PRINCETON, N. J. ^ Collection of Puritan Literature. Division ,' s "* , ' , ' , ''^""-'~ ^^> Section ^Q(P^> Number s Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/ojesusoraOOfane fe & «$ m «Jp 35 Imprimatur Liber tit ea magis imprimatur J e s u s . Decembo 6 t 1 66%, M. Fr anck. S. T! alias Ham/hire. London , Printed by Thomas Roy cr eft for the Autbour , and are to be fold by • Humphrey Tttckey ut the Black fpread-Eaglein Fleet-flfeet , and by tftiliam Taylor nbar the Checquer Gate in Winchefter. 1 66$. I J OPTIMO MAXIMO ©EANQPn'nn, Tw Aoyo), Xj &g T&g ajfivctgrta 'Autw DEO DOMINO DOMINI DEI Watris Omnipotentts Filio Uni- genito 9 omnisque Creature n^rortK^y hoc eH^ & (Primo- Tarienti /! The PREFACE. °f^£ es $ the eternal excellency of his Church, the joy of all Generations* A woi k it is wherein all the company of Heaven is to be excrcifed unto all eternity. And albeit whadbever is undertaken by Men or Angels in this kinde will come infinite* ly fihort of his Merit, yet it is but fit that what any one hath herefeen of his glory, either in his word or works, he be free in the communicati- on thereof. PoflTibly there have been fundry at- tempts madealready of the like nature, and fuch, that this may teem tofome atfirft fight to be fu- perfluous : However Let not the day of /mail things be defpifed by us : If lome new materials , which will endure the (caching fire of Gods fpirit be here added to the gold and filver which others have before built upon this foundation, there can be no juft offence taken thereat \ Sure I am they will not be difallowed by the Mafter of the houfe, and therefore ought not to be reje<5tcd by thofe that are employed and falaryed by him to be Co- workers with mein the building, it was not (God knowech) any vain ambi- tion or lelf-feeking that did firft put me, the meaneft of the Lords Servants^ upon this work, which is indeed Opus Dei, the work of God; nei- ther is it any fuch finifter aim, that makes me rufh 77;om. * Which it here alfo infertei in its pro- per place. the PREFACE. fwaded by thofe perfons, and fundry others thac heard "of it, to publifli in print the Sermon that I then preached, to the end the World might fee how caufelefly I was traduced. I did nevcrthclefs forbear the faid publication, not out of fear of the perfecutions of thofe evil dayes; for I did my lelf obferve that Anniverfary Feftivity in my own Parifli^preaching and adminiftiing the Sacrament of the Lords fupper y when very few durft ad- venture to do the like. But having begun upon this occalion to prepare it for the Prefs, and find* ing inthepurfuanceof it my Meditations enlarg- ed to other matter then 1 at firfl delivered, 1 flight- ed the Calumny wherewith I was afperft , as not worthy to be fo much heeded, and breaking through many difficulties and hinderances , have by degrees extended that very Sermon to this length which is now before you. The greaceft part whereof I have for fome years kept by me without further additions 5 but of late 1 muft confefs I was as the Apoftle (if I may fo fay) prejOTed in fpirit to finifh what I had begun, and to publifhthe whole for the fake of Chnft and his Churches. And now give me leave to premife an Apology for fome things inthisTreatife, againft which c- fpecially The PREFACE. fpecially there may feem to lie foine exceptions. Firft, I may poflibly be adjudged too inconfidc* rate in fixing the Epiftlc to the Hebrews upon St. Pauls account, b:caufc it doth not clearly appear (as it is commonly conceived) that he was the Authour thereof. Secondly, It maybe laid that here are fundry things inferted which have no na- tural co-incidency with the principal fubjed that is pretended. As to the firft of thefe Exceptions, I know well there hath been fbme doubt made concerning the Authour of this Epiftlej for it hath been much controverted a longtime whether it^was Barnabas or Clemens P^manus^ or Saint Luke, tsre. But for Saint Paul few were inclinable to entitle him un- to it : their reafon was , The ftyle and idiom hereof Teems to vary much from that which the Apoftle ordinarily ufed in his writing, neither doth he own it himlelf, by fecting his mark up- on the fiont of it, as he doth in all the reft of his Epiftles 5 but chiefly bccaulethe Writer of this Epiftleacknowkdgeth,that he bad learned the Do- ttrine of Salvation from others ^ which , faith he, was confirmed unto us by them that heard it h Whereas the Apoftle with very great confidence profeflcth that he never received it of men, nor was taught it 2> 3- Gal. i, ix The therSy and tradition from them spb'ich faw and beard. See 1 Cor, ■xj . 3. it but by the Revelation of JsfusChrift (which laft exception is indeed the moft material, but an- fwered fufficiently by a late Writer as may appear inthe margine.) Hereupon it feems that doubts have rifen concerning this matter : And it is fur- ther conceived byfomcthat it would iavour of too much curiofity to refolve fuch doubts { For fo long as we believe the Holy Ghoft to be the Enditer, what need we perplex our ielves about the Writer? As When a Prince will vouchfafe to lend a Letter to any of his Subje&s, it would ill become them to be inquifitive with what pen it was written i 'rather we fliouid 6 fay of this Epi- file, as once it was faidof the Book of Job y Jpfe fcripftt, quihAcfcrihend* diftavit, Ipfcfiripftt, qui & illius operis injpiratw extitit y He writthefe things that dictated them unto the Writer, tyc. Neverthelefs though it be granted that it may not be of abfolutcneceflitytomakc too curious inquiry after all thofe Pen-men and aduaries, whom the Holy Ghoft employed in that excel- lent fervice of being the perpetual Regifters of the great Council of Heaven, yet neither are they to be quite negle&ed. We rejoyce in the meiTagc of good tidings that is brought unto us, yet that hinders not> but that w e may make the mclTenger welcome. The PREFACE. welcome, and if he be miffing, though his pre- fence fhould not add to the Authority of the mejf- lage, yet we would feek him our, that we might gladly know him. Here is an Epiftle lent unto us from God, and the meflcnger is fuppofed to be miffing : Let now the name of God be magni- fied, and his will herein revealed be embraced by us (as it is meet) with all acceptation : But if the knowledge of the inftrumentby whom it is handed tous, may any whit conduce to Gods glo ry in the removal of prejudices againft the truth herein revealed, or in the conviction of the ene- mies of the Lord Jelus Chrift ( fnch as were the Arruns of old, and the Socinians of late ) it is not fit that we fhould baike ir,efpecially when it is hinted unto us by the fpirit it fclf in the holy Scriptures. To fay nothing of the Title prefixed to the Epiftle, it being no part of the Canon, neither having been generally ufed by the Church, es of Chrift ) therefore not argumentative, though it muft be confeflfed it hath Antiquity to plead for it. To letpafs alfothe Salutation in theclofe, which as the Apoftle Saint (FW faith, aTk/ 3, 17. is his token in every Epiftle Jo he writes ( which might be more material; but that it may belaid, Others in imitation of him do ufe the fame Vale-: dilution The PREFACE. di&iontoo) wchavcamore fure word of tcfti- mony s whcreunto we fliould do well to take heed, and that is this. Saint fo that the word of God might run and be glorifi- ed. Moreover he was defign'd to be JpoHolus Gentium, the Apoftle of the Gentiles, as appears Gal 2- 7, 8. Therefore thought it bed here to con- ceale his Name, and to waive his ordinary title , leaft he fhould 'A>^$?iSimrtiom& aflume to him- fclf alfotheTide of JpoHolus Hebr^eorum, the A. poftleof the Hebrews f which properly belonged to another. And therefore though he might in an extraordinary way be employed by the Holy c Ghoit CPl ii, The T^EF ACE. Ghoftin writing this Epiftleto the peopleof that Nation (as Saint James alio did.) yetwithallhe is very cautious herein to put them in minde of their duty to their own peculiar Guides that had the rule over them 5 which we fee he doth once and again in this 13 Chapter verf 7. 17.24. But the truth is (as it isfaid) thefe reafons are but conjectural , that which is to lacisfie us in this point is this, even fo it feemed good ro the Holy Ghoft. And thus I have given a large and clear refolu- tionof this doubtful matter , which indeed was but fit to be done, bfcaufe I do here oftentimes fpeak of the faid Apoftle, as the fure, and certain Authourof that Epiftle. Secondly, Whereas there are fundry branches of this Treatife, which do fecm to have no affi- nity with the fenfe of the Apoftle in the Text, and confequentiy not to be connatural with the main Do&rine that is here inlifted upon^anfwerjFirft, As Jefus Chrifthimfclf is { according to the -A- poftles word ) All and in All , That fea of living waters by whom all fprings and rivulets of divine truth have their rife and original, and unto which they muii return again i fo is this Text, as it is here interpreted, not onely comprehenfive of the whole The PREFACE. whole myftery of Chrift, butalfo of the whole du r y of man towards him : And therefore that which is here written in order thereunto fhould not be accounted as an impertinent digreflion. Secondly ^ it is no new thing to finde corolla- ries and collateral interlercions luperadded in a way oflubiervicncy cothe principal lubjcft hand- led in Tractates either of a Theological or meer Humane Alloy : For it is with Books (as one very well makes the refemblancc) as it is with Tr^es, thefe have fome Mafter and chief Branches in which the main Sap of the Roo: is carried, but they have alio fome under-fpriggs and water* boughs , which by the vegetation of the princi- pal Shootes doprolper the better, and are made to ferve both for ornament and fecundity to the whole Body $ Thofe have commonly fome emi- nent fubjedt into which their whole ftrengch and dream runs 9 but they have like w i fc din dry Pd- rerga of lefs confequence annexed thereto , which chough abftra&edly confidered may feem to be ata wide diftance, yet being Methodically linked together, have a coalefcency , imparting each to other b )thilluftration and confirmation. So is itherc^fundry refultancies and inferences do occa- fionallyfpring up in this Book , as c-here do in all c i our The PREFACE. our Sermons that we undertake, when the bioud and juyce of it runs chiefly into the Apodles fenfe of the Text, vi%. theDodtrineofthe Eternity and Immutability of the Lord Jelus Chrift , which giveth life unto all the reft, So that what the Evangelift Saint John ipakeof his Gofpei which hewrote t the lame may I fay of all that is contain- ed in this Book y Tliefe things are written that you might believe that Jefusis the Qhrift , and that believing youmightbaVe life through bis name. But 1 hear what is further objected, as^ thatl multiply Quotations, borrow the help of fundry Aathours, and do but a Slum agere, bring the fame crambe of words , repeating what hath fufficicntly been imparted to the World by others , who have at large , and with much pcrfpicuity and fe- renity of lpiritual Wifdome wri ten of this Tub- jeft. Now though 1 have hinted at this before, yet I conceive anecerfityis la duponmetorejoyn j unto this Charge a full and clear Vindication, j Firft then , this I (ay, 1 know not of any that j hath written of this fubjed: lo largely before me } j But this i know, that both for the matter and j manner of handling it, as it is grounded upon that foundation, which is precedaneous unto it, I am alone without any competitours or pretenders what lb ever. Secondly ^ The PREFACE. Secondly, I do yield that 1 have in the carrying on of this Work confulted with Writers both An- cient and Modern ; and have thereupon j not without good caufe been the bolder to offer my conceptions to publick view ( though poflibly in feme places they may not be well relented ) find- ing them confirm? d by thole that have been wor- thily reputed burning and fhining Lights of the Church in their feveral Generations, who have born the burden and heat of the d^y in the Lords Vineyard , and upon whole Labours we are now happily entred. Yea more, I have not onely con- fulted them , but frequently made ufeof their Te- ftimony, rendiingit intheirown words , fbme- times to put by Imputations of Collulion, other- whiles for the Conviction of Adverfaries,alwayes to give full fatisfadtion to thofe who flhall dili* gently apply themfelves to a religious perufal hereof. Nor am 1 at all afhamed to acknowledge what 1 have done in this kinde nor need 1 fear to be taxed with any Plagiary fupcrinducements of other mens Labours 5 though indeed as I have gone thorough my Neighbours Fields ( the Owners whereof I do for the moftpart fignifie by name ) I have here and there plucked fome Earesof Corn, and fitted them for my purpofe (which The PREFACE. (which by a natural propriety is challenged of all as a common rightjyet I have no where put in my Si- ckle^nd focan plead a juftification in that particu- lar. Howbeit this I may without arrogancy make my Plea : Yi^ My borrowing whatfoever it hath been, is fully counter- bailanced with my lending again, which though it be to be reckoned but as a poor Mite caft into the Lords Treafury 3 yet it \$fe- cundum menfuram donations Cbrifti , ac moderationem Spiritus dividends fingulis prout *7/ declare the Decree, &c. Pfalm. 8. ;. J^/^tf Iconfder thy HeaVens, &c. Plal-74' 1 1- Fw ^^ ts m y Kl n & of old, Sec. Daniel 9.24. Seventy Weekesare determined, &c. Amos 5.1.8. Woe unto yon that dejire the day of the Lord) Sec. 19. Jsif a man did fee from a Lyon y &c- John 1. 1 o. He was in the World, and the World was made,&c. 11. He came unto his oTtrn^ and his own,&cc. 14. The word was made flejh, &c. A6ls 1. 6. When they therefore were come together, &c. 7. It is not for you to know the times \, &c. Rom. 8. 19. For the earned expectation of the Crea- ture^ &c. 20. For the creature was made JubjeElto Va- nity, &cc. a 1. The PREFACE. xi. moil ftrength in the vindication of that Tfu:h and Church, which have been Co treachcroufly foriaken ? For my own part I do here in the truth and uprightnefs of my heart folemnly pro- ceft before God .and men, as I hav-been afhamed of my credulity in giving heed forforne time to the cunning iniinuations of thofe who pretended they were for the caufe of God , but were found Lyars, lb now ( though poffibly it may be laid of me , as it was of Saint Taul, that my bodvly pre- fence is weak, and my ipeech contemptible, and therefore it is but little that can be exp'Cfcd from me that may be for the advantage of the Church in any kinde (ail which I will not c&eny) y*t) I do and muft account it my duty with that little ftrength that i have, to endeavour what I can by all wayes and means the undeceiving of thole poor feduced people, who, being b witched with the like forceries,do yet continue in their perverfenefs againft the Lord and ag.unft his Anointed. What elfe fhould I do after fo wohil a defection that hath been among us, when, to my appreheniion, I hear often the word of our Saviour to his Apc- ftlc Saint !?erfr founding; in mine cares , tucoriVtr- d i fus lO. IE. io. Luk. 2 1, The theimell thereof is fo acceptably fragrant to every true be- liever, that the fcent of all things elfe in this world, how pleafing foever to flefli and bloud , is of no value with him, but noifbmein comparifon. If we therefore ( to ufe the Apoftles words ) or an Angel from Heaven fhould trample upon this bed , or deface the beauty of it by icattciing in it any other feeds, which (of what nature Soever they be) will prove in effect to be nothingelfe , but the Tares of the Fnemy , let him be Anathema But to uncover this bed , and to (Lew what a delegable variety there is in the fweet nature of ir, to the end that thofe who tike pleafureih beholding it, may more and more aflreft it, will 1 hope be adjudged, by thofe that have judgment to diicern , to bt no faulty Cant. l.l 6. The PREFACE. faulty compliancy at all with new fangledOpini- onifts, who pretending to novel discoveries of truth, root up the foun Jation. There is certain- ly, as in Flams many fecrets of nature that are yet unknown, lb, in the Scripture much of the minde of God that former Ages hath noc been acquaint- ed with, which they chat come after may under- ftand more perfe&ly , efpecially in the fenfe of thofc Prophecies which arc to have their full ac- complishment in the laft Times. Truth is not now barren, asoneobferveth well,, although fhe was prodigal in teaching our Anccftours ( Etiam quicunquejueremortaliumfapientifiimi, muhafcijje di- cuntur, non omnia) (he hath a relerve laid up in her Cabinet for her friends and followers at this day, and will ever have, till flic opens all her treafures unto them at the laft day. I fay therefore, as countenance is not to be gi- ven to thofe Mafters of Novelties and new-Light Mongers of thefe dayes, who frequently and con- fidently from the light within them vent moft damnable Opinions t exprcfly contrary to the Written Word (as the Gnofticks of old did, whofe Difciplcs they are, tnough they know it not) fo fliould encouragement be given to thofe, who caking along with them the Analogy of Faith^and the The PREFACE. the Analyfis of thofe Places of Scripture which they fix their Medications upon, are fo happy as to finde out other interpretations thereof then were before known , which may occasion more light alio cofpringup in the Church to the glo- ry of God, and advancement of the GofpeL To which glorious ends that all whaefbever is here written in this following Treatife may hap- pily tend, hath been, and fhallconftantly be the hearty Prayer of the poor unworthy Authour thereof, who is (Dear Qmfitan) Thy Settles friend, and The Churches Servant, E. L. The PREFACE. POSTSCRIPT T O T H E READER T* HE Method that is here ufed is (I conffs ) according to the ordinary mode plain and home- /)>, without thoft Logical curiofities ^ florid and fnbtle infmuations , or rhetorical tranfitions and cadencies y Wherein the accurate Writers of thefe Times do abound (which things neyerthelefs in their right ufe and genu- ine appearance , no man that is wife will at any tune con- demn) but for their fakes % whoje ConVerfion fromSin^ Conyiftion of Errour, and (Corroboration in the Faith y thisTreatife efpecially aimeth at, is this order obferyed'j Which as it hath not been found altogether unfuccefsful to fuch ends and purposes ffo may it nm alfo ^ through Gods blefsing^ be ftillufeful therein, being futed for the mofl part according to their minde and expectation h Wherein I do but f Alow the Apoftles Example } who be- came all things to all men y that by all means he might gainfowe : Jet if they fwuld chance to meet with fome things here Hard to be underftood (as even Saint Tauls Epiftles The PREFACE. Epiftles , which required that all things (J)ouldb: done to Edification ^ had in them , by the Testimony of Saint Peter, things furpjsing the capacity of the unlearned) it Ifiill be eajy for them to pafs them by ^ and to fpend their time and thoughts upon that ) which they wilt fink to be within the l^en of their apprchen.ion. One thing more Imuftpremifejvith whichl fbaU con- clude this Addrefs . In regard I have here pre fumed to render the fenfe of Joint paces of Scripture other wife then they haVe been commonly interpreted, kafl I f)Ould thereupon be cenfnred for affe&ing too much a Digrefsion from the grave and profound judgement of others that are or haVe been before me , it is thought Very requifite to add hereunto a Synopjis of the N tmes ofjundry Au- ! thours bQth Antient and Modern that haVe been , as 1 faid before , confulted with in the purfuance of this Sub- jett^towbom for the mofl part, as it was meet ^ lhaVe with due reverence yielded a ready and willing complian- cy in their Jenfe of Scripture , and other their Religious and Of the iox Determinations^ which I hope mill jujfe'e not onely to take )ff the imputation of a Paradoxal Sin- gularity , but f ee me alfo from a charge of offer ig^vio- lence toSacreuT.^eology, though Philology lead me fome- times into her private fifetirements % and put m: therein upon new Explorations. e The The PREFACE. ThcNames of fome Authours mentioned in this Treatiie. AlHedius Saint Ambrofe Amefius Doctor Lancelot An- drews Lord Bifliop of Winton Saint Athanafius Saint AuguJUne Seda Saint Bernard !Be%a fBrentius Bruno (Bucanus Cabin Centurifts Saint (Juries the Fir ft of Famous Memory King of Great ©n- tain, &c. Saint ChryJoUome Bo&or Collins Saint Cyprian Dodtor John DaVenant Lord Bifliop of Sa» rum Maft r Veering Saint Dionyfius Areopagita Oodcox Vownham M after Dyke Eplphanius Eujebius Do&or Featley MafterFox his Martyrol, Gerard Bifliop Godwin Gomarus Saint Gregory H Grotins Dodtor Hammond Doctor Harris Ward. oWint. Col. Doctor Jofeph Hall Lord Bifliop of Norwich. Ho/pinian The PREFACE. Ho/pin i an Saint Jerome Biihoo Jewel Irentus Junius Doftor Johni\ing Lord (Polanus Bifhop of London \ Dodtor John Trideaux Taraus Perkins Thilo Jud^us Pt/cator Do&or Henry IQng Lord Bifliop of Cbi- chejler (peter Lombard Ludolphus Luther (peter Martyr fiercer Lord Bifhop of Wor cefter (p£\> melius Do&or Edward ^ei- nolds Lord Bifliop of Norwich Septuagint Socrates Doctor George Mbrley Socmen Lord Bifhop of Win- Tertullian ton Theodoret Do&or Orchard Moun- Doctor Twijfe tagueLoid Biftioptof Mailer Fines Norwich ; Mafter Nathaniel Ward Mufculus - Mafter Thomas Wiljon Ntcephorus \Zanchy } &c, Orinn C 2 Thingi IV Things moft remarkable contained in this Trcatife. I. ^nr" B E Divine Generation ofjefus Chrifi is in fome poer § meal are declared. IL The Reftauration of the Creature after the final Judgement proved. III. The glorious ejiate of the Saints in the life to come descri- bed in a nay end manner that is not commonly thought upon. Eoiv the Office of Chrifls Mediatorjhip was exercifed by him and made cjfeltual from tht beginning. How Jefits thrift Jloall he the Head of his Chmch Trium- phant after he hath delivered up the Kingdoms to God\ the Father. VI* The certainty of the Converfou of the Jewes cleared, and a demon fl ration of the fixed time ^ wherein they fp all be called, gathered from the Holy Scriptures. VII. The Blajphemy ofSocin ians di J covered. VIII. Civil Government vindicated. IX. The folly' of Fift Monarchies and Millenaries Made ma- nifef. X t Epi (copal Government in the Church proved by Scripture to be ef Divine Right. XL The I iturgy of the Church of England cleared from Su- per (It ti 'ov. XII. The Church of 'Rome jufily charged with "Novelty a XIII. A j\emedy pre [crib td to cure the Diflempers of our Na- tion and Times about Order and Church-Government. The. The Contents more particularly , and more punetuillyddcribed. THs Apofiles intent And fccpe in the words ef the Text (viz. fejttr Chnfl the S*me jejlcrday , to day , And for ever) urend-fd A threefold interpretation given of the Text I . }Vnh a r effect to the Divine Nature. 