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£»
A wretched Covetoufnefs you will undoubtedly findc it to be in the
er.d, to be intruders upon the Devil; a woful ambition to bellfur-
} pers up®n Damnation ^ and a folly not to be paralleled unlefs it be by
! the reprobate Angels, to leave your own Habitation fo Glorioufly
I repaired for yoa by Jefus Chrift ( who not only Created you but
J Bought you at a dear Rate) everlaftingly to dwell in» Surely it
' were much better for you to ftand your ground , and to preferve
your Intereft with all your ftrengcb, preparing your felves againft
the time, when an entrance fhall be miniftred unto you abundantly
into that everlafting Kingdom, waiting for the Adoption, a Glory above
the Creatures expectation, viz,. The redemption of our My , when
Body and Soul fhall be reunited again , and all things fhall be ours in
their perfc&eft Beauty, purged throughly from that drofs and cor-
ruption which now flicks upon them.
This, I fay, fhould be our chiefeft Ambition next unto God's Glo-
ry • and if we were wife, would be our utmofl endeavour : for thera
fhall I
Look unto J E S U S.
»*5
(hall we be with Thrift which is bell: of I II , then dial 1 we experimen-
tally finde t he blefTed effects of his immutable love towards us unto
all eternity , then (lull the Creature yield unto us not a groaning
Subjection, but a willing and a cheerful Subjection, rejoycing that it
hath fomewhat in it that fhall conduce to the advancement of our
Glory. O let the consideration hereof work in us a holy Indifferen-
cy towards the things of this prefent life. What though fomc be poor
and of low account in the eyes of the world ? yet let not the hearts of
iuch be troubled at it ^ for our Lord when he comes if he finde them
doing his will, will make them as well as others who abound in wealth,
Rulers over all that he hath. If Riebs s encreafe^ let ut not fit our hearts
upon them : Or if they decreafe and take to themfelves wings and flie
away, let us not be guilty of fuch folly, as to let our hearts flie after
them ; but as Fabritim the Roman ( a late learned and laborious
Bifhop made the Comparifon ) told King Pjrrhus , who one day
tempted him with Gold, and another day terrified him with an Ele-
phant which he had never feen before , Yefterday I was not moved
with thy Money, nor to day with thy Beaft : So whether we be temp-
ted with gain, or terrified with the lofs ofthefe worldly Commodi-
ties, we do not trouble our felves either way, Knowing that we have in
Heaven a more enduring J ubftance^ He b 10. 34.
And thus have we done with the fecond Interpretation of our
Text, viz. That Jefus Chrift is avj^, the fame in reference to the
whole Creation.
?f.6t. Jo.
Pr0.13.5-
Bijhsp
King tpen
Jonas.
Plutarch us
in vita
Pyrrhi.
Vtimur
mundo
fruimur
P 2
The
u-6
Gtn.3. 1 j.
Mat. if.
34.
The Third Interpretation of
the Text is this :
Jefus Chr'tfl is the fame yefterday, to day^ and for eyer f
With a more efpecial Refpecft unco his
Peculiar People.
Adfis JESV.
JEfus Chrift is the fame unto his Church from firft to laft, that is,
from the firft man that was created, to the laft that (hall be born
in this World • or, from the firft Evangelical Promife given in
Paradife, viz,, The Seed ef the Woman [baH breaks the Serpents head,
unto the laft Sentence that (hall be pronounced at the great Day, viz,.
Come ye Bleffedrfwy Father ^inherit the Kingdom pre fared for you from
the foundation of the world. The fame King, and the fame Prieft, and
the fame Prophet of his Church throughout all Ages, the fame in his
Power over them , the fame in his Satisfaction and Fntercefiionfor
them, the fame in his Do&rine unto them : Semper idem, alwaies the
fame.
And now that we may undcrftand more fully the Senfe of the Holy
Ghoft in this excellent Scripture, according to this Third Interpreta-
tion
Look unto JESUS.
tionofit, letusconfiderdiftinc'tly thefeveral Courfesor Periods of
Time here fpeeified , viz,. X3*\, SuV^r, £ «i t«< 'a/*j/*<, that is,
Tefterdaj,to D*f> And for ever. And in them allobferve the immuta-
bility of the Lord Jefus Chrift towards his Church from Generation
to Generation.
Byxst<,that is, Ytfttrdtj, muft according to this fenfe be meant
all thetimcoftheOldTeftament.
By s>^$»oy, that is, Tq d*j, is underftood the time of the New Te-
ftament.
By«< t«< duZvu^for ever , the continuance of that time unto the
end, and that Eternity in order to the fruit and benefit of Chrift's
Immutability towards his Church ,when Time (hall be no more.
CHAP I.
Of Yefterday^ and the Benefit that the Church enjoyed
bj Chrift's Oeconomy therein.
TO begin then with Yefterday, which % as it is faid.muft in this fenfe
which we are now upon, be taken for all ihe time ot the Old Te-
ftament^that is, from the Minority of the Church in her flrft fpringing,
unto her maturity in that fulnefs of Time when Chrift came into the
World: In which long Traft of time notwithftanding he was the
lame in the Fxercife of his Mediatory Office towards his felefted
People, which he is to Day in the time of the Gofpel , when he was
made Flefh, and vifibly app: ared among us.
Two things are here to be confidered by us •
i. The Denomination of ihe Time,x$*<,Yefterday.
2. What is predicated of that time, viz,. Chrift, o *Kwnt.
The only He, or the fame Yefterday.
Both which will afford unto tas their feveral Inftruftions. "From the
firft we may learn that which will be of fome ufe for us to know , and
that is this.
The
I I
n8
John 5.
39-
Luke \6,
29.
Van. 9. 17.
L«£e 16.
16.
GalA-1-
Heb.9. 10.
LooA. mm JESUS.
The Tme of the OldTeftament with the Legal Ordinances attending
upon it^ u a Day that isfet and expired, being Tefterdaj ; and therefore
not to be brought into our account^ neither are we to walkjn the light of it.
I fay not, that the Old Teflament it felf, Quoadfcripturam velfpi-
ritualemvcritatem , as it is a part of God's Revealed Will unco his
Church, is now at this time quite out of date • for even Jefus Chrift
who is the Sun that {hinech glorioufly in this our Day , was the Do-
ctrine of the Prophets, as well as of the A pottles: andhecommandeth
us in the New Teflament to enquire of him in the Old , Search the
Scriptures •, that is, enquire into Mofes^nd the Prophets, They are
they that teitifle of me : But Quoad difpenfationls modum,&c.The Ma-
nifeftations of God's Prefence with his People are not now after the
fame manner , as in the time of old, and the outward form of his
Worfhip which he hath prefcribed is not the fame with us , as it was
with the lathers: yet neverthelefs this doth no more impeach the Im-
mutability of the Mediator by whom the change is made,then a Cove-
nant written and exprefTed more plainly with a diftincl iorm of words
from what it had before, doth put an imputation of Inconftancy up.
on him that granted it. Of which more (hall be faid hereafter.
The Scripture is very clear for the confirmation of the propofed
Dodrine. Even Yefterday was the fetting of that Day foretold, for
Daniel propheciedof the putting out of the Light thereof (Dan. 9. 2 7.)
viz,, of the ceffation of the old Sacrifices : and Jeremy foretelleth of
anew Covenant, fer. 31.31 &c. and Malachy of a new Oblation ^
and the Jews themfelves acknowledge (according to thefc Prophe-
cies ) that when Mejfiah (hall come , he fhall turn their Day into
Night, and change their Laws. Anfwerable hereto is that of our Sa-
viour , Luke 16. The Law and the Prophets were nntitl fohn^ which
John was indeed the true J anus, who fawboth daics, the Concludcr
of the former, and the Beginner of the latter. There will be no great
need to infift much upon the proof hereof ^ the Epiftle to the<7*/*-
tians is in a manner wholly fpent upon this Argument : let us fingle
out foine places wherein the Apoftlegiveth very pregnant teftimonies
concerning this matter.
We ( faith he, Gal. 4. 3 ) when We were children^ that is, before we
had that true manly knowledge and wifdom, whereto we have now
in the fulneis of Time attained, veere in bondage under the elements of
the world. Carnal Ordinances which were the Abecedarian Rudi-
ments
Look unto JESUS.
ments of the Pedagogy of the Law,were the Light of that Day j but
thefe Elements are now utterly defhtute of thtir former Influence,
Lufter, and Vigour, being become but weak and beggarly, Gal. 4. 9,
of fo mean account are they now, even in the judgment of him , who
faith of himfelf, When he was a childe, he fpake as a childe , making
hisboaftof them, verily thinking with himfelf that he ought to do
many things according to thofe Rudiments j but when he became a
man, he put away all thofe childifh things. True it is , they had as
one faith well, been Elements in their time, and God had ufed them
as the firft Letters of the Rook to fchole his People with-, but their
Office was ended, that fulnefs of Time which brought Chriftinto
the World, "and that fulnefs of Knowledge and Grace which Chrift
brought with him, was their Diminution. The Light which they gave
though Glorious in that Day, is by reafon of a more excellent Bright-
nefs that now fhineth, quite extind and of no value; even as the
poor light of a Candle is of no ufe , when the Sun appeareth in his
full ftrength.
Again, the fame Apoftle tells us in the fame Epiftle, <£*/. 3. 25. ?.
18. andfo alfo Rom.6.14.. thatwe aye not under the Law : Andwhat
is the priviledge that we have hereby ? Surely very great, for we are
not only not under the Curfe of the Law, but not under the guidance
and conduct of the Law, as it was in the hand of Mofes. He indeed
gave the Law, that is, the Letter of it, and that was all the light that
he could give, and the Veil upon his face did then fhadow out the Veil
upon the peoples hearts, which was not taken away in the reading of
the Old Teftament • but the Miniftry of the New Teftamcnt . is not
the Miniftry of the Letter, but of the Spirit • and the Veil which was
of old under the Law in the reading of the Old Teftament, is now un-
der the Gofpel done away by ChrifL So that I fay again, we are not
under the Law in the Letter of it, as they of old were, neither can the
Veil of Mrfes hinder us as it did the people formerly.
As here, fo likewifc in other places of Scripture doth the Apoftle
bearwitnefs to this truth, i/.£. Col, 2. 14. Chrift hathblotted out the
Hand-writing or Obligation of Ordinances •, whereby is principally un-
derftood the Law of Ceremonies, which was an Aft of Yefterday :
Or, Chrift hath by his Do&rines, that is, new Statutes of the Gofpel,
blotted out the Hand-writing , viz,, of the Law which was againft
us i ( for fo the words, 'Eg*^4at $ ii ^6* $$? ^ Sj^oy n*U J^ti,
may
I I
Gil. 4 9-
1 ror.13.
II.
G4. 7. 13.
John 1 . 1 7
2. Cor. 5.
14.
z Cor. $.6.
Col.i.i^.
* Or De-
crees.
Deleto quod
adverfum
not erat
Chirogra-
ph Dotiri-
ttis.
Coll. 17.
Luke
*4.
10.
hhb. 9 10
may be rendred without the leaft perverting of the Apoftlesfenfe)
Let it be conftrued either way ,it plainly demonstrates that the Obliga-
tion which was of Yefterday in the time of the Old Teftament in full
force and virtue, is now utterly cancelled, made void, and of none ef-
fect. And leaft fome might caft out a fcruple, that though it be blot-
ced, yet full it may be legible, the Apoftleiurther faith, He hath taken
it out of the way-, yea, and that it may not be fufpe&ed that it fhouid
be afterwards brought to light again, it is added tor the removal of all
fears and jealoufies whatfoever, that he nailed it, for our greater fc-
curity, to his Crofs, that is, to die with him, and fo rent it in pieces.
Again, Col. 2. 17. having fpoken of certain Cuftoms and Rites,
proper to the Time of the Old Teftaraent, he faith of them, They were
but. 'ZzjdLy a Jhadow of things to come : And what things were thofe ?
Such things as many Prof hits and Kings have de fired to fee, but could
not. A Complication of all which glorious things, the Apoftle there
afcribeth unto Chrift, calling him, the Body , which when it is come,
there is no more ufe at all of the fhadow, but it muft give room there^.
to, and vanifh away. Types are.to endure but till the time ef Recti-
fying y Heb.9. 1 o» that is, the Evangelical Jubilee, which fets all in their
due Order and Station.
Laftly, To infift upon no more, in Hcb. 1 ♦ 1 ,1 . there is fet down a
plain difference between Then and Now ; obkrve^Godwho at fundry
times and in divers manners jfake in time pafi unto the Fathers by the
Frophcts, hath in thefe la ft daies fpokjn unto tu by his Son. To them at
fundry times, noM//>*, that is, afprig fproutingout ,
and fpringing up from fefff, as from a Root which /ball fiand up for
an Enfign of the feeple, To it (ball the Gentiles fcek, that is, repair and
flock together, as to their Sanftuary and Refuge, wherein they (hall
truft.
Now what have we Gentiles to do with feffe were it not for Je-
fus f this Rootfhould forever have lain hid in the Earth, and we
fhould have joyncd with thofe, who once faid, Look to thine o#n
Houfe David, were it not for the Son of David, in whom we truft.
