Person transgressing but fearful Judgment and fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversary Now for their sakes that have not sinned this Sin for their sakes that are in danger thereof but yet not overcome for their sakes have I written this little Book wherein is largely and yet with few words discovered the Doctrine of the Person and Doings and Sufferings of Christ with the true Cause thereof also a removal of those Objections that the crafty Children of darkness have framed against the same And I have been the more plain and simple in my writing because the Sin against the Holy Ghost is in these days more common than formerly and the Way unto it more beautified with colour and pretence of Truth I may say of the way to this Sin it is as was once the Way to Jerusalem strewed with Boughs and Branches and by some there is eried a kind of Hosanna to them that are treading these Steps to Hell Oh the plausible Pretences the golden Names the feigned Holiness the demure Behaviours mixt with damnable Hypocrisie that attends the Persons that have forsaken the Lord Jesus that have despised his Person trampled upon him and counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was Sanctified an Unholy thing They have crucified him to themselves and think that they can go to Heaven without him yea pretend they love him when they hate him pretend they have him when they have cast him off pretend they trust in him when they bid defiance to his Undertakings for the World Reader let me beseech thee to hear me patiently read and consider and judg I have presented thee with that which I have received from God and the Holy Men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost do bear me witness Thou will say all pretend to this Well but give me the hearing take me to the Bible and let me find in thy Heart no favour if thou find me to swerve from the Standard I say again receive my Doctrine I beseech thee in Christ's stead receive it I know it to be the Way of Salvation I have ventured my own Soul thereon with gladness and if all the Souls in the World were mine as mine own Soul is I would through God's Grace venture every one of them there I have not writ at a venture nor borrowed my Doctrine from Libraries I depend upon the sayings of no man I found it in the Scriptures of Truth among the true sayings of God I have done when I have exhorted thee to pray and give heed to the Words of God as revealed in the Holy Writ The Lord Jesus Christ himself give thee Light and Life by Faith in him to whom with the Father and the good Spirit of Grace be Glory and Dominion now and for ever Joh. Bunyan Amen The
Testimonies that this Coming of Jesus is his Coming to Save us 1. SImeon the Just gives Testimony of him And the Holy Ghost was upon him and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple and when the Parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for him after the Custom of the Law then took he him up in his Arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luk. 2. 25 26 27 32. The Testimony of Anna. 2. Anna a Prophetess one of a great Age which departed not from the Temple but served God with fasting and prayer night and day And she coming in at the same instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem Luk. 2. 26 27 28. The Testimony of John Baptist. 3. John Baptist as he fulfilled his Ministry he cried concerning this Jesus Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World And he saith John that sent me to baptize with Water the same said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding or remaining the same is he which shall baptize with the Holy Ghost And I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God Joh. 1. 29 30 31 32 33 34. The Testimony of the Star and Wise-Men 4. The Star that appeared at his Birth in the East and that coasted through the Heavens till it came over the Place where the young Child Jesus was that Star gave Testimony that he was the Saviour This Star alarmed many especially the Wise-Men of the East who were brought by it from afar to worship him And lo the Star which they saw in the East went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was And when they saw the Star they rejoiced with exceeding joy And when they were come into the House they saw the young Child with Mary his Mother and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their Treasures they presented unto him Gifts Gold and Frankincense and Myrrhe The Testimony of the Angels 1. To Mary herself And in the sixth Month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a City of Galilee named Nazareth to a Virgin espoused to a Man whose Mame was Joseph and the Virgin 's Name was Mary and the Angel came in unto her and said Hail thou that art highly favoured And the Angels aid unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God And behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest And the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David and he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luk. 2. 26 35. 