1. With a reference to the whole Creation. 2 . with a wore e [pedal refpecJ to the Church. An Apology for thefe fever aI interpretations d page i. P-4- ibid, The firft Interpretation. Proved tj Scripture, and the concurrent Tefiimony of fundry Aut hours p. 5. Objections anfwered. f\rtt taken from Prov. 8. 22, &c. Second taMen from Luk. 1.35- Third taken from Col. 1. 15. p. II. p. 13. ibid. Inftruftions dcdu&ed, viz, Firfl, Though Chrift totl^ upon him our nature , yet he continued fiill to be the Same p. 19. Secondly, We muft give unto Chrift the glory due unto hU NAme p.21. I. In The Contents. 1 . In worjhipping him with Divine A deration p. 2 j . 2. In a ^ealotti appearance for him again ft his enemies p. 2 j. Of whom there are type forts efpecially in thefe times that muft not be [pared ,viz Thofe 1. Who raife tip men above their proper fphare, e^uaRizjng them with Chrift P. 2 4. 2. jyh* level the Lord fefus with poor duff andafhes p. 2 5. In the ready hearkening to the v$yce §f his Word p. 28. 3* Corroboratives of this Argument. 1 . The Father 'Veill have Chrift to he thus honoured p. 2 9. 2. Chrifl him f elf expels of us the famefervice ibid. 3. The Eternity of Chrift u a clear evidence $f his Wifdome and Gravity ibid. 4. A neceffity lyes upon us to hearken to this his infallible Wifdome p 30. How elfe (hall we efcape thefnares of Saltan. What improvement can Vte make of our Talents in our ma- kers fervice p, 3 j. 5. He hath highly honoured t:s ibid. Thirdly , how God hath been wont to make manifefi his fore difpleafure againft thofe that have been the prof fed enemies of the eternal Deity P. 3 3. P. 37. of his beloved Son the Lord fefus Chrift < A particular Amplication The fecond Interpretation. p. 41 1. 3- Wherein it is obfervedhti^o Chrifi is the Same. In the worl^of Creation. In the work_of Prefervation. In the workj)f Reftauration. How in the wo>\of Creation p 42. Though fefus Chrift be 'O 9 Avnt therein, yet the Father and the Holy Ghoft are not excluded, I . Chrift is equal with the Father in that eternal Counfel and De- cree , from whence all things had their firft rife and origina- tion. 2. The The Contents. 7. The S*rnc in the execution of that Decree, 3 . The Same Without any Coadjutor. 4 . The Same Without an] variableness in the creating of all things. Inferences from hence. Fir ft this may lead us to a further knowledge of fefus Chrift p. 47 . Whenwe csnfider the Heavens p. 48. When we cenfider the Veep p. 49. When we confider the Earth ibid. When we ccnfider our f elves p . 5 o. We muftfay. Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy Name ? Secondly, we are to let fefus Chrift enjoy peaceably, without any repining, his abfolute Sovereignty over all the earth, to diffofc of it as feemetk good unto him p. $0. HoW "fefus Chrift is the Same in the worl^ of Prefervation and Govern- ment of the world p. 5 2. An Objection anfwered,i>/^. // this Power belongtth unto Chrift to guide and govern the World, what need is there at all of any other government f p. 54. In anfwer hereunto three things are largely proved, Fir ft, Government by men is an Ordinance of Divine appointment p. 5 7. Secondly , Government is ordained to be fubfervient unto Chrift p. 6 2. Thirdly, Chrift will have this fubfervient government and order to be continued [0 long as the worldendureth The felly of F if t- Monarchy men is made manifeft A conviHion of thofe that loo\no further thenfecendary cattfes They Who applaudtheir Fortune in their fucceffes are reproved They alfo who conftslt with Astrologers p. 7 1 . And that run to Witches for their help ibid. That when extraordinary tempefts are raifed,are aft to impute the caufe thereof to C en j nring p. 7 3 » Such as murmure at the happy change which the Divine Providence hath brought p. 66 p. 70. p. 71. ibid. The Contents. brought upon this Nation p. 74. A conviVtion of fundry others whs in effect difclaim Chips Sovereignty ever them p. 75, The Covetous. The Ambitious. The Prtud and Vain-gloruus. The Profane Politician. An Inflrutlion to all that fear Cod not to be difmayed at the abearance and apprehenfion of death p. 78. Nor at the troubles that come npon the world , or that may befall them- J elves. p. 80. A lejjon to incline us to a confiant dependance upon Divine Providence p. 81. We are mthing without Ckrift ibid. Hofy fefus Ghrift is the Same in the Reftauration of all things p. 82. In order hereunto the Afoftlesmrds in Rom. 8. 19. ZO. 22. 23. are at large expounded p. 83. Where is to be feen, how I . The creature is fubjefl to vanity p. 84. It hath lofl a great fart of its primitive beaut j and goodnefs P- 85* A neceffity Ijes upon it to ferve the enemies of the Creatour ibid Itisfiill declaring the glory of God, but man regards it net ibid. It is troubled at the inverting of the order which the Creatour «t fir ft efiablijhed P- M. It is infirumental in mans Jin *b:d. ? . The creature waiteth andgroaneth to be delivered p. 87. 3. When this Deliverance flj all be ?• 89. viz. When the Son t of Cod, that is, the Angels are mtnifefied ibid. Which manifeftathn /hall be bcth atiive andptjfive p. 90. Adivc The Contents, Aftive four fcveral ways, They (hall breuk^opcn the chambers if Death 90 They flail manifest the Saints from the wicked- ibid. They fhatl manifeft the judgement pronounced ibid. Thej JbaU be employed in the manifeflation of the Sen of man P<9i. Pafiive, two ways, Inrefpe&of their Nature p. 92. In refpetl of their Number ibid, 4. The manner bf their deliverance p. 9 3 . An Objetlion out of 2 Pet. 3. 10. concerning the diffriutlon of all things by fire, anfwered P 95. Fift monarchies and Millenaries reproved p. 1 3 . See the excellencie of our Creation p. 1 05 . A light to guide us in the fir ft refurretlion p. 106. A light tofleVsf unto us fomewhat of the glory of the feand p. 1 07. Wherein may be feen, 1. HeWtbe neVe heaven that /hall be u refembled unto Canaan P- 109. *. HoV? the new earth that (hall be is alfo fo refembled p. 112. The third Interpretation, viz. feftts Chrifi is the Same yefierday, to day, and for ever , with a more efpecial refpetl unto his Church p. 116. Firfi ofyeBerday p. 1 1 7. that is, All the time of the old Teflament. A Doftrine here-hence derived, viz. The time of the Old Teflament with aft the legal Ordinances attending upon it , is a day that is fet and expired^ being ycficrday, and there- fore net to be brought into eur account , neither are we to walk in the light of it p. 118. Proved by fundry in fiances ibid. / Where- The Contents. Whereupon followeth The conviBion ofthofe who in this day will grope after the ebfcnre light of yefterday, thofe are Fir ft the Jews p. 121. Secondly , they that feekjo U juftifiedby the workj of the law p.i 26. Thirdly, the Papifts p. 1 28. Fourthly, they that now- a- days pretend to Oracles , and wait fcr Miracles p. 12*;. Where is to be feen What we are to judge cf the pretended Vifions and Rcvelatkns of thefe times ibid, And what Miracles are new to be regarded in the time cf 'the Gofpel p. 132. A fecond Do&rine propounded, viz,. fefus Chrift was the Saviour of his Church in the time of the Old Tefia- ment, even as now in the time of the New p. 134. Proved ibid. A Queftion refolved, Ifm Chrifl could be a Saviour, before he was in a capacity tofuffer death, by taking our nature upon him, for the expiation of fin f p. i 3 5 . fefus Chrift was a Prophet from the beginning p. 1 3 6 f ejus Chrift was a King from the beginning p. 1 38. fefus Chrift was a frieftfrom the beginning p. I 49. A difference obferved inreftctl cf the difpenfation and manifeftation of Chrift: to the Fathers and us p. 1 5 5. Examples. (foundry of the Fathers believing in Chrift; > Adam, Abraham, p. 156. P. 15?. Job, Daniel, &c. Mofss's inter courfe with fefus Chrift upon the M°nnt Whereupon followeth 1 , An exhortation to the Jews, to lool^ unto fefus p. 1 64. 2 . A learning to take hied of defpifmg the ages before us pi 6(5. 3 . Our religion proved to be the one ly true Religion p. 169. 4. The Limbus Patrum of the Church e/Rome proved to be an ab- furd forgery p 170. 5, To hold that the objeft of the faith of the Patriarchs of old was not The Contents, notJefusChrifl, is agrofs errour p. 175. 6. Andas grofs is it to maintain that we are not MOwjuJlifed by the Object, but by the Atl of Faith p. 176. Of the fecond courfe or computation of time, vU .To day. Wherein firft this Do&rine is propounded, viz. The time of the Goffcl is a time of light It is a true light It is a great light It u a marvellous light It ps an invincible light Whereupon follow The duties of thofe who are the children of this day. 1 . To re Joyce and be glad in it An Objection. But this day is a day of trouble, of rebuke, and blafphemy Anfwered 2. To let the light of this day Jbine in upen their fouls A Queltion put, viz. What is this light f Anfwered I . It is the light of Life 2. It is the light of the glorious Gojpcl of fefus Chrifl p.ipo. 3 . It is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God ibid, 3 . To walk, i* t his light p. 1 p 1 . A two-fold walk 1. Walk in the Commandments of the Lord ibid. Motives hereunto, 1 . It is the great defign of Almighty God this day to fave his people from thfir fins p. 192. 2. We are to wall^worthy of our ealiing p, 194. 3. Confider the length of our way p. 195. 4 This day will have an end p. 1 96. 2. Walkjn the Ordinances of *the Lord p. 199. Let then the world be awakened that lyeth ajlecf in the darknefs sf Jin and ignorance p. 202. / 2 L(t p. 180. p.181. ibid. ibid, p. 182. p. 184. p.i8£ ibid. p. 188. p. i8p. ibid. The Contents. Let the Ignorant be roufed p, 20 2. Let the profane be alarum' d p. 203 . A Qucftion par, vU. How cometh it to pajfe that wo and mifery falls fo inevitably upon profane people this day p 207. Anfwercd, 1 . The fin of fuck perfons is found out by the light of this day ibid. 2. Their fin dothfinde §ut them p. 208. Application p. 209. Another Doftrine propounded/^/*,. fefus Chrift is the Same to his Church now in the timt.f the Gofpel, which he was before under the Law p» 2 1 2. Proved bj Scripture p. 2 1 3 . An Objection, But we fee there is a change to day from what was yefierdaj in the form of Divine worfeip, How then can fefus Chrifl be the Same ? p. 2 1 5 Anfwcrsd ibid.* Inferences thereupon. Fi'-fiythe Imputations of Novelty upon thofe Churches which adhere to this foundation ^charged en them by the Church of Rome ,cannot be jufi p. 217. The f aid Imputations j#ftly retorted upon the Romifh Church ibid. Secondly , an Exhortation to let the fame minde be in m which was in Chrift fefus , that is, to be the Same in things pertaining to Gcd p 220. An Application hereof to us of this nation, with a free and plain difcovery of our late inconstancy p, 222. An Objection. Shall we then be the Same, which we have been in profanenefs and [viper- flitiw p. 227, Anlwer, God forbid ibid. 1 . The bad Old Caufe did not preferve us from eh her p. 228. 2. The League and Covenant, though contrived to ftrengthen the [aid Caufe, yet At it was illegal in ttfclf,[o was ittreacherouf- ly carried on p. 229. It is objeded. But is there not a return to Superftitien, when the Lyturgie, Ceremonies and E:ifccpyc% p. 28 3 . Secondly > hdVe fe/w Chnft wll be the Same in the world to come , is in part declared, with a Caution premifed p. 284, 1 . He wiH continue to be the Same for ever in the Hjfoftatical union of hutwo Natures^ Divine and Humane p. 285. 2. He will continue to be the Same for ever in his myfticalVnion with his Church p. 286. Where is to be feen Firft ^ How Chrift will be over his Church then as a Head. 1. As a Head alone without any Subordinate power Celeftial or Terreftrial ibid. 2. As a Head he willpreferve and uphold the members of his my- ftical Body in their glorious Being p. 287. 3 . As a Head he will keep the members of his faid myftical Bodyl in a per feci: Vnion ibid. 4 . As a Head he Will (hew tints them thofe glorious myfteriesjvhich in this life are beyond their reach and capacity ibid. Secondly^ fefus Chrift will then be in his people by love p. 2 8 8. The Dctlrine proved by Scripture p 2 90. And by the Te/Jimony of Divines, Ancient and Modern ibid. An Objetlion taken out of the Apoftles Veords, 1 Cor. 15. 24, 28. con- cerning Chrift s delivery up of the Kingdome to God even the Father , &c. Anfwered at large P»29l. An Exhortation to l$ol^ unto fefus p. 295. In In the Appendix thefe following Scrip- tures proving the certainty of the Call- ing and Converfion of the Jews are Quoted and Expounded f DE*t.4 30, 31. Efaiah J 1. 11,12, Efaiah 43. 5, 6 - Jeremiah 3. 18. 23. 4< ?er. 30. 3. 3I-I.4- Ezekjeltf. 21,22. D4H/V/ 9. 24. Hofea 1. io. Ho/m 3-4,5- Z*/^ 21.23,24. ^/ 1.6,7. Ac*. 1 1 . p. 300. p.301. p. 302. P. 303. ibid. ibid. 306. 316. 318. 319. p. 324. p. 3*8. An Obje&ion anfwered, vU. The Catling of the Jew flail net be till the very infiant of the Con- fummation of all things p, 342. Another Objection anfwered, vita Their Pertinacy in Aesjifmg the Gojpel wakes them the Ob)eU of Gods f erf eft hatred p. 344, Another Obje&ion anfwered, viz. They are enemies unto God not onelj in a Paffivefenfc, but in an Attivc alfo p. 34P. Another The Contents Another Objeftion anfwered, viz. The Jews are now fo embody ed with 9ther Nations , that it it impojfible they (hould ever any wore become a Nation diftinc? from the Gen- tiles P. 350. Another Obje&ion anfwered, viz. To maintain thu Dotlrine of the Jetfs Refhanration^ it to put the world into a carelejfe fecurity concerning the end p. ibid. A Word of Exhortation to all the Churches of the Gentiles, to fray earnefily ttntoGedforthe converfienof the Jews, and to efchewthofe fins among our [elves , which may frobablj be a hinderance to the bringing on of fo glorious a worl^ p. 3 j 2. AN AN ASCENT T O T H E HOLY MOUNT, To fee Jesus G h r i s t in his (jlory. A Perspective to help the Weak Sight to behold the Eternity and Immutability of the Lord Jefus Chrift. Taken out of the words of S. -FW, Btbr. 13.?, 'Ir^Sg Xg/f og xj&g ?tj QtjfM&v dvwg , ^ rf? T&g Jf/fl* C7;r*/? the fameYefterday ^ to T)ay r and for ever. Adfes JESV. E SV S CHRIST whom we (till preach onto you, and in whom you do believe ( elfe our f reaching is vain, and jour faith m alfo vain. ) The Lord Jems Chrift, I fay, as he is the Objed: of your Expectation in this Service we are now about • So is he , you fee, by my Text, the fubjed of my intended Bufinefsat this time. When my Difcourfe therefore (hall anfwsr your expecta- tion, you will, I hope, afford your diligent attention thereunto. The words at firft fight fecm to be the fudden efflux of the Spirit, A added yvptyJci* h Look unto J ES U S. added here in the ciofe, as the refult of than which had been faid before, and as the Total Sum of the Epiftle, (hutting up the whole as in a pa- rtenthefis ■> implying that all that was written amounted unto this : viz. fcjiis Chrifi the fame yefierday ,to day > and forever. Or eife they arc inferted as a reviving Cordial to the poor Hebrews, who might (feeing the Gentiles were received into Covenant with God ) fear themfelves to be quite caft off from Grace , becaufe their Nation had fo generally with much perrinacy refufed that great Salva- tion, which was brought unto them : Upon which account the Apoftle inferred] this (Tiort and fweec Epiphonema to comfort them with now at parting; fcfusChrifi u the fame yefierdaj, to day, and for ever. As much as to fay, Jefus- Chair is the fime to you, as he was from the be- ginning : who, as he was at firft fen: to feek and to &ve the loft fheep of the houfe ollfrael • fo now alfo ( notwithstanding former unkindneffes, and though his grace is not to be coniin'd as it hath been, but muft ex- tend to ail Nations, yet) he abideth dill a Saviour unto you s if you abide in the faith, and he will be fo likewifeto the end of the world. Thus may this Verfe feem to carry this fenfe within its own Verge, not having any intercourfe with the Contexture bordering upon it. But it is generally "conceived by Expofi tours, that thefe words are coincident with thofe immediately before-going, where an Exhortation is given to the Hebrews, to be mindful of their Guides, who had taught them the way of God truly , not according to the Mofaical, but Evangelical Pat- tern, and to imitate them in the holinefs of their lives, and in their con- ftancy to the faith which they fealed with their death. The words are thefe : Remember them which have the rule over yon (or are your Guides ) who haveffaken unto you the word of God, whofe faith follow , considering the end of their converfaticn. The force of example we all know is very great to induce likenefs of Manners, and the greater the example is, the greater power it hath to draw to fimilitude. It was wont to be faid, Facile tranfitur ad p lures , We are eafily moved to go after a Multitude : but it may well be ad- ded, Facile tranfitur admajores y It is no hard matter to make us imitate great Authorities, be the patterns good or bad • for the vices of Rulers are commonly the rule of Vices : and the vermes of Leaders will alfo lead unto Vertue. Hereupon it is that the Apoftle propofeth unto the Hebrews the ex- ample of their Leaders, to the end that they might not, as he faith, V.o. be Look unto JESUS. be carried ; : bout wirh divers and ftrange Doctrines : where they had their intWction,therealfo they might receive efrablifhment by their imi- tation : in whofe example ,j£Wataw memorablle deft gnat Apc/tolus, faith Calvin • the Apoftle noteth fome memorable matter, worthy of their faddeft thoughts .- implying thus much, that their Teachers had in de- fence of that Word which they had fpoken unto them , gone through much affliction, not loving their lives unto death, for that was the *ek- CdLaii , the iffuc and Exit of their Conversion, which the Hebrews fhould confider •, that when they faw how ftedfaft and invincible their Leaders were in the faith, their example might the berter move them, And now to fet an edge upon this Exhortation, the Apoftle fheweth in the words of my Text, that the ground and foundation cf their faitli to which they did fo conftantly adhere, was no novelty, nor yet fuch as did fail them , or expire with them ^ but being the rock of Ages was co-equal with the Church from the beginning and would be alfo the on- ly fure foundation for al! the faithful to the end of the World ; and that is, Jefus Chrift- the fame ycfterd*y^ to day, and for ever. Underftand it thus: It is as if the Apoftle (hould have laid, They well knew whom they believed-, and you may alfo know him too, if you will do as they did ; for JefusChrift who is the unchangeable God blelled for ever, as they made him their flreng^h and their fupport, fo he never failed them. Be you therefore followers of them, looking unto Jems, who, as he led them into all truth, and preferved them in it, fo will he likewife do the fame unto you, and to all others that ftiall come after you who believe in his Name ^ for he is the fame Yefierday, to day, and for ever. We may now glean up by the way fome Doctrinal conclufions, which fhall be but named , that fo we may come without any further protracti- on to tafte of the fwectnefs that fpringeth abundantly from the Fountain of the Text. i. We learn hereby, That people ought to be followers of their Tea- chers, as they follow Chrift, and no othcrwife. 2. The way to abide ftedfaft in the faith , is to (tick to the Founda- tion, that is, Jefus Chrift, who is Dill the f.ime. 3. Whofoever they be that make afincere profeflion oftheGofpel of Jefus Chrift, fhall never be afhamed of it- for Chrift will conftantly without any change, own and maintain that faith which hath once, and but once, been delivered by him to his Saints, being firft and laft like himfeif. A 2 Thefe This Was Preached, Decern. 2,6. Dr. John King Bi- fiop of London. LooJ^ unto JESUS. Thefe things prcmifed, let us now come to the Text: ♦mhereof if I fhould undertake to fpeak any thing in order to this time of^olemnity, which yefterday, to day, and fomedaies following is held up and conti- nued among us, as if it had reference unto it : 1 fhould then indeed de- clare my [elf to be bat ofyefierday, and to know nothing •, at leaft, to know nothing of my Text, as I ought to know. But the words in their ge- nuine fenfe will not lead us unto any fuch matter. It is Inpgnis locus , as Mr. Calvin calls it , a moft excellent and re- markable Scripture, fpeaking out the Lord Jefus Chrift in his due Alti- tude, making the World and every creature in all Ages fubjeft unto him. It is the Argument of both the Teftaments : and ( to ufe the words applied by a Religious and Reverend Bifhop of our times to ano- ther Scripture like unto this : ) It is the ftaff and fupportation of Hea- ven and Earth , they would both fink and all their joynts be fevered, were it not that Jefus Chrift were dvm, The fame yeftcrday, today, and for ever. And what (hall I more fay ? as the Apoftle faid, Hcbr.n. When he had fpoken much, and there was much more behind, but that time failed him : Rather what fhould 1 not fay ? For our Theatre at" this time is not only within the narrow bounds of the World, but ex^ tends beyond it •, and our Meditations in handling of this Subject, are to reach from Eternity to Eternity. Let us then duly poize it, and with the good blefiing of God make ufe of it for our Edification. A three- fold interpretation may be given. "Firft, Jefus Chrift may be faid to be , The fame yefterday, to day, and for ever, in refpedtof his Divine Nature. Secondly , This may be applied unto him with a reference to the whole Creation. Thirdly , It may fo likewife with a more efpecial refpedT unto his Church and People. And here, becaufe it may feem ftrange that I fhould give fo many fe- veral interpretations of this Text : Give me leave to premife an Apo- logy for my underftanding herein. I would not be too vehement in forcing a Text to carry a fenfe, which is not directly, or by warrantable deduction to be found within ttie compafs thereof. And it is a great wrong that is done unto Divine Truths, when Scriptures are produced for their foundation that are not Homogenial with them. As for this three-fold interpretation which I have here given of this Text, though the iaft be commonly accounted the moft proper, as being confonant to the Look unto JESUS. 