Alas alafs your continued Contempt of us Gentiles was no prevailing
Inducement to us, to take your God to be our God • we wc/e as wil-
ling to keep our Diftance in thofe times of our Ignorance, as you your
felves could poftibly defire wefhould-, but fuch hath been the ex-
ceeding gooJnefs of your God and our God, as to make 1 i-nfelf
known unto us in this our day, as clearly and fully ( to fay no more)
as he did unto your fathers Yefterday : and as he was pleafed to
make a Promife, that the time (houldcome, when this root of fejfe
fboaldfljoet forth a Branch, ivhofe name (bottld be called the Lord eur
righteoufnefs, whom he would give to be a Covenant to the people, and a
light to the Gentiles, and that in him fhould the Gentiles truit • fo
hath he made good h< word unto us, blefled be his Name, unto us,
I fay,who were a foolifh people,a people that did neither underftand,
nor feek after him, He hath brought us into the bond of the Cove-
nant, avouching us to be his People, and we have avouched him to be
our God, yea and He (hall be our God for ever and ever,and we will
hare no other God befides him
If then there be fuch a blefled Change in us, mud there not bee a
Change in the divine difpenlation of Grace ? lfweownyour God
for our God, Is it not clear that there hath a Light appeared which
was not of Yefterday ? And whencecomesit r that we who were fome-
times Darknefs are now Light in the Lord? furely flefh and bloud
hath not revealed it unco us, but we have received it by the hand ot
that true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World,
A Light that lightens the Gentiles, as faith your Prophets, and which
alone muft be the glory of ifrael
Now therefore O yee Jews, I befeech you, be as we are-, for in
the knowledg of the true God, according to the Scriptures, we are as
Q^ 2 you
113
e(~.\\. 1
>r.23.5
BfAl. 6
H
Zech, 8.23
Ef.6i.z
Look unto JESUS.
you are. You have not injured us at all, rather your Fall hath been
to our advantage- neither will our Breaches be made up among oue
felves, but by your con junction witfi us. O confider it is the purpofr
and decree' of the Almighty to make you inftrucnental in bringing to
pafs his great Work, which is the perfecting of his Church in thefe
latter dayes^ for as your Fathers were not to be perfect without us
fo neither (hall we be Perfect without you : Behold this is
that will make you as a Crown of GUrj in the hand of the L.rd ,
and as a royal Diadem in the hand of jour God j which when it is
come to pals ( as it will furely come ) Oh how fhall we floik toge-
ther unco you, and hang upon you, Ten of us taking hold >f the skirt
of him that is a few^fajing^ we will go with j 'oh, for W?e have heard that
God is With you: Since therefore this honour is referved for you
What f will you be ftill groping in the Dark ? will you be ever po-
ring upon Yefterday ? fhall the Day be almoft fpent, before your
Eyes be opened to fee the Light that now fhineth, and the Glory that
waiteth for you ? And if ever through the good Providence of God
this paper may come to your perufal, O let the good hand of God go
along with it to rouze and quicken you. This is not fpoken to you
with Difdain, but with a hearty defire of your Reftauration • nor
with any contempt or abhorrency *at the appellation of Jew, but
with Pity, for though the Name and Title of your Nation carrieth
with it a reproach among us Gentiles,becaufe you Crucified the Lord
of Glory^ yet we know it hath been aTitleofthegreateft dignity
and honour upon earth, and fhall be fo again, unlefs ( as it is faid by
the Prophet ) ycu be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord
(ball name. Yea fo far is any (hadow of fcorn from this addrefs unto
you, that I do here in the behalf of all the Churches that profefs the
Faith of Chrift crucified, declare unto you,that upon your return un-
to that great Mefliah, whom you have hitherto reje&ed, and befides
whom it is in vain to feek for any other, we will yeild unto you that
Preheminence which is your due: for though we were in Chrift before
you , yet we muft ever acknowledg you to be the Firft born, the ex-
cellency of dignity, and the excellency of power : and as we have been
firft,fo we (hall be contented(according to the order and appointment
that is given us ) to be Lair- and as you have been the Lalt , fo fh all it
be your lot and honour to be Firft again In the mean time we muft
confefs that we poor Novices are grown up to be a wanton Genera-
tion
Look unto JESUS.
125
tion,quarelling and wrangling one with anotler oftentimes about
trifles ( Godknoweth) to the blemifhingof our holy Profcfiion a-
mong thofe th^t are without, and greivmg of that good Spirit of the
Lord that dwelleth in us and among us. All which would undoubted-
ly be remedied, if we had your Brotherly afritlance to make us Wifer.
We know well what honourable Priviledges God hach of his abun-
dant love graunted unto you. Our great Apoftlc Saint Paul an He-
brew of the Hebrews ( who as you have heard was at firft a bloudy
Perfecutour of the Difciples of the Lord Jefus, yet afterwards even in
the heat of his Fury was miraculoufly converted to the Faith which
he before fought to deftroy) even he in his Epiftles hath fet us an Ex-
ample to give you the Preheminence, fpeaking in this manner, once
and again, the Jewfirft, find alfo the Gentile , the Jew firfl, and alfo
the Gentile • he hath alfo given us a Synopfis of your prerogatives
which we with gladnefs of heart are willing to look upon.
He hath told us that jouare Israelites the noble(t Generation in
the World, a People that were wont to prevail like Princes with God
himfclf, even as Jacob your Father did, whom therefore God was
pleafed to honour with the name of Ifrael, which name was alfo by a
fpecial indulgence from God devolved upon you as the greateft blef-
fing : To you pertained the Adoption,being the Firfl: born Exod. 4.22
upon whom the name of the Lord was called, when we poor Strangers
were not under his rule and governance, neither were then called by
his name £f. 65.19. Ton had the Glory, the Ark of the Covenant of
your God, the Symbol of his glorious prefence in the midft of you :
You had the Covenants even thofe Tables written by the Finger of
God : To joh was the Law given by the difpolition of Angels, that is,
the Oracles of God both Moral and Judicial : Thefervice of God was
committed unto you, which confiftedin a Holy Typical ufe of Divine
Rites and Sacrifices prefcribed in the Ceremonial Law : The Promifes
alfo Veer c yours, both Legal and Evangelical, of this life and that which
is to come: T n are the Poflerity of Abraham the friend of God,and of
Ifaac and /,:T^,Heires with him of the fame Promife and Grace: And
in fine, as the Complement of all the reft, From among you was the
Meffiahtocome And in the fulnefs of time did come the Incarnate
Son of God, taking his fledi of you, that he might ( though he be God
bleiTcd for ever ) be the Mediatour between God and Man, yea fuf-
fer Death for you, and us likewife that believe in him.
All
Rom.
\l6
*r-
.3.4,
5-
Zech. ii.
Look unto JESUS.
All this we willingly ycild unto you : nay more ,we will be confi-
dent of your Reftauration, becaufe the Lord hath fad it, and he will
not Repent-, concerning which we fhali God willing fpeak more
largely hereafter in the following parts of this Treatife , becaufe our
Text, which is the ground of the whole Matter, hath a fpecial refped
unto you above all others.
Come then in the name of God, let us joyn together, and go up
to the Mountain of the Lord, to the Houfe of the God of Jacob , He
will teach us his ways, and we will walk as Brethren in his Paths •, for
out of Sion (hall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord from
Jerufalem, He (hall judg among the Nations, and (hill rebuke many
People , They (hall beat their Swords into Plow-(heares, and their
Spears into Pruning-hookes, Nation (hall not lift up Sword againft
Nation, neither (hall they learn War any more. O Houfe of Jacob
I come yee, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
But as for thofe wretched \ poftata's, who were once inlighcned,but
now turn their Backs upon this Light, denying the Lord that bought
them, and fo Crucifieto themfelves the Son of God afre(h, and put
him to an open Shame, pretending to joyn themfelves to you in walk-
ing in the Light of Yefterday, Wo unto them, it had been good for
them, they had never been born, and I doubt not but when you (hall
come to look upon him whom you have Peirced, and to Mourn for
him ( according to the Prophecy ofZechtriah ) as one mourncth for
his onely Son, that you your felves will abhor them, as a People moft
accurfed, and fo I leave them.
Another fort that grope after the Light of Yefterday, are thofe that
feek to be juftified by the Works of the Law ^ who do but lofe them-
felves in the Dark, and (hall never be able thereby to fee the Light of
Life. True it is, the Law was once fuch a Light which, if it had been
exactly followed, would have been a fure Conduct into the Prefence
of God- but being not obferved, as it ought to have been, it feemed
good to the Father of Lights to remove it, fo as that it is now totally
and finally Eclipfed in refped of any Influence in that Point of Juftifi-
cation , which was the glory of it in the Beginning. And whofoever
they be that will now pretend to walk in the Light of it, fo as to be
jufhfied thereby in the Sight of God, they (hall moft afluredly finde
it to be a dreadful Blazing Comet that portends nothing, but inevi-
table
Look unto JESUS.
tabic Ruine and Deftruftion unto them. Andyctalas how inconfr
derate are many People in fixing their Confidence hereupon? Though
they cannot but know that Do this and live was the Voice of God
Yelterday, Buz Live and do thie% is the Command of the Lord to
Day ^ fu expreflely contrary is the Light that now is (in the mani
legations of it ) to that which was formerly ; yet fuch is [he Crofs-
graii/d perverfnefs indeed ofus all by nature, whereby we are wont
ruere in vctitum, that we are apt ftill to thwart God in his Difpenfa-
tions towards us, Andbecaufe wemiftof the Tree of Life, by not
doing that at firft which God commanded, therefore being led on by
that Appetite which is dill in us by Nature after that firft Eftate ,
wherein we were Created, we do, contrary to Gods exprefs inhibiti-
on f foolifhly Endeavour by our own Righteoufnefs co recover it again
wherein (as hath been faid ) we loofe our felves utterly, God ha-
ving now propounded another way to Life.
But it may be Objected, was not the Law given fince upon Mount
Sinai ? and if we mull not be juftified by the works of the Law, where-
fore was it revived ?
I Anfwer with the A poftle Gal. 3.19. the Law was added becaufe
cf Tranfgreficns, that is, not onely for the retraining ol them (as
it is commonly conceived ) though that be a chief end of giving the
Law, but becaufe Tranfgreflions fo much abounded in the World,
when the grace of God had fo much appeared. In which regard Goj
feeing Men fo Unworthy of his Grace, he revived the Old Covenant
again in giving the Law, which was, faith the A poftle, to continue
till the Seed came to whom the Promife was made, that fo men might
thereby as by a Schole-Mafter be whipped out of their old Forme,
which being come, if any will yet hanker after that old Covenant, the
Law (hall no more be revived for that end as formerly, but the Con-
demnation thereof (hall be added for the Contempt of the Gofpel.
Away therefore with all this Hontefptm Inherent Righteoufnefs,
let it be accounted in the matter of Juftification before God, even as
in truth it is, but a fikhy flag- and when we have done all that wc
can, given all our Goods to the Poor, and our Bodies to be burned ,
let us fay, we are unprofitable Servants, c^r.Andfor the Law, let it be
a Guide unto us, as it ought: to be, in the way of Holinefs and kighc-
coufhefs all the Dayes of our Lives, but wemuft not make it our
Guard to preferve us at any time from Inccnied Jufticeofthe Al-
mighty
12
Ok/. 3.I9
28
LooJ^ unto JESUS.
mighty, for therein it will certainly fail • a good Tutour it is to in-
ftru&and admonifh us, but an idle Advocate to plead for us before
God's Tribunal, its onely Exercife there, being to Accufe and Con-
demn.
A Third fort that Unfeafonably bufy themfelves with Yefterday .
are the Papifts, who have a long time fet up the Ceremonial Law of
Mofes in the Worfhip and Service of God, who are it feems, and full
will be Childrenjed on by weak and beggarly Elements, which not-
withftanding at this time are not any Help unto them at all, but ra-
ther a Kinderance in refpe6t of any Spiritual Edification : and where-
as they pretend to promote the Gofpel, and to advance the Honour
of Chrift, they do in effecl: by their Conformity to the Mofaical Pe-
dagogy, deny andforfake them both. To what purpofe are their
Altars, their Priefts, their Sacrifices, their Walkings , Undions ,
Shaving, Sprinkling, Purifying, dhc. To what End, I fay, are thefe
many other the like beggarly Ceremonies, but to bring a Vail over
I the Gofpel, and to call back Yefterday, to which the Lord Jefus
Chrift hath pronounced z confummatum eft? And if they benotfi-
nifhcd.Chrift himfelf hath not yet finifhed his Work for which he was
fent into the World • and then where are we ?
There need not much be faid concerning this matter. The affront
that is hereby put upon the Lord Jefus Chrilt is fo notorious, that it
is difcernable by all that are not given up to ftrong Delufions.
To conclude therefore,it is very well noted by one who hath along
time been a laborious Workman in the Lord's Vine-yard, that the
Lord by Burying the dead Body of Mofes in an unknown place, did
in a kinde, fignify that he hath fo abolifhed the Legal Ordinances,
that they muft be buried in eternal Oblivion, and never to be looked
after, nor minded any more.Whofoever therefore fhall now go about
to revive any of thofe Ce emonies of the Law, as the Papifts do ,
their Work is no other in God's eyes then the raking up of Mofes 's
Dead Body which the Lord ha h concealed. Such a Ceniure likewifc
giveth Saint Angtiftine, when he had fpokenofthe fewijl Ceremo-
nies, that they were to have a Solemn 1 uneral, which would require
fome time ( upon which account were the Apoftles excufable for
their temporary connivence at them ) He addeth, guisejuis nunc &c.
! Whofoever (hall now ufe them, as it were raking them up out of their
i Duft
Look unto JESUS.
129
Duft, he (hall not be pius deduttor corporis, fed imp'uu violator fepnl-
tur& ) A pious Helper in the Burial, but an impious and facrilegious
Wretch that ranfakes the quiet Tombs of the Dead.
In thelaft phce,fuch who now-a-dayes Pretend to Oracles,that is ,
Yifions and Revelations, and wait for Miracles, may by this Doctrine
be convinced of a woful Delufion wherewith chey are Haunted- for
it will appear,thac even thefealfo were the Light of Yefterday. Indeed
when God was letting forth Light by little and iittle,now a part of his
Word,and then a part of his word he did at that timers hath been faid
before,reveal his Minde fundry ways .« but now, when the Day is not
onely Dawned, but the Sun of Righteoufnefs is come forth out of his
Chamber, appearing like a ftrong man in his Pvace, God doth not ufe
to interpofe Heterogeneous F!a(hes of Light, differing from that
which he hath in his Wifdom and Goodnefs let forth to be the Foun-
tain of Light to all the World. The Firmament of Heaven cannot
endure two Suns, yea horrid Confufion would feaze upon the Face
of Nature, if fuch a thing were ; even the Parelii, that is, Refem-
blancesof the Sun in the Aire, ufually called Mock Suns, are Praemo-
nitours of-fearful Prodigies like to enfue : andthefe new Lights dif-
fering from the ordinary Light of our Day,have not onely Portended
but brought on Difmal and Lamentable Difafters upon the poor
Church of God.
Vifionsand Revelations were the Light of Yelterday- and though p r 8 I
there were fome fuch Manifestations of it now and then, when it was |
in Occaftt, in the inftant of Setting in the Primitive Times, as there
were Prophecies and Jewifh Ceremonies, of which we finde fome,
though very rarely, were taken up and made ufe of (for after a
Shower will come fome Drops:) yet to expect them now, or to pre-
tend any need of diem at this time, when wi'hopen Face we do behold
the Glory of the Lord, and this Glory of the Lord likewife (bines
clearly unto us, in the Face of Jefus Chrift, what were this hat fhame-
ful ingratitude? It is as if a man fhould exclaim againft the Light of
the Sun, and call for a Candle to be fet up at High-noon Day*
It may perhaps be Objected, if fuch Revelations were fo frequent
under the Old Teftament, and not to be expected now, then was the
State of the Church better at that time, then it is now under the
Gofpel.
R But
Objeftiott.
ISO
Solution.
Look unto JESUS,
/er Ji.34
i plainly
Mr. Per-
kins.