2. The Angels Testimony to the Shepherds as they were feeding their Flocks in the Fields by Night And lo the Angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shined round about them and they were sore afraid and the Angel said unto them Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Luk. 2. 8 9 10. 3. How the Angels Solemnized his Birth among themselves And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace good-will towards Men Luk. 2. 13 14. The Testimony of God the Father 1. When he was Baptized And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water and lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3. 16 17. 2. The Fathers Testimony of him at his Transfiguration And he took Peter and James and John and went up into a Mountain to pray and as be prayed the fashion of his Countenance was altered and his Raiment was white and glittering c. And there appeared Moses and Liias talking with him and a Cloud from Heaven overshadowed them at which the three Disciples began to be afraid Then there came a voice out of the Cloud saying This is my beloved Son hear him Luk. 9. 28 29 30 35. This is that Testimony of God which Peter speaks of saying We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made known unto you the Power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Majesty for he received from God the Father Honour and Glory when there came such a voice to him from the Excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1. 26 27 28. 3. God gave Testimony of him by Signs and Wonders Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doth the Works God also bearing them witness that preached Salvation by Jesus both with Signs and Wonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own Will Joh. 14. 10. Heb. 2. 4. Concerning Jesus how he put himself upon the Test among his Adversaries THe Lord Jesus also putteth himself upon the Test among his Adversaries divers ways First he urgeth the time of the appearing of the Messias to be come The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. For this he had a three-fold proof 1. The Heathens had invaded and taken the Land according to that of Daniel Dan. 9. 25 26. 2. The Scepter was departed from Judah according to that of Jacob Gen. 49. 10. to which also suited that Prophecy Before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and chuse the good the Land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her Kings 3. The Roman Emperor had not only subdued the Nation and put down the Kingly Race of the Jews but had set up and established his own Power over them In the fifteenth year of the Reign of Tiberius Cesar Pontius Pilat was Governor of Judea Herod was Tetrarch of Galilee Philip Tetrarch of Iturea and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene all Heathens and of Tyberius his making Besides The Kingly Race of Judah was at this time become so low by reason of the Roman oppression that the chief of them were put to get their living by their own
the Doctrine I come now to make some use of and to apply this Blessed Doctrine of the Undertaking of Jesus Christ and of his paying full Price to God for Sinners and of his obtaining Eternal Redemption for them The first Use. BY this Doctrine we come to understand many things which otherwise abide obscure and utterly unknown because this Doctrine is accompanied with the Holy Ghost that Revealer of secrets and Searcher of the deep things of God 1 Pet. 1. 2. Ephes. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 2. The Holy Ghost comes down with this Doctrine as that in which it alone delighteth therefore is it called The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of Jesus Christ. He giveth also the Light of the Knowledg of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Little of God is known in the World where the Gospel is rejected the Religious Jew and the Wise Gentile may see more of God in a Crucified Christ than in Heaven and Earth besides For in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and knowledg not only in his Person as God but also in his Undertakings as Mediator Hence Paul telleth us That he determined not to know any thing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ and him Crucified Col. 2. 2 3. 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. I say more of God is revealed in this Doctrine to us than we can see of him in Heaven and Earth without it First Here is more of his WISDOM seen than in his making and upholding all the Creatures His Wisdom I say in devising means to reconcile Sinners to an Holy and Infinite Majesty to be a Just God and YET a Saviour to be just to his Law just to his Threatning just to himself and yet save Sinners can no-way be understood till thou understandest why Jesus Christ did hang on the Tree for here only is the Riddle unfolded Christ died for our Sins and therefore can God in justice save us Isa. 45. 21. And hence is Christ called The Wisdom of God not only because he is so essentially but because by him is the greatest Revelation of his Wisdom towards man In Redemption therefore by the Blood of Christ God is said to abound towards us in all wisdom Ephes. 1. 