5 the fcope of the Apoftle ; yet the other two are not to be rejected as inconfiitent with the . fenfeofthc Holy Ghoft therein. Nay, is there not a greater latitude then ordinary to be allowed unto it, when it is propounded' as a Divine Theorem , cutting afunder the thread, as it were, ofthe former Difcourfe , that the eyes and thoughts of all men that read it, may in a lingular manner be fixed upon it :, as on a general Sentence or Proportion comprehensive of more then might a lonely have reference to the preceding Verfe ? Surely there is fomewhat extraor- dinary to be found in it: Therefore as I have already prefcribed my Method- fo 2uV 0i*v, I (hall now profecuteir. The fir ft Inter frctAtlon ofthe Text. THe firflfenfe then, or interpretation that is given of the Text, is this : Jefus Chrift is thefamejeflerdaj^to day, and for ever, in refpeft of his Divine Nature , that is, as he is God equal with the rather, be- gotten of him from eternity to eternity. And herein I am not alone, but I find the Text fo rendred both by Modern and Ancient Expolitours. Francis Junius writeth of it to the famepurpofe. Hoc quart* (vt Logic is Uejuamur) modo proprium Dei- t.-tis eft. This is a molt tranfeendent property ofthe Godhead, to be the fame yefterday, to day, and for ever. And from this very Text ( faith the fame Authour) do the Primitive Fathers in the pureft times prove Jefus Chrifi. tobe the true and eternal God, 'o,M>vn®-, confubftantial and coedcmial with the Father, and the Holy Ghoft : ( fome inftances of whom fhall be given in the profecution of this point. ) Having then the concurrency of others that are found and Orthodox, whofe Works praife them in the gates : Let us consider how this Text may reprefent this great Myftery unto us in the feveral parts of it. Ius a mod certain truth, that the Divine Generation is that which gives unto the Son of God his perfonal Being-, which Generation is acknowledged by all that are found in the faith to be from all eternity. This is that which in the Text, if it referreth at all to the eternal perfo- nality of Jefus Chrift ( as it undoubtedly doth , and will be here made to appear) mud be underfteod by Yefterday : Jefus Chrift is, o a.wnt % The fame, or, The only He ycfterday : that is, begotten of the Father;] from all eternity. As the word Hedtc, to D*y, Pf*l. z. 7. is by Expofi- , F f 4 2 - 7 * tou I Look unto JESUS, Ef. 3033- pVov.8. II Kexu tours truly rendred, not only for the Day of ChrifVs Refurrc&ion, but alfo for God's/Eternity : fo may the word Heri, Tefterday, when it is fpoken of God in this manner, be taken in the lame fenfe likewife : for the eternal God is not to be conceived by us in any thing that concerns his Effence or Relation under any Notion of time properly , as fome have impioufly conceived. Itisfaidyls/. 50. 53. That Tophet is ordained of 'old -^ that is, from I Yefterday (fo the Marginal Note alfo renders it.) Nowconfider if Taphet be there to be under Rood of Hell (as it isufually taken) and as the word riw«, often mentioned in the New Teftament doth impiy) though the place hath had a Being in time, yet furely God ordained it in his eternal Decree, before ever Time was : And that I take to be the meaning of the Prophet's word Yefterday, viz. That God had ordained Hell for his enemies from all eternity. So here in the Text may the word be taken in the fame fenfe. But that it may not at all feem ftrange unto any, that Eternity be fpoken of with terms appropriated unto Time; we do finde freqaent expreffions of Scripture in a tendency hereunto, and that in this very particular, concerning the eternal Being ©f the Son of God. The Lord ( faith trifdom, i. e. Jefus Chrift who is the Wifdom of God, 1 Cor. 1 . 24. ) pojfeffed me in the Beginning of his JVAJ. Pro. 8. 2 2. A Beginning of a far more ancient date then Mofes his Beginning,mentioned,(?^«.i. I . For it is interpreted V. 23. to be "from everlafting. It is faid alfo of Chrift, Mich. 5.2. That his out- goings have been of old, as Initio, faith S. Hierom, from the Beginning, L e. from everlafting, as it is there ad- ded by the prophet, which fignifies the Daies of Eternity, as the Mar- ginal Note there likewife renders it. So that to afcribe Daies unto Eter- nity, even as unto Time, though not in fuch a propriety of fpeech, is no novelty. Again Chrift faith of himfelf, Rev. 1. 8. that He is the Be* ginning and the Ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come. A place not much differing from our prefentText, defcribing the Eter- nity of Jefus Chrift, even in the fime manner, as 'twere, in a Parallel under the fame notions of Time. And the words there, as here, fignifie that Chrift is, was, and ever fhall be a moft perfect, fimple,andabfo- lute fubftance and Efience, being all one with our I 'autv^, He who is yefterday , to day , and for ever. We muft howfoever confefs that thefe words, E rat , Eft, Erit, was, is, and (hall be ^ and fo alfo, yefter- day, to day, &c. are but difcriminating terms - 9 and, as I may fay, fe- veral Look unto JESUS. veral feathers fpringing forth from the wing of that voluble and muta- ble Time which hovereth upon the Creation, and therefore utteily in- compatible with the moft perfect Eternity of the Creatour, v whole Being is entire and complcat in it felt, without any the lead vi- cifiitude or variation whatfoever : yet notwithstanding, filth is the gra- cious condefeemion of the moft High, they are commonly by the Holy Ghoftin Scripture attributed unto Eternity ; As humane Actions are unro God, of Defctndirg and Afcending, &c. and humane paflions of Grief, Anger, &c. together with the parts and lineaments of a humane body, to the end, that poor mortal creatures might have fome lllapfes of that great Glory Aide into their minds, recording to their narrow capacities, which otherwife they could never be able to difcover, no nor endure. Hence it is that Chrill calls himfelf, Rev. i. n. The Alpha and Omega, the firft, and the la ft : whereby I conceive is meant, that he is the only begotten Son of the Father, and before him there was none, and after him there (hould not arife any that {hould be fo begotten. Laftly, the Apoftlecalls him, The fir ft born of every creature : fignifying thereby, faith Bifhop Davenant, QmdgenitHs fttit ante ullam rem crea- tarn. That is, that he was begotten of the Father before any thing was created. So that full we fee, ?rius & Poftcrlus, that is, theie terms, former and latter, which have reference unto Time, ufed by the Holy Ghoft in this high point of the eternal Generation of the Son of God • from whence it appeareth clearly, that the wotd ( Yefterday ) here in the Text, may be taken not only for all time part, but even for Eternity, in a reference to the ft id Divine Generation • other places of Scripture where the fame Doctrine is afferted , fpeaking it out in the fame lan- guage too. We may therefore, I believe , proceed on without any Hefitancy in grounding it upon this Text, which I acknowledge hath not been in this fenfe commonly underftood , and therefore have I been the larger in laying the foundation ^ in regard aifo of the great ufefulnefsof it a- mongil us in thefe times : I (hall endeavour to fpeak the more freely of it. A Doctrine it is which the Churches of Chrift have confiantly main- tained-, in the vindication whereof the Saints have not counted their lives dear unro them. A Doctrine not to come under the fcrutiny of Reafon, it being infinitely above it. Dei Generatio jllentio honor etur, maanvm Rev. T. H. ft/.i.if. 3 r/.jj.S. Vbll. 4. 7« Pet. Lor, 2> ?. Look unto JESUS. magnum tibi dedicife quod genitus fit : faid one very well, The Genera- tion of the Son of God it to be honoured with filence , and poor crea- tures muft acknowledge that they have learned much, when they know the Son to be begotten. If any man yet (hall enquire de tnodo, that is, concerning the manner of this Generation, he fhould be anfwered ( faith reverend Davenant) with S. Ambrofe , Credere tibi jujfum eft, non difcutere permijfum eft : Thou art commanded to believe it, not allowed to examine ordifcufs it : for that queftion of the prophet £/*. 53. 8. (which though it bear other figni fictions, we may make nfe of here ) will put to filencc both Angels and Men ; who can MecUre his Generation ? If indeed we were able to fearch the Records of Eternity , we might happily rind out what was done in Heftemo, in thofe daics of Eternity. But, fuch knowledge is too wonderful for us, it is high Vce cannot Attain unto it. The Apoftle tells us ( Phil. 4.7.) That the pace ofChrift is above all under ftanding. Surely then his Eternal Generation is above all under- ftanding too : let us therefore content our felves with what is revealed, not fuffering our poor home-fpun Reafon to lafh out into this tran- fcendent Myftery, any further then the Spirit of God in Scripture is pkafed to lead us. This I conceive we may with modefty atfert- the firft Per fon being Father from Eternity, the Son muft be co. eternal with him, otherwife the Relation falleth : And there being nothing in God but EfTence and Relation •, if the Relation be taken away, what the Confequence would be, iseafieto judge. But doubtlefs this Divine Relation between the Father and the Son, was from all Eternity • otherwife we may argue further: if the firft Perfon be not Father from Eternity, there mult a- rife in time a change in his Perfonal Denomination, which isincompof- £ble with the Father of Lights, in whom there is no variablenefs. Yea more , if the Son of God"be the Power of God , and the Wifdom of God (as 1 Cor. 1 .24.) then furely he muft be co-eternal with God. Con- flat erq^o cjmfcmjcr habuit fapientiam, femfer habuit & fiUum, i. e. Ma- nifeft "therefore it is, that he who is eternally Wife muft have the Son co- eternal with him. But to contract what might be multiplied hereupon, a very pregnant proof we have to this purpofe given us, Hebr. 1. 1 , 2,3. where the Apo- f.ile moft elegantly doth (ct forth the whole Myftery of this Divine,Re- Jation in fome remarkable Refemblances. And albeit { as Bifhop An- drews. Look unto JESUS. drews, that Magazine of Learning obferveth well . whofe words it will be no offence here torchcarfc) there be not any refembtamt tranflattd from the Creature, thorgh never fo excellent, that will hold full Affay , jet withal, this we are to thinly, that \Xb:t terms the Ho/ J Choft hath made choice of, they *re no idle fpeculations th.it Are drawn frem them. Three ft Vera 1 Tit Its arebj the Apoftle afcribed unto Jefus Cbri/r in the [aid Scripture , every of whit h have their peeper lujtre to guide tts into the I ledge ofthu Myftery, which are theft •, Son, Brightnefs, Character. j n Sen there is a true Identity of Nature, upon it is grounded 'Cpovncv, Itirg of one fubftance even 04 the Son is with the Father. But if any fhaUfay^ the Son cometh after the Father in Time , amends is mad- for that in the next term, Briglitnefs • for it is net to be imagined, that there ever was, or ever could be a Light Body, but in the very f ante injtant there muftfiream from it a Brightness. So upon thii U grounded Coetemah But there vsfom: inequality between the Light Body it fe ! f, and the beam or brightnefs of it • the Beam not being full cut fo clear , /hews an iwperfeclicn in the term Brightnefs : but that is fur plied in the next, Character • for that if ever jit ft equal, neither bigger, nor le is then the Tjpe cr Stum} th*t made it. V pen this then is grounded Coequal, and lik?, p cr omnia, 'O^w®- .• So like^Oipnw us the Father {faith Philip) jvhj ? he that fees the Ch.i- r s never de (ires to fee the Stamp \ if ye fee the one, ye fee the other: He thatfeeth me feet h the Father, whofe exfrefs Form 1 am. Agreeable to theft three ( faith the fame Authour ) we believe of Jefus Chrifi, that he is confab ft antial as the Son, coetemal as the Brightnefs, coequal as the Character : Againft the new heads ef that old Hjdra J {rung up again ' in our daies, of whom more (hall be faid hereafter. Devout Bernard goeth along likewife in the fame Trad: Genuit Omni- I potens Omnipctentem, Altiffimus Altiffimum, zy-£tcrnus ^y£temum. The ! Omnipotent, f.iith he, hath begotten the Omnipotent, the Higheft the ' Highefr, and the Eternal the Eternal. Neque fas eft Dei filium dcgtnc- \ rem fufpicari, fed equalis fateri necejfe eft Altitudin'is, & ejufdem fenitus Dignitatis, nam & filtos Principum Principe s & fl.es Regum Reges ejfe quis nefciat, i. e. Neither is it meet to imagine the Son to be of a Dege- nerate Nature; but we muft necefiarily acknowledge him to be of an equal Altitude and Dignity with the father : for who among us know- eth not the Sons of Nobles to be Nobles, and of Princes to be Princes f We may conclude therefore the Son of God to be God alfo from Eter- nity , being begotten of the Father from Eternity. B All Serm.i. De ^edvett. Domini. IO Look unto JESUS. Mens gig* mnsw.n- quam deft* nit gignere C ratia genua nun- qv.am dzfi- u'ngignL Dr.Coli Ins Rea. Vrof. Theo!. ■ Co/.I.I J. PoUniK. AH which if we look back into the Womb of Eternity, do clearly de- monftratc the relation of the Son to be ever infeparable from the Father. And fo doth it if we look forwards ., for that ineffable Generation which is the ground of this Divine Relation, is never paft 5 but as the 5-chole-mencall it, is, Alius comn:enfur/itns ty£ternitati • jaft of the fame fze with Eternity : and therefore it follows in the Text, fefus Chrifi is the feme to da], which ]t ft er day, and will be alfoftr ever. This ecernal Generation of the Son,though it be not iterated ,yet it is continued 5 e\enas Reafon is the continual emanation of the Soul of man, which alfo was coequal with it : Though I confefs ftill there be a great difXimilitudcin Comparifons of this nature: And as Regeneration in the Saints is a continual aft of the Spirit of God upon them ( for guotidic Rcnati fturmu, was the word of a found Divine, jVe are every day regene- rated.) So is this Divine Generation of the Son of God a permanent and everlafling Generation • which as it had no beginning in time, fo it hath no end, being Ailtts *y£tcmus in God • but with this difference, ChrifVs Generation is perfect from Eternity, though it be ftill in E]Je, "(nor being like our Generation of one from, or by another, but, as that whereby the Sun begetteth his Beams, which are alwaies begotten, yet alwaies perfed ) whereas our Regeneration is gradual, growing up ftill towards perfection. And from hence it is, that Chrift is faid by the Apoftle, Cd. i . 1 5 . to be the Image ofGcd : an Image not accidental, or artificial, thchas is of a King in his Coin, or money ^ but theeiTential and natural Image of the Father, fuch as is of a King in his Son, being of the fame nature with him, and fo not a vanifhingtranfient fhadow, but exprefs and permanent Image. To thispurpofe faith one, " H*c Di- are (educed by him, may fome- what appear • it will not be amifs to anfwer two or three Objections, which among many other have been forged in Hell againft this comfort- able and fundamental Do&rine. Firft ? That of Solomon, Pro&*it.&cM much perverted by thereto the derogation of Ch rift's honour, and their own deftrtiction. It is indeed as the Centurifts tell us, the foundation whereon theArrians and other Hereticks would build their Bhfphemy , but that it proves a burthen- fom ftone unto them , and grinds them to powder : for the words of the Holy Ghoft in that place do fully prove the co- eternity of Chrift with the Father, as it fhall here evidently appear. Wifdom ( that is the Lord ]d\xs Chrift, as the Arrians themfclves do confefs ) is there pleading her Pedigree ?.nd Extraction to the fons of men, which might demonitrate her Antiquity, to the end, that (he might the better incline them to give ear to her inftruction The Lord ( faid fhe ) pojfefed me in the beginning of his way. ( What that way is, is not for us to fearch into : for look how high the Heaven is in comparison of the Earth, fo are his waies far above our Vvaies, Ef.55.9.) Before his Worlds of old I wasfet tip from cverlafling, from the beginning, or ever the earthwM,&c.&c. The meaning whereof in fhort is this : I (the Son) was with the Father before the Creation and in the Creation of the world,when he formed this great Fabrick with all the parts of it in his eternal purpofe, according to the good pleafure of his will, and when he framed it likewife and gave it a being, rearing up this glorious and beau- tiful Structure, anfwerable to the pattern which I had fecn with bim in the Mount. Now therefore ( having laid down the premifles, (he brings her inference ) V. 3 2. Hearken unto me Oje children, &c. This bein« the proper fenfe of the place, what can our Adverfaries make of it to the maintenance of their errour ? To pafs by what the Jews and Samofatenian Hereticks fay of it ; the former conceiving moft abfurdly, that by Wifdom in that place is under- ftood the Law, which as they fay was ordained two thoufand years be- fore the World was made, to be the beginning of God's waies : becaufe B 2 they OtitR Fro. S,2i. Ef.11.9. 12 Luke II. i 49- Cm. 4. Lool^ unto JESUS. they find in the ro. Verfe, two words which Mgnirle two daies , which they interpret to be two thoufand years, becaufc a day with God is as a thoufand years. But this is fuch a dotage, that the very reciting of it carricth with it a Rcfu:a;;on. 1 he latter affii mirg that this Scripcure is not to beunder- ftcod of Chrift, but of the Virtue* of God, whereby all things were in the beginning created , and ever (ince upheld and fuftained. In which AfTertion they difcover nothing fo much as their impotent malice againft the Lord Jelus. lor what is that Virtue or tvifdem of God, but Chrift the Son of God, as appears, L?kf 1 i.49.' 1 CV.1.24. And if Satan had not b'indc d their eyes they might have ken that the very fame operations which are by ScUmon afcribed to the wifdom of God, are elfewhere at- tributed to Chrift the Son of God, Hck 1.2 CW.1.17. But the ArUns a more fub le Generation, acknowledging the word- ( as ha h been faid ) to be fpoken of JeRis Chrift, yet took hold of this very Scripture, uHng it as their Argumentum Achilleum, to un- dermine the eternal Godhead of Chrift: : for upon all occasions, would they fill re fort unto this,ev.enas the Papifis do for their Tranfubftantia- tion, to the words of our Saviour, Mat. 16. And accordingly would the Orthodox appear in the vindication of it. From whence at ofe many fore troubles to the Church,, and frequent fierce controverftes in thofe eider times. If ic be demanded, how this Scripture which is fo clear againft them, can be fo much perverted by them f I anfwer , It is very well known that the word m the 22. Verfe, which is rendred in bur Tranflation, Poffcjfedme, was by the Seftmgint tran- flated 5, £%777? u*, that is, Created me, making the Verfe to run thus • The Lord created- me in the beginning of his way. And thereupon did thefe wretched Hereticks with open mouths moll: impudently proclaim to the World their curfed errour, which was, That Jefus Chrift, who is here called Wifdom, is a creature, and not the eternal begotten Son of God the Father. This in fhort was the rife of this Cavil, which may eafily be removed by thefe following Anfwcrs. Firft, Th:it Tranflation of the Septmgint, though it be of great An- tiquity, and much account in the Church j yet it is not Authentick, not being given by the immediat Infpiration of God : and therefore too weak a foundation to bear up an Opinion, in a point of faith, which is not warrantable from the word of Truth. Secondly^ Look unto JESUS. Secondly , It is pofiiblc that that Greek Translation might be right enough at rirtt, but might fincc,cither of purpofe, or cafually, by rcaloh of the: affinity of words, bedepraved: that' is, that whereas they had rendrcd it 'Eanrt pi (with an Eta from K™* pojjideo) thac is, Pofftffed me: it was afterwards cither by fome deceitful or in- coniiderate hard turned to w Ek77oi f«,with an Icta from K^w ) that is, Created mi. Thirdly, If it were fo, or not (o, is it not a thing much to be lament- ed, th.it pour worms of the earth (hould fo prcfumptnoufly defcant on the Dignity and Prerogative Royal of the Son of -God , yea, dtpofe him from the 'I hrone oi his Glory, upon the account of a fmall Title on- ly, which it not of any moment whether it tc taken one way or oilier ^ for the Original word, asic feems, had anciently both (Ignmcations , viz,. To Pcffefs and to Create. Fourthly , Some Writers both Ancient and N'odcrn, do give an an fwer hereunto in this manner. The Eternal Generation of the Son of God, is ibmenmes called Generation, and fomctimes Creation, be- caufe it is fo inefTable,that it cannot fully be cxprefTed by any one word- for Generation flgnitieth a Production in the fame fubltar.ee , but with a certain mutation in the Begetter : but Creation fi gnifieth a Production ot another fubftance, yet without any mutation of the Creatour. Now the Son of God is fo produced, as that he receiveth the fubilance of i Lie Begetter, and therefore in that refpecT he is faid to be Begotten: but he receiveth it without any mutation or alteration of the Begetter, and therefore in that refped he nay be faid to be Created : not that his E- ternity (hould thereupon be called in quefuon •, or that he (hould be thought to be a Creature : but that from both thefe words, we might receive what was fittirg,and refecT what feemeth to be unfit in the right underftandingofthis unexplicableMyftery. This Anfwer