Pf.*1.*4.
RutthisUm^mtobenogoodConfequence- for firiVwe arc re-
compenfcd by having the Scriptures Perfect and Compleat which
they of the O'A had not. Secondly they indeed had more ordinary
Revelations of matters perfonai and Private- but of fuch things as do
nectffarily concern Salvation, we in the time of the New Teftament
have more evident Demonftration, and more full Revelation accor-
ding to the prophecy that went before of us fer. 31.34. For Exam-
ple ; particular mercies to fome of God's fpecial Servants, or par-
ticular Judgments on his Enemies whether particular Men or whole
Kingdoms were often revealedto Godly Men in thofe Days : but
Salvation by the Median. And the manner how the Meffiah fliould
five his Church,is more fully and t plentifully revealed now, then if
was in thofe Days.BeHdes we have the < ubftance of their fhadows, and
the performance of their Promifes. In which refpeds it mud be ac-
knowledged our State is far more excellent then theirs.
From whence we may Colled: with a late Writer, who in his Ge-
neration laboured much in the Lord, That Revelations of God's Will
to be expeded now under the Gofpel, are ordinarily nothing els but
thefe, viz, The true Scnfe and Meaning of Holy Scripture and a di-
scerning of True Scripture from Forged, of True Sacraments from
Suppofed, of True Dodrines from Falfe, of True Paftours from Falfe
Prophets • thefe and fuch like as far forth as they arc neceflary to
Salvation, all true and faithful Believers ( which out of an humbled
Heart, do feek it by devout Prayer at God's hand) are fure to have
revealed unto them from God pf. 25. 14. But as for other Purpo-
fes of God viz,, of Perfonai and particular matters, or what {hall be
his bleffings,or what his Judgments to thefe and thefe Men, Families ,
Cities or Kingdoms, or when, or how he wiil change States or trans-
late Kingdoms, or by what extraordinary means he will have his Go-
fpel propagated, or a declining Church or State upholden, thefe we
are not now to exped nor eafily to believe any that {hall fay , fuch
things are revealed unto them.
And yet as the faid Authour faith well, we do not hereby limit the
Almighty, or tie the Lord in fuch (trait Bond?, but he may fometimes
extraordinarily reveal his Purpofe in fome fuch Cafes to fome of his
feleded Servants, provided that that Revelation be examined and al-
lowed of by the Church. Thus he
And the truth is, it is but neceflary that fuch reftridions {hould be
in
Look unto J E S U S.
»3
in this Cafe, which undoubtedly God doth allow of^ it being ^ moft
certain rule, Dew mn deficit in nee e§ arils, God is not wanting in
things necefTary. Now furely this is needful. For though the Ho-
ly Scriptures are not to wait upon the allowance of the Church, rather
let the Church ftand or fall to the infallible Judicature of the Scri-
ptures- yet this Power hath the Church given unto her of God , to
judg of extraordinary Revelations, whether they be of God or no •
neither are they to be of any account with the people of God, till they
have parted the Scrutiny and Cenfure of the church : otherwife what
dangerous Confequences would follow hereupon, it is not any hard
matter to forefee.
Here we (hall have one cry out "Rvzw *£i/eii<£, I have Dreamed ,
J have Dreamed, as thole Impoftours did fer. 23. 25. And ins
Dream muft pafs for Currant without a Scripture-interpretation ,
though notwithstanding it may proceed from a filthy Dreamer.
There another will come and pretend Impulfcs of Spirit ( as fome
of late have impudently done in this Nation ) for the juftifying ol his
courfe', though the unwarrantablenefs of it, be made fo plain to his
Face, that it is pad all Gainfaying.
Yea, feeing that Satan transforms himfelfinto an Angel o[ Light ,
what meanes fhall we have to diltinguifh between Diabolical Delu-
(ions,and the Infufions of the Spirit of God, if every man may ob-
trude upon us what he pleafeth for a Divine Revelation.
But we have a more furewcrdof Prophecy ( as the Apoftle writeth
2 Fer. 1 . 1 9 ) my meaning is, we have the Holy Scripture,whcrcunto
we fhoulddo well to take heed, and to have a Handing Word to be a
conftant Light unto us, which is the Light of this our Day, is far bet-
ter then to have the fcveral glimmerings of Revelations, which were
the Light of Yefterday •, and if we will not believe Mofes and the Pro-
j phets, Chrift and his Apoftlcs, our Faith will be little furthered by
Virions and Revelations.
Say not therefore, who fhall afcend into Heaven ? that is, to bring
Chrift down from above, even to pull the Sun of Righteoufnefs out
ofhis,Orb, or tyho fhall defcend into the D^efl that is to bring up
Chrift again from the Dead, this were to overturn the Series of thy
Salvation • the Word is nigh theejLvA therefore content thy felf with it,
and feeknot to call back Yefterday, which doth not belong unto thee
(This Scripture viz. Rem. 10. 6, 7, 8. I onely in this place make ufe
R 2 of
ftr-M' M
iP«. I.X9
Rom.io.
7,8.
132
Look unto JESUS.
Kott nnnc
tct olim funt
necijftrU
wiracula.
Triufquam
crederit
mundusjite-
ceffhrra fu-
ereadhxc
tn mundus
credem.St.
Aug.
of by way of allufion , and no otherwiie. )
but may fome fay, if there were Miracles wrought now amongft
us, as [here were formerly, would nor this conduce much to our Con-
firmation in die Faith.
1 Anfwer this alfo was Yeflerday's Light, therefore of no ufe unto
us: and though it did continue alfo a while at the Dawning ofour
Day , yet it ferved onely for the manifesting of Chrifl: unto the
World, and the Propagating of the Gofpel in thofe Primitive Times.
To this purpofe faith peter Martyr, fuerant miraeula M buccim & j
praccxesrf&ibfis Evangelism commendabatur, Miracles were as Trum- j
pets and Harbingers whereby the Cofpel, at its firft appearance, was
proclaimed and made glorious. -, which being done the Trumpets
became ufek-fs, and therefore fit to be laid afide. As the Law of Mo-
fes obtained Authority among the people by the Miracles done upon
Mount Sinai, and in the Defart, which afterwards ceafed upon the en-
trance of the Ifradites into the Land of Promife- fo likewife Miracles
bung ordained to be fubfervient to the Cofpel for the lame End, are
now alfo to ceafe when the Gofpd hath fpread far and wide about
the World : in fo much that we may well fay, if any man, who lives
under the Light that now fhmeth, (hould waite to be converted by
a Miracle, it would bee a Miracle indeed if he were converted.
Neverthelefs to fatisfy fuch amongft us, who are too like unto thofe
of whom our Saviour fpeakes in the Gofpel exeeftyee fee jignes and
jch. 448 wonders, yee w>7/ not believe ^ Be it known unto you that the Heavenly
Oracles by which we are guided in this our Day, are accompanied with
continued and ftanding Miracles, though Miracles of a more fpiritual
nature ; what is the demolifbing of the Fortifications of Flefh and
bloud, and calling down of ftrong Holds, mortifying the Old Man
which is our corrupt Nature, and ejecting the firong Man, which is
the Devil out of the Hearts of Sinners, whereby the Arm of Lord is
made Bare, and the Spirit of Cbrift in the Gofpel exercifeth its Virtue
and Vigour more abundantly, then ever (it being as the Pfalmifl
fpeaketh, the day of the Lord 1 s Power) MoreDivels being Cafl: out
fince ChrifVs Afcenfion, then were before, what I fay, are thefe but
Miracles ? The Miracles which the Lord wrought, when he was upon
Earth, were indeed the Produd of an Almighty power- yet he him-
felf tells his Apoftles, that they, and not onely they, but others that
fhould be employed in the fame Miniftery after them, fionld de greater
things
■ J oh. I2.I4
Look unto JESUS.
133
things then thofe, whereby he feemeth to mean the Converiion of
Men tothe raith by the Preaching ol" the Gofpel : to this purpofe
faich Faint AuJHn wbfrhimfelf was a Miracle bo:h in his Converiion
and Converfation, Mttndi adChriftfim converfioper Apefto/or & sites
fattd, omnium n.iract/lorum maximum (ft mifdcmhiM', the Converts
on of the World unto Chrift is of all Miracles the greateft. Neither
is this an Hyperbole,confidcring ( as it hath been obferved ) that by
fo inconliderable , fo defpicable meanes , againft fo implacable , fo
powerful enemies, Truth fhonld triumph, and fo mightily prevail, as
that the Conquered fhould command, fubdue, and at length give
Laws to the Conquerours, till almoft the whole World became her
Convert, Reafon cannot conclude lefs, then nonh*c fine Nnwine jhis
mu ft needs be the Lord's doing. A Miratle well worthy of A dmi rati-
on, that by the Foolifhnefs of Preaching, fo many tyillions have been
Converted, and made Wife unto Salvation. To open the Hyes 01 the
Minde, is without all queftion more then to give bodily fight- to make
the Deaf to hear , and the Dumb to fpeak, were indeed great things :
But to pronounce Ephttha to the Heart and Mouth of a Wretch dc-
fperately fet againft Chrift and his Gofpel,and he thereupon Immedi-
ately to rife up, and give Glory to God, what can it argue but a mar-
vellous Work and a Wonder ? It was a Wonder heretofore to hear of
JWamongft the Prophets, infomuch that it grew to a Proverb, Is
Saul * I fo among the Prophets} and is it not as great a Wonder, to
hearof 5W among the Apoftles?Thathe who perfects ted the Saints n
time paft,(hould after preach the Faith, which he once Deftroyed ?
Now if fuch Changes andConverfions were in other material or
fenfible things , as from Water to Wine , from Iron to Gold , or
a Tranfitioc from one Species to another, what aftonifhment would
arife thereupon ? whereas in Spirituals, this Changing is more Won-
derful, though lefs difceraable.
So then Miracles there are alfo in thefe times fufficient to evidence
the Truth and Power of the Gofpel, and to confirm the Faith of thofe
that do believe- though not fuch as were of Yefterday , which is paft ,
with all the Appurtenances of it, and muft not be recalled, as hath
been faid ; and therefore Men had beft beware how they quarrel at
the prefent Difpenfations of Grace, by a pretended Zeal, after the
Light of Yefterday, leaft that of our Saviour be in the end Charg'd
upon them, viz, That Light is come into the Worli^ bat they love
Darknefs rather then Light. Never-
Sam.
12,
10
Gal. I. Z3
0A.3.19
iq
Look unto JESUS.
Nevcrthclcfs albeit chat Yeftcrday be paft f and of no account with
us ; intheTimeofthf Gofpel. yet it was of fome account with Jefus
Cnnft, for he was even then h ^t^, the Same, which is the Second
thing to be obferved m order to this firft Period of time here menti-
oned in the Text.
*lr t cr3g Xg&bg $& o 'Avrbg
Jefus Chrijl the Same, or the onely
Hee Teflerday.
Jfid.v. 4.
^fff.15.11
1 Cor,}. 11
Eph. 1,10
BUt what means the Apodle here by the Same, or the onely Hec
Yefterday f what I fay, but this according to the fenfe of the Text,
which we are now upon, and which is the Doftrine that falieth into
our prefent Confederation, vU.
Jefus Chrifi the Saviour of his Church in the time of the Old T e fit-
ment , even JU®-, the Meflenger of the great
' Counfel 3 he that brought the Tidings of Salvation from Heaven, the
beft that ever was heard of in the World, even that which was the re-
mit of an eternal Decree, enacted in the Privy Council of the Al-
mighty* This Counfel , I fay, the Lord Jefus Chrift hath imparted
ever from the Beginning • for how els could Adam, Henoch, Noah 9
Abraham, David, or any other in thofefeveral Ages of old, be able
with Comfort to enjoy the Bleffings which God gave them under the
Shu
Look unto JESUS.
Sun , if they knew nothing of a Way and Mean of efcape from the
wrath and urfe which Sin had brought upon them ? and who could be
able to reveal it but this Wonderful Counfellour ?iNo man ( faith the
Evangelift ) hath feen God at an] time ( that is, iince the World be-
gan ) The onely begotten Sen, who u in the Bofome of the Father, he hath
declared him. I he original Word there *E^nyHba.'m, that \%,exfofuit y
is very Emphatical, implying that Jcfus Chrill hath been the Father's
Interpreter to the Sons of Men •, for exegefis is an cxpofition or inter-
prctation of things that are obfeure.
So then Chrift it was ( ashefaithofhimfelf) that was the Light
of the World, That true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into
the World. And wholoever they were in all Ages that fpake not ac-
cording to his Word ( as he dictated to them ) it was becaufe there
was no Light in them. He was the Prophet and Preacher of righceouf.
nefs to the old World, for as the A pottle Saint Pf/^r witnefTeth i Pet.
3.79. He did then in the Spirit of Quickning preach unco the People
of that Generation : and becaufe there were then disobedient fpirits
that would not be quickned by him,therefore they were afterwards by
the juft Judgment of Judgment of God fhut up b* ,as the pfalmift faith in another cafe, i^e fpake by
the mouth of all his Holy Prophets which have been f nee the World
began, and to him give all the Prophets witnefs, that through his name
whofoever believed in him,fhould not perifh but have everlafling
Life. Even thofe Patriarchs that were before the Eloud what were
they but Prophets of his Order } When Henoch Prophecyed concern-
ing him, he fpake as he was moved by his Spirit: for as no Man can
difcern the fun without the Light of the Sun, and what Man faith St.
Paul knoweth the things of a Man, fave the Spirit of Man which is in
him, even fo the things of Chriftknoweth no man without the Spirit
ofChritt : yea the A pottle St. Peter tcttifieth exprefsiy that it was the i
fpiritof Chritt which was in the Prophets or old, and that the Gofpel
was preached to them that were dead, that is,as Mr. C-t/^/x concciveth
very probably, by comparing this with that which went before, to i
S thofe
v
J'b.i.iS,
jch.
I z.
. 9.
ret. 3.
Pf.CS. u
fad. v. 14
t ? et,\. it
I Vet, 4.6
1 3 8
Rem A II
Cor, io,
4-
I Car. io,
9.
Cbrifl a
Look unto JESUS.
thofe of the old world who were alive in the days of Noah ^bui dead in
the time of the Apoftle's writing.
AH which confidered, it appeared) clearly that Jcfus Chrift: was the
Prophet of his Church from the beginning in making known the
Minde ofGod concerning the Salvation of his Eled,and in the Pro-
mu'gation of the Doctrine whichhathalwayes been one and the fame.