7 8. Here we see the highest Contradictions reconciled here Justice kisseth the Sinner here a Man stands just in the Sight of God while confounded at his own Pollutions and here he that hath done no good hath yet a sufficient Righteousness even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ. Secondly The JUSTICE of God is here more seen than in punishing all the Damned He spared not his own Son is a Sentence which more revealeth the Nature of the Justice of God than if it had said he spared not all the World True he cast Angels from Heaven and drowned the Old World he turned Sodom and Gomorrah into Ashes with many more of like nature but what were all these to the Cursing of his Son yea what were ten thousand such manifestations of his Ireful Indignation against Sin to that of striking afflicting chastising and making the darling of his Bosom the Object of his Wrath and Judgment Here it is seen he respecteth not persons but judgeth sin and condemneth him on whom it is found yea although on Jesus Christ his well-Beloved Rom. 8. 32. Gal. 3. 13. Thirdly The Mystery of God's WILL is here more seen than in hanging the Earth upon nothing while he condemneth Christ though Righteous and justifieth us though Sinners while he maketh him to be sin for us and us the Righteousness of God in him 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Fourthly The POWER of God is here more seen than in making of Heaven and Earth for for one to bear and get the Victory over Sin when charged by the Justice of an Infinite Majesty in so doing he sheweth the Height of the Highest Power For where sin by the Law is charged and that by God immediatly there an Infinite Majesty opposeth and that with the whole of his Justice Holiness and Power So then he that is thus charged and engaged for the Sin of the World must not only be equal with God but shew it by over-coming that Curse and Judgment that by Infinite Justice is charged upon him for Sin When Angels and Men had sinned how did they fall and crumble before the Anger of God! they had not power to withstand the terrour nor could there be worth found in their Persons or Doings to appease displeased Justice But behold here stands the Son of God before him in the Sin of the World his Father finding him there curseth and condemns him to death but he by the Power of his God-head and the Worthiness of his Person and Doings vanquisheth sin satisfieth God's Justice and so becomes the Saviour of the World Here then is Power seen Sin is a Mighty thing it crusheth all in pieces save him whose Spirit is Eternal Heb. 9. 14. Set Christ and his Sufferings aside and you neither see the Evil of Sin nor the Displeasure of God against it you see them not in their utmost Had'st thou a view of all the Legions that are now in the pains of Hell yea couldest thou hear their shreeks and groans together at once and feel the whole of all their burden much of the evil of Sin and of the Justice of God against it would be yet unknown by thee for thou wouldest want power to feel and bear the utmost A Giant shews not his Power by killing of a little Child nor yet is his might seen by the resistance that such a little one makes but then he sheweth his power when he dealeth with one like himself yea and the Power also of the other is then made manifest in saving himself from being swallowed up with his Wrath. Jesus Christ also made manifest his Eternal Power and God-head more by bearing and over-coming our Sins than in making or upholding the whole World Hence Christ Crucified is called the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. Fifthly The LOVE and MERCY of God is more seen in and by this Doctrine than any other way Mercy and Love are seen in that God gives us Rain and fruitful Seasons and in that he filleth our Hearts with food and gladness from that bounty he bestoweth upon us as men as his Creatures Oh! but herein is Love made manifest in that Christ laid down his Life for us And God commended his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. Chap. 4. 10 Rom. 5. 8. Never Love like this nor did God ever give such discovery of his Love from the beginning to this Day Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins Here is Love that God sent his Son his Darling his Son that never offended his Son that was
1. 24. Luk. 4. 34. He was called Jesus of Nazareth because he dwelt there with his Mother Mary and her Husband Nazareth was his City where he had been brought up whither for shelter Joseph carried him when he came up out of Egypt with him in Nazareth was his common Abode until the time that John was cast into Prison Luk. 4. 16. Mat. 2. 23. Chap. 4. 12 13. Wherefore he might well say I am Jesus of Nazareth Yea though he was now in Heaven for Heaven shall not make us forget what Country-men we were when we lived in the World Jesus you see here though Glorified in Heaven yet forgets not what Countrey-Man he was when he dwelt in the World I am Jesus of Nazareth saith he I am the Jesus that thou hatest and that thou mayest know I am he I tell thee I dwelt once in the City Nazareth in Galilee Joseph and my Mother Mary brought me up there and there I dwelt with them many years I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest Quest. 