being perti- nent to the matter in hand, 1 have been willing to infert, to give full fatisfa&ion to thofe that are Sceftickj in this point, and for the confirma- tion of their faith that are found and orthodox. Secondly, They objeft that which the Angel fpeaks to the Virgin Mary, Luke 1.55. The Holy Ghoft JhaH come ufonthee^ andthe poWer (f the Highefi Jhall over-fiadw thee • therefore th*t Holy Tiring that he born of thse,fhaHe called the Sen of Cod. Therefore a lib fay they,hc was not the Son of God before his incarnation. Unto Oljecl. i4 *AnJrv. Look unto J E S US. N^» Gene- rat! one fed ne & benedifti- one, oji najcun- lev ex ~4- qua crff. fanBo non idea aqii£ \filios eos \ recie qv.if* pi am dix- erit. Pet. Lorn, nf.714 Mat. 1.13 Unto this alfo we may anfwer fundry waies. ■ Firft, The inference which the Angel produceth from his premifes,wa$ to let the blciled Virgin fee that the fruit of her Womb fnould be (ac- cording to the Prophecy that went of him ) not of an ordinary Extra- ction •, becaufe the Holy Ghoft, not a mortal man was to be the efficient thereof : therefore that Holy Thing that (hould be born of her (hould be the Son of God, and not of any man • yet fince the Nature that was produced, was nor after the fimilitude of the Nature and Eflence of the Holy Ghoft (for Chrift was not conceived of the fubftance, but through the power of the Spirit ) we may conclude infallibly that Chrift had not this denomination of the Son of Goft firft given him at the time of his Incarnation. Secondly, Tfit were fo, the Holy Ghoft fhould by a proper right be called the Father of Chrift, which he never is in Scripture, neither in- deed did ever any that truly profeffed the Chriftian Faith, acknowledge him in any refpeel: to be : for he is not the principle of the fubfiftence ofthefecondperfon in the Trinity, and therefore not thecaufe of the Divine eternal Son(hip ; neither was there a new perfon conceived at his unconceivable over-ihadowing of the Virgin, and therefore he could not be the Father of Chrift in refpeft of any inferiour filiation : fo that we muft feekout Tome other fenfe of the Angels words, then that which thefe Dreamers have foolifhly imagined. Thirdly, The words therefore of the Angel may well be conceived to have reference to the Prophecy of Ifaiah, unto which he feems to have ' refpeft in the 3 1. Verfe of this firft ols/Luk** the words of the Prophet ' are thefe • Behold a Virgin jhatt conceive , and bare a Son, andfhaK caH hi* name Immamel : which Imnwnual is being interpreted, God With Implying, he (hall be called both the Son of God, and the Son of m man • and though the Angel makes mention only of the firft of thefe Denominations, V. 3 5. yet it is not to be taken exdu lively of the other, for he faid before, V.31. Thou Jb*lt call his name fefus : whereby he raeanetla, that he {hould be called alfo the Son of man. In a word, the Particle ( Therefore , Luke 1.35.) wherein the ftrefs of this Objection li- eth, is not to be referred to the conception of Chrift by the Holy Ghoft, as the caufe of his Sonfhip • but to the Prophecy that went before both of the Mother and the Son, wherein they were both concerned, viz,. That that (hould be fulfilled. Fourthly, Whereas it is faid, He (hall be called the Son of Gad ^ it is Look unto JESUS. is to be underftood after the manner of the Hebrews, Pro vert manifc- ftabitur,Wc (hall be truly manitefted and declared to be the Son of God: as whe'-e it is faid, Hefhall be called Immanuel • it is not meant, He fha*ll be called by that name, but declared to be fuch a^that name im- ports, and acknowledged to be fo among his people : fo by thefe words ( Hefiait be called the Son of God ) is meant, he fhould be acknowledg- ed to be the Son of God, when he was born into the World ; not im- plying a Beginning of what he was not, but that then he fhould begin to be manifefted and acknowledged what he was. Or elfe laftly, He which was ever the Son of God in refpeft of his Godhead, fhould now be called the Son of God exifting in the Man- hood- or, God manifested in the flefi , as the Apoftle phrafcth it, I Tim. 7,. 16. Thirdly, They harp much upon that place of the Apoftle, Col. 1. 15. where Chrift is called rif a 7D71K©" Wnj K-nna)s,The fir (I born, or fir ft be. gotten if every creature. Whence they will infer, that he muft needs be a Creature: for as the firft begotten, fay they, amongft brethren is to be reckoned one of their number, and of the fame nature with them • fo the firft begotten of every creature mutt alfo be connatural with the creatures, and therefore cannot be begotten from Eternity, but is a crca* cure having a temporal beginning of exiftency, even as they. Thus do thefe Chriftomacho, fighters againft Chrift (hew their teeth, though they cannot bite, and (hoot out their bolt, wherewith they let fly nothing but their own folly. But let them if they will, enjoy their pnvilcdge to beof his brotherhood, who defervedly was called Primo- genitor Diabdi, the firft begotten of the Devil. In the mean time, that their folly may be made manifeft unto all men, as his alfo was, and that all who love the Lord Jefus Chrift may have their faith confirmed, and their arTedhons enlarged towards him, let thefe following anfwers be ta- ken into consideration. Firft, It would beobferved that Chrift is not called here «$,diredly oppolite each to other, as the Eaft is to the Weft. But wuhout controverfie, there is truth in the Apoftles words, and no Look unto JESUS. no lye at ail. Whereas therefore he faith of Chrift, That hits the Image cfih. nv : fibleGod, the fi,fi begotten cf every crtAture. He makes the latter Glaufc the confequent of the former, connefting the \ in this manner •, : he right of Primogeniture is in Chr ofc be is the Im*l sic God : < nd in that regard do all i re? cures vinblc tve their Being from bim, feme having more noble imprefiions of his Image upon them then others, accordii g o ank and order in the Creation, as it hath been contrived and eifc biifhcd by the wifdom of the molt High. For example, fiich a lite in them by an intern^! pi ; nciple of Nature, are ina higher degree oi honour by their confornucy unto Ch lit.rhen thole ' reaturcs that arc without life ^ for life in whatfoever fubjed: ir b , whether intelle- ctual, rational, fenfitive, or vegetative, is aRivolei fpringing from that divine Fountain that is in Chrilt : amongu which forts of living creatures, there is alfo a gradual Propinquity to the fountain- ac- cording to which propinquity, they have all their (everal quicksings and vital operations. The Evangelift S. fchn intiifcates fo much^when he faith, In h-m was life , and the I. fe was the li$hi tf mm. Thac is, that ChriiF had a fpecial care and refpect towards Mankind and thac the life which is in him is not fo glorioufly manifeited toward the o- thcr creatures that are inferiour to man. And now to fpeak freely my poor judgment concerning this Pri- mogeniture of Jefus (Thrift by way of inftarce, asithaih refpeft to Angels and Men. Whereas Chrift is called the mil born, dothit nor imply that he is, IntelltElm ■ Prime, gtnitus, rhe firft begotten Ir-elled in reference to the Angelical Nature, becoming thereby the firft Mover thereof, and giving ir a Being according to the counfel of his own Will ? Doth it not f gnirle alio that he is , Ratio Primogenitt^ the firft begotten R eafon in order to the Rational ( in which, refped: it may be probable, he is called by the Holy Ghoft in Scripture, o AofO*, the Reafcn, rather then the Word ) difpla\ ir.g Ins Beams in every particular Soul, asfeemeth good unto him ? Whuh Intellect and Pveaibn were indeed originally ofche Effcnce of God, derived unto Chrii" by an eternal and unconceivable Generation, ihe Image whereof was from him devolved upon Angels and Men, though not in that manner as was upon <, brifl lumfelf • the Eflence of ( od be- ing that way incommunicablato any creature: for as he is the hrft begotten of every creature, giving unto every Species his pt i C ti m Jr-hn T. 4. H*t vita eft lux non Bruiorum , Crc.ad q»a 1 1 a r.07t pertiyet fed lus. yh2>> 10. 14. &>- i8 Rom.U 20. John I. 18. 71x7 a>. Pur 10. Look Mnto JESUS. tion of Entity . and the fir ft begotten among many brethren , giving them the privilege of Chidren ^ fo is he the 0^/7 begotten of the Fa- ther, referring to himfelf bis own natural Intcrclland peculiar Pre- rogative. According to this fen fe which I luve here given , the Apoftle is, I conceive, to be under flood in the fore- cited place of the Epiltle to ihcCel'Jptws -, to which, I confefs, I do the more willingly incline, becaufe the Original word ripa™™©-, is not only to be rendred firft born, or fir ft begotten \ but by a tranfpofition only of the Accent, as appears here in the Ivlargine, which is allowable ; it doth fgnifie aifo, ! The fir ft ■ Brlnger forth of everj creature •, makmg Chrift thereby, as I he is indeed, the Ensentii.m^ the Original of all Beings in the world, and to be, as he is called, Rev 3. 14. « *a?x« ^ *77^©s, The efficient i principle or Authour , as the word alfo means , of the Creation : whereof more fhall be faid hereafter. And now to conclude, let that which hath been faid fuffice to fnew the invalidity of this Objection alfo drawn from the mif-conftru&ion of the Apoitle§ words, concerning the Primogeniture of Jefus Chriit. I grant there are fome Writers both ancient and modern, who, to avoid this Objection which hath been here alledged, maintain it to be meant of Chnlls Humane Nature: but the truth is, it is not fo to be underftood, as it hath.been here made to appear , but of the Di- vine •, for Chriit is not properly the Son of God according to the ftefh, and therefore never in that fenie.faid to be begotten : and yet Eotwithftanding the aforefaid Heretical Cavil over- thrown like- wite. Thus briefly as I was able ( poorly enough, God knoweth, yet ac- cording to the grace given unto me ) have I infilled upon this great Myftery ; Let us now improve it for our edification. A threefold improvement may be made of this Dctlrine ^ eonftdering it , With a reference unto Chrift himfelf. With a reference unto his People. With a reference unto his Enemies. rirft, In refped of himfelf • it concerns us to be very wary and to keep cur diftance, not prefuming to fp'eak of what we have not feen. Therefore Look unto JESUS. Therefore as for Yefterdaies work, what was done before the foun- dations of the W*rld were laid, it is not expedient doubtlcfs to fcarch into. Clouds andthic\ clnrlenefs are fct absut the Pavilion of God • he therefore that prefTeth to it will lofe himfelf forever. We read in- deed of his out- goings that have been from ever Lifting : that is , ?.s is conceived, his eternal Generation , together with his Purpofes and Decrees which (houid in time be accomplifhed • but for his in-goings with the 1 ather and the Holy Ghoft, they are laid up with God , % v 'AmKfvQoti, in the Rcvcftries of Eternity , the knowledge whereof is infinitely beyond the reach of any Creature, Ic is fit for us to be contented with what Chrift himfelf hath been pleafcd to declare con- cerning this fecret ; Asthathe was his Fathers delight, Die Die, in all thofedsiesof Eternity, rejoycingalwaies before him, in that ex- cellent Glory, which he faith, He hadtvith him before the world began. But if vain man who is born like a wild Affcs colt, will be wife above what is written, enquiring what Chrift did yefterday before the Cre- ation ; he mud be anfwered with that faying of old , He prepared Hell for fuch bold lntruder?,who will fo audacioufly bufie themfelves in fearching into the ftcret and eternal Counfels of the moft High. Yet notwithftanding albeit in this fenfe, we are not of Yefterday, and therefore neither can nor ought to know any thing; this Do- ctrine may inftrucft us concerning Jefus Chrift, that though he took upon him our Nature, yet he continued ftill to be o *V7*« , the fame what he was from Eternity : Quod erat per wan/it, ejuod non erat af- fxmffit, Kcf& • He ceafed not to be what he was, and what he was not heafTumed. Then art the fame, faith David ( fpeaking of Chrift, as appears, Heb.i. 12. ) and thy years, viz,, of thy Wifdom, thy Power, and other thy glorious Attributes, as well as of thy life, have no end, but indure throughout all Generations. Though the Heavens {h?M be ! changed, and wax old like a Garment, and the faithful Witnefs that ' is therein fhall witnefs to all, that all things in this world are unfaith- ful; yea, though Chrift himfelf', who in the fulnefs of Eternity dwelt in that Light that is inacceiTible, was in the fulnefs of time made flefh, and dwelt among us, yet he was ftill av-Ai, the fame God ma- nifefted in the flefh , but continuing notwithftanding to be God ftill* This was the Weapon wherewith the Orthodox of old did ftrike through the loins of the Ari-ins, Verb-Am ctirofatl-im eft, fed nonmu- tatttm, The Son of God was made flefh, but not changed into it : asd C i they »? ?/. 18.11 Mich $. z Pre. 8. 30, John I 7 T- Tf.101.17. 20 Cent. 4. tap. j. mi. 2.7. Loo^ unto JESUS. they gave it an edge from this very Text which we are now upon , J ejus Chrifl theJawey>fierday,today, and for ever. True it is, he emptied himfelf, as the Apoftle fpeaks, ?hil.2,j. ( for io the word there Fgniries ) and that fecundum Dettatem too , in refpect of his Godhead : But what emptying was this ? Not a total devefting himfelf of his Eternal lower and Godhead, for then he had not been avm , the fame • but the meaning is, as the word is well rendred in our Bibles , He wade himfelf of no reputation. That is, as it follows, He totk^uftn him the form of a fervent, which form of a Sen ant could not ( furely ) obliterate the form of God. Non depofitaffed ftpofita Majcft*te , as one faith well , not by cancelling , or laying away, but, as it were, by con- cealing or laying afide for a time the moll glorious appearance of his Divine Vajeiity. In a word, the Godherdin Chrift was not laid afide at his Incarnation , confdered as it is in it felf, common to the three Perfons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft , but only K*t Imvq- /Aav ( an approved diftin&ion among the Learned ) by a gratious difpenfadon , in that he was pleafed to condefcend fo low, as to af- fume our Nature, and to joyn it unto his, yet not confounding the properties of either-, and therefore he ftiil abideth immutably the fame : even as a Prince when he marrieth a poor Beggar, may in a fenfe be faid to make himfelf of no reputation, and to have no regard to his great Dignity, though neverthelefs he continue dill in the fame ftate wherein he was before. AthAmfim gives the reafon very clear- ly, Corpus non vim habu'it abfolvendd Divina Hjpcftafetos ; The bo- dy which was ordained for Chrift was not able to diffolve his Divine Sublicence. Now therefore becaufe he made himfelf of no reputation, fhould we make light account of him ? God forbid : when we confider his Birth here in this world how poor and homely, let us withal remem- ber his Eternal Generation how Glorious and Divine When we look upon his poor Mother, a defpifed Woman ( though indeed the glory and flower of her Sex ) let us then alfo think upon his Eternal Father, the God of Glory h whe.n we fee him rejected by men, in a worfe condition for houfe-room in the world then the Foxes of the earth, and the Fowls of the air : let not our Lord thereupon be de- fpifed in our eyes, butcall to mind how he inhabiteth Eternity, is in the bofom of the Father , upholding all things by the word of his Power^ Look unto JESUS. 21 Power, and all the Angels of God worfhipping him. And thus are we fain upon the fecond Refult chat arifethoat of this everlalting Fru Ji, considering it wUi a reference unto the people of Cod. Whofe duty it is upon the account of (Thrifts Eternity and Immuta- bility to give unto lim the glory due unto his Name. And how can we indeed do otherwife ? When we fee his Glory as the Glory if the only bt gotten Son of God: When we find by comfortable experience up< n our Souls the bltflcd effects of his eternal and immutable Wii- dom, Power, Goodnefs : how can we choofe but fay, Z0, this is our God, we have Waited for him, and he willfave us : this it the Lord, we have waited for him, we Will be glad and re Joyce in his falvation. Yea, this is our faith and confidence , and hope, and triumph • here alone we will fix , and litre alone we defiretobe found : to be found in Life, to be found in Death , and to be found after Death. For whi- ther elfe fhou Id we go t With him are the Words, and with him are the Works of eternal life. Such a Saviour it behoved us to have, and fuch a Saviour he bath approved himfclf to be j who did not only be gin, but throughly accomphfh our Deliverance. The pleafure, de- rirc, and purpofe of the Lord hath profpered in his hand: And the falvation of his people hath been a falvation to the uttermoft So that we may fay with Mofes, He is the Rocl^ , and his work, is per feci. Give unto him then the Glory due unto his Name. And if it be demanded how it (hould be done, as it is fit indeed wc fhouid beflill inquifitive after it •, I anfwer, i. In worfhipping him with Divine Adoration. 2. In a zealous .•p^earance for him againlt his Enemies. 3. In a ready hcarkningto the Voice of his Word. Firft, We rr.ufl yield unto him Divine Honour , putting no diffe- rence in that refptd: between him and the Father ^ for as the Father hath fworn, that tints him every knee fh a 11 tiow, Ef. 45. 23. So mult e- very knee bow in like manner to the Lord Jefus Chrift, phil. 2. 1 o. Neither did Chrift who r as ever zealous for hi? I athers glory ever refufe this Divine Honour when it was given unto him. He never laid as the Angel, Set then d» it not, Rev. 19.10. Eut approved, com- mended, blcfled thofe that did it : as we might inftance in the Leper, Mat.2.2. Ther\uler 5 ,/^r. 9. 18. The blind man, fotmj. 1 8. His Di.fciples, John l.i 4 Efi*S.9- EfU-io DeKt.31,4. Pbil.iAO Rev.i9 11 42 Look unto JESUS. T{ev.l, 14. £/.48. II. oL So/. Opera 77/- nilttis ad extra fwt ittdivifa. That is, CThe fame in the work of Creation. Spirits Santto animantc : He fpake and it wa9 done , that is , By the Word of God were the Heavens and the Earth rinifhed , and all the Hofl: ofthembythe Breath of his Mouth • the Father decreeing, the Son creating, the Holy Ghofl quickning. Or as Bafil the Great at the fame time lweet- ly interprets it, In creationecogitAprincipalemcaufam eor/tmqutfi- unt P&trem, cenditrieem Tiliitm, ferfctlricem Spiritum Sanclum , In the work oi Creation ever conceive the firft Mover thereof to be the Father , the working caufe to be the Son , the perfecting to be the Holy Ghoft. True it is, the Father is faid to work by the Son ( for bj him, that is, the Son, faith the Apoftle , Heb.i. 2. God made the World) yet that will not neceflarily imply ( as the Arians impioufly conftrue it ) that the Son is only minifterial or inftrumental to the Father herein, as a Servant is to his Lord : for this Prepofition {Per) doth fometimes alfo fignifie the very primary efficient caufe of a thing that is acted or done, v.g. A man may be faid per liber um arbritrium, by his free-will to undertake a Defign , his will though cannot be counted as his Inftrument in the matter he undertakes, but it is the efficient Mover of his undertaking : And when a work- man per ra^ ticnem & latum ArtU ; that is , by his skill doth perfect fome rare artificial Piece, we do not fay, that his Rcafon or Skill was either his Tool or his Servant that he ufed in his Work, but the very Spring or Principle from whence the Work received its full and whole com- pofure and formality ; which is fo far from being an Impeachment of the Work- mans credit, that it rather tends to his greater glory. So when the Father is faid by the Son to create the World, the Son is not F 2 thereby 43_ .the Jefuit in bis Trcatife of Mitigati- on a^ainfl Dr. Mor- ton, tels as, thtt Bcl- larmine , Valentia. &c Charge Caivin tvith ^Ari- anifm,for holding that Chrifl as be is the' fecsnd per- Ion of the Trinity, cannot pre* perly be c tiled the Cr eat our of Heaven and Earth ; for that, fay theyjmpii- eti that he is not God, nor equal to his Father. Heb. 1. 2. , 44 Looh^ unto JESUS. I CflM.2-4 i Cor. I. t Cor. i John 5- 17.19- John 10. 30. Lib.z. D.f.13. j^h 5.16. C0Z.1.1?. thereby fub jeered to the form of a Servant unto the Father (as he was when he undertook to redeem the World ) but is declared there- by to be in all points Suw^f®-, a Co-worker with him, as the efficient caufe of the Creation to the glory of the Father, he being the mfdom of Gcd, and the fewer of God, as faith the Ap^llie. And yet to make this clearer, we (hall find that the faid Prepofition is in Scripture fometimes ufed with a reference alfo even unto the Fa- ther, v.g. 1 Cor. 1.9. God is faithful , fi S, by whom ye Were called into thefellcwjhifof his Sstt. And 2 Cor. I. 10. /W calls himfelf *» A- po(ile of }efm Chrifi, A/a S*mW]©- ©-:« , by the will of God, Where- by furely is not meant that the Father is fubfervient in either of thefe refpe&s, but the firfc Mover and efficient caufe in both : fo is the Son alfo in the work of Creation , though the Father is faid to work by him, for he faith, John 5.17. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work^ : And what things foever the Father doth , thefe do the Son tikS" wife , V. 19. As the Father therefore is the fole Creatour of all things, fo in like manner is the Son, becaufe the Father and the Son are both one , the Father by the Son, and the Son from the Father, excluding only all Creatures in Heaven or in Earth from having any concurrency here- in. To conclude, Peter Lombard's fenfe concerning this Point, or rather S. Chryfoftcm's quoted by him, will give us fome clear light in this Myftery • and it is indeed well worthy to be remembred by us : The Father, faith he, worketh by the Son , Quia turn gewit omnium opificem, Becaufe he begat him in that ineffable and eternal Genera- tion the Creatour of all things ^ and if the Father be the caufe of the Son, fecundum quod Pater efi, As he is Father , much more is he the caufe of thofe Creatures which are created by the Son . Hence it appeareth, that as the Father hath life in himfelf, and hath given to the Son to have life in himfelf- fo the Father hath this ho- nour,///* mod9 & or dine , In his glorious Rank and Order to be the Creatour of all things : and he hath given to the Son in his order likewife to be the Creatour too ^ the like we may fay alfo of the Holy Ghoft in his Order. Since then it is the privi ledge of the Son by virtue of his Divine Generation to be entituled to this Honour in an equality with the Father- let him be as the Apoftlecalleth him, rip^™©- vmdyis *ti- CHAP If. How the Text is applicable to Chrifi in the work of TreJerVation. IEfus Chrifi is, » 'Av™<, the fame to Day in the work of Prcferva- tion and Government of the World, which he was Yefterday in the work of Creation. For, Non minor efi virtus, cjuam eendere , fa&a tueri, There is as much need of power and wifdom to Preferve, as to Create. What avails it to plant a Garrifon without a Captain to defend it ? To Rigg a Ship for the Sea without a Pilot to guide it ? To throw Seed into the Ground with an expectation of an encrcafe at Harveft, unlefs means be ufed to preferve it from the Incurfions of wild Beafts, which would utterly deflroy it ? So unlefs the Lord Jefus Chrifi be the Pre- fer ver of that which he hath created, he is not the fame to Day which he was Yefterday . his years are expired, that is, his Wifdom, Power, and Goodnefs, in order to the Creatures have their period and deter- mination. But who is he , and where is he > that dares put this indig- nity upon the eternal and immutable Jehovah? Will not common experience convince him , that the fame good hand which created all things hath been ever and flill is (Iretched forth in Upholding and Pre- ferving/ Whence is it elfe that amidft fuch Variety, there is fuch ex- cellent Order flill continued? Yea, that in fuch Contrariety, Confu- fion doth not break in, to the ruine of all. Much might here beadded,to fhew the conftaney and immutability of Jefus Chrifi in governing and preferving the World : But we (hall now contract what might be enlarged. The holy Scripture is clear in this matter, afcribing unto Chrifi the power and fovereignty in ruling and preferving the whole Creation. B) him, faith the A- poftle, doth alt things conftfr, vifible andinvifsble : And the reafon as I conceive feems to be there annexed in the former words, viz. He u before all things - y like a Captain in the head of his Army , without whom they would be of no force, but confume to nothing, like a Ba- ils or Foundation in a Building, which as it muft have a priority in time Look unto J E S US. time before the Building , fo being firft laid , it upholdeth all that is built upon it. To which alio the Apoftle alludeth, Heb, i. when ha- ving made mention of the Worlds being made by Chrift , he addeth, That he upholdcth all things bj the Word of his power : that is , his pow- erful Word- which word is very emphatical , implying that in the things themielves there is no power , no virtue at all for their own prefervation , but that it is his Rule , Order , Wifdom alone, that keeps the World upright. For as in a Stru&ure, the ftoncs and other materials cannot fubiiil in the Building by any qualities or inherent virtues of their own, but only by the fubfillence which they have up- on the Foundation j So is it in the World , the feveral Creatures that are therein could never of themfelves hold together with thatex- a& Symmetry, Comelinefs and order, that appeareth amongft them , but would certainly run headlong to ruine, were it not for the mighty Word of command that ruling Virtue which conftantly lflueth out from Jefus Chrift, whereby they are upheld and fultained. His mighty Power it is alone that upholdeth the Barth,that ftretch- cth out the Heavens, that fendeth forth the winds, that raifeth up the high and great Waves of the Sea , and again faith unto them, Peace and be (till. Yea, in the very fmalleft things is his Power and Provi- dence in governing and ordering the World exercifed , and made I known : He it is that maketh the Feather to move , his n ighty hand leadeth the Fly in her way • yea more, the fame force which now fha- keth a Leaf, if he had fent it againft a Mountain, [it would have turn- ed it up from the foundations : and the fame ftrength that b'oweth uptheDuft, ifit came againft the whole Earth , it would (hake the bottoms of it. For it is not the natural ' e vi\K%xi^ > as ^e Philofo- pher calls it, that is, as fome interpret it , the continual progre/iive Agitation , or perfect Adeption of the Creatures that makes them run on in their courfe. But it is that Omnipotent Arm that gave a Being to all things , that ordereth and difpofeth the motion of them all , as feemcth good unto him. And for their parts, they are wil- lingly fubjed unto his commands : When he faith, Go, they go, when he faith, Come, they come, when he faith, Do this , they do it ( as cheerfully as ever the Centurions Servant did what his Mailer appoin- ted him ) though many times they be put upon Services contrary w their ordinary courfe , and thofe natural tnftru&ions which they re- ceived in the Creation- for they are fenfible of the power of their Lord,, 53 Heb. \,f t Mat. i o. 29,30. 54 Tf.l*.6. Look unto JESUS. E/.40- - 6 £/48. Objeftion. Solution. Lord, and in order te bis Glory, and their own prefervation, do una- nimoufly agree that his Wifdom muft not be controlled. To conclude, He it is ( faith the Pfalmifi ) that preferveth Man am Beafi • for he having created all, all things therefore rnuft be un- der his Infpe&ion and Care : yea, it is his glory and honour to be the o 'At/A, the only He, in guiding and governing, and preferving the World , as well as in creating it • which honour we find given unto him by the Prophet, He that created thefe things bringtth out their Hofie by number, ho calleth them all by names , by the greatnefs of his wight , for that he isflrong in power, not onefaileth : And when he calleth them^ th,j 1 like dutiful Servants, ftandpip together ^Ef.tfi 13. We (hall not proceed any further in the confirmation of a Point fo clear, only anfwer a Cavil conceived and produced in thefe times through a mif-underftanding of the Sovereign power of Chrift over the Creatures. In which miftake ( fincehe did, as it is manifeft give a Being to the World , and thereupon had free liberty to order and govern it , as feemed good unto him ) we (hall make it appear, they do not only ftrike at the Mediatory Scepter of the Lord Jefus , but at his Wifdom alfo in the management of his natural Dominion. Which being done , we (hall come to derive forne inferences from what, hath been faid concerning this matter for our further edifi- cation. If this power, fay fome , belongeth unto Chrift, and to Chrift a- lone, to guide and govern the World, becaufe he gave a Being unto it, why then are men fet up in the Throne with him ? Doth he need helps in Government t Or is he ( like Mofes ) not able himfelf to bear all the people alone? Is he not wife in heart, and mighty in ftrength to manage his own power ? Doth he govern the whole Hofte of Heaven by his immediate Scepter, and rauft he have Coadjutours in Office with him to rule over men ? Far be it from us to judge fo meanly of this great Prefer ver of Men. Away therefore with Kings, and all the powers that are upon Earth : Down with Magiftracy what ever it be, that is of a Humane Confutation fet up in Competition with him ^ we have no King but Jefus, for in him we live and move and have our being : To him then alone be Glory forever, Amen. Even fo, Amen, Let the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory be afcribed unto him for ever and ever , and let all the people fay, Amen : For thefe things indeed faith The Amen, the faithful and true Witnefs Look unto J E S U S. Witncfs himfclf •, lie faith ic once, yea, twice • once in the Law, and a fecond rime in the Gofpel without Retractation, that Power and Do- minion beiongeth unto him-, and whofoevcr they be that fay the contrary, That they will not have him to reign over them , Jet them be executed in his prefence for Rebels and Traitours. So then a hearty Concurrency is readily yielded to the exalting of the Lord Je- fus • neither (hall there be any Name whatfoever in Heaven or h tanh, named by us at any time to the derogation of Chrifts Honour. Wewill call no man King upon Earth , as we are to call no manla- - ther, or Matter-, b c;ufe one is our King, Father, Mailer in Heaven, thatis, Chrift, Mat.ii. 9,i© Scd^pelUmm Chriftur*, We appeal notwithftanding unro Chriffc himfelf, whether that be to be judged any encroachment upon his Natural Sovereignty • or, if they will, any Diminution of his Dona- tive Power , which is according to his own appointment in a way of fubordination unto him : And fuch is that Magiflracy and Govern- ment which hath been, is, and I doubt not (what ever phantafticks do dream) but (hall be in the world over men unto the end of the world. Had this abfurd Paralogifm againft Magiflracy been vented by the profefifed enemies of JefusChrift, it had been no ftrange thing : but it may well be accounted the fir ft. born of wonder and aftonifhmenr, that people pretending to knowledge, piety, zeal, and who are faid in fomemeafure to order their Conventions according ro fuch pretentions , yet fhould fuffer themfelves to'be (o ftrongly deluded, as todifclaim the piefentdifpenfation of Chrifts power in govern- ing the world, which is concordant with what is written, and to wait for another which is not clearly revealed- yea, which is utterly incon- fiftent with the fafety of mankind. Admit though Magiflracy be in rcfpecT of its form , a»9 v «^« uxrnt, a humane Creature- nay, I will fay more, Though it may be in re- fpcfr of the abufe, &*i(Mviu-9> I Tet i. "3 Rom. 1 j. 4. 1 Chron. 196. 5<* Look unto JESUS. Fropofition ftead, Vices Domini Gerentes, as Junius glolTeth it, Gods Vicegerents, doing his work, reprefenting his perfon, and executing what he hirn- felf commands. Now though this that hath been faid,might be fufficient to flop the mouth of this Cavil , and put to filence the ignorance of thofe that will infift upon it-, yet fince this matter of Civil Government is of fo great Import, that the Honour of the Lord Jefus Chrift himfelf, as he is the CreatourandGovernourofthe world, together with the prefervationof the peace, fafety, and profperity of all Mankind, is in- terwoven therein •, And feeing there are rifen up in thefe times a fort of people, who under a pretenfe of making way for a fifth Monarchy ( as they call it ) defpife .Dominion , and fpeak evil or Dignities • and in regard that the Conftitution and Gonfervation of Govern- ment amongft men, is a moft eminent produd and Emanation of rhat Divine providence that ruleth and guideth all things, 1 (hall upon this occafion of giving an atafwer to the faid Obje&ion , without any im- pertinent or unprofitable Deviation from the matter in hand, dernon- ftrate at large the undoubted verity of this following Propolltion, Government is an Ordinance of Divine Appointment, made to be fubfervient unto Chrift in his great work of Prefervation, and for that end, to be continued fo long as the world endures. True it is, as Mediatour,Chrift hath this Paramount Authority, and in that regard all Government in the world is fubordinate unto him. But it is as true, this fupremacy in the ordering of the world, is more eminently in htm , as he gave a Being to all things. And therefore they that would take away Magiftracy and Government among men ( which wefhall prove ( Ab Origine ) to be of his own inftitution ) do more efpecially fin againft the Godhead of Chrift ; This being premifed, let us proceed. And for our more orderly handling of this Proposition, let us con- fider it in the feveral parts thereof, which are three. C i. Government is an Ordinance of Divine Appointment, < 2. It is ordained to be fubfervient unto Chrift. 4 3 . Chrift will have this fubfervient Order to be continued to the end of the world. Firft. Look unto J E S US. Firft, That Government is an Ordinance of Divine Appointment, js tefutied both by the written and unwritten word of God, that is, by scripture arid Nature. The holy -cripiure doth give abundant witnefs hereunto. Not to multiply pljcjs, tonfiderwe that of Prov* 8. 15. 16. where Wifdom, that is, Chrilt uttereth bis voce in this manner- B] me do Kings reign, And Princes decree J aft ice , by r:>e Prm cs rule and Nobles, eve* all 1 he fudges of the earth. From Ohrift then it is, that they have their power, fo ifiat they may fay, It is he that hath made us , and not we our felves, he, and not others, no, not the people •, for it is not in the peoples choice, whether they will have Government or no, no more then it is in their choice, whether they will make ufe of their ordinary food for their prefervation. Again, It is an Ordinance of God, faith the Apoftle, Rom. 13.2. And, there is no fewer bttt of G fid, V.I. where we are to know, that to be of God in the A poftles fenfe, mull nor import , as' fome will have it, a meerly permifiive Counfel or providence , but a divine Appro- bation, Authorization and Vocation , oiherwife the Apoflle had faid no more for Magistrates in this Charter, then the Scripture elfc where faith of Plagues, Famines, and other judgments, yea of the fins of men , which in the firft and larger fenfe are fa-d to be of God too, 2 Sam. 24. 1. 2 Chr. 25. 20. Add hereunto thofe honourary Titles which the Holy Ghoft gives unto Magistrates, calling them Gods,£.*\ 22.28. P/.82.1.6. John 10.34, 35. Angelsof God, 2 Sam. 14. 17. 2 Sam. 19.27. Ministers of God, Rom. 1 5 .4. Nurfing fathers, f>r. of the Church, £/ 49. 2 3. Saviours, Judg.1.9. Nrh 9 ij. Theftiiclds of the earth, Pf.47.9. &c. &c. AH which do plainly argue a divine Au- thorization and Approbation of Magistracy, and that the Office, Or- der, Inftitute ofit is of God Beiides this teftimony of Scripture, Nature doth likewife witnefs the fame unto us ■, Tor even that alfo is a Teacher fent of God, there- fore the teachings thereof are not to be fleighted. Dorh not Nature it felf teach us, that Government and Order in the world are appoin- ted by God himfelf, being f»bferved by the Creatures, without the impofition of any wntten Law ? For we find not only men (yea even the most barbarous among men ) to have this Principle engraven upon their Spints,That a people without government are in the ready waytoruine^ and therefore do in their practice with one confent. H and 57 r. Br inch 1 6. : ', Rom.if: 1 Cot.ii. 14. i Look unto JESUS. j Lukei.i$, Mat.M. 24.26,27. Mat. 15*41 #*£.!. 14. r™. 30.30 vis. Annofx Qjercus. The anci- ent Drui- des,&c. mirers of the Oak. and with much complacency fubmit themfelves thereunto ' but even the glorious Angeis above us, and thofe Creatures below us, are not nor ever were without Order • Order being ( as ihe philofopher faith moft truly) the very ^oul of the World, without which it would be nothing but a deformed Lump, no more acTivc to the glory of the Creatour , then a dead body is to any vital operations. The Angels are called the Heavenly Heft , which implies, that there are Degrees amongft them • for we know if Order be withdrawn from an Army , it hath n® good composition • And if there be Order a- mong the reprobate Angels , much more furcly is there among the Eled. The Creatures likewife in their kind exercife Authority and have their Superiours and Inferiours in every feveral Species (even upon this account , Nature teaching every thing to feek its own pre- fervation. ) If we fearch into the Deep, though the Tidies there have no Ruler ( that is, as may be conceived, Humane, as the Creatures on Earth have ) we (hall find among the Inhabitants there a Levia- than, as being the Prince of the reft , of whofe parts and power and comely proportion (implying his excellency and fuperiority above others) we may read at large, fci? 41. If we furvey the Earth we may fee the Lion which is theftrorgeft among Beafts , and turneth not away for any, to have obtained the preheminence, majefty fit- ting enthroned in his very looks , and when he roars all the Beafts of the Forreft do tremble. . Behold the princely Eagle, making his Neft on high , for quicknefs of fight, and fwiftr.efs of wing, and noblenefs of nature, advanced above other Birds : Yea, the Cranes, Birds of a fubordinate feather (as the natural Hiftorians writes of them) choofe out among themfelves a Leader , whom they ufe conftantly to follow. Even among Trees hath Nature put a kind of order , fome by a fym- pathy flourifhing moft when they are contiguous ; others by an anti- pathy not profpering at all when they are-planted -'together : fome not enduring to ftand under the (badow of others , as beino contrary to that order which was at tfirft prefcribed unto them , and others choofing to thrive beft under theftiadowof their Superiours. A- mongft them all , the Royal Oak hath moft right to the Precedency for largenefs, ftrength, and long continuance. But especially to inftance in the Bees, who, though they may feem to be but almoft the fhadow, rather then the fubftance of a very fmall living Creauire ( fo Pliny calls them ) yen may be exemplary to the world Look unto J E S U S, world both in their order andinduftry : Of chem we may fay, inver- ting the words fpoken of the Loiults , 1 hey have a King and go forth i all of them by bands, to whom they yield a moft exact: obedience. Jt , hath been obferved by experience , that if by his voice he bids them ! go, they immediately fwarm •, if being abroad he dillike the wea- i ther or lighting-place , they quickly return home again- while he ! chcereth them to the battel they fight ^ when he foundeth a Retreat, . they retire into their Caftle : while he isweli, they are cheerful 1 a- bout their work : if he droop and die , they will never after enjoy ! their home, but either langmfh there until ihey be derd with him, or ; elfe yielding themfdves to the Robbers fly away with them. In their ; work every one hath his office , fome trimming the Honey, fome working the Wax, divers watching at the Gates to keep out enemies, ; others correcting the Drones, fome hew, others polifh , and that fo : artificially, that as one faith, Dtddlm could not with greater art or ! excellency, better difpofe the orders, meafures, proportions, diftin- ' ftions, joynts, and circles. In the night they take their reft , and ! when the day is fp rung, they have an Officer to call them up with hum- ; ming twice or thrice, as with the found of a Trumpet. AH this and I much more doth Pliny in his Natural Hiflory report of theic little Bird?. We may then go to the Bees ; confider their waies and be wifeinthis particular , viz,. That God hath appointed government I and order to be amongft his Creatures for their prefervation. But I have gone too far with this admirable Creature, though in- \ deed fuchis the excellency and fweetnefs of it , that if a man under- j took to go with it a mile , I cannot fee how he could choofc, but he > maft go with it twain. A Digreilion I confefs, but I hope no tranf- ; greftion, unlefs it be in tranferibing a little of what fomeAuthours ! have written, and poffibly fomewhat out of their own experience and ; obfervation. To return therefore from whence we have digrefled • ; if both Scripture and Nature, which I call the written and unwritten j Word of God , do fo clearly dictate unto us , that Government and ' publick Authority is an Ordinance of Divine Appointment : men had ! bed beware how they trample upon it, lead they be found fighters ; againft God Yea, we may moreover from hence alfo infer , that that form of j Government which is mofl: honourable ought to be beft efteemed, and | chiefly defired by men to be fet up over them even upon this account, H 2 that 59 Pro. 30, 17. Re^e mor- o ino m*ret Pubs, r.on Cibos con vebity non procedit, trifii tuif turn mur- mur e G lo- rn era ti.r circa cor- pus c. KOuii qui s in mail-.:,- nam dorec unx excaat gemino ant trip lie \ BOfKCO lit Buccino alt quo. Pliny. 6o 2-3 .. 