Now as touching Sacraments, the Inftitution whereof belongeth to
the Prophetical office of Chrift- when the Divine Wifdom brought
them on by degrees, and ordained them for the People's Incorporati-
on into the Body, and their Corroboration in it,what Grace or Spiri-
tuality foever they had in them, and without which they had been alto-
gether in vain, it was not originally nor determinate^' in themfelves,
but derived from Jefus Chrift, and in efied: wholly depended upon
him: what was Circumciiion, but ? feat of the Right eoufnefs ( not of
the Law, but ) cf Faith, that is, of CbrifrS Righteoufnefs which is
the proper objed: of Faith, whereby Abraham and his ktA were ever
juftified before God ? And what was the Pafchal Lamb but a PafTeo-
ver to Jefus Chrift, the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sin of the
World, without which, Divine Juftice would never have diftinguifht
between Jfraeiitei and Egyptians ? Jefus Chrift was the Spirit of j
Life of the Sacraments of old, as well as ofthofe that are now in ufe j
amongft us. Yea the Apoftle faith plainly of the Jfraelites in the j
Wildemefs ( 1 Cor. to 4) that They did all eat the fame spiritual \
meate , and did all drinkjhe fame fyiritual drtnk^ To avri $f* f u&, tv ewii
iroyud,, the fame Mear,the fame Drink, not onely the fame together a-
mongft themfelves (as fome would have it ) but the fame with us,
( for that is according to the fcope of the Apoftle in that place ) and
thePveafon following enforcethit, for they drank of that fpix\tual
Rock which followed them, and that Rock was Chrift- their Rock
therefore is the fame with our Rock, the Apoftle himfelf being Judge ;
Chrift was their Saviour, and when they finned, they finned agamfl
Chrift, for fo faith the A poftle v. 9.
Secondly, As the People of God Yefterday, that is, in the times of
old,had Jcfus Chrift for their prophet, fo they had him for their King^
I fpeak not now of his Natural Kingdom, as he was God Equal with
the Father, but of his Oeconomical , as he was Mediatour between
God and Nan. He was the Head of his Church from the beginning,
and (0 confequently was it ruled, ordered and guided by him in all
things ,
Look unto J E S U S.
139
thing? , the Government was laid upon his Shoulders • for odicrwife
he could not well have quitted himfelfin the great work of Salvation:
as a Prince can never be able to Defend and Protect his Subjects, un-
lefs he have a Supreme Power and Authority over them » and there-
fore doth the Apoftle pat forth thefe together as infeparable Conco-
mitants, calling Cbrift the Headsfthe Church, and the Saviour cf the
Body Eph. 5. 23.
Hence it is that He is called by the A po1\\c,The- fir ft-fa rotten Aikeng
many Brethren, Many in chat place fignifying All, all that ever had
been, are, or (hall be • for albeit he was born of his Virgin-Mother
fome thoufands of Years after the Creation, and in that refpe&s//*,.
of time, was made flefh, taking upon him our Nature after nianjpniU
lions of Brethren that were before him born into the World ,yct ne.
verthelcfs he was immediately ( upon that great Turn of Providence in
the Violation of the firft Covenant by Adam's Tranfgrefiion ) begot-
ten of the lather, according to his eternal Decree, to be the Media-
tour at the very inftant of God's gracious reconciling himfelf to poor
man that was then ready topenfh. So that in this regard he might
well fay as he doth, before Abraham was, lam-, for before Adam
himfelf was, that 15, received into the Brother- hood, and made a Childe
of Grace in being actually reconciled unto God through his Mediati-
on.He was. Which Primogeniture of ChriiVs into the Brother-hood,
as it denotes his everlafhng Regal Power and Superiority ( which we
(hall prefently make appear ) fo ( notwithftanding his Birth which
happened to be afterwards in due time ) it was often fignified in thofe
firft Ages of the World, by the Precedency that was given to the
Younger Brethren above the Elder , happily that the People then
might alfo difcern fomewhat of this My(tery,which did fo neerly con-
cern them. Tor Example thofe nine Patriarchs before the Flood who
fuccceded Adam in their feveral Generations, we may fay of 'them
with very great Probability, I had almoft faid wi th apparent Demon-
stration from the Scripture ( and fo do writers both A ntient and Mo-
dern Judge) that They were not the Eldeft Sons and Eirft-born of
their Parents, but onely fuch Holy, Eminent Perfons whom God had
according to the good Pleafurc of his Will) chofen out from among
their Brethren, in a fucceffive, uninterrupted Line, to be the Proge-
nitors of the Mefiiah. The like is to be laid of Sem, Abraham,
Ifaac, Jtcob , fndah, Pharez,, Aram, David, Selomon, all You n-
S 2 g er
R.cm 8 t 9
Job [I f$
Aug. de
Civit. Dei
Mufculus
140
[.30
3*.
Gr7f.18.-3.
27.30,31-
Look unto JESUS.
ger then their Brethren, yec preferred before them : And this I fay,
( Abfit arrogantiaverbo) might poiTibly be fo ordered by Divine
Providence, that the people of God might in ail the preceding Ages,
acknowledge one that was to c@me after them for their Lord and (Jo-
vernour by virtue of his primogeniture among them. Yea , fihn
BaftlftAoih ingenioufly acknowledge fo much for himfelf, and which |
may extend unto all-, After me (faith he) cotneth a man which is \
preferred before me, for he was before me. And in fine, all thofe Types
and Figures that were fhadows of good things to come,were the Prae-
iudiums of his Inauguration to his Office , but the effe&s and conse-
quents ol his primogeniture, which was at firft given him of the Fa-
The firft Begotten then he was from the beginning, which argues
his Regal Power and Sovereignty that he had over all his Brethren :
for fuch Prehcminence did belong to the firuVborn, as appeareth in
Scripture ( Gen 4. 7.(^.27.29.37. 1 Sam.20.29. ) And the Apoftle
faith, that the Heir is the Lord of all , Gal. 4. 1. So S. Peter faith of
Chrift, All. 1 0.3 6. He is Lord of all, which words are there enclofed
with a parenthens, but the fenfe and meaning thereof reacheth from
the beginning of the World to the end of it. Did not Abraham ac-
knowledge Chrift to be his Lord , when he treated with him about
Sodom, after he had appeared unto him in the Plains of Mamre ?
And with how low a reverence doth he demean himfelf in that matter,
as became a Subjed in his Addrefsto his Lord and King f Behold now
I have taken up&n me to fpeal^ unto the Lord, Vehich am but duft and
ajhes. And again, O let not the Lord be angry, and IwiUfpea^, V.27.
30. Yea again and again with the moft proper terms of Homage and
acknowledgment of his Power doth he put up his Suit unto him : and
that it was Chrift who then appeared io Abraham is not to be doub-
ted, confidgring the fhape wherein he did appear, viz*, of a man, which
manner of Apparitions (according to the concurrent judgment of
Holy and Orthodox Writers) was not ufed by either of the other
perfons of the Trinity, but only by Jefus Chrift, and was the Proto-
type to his Incarnation : And in regard that Abraham calleth.him
the Judge of all the World, which is the Office of Chrift- For him
(faith the Apoftle) hath God ordained to be the fudge of jguicl^and
Dead : And becaufe it is fo plainly faid, The Lord, that is, this Lord
who appeared unto, and parted from Abraham, Gen. 19O Rained
MpOH
Look unto J E S US.
iai
Syrmi
Vow.
i Sim S?
upon Sodcm and Gomorrah brim /lone and pre from the Lord, that is, Bl
an ancient Council interpreted it ( who did pronounce an Anathema
againftalltbofe that affirmed the contrary) that Chrift the Lord did
it from bis Father the Lord out of Heaven : Thus did Abraham, and cent. 4.
thus in like nlanncr did David in Spirit call him his Lord, as the Lord "p • 9-
himfelf teilitiech out of the Pfalm y when he fa>d , The Lord [aid unto ] J l °' 1 *
my Lord, fit t fon on my right hand , that is, The Father the Lord laid
it unto Chrift the Lord. If then Vavdwd Abraham two eminent
perfons, whom the Evangclift by the Holy Ghofl fingleth out to be
the Coryphii, the principal in the Line of the Progemtours of Jefus
Chrift, did own him in their Generations for their fupreme Lord and j
Governour, and that alfo in a certain way of diftinftion from the Fa-
ther , though in a fubordination unto him, it may well be concluded
that he was fo by all others.
AndJetitbeobfervedhow Aft/>z faith of himfelf , that he was
King i n JefburriH,Dcnt. 33.?. But how could that be,when the King-
ly Government, as it is defcribed, 1 Sam 8.9. was not yet fet up in
Ifrael ? lanfver, this is not to be understood fo much with a refer-
ence to the Political eftate of that People, as their Eccleliaftical, in
refp-ft whereof Ifrael might in an efpecial manner be called fefiurm,
from a word fignifying Uprightnefs and Righteoufnefs. For though
their Judicial Law , which was the Soul of their Polity was a moft
righteous Law, yet their Ceremonial Law which commuted them a
Church was it, that made them a righteous Nation before God, giving
them an intcreft in the Righteoufnefs of God, that is, Jefus Chrift,
whole Name is called the Lord our righteoufnefs.
Now becaufe Mofes did the work of a King , in giving them this
Law,he might have the Title of a King given unto him, when not-
withstanding he was therein but Viceroy to Jefus Chrift, the fupreme
Lord of his people in all Ages. And fo a Viceroy is cntituled elfe-
where in Scripture, as may be feen by comparing 2 Reg 3 .9. 2 Chr.
21. 8. 1 Reg. 22.47. Neither indeed was Mofes any other-, for he
( faith the Apoftle, Hcb.\.%. ) was but a Servant in the foufe, Chrift
was the Son, and over hk own houfe. Mofes had the Pattern given him
in the Mount, not only of the Form of the Tabernacle: but eveiy
tittle and Iota of every Law-by which that People were to be guided
was there prefcribed unto him ^ and he was to do all things as be
came a Viceroy exactly according to that Pattern and Tenour, nei
ther
ftr.ts.4.
142
Cal % In ft.
lib X.Cap
1 1. Sea.
1 Tim. 7.
Jam 4 1
Look unto JESUS.
p/,1.7.
ther adding unto it, nor diminidiing from it • but Chriftwasthe
*Atm« ^h, the Ip fe dixit, the Legislator of the whole Law , that Law,
I fay, which did diftingurfh the Ifraelttes in their Polity from other
Nations and Kingdoms, viz,, the Judicial Law • and that Law which
made them a Church above all people in the World , viz,, the Cere-
monial Law > and that Law which was a Rule of Righteoufnefs not
only unto them, but to all Mankinde unto the end of the world, viz,.
the Moral Law : All which Laws were ena&ed by him as a King over
his Church and People ( being according to his Office ) provident
and careful for their fecurity and happinels, both temporal, fpiritual,
and eternal * anfwerable to that of the Prophet ( Ef* 33. 22. which
place CWw'tf applieth to Jefus Chrift ) The Lord is our Judge , the
Lord u our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, he will fave w.
If this fufficeth not, let us confider that as S. Paul faith, 1 Tim. 2.
Therein one Mediatour ; So S. James faith, Jam. 4.12. There is one
Lawgiver who U able to fave and to deftroj. Now this one Lawgiver
muft undoubtedly be that one Mediatour, becaufe when man had by
his difobedience violated the firft Law given him by God himfelf, he
was immediately thereupon become an Exlex, an accurfed Out-law,
and fo fhould have continued given up to confufion and every evil
work, had not the Mediatour ( in whom the Father was pleafed all
fulnefsftiould dwell) then inftantly appeared, exercifing his Regal
Authority in reducing man into fome order, both for his quiet and
peaceable living here in this world, and to make way for him into
everlafting Happinefs hereafter. Which work, I fay, was alwaies the
proper work of the Mediatour, for it was not confident with Divine
Juftice to give a Law any more to fuch a Rebel , but rather to let him
alone to perifti for ever in his Apoftacy which muft certainly have
followed , if Chrift had 4 not interpofed his Mediation j the virtue
whereof as in fome fort it extended to all Mankinde, yea,to the whole
Creation, fo it was chiefly fixed upon that people whom God had
eleded to himfelf for his peculiar Inheritance. In order hereunto
did this great King ( the Father having Anointed him to that end)
ftiew forth hisabfolute and Sovereign Authority in giving Law to his
People, asitisfaidintheSecondP/^/w, when hewasfet up to be
King, immediately follows the Publication of his Law. And what
Law, but that whereof the Lord had faid unto him, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee ? That is, the Law which was the efflux of
liis
Look unta JESUS.
PJ.z.Z,9-
his Mediation, unto which Office he was begotten of the Father that
day in which he firft entred upon it.
Which Scripture being thus Interpreted, that which follows will be
very appofite thereunto, as being the gracious Dignation of the i -ci-
ther unto his Son in this Office, Ask^ of me , faith he, and I fiallgive
thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance , and the tttttrn,ift parts of the
Earth for thy Poffejfion, Thoptfhalt bretk^them With a Rod of Iron, thou
jhalt dafo them in pieces Itkj a Potters Vejjel. That is, Do thou per-
form the part of a Mediarour , and I do promife thee that the moil
Refractory in the world (hall be made fubjeft unto thee , yea , the
Scepter of thy Government (hall be sccompanied with fuch a mighty
and irrefillible Authority, that thou (halt fubdue all adverfe power
that rifeth up againft thee.
I am bold, I confcfs,to render thefe my poor Conceptions concern-
ing this Scripture (as I have done of many other in thisTreatife) fo
different from Interpretations that have been formerly given ; but it
is with medefty andfubmiffion, and therefore, I hope, I do not of-
fend thofe that are wife and godly, beirg delirous to caft in my Mite
into the Treafury of God (if it may at leaf! be any way ufeful)
and to improve my fmall Talent to my Matters advantage.
Once, It is maniftft that this Scripture is not limited to a particu-
lar krSe, but doth carry with it a various (ignirTcation : To fay no-
thing of that Application of it (which is made by fome , efpedaliy
one of very eminent note in the Church ) to the Birth of Chriit,
when he took upon him our Nature , deriving the Warrant thereof
from Aft. a, 25. e; c. We finde the Apoftle S Paul himfelf, Htb. 1.5. j
allcdgir.g this place to prove the Deity of Chriit, as one, whofe na- I
ture was far above,far more excellent, then the Angels (for to which of I
the Angels f Aid he at an) time y Thou art my Sen, thu day have I begot-
ten thee. ) Signifying the Fathers eternal, prepetually-conRant, and
prefent Generation of his Son, which (hewethhim to be very God.