2. Secondly What was it for Jesus to come into the World Ans. 1. Not his coming in or by his Spirit in his People for so he was never out of the World 2. Neither is it his Appearance in his Ordinances 3. Nor that coming of his by which he destroyeth Antichrist 4. Nor his Appearing in his dreadful Providences or Judgments But by the coming of Jesus according to the Text we are to understand that or such a Coming whereby he was manifest to be God-Man in one Person God in our Flesh without us or distinct in his own Person by himself Such a Coming by which he was manifested to be in all points like as men are Sin only excepted Such a Coming wherein or by which the Son of God became also the Son of Man For the further clearing of this you find it expresly said he was born into the World Mary of whom was born Jesus Now when Jesus was born it 's said Where is he that is born King of the Jews Herod demanded of them where Christ should be born Mat. 1. 16. Chap. 2. 1 2 4. Luk. 1. 35. Chap. 2. 11. Now that this was fulfilled according to the very word of the Text without any juggle evasion or cunningly-devised Fable consider 1. He is called the First-Born of this Woman The Male Child that opened her Womb Luk. 2. 7 23. 2. He was not born till nourished in her Womb the full time according to the time of Life And so it was that while they were at Bethlehem the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her First-born Son and wrapt him in swadling Clothes and laid him in a Manger Luk. 2. 4 5 6 7. 3. She also continued in her Separation at the Birth of Jesus as other women at the Birth of their Children until the days of her Purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished Luk. 2. 22. 4. Himself also as other Hebrew Children was brought to Jerusalem to present him unto the Lord As it is written in the Law of Moses every Male that openeth the Womb shall be called Holy unto the Lord Luk. 2. 23 24. 5. Thus Jesus also as other Hebrew-Children when the set Day was come was Circumcised And when eight days were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child his Name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Womb Luk. 2. 21. 6. After this he is often called the Young-Child the Child Jesus and further it is said of him that he grew that he increased in Wisdom and Stature Mat. 2. 20 21. Luk. 2. 40 52. Behold with what diligence even to a Circumstance the Holy Ghost sets forth the Birth of the Lord Jesus and all to convince the incredulous World of the true Manner of the coming of the Saviour into the World Secondly The Reality of the Manhood of this Lord Jesus is yet further manifest and that First By those natural Infirmities that attend Human Flesh. Secondly By the Names the Prophets gave him in the Days of the Old-Testament and the New First By those natural Infirmities that attend Human Flesh. As 1. At his Birth he could not go but as carried by his Parents 2. He was sensible of Hunger Luk. 4. 2. 3. He was sensible of Thirst John 19. 28. 4. He was sensible of Weariness Joh. 4. 6. 5. He was nourished by Sleep Mar. 4. 34. 6. He was subject to Grief Mar. 3. 5. 7. He was subject to Anger Mar. 3. 5. 8. He was subject to Weep Joh. 11. 35. Luk. 19 41 9. He had Joy as a Man and rejoyced Mat. 11. 27. Luk. 10. 21. These things I say Jesus was subject to as a Man as the Son of the Virgin Secondly The Reality of his Manhood is yet made manifest by the Names the Prophets gave him both in the Old-Testament and in the New As 1. He is called the Seed The Seed of the Woman the Seed of Abraham the Seed of David by which is meant he was to come of their Children Gen. 3. 15. Chap. 12. Chap. 22. Gal. 3. 16 17. Rom. 1. 4. 2. Therefore it is added where mention is made of the Fathers of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came He was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh And hence again he calleth himself the Off-spring of David therefore I say he is said to be of their Flesh their Loins and is called their Son Rom. 1. 4. Chap. 9. 5. Acts 2. 30. Revel 22. 16. 3. He therefore is frequently called a Man and the Son of Man Then shall you see the Son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven When the Son of man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him This Man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood It is therefore necessary that this Man have somewhat also to offer Mat. 26. 63. Chap. 25. 30 31. Heb. 7. 24. Chap. 8. 3. Chap. 10. 12. 4. What shall I say Himself gave undeniable Demonstration of all this when he said he was dead when he called to Thomas to put his Finger to and behold his Hands to reach to him his Hand and thrust it into his Side and bid him he should not be faithless but believing At another time when he stood in the midst of the Eleven as they were troubled with the thoughts of Unbelief he said Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a Spirit bath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have Joh. 20. 27. Luk. 24. 39. Thus have I shewed you what it was for Jesus to come into the World namely To be born of a Woman to take flesh and to become God-man in one Person I come now to the third Question but before I speak particularly to that I will produce further Testimony that we find upon record concerning the Truth of all this Particular