16. Lool^ unto j E S U S. Gen. 17, 6. Mr. Prinn. ore, that the Ordinance of God might have its due luftre, and that the Di- vine Wilcli.m in the eftabiifhment thereof, might be the mo; e magni- fied before the sons of ren. Meet it is that God (how Id be honoured with the beft , as the purtft Oyl, the fineft Flower, the fatreft Cattel, were of old the fitteft for God. So in like manner is the beft Magi- stracy. And if the Powers tha - : be, are not only ordained of God, but are his Reprefentatives alfo to the people ( as undoubtedly they are ) j then furely that which is thehigheft and mofl honour;- ble is themoft i proper reprefenration of his glorious Ka jelly that can be ofihatna- I ture in the World. The Regal Power is without all queftion -the moft eminent in the j World , yea it is fo in the account of the Holy Ghoft himfelf ; for j when the Lord in the 16 of Ezthiel^ had reckoned up many blefiings wherewith he had enriched his people ( which though they may carry in them a fpiritual fenfe, yet they do withal plainly exprefs that out- ward fplendour and dignity which they had among other Nations) at length he brings in that which he judg'd to be the height of their glory in thefe words, And thott didft proffer into a Kingdom. Im- plying that beyond this they could not afpirc, neither had he himfelf ordained for a people upon earth any higher honour. Add unto this that Promife which God made unto Abraham, viz* That there fhould be Kings of his R ace, which no fober minded man will deny but that it was intended for him as one of the greateft tem- poral bieftirgs that he could be capable of. Briefly ( to infift upon no more , becaufe this Point hath of late been fufficiently cleared by others. ) Is not the Lord Jefus Chrift called the prince of the Kings of the Earth, as being his honour to have thofe that are of the higheft eftimation to be Subjects unto him f Which being fo, it fhould be the defire snd ambition of all the people in the world to be ruled by thofe perfons who are entitulcd to this fubje&ive Regality: And when Divine Providence fhall with a ftrong hand and a flretched-out Arm lead them unto it(as it hath done us here in this Kingdom and the Nations of our Vicinity for many Generations) it will certainly be their fin, if they fhould notfubruit cheerfully unto it , as it was the fin of the people u of Ifrael , when they out of a diffidence of Gods care and protection of them, and out of an A pifh imitation of other Nations would in an unfeafonable 5 prepofterous, and tumultuous manner be catching at it And Look unto JESUS. And now all this confidered, how can a people with any ferenity of Confcience, profefs Godlmefs, and yet (peak reproachfully of che Kingly Office, yea account it Aniichrilhan, as fome have done pro- claiming open Hoihhty againft it ? Were it indeed Heterogeneous to the Divine Ordinance or Civil Government, orincongruous to the times of the Gofpel, or prejudicial to thcinterclt of the Saints, as ic is faid to be, or an impeachment in the leait degree to the Dignity and Prerogative Royal of the Lord Jefus Chrilt himfelf, either in refpedk of his Natural or of his Donative Kingdom, fuch pei fons might pro- ceed upon warrantable grounds to proclaim their diflike in that kind- But it may now appear to all the World , that the clamour which is' raifed againft Regal Power upon any of thefe before-named accounts is altogether caufelcfs andotno moment. It will not be expedient here to examine them feverally ( for in fo doing we (hould make too large a digrefhon ) haply we (hall meet with ihcmtb it er,\n our way, wherein the inadvertency, or to fay truly , the Seditious frowardnefs rather then the godly zeal of the Authors and Abettors of thefe Complaints, will be made manifeft unto all men. In the mean time I cannot but proteft againft that pernicious Para- , ; dox which hath been vented by a leading Divine, as he was accounted ' in thefe late times of Errour and Rebellion amongftus , who in a Sermon preached at SL Margarets Wefiminfter, and afterwards Prin- ted, faith thus • The Lord had of old ere&ed a Kingly Government in the Houfe of David, not for any eminency in the Government it felf, or for the Civil Advantage of that people, but that it mi^ht be a Type of the Spiritual Dominion of the Median , and fo was a part or their Pedagogy and Bondage as was the reildue of their Types every one of them j and confequently this form of Government not to be of any ufe in the time of the Gofpel. Were this true, we then who are now of the Church of God as that people were before us, acknowledging this Mefliah to be come according to the Promife , may indeed have jufl caufe to fay of that kind of Government , as the Apoftledoth of Circumcifion , ]f we (hould allow of it,Chrift (hall profit us nothing , the fubftance being come, what (hould the (hadow of a King do unto us ? But I hope that thofe who have through the fubtlety of Satan been miQed into this Opinion, will hereafter find caufe to retrad it, when they (hall re- member that the rule of the Gofpel ( to which they pretend an exad Confor- /■ o. 6i Look unto JESUS. i Tim.i. i. Branch, j C0/.3.11. Ec.38.1,3, 7er.13.25 F/ 1 19.9 1 Indul^en- ti£ eft, non indigent ia , non effica- ciam que- r it fed ton- gruentiam, Conformity ) requires them to pray , and to give thanks for Kings , which as the Apoftle faith, is good and acceptable in the fight of God our Saviour, \Tim.z. 1,2,?. However feeing thatWifdom puts forth her Voice, crying at the Gates, at ihe entry of the City , at the coming in at the Doors, faying, By me Kings Reign, and Princes de- cree Juftice 5 by me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the earth. Seeing, I fay, this found is heard from Heaven every day in the Confciences of men, Wifdom will herein be jultified of all her children. A nd let this ferve to terminate the firft part of my Propo. (ition, viz, , Government is an Ordinance of Divine Authorization. Secondly , It is ordained to be fubfervient unto Chrift in the dif- penfmon of his power and providence towards the prefervation of Mankind. For though Chrifl be All in all, as the A pottle /peaks, (fol. 3 . yet to fhewhimfelfto be the Lord of all, he hath ordained means to be fub- fervient unto him in all the works of his Providence, and hath accor- dingly madeufe of them. To this purpofe faith the Son of Sirach very pertinently •, Of the mofh High cometh healing, ytt the Phyfician mufl be honoured with that honour thjit belongtth unto him : The Lord alfo hath created Medicines out of the Earth, and he that is wife will not abhor them : He hath given skjlt unto men that he might be honoured in his marvellous Vporkj ^ withfuch deth he heal men, and taketh away their fains ^ of fuch doth the Apothecary make a Confettion^ &c. Hence it is, as the prophet Jeremy fpeaketh , That his Covenant with Day and Night, and the Ordinances of Heaven and Earth concerning their difpofuion, motion, order, influences, virtues, and operations, are inviolable. They continue this day^ faith the Pfalmifi , according to thine or dwanceJoraH arethy fervants -, not as if his Paramount Au- thority and power were thereby any whit di'minifhed ( rather it is advanced) nor as if he were neceflitated thereunto for want of power in hirnfeif ( for we may fee the courfe of Heaven, &c. hath fome- times been inverted by him, Ex. 14.16. fchn 3.16. 2 Aeg.io.i. j)an. 3,25.) but of his own free will in the abundance of his goodnefs it is, that he governeth and preferveth Creatures by Creatures , ufing the miniftery of fecond Caufes •, for in their prefent poor -eftate wherein they are in this world , his own immediate hand and power would foon prove intolerable unto tbem. Who alas among us here can Look unto JESUS. *3 can dwell with devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with ever- lasting burnings ? Goodnefs then and mercy it is, that is the ground of this Difpenfa- tion from Heaven towards poor creatures oi all forts • but thci e is no creature under the Sun, unto whom the Lord hath fo much rcfp.ft, as he hath to Mankind : all other indeed have their being, and char well-being ( whatfoever it is) from him, as hath been fa id before , But Man is his Favourite, the Mailerpiece of his wifdom, power, and goodnefs , the work of his Faciamw, not barely of his Fiat , as o- ther Creatures were : in him he challenged a fpecial propriety, ac- counting him his own in a peculiar manner ; for in that fenfe L con- ceive that place of the Evangelift, Jihni.w. He came unto his own, &c. is to be understood , viz,, with a reference not unto any parti- cular people ( as it is commonly interpreted of the JeVos , the Con- text about it utterly excluding that Interpretation) but unto Man- kind, that i<, to his Rational Creature, whereof he being ,(i Aof& & *Avfym<0&, The man, fer excellcntiam, I Tim. 2. 5. as being the Ori- ginal of the whole Species ) that is, the Spirit and Life ) he therefore like a good Father makes provifion for his own , that they may live under him quietly and peaceably one with another. In order hereunto did this great Jehovah himfelf in the beginning rule over man, cxercifing his abfolute Sovereignty , as feemed good unto him, keeping Court, as we may fay, and proceeding againft De- linquents, Adam, Eve, Cain, the old World, and there was none in a political Subordination unto him ^ for God gave Sovereignty to A*. dam over Fithes and Birds, &c. not over Creatures made to his own hkenefs : And the firft Righteous men we read of were rather Shep- herds and Herdmen over Beafts, then Kings over Nations , the name of Servant never impofed in Scripture, till Noah beftowed it upon his accurfed Son, faying Curfed be Canaan, afervant of fervants (hall he be n-Ato his brethren. ( Remarkably not Cham, though the OrTendour poflibly becaufe he was one of the old World, not to be brought un- der fuch a cenfure ) whereupon it is probable, as one makes the Col- lection, Nomen Mud culpa meruit, non Natura, it was not Nature that brought that Denomination into the World, but fin. So that it appeareth The Lord alone, as faith the Pfalmifl- , was our Kingifold , and for a fpace the juitice that was done upon earth he did it himfelf. In thofe daies ( to fpeak of this matter in the words of John r 1 1 . 1 Tim 1. y. Gen. J. zS. PaQores pecorum magis quam Re- ges genti- um. Gen. 1 1 6 4 Look unto J E S U S. Pent. ? z. 7,8.11. fen .6. 1 I, 11,13. 0/" Jeftier, (ignifying righteouf nef^or uff- vi^btnefs. Gin. 6. 3, Gen.9. 6, Gen 4 if- 23- *4. of Mtfes) In thole yens d many Gencr-;tio is , when the mo ft High ( not Adam , Seth, Enos , or any of the rcit ) divided to the Nations their inheritance, when he lepirated the Sons of Adam, the Lord alone was at th:it time the leader, and [here Was no iirange God with him. But in tha- golden Age there rofe up a Generation of Rebels, the progeny of that Renegado Cain, who would not fub- mit themlelvesto ihat incomparable Government , which was then eftabhihed in the World • but contrary to the Crown and Dignity of Heaven , corrup ed their waies and filled the whole Eaith with their Violence, Gen 6. 11,12,13. This ftfhurun whom God made up- right, Ec.7.29. grew lawlef9 and unruly , and like a fatted Bullock kicked againlt his 1 eeder. Now therefore becaufe God would not have his Spirit alwaies to drive in that way and kind with man who wasbutflefh, Gen.6.^. He was pleafed (after he had made himfelf known by the Judgment which he executed upon the World of the ungodly ) to conftitute a fubcudinate Power in his ftead , giving out his Decree for the confirmation of it in thefe words -, who (0 ( here- after ) foeddetb mans blood , by manfiall his bleed be /bed. The judi- ciary form of Gods proceeding againft Man- flayers before, was not it feems to tranfmit them over to men to be punifhed , * nor himfelf to pumfh them with death, as may be feen in the cafe of Cain and La- mech. But now man is ordained to be a Servant unto God herein, and to execute upon thofe of his own kind the Judgment written - 9 yet not every man neither ( for there is an exprefs Law to the con- trary, Thou (halt not kill ) this honour hath the Magiftrate , who under God hath fas vit£ & nee is, Power to punifh and to preferve, according to the laws and orders given him by his Superiour , that is, Jefus Chrift who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Iren&tti a holy and peaceable Servant of the Church in the Primi- tive times, gives us his judgment concerning the Introduction of this fubordinate Tower into the World in thefe words • Becaufe man would not know the fear of the Lord , therefore did God put upon him the fear of man, that fo fearing humane Laws , men fhouid not devour and confume one die other, as the manner of Fifties is. Clearly then, the Powers that be are ordained of God • and not only fo,but he who exercifeth the power., let him be of what form foever in refpeft of the power, or of what profeftion foever in refpedt of Religion , or by what lawful way foever he came at firft to be vefted Look unto JESUS. vetted in his Authority, whether by Conqueft or by Contract, or by Eledion or by Inheritance • he, I fay with the Apoftle, is the MU nifter of God : yea and more then fo , he is the Mimfter of God to man for good, *< ™ £y*tiv,Rom.i 3 .4. The Article there added is ve- ry eraphatical, noting the good which it attends upon, to be very re- markable. If it be demanded, what is that Good ? I anfwer, much every way. Look what good the Son of God our Lord Jefus Chrift was to bring unto the Sons of men , if he himftif had ftill continued his Perfonai Reign among them, the fame (I fay, not in a gradual fenfe, but Analogical ) is to be and undoubtedly (hall be, if the fins of men do not hinder it, the blefled erTett of thofe fubordinate Powers that are now under him throughout the World. If any (hall delire to fee this General branched out into particulars, they may take notice of a fourfold good that under Chrift accrueth unto men by Government, tut* Natural, Moral, Civil, Spiritual. Natural ^ Is it not good to have our Lives,and the Lives of our po- flenties preferved and fecured againft the rage and fury of unreafon- able men , whofefeetarefwiftto died bloud , as Solomon fpeaks, Pro. 1.1 6? This is the fruit of Government. Moral j Is it not good to have Wickednefs fupprelTed, and Righ- teoufnefs encouraged and advanced? For Right ewfnefs (faith Sofa won) exaltetha Nation, but fin is the Jbatne of any feeble. This alfo is the fruit of Government. Civil-, Is it not good that Laws and Ordinances be eftablifhed ? ( for where no Law is ( to invert the Apoftles word) there will be all kind of Tranfgrefiion ) Laws, I fay, by virtue whereof men may fit quietly and fafely under their Vines and Figg-trees, and enjoy the good ofalltheir labours, live peaceably together, holding focictyonc with another, thereby preferring the honour of Mankind, which of all Creatures under the Sun is the mod lovely and moft loving one to another, if the malice of Hell did not mingle with them. This again is the fruit of Government, Spiritual ^ It is very good doubtlefs that true Religion (hould pro. fper and flouriih ia a Nation , that the Ordinances of Divine Worfliip be fet up in their purity • for this is the glory of a people. But what alas would become of this Glory, were it not for Government ? Au- thority maintains Piety > Government preferves Chriftiamty • And I there- ^ Rom 13.4. Pro. 1. 16. Pro. 1 4- 3 4 Mich. 4, 4. 66 Look unto JESUS. Mr. Natli. Ward. I Chr 13. 1 Chr.i*. 19. Eph.A- 11. 1 Keg> 12- Si- £~e£. 21. 15,26. Zeph^A- JudgJ7-6 3. Brtwth, therefore may we fay, that the fifth Commandment which eftablifh- eth Authority in the world, is very well placed in the midft of the De- calogue, to be, as it were, a Guard to all the reft* It was well noted by one, that where Dominion fails, Religion alfo fails with it . it fails Officially, it fails Theorically , it fails Practically : It fails Officially, David divided the Priefthood into their Courfes and Offices, and asitisfaid, 1 Chr. 24. 19. Thefe are their Orderings. Ghrift hath done the like in the Gofpel, Eph.4.11. But when Autho- rity failed , thefe Ordenngs failed. In the time of Jeroboam the iow- eft of the people were made Priefts , fuch as were not of [he Sons of L'.vi; who ever would might be Confecrated : And hath not fad ex- perience proved this to be too true in the Churches of Chrift too fre- quently in lstter times t It fails Theorically , In the times of thofe lamented Kings, when there came fuch overturnings one upon the neck of another, £^.21 . The Law of God was prevaricated, They offered violence to the Law, faith the Prophet, Zeph. 3.4. So in the time of the Mtccfihees, the Law gathered fo much corrupt drofs and falfe gloffes, that Chrift takes much pain to refine it. It fails Practi- cally , In the time of the Judges when Authority declined, Piety de- generated, There was no King in Ifracl , and what follows ? Every man did what was right in his own eyes : they took what Gods, what Priefts,what Concubines, what Heritages, and undertook what War they plcifed. So then we fee what good doth arife by Government in a way of fubferviency to Jefus Chrift. And let this fuffice to be fpoken of the fecond Particular,™'*,. That Government )is ordained tobefubfer- vient to Chrift in the difpenfation of his power, for the good of Man- kind. And if it be fo good , as it hath beenmade to appear, it muft needs be very bad to profefs enmity* • againft it, or to take it away: But taken away it (hall not be , notwithftanding the vain furmifes of men of corrupt minds 5 for it follows in the third place which comes now to be confidered. Chrift will have this fubfervient Order to be continued fo long as the World endures. An Aflertion that may be maintained againft the World, if the World fhould be fo mad as to hold the contrary ; and indeed a ne- ceflity there is to appear in the maintenance of it. Becaufe a fort of Antimagiftratical Spirits have been conjured up in thefe Look unto J E S U S. thefe times, who, under a pretence of fetting theLo.d lefus Chnftin his Throne, would bring in Anarchy andconfufion , deftroy all Or- I der and Government among men, and as their Song is, Overturn, I Overturn, Overturn. Incoufiderate perfons that weigh not the Con- I iequents of their mifguided zeal , how much diffcrvice they do unto lefus Chrift, and how much they gratifie that Antichnftof Rome, a. gainft whom yet they wil not fpare to proclaim an irreconcilable fiend. tirft, That inftcad of honouring the Lord lefus Chrift in fubjed:- ' ing the World under his immediate Covernment, they do a very i great DiiTervice unto him, is manifeft in that they would veft him | with a power which is inconliftent with his prefent Oeconomy, and ; which he in that refpeft as he is Mcdiatour, utterly declaimed, When I hefaid, My Kingdom u not of this World • If any (hall reply, It is I true, it was not then, but it fhal! be before the end commeth. The words of our Text will rife up with full ftrcngth , contradicting this Reply , viz,, lefus Chrift is the fame Ytfterday, to Day, and for ever. And whether we (hould give hetd to this Recent Opinion, concern. irg Chrift's Monarchy upon earth, which implieth a change in the Ad- miniftrarion of his power • or to the w r ords of the Holy Ghoft, which tell us rhere (hall be no fuch change at all, judge yee. I deny not but the Divine power may a& more vigorouflv in the hearts of thofe that are in Authority towards the end , then it hath done formerly : But that there fhould be any immediate Ad thereof continued without a humane fubferviency fincc he hath in wifdom or- dained this as a Mean toexetcife his Sovereign power amongft the children of men , is not to Be granted. And if Chrift were to have fuch a Dominion, as thefe foohfh people imagine , it will, I hope, be agreed upon, that it muft be for the carrying on of the fame Intereft, which he hath already undertaken, otherwife he would not be o 'au- t^, The fame. And what that Intereft is, is apparant, viz, The en- largement of his Peoples happinefs, and the fubduing of his Enemies • both thefe in a way of Subordination to his Fathers Glory 1 , yet nei- ther of them to be obtained in the exercife of fuch a Dominion, as is by thefe afcribed unto him. As for his people, their defire is, or at I lead ought to be, that they might follow his example , as he already ' led them the way without intangling themfelves ( more then needs muft) in the things of this World, which would rather be a hinderance unto them then a furtherance. They are not, nor will not be taken I 2, Up 67 Tobn 6$ Looh^ unto JESUS. P/.IIO. #rsr..id.l3 up with the muddy vanities of this prefent life •, all their minds are upon home , and their fathers houfe is that which they long after, and for the prefent, the happinefs which they court and defire here', is to find the Kingdom of Chtfft more enlarged within them , and the fprerdingoftheGofpel more and more in the Nations, which are; things that they prefer before any outward glory by many degrees; But how thefe may be furthered by fuch a Monarchical Government, the holy Scripture fheweth not . Neither are his Enemies to be fub- dtted thereby. That Almighty power which (hall bring them down, is not fo ftreightned , but that they may be made to lick the duft % though the Lord Jefus ChriCt be the fame that he is for the prefent even to the end of the world. He that hath done wondrous works in the Land of Ham, and fearful things by the Red Sea, that could fend his Angel , who in one night could deftroy in the Camp of the Ad- rians a hundred fourfcore and five thoufand men, can eafe himfelf (till of his Adverfaries , and avenge himfelf upon his Enemies as feemeth good unto him. The Lord (aid unto him, as he is in his prefent Sta- tion, Rule thou in the midji of thine enemies. And while he fits at the right hand of the Higheft in heavenly places, his fees Jball be made his foQtftoel, faith the Tfalmift - % which the Apodle tells us very nota- bly to this purpofe : ( Not that he (hall come to eredt a Monarchical Power of his own to bring it to pafs, but ) that he is in expectation of, from henceforth exyeUing till hit enemies be made hsfeetftool^ Heb. 10.13. and therefore is not to be engaged in it felf by fuch a govern- ment over men as is here pretended. Add unto this his Office of Me- diatourfhip, he mufl not relinquifh (with reverence be it fpoken) till he hath finifhed his whole work , that is, brought the righteous God and poor man together again, who were fet at a diftance through the Interpofition of the Devil. In order whereunto he did aflume the Humane Nature, and in his own perfon joyn it to the Divine, that foby virtue of this Union, and in the execution of that Office, which was annexed unto it , he might ( Malgre- all the malice of Hell) bring many Sons unto glory. But new to lay down this Office by leaving the holy place, where he is once entred , before he hath per- fected the Atonement, which will not be till all the Eledt be delivered out of the reach of Satan, would be fo great adifhonourto the Di- vine Majefly , that it could not well be repaired by Wifdomit felf. Perhaps it will be faid, thefe are great words • be it fo, but they are alfo Look unto JESUS. ilfo moft true s And therefore that diflervice that is done unto Chrift by thefe fifth Monarchy-men (as they are called) in afenbing un- to him fuch a power, as they have fancied (for it is but the corrupt fruit of their own Imagination^ will appear in the end ) mull needs be very great likewife. That they do promote the Defign of Antichrift is alio clear,though they perceive it not \ For hath it not been the Mafterpiece of Borne in the letting up of the Popes Vicegerency under Chrift, to make all the Powers of the Earth {loop unto him, yea, to render them in time alto- gether ufelefs, fave in what he (hall ex Cathedra, dictate unto them ? It was faid of him by one, who knew well what fpfrit he would be of, That heoppofcth and exaltcth him [elf above all that m called God , or u worfiipped. So that to defpife Dominion , and to fpeak evil of Dig- nities much more to overturn Order and Civil Government , which in infinite Wifdom and goodnefs hath been eftabliftied by God in the World muft needs be an acceptable service done unto Antichrift, as very much conducing to the carrying on of his pernicious Defign, and it will fooner be preparatory thereunto, then any whit to the ad- vancement of ChrHVs honour. But to let this pafs •, If the word of Truth, the Will of the faithful God revealed in holy Scripture,bc conftant and perpetual, then may wefafelyfay, That this prefent way which is now in being , of the difpenfacionoY Divine Power and Providence in the government of Mankind (hall never be changed. The Apoftle advifeth that every Soul be {ub jeft to the higher Powers , enforcing ic with a Pveafon that muft ever prevail upon the Confciences of men • for, faith he, the Ptwers that be are ordained of God, Rom.i^.i. Heexhorteth alfo that SuppIlcation$,Prayers,lnterceffions 1 and giving of Thanks,be made for Kincs and for all that are in Authority • adding alfo fucha Reafon thatwill undoubtedly over-rule the hearts of thofe that iear God, for faith he , This is good and acceptable in the fight of God our Sa- tour. Again P*t them t» wind, faith he to Titus, to be fubjecl to Principa- lis and Powers , to obey Magnates, cfc Implying, that though they would be apt to forget (mans nature being, everfinceit was depraved by our firft Parents Ambition, wondroufly inclinable to an irregular exorbitancy) yet they ftiould know this was their duty, as well as any other that was given them in charge, by the Gofpel. And now I appeal unto all that are not willing to be deceived, . whether 6 9 i Theft. 