We finde alfo the fame Apoflle applying ic to the Refuru&ion of
Chrift, ^#.13.33. in thefe words, He (that is, God ) hathraifedup
Jefus again, as it U written in the Second Pfalm y Tbou art mj Son, this
day have I begotten thee. So that in this fenfe , the Prophet's word
there Hcdie y to Day,fignifies the Day of drift's r\efurrecftion,wherc-
in he was begotten from the Dead • for fo he is denominated, Col. 1 .
18. The fiy fi be gotten from the Dead ; And in the other before the
very
»43
Bi/hop An-
diews.
^0.13-33
Col. I. 18
44
Gal. 6%,
LogJ^ unto J E S U S.
very fame word Hodie, implies that Eternity , which properly hath
neither beginning of Daies, nor end of Time. Since therefore the
word of the Holy Ghoft here, is comprehensive of various Interpreta-
tions, we may fafely without relinquiftiing thofe which the Apoftle
hath given, render this alfo which hath been here infer ted ( unlefs we
will entertain that Novel and Jeiune Opinion of %v crpoc Ir, no more
but one meaning of one Text ) viz,. That Jefus Chrift was begotten
oi the Father to be the Mediatour the very day that he firft entred
upon his Office, that is, at thatinftant time when the firft Promifc
was made, vU. The Seed of the Woman Jhatl breathe Serpents head.
Clearly then Jefus Chriffc was Yeflerday the King of his Church,
as well as to Day, becaufe he was the Lawgiver from the beginning:
yea upon Mount Sinai that Law which was written in Tables of
(tone by the Finger of God, was the Ad and Deed of this King him-
felf- ^uidenimefl digitus Dei nifi Spirits Dei, faith S. Augnflint,
What is the Finger of God, but the Spirit of God, as may appear
by comparing Mat. 12. 28. Luks 1 1. 20. And whatfoever was done
by the Spirit to the people of God, was alfo done by Chrift as Me-
diatour: His Aft it was, an"d in hisCuftody or Regifter was it alfo
kept, being laid up in the Ark under the Propitiatory (which
was a molt lingular and illuftrious Type of Jefus Chrift ) and fo alto-
gether under his ordering and di(poling,as feemed good untoiiim.
Now let me not be miftaken herein , I dojnot lay, that Chrift as
Mediatour gave any Law at all, as it may have a confonancy with the
Covenant of Works, which indeed the Law hath unto all thofe who
will not be brought into the Bond of the new Covenant : But this I
fay, The Gofpel of the Law which the faithful people of God have
al waits found therein, that is, the Doftrine of Faith and Repentance
was undoubtedly ( as I hope hath been made clearly to appear) gi-
ven by Chrift, as well as the Law of the Gofpel •, in which refptft it is j
alfo called the Law of Chrift, Gal. 6. 2. And the Prophets who were j
the beft Expounders of the Law, did alwaies in their feveral Genera-
tions derive from thence the faid Evangelical Doftrine.
Again, As theLegiflative Power was Yefterday in Chrift, fo in like
manner was the Punitive and Vindiftive, both for the correction of
his People when they offended, and for the punifhment and cutting
off his Enemie$j when they grew implacable in their rage, and in-
corrigible under his Judgments. A Lawgiver we know will be of
no
Look unto JESUS.
45
no account, unlefs be be a Judge, and he that is a King, un!efs he be a
Judge and a Lawgiver both • lie may have an aiery ftyle of Majefty
given unto him , and plcafe himfclf with the fight of a Crown and
Scepter : but as to true and real power he (hall { as hath been faid,
and we have found it by experience to our fhame and mifery too too
true) remain but the out-lide , but the Pifhire, but the fign of a
King. If then the Lord Jefus Chrift hath been the Lawgiver of his
Church of old, and confequently the King , it mud neceflarily fol-
low that he was the Judge alfo both to interpret the meaning, and to
execute the penalty of his Law. Thus therefore we finde thofe Of-
fices linked together (as is before faid) with a reference to Jefus
Chrift under the Law » The Lord is our fudge, the Lord is eur Law-
giver or Statute-maker ^the Lnd is our King Joe wi&fdve us. And the
Apoftle S. fumes faith, ■ There is cne Lawgiver, xj Kzjtm and Judge,
( as it is added in fome Manufcripts, and fo ferom renders it ) who is
able to fave%idto deflroy. Now this Judge hath been no other at all
times, but the Lord Jefus Chrift ; for he himfclf faith, foh.f.zz. The
Father judgethns man, that is, immediately, but hath committed all
judgment unto the Son. Mufculm recording to his ufual wont obfer-
veth here, It is not fani judgment alone, bur all judgment • and in
that it is faid all, it plainly fhtweth, that his power is of fo large an
extent that it reached* unto all that ever were in the world : For
when was it that the "Father gave this power of Judicature unto the
Son ? When, but gmndo eumgenttit ( fay fome Orthodox Ancients,
very pertinently, though they rniftook in their computation of this
£u*ndo y limiting it unto Eternity, as Pererius noteth ) when he be-
gat him, which is not to be understood of his Divine Generation, be-
caufe in that refped the Father and the Son judge both alike after the
fame manner, being equal in power from evcrlafting to cverlafting.
But here it is faid, the Father judgeth no man , having devolvM that
power wholly upon the Son. How then ? It muft furely be meant of
the time, when Chrift was begotten of the Father to be Mediatour,
and when that was , ha;h been before faid : which being fo, Chrift
was the Judge from the beginning, and confequently the King of the
Church from the beginning alfo.
Furthermore, the exercife of this power wherewith the Lord Jefus
Chrift was veiled from the beginning, was in like manner alwaies ma-
nifefted by him in the executing of judgment • for as he addeth a-
Jam. 4. It.
gain,
Cbryfojfom
lUUrii'S ,
Theofbi-
4 bly appear as a Judge, yet it is not to be limited to that fenfe, but
bath a meafure that reacheth unco the Chunh in all Ages , wherein
Clnil: hath according to the Authority given him of the Father execu-
ted judgement
If it bVnowobje&edtha: th-fe words , beeaufe he is the Son of
man, do imply chat Chrift did not execute this power till he took up-
; on him our Nature •, I (hall anfwer.
IirftJfChrill was the Lamb (lain from the beginning of the world,
! though notwithstanding he was not actually R:\ughtered till about the
; eighteenth year of Tiberius , what hinders but that he might be alfo
I the Son of man before his Incarnation ? Sure we are, the Prophet /)*-
i #/7/fpeaks of him under that notion. And fome there are that apply
that of the Pfalm unto him ; Let thy hand be upon the mart of thy right
hand^ upon the Son of man, whom thou made ft ftrcng for thjfeif.
Secondly, I anfwer with learned Bifhop Mountague , that this (tile
wherewith Chrift was pleated very frequently to denominate himfelf
{Sen of Man) is to be underftood with a reference to that original
Promiie, the firft of all made unto Mankinde , The Seed of the wc-
man fhall bruife the Serpents h-ad , and not unto any per'fons what-
loever to whom Chrift might be related according to the flefh. And
hereby, faith Epiphtnw, did the Lord intimate that himfelf was the
Party meant in that Promife- and that the virtue of his Merits fhould
be and was dirTufed to all Nations in the world fe\Vs and Gentiles ori-
ginally alike defcended of the woman, who both had alike intereft in
the woman and her Seed, though the fem did and might challenge
greater propriety in the Seed of Abraham then the Gentiles could.
T his Title then upon this account doth rather confirm the matter in
hand, then in the lead: Iota appear againft it. But I do further offer to
confederation • Did not Chrift call himfelf the Son of man , that he
might thereby intimate t© the Sons of men, for their comfort, that
there was fome kinde of Affinity between him and them, he being
o Kcy&, the effemial Reafon from all Eternity, as is before faid ; and
they,men endued with reafon alfo through his good hand upon them
ia their Creation, and therefore he would delight in that Appellation
fince he had undertaken to be their Mcdiatour, w&ch might even in
their
Look unto J E S U S.
their apprehenfion advance that Affinity ? Which if it be fo , Chrifl:
doth not call himfelf the Son of man, fo much for his being a Defen-
dant from Mankinde-, ButSonofmanheis,thatis, by an Flcbratfm,
Man per excelUntiam, ( as the Apoftlc nlfo calls him) as one that was
Superiour to them all , and from whom they all, being reafonable
Creatures, have derived their diitinction from other Species in the
; World about them.
From all which it may appear, that Jems Chritl might be called
; the Son of man before his Incarnation, and therefore as fuch did exc-
: cute that Authority which the Father had given unto him.
He executed judgment on £4/*, when he excommunicated him out
\ of his Church, as may be gathered from the Sentence of Malediction
which he pronounced upon him, viz,. That he fhould be a Fugitive
and a Vagabond in the Earth ; and from Cain's own defperate and
dogged contciFion, whereby he did in a fullen manner declare his con-
fentunto that Judgement, Thou, faith he, haft driven we this da] from
the face cfthe earth : But how could that be ? feeing it is after laid of
him, that he went and d^velt in the Lund of Nod, and there he built hm
a Ci7,where he became the prime Leader or Patriarch of an Antichri-
uian Church in that Generation, a caft-away-company of forlorn
Mifcreants, both he and they giving themfelves up to all fenfuality,
fo to fwceten their mifery and banifhment , as their corrupt fancy
might fugged: unto them, which ( as one faith probably ) is that 7^
of Cain mentioned by the Apoftle S. J tide :He was not therefore quite
taken off from the earth, but from that part of the earth , where he
had joyn'd with his Parents in the folemn and pure Worfliip of God,
as appears in the words following, where he faith, Andfrom thy pre-
fence (hall I be hid-, which clearly implicth, that he was excommuni-
\ catcd by Chrifl: out of his Church, where the Lord is wont to mani-
'i feft his Gracious prefence among his people in his holy Ordinances.
After this, the Church in procefs of time having degenerated from
I her purity by a corrupt Commiftion with the rccurfed Progeny of
' Cain , thereby contracting to it felfthe Guilt of all that prodigious
Villany that was then acted in the world , The Lord Jcfus Chrifl: ( as
became a vigilant and faithful Governour over his Charge) (trove
and travelled by his Spirit in the Viniftry of his Servants to reclaim
his people from the errour of their way, calling upon them tofepa-
rate themfelves from that wicked Generation • but finding them to
T 2 be
H7
I Tint.1. f
■n..y 11.
Gen. 4-14.
Bfiop
Mounta.
gi.e.
Dr. Lighi-
foot.
Jude.v.H
1 Pet 3,
*9-
148
xPe/.z.5
Look unto JESUS.
EX. t$. 20,
i Cor.
1©. 9.
1 Cor. lo,
9 j 1 o.
Col. 2.. 9.
be* A«-«9wf«, Immorigeri, a people that would not beperfwadedinto
Order, when he had waited 1 20 years, while the Ark was preparing,
he did at length like a righteous King and Judge execute his judg-
ment by bringing in the tloud upon the World of the ungodly, fo cut-
ting off at one blow the whole Pofterityof Cain , together with a
fort of treacherous Rebels, that would not be ruled nor reclaimed by
him.
But \ (hall not infift upon many Inftanccs that might here be infer-
red to this purpofe • take only one more : That Angel which God
promifed he would fend to the Israelites to keep them in their way,
and to bring them into the Land of Canaan , was undoubtedly no
other then Chrift himfelf. "For as Pelargns noteth upon that place,
it could not be Mefes, according to Cretan's conceit , for he did not
lead the people into the Land of Promife^ neither could it be Jcfhuah,
for he did not keep the Jfraelites in the way , nor punifti their tranf-
greffions •, neither could it be a created Angel, for the 'EotsVJ* and
Adjuncts there fpec'rfied are not applicable to any fuch, they do only
Jguadrare, i. e. A ptly fute with Jefus Chrift. Yea,ihe Apoftle S. Paul
doth teftitie fo much, "i Cor. 10. where it is plainly faid of Chrift,
1 hat the Jfraelites tempted him in the wildernefs. Now concerning
this Angel, God forewarned the people in thefe words, Beware of him
and obey his voice , provoke him not, for he will not pardon your tranfgref-
fions , That is,he will furely execute his judgment upon you,it you re-
bel againft him^ as he did one while by Serpents, another while by the
Deftroyer,w'*,. the deftroying Angel,iV r «w.i4.37. For,faith hc,Exod.
23.21. My Name is in him^hu is,He is the Lord Jehovah as I am, of
the fame Eflence, Power, Ma jefty, and Authority, as one well inter-
prets the place- which agreeth with that of the Apoftle, Col, 2. 9. ■ In
him dweileth the fulnefs.cf 'the Godhead bodily •, that is, not in Clouds
and Ceremonies, as between the Cherubims : but eifentially, perfo-
naliy , So that Orthodox and found Divine Davenant: and therefore
it deeply concerned them to {land in awe of him.
And now to conclude this Point, (wherein poffibly I may be char-
ged wi:h over-much Prolixity, but that the advancement of the Ho-
nour of Jefus Chrift will 1 hope be a fufficient excufe and plea for rae
among tbofe that take pleafure in the promoting thereof) It is I be-
lieve very e'ear and evident by what hath been here faid, That the
Lord Jefus was the King of his Church Yefterday, as well as to Day.
And
Look unto JESUS.
49
And therefore when the people of Ifracl did out of a proud affecta-
tion to be like other Nations, defire a King to be fct over them, the
Lord faith, (i Sam.S.y. ) that they had rejected him from being their
King, that is, even Chrift the Lord, as not contenting themfelvcs with
that Church-flare wherein by his Spiritual Government over them,
they were made a people happy and glorious above all other Nati-
ons in the world, whom prepoftcroufly they would now all on a fud-
den without any direction from God feek to i mi rate.
In the next place we are to take into confide ration the Prieflly Of-
fice of Chri fi: • for evenin this alfo we (hall finde him to be I 'au^,
the fameyefterday, i. a Pried to his Church from the beginning.
In the purfuar.ee of this Point we (hall fix our difcourfe principally
upon two places of Scripture, which will, I believe, make it evident
and manifeft unto all. And firft, very remarkable is that which the
Prophet David fpcaks of Chrift in the r i c Pfalm, Thou art a Priefl
ftr ever after the order of Mclch'iKcdtk. In which words we may take
notice of two things • firft, the continuance of Ch rift's Priefl hood :
Secondly , the order of it.
For the continuance, it is an eternal priefthood > to laft forever \
which word for ^fr,-comprehendeth in it the whole time and age of
the Church from the beginning: Or if it be limited totimetocome,
it is to be underflood with a reference unto ChriiVs firft entrance up-
on his Mediatorial Office, which was then when the new Covenant
pafftd between God and Chrift in the behalf of po©r man, immediate-
ly after the violation of the firft, as hath been faid before. And this
pofiibly may be the reafon why the Apoftle fpeaking very frequently
of Chrift's eternal Priefthood (Htb. 6,7 Chapters ) ftill renders
this word, fir ever, in the Singular Number , e'n ™ £t»r* , becaufe
Chrift's Prieflly Office was not to take in that time, wherein our firft
Parents flood in the flateof Innocency, but only that feculum which
was to enfue even unto the end of the world.