like unto his Brethren THAT he might be merciful and faithful THAT he might make Reconciliation for the Sins of the People The Reason therefore why he took our Flesh is declared to wit That he might be our Saviour And hence you find it so often recorded He hath abolished in his Flesh the Enmity He hath slain the Enmity by his Flesh and you who were sometimes Aliens and Enemies in your Minds by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable in his Sight Ephes. 2. 15 16. Col. 1. 21 22. How he took Flesh. I Come now to the Second Question to wit How he took our Flesh. This must be inquired into for his taking Flesh was not after the common way never any took man's Flesh upon him as he since the Foundation of the World 1. He took not our flesh like Adam who was formed out of the Ground Who was made of the Dust of the Ground Gen. 2. 7. Chap. 3. 19. 2. He took not our flesh as we do by Carnal Generation Joseph knew not his Wife neither did Mary know any Man till she had brought forth her First-horn Son Luk. 1. 34. Mat. 1. 25. 3. He took flesh then by the immediate working and over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost And hence it is said expresly She was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise When-as his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1. 18. And hence again When Joseph doubted of her Honesty for he perceived she was with Child and knew he had not touched her the Angel of God himself comes down to resolve his doubt and said Joseph thou Son of David Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1. 20. But again Though the Holy Ghost was that by which the Child Jesus was formed in the Womb so as to be without Carnal Generation yet was he not formed in her without but by her Conception Behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus Luk. 1. 31. Wherefore he took flesh not only IN but OF the Virgin Hence he is called HER Son the SEED of the Woman And hence it is also that he is called the Seed OF Abraham the Seed OF David THEIR Seed according to the Flesh Luk. 2. 7. Gen. 13. 15. Chap. 12. Chap. 22. Gal. 3. 16. Chap. 4. 4. Rom. 1. 3. Luk. 1. 32. Rom. 9. 5. And this the Work he undertook required 1. It required that he should take our Flesh. 2. It required that he should take our Flesh without sin which could not be had he taken it by reason of a Carnal Generation for so all Children are conceived in and polluted with sin Psal. 51. And the least pollution either of flesh or spirit had utterly disabled him for the Work which to do he came down from Heaven Therefore Such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens Heb. 7. 26. This Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God was thus compleated I say That he might be in all points like as we are yet without sin for sin in the Fesh disableth and maketh incapable to do the Commandment Therefore was he thus made thus made of a Woman And this the Angel assigneth as the Reason of this his Marvelous Incarnation The Holy Ghost saith he shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that Holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luk. 2. 35. The Overshadowing of the Holy Ghost and the Power of the Highest the Father and the Holy Ghost brought this Wonderful thing to pass for Jesus is a Wonderful One in his Conception and Birth This Mystery is that next to the Mystery of three Persons in one God It is a great Mystery Great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifested in the Flesh. The Conclusion is That Jesus Christ took our Flesh that he might be our Saviour and that he might be our Saviour indeed he THUS took our Flesh. That it was necessary that he should take our Flesh if he will be our Saviour I Come now to the Third Thing namely That it was necessary that he should take our Flesh if he will be our Saviour And that first from the Nature of the Work his Work was to save to save man sinking man man that was going down to the Pit Job 34. 24. Now he that will save him that is sinking must take hold on him And since he was not to save a Man but Men therefore it was necessary that he should take hold not of one Person but of the Common Nature clothing himself with part of the same He took not hold of Angels but took on him the Seed of Abraham For THAT Flesh was the same with the whole Lump of the Children to whom the Promise was made and comprehended in it the Body of them that shall be saved even as in Adam was comprehended the whole World at first Rom. 5. Hence we are said to be chosen in him to be gathered being in him to be dead by him to be risen with him and to be set with him or in him in Heavenly Places already I phes 1. 4 10. Rom. 7. 4. Col. 3. 1 2 3. Chap. 2. 12 13. This then was the Wisdom of the great God that the Eternal Son of his Love should take hold of and so secure the sinking Souls of perishing Sinners by assuming their Flesh. Secondly The Manner of his doing the Work of a Saviour did call for his taking of our Flesh. He must do the Work by dying Ought not Christ to have suffered Christ must needs have suffered Luk. 24. 26. Acts 17. 