4 1 77m.*. 3. M, 7° i Vtt.i. Look unto JESUS. whether all this doth not clearly imply the perpetuation ofthefe Powers • for if they fhouid not continue unto the end, this word of command ar.d exhortation would be altogether ufelefs and imperti- nent , which is an Imputation not to be put upon the words of the Wife, yea ofWifdom it felf. If any fhall fay, yea, there fhail be a Government to the end, but not of a Humane Conftitution-, theA- pohMe S.Peter will prefently flop the mouth of this Obje&ion with that exprefs word of command which he giveth, faying, Submit jonr ft Ives to eve)jf Ordinance cfman for the Lords fake , yt bet her it be to the King at Supreme, or unto G over nours % if he would make it his p.ifoner, and binde it with links of Iron at his ! pleafure: D*rim did the like upon the River Gynde , when it had drowned him a white Horfe , he threatned the River to divide it into fo many ftrcams, and fo to weaken the ftrength ofit , that a woman great with child fhould go over it dry-ftiod. It is not unlike ( as the faid Authour makes the Companion ) to the folly ofourdaiesi fome people muft not be crofs'd, but will fall to murmuring and repi- ning: But as God asketh Sennacherib, Whom haft thou railed up- on ? or whom haft thou blafpherned? So may thefe be asked, Whom are ye angry with ? who hath difpleafed you l Are you angry with the Saw , or with him that lifteth it ? What is Aaron that you mur- mureathim? And for a conclufion hereof , confider well that place of the Prophet, Ef.40. zz.&c, It it he (forin the fequ el you (hall find that your anger reacheth at him) that pttcth upon the Circle of K 2 the 75 Ec.7.9. Ef.40. 13. **, 7 6 Pf-71. 6.7. sAB t 28. 17. LooJ^ unto JESUS. Dan.9. 23. Job 31: 24. Pro. 10. the earth, and the Inhabitants thereof are as Grajhoppers, That fir etched out the Heavens at a Curtain^ and fpreadeth them out a* a Tent to dwell in , That brirgeth the Princes to nothing ( much more Ufurpers ) he waketh the Judges of the earth as vanity ( who faith , and who (hall contradict him ? ) Tea, they fh all not be planted , yea, they /hall not be Jowen, yea their ftock^ [hall not take rod in the earthy ht fhall alfo blow up- on them, And they Jh alt either away , and the ^hirlwink fhall take them <\ty*y 04 fiubble. Let therefore the advice of the Prophet prevail with you, who faith, Lift net up your horn en high^fpeak^ not Vpith aftiffnec\ , for pro- motion csmeth neither from the Eafinor from the fVcft , nor from the J) e fart • but God is the Judge, he putteth down , andfetteth up another. And fay not any more , how comes it to pafs that God hath brought this turn upon us, that our Mountain which was made fo ftrong , and from which we thought never to be removed , is now utterly over- thrown, that deftrudtion fcometh upon deftru&ion ? Where is that Providence that ruleth all things? tor you do not enquire wifely concerning thefe matters : Stand Hill rather, and fee the Salvation of God ., Surely Deftru&ions are come to a perpetual end, their memo- rial (hall be perifhed with them. For why ? Jefus Chrift is the fame ftill in guiding, governing, and preferving the whole Creation, and will fo continue unto the end. Befides thefe before- mentioned, there are fundry others alfo who difclaim Chrift's Sovereignty over them- Such are the Covetous, the Ambitious, the Proud , the Worldly wife and carnal Politician : What fub je&ion do all thefe yield unto this great Preferver of men ? Though in him they live and move and have their being, though they be under his protection every day, yet they will not be fubjed unto him, the God in whofe hand their breath is , and whofe arc all their waies, they will not glorifie. The covetous Earth-worm grovels upon his Dungbil, faying to his Wedge of Gold, Thou art my confidence, and as Riches encreafe, fo is his Soul more and more profhtuted to his Mammon , never confi- dering that it is the bieffing of the Lord that maketh rich - r nor re- membring « hat the earth is the Lords, and the fulnefs thereof,and that he giveth ic to whomfoever he will. Doth the ambitious man that hunts greedily after honour acknow- ledge Chrift's abfolutc Sovereignty, when he will not content himfclf with Look unto JESUS. with that Station wherein Divine Providence hath put him . but breaks overall bounds, Civil, Natural, Spiritual, afpiring ftill higher and higher beyond his proportion of ftre.igth and bailaftof wifdom, for the management of his acquired Intercft, which undoubtedly i will either involve him in a Snare to his eternal perdition , or eli'e precipitate h.m here into many woful mifcries ? As for the proud and vainglorious man who exalts I imfelf like the Phanfee, proclaiming his Merits to the World, and brow-beating others with overly looks of contempt and difdain • he (I fay) not clofely and fliely difclaimeth Chrift's Sovereignty , but above all others is molt guilty of an impudent and arrogant encroachment up- on his Prerogative Royal, and accordingly doth the Lord look upon him afar off, in his due time giving a check to his folly , making him to know his diftance , and that wherein he deals proudly , he will be above him. In fine, the profane Politician alfo that hath been trained up in the Scho\cofM*chUvel, and is become a profeft and perfed Difcipleof his great Patriarch Achitophel, is very budein his contrivances, carry- ing on his unrighteous projeds with much confidence and fecurity, as if Providence it felf were blinde , and that he who formed the Eye could not fee, and he that teacheth man Knowledge were altogether | ignorant. And thus do poor Creatures make bold with the Lord of the whole Earth, withdrawing from him their fubjedion , though they could not one moment fubfift without him. But O what a fad ac- count will fuch prefumptuous wretches make at the great Day, when they (hall come to ftand before the Tribunal of this great Lord of Heaven and Earth ! They (hall then finde that their prefervation here hath been but a refervation, they flourifh and profper awhile, but it is that they may be cut off for ever. Secondly, In that Jefus Chrift abideth continually Jthe Governour and Prefcrver of the World , here is matter of Inftrudion to be learned- which Inftrudion (hall be branched out into Three Par- ticulars. Tirfl , It may teach all the faithful people of God not to be dif- maied at the appearances andapprehenfions of Death, or of the trou- bles that come upon them here in this World. ____ Secondly, Luke li P/.138.6. £*.i8 J 1. 7« i Branch. IVifd 1.1$. Et ft cut mors in- trat per peccatum iia pecca- tum exit per mortem Gen. i 26. V[. 13 9.1 4 Ej. 9 .6. Look unto J E S U S. #o/*.I3.I4. Secondly, It is a LefTon and inducement to draw poor Creatures to a conflant dependance upon Divine Providence. Thirdly , ] t may let all forts of people fee their own nothingnefs in refpeft ot a Spiritual (landing in Grace and Holinefs. Firft then ,feeing that the Lord Jefus Thrift takes a confiant careof the World, is the fame yedcrday, to day, and for ever, in preferving the Work of his own hands , what needthey, who may be well aflu- red of his everlafting love unto them, be afraid of death ? Or be daunted at the troubles that may fometimes come upon them, or the World about them ? Concerning the firfl of thefe, we may for our comfort know, that Death was none of thofe Creatures that received a being from this i Prince of the Creation , whofe defign was ever to uphold and main- tain his own Workmanfhip againil: whatfoever might be deftm&ive unto it : But the Apoftle tells us which way Death came in, It entred, faith he, into the world by /in. This Thief and Robber then came not j in at the door, butfoohfh man lets in fin, which came creeping upon i him by a Serpentine Insinuation , and Sin like a falfe Traitour makes j way for this Cut- throat, the Devils EmifTary , who no fooner in, I but he (hews himfelf a Tyrant , thrufts Life and Immortality into j Darknefs, Plaies Reakes, and makes what havock he pleafetb, all the ! v> hole Race of Mankinde being in danger for ever to be fwallowed up by him. But when the Lord Jefus Chrift who is the beginning of the Creation of God, the firft-born of every Creature, findes this prag- matical Intruder ibbufily trampling upon the Work which he had made, efpeciaily that Work , which with fuch infinite Wifdom and power was wonderfully formed after his own Image, whofe Name is Wonderful , he cannot fuffer this Stranger thus to fpoil his Labour, but as he began it in Wifdom, fo he will in Mercy preferve it : And therefore out of pure love to his own helplefs Creacures,he undertook to vindicate it againft the AiTaults of Death, fending forth his Chal- lenge with Indignation as hot as fire, in thefe words, Death, I will be thy death -, O Grave, I Kill be thy defirvtticn : And not only fpeaks it, buc ads it too, enters into a Combat with him. And here may poor Creatures ftand amazed to behold this admi- rable Duel , a Duel of fo great Import , that the Victory which at- tends Look unto JESUS. rends thereupon muft carry with it the perpetual Monarchy of the whole World. I'irft then, Chrift hath a body prepared for him, that fo he might be a fit Combatant with Death. Inithis Body he appears Armed with the Brcaftplate of his own Llighteoufnefs, though indeed loaden alfo with the fins of all the Eltd: •, for he bore our fins in his own Bo- dy , &n tt> giMoy, both to the Tree, and on the Tree, which was the field where this Combat was fought, and carried them with him alfo to the Grave, yea to Hell, which is that Land of feparation appointed for them, mentioned Lev. t6. 22. and there left them with the Devil from whom they had their firffc Original. Death on the other fide being fet on by the Devil ( for the A-poftle faich , He was under his command ) finding a Body in his way , ready to give him the En- counter, and finding fin alfo upon it, wherein his great ftrength was wont to lie, makes ufe of his old Plot and ftratagem , which never before failed him, layeth hold upon Sin, and with it mortally wounds the Lord Jefus Chrift. Where alas is now the hope of the Creatures being refcucd from under the power of that infulting Enemy ? May it not feem to va- nifh ? No, no, ftay awhile, and mark the lfTue. The Lord Chrift, the Captain of our Salvation , yields himfelf unto his Adverfary, who drags him into his Den, to triumph over him. Never furely was In- nocency fo trodden under foot, Never did that Region of Darknefs and that Valley of Death receive fuch a Booty, nor fwallow down fo precious a Morfel before. O how did the Devil now applaud him- felf, in that he hath fo notably brought to pafs his Mafterpiece of Ma- lice againft the God of Heaven ? Yea nothing (hall now hinder him but that he will enlarge his Dominion over all the World, by throw- ing the whole Pofterity of Adam into the duft of Death , and after that, by entanglirg chem all in the Snares of the fecond Death. But gmntk defpe> &c. How much is this Prince of Parknefs, and the Powers of Hell difappointed in their expectations? They hive gotten the Prince of Life into their clutches to their own deflrudi- on ; For in the mid ft of all their Triumph, Behold, The Breaftplate of Thrift's Pughteoufnefs begins to fhine, and the Sin wherewith he was wounded appear to be none of his own : the Venome therefore of that Sting leefing its force, he is by the judgment of Divine JuPdce it felf, which fate as Umpire in this Duel, reftoredto his Priftine E- ftate. 79 llcb. 10 I JV/.1.24. Lev.\6. Hcb. z. 14 8o Look unto JESUS, Amh- tvav. Job.%.*. ftat , the Palm of Vi&ory is put into his hand , and the virtue of hi' fufTerings tranfmitted to all thofe for whom he undertook this Cohu bate: Death alfo is difarmed (for he left his Sting in the fides of Chrift) and is become his Captive-, Principalities and Powers that were in a Confpiracy againft him, being devefted of all their ftrength, made to wait upon his Triumph ^ and the Devil that great x Af$tty*n hath his Kingdom utterly fubdued. Now then, feeing the Lord Jefus Chrift hath fo vi&orioufly prevail- ed in the behalf of all the faithful people of God, and abolifhing Death, hath, as the Apoftle fpeaks , brought Life and Immortality to light again, offering it unto them, and eftating them in it, in a more perfect manner then our firft Parents were , while they kept their Integrity , why (hould you now at any time be afraid of Death ? much more reafon furely have you to triumph with the Apoftle, and fay, O Death, where is thy Sting t O Grave, where is thy Vi&ory f And as Death is not to be feared ( unlefs it be by thofe who volun- tarily by their fins metamorphofe themfelves into the workmanfhip of the Devil, thereby putting themfelves out of Chrift's protecti- on ) fo neither are the troub es that come upon our felves , or fall upon the world in our daies, fo to be heeded by us , as that we be de- jected with any defpondency of minde at the appearances thereof. Whatfbever they be , they are ordered by him who ruleth and gui- dcth all things, Yefte.day, to Day, and for ever, yea they are ordain- ed by him to make his Glory (bine the brighter in the prefervation of his Works. lor Afjiiclioncometh not forth of the dttft, neither doth Trouble fpring out of the ground •, but Gods hand fends it , and mans fin brings it , and being thus fent and conveyed, it is by the power- ful Art of this skilful Opifer per Orbem (as Ovid fpeaks of the phy- faian ) this great Prefer ver of men, the Lord Jefus C hrift, quite turn- ed from its Nature, and become awholefom Antidote to keep the World from more dangerous Paroxyfms whereto it is every day inclinable. Let Wifdom then be juftifiedof her Children by a quiet fubmif- fion to whatlbever troubles come upon themfelves or the World about them, becaufe Jefus Chrift Is conftant and unmovable in the exercife of his power, The fame yefterday, to day , and for ever, in this great Work of prefervation , though the courfe that is taken in the purfu- ance thereof may feemtoour fhallow Apprehenfions to tend rather to ruine anddeftru&ion. ] n Look unto J E S U S. 81 Branch r/7 5-3- Efi7.*9- In the next place, what a fire foundation is this for every true Believer to build his Confidence upon ? Jefus Chrift benrs up the pillars of the World, wi hour whom the whole Creation, and all the Inhabitants thereof would certainly bediflolved.AH things have their dependanceupon him,yefterday, to day, and for ever. What a blcf- : led eftate then is this of a Believer ? What an impregnable 1 ort is he immured in ? Nothing can reach him to do him any hurt. 1 or why ? Jefus Chrilt hath him under his Wirg, inthefeeret place of the moil r/j>i.i. High, where no evil thing cm finde him out , becaufe his lodging is under the fhadow of the Almighty. And a c Thrift hath the Believer i under his care, fo he ha:h all his Enemies too under his power , info- much that without him they cannot move a foot , and if they qo be- yond their Tether, he hath a Hook for their Kofe , and a Bridle for their Lips, to order them according ro his pleafure • yea, he upholds his very Enemies. Andean we think then that he will bring up Birds to pick out his own Eyes .' Or fofter Vipers to eat cut his own Bowels ? Let then your Confidence, O Believer, be fixed upon this Rock, wherein alone true fafety is to be found • rely upon this Providence that will never fail 3011. As for Creature- fupports , they will cer- tainly tail. Miches cr Strength (the like may we fay of all things Pro.i7-*4« tile in this World ) are not for ever, for the j m alej thcmfelves wings, \ ( if none clfe will do it for them) and flee awaj. Neither doth the Crown endure to every Generation. A very great uncertainty hath alwaies appeared in the moft plaufible Refuge that the Creature could afford, and he that betakes himfelf to it fhall never be fafe : When he thinks to be moft fecure, even there he fhall be liable to the greateft hazard. It was once a notable faying to this purpofe of Augaflm Csfar , Me- tuendnm eft effe fine C ft ft ode , fed multo m the only He in the great work of prefervation. 1 {hall only add a word or tuo of Apology in theclofure hereof* I confefs this latter Coroiary in the Branches of it, may for the moft part fecm to have a more proper reference to the third Interpretation j ofthe Text that followeth , as being a Cotifequent that might arife upon the cer.fideration of Ch rifts Immutability towards his Church, Ncverthelcfs 1 conceive it doth not bear the guilt of an unpardonable Incongruity to infert it in this place. However if it be mifliked by any, they may, if they pleafe, in their thoughts transfer it, and make ufeofit accordingly. CHAP III. How the Text is Applicable to Cbrift in the work °f %* ft (Mration. THe third Particular in this fecond Interpretation ofthe Text, viz.. With a reference unto the Creatures, is this, Jefus Chrift is .aunt, in the work of Reftauration , the fame from firft to lift, exercifing the fame Wifdom, Goodnefs, Power , as in the Creation and Prefervation - 5 fo in the Reftauration of the World, for he [hall reft ore all things. That which the firft Adam had and loft by fin , ("hail be reftored again by the fecond Adam Jefus Chnft 5 becaufe he is immutably the fame, not to be diverted from his courfe, ei:her by Sin or Satan. The ApoftleS. Peter (Acl.$ ) tcWsusof times of refrejbing, and of refiitu- ticn of all things, which fhali be at the laft ; yea, and not only he, but ( as Look unto J E S 11 S. 83 ( as be faith ) God hath [puke* it by the month cf all his Prophets fnce the world bi gun : As much as to fay, God is very conttant in the Afleve- ration ot tins Dodnne, and if God hath fpoken it, and fpoken it fo immovably without Retractation , rirft by his Prophets, his holy J prophets, yea all his holy Prophets firce the World begin , and again afTerted, ratified it by his Apoltlcs, whatever men do deem of it , it will be found to be a Truth, built upon a Hire Foundation • and there- fore we are not to be fhy in the profeflion thereof. That well known place of the Apoftle, Rom. 2.2 1. runneth with a lull ftrength in a tendency hereunto ; The Creature, faith he, fba&h deli- vered from the bondage of CerruftioB 9 into the glorious liber tj cfthe Ch'iU drencf God. That is, as our Reverend Bi (hop Reynolds renders the fenfe, Upon the Creature? (hall be conferred a Glory , winch ill a i 1 be in the proportion of their Natures a futable Advancement unto them, ;>s the glory of the Children (hall be unto them. And of this Advancement the Apoftle in the fame place faith, The Creature is in hope and cxpeftat ion . which hope and expectation drift will not fufferto befruftrated , he being the beginning of the Creation of God, and therefore ( eo nomine ) in point of his own honour fo en- gaged unto it, as not to Height the fervent defire thereof, in any thing that may really tend to its well-being. Rut before we proceed any further, it will not be out of our way a little to take into confederation , according to our poor meafure, that obfeure and intricate Scripture in its whole latitude, that we may fee from thence, what juftcaufe we havetoextoll and magnifie the Lord Jtfus Chnft in this , as well as in any thing elfe chat hath been fpoken in order to the Creatures. The words are thefe -, For the earnefl ex filiation cfthe Creature waitethfor the manife fla- tten of the Sons of Gcd.frr the Creature was made fu b jetl to vanity, net willingly, but by reafinof him who hath fubjctled the fame in hope •, be* cattfe the Creature it J "elf alfo frail be delivered from the bondage of cor- ruption, into the glorious liberty cfthe children cf God, for we know that the whole Creation groaneth andtravelleth in puin together untiUn-w. lour things ate efpecially to be taken notice of in thefe words, upon the difcuffion whereof we may (through Grace) come to difcern fomewhat of the Minde of the Spirit of God .therein. And they are thefe. Hrft, The Creature is fubjed unto Vanity, and under the bondage of Corruption. L 2 Second- Rom.S. il> Jlow.3,19. «, zs 12. Dr. Ham- mond. ■< lo^ unto JESUS. Secondly, The Creature waiteth and groaneth to be delivered from this Vanity and Bondage. 1 hirdly/lhe time of its Deliverance is, when the Sons of God are mariifefted. Fourthly, The manner of* he Deliverance, It fhall be into the Glo- rious Liberty of the Children of God. Firft, The Creature is fubje& to Vanity, Cj c. The Creature ? What's that ? Much Controverfie there is amongft Writers, who this Creature fhould be. But it is not my purpofe to enter into the many tortuous and oblique Marauders of that Debate , as to tell you what fome conceive of the Angels in order hereunto, Nor what others fay of men indefinitely, Others of the Godly only, Others of the Gentile World in oppofkion to the ^w, &*• For in fo doing, ! fhould but lead you into doubtful Difputations which the Holy Ghoft fbrbiddeth, Rom. 14. 1 . find perplex the prefentDodrine with more difficulty and obfcurity. Better it is to lay down the fenfe plainly, which T humbly conceive, and that is this. By the word K-fmt which is here rendred Creature, and after- wards V.12. tr an dated the Creation , is to be underftood Mundi Maehina, the whole Frame, Engine, and Fabrick of the World, con* fitting both of Celeflial and Elementary Regions, not troubling our felves with any inquiry after thofe Creatures that have their Be- ing in this Elementary part, Whether they (hall be intereffed in that glorious Deliverance that is to come, or no , though they be fubjed unto Vanity, and under the bondage of Corruption, as the place of their Habitation is. And this, 1 believe, will be the fafeft way for us to take in tins Difficulty, wherein alfo we (hall not leave the Apoftle, who is our Guide and Conduct in this Labyrinth , but have his con- cu rency with us. This Creature, faith the Apoftle, is [i.i£. 1 4 M*ll be ^ but we know that when he foall appear, we [ball be like him , for V?e/h*ttfee him, as he is. Bur, I hope, 1 may without offence give in my poor Judgment ns I have done concerning this Scripture, confidering, ic is no: inconfiftcne at all with the fcope of the Holy Ghoft therein, and bang gmd.d hereto by fome certain probabilities : lirft , They are Angels we know, and a great multitude of them, who did at the Birth of Jcfus Chrift proclaim Peace to the Creature, as well as Good-will towards men ■ the Creature therefore may be in expectation of the manife- ftation of the Angels , that this Promife or Salutation given by them might be made good and perfected. Secondly, It is no: without fome reaibn that the Holy Ghoit doth ufe the different terms of Sons and Children in this Scripture, viz,: i>/, Sons % in the 19 Verfe, and Tut**, Children in the 29 Verfe, efpecially confidering that that which is predicated of each 7 carrieth with it alfo a great diffc ence too ; for the manifeftation of the Sons ©f God anfwers the expectation of the Creature : Eut the Deliverance of the Creature is not there to be terminated, but only by the liberty of the Children of God. Now there feemeth to me to be fome probability that the varying of the terms fhould imply alfo in this place a varying of perfons, viz,. The hift to be underftood of the Angels of God , and the latter of the Saint*, the latter word alfo being comprehensive of the fur 1 ;, and not the firrt, in a true propriety of fpeech, of the latter, confidering with- all what hath been before (aid, that the Creature muft have the An- gels employed in working their Deliverance, but not the Saints. Sons being alfo fitter then Children in the bringing to pafs fo great a Work, as delivering the Creature out of Bondage is like to be. More might be added, but this fhall fuffice for the third Obferva- tion from this Scripture, viz. The time of fatisfying the Creatures expectation, that is, at the manifeftation of the Sons of God. Fourthly, That which is next offered to our View, is the manner of the Deliverance of the Creature, or to what it fhall be reduced at the expiration of its Bondage, it fhall be delivered into the Glorious Liberty of the Children of God. For 9 JL 1 John 5 . 1 T: ei 94 Rem.f.fi Rev. xi. Look unto JESUS. Foritisbutfubje&edfaith the Apoftle, W i\^J>, in hope, or under hope of a happy change to abetter Eftate^ and though this hope deferred maketh the poor Creature to faint , yet the patient abiding thereof (hall not periih for ever, For hope maketh notafha- med, efpecially when it is fixed upon fuch a fure Foundation, as Gods Eternal Purpofe which cannot be difanulled. A Deliverance therefore (hall undoubtedly arife unto the Creature, even as there (hall be to the Children of God ., for as in this corrupt eftate, wherein they are involved for the prefent by the firft Adam , they are both together fellow-furTerers; fo (hall they together in their feveral Capacities be fet at liberty, and have their Pnitine Excellencies reftored, yea, much more enlarged unto them by Jefus Chnft, the fecond Adam, who be- ing the A If ha and Omega, the Beginning and the End of the Creation, the fame yefterday, today, and for ever , is of power fufficient to make all things new. It is indeed upon the Children? account that the Creature (hall be Interefled in that glorious Deliverance, for as the Apoftle fpeaks in another cafe, Both God take care for Oxen f So may we fay, doth God fo refped: the Creature, that is/ the frame of Nature , that he will vouchfafe for its own fake to beautifie it when it is deformed . ? Or, doth he altogether for our fakes that are his Children ? For our fakes no doubt (hall this glorious Work be accompli(hed , that even the Creature it fe!f alfo may in a free and liberal manner (which is ear- ncftly defired by it ) be fubfervient unto his Glory. And thus we flnde the Prepofition here'E/*, which is tranflated into, is taken by fomeas carrying the force of another, viz. A/a, that is, Proper which Mgnirieth for , fo reading the word thus, The Creature (hall be de- livered from the Bondage of Corruption for the Glorious Liberty of the Children of God, that is, That the Childrens Liberty might by their fervice be the more Glorious. For as God made the Creature in the beginning for Man, and becaufeof him fubje&ed itlikewife unto Vanity, that fo it might not even in the daies of Vanity be fupe- riour to him for whom it was created : So will he deliver it again for Man's fake, that is, for the Accamulation and Illuftration of his childrens Glory- Though I confefs upon the Creature alfo it felf (as it is faid before ) (hall be conferred a Glory , which (hall be in the proportion of its Nature a futable Advancement unto it, as the glory of the children (hall be unto them* I And Look unto JESUS. And tins I conceive in (hort to be trie fenfe of the Apoftle as to this Particular, whereby we may fee clearly that there (hall be a Refhu- ration of the Creature, that is, as faith S. Peter, New Heavens and a new Earth, rvhertin dvoeRtth Right eotifnejs. Which words of new Heavens and new Earth , as they are ufed in a certain place by the Prophet Iftidh, being fpiritually underftood , are I confefs appliable to the Hate of the Church in the times of the Gofpel, under the King- dom of Chrift, when it (houldbe fo renewed , that it fliould fecm to be, as 'twere a new World, old things being done away , Types and fhadows removed , yea, the whole Service of the former Tabernacle abolifhcd, and all things made new, 2 Cor. 5.17. So that in this fenfe this Prophecy is already fulfilled. Ncverthelefs though the words of the Prophet may befo taken , yet we are not to confine the Spirit of God thereunto , efpecially when he hath declared his meaning elfe- where to be of a larger extent , as he hath done in this very parti- cular j for the Apoftle S. Peter in the forecited place, Commenting upon the Prophet, fpeaks of the new Heavens and the new Earth , as not fo much to be feen in this World, as in that which is to come, his whole Scope in the faid Chapter tending thereunto. Let then the fpiritual fenfe be acknowledged by us , yet that hin- ders not , but that the other fenfe (via,. That there (hall really be new Heavens and a new Earth at the laft Day) may be acknowledged alfo ^ even as Glory is faid to be begun here in thofe Graces that are fhed abroad by the Holy Ghoft in the hearts of the Elc<5t, which (hall notwithstanding (hine forth in its full Splendour in the Kingdom of Glory. I hear what is objected unto this, v/^.That in the Day of the Lord, The Heavens being on fire/hall be di(folved, andpafs atyay Voith a great noifc> and the Elements Jhatl melt with fervent heat, the Earth alfo and the rvorlej that are therein JhaM be burnt at , which implies a total A- bolition of the Heavens and of the Earth • How then can there be fuch a Reftauration ? For anfwer to this Objection , if a late Writer may be heard, he will tell us , that this place of S. Peter is to be underftood of the De- ftru&ionof Judaa, and not of the end of the World. Which fuggefti- onof his I (hall not for my part infift upon, it being an unwarrant- able Interpretation, differing not only from the Prophet before, and the Apoftle himielf after him in the 7th Verfe , where he clearly ex- preffcth 95 1 PW.J. '3. £/^.i7. 1 Cor.1.17 Obje&ion. IJPtt.J.IO Look unto JESUS. I Reg. 8. 27- i. jLnfa>> prefTeth his meaning to be of the general Conflagration, as it were, of the Heavens and of the Earth at the Day of Judgment. That which I have to fay unto the Obje&ion (hall be folded up in a two- fold Reply. Krft, We fee the Apoftle fpeaks there of Heavens in the Plural Number, ( h 'Ou&vot ) as comprehending all Heavens : So that if the place be to be taken in that fenfe , as that the Heavens and the Earth fhall fc pafs away, as to be no more^ then we muft conclude al- fo that even ths Heaven oftheBleffed, which is the Heaven of Hea- vens, the Habitation of Gods Holinefs and Glory, fhall be altogether taken away likewife ; But that is a Kingdom which cannot be moved, therefore furely it is not fo to be underi'iood. Secondly, Whereas the Apoftle fpeaks oftheDiflblution ofthefe inferiour Heavens being on fire, and their patting away with a great noife, of the Elements alfo melting wuh fervent heat, and the burn- ing up of the Earth, and the Works that are therein , the meaning isi nor, as if the iubftance ofthefe Creatures fhall be annihilated 'and re- ! duced to nothing : but only that their prefent "Form and quality fhall' be changed. For firft the Quinteffence of the Heavens is not combu- 1 ftible by any Elementary fire ( if the Apoftles fenfe fhould betaken with a reference to any llich kindeof fire) it being a mod certain Maxtme, Caelum a fubccsleft'.hm nihil patitur, that is, Heaven cannot faH under the power of any thing that is below it felf • for being next unto the Angels, the prime Agent in Nature , it cannot poflibly be Pa (five ; And if it were fubjectt© any ftich Confumptive fire, then fhould that fire, which is a far more ignoble Creature , have a Being in its greateft height and glory, when the Being of the Heavens is un- der a Decay, which is too great an afefurdity to be imagined by any that take pleafure in fearching into the great Works of the Almigh- ty : Yea more, considering that theconttantprcdud of fuch fire is nothing elfe but Afhes, it will follow that when the Heavens ar.d the Earth are confumed, the Afhes thereof mull remain in the prefence of God, as if he favoured only the Dud of the Creature*. But dc lets in Head of Afhes , there fhall be a glorious Beauty upon the &ce of Nature at that Day ■ which beauty even ihatveiyfire that ihall then vihbly flame out, fhall alfo be a means through the mighty work- ing of the moft High to bring forth. We will not :oo curicufly fearch into the nature of that fire , pofiibly it may* be fuch as that wherein Look unto JESUS. wherein God appeared unto Mofes in the Bufh, but confumed it not, and connatural with that which took up Eliot into Heaven, not de- stroying his body , but changing it into a glorious cftate : In both which Apparitions, as in many more, the Miniftry of Angels was imployed, whom, as the PfAlmift fpeaks , God maketh a flaming fire. And therefore when the innumerable multitude of thefe Angels (hall appear at the lad Day, waiting upon the Lord Jefus when he comes in hi* Glory , well may Heaven and Earth be then faid to be in a flame, and, as it were, all on fire. But let the Nature of that fire be as it is, ordered by the Wifdom of the Creatour, far furpafling our (hallow Apprehenfions, being fpar- kles of thofe everlafting Burnings that are in himfelf : This fire at that day (hall put a new Form and Quality upon the Heavens and the Earth • But how ? Or what ? I fay again , we know not, neither is it indeed fit for us to know, while we are in this our prefent eftate. T his we know becaufe God hath promifed it, there (hall be new Heavens and a new Earth , wherein dwelleth Righteoufncfs, that is, it may be fuch Heavens and fuch Earth at leaft as there was in the beginning, wherein Adam dwelt when he was in his Innocency. Thisalfo we know that the Angels who are this flaming fire, as they are now em- ployed by God in the Ordering, Guiding, and Governing the Hea- vens and the Earth which now are , fo they (hall in the end be inftru- i mental in making all things new ., for they (hall take away every thing that doth offend , and like unto fire feparate the Precious from the Vile, which will neceflarily bring on a perfect Renovation : and this Renovation is that which will furely be the Diflblution of the former both Heavens and Earth, fo as they (hall not be remembred , nor come into minde, according to the word of the Prophet. Add unto this the melting of the Elements , which the Apoftle alfo mentioneth, (a plain Metaphorical cxprefTion ) what doth it imply, but that they (hall be brought into a new form, even as Mettal when it is melted, lofeth not its fubftance , but only the faeculency and drofs is taken away, and the Mettal transformed into another fhapc then it had be- fore. And thus in like manner the Prophet David, when he had fpoken ( Pf ',102.26 ) of the pcrifhing of the Heavens doth declare what his meaning thereof was in the words immediately following, viz. AH of them Jhall wax old like a Garment > as a Vcfttirejbalt thou change them N and 97 Ex.y i Reg. 11. Ef.6s 17. 16. 9 8 Look unto JESUS. and thej fhall be changed. He fpeaketh not of other Heavens, but the old changed into better: The wrong fide of the Vefture is for the prefent only difcernable ^ but the day {hall come when it fhall be feen in all its Glory. Unto this wc have the concurrent affent of Expofitours both An- cient ard Modern , whofe words becaufe they are fo clear and preg- nant in the confirmation hereof , 1 judge it fit to interfert them at ] large as I finde them. Holy Hicrem upon Ifainh writes thus, Extrema ilia Ccelerum mu- tittio^erit tantumrenovatio , etr- Morton prem&tio in meliorem ftatum\ That is , The change which fhall be of the Heavens at the laft Day, will be nothing elfe but their Pvenovation, and a promotion of them to abetter eftace. And in his Commentary upon the 102 Pfalm, writing on thefe words, They {hall perifh and wax old as a Garment , gives his judgment thus, Ccelorum ifte interitm^non erit abolitio eorum, fed reformatio & re dint e gratia y that perifhing of the Heavens {hall rot be their Abolition, but their Reformation and Redintegration. So likewife S. Augufiine on the fame place renders the fenfe there- of thus, Peribunt Cosli in fine fee tfli, fed mn peribunt ut animalia, it a ut effe defnant * fed quia inalium ftatum transfermati, omn'bus quA \ nunc exercent mimfterw , & fanftionibus & effetlibus carebunt , ut \ quibus turn non erit cp us homini fatlo jam incorrupt! bili , cujus gratia \ minifteria ilia exercebant Ccelt. The Heavens {hall perifh in the end i of the World, yet not as other Creatures , fo as to ceafe to have any ] beings but being transformed into another {tate,they fhall not have | thofe Operations , Influences and ErTcds, which now they have:, be- j caufe Man, for whofe fake they were employed in fuch fervices, being made incorruptible, hath no need of them. Theaforefaid S. Hier&m llluftrates his meaning by a fimilitude, v. g. Infans cum in Pnerum crtverit, & puer in jnvenem, & juvenu invirum,& virinfenem^neefuaejuamper fingulas Mates homo ferity idem enim eft cjuiprius fait, fed pauUtim immutatttr & atati priori v'd?tnr periiffe, fie etiam & Cceli, &c. When an infant groweth up to childhood, from childhood to youth, from youth to mans-eftate , and from thence to old age , wc do not fay, in his growth and progrefs through thefe feveral Ages, that he perifheth from what he was cflcn- tially •, no, he is the fame perfon, which he was at firft , but by de- grees changed, fo as to the preceding Age wherein he was , he may feem Look unto J E S U S. 99 fecm co perifh. Thus is it with the Heavens, they (hall be changed, which charge fhall be a kinde of perifhing, as to their former eitate, and adifiblucionof thatFrame wherein they flood before , bat yet ncverthelefs continue in the fame fubftancc (lill,which they were from the beginning. Of the fame judgment was (Tr^^firnamed the Great , Qu&Yi pcteft, faith he, &c. It maybe demanded feeing the Scriprure fptaks one while of the eternal duration of the Earth, how it comes to pnfj that another while it fpeaks of a general DifTblution: Hoctawcn fa- cile difct.'timtu, &c. 1 his, kith he, we can eafily difcuis and refofve, ifweconfiderhow,and after what manner Earth and Heaven fliall pafs away, and how they (hall continue ; Vtraejue ertim hxc per earn dfttam nunc habent imaginem peribunt , fed per effentiam ttimen fine fine fubftftpiKt. They both pafs away in refpeft of their prefent Form, but their efTential Being dial 1 never fail. And again, Scrotum eft, &c. It is written there fliall be new Heavens and a new Earth , Q»a\ cjy.i. dem non alia font condend*. , fed hcie y per ignem tergitur, & tatrnn in ftia femper natura (ervMur ; Heaven therefore (hall pafs away , and yet (hall continue, becaufe by fire it is purged from that outward ap- pearance and fliapc, which it now hath, but in its own proper nature fliall (land for ever. Vnde & per Pfalmiflam dicitur, mntabis eos & mutabuntur, f\uam qnidem ulumeim comwutatienem fuam ipfs nunc viciffitudmibus nobis mnciant^ ejuibni wfiri* ufibvs indefnenter alter* nam, &c. And hence it is faid by the Ffalmiji , Thou (halt change them and they fhall be changed ^ which ultimate charge of theirs they ; do in effefr themfelves fignirkantly demonftrate unto us by thofe in- \ terchangeable VicifTitudes wherewith they do inceffantly vary inor- ' der to our ufe and fervice : for may we not at every turn of the year ! behold the Earth through the Winter -froits dif-robed of .all her gor- ! geous Attire, and when the Spring appears, to flounfh in as much I beauty as fhe did before ? The Heavens in like manner to be covered | every day with the darknefs of the Night , and again to be renewed by the daies Brightnefs. And thus by the continual repair of thefe obvious Defects , we may take fome guefs of the future perifliing of thefe things at the laltDay, and alfo of their refrefhing again by a Renovation. N 2 In IOO Look unto JESUS. In the next place let Peter Lombard be heard, who laith , Peribit Dift. 47. Cesium & Terr a, nonfecundum fubfidntiam^fed fecandum fpeetem, e^tat immPitabitHr , Heaven and Earth (hall perifh, not in their fubftance, but in their outward Form which (hall be changed. Many more of the Ancients might be ailtdged, who do unanimous- ly confent unto this Opinion. So that, whatever fume people may Judge of it now, it is no Recent Device, but a Do&rine that hath been received, a* a mod: Genuine Truth in former Ages j yea, and now al- fo in thefe later times it hath been Aflerted by Modern Divines, f fhall inftance in fomefew amongil: a multitude that give their fufFrage hereunto. Thus Calvin, Hoc unum de mundi elementU notandum eft, confump- turn iri tantum ut novamcfualitatem induAnt, manente fftbftantia. This one thing is to be noted concerning the Elements of the World, that they fhall be confumed only by putting on a new Quality, their fub- ftar.ee remaining ftill the fame. A nd Commenting upon thefe words of theApoftle, viz,. The Creature is madefubjtft to Vanity, he thus writeth, Dubium non eft quin vanitAtcm opponat integrs. matura, &c. It is not to be doubted but ihat S. P*a/oppofeth theprefent Vanity of the Creature to that perfect Nature which (hall appear in it hereafter. Thus PoUnus, Brunt Ccelinovi qui a renovati,fednovis qualitatibtis non fob ft tnti a, There (hall be new Heavens, becaufe they fhall be re- newed • but how ? Not with a new Subftancc, but new Qualities. Thus Bucanus, P eft judicium fe pi refkAurationem omnium rerum fe- dis & Ioch ( beatornm erit nonfolum in Cos lis, fed etiam in terra. After the Judgment, or the Reftauration of all things, the feat and place of theBleffed (hall not only be in the Heavens, but alfo in the tarth. Thus Amefius, Ignis purgando & innovando mundo deft'mdtus, non an* tecedet judicium, fed ftquetur, That fire ordained for the purging and renewing of the World (hall not precede the Judgment, but follow it. A nd again, Elementa non erunt fublatafedmutatA, The Elements (hall not be quite taken away, but changed. Gomarus after many Arguments that he produceth to thispur- pofe, concludeth, Mmdus non in nihilum, fedinmeliorem pAtumeft redigendus, The World in the end is not to be reduced to nothing, but into a better eftate. H. Grotitti in like manner, Libert item a vanitate five interitu «c- cipiet Look unto JESUS. cipiat.'nc }ivffi( t cum filii Dei ad ghriam iHam aternam pervenicnt- Sclent bom pAtres in htnorem fiiiorum etiamfervos eornm ornare. The Creature (hall be delivered from Vanity and Deftru&ion , when the Children of God have attained to that Eternal Glory, even as good Fathers are wont for the honour of their Children to put fome Or- naments upon their Servants. PifcAtor alfo upon the fame place writeth thus , Ccetum & Terra inn VAbuntur^quuru pAtcfiet Gloria filiorum Dei -, Heaven and Earth (hall then be renewed, when the Glory of Gods Children fhall ap- pear. RAVAndlui likewifc a late Writer in his Bibliotheca S*cra , iaith, EtiAtn Terra qticad fubftantiam erit Eterna, Yea the Earth jn refped of its fubilance (hall be Eternal. Laftly, To name no more ■ Brentius Horn. J 3 . ** Luc. thus argu- cth, Ntim [alum & Terra trAnfibunt ita ut nihil eerttm ommno ma- neat ? Aiinlmc omnium, nm tran fibunt omnino, ft d mutabnntur, abji- dent vefiimcntum corruptions^ & indue nt nov Am vefiem incorr upturns. Futura quidtmCali ac Terra mutatio, mn ante m in tot urn Abolitio: Shall Heaven and Farthfopafs away that nothing of them fhall re- main t No verily, thev (hall not altogether pafs away , but they fhall be changed, they (hall caft of the Garment of Corruption, and put on a new Robe of Incorruption. There fhall indeed be a change of Heaven and Earth, but not a total Abolition. I have not here mentioned any of our own Writers (who notwkh- ftanding ) many of them Grave, Learned , and Reverend Divines, whofe Woi ks praife them in the Gates, do unanimoufly Aflert the fame Do&rine. And thus we fee the concurrent Judgment of Writers both old and new inclining this way, viz,. That it is the 2£»