If it be objected that Chrift was made Priefl fince the Law, becaufe
the Apoftle faith f H^.7.18.) That the Word of the Oath, which wm
fince the La\\ mak?th the Sm h'gh Priefl, who is Ccvfecrated for ever-
more. I anfwer, firft. Although the Word of the Oath as it is men-
tioned by David, came after the Law given upon Mount Sinai-, yet
the Oath it felf might notwithflanding be made at the firft making of
the Covenant, and fo the word of the Prophet implies, being rendrcd
in
1 Sam .8.
7.
fefus
Chrifld
Ptiefl Ye
I fttrday.
TfsHo. 4.
Heb.7. 18.
M57tt TO*
Sigmficat
turn fupra
legem
quam pofi
legem ut
Mctaphy-
fie 4 C>f.
Mr TO
S ape potii-
/;.r pro
KO
Look unto JESUS.
Heb.7. 15.
Hcb. 7. 16.
Heb.7.$.
in the Pretertenfe, The Lord /ware , as a thing that had been done
long before. Secondly, If the Law there be to be taken with a refe-
rence to the Covenant of Works given to Adam, of which Covenant
the Law given upon Sinai was in fome refped a Renovation, then
it will be clear that this Oath was made in the time prefixed, viz.. up-
on the palling of the new Covenant. Thirdly, \f it fhould be limited
to the time after the Law was given by Mefes , yet it appearcth not
by the words of the Apoftle, that the Prieftly Office of Chriftwasnot
effectual before •, for though it be rendred in our Engiifh Verfion,
The Word of the Oath which was finee the Law makeih the Son, &c .
yet it is not fo in the Original : the word K* Stcn*r, which is tranflated
Afaketh, not being in this latter claufe of the Verfe , as it is in the
former, but poffiblyfome other word fignifying a Confirmation of
the Son in his Office , may be there by the Apoftle underftood ■ or
the very word K*3J Anointed with the holy Oyl, but men may not ? Surely it
impiinh that that Priefthood fur paned the height of all humane Ex-
cellency, becaufe of the Relation it hadtojefus Chrift in his virtual
Concurrency with it. It appeareth then that Chrift was fet apart
for this Office from the beginning.
Again, the high Priefi < faith the Apoftle is crdained for men in
things pertaining to God , That is, was appointed to employ all his Of-
fice with God lor man's good ; He was, faith Bifhop Reynolds, to be
a middle Perfon to ftand and minifter between God and Man in their
behalf, to be impartial and faithful towards thejuftice and Truth of
God, and not to be over-ruled by his love to Men to injure him, and
to be companionate and merciful towards the errours of men, and not
to be over- ruled by his Zeal to God's Jutlice to give over the care and
fervice of them. And fuch an high Prieft was Chrift:, zealous of his
Fathers Righteoufnefs and Glory, for he was fet forth to declare the
Righteoufhefs of God, Rom. 5.25. And he did Glorifle him on earth
by finifhing the things which he had given him to do ^ companionate
alfo towards the errours and miferiesof his Church, for he was ap-
pointed to expiate, and to remove them out of the way, Cd.2. 1 4.
Now firice Chrift was ordained thus for the good of men, can it be
imagined that he had a care only of that fort of men that came after
him into the World, and none at all of thofe that had been before ?
Was Abraham the Friend of God, and David the man after Gods
own heart, of no reckoning with him? If fo, let that accurfed Opi-
nion of the ancient Gwftkkj the firiUborn of the Devil have a Li-
cence
Rom 3
john 1
if.
74
Look unto JESUS.
cence to pafs without controll that no man was faved, all went to
Hell unto the 1 5 year of Tiberius C^far, wherein it was from Hea-
ven revealed, concerning chrift, 1 Ins is my beloved Son, hear him.
Or was the; e fome other \ edutour before Jefus Chrift took upon
him oar Nature, who did execute that Cffice for 40CO years, and
then ref gn'd it up to the Son of God, leaving the relidue to be done
by him in a time which happily may noc be h ili fo long .' Or were
all thofe that Jived in that long Trad of time (hut up in Lir> bo when
they died, from whence they could r.ot be delivered till Chrift h;m-
felic^me among them? Thcfe and fuch other CarcinowMa (as Bi-
fhop Mountague calls them ) are rather for Cauteries then curing
Salves to work upon , we may perhaps meet with fome of them here-
after : undoubtedly the Lord Jefus Chrift wasalwaies The man who
was, is, and (ha 1 be the Vediatour between God and Man,
Laftly, The high pricft was to offer Gif.s and Sacrifices fo*' c ,ins,
that fo Divine Juftice might be fatisfied, which had been by fin viola-
ted. Hcrceit was that as the Apoftle faith, Heb 9. 22. Almoft aR
things were by the Law purged with bloud^and without {bedding of blond
is no remiffion. Death was to attend upon Juftice, as her Executioner,
but if Jul! ice pafs a Sentence at anytime, and execution follow not
upon it, Juftice vaniflieth into nothing, and is become a meer Ludi-
brium^for Execution is the very life of Juftice-, Death therefore,
fince he is let into the World by mans fin, muft do its office, that fo
Juftice may live .- Accordingly did the Priefts who were ordained to
fee that a due fausfa&ion (hould be made to Divine Juftice , and to
make an Atonement for the people, never come before the Lord
without bloud : But firft rhey flew the Sacrifice upon the Altar, and
then took of the bloud, and brought it before the Mercy- feat within
the Veil, to teftifie the death of the Sacrifice, whereupon Sin was ex-
piated, and Juftice fully fatisfied. Thus did the Priefts under the
Law, and thus alfo did Chrift, without whom all whatfoever they did
hadbeenconopurpofe , their faenficing of a Lamb had been of no
more account with God, then the cutting off of a Dogs Neck, and
there offering an Oblation no better then the .offering of Swines
bloud : Chrift therefore , I fay , once for all offered up a Sacrifice,
which was bimfelf,the virtue whereof was alwaies operative to make
thofe former Sacrifices effectual to thofe ends and purpofes before-
mentioned, and after that by his own bloud he entred into the Holy
Place. U So
'53
I eb. 9.22.
Lev.
16.11
Heb.
9 1
i.
'74
Kfy.i3.3.
Look unto JESUS.
Gen. 4. 7.
Dr. John
Harris
Harden of
Wine he.
fter Col.
Hof. 4. 8.
1 Cor. J,
II.
So then Chrift it was that was ftill reprefented as a flain man, in all
thofe Sacrifices of old^for a fentence of Death lying upon him,through
the determinate Counfel, and fore- knowledge of God, made him in
all thofe Ages before, as good as dead, in which regard, he is called
The Lamb fls.in from the beginning cf 'the world. And becaufe Juftice
would have Death for facisfa&ion, el fe muft the whole World have
immediately fallen under her difpleafure • therefore in all likelyhood
the very firft thing that died in the World was Chrift in a Figure, and
consequently a Sacrifice from the beginning
He was a Sacrifice ready even for Cain to make u feoffor his good,
if he had had Faith to apply it, as appeareth by the words which the
Lord fpiaks unto him ■ If thou doe ft not will, Jin lieth at the door. That
is, a Sacrifice for fin,for fo the offering for fin is in Scripture frequent-
ly called- which Interpretation becaufe it may carry with it a found of
novelty, I (ball take leave by the way to tell fuch, that as I finde it
owned by a late learned and reverend Divine, fo upon the examining
of the grounds whereupon this Interpretation is built, it will (I
doubt not ) appear to be very probable.
Firft, God cometh not to dejed Cain lower then he was , but to
raife him up from his dejerftion, as is manifeft both by his deigning to
give him an Orrcle from Heaven, and alfo by the words wherewith
he beginneth his fpeech unto him, Why art thou wrath? and why is
thy Countenance fallen?
Secondly, If the words, Sin lieth at the door, intend a fudden judg-
! ment to feize upon him , what coherence can there be between thefe
! and the words following , which are fpoken concerning Abel, viz.
And thy brothers defire fhall be fubjiEi unto thee • For to read the place
thus, // thou doe ft not well thou /halt certainly be fnnifhed, and thy bre»
thers de pre fhall befpibjell unto thee, This, if there be any coherence
at all, were to threaten poor Abel more or at leaftasmuch as Cain.
Thirdly, The Original word Chateath ( i r is the aforefaid Authours
obfervation ) as it fignifieth Sin, fo alfo doth it the Sacrifice for Sin,
as Hof. 4.8. 2Cir.).2i. do witnefs And it was the cufiom (ac-
cording co which Mtfes fpeaketh, as being beft acquainted therewith,)
to lay the Sacrifice at the San&uary door, Vt populnm dirigertt ad
meaktorem, faith Cavln, to teach the people to ferve God in Chrift,
who is the true San&uary.
This fenfe therefore upon thefe confiderations may feem to be
very
Look unto J E S U S.
very agreeable wiih the (cope of the Holy Gholl in that place, foiln 1
a Sacrifice was ready for Cdin ar that time ; and whac Sacrifice wa s
that but Chrifl: the Lamb then (lain, who alone taketh away the fin o*
the World-, and befidesit feeme^htobea facrifice diitind: from that
which Cain and his Brother had before offered unto God . But e-
nough of this
And now to dofe up this whole matter,it appeareth clearly, T fup-
pofeby all that hath been here faid,that Jefus Chriit was the Prophet,
King, and Prieft of his Church, Yefterday as well as to Day. And
that thereupon it followeth infalliby that he was the fame Saviour to
his people of old, as he is to us now under the Gofpel.
A Difference notwithstanding I confefs there is in refpeft of the Di-
fpenfation and Manifeftation of Chrifl: unto them and us. He was
YeUtHS inVcteri,Rcvdatnsin NovoTcftamento^ veiled and (hadowed
in the Old Teftament, revealed and exhibited in the New, there
(hewed unto the lathers in Types, here manifested unto us in Truths,
but yet the Same Chrifl: both to them and us, it being no more to
their Prejudice that Chrift was not then actually Crucified, then it is
unto us now that he is not full hanging upon the Crofs : for the Vir-
tual Operation of his Merits in theinftant jun&ure of his fufferings
fpreadeth and expiates it felf round about, backwards and forwards,
upwards and downwards- and as a Center extendeth its Virtue to e-
very part of the Circumference ; fo Chrift being the Center of his
Church, all round about him within the extent of that Circumfe-
rence , have their dependance upon him, and are intereffed in his Sal-
vation.
Saint /WG*/. 4- 5- G ivcs (as Imay fay)' the perfect Diame-
ter of this Circumference, (hewing the full extent of drift's Virtue
( as he is a Saviour ) to all that are concentrick with him, that is, To
thofe before him, as well as to thofe that came after him- to thole be-
fore him in thefe Words, That be might redeem thofe that were under
the Law? that is, thofe that lived in the time of the Law ( for fo -dm
vqvusv is rendred in Scripture as well as under the Yoke and Curfe of
the Law,) to thofe again that came after him in the Words following
viz,. That we might receive the Adoption of Sons, that is, that you
Gentiles ( as appeares by what follows v. 6. Reckoning himfelf ftnong
them, becaufe he was the Apoflle of the Gentiles ) might be nowal.-
fo made Partakers with the peculiar people of God in the Adoption of
U 2 Children
'5$
Thus alfo
Grotius
t t \ ,
o V7m vo-
pov, i.
Judzi cr
\ Profelyti.
| ha. i\w
julhv, i. e.
Paritcr
fell. Judxi
& Genres.
i 5 5
SaGrotiris
Faftusfub
Le^e, quia
fciL natui
erat Ju-
cLus.
Gsk.$ oio
Joh.8.$6 t
Heb. 11.13
Look unto JESUS.
Children. I confsfs this Text alfo is ufuahy conftrued another way,
neither do I impugne that Conftrudion that is given ©fit, yet I hum-
bly conceive that I rray without any the lealt violence reduce the
Words of the Apoftle likewife to this fenfc that I have now given,
bee; ufe it is not inconfiiient with the Scope of the Holy Ghoft in this
plrce and becaufe of the Variarion of the Perfons there mentioned t viz.
Then, and wee, which may Imply tw T o diftinft Subjects capable of re- |
ccivirg Benefit by Chrift, and becaufe Chrift himfcl> is here faid to i
be made of a Woman m?.de under the Law, that is, as Bruno renders '
it, Quia vixit fob Leve, becaufe he lived under Law, meaning the
time of the L* t w, and putting an end thereunto, that fo he might have
a Favourable Refpeel: unto thofe that were Contemporary with
him.
I (hall conclude this point with fome few Examples of Yefterday ,
for the further Confirmation of it, and then derive from it fome Infe-
rences which may be of ufe for us to Day, and fo proceed unto that
which followeth.
Yefterday did Adam lay hold upon the Promifeby Faith, and in e-
vidence of this his Faith, he calleth his Wive's name Eve, which figni-
fieth Life, Implying, that though God had before threatned him that
he fhould Die the Death, yet he was fully perfwaded, that not onely
he himfelf fhould Live, but his Pofterity alfo {hould be a Living Po-
fterity, and that among Lhem,his Wife {hould be the Mother of Chrift
according to the Flefh , by whom the Sentence of Death was to be
reverfed, and Life again reftored, for,faith Mofes, She waste be the
Mother cfaRLving.
Yefterday did Abraham rejoyce to fee Chrift's Day fob. S. 56
( though afar off Heb. 11.13 ) when the promife made to him, that
inhu feed all the Nations of the Earth fltottld be blefsed, was to be ac- ]
c mplifhed, yea and this was as good Gofpel as any that is Preached
now-^-drys/orfo the Apoftle callethirGW. 3 8.
Yefterday did fob declare his Confidence in Jefus Chrift in terms of
as certain and high Expectation ofSalvation through him as any Be.
liever can now under the Gofpel fob. 19.25. I know (faith he)
that my Redeemer Liveth. or my Redeeming Kinfman (as it may be
re id red ) He fpeakeswe fee after the Language of thofe times .which
hatha Confonancy with the Language of Believers in this Time of :
etc Gofpel. By the Law of Mofes 9 it was required that one Kinf- j
man
Look unto JESUS.