3. or else no glory follows The Prophets testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11. Yea they did it by the Spirit even by the Spirit of Christ himself This Spirit then did bid them tell the World yea testify that Christ must suffer or no man be blest with Glory For the threatning of death and the Curse of the Law lay in the Way between Heaven-Gates and the Souls of the Children for their Sins wherefore he that will save them must answer Divine Justice or God must lye in saving them without inflicting the Punishment threatned Christ then must needs have suffered the Manner of the Work laid a necessity upon him to take our Flesh upon him he must die he must die for us he must die for our Sins And this was effectually foretold by all the Bloody Sacrifices that were offered under the Law The Blood of Bulls the Blood of Lambs the Blood of Rams the Blood of Calves
Name And hence again he is called a LAMB upon the Throne In the midst of the Throne of the four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns a Demonstration of Kingly Power But mark he was a Lamb upon the Throne he had his Horns as a Lamb. Now by LAMB we are to understand not only his meek and sweet Disposition but his Sacrifice for he was as a Lamb to be slain and Sacrificed and so his having a Throne and seven Horns as a Lamb giveth us to understand that he obtained this Dignity of King by his Blood When he had by himself purged our Sins he sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty in the Heavens When he had offered up one Sacrifice for Sins for ever he sat down on the Right Hand of God Revel 5. Heb. 4. Chap. 10. Now put all these together to wit his Resurrection from the Dead his Ascension and Exaltation to Office and remember also that the Person thus Exalted is the same Jesus of Nazareth that sometime was made accursed of God for Sin and also that he obtained this Glory by vertue of the Blood that was shed for us and it must unavoidably follow That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Third Demonstration BUt to proceed A Third Demonstration That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is because he hath received for them the Holy Spirit of God Thus Jesus hath God raised up whereof said Peter we are all Witnesses Therefore being by the Right Hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear Act. 2. 32 33. The receiving of the Holy Ghost at the Hand of the Father who had bruised him before for the Transgressions of his People The receiving of it I say upon his Resurrection and that to give them for whom just before he had spilt his Blood to make an Atonement for their Souls argueth that the Divine Majesty found rest and content in that Precious 〈…〉 od and found it full price for the Sinners for whom he shed it And if you consider the necessity of the giving of this good spirit to Men and the benefit that they receive by his coming upon them you will see yet more into the Truth now contended for First Then of the Necessity of giving this good Spirit 2. And then of the Benefit which we receive at his coming First Of the Necessity of its being given 1. Otherwise Jesus could never have been proved to be the Saviour for the Promise was that Messias should have the Spirit given him given him to communicate As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit which is upon thee and my Words which I have put in thy Mouth meaning the Redeemer ver 20. shall not depart out of thy Mouth nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed from henceforth and for ever Isa. 59. 21. Here is the Promise of the Spirit to be given to Christ and by him to his Seed for ever And this was signified long before in the Anointing of Aaron and his Sons And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his Sons and consecrate them Exod. 30. 30. This Spirit Jesus promised to send unto his at his Exaltation on the Right Hand of God The Spirit I say in the plentiful Pourings of it out True the Church in all Ages had something of it by vertue of the Suretyship of the Lord Jesus but this in comparison of what was to come into the Church after his Resurrection is not reckoned a Pouring forth therefore Pourings forth thereof are reserved to the time of the Ascension and Exaltation of this Jesus I will pour out of my Spirit in THOSE Days Hence Jesus reserves it till his going away and 't is expresly said The Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet Glorified Accordingly did the Apostles wait after his Resurrection for the pouring forth of the Holy Ghost and at the set time did receive it by the giving of which he declared himself to be the son of God and Saviour of the World John 14. 26. Chap. 15. 26. Chap. 16. 7. Act. 1. 4. 5. Joel 2. 28. Acts 2. 16 17. Joh. 7. 39. Rom. 1. 4. 2. Without the giving of the Holy Ghost there had wanted a Testimony that his Gospel was the Gospel of Messias Moses his Ministration was confirmed by Signs and Wonders and mighty Deeds both in Egypt in the Wilderness and at the Red-Sea wherefore 't was necessary that the Doctrine of Redemption by Blood which is the Doctrine of the Gospel of this Jesus should be also confirmed with signs following Hence both himself and Apostles did as frequently work Miracles and do mighty Deeds as his Ministers now do preach which Signs and Miracles and Wonders confirmed their Doctrine though themselves both Master and Scholar was in appearance the most considerable mean yea they by the means of the Holy Ghost have so ratified confirmed and setled the Gospel in the World that no Philosopher Tyrant or Devil hath been able hitherto to move it out of its place He confirmed the Word with Signs following Mar. 16. 20. Heb. 2. 4. 3. As the giving of the Holy Ghost was necessary thus so was it necessary also to strengthen them that were intrusted with his Gospel 1. To preach it effectually 2. To stand to it boldly 3. And to justifie it to be the Doctrine of Messias incontroulably 1. To preach it effectually in demonstration of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 4 5 6. Joh. 16. 8 9. 2. To stand to it boldly Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said And they saw the Boldness of Peter and John Act. 8. 13. 3. To justify the Doctrine incontroulably I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to resist or gain say And they were not able to resist the Wisdom and Spirit by which he spake Luk. 21. 15. Act. 6. 10. Now I say that God should give the Holy Ghost to Jesus to confirm this Gospel Redemption from sin by his Blood what is it but that by his Blood he hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them But again the Benefit which we receive at the Coming of the Holy Ghost doth more demonstrate this Truth hath Christ purchased Sinners and are they the Price of his Blood Yes But how doth that appear Why because by the Holy Ghost which he hath received to give us we are fitted for the Inheritance which by his Blood is prepared for us 1. By the Spirit of God we are quickned and raised from a state of
forth of the Heart against him now sin and great confusion puts forth it self in all yea the more the Sinner desireth to do a duty sincerely the further off it always finds it self For by how much the Soul struggleth under these distresses by so much the more doth Satan put forth himself to resist still infusing more poison that if possible it might never struggle more for strugglings are also us poison to Satan The Fly in the Spider's Webb is an emblem of the Soul in such a condition the Fly is entangled in the Webb at this the Spider shews himself if the Fly stir again down comes the Spider to her and claps a Foot upon her if yet the Fly makes a noise then with poisoned Mouth the Spider lays hold upon her if the Fly struggle still then he poisons her more and more what shall the Fly do now why she dies if some-body does not quickly release her This is the case of the Tempted they are entangled in the Webb their Feet and Wings are entangled now Satan shews himself if the Soul now struggleth Satan laboureth to hold it down if it now shall make a noise then be bites with blasphemous Mouth more poisonous than the Gall of a Serpent If it struggle again then he poisoneth more and more infomuch that it needs at last must die in the Net if the Man the Lord Jesus helps not out The afflicted Couscience understands my words Further though the Fly in the Webb is altogether uncapable of looking for relief yet this awakened tempted Christian is not what must he do therefore how should he contain hopes of life If he looks to his Heart there is Blasphemy if he looks to his duties there is Sin if he strives to mourn and lament perhaps he cannot unbelief and hardness hinder shall this Man lie down in despair No shall he trust to his duties No shall he stay from Christ till his Heart is better No What then Let him NOW look to Jesus Christ Crucified then shall he see his Sins answered for then shall he see Death a-dying then shall he see Guilt born by another and there shall he see the Devil overcome This sight destroys the Power of the first Temptation purifies the Heart and inclines the Mind to all good things And to encourage thee tempted Creature to this most Gospel-Duty Consider that when Jesus Christ read his Commission upon the entering into his Ministry he proclaimed 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 heal the broken-Hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the Blind to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord Luk. 4. 18 19. These things therefore should the Tempted believe but believing is now sweating-work for Satan will hold as long as possible and only stedfast Faith can make him fly But O! the Toyl of a truly gracious Heart in this Combate if Faith be weak he can scarce get higher than his Knees Lord help Lord save and then down again till an Arm from Heaven takes him up until Jesus Christ be evidently set forth Crucified for him and Cursed for his Sin for then and not till then the Temptation rightly ceaseth at leastwise for a Season Now the Soul can tend to look about it and thus consider with it self If Christ hath bora my Sin and Curse then 't is taken away from me and seeing thus to take away sin was the Contrivance of the God of Heaven I will bless his Name hope in his Mercy and look upon Death and Hell with Comfort Thine Heart shall meditate terrour thou shalt see the Land that is very far off Isa. 33. 