57
man fliould redeem the Inheritance of another that was in danger of
an Alienation, who was alfo to be an Avenger of Bloud- for when a
Man was (lain , his Kinfman by right of Propinquity did purfue the
Man flayer, to be Avenged of him, wont aifo tor ai feu p Seed unto
theDeccafed Kinfman, who died without Ifiue. Now unto thefe
Cuftomes,it is probable fob doth allude in this fpeech of his concerning
his Redeemer- yet clear it i by theConrext, that his Aim alfo there-
in is at Jefus Chrift, in and through whom he expected all this to be
really done unro him. And ( let me add by the way ) To it is done
unto Job and all others that are fpiritually allied unto Jefus Chrift,for
that right of Paradife which was loft in Adam , Chrift our Kinfman
hath redeemed and purchafed again for us : Chrift alfo is the Avenger
of our bloud, for when that infernal theif had betrayed us unto deadly
Chrift purfucd him, and never left him, till he had Vindicated our
Bloud upon him •, He hath likewife raifed us up a Holy Seed, which
lay not in our power to do, being Dead in Law through Sins and Tre-
fpafles. True it is Adam did, as it was faid of him,beget Children af-
ter his own likenefs, that is Mnners like himfelf- and bis Pofterity to
this very day do the like ( & nati natornm^ & qui nafcentur ab illU )
But alas Adam and Job and all others amongft us, notwithstanding the
numerous progenies that may be boafted of, wherein men are too apt
to Glory, may be alfo faid to Die without I flue, that is, could never
be able to raife up a Holy Seed, to inherit the Holy Land, the Cele-
ftial Canaan • now comes this our Redeeming Kinfman, and he doth
it for us, for he gives right to believers to become the Children of
God J oh. i. 12. who are therefore expreflely called his Seed Ef. 53.
10. Thus had thefe Cuftomes of Yefterday their Tendency unto
Chrift, and their fpiritual accomplifhment in him. And thus had fob
a refped unto him, when he gave this Teftimony of his Faith, faying ,
I know that wj Redeemer livcth.
And thus did the Prophet Darnel in like manner Yefterday betake
himfelf to the fame Refuge, when he prayed that he might be heard
for the Lord's fake, Implying that he could not expeft a gracious An-
fwer to his Supplication, but through the Mediation of Jefus Chrift ,
who is Lord of all, as the Apoltle calls him Ad. 10 36.from firft to 1
laft, and whom the glorious Angels at his firft appearance in the fldh
acknowledged to be the Lord, thereby afenbing unto him thac Title ink.
of Honour which was in all Ages due unto hira.
In
Gen. 5.3.
Joh'l.u.
Ef. 5310.
Dan. 9.17.
i 5 3
Epb.$.Z$.
i -Cor. 1 5.
4J.
#e&. I I.I.
Mr. Jer.
Dyke.
Look unto JESUS.
tCor,6. 9,
10.
Thil.$ 20.
£/. 18.16.
In fhort,that Synopfis or Cloud of WitnefTes, as it is called, which
is by the Apoftle presented unto us in one view Htb 1 1. may encom-
pafs us about with convictions enough concerning this Truth, viz,
That the people of God Yefterday , that is, in all the Generations of
old, expeded and obtained Salvation no other way, but by Faith in
Jefus Chrift, who is the Saviour of the Body, that is, the Church,
ever fincc it had a Being by the fpiric of quickning, wherewith it
hath been Acted from the Beginning : for when the firft Adam
fell under the power of Death, the Second became immediately a
quickning fpirit.
This was the Faith of Believers Yefterday, who by a fpiritual Lo-
gick (as the term "em^©" which the A poftle ufeth doth imply)
came to difcern, and make Demonftrations to themfelves of the good
things to come,without thofe ocular and fenfible Manifestations which
have fince appeared. And this indeed is the true Nature of Faith.
For look how it is faid of God ( as one well makes the Comparison)
that he calls thofe things that be not as if they were ■ fo doth
Faith make things to be which are not, that is, which are not to fenfe.
For as Faith gives a Nullity to things thatare, viz. to the Afflicti-
ons, Miferies and Mortality of this Life, making them to be as if
they were not, according to the Apoftles Word ( 2 Or. 6. 9, 10 )
As dying, and yet behold we live y as chaflned, and jet net killed, as for-
rewful, yetalwaj rejoycing, as peor, jet making many rich, as having
nothing, yet poffe/fing all things •, fo on the contrary (for it is able
to overthrow the whole Courfe of Nature ) it gives a fubfiftencc to
things not being, and makes thofe things to be which are not .- Thus
are we by Faith already in Heaven, though here yet on Earth , For
fir Conver fatten (faith theApoftle) our civil inter eft and fociety,
our trading and employment is in Heaven. And thus did the Faith
of Believers under the Old Teftament make Chrift to be unto them
a full and compleat Saviour before he himfelf had a corporal being
upon Earth. He was to their Faith a Sacrifice Crucified from the
beginning of the World, who was not indeed Crucified till the lat-
ter end of the World. In them was fulfilled that which was fpoken
by the Prophet, He that believeth (ball not wakfhafle-, though they
did earneftly long for the Coming of the Mefiiah , yet they did not
charge God foolifhly, as being flow and flack in his performances,but
with Faith and Patience were contented to Wait, in the mean time
living
Look unto JESUS.
'59
living comfortably upon that Difpenfation of Grace, which God in
his great Wifdom and Mercy had appointed for them. Yea though the
Law come forth in its time for the aggravating of Sin ( which as the
Apoftle faith Gal. 3. 12. is not of Faith) crying out unto all with
a Loud and Terrible Voice, DothU^oryoufljallDic, yet for all that
their Faith did not fail,ncither was it made void by the Law,as th; law
was not afterwards made void by Faith 5 for according to their Faith,
fo was it done unto them. Chrilt the Mediatour they not onely ex-
pected, but relied upon according to the Tenour of the New Cove-
nant, and Chrilt as Mediatour did always appear for them, to guide
them in their Way, and to guard them in their need, to grant them
their Defires, and to obtain grace with God in their behalf. This
hath been largely proved before, and therefore we need notftand
much upon it now.
I will onely add one inftance more whereby we (hall fee the graci-
ous Indulgence of the Almighty in that time of Yefterday difpenfed
in and through Jefus Chrilt the Mediatour towards a poor Creature,
who was then Ambitious, as I may fay, to have a Difcovery made
unto him of the glorious Prefence of God beyond the Capacity of his
weak nature, and whereto a confenting, according to his asking muft
undoubtedly have proved his inevitable ruine. This poor Creature
was Mofes, whom I fo call in comparifon of him, with whom he
had then to do, though otherwife A man *f God kit # df o^Lu), ( the
Viceroy of Jefus Chnft in JejhnruH) who when he perceived the
Lord's favourable condefcenfion, fo as to entertain Familiar Confe-
rence with him, and upon his rcqueft to renew unto him a Grant of
his Prefence in the Conduct of his people to the Land of Canaan ,
he thereupon (according to the manner of us all ) groweth more
bold, afpirirg to fuch a knowledge of God, that never any of the
Sons of Adam had attained unto, yea fuch as was altogether ircon-
fiftent with frail Mortality. / beftech thee, faith he, fhew me thy
Glory, It is, by our late Expofitours^demed that Mofes was now de-
firous to fee the Eflence of God for that islnvidble 1 Tim. 6. 16.
Neither was Mofes, its like, ignorant of it, but for my part I leave it
undetermined : howfoever it is very evident that he defired to fee
that of God, which in much mercy was not granted unto him , and
therefore it tmghi very well be faid of him, as it was of the Sons of
Zebedee 7 he knew not what he asked ( For who alas among us can d\\>ell
With
Pf to. Ti-
tle.
£*.33.iS.
i6i
£x.53 19-
LooJ^ unto JESUS.
with devouring fire fwho among ut can dwell Vpith everlafiingbftr-
nings ? ) But as Peter when he was prefent at Chrift's Transfigurati-
on LuJ^. 9.32.33. was fo taken with that exceeding Glo.y which
he then faw ( yet fuch a Glory probably as the weakneis of man might
well beare ) that he fpake at random ( not knowing what he faid )
of building Tabernacles ,&c. I n like manner Mofes is now fo tranfpor-
ted with the apprehen^on of his prefent Happinefsard Priviledge a-
bove all men, that though h e was not unmindful of his Charge, I mean
the people of Jfrael, but was importunate with God not to leave
them:, yet, he forgets his own mortal fcftate, wherein he was to abide,
and defires to fee that Vanifefia' ion of God's prefence, which is refer-
ved for another Life, but what faith the Anfwer of God unto him ?
/ will makeaflnj Goodnefs jafs before thee, and J will proclaim \g the
Name of the Lord before thee. And what could a poor Creature in
this World defire more ? Oh what admirable Honour is this that the
Lord vouchfafeth unto his Beloved Favourite t what an incomparable
Priviledge is This Mofes now partaker of above his Brethren ? But
it is the Lord, who may do what he pleafeth, for fo he faith, / will be
Gracious to whom I Will be Gracious, and I will {hew Mercy on whom I
Vvill fhew Mercy Neverthelefs we may with Modefty enquire how
and by what means this glorious Goodnefs came to be prefenred unto
Mofes • and that we (hall finde to be even by this good old Way ,
which we have here been fpeaking of viz,, the Mediation of Jefus
Chrift. I go not about to wreft this excellent Scripture, by forcing
upon it a fenfe which may not agree with the minde of the Holy G holt
therein,That be far from me ■ what I have to fay concerning it,l (hall
leave to the Judgement of the Wife and Godly.
Firftlfhaiiby the way take this for granted, becaufeit hath been
already proved, that Mofes had to do with Jefus Chrift , as the reft
of the people had,while He and they were together in the Wildernefs.
And it muft be confefled, that there was as much need of the help and
interpofitionofaMediarour in this matter that we are fpeaking of,
as in any thing els ; which I fay was in great Mercy difpenfed unto
Mofes, as is aaanifeft. Firft'by the Preparation that preceded this
glorious Appearance Second y by the Form and Method of the Pro-
clamation of the Name of the Lord, at the time of that appear-
ance.
As for the Preparation which is mentioned in the three laft Verfes
of
Look unto J E S US.
of this thirty third Chapter the particulars thereof are very remark-
able viz. concerning the place ihat is faid ro be by the Lord, and the
Lord's putting Mofes into the cleft of the Pvock, and covering it with
his Hand : which that we may the better underiland, and fee how np-
polite they are to our prefent purpofe, it will be; needful for us to
take into Confederation, that whole intercourfe between the Lord
and Mofes.
Firft, Msfcs prayeth unto the Lord, V. i 3. in thefe words, Shew me
rtQw thy w«] f What is that ? Thy Way , fay fome, that thou rneancu:
to take with this people in bringing them to the Land which thou
didft promife to give unto their Fathers: I will not deny b t that
this might be in the minde of Mofes, now when the Lord was pleafed
to admit him into his prefence, becaufe he was ever zealous for the
peoples good; But there are fome Circumftances which follow, that
do incline me to another fenfe, at leaft to joyn another with this ,
both which may be allowed together , being not inconfiftent each
with other, bartending both to one and the fame end. It feemeth
unto me that Mofes here prayeth that the Lord would reveal him-
felfuntohim out of the Cloud, in fome (hape and form, cs he might
be vifble unto his bodily fight, which he therefore calleth his Way,
becaufe he had been wont to do fo to the Patriarchs before him, whom
he likewife knew by Name. And I do the rather conceive this to be
the fenfe, becaufe of the ground and reafon of his defire, which is ad-
ded by him in the words following, Lord (faith he) Shew me. thy
way that I may k*>w thee, And that I may find grace in thj fight. True
it is the Lord promifeth him immediately after this, that his Prefence
fhould go with him, as being an Anfwer to his requeR: in the behalf
of the people, the neceflity whereof Mofes ztfomgeih and infifteth
upon V. 1 ?, '6. Yet doth the Lord give him a further Anfwer in the
Words that follow V. 17. as to a thing fomewhat differing from that
which concerned the people, I will (faith he) do this thing alfo that
thou h;>fifpike», for thrn haft found grace in my fight , and I know ihce
by Name.
Now fince the Lord had before confented that his Prefence fhould
go along wi h him in the Conduct of the people, and tha: Mofes had
given his Regulation thereunto, reding him fully Satisfied with whar
the Lord had promifed, to what purpofe is this other Confent now
fuperadded, and that with a note of difference from what had paflfcd
X before
itfl
Ex.3).
22,13
II
162
Look unto JESUS.
N and the gates of Hell fha'l never drive us from it. We dif-
dain to hold of Luther and Calvin, or any man els how eminent foe-
ver he might be for Piety in his Generation. A tenure indeed that
the recent Conventicle of Rome hath devifed, which becaufe it pre-
tendeth to Peter as its Founder and Authour Paramount, will therc-
Y fore
\yo
Mai 19. 8.
Look unto JESUS.
fore obtrude upon others the like Weak and Upftart original* , and
if they cannot compare with them ( as they conceive ) in fuch a
Claim, ihey are ready to cry them down for Novelifts and intruders
as utterly unworthy to have any fociety with the Churches of Chrift.
But far be it from us to build upon any fuch foundations- And for any
Novelty in our Profeffion, as concerning the fubflance of Religion ,
we can maintain it againft the World, that we are in no wife Guilty
thereof.
It mud be acknowledged on all fides that the old way is the onely
right way ,and that that is mod confonant to Truth, which is of great-
eft Antiquity. But then the Queftion will be, where our Corrpu-
tationfhall begin ? Surely it mull: not be at fome Centuries of years
that have been lately before us- but rather we are to look for the
firft beginning ofthis way, from the beginning of the World, other-
wife it will not in this fenfe Merit the Title' of Antiquity,
but that Gofpel exception will be of force sgainft it , Non fvitfic ah
imtio, It ivas not fo from the Beginning. A fingular and compendi-
ous Gradation of the rife and progrefs of Truth, is that which is given
by a certain Antient , id verim quid pripu y id vrim quod ah initio , id
ab initio quod a Deo, That is trued which was firft, that which was firft
is from the beginning, that which was from the beginning was of God.
And truely ( as it was faid before, fo may we fay it again ) our fel-
lowjhif is with the Fdthcr, and with his Sen Jefus Chrift according to the
order of the foundation laid in God's eternal decree,and as the faithful
people of God have had theirs in all the Ages of the Church, that
have been before us* If we vary from others in outward formes, or
if there be variances amongft our felves about them ( as alas there
are too many, the more is the Pity , and when was there a people of
God conftituted into a Church that were wholly free ) yet this will
not conclude us to have taken up a new Religion, no more then the
feveral Iafhions in our Attire do deprive us of che antient Priviledges
of our Country, and make us another Nation.,
To conclude, we are of Ycfterday, and know whom we have be-
lieved, and are known of him, nk» Jcfus Chrift ihe Same Ycfterday,
to Day, and for ever.