16 17 18. The fifth use Fifthly This Doctrine makes Christ precious to the Believers Unto you therefore which believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2. 5. This Head might be greatly enlarged upon and branched out into a Thousand particulars each one full of weight and glory 1. By considering what Sin is 2. By considering what Hell is 3. By considering what Wrath is 4. By considering what Eternity is 5. By considering what the loss of a Soul is 6. What the loss of God is 7. What the loss of Heaven is 8. And what it is to be in utter Darkness with Devils and damned Souls for ever and ever And after all to conclude from all these Miserie 's the Lord Jesus delivered me Further This makes Christ precious if I consider in the next place 1. How he did deliver me 't was with his Life his Blood it cost him Tears Groans Agony Separation from God to do it he endured his Fathers Wrath bare his Fathers Curse and died thousands of deaths at once 2. He did this while I was his Enemy without my desires without my knowledg without my deserts he did it unawares to me 3. He did it freely cheerfully yea he longed to die for me yea Heaven would not hold him for the Love he had to my Salvation which also he hath effectually accomplished for me at Jerusalem Honourable Jesus precious Jesus loving Jesus Jonathan's Kindness captivated David and made him precious in his Eyes for ever I am distressed for thee my Brother Jonathan said he very pleasant hast thou been to me thy Love to me was wonderful passing the Love of Women 2 Sam. 1. 26. Why what had Jonathan done O! He had delivered David from the Wrath of Saul But how much more should he be precious to me who hath saved me from Death and Hell who hath delivered me from the Wrath of God! The Love of Christ constraineth us Nothing will so edge the Spirit of a Christian as Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood This makes the Heavens themselves ring with joy and shouting Mark the Words Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God with thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the Earth What follows now And I beheld and heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders and the Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud Voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honour and Glory and Blessing and every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are therein heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the LAMB for ever and and ever Revel 5. 9 10 11 12 13. Thus also is the Song that New-Song that is said to be sung by the Hundred fourty and four thousand which stand with the LAMB upon Mount Sion with his Fathers Name written in their Fore-heads These are also called Harpers Harping with their Harps And they sang as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders and none could learn that Song but the Hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth Revel 14. 1 2 3. But why could they not learn that Song Because they were not redeemed none can sing of this Song but the Redeemed they can give Glory to the Lamb the Lamb that was slain and that redeemed them to God by his Blood 'T is Faith in his Blood on Earth that will make us sing this Song in Heaven These Shoutings and Heavenly Songs must needs come from Love put into a Flame by the Sufferings of Christ. The last Use. If all these things be true what follows but a Demonstration of the Accursed Condition of those among the Religious in these Nations whose notions put them far off from Jesus and from venturing their Souls upon his Bloody Death I have observed such a Spirit as this in the World that careth not for knowing of Jesus the Possessed therewith do think that it is not material to Salvation to venture upon a Crucified Christ neither do they trouble their Heads or Hearts with inquiring whether Christ Jesus be risen and ascended into Heaven or whether they see him again or no but rather are for concluding that there will be no such thing These Men speak not by the Holy Ghost for in the Sum they call Jesus Accursed but I doubt not to say that many of them are Anathematised of God and shall stand so till the Coming of the Lord Jesus to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen THE END Books writ by Mr. Bunyan and printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1. SIghs from Hell or the Groans of a Damned Soul discovering the Lamentable Estate of the Damned 2. Resurrection from the Dead and Eternal Judgment asserted and with what Bodies the Dead arise 3. A Discourse of Prayer and what it is to pray with the Spirit and with Understanding 4. The Holy City or the New-Jerusalem or the Glorious State of Believers after this Life asserted 5. Christian Behaviour teaching Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants to walk so as to please God 6. Grace abounding to the chief of Sinners discovering the woful Estate of the Impenitent and the Greatness of Gods Mercy 7. A Map shewing the Order and Causes of Salvation and Damnation c. 8. Serious Meditations on the four last things viz. Death Judgment Heaven and Hell 9. A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. 10. A Confession of the Author's Faith and a Reason of his Practice in Matters of Worship