Fourthly, We may upon the Confederation ofthis Do&rine fee
how abfurd and fool i(h that Dream is of a certain^/', a Place of
confine.
Look unto J ES U S.
confinement for the S>uls of the Faithful, who lived and died Yclter-
dayin that long trad of time under the Law, and before it, which
place is by the Pafifls called Limbw Patrum • for in regard the work
of Redemption was not fully accomplifhed by Jefus Chrift, till he had
fuffered Death upon the Crofs , therefore fay they, all thofe Patri-
archs and Prophets, and Holy men of old from the beginning of the
World unto that time, could not enter into Heaven, but were (hut
up in fome lower parts of the Earth, bordering upon Purgatory ,
which fay they is next door to Hell. For ( faith Bifhop AlouhU^ae )
as if fome of their Matters had been feen fent thither to take a fuVvey
thereof, they do quarter out that infernal Clime into four Regions •
And this place amongft the reft, which they have afiigncd unto the Fa-
thers, they determine to be the upper moft Fringe, as the Word Lim-
£wfignifies, or the verge of Hell. It is not my purpofe to defcend
fo low as to examine the particulars of this their Subterraneous Cho-
rography. I believe the Vanity thereof is Vifible enough to all that
have not their Eyes put out with the fmoke of Purgatory. Rather
let theftrcngth of our prefent Doctrine be fet in oppofuion to this
fond dream of that ftlfe and Afcftmcal Church of Rome, which hath
obtruded many fuch like idle Fopperies upon thofe poor people that
are bewitched with her Sorccries,and then let all mankinde judge w h
is the Truth True it is, they make much boaft of Antiquity in the up-
holding of this their fabulous Limbo • though as learned an Antiquary
as any pofliby that ever was in their Conclave, affirmeth, that Anti-
quity will not own it. Neverthelcfs if it (hould, it fha'll be of no
Value with us, if it clafli with the Divine Oracles of the Holy Scrip-
tures. They tell us that the Souls of the godly are in the bundle of
Life Vvith the Lord their God I Sam. 25. 29. And that the fpirit re-
turns unto God that give it Ecu. 7. That the Soul of Lazarus
was carried by the Angels who always behold the face of God in Hea-
! \cn (Mat. iS. n.) into Abrahams Bofeme Luk. 16. And there-
fore it is well obferved againft the Rbemifts, upon that place, that
Limbo being fuppofed to be under the Earth, and Lazarus' % Soul
from Earth was carried upwards, if he went to Limbo t the Angeb
were not well acquainted with the Way,in that they carry him above
the Earth, when they ought to have carried him to a place under-
neath the Earth.
Add hereunto what a world of Abfurditics would follow , if this
Y 2 Pepifi
'7
BifoOp
Moun-
t ague of
Nor.
1 Sam-i].
Ec. 1 z. 7.
Ltik.l6.
tr.
1 7 1
i
I*.
Heb. ii $
*A term ap-
propriitei
by the Ho-
ly Ghftto
the^igesof
the Church
before
Chrift. But
not ft to be
ufed now in
(be time of
the Gofpel.
Gerard.
Rom. f.IJ.
Look unto JESU S.
P epifi/ devife (hould pafs for currant: How could Saint Peter fay
A&. 1.5. We believe that through the %ra(e of our Lord fefns Chrifi
wefhaRbefaved even as they ? How could the Patriarchs be laid to live
with Cod, if they were banilhed out of his Sight Luk. 20. And if
this Limbo be the Brim or Hem of the damned places, how is it faid
th.u the Glutton in Hell faw Abraham afar off with Lazarn* in hU
Bo/owe 5 and that there was a great Gulfe and Diftance between the
Damned's place, and that wherein Lazarus abode ? As for Abraham
it may be collected clearly from Heb. 1 1 . 9. 1 o, that he immediately
after Death vras received up into Heaven, according to his expectati-
on. Contented he was with his flitting Tabernacles, while he conti-
nued as a Sojourner here in this Life, becaufe there was a City to
come after this Life that would be firm and (teddy, wherein he look-
ed to be admitted , and which fhould make full amends for all his!
weariforne Peregrinations. Where we may fee, that that City having
Foundations, which the Holy Patriarch by Faith expected, is by an
A ntithefis fctad oppofttum to thofe Tabernacles, which he formerly
lived in with Jfaac and Jacob, whereby is intimated that he was not
received into any other building after hisdeath,then that which is per-
manent. Into which City he being received, it muft neccflarily fol-
low, that all the faithful people of God, who were transported by
Angels into his Bofome as Laz,arm was, were there received and en-
tertained likewife. Moreover ( becaufe this Parable is much per-
verted by the Pafifls to their finifter fenfe ) when Abraham oppofeth
Lazartu's Comfort to the Glutton's Torment, it is evident that he
being in infinite Torment, the other was in infinite Joy •, which be-
caufe it cannot be but in Heaven, as in the Lord's Prefence- Chamber ,
it followed] that the t Bofome of Abraham is the Reft that his faith-
ful and right begotten Children have in Heaven,
In fine, That which chiefly I have to fay againft this abfurd err our
is this, viz. That it derogateth from the Merits of Jefus Chrift, ma-
king him not to be of yefterday^ and his death to be effectual onely
a parte poft, to thofe that come after him. An Opinion therefore to
be Anathematized by all the Churches of the Saint, yea further, the
Sin of Adam,\% by this means (contrary to the Doctrine of the A-
poftle Rom, 5. 15.) made more powerful to Condemnation, then
Chrift's Righteoufnefs can be unto Salvation; for the Sin of Adam
cafteth his Wicked and Unbelieving Pofterity into Hell immediately
after
Look unt* JESUS.
'/
afccr Death, whereas by their Doftrine , the Communication of
Chad's Righteoufnefs with; them that believed in him, could not
immediately after Death lift them up into the Kingdom of Heaven.
How this can (land with ChrifVs honour,or how it agreeth with the
aforefaid Scripture, let the Jefuites themfelves tell us if they can.
Well but yet the Scripture notwithstanding (they affirm) will
bear them out in this their opinion, for faith the Apoftle Heh. 9. 8.
The way into the Holteji of all was mt made manifest, while as the firf?
Tabernacle was J ft paneling. Upon which place thefe Limhcnians do
much harpe, for the maintenance of their foolifh errour, collecting
as they think very ftrenuoufly, that the way to Heaven was not open
before Child's Pafiton, and therefore the Patriarchs and good men
of old muft needs have fome other place of reft affigned unto them
for their abode unril that time.
A fhort Anfwer to a vain Cavil may fuffice- briefly then, let it
be obferved, The Apoftle faith not, the way to Heaven was fhut up
while the hrft Tabernacle was (landing, but ^Juna n$pdpip
I 7
Cat.
10.
RamA 5
f78
Look unto JESUS.
Math ?.T4.
r Co;: 4.1?
fob 10,: 5
1 Tim. 4.
16.
ii thus, T? n!r«, cr«T-ctw< n(9E«f,tliat is, through faith ,or by faith,
as implying fomewhat that we receive by faith, but never thus Ai*
-ritinfeir, that is, for faith, as if Righteoufnefswerea recompenfe
given unto us for the bare Aft of believing. Neither is it ever faid in
an active fenfe, faith fuflifieth, but by faith We are jnftificd, that is ,
Paffively by a ibrein Righteoufnefs, which by faith as the recipient
onely is applied unto us. When a beggar puts forth his hand to take
an almes horn a liberal man, (hould he fay, mine own hand, or the
fenfe of my poverty that made me beg, hath releived me in my want,
and have no regard ro the Giver, or to the Alms it felf, whereby his
Life is fuftained? When our Saviour tells hisDifciples Aiat. j. 14.
They were the Light of the World, did he then deny himfelf to be that
light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World Job. 1. 9.
A power is given unto Minifters of the Gofpel in many places of Scri-
pture, fuch as properly belongeth unto God himfelf, and his- Son Je-
fus Ghrift, As for example, the works of Regeneration, Converfion,
Remifiion of Sins, everlafling salvation : what are all thefe but
works far beyond the reach of man or Angel, being fuch as hath been
faid belong unto God and Ghrift, yet we know all thefe are by
the Gofpel afcribed unto Minifters: for they are faid to beget men
pinto God ,• as alfo to convert them , opening their eyes y turning them from
D-irknefs to Light, /ind from the power of Satan unto God^ to remit their
Sins, yea tofave them : but now becaufe thefe things are fpoken of
Minifters in a way offubferviency unto Jefus Ghrift, will any man be
io voidofreafon therefore, as to exclude Ghrift himfelf, and fay, not
Chrift, but Minifters do regenerate, convert, forgive, and fave thofe
that do believe ? Yet thus do our ad ver faries argue in ibis cafe,becaufe
it U faid, faith is counted for righteoufnefs, and we are juftifled by
faith, therefore hath God made choice not of the Objed, but the
A& of faith to be imputed to us for our J u ftift cation.
There is indeed a lenitive caft into qualifie the iharpnefs of this
corroding and poifonous errour, graunting faith not to be the meri-
torious caufe of Juftification, But why then is the Lord Jefus Chrift
the Cbjed of our faith fo plainly fhut out from having any part at all
in this matter ? and why are we told that where it is faid, we are jafti-
r"ed bv faith, it is not to be taken Tropically and Metonymicaily for
tlve Gb jed, as many Orthodox Writers do interpret it, whom I could
fet in opposition to thofe that are muftered up for the defenfc of this
Errour
Look mto J ES U S.
'79
Err our ( it* they have at lead given that furTragc unto it as is preten-
ded ) yea,and why is fuch an inference derived from the Apoftlcs fre-
quent magnifying of faith ( Rom. 4,.) as to fay, the Holy Ghoit had
not bound himfelffo precifcly tothofewo.ds and fyllables [viz,, of
(unification by faith ) if he had not meant to give this Honour unto
faith it felf, but rather to fome other thing (a? itismoft uncomc-
i ly called ) which faith laieth hold upon ?
Alafs,alafs, that any who pretend to have a (hare in the merits of
J ChriQ: (hould in this manner detract from his Glory ? did the Lord
I Tefus Cbrift himfelf Bear eptrftns in bu own bed] en the Tree, yea, bf
, come fi n for iu that his righteoufnefs might be imputed unco us , and
! according to the appointment; of his Father, be made glorious in our
! jufhrieation, and (hall not the travel of his Soul be his peculiar facis-
I fnfrion ? what, is faith it felf become falfe to the juftling of Chnft out
1 of his Throne, whofe office it is, and ever hath been, to advance and
I promote his Crown and Dignity ? or rather, is not the hand of fo-
\ *b, I meane, the malice of the Devil, as 1 faid before, evidently to be
i fee'n going along in this matter ? In vain it is for any man living to
! make a flouii(h, and to boaft ofaconltantadherency to the Protdlant
! Profeftion, notwithstanding the fury of late perfecution^ when there
is fuch a manifefl: agreement avouched with Rwc in this particular y '
viz. of juftirieation by works • which if there were nothing elfe to;
work in the hearts of thofe that are faithful to the Gofpel of Jcfus
Cbrift, a loathing of that Anti-chriftian Synagogue this alone weree- 1
nough to caufe an everlafung feneration.
But I have done • and do bethink my felf what 1 have done, how I ;
have raifed up fome fpints that may poffibly be thought not to be cad- j
ly laid again, whereas my hope is, they are rouzed to give Glory to
God in confenting to what is written. Neverthelefsfolongas I ha\e
Truth on our fide, I (hall not be afraid, though an Hofte of adversa-
ries how Potent foever they may prove to be, did rife up againft mee.
It is not God knowetb out of any unbefteming contempt or difrefpeft
ofanv Perfon, that 1 have medled in tliisccnrroverfy. Learning I
do reverence wherefoever it is,as much as any iha!! : onely I do wi(h
that it may not be ufed as a Weapon to fight ngaiftft jefos Chrift. But
flore At Veritas, RuAtCoelum^ Let the World go which way it will
with me, I cannot, I dare not betray the Truth, by a finful filence ,
when fo fair an opportunity of vindicating it, is prefented unto me.
Z 2 J
! i
It fecmt hy
common re
pert, thut
the Jlu-
thov.r of the
Bock called
Theologia
Veterum,
isoflatede-
ceajed, ne-'
verthelcfs
rvhat is here
I rvritter,
\ may flint
[ rft an ami-
; dote to pre.
fervecthts
fr'in the
I iafecfhn of
I thefe r .
, lent trronin
i8o
FrspfijTiiou.
'H,ui^ at
?/ Hu*f ©• ,
j. €. man-
fiietus, ad
differ tnti-
am noU is
qn£ imml-
tn c* her-
riia e!i.
Look unto JESUS.
~
I mud confek there hath been in this particular fomc fmall digrefli
on, for having an Errour in chafe, it hath made me go beyond my
bounds. But we (hall return, and take into confederation, the fecond
Period of Time here mentioned in the Text, with a reference unto
this third interpretation of it. Confider what hath been faid , and
let us pray that the Lord may give unto us a right undemanding in
all things.
CHAP. II.
She^eth the meaning of the Word Sipffo* , that is to
day , as it is rendred in the Text ^ according to\
our Third Interpretation .and treateth alfo ofCbrift's !
Occonomy therein.
JESUS CHRIST is 'c Wc, The Same, or, the onely
Hee to Day.
Now herein alfo two things are to be considered by us :
Firft The Denomination of Time %nuepp.
Secondly, What is predicated of that Time, viz* ChriftfAViK,
The Same to Day.
Firft the Denomination of the Time, to Day, from whence we may
colled.
The Time tfthe Go/pel u a time of light.
The word Sw^epor derived from r Hu*f a implying it, which the former
word x$if doth not.
The text we fee calleth it a day, and it is light we know that form-
eth.the Day, without which it vanifheth and cometh to nothing. A
Day then it is, and alight-fome day. A day which the Lord hath
made, even the Lord our Light, and our Righteoufnefs, the Path of
that
Look unto J E S US.
light
181
that juftone, having from the beginning been as the fnining
that fhineLh more and more unto the perfect day. A glorious day
wherein is concluded the light of Yefterday : For as the light which
for the three rirft day es of [be Creation was difperfed through the
Heavens, it pleafed God to gather and unite into one body of the
Sun . fo that Light of Yeiterday which wasdiffufed through io many
(hadowes, and Legal Ceremonies was at lad complicated and folded
up in Chrift the Son of Righteoufnefs, who is now in this day of his
Power like a ftrong man running his Race, difplaying his Beames,
(Milling his Influences, filling the Earth with knowledge, even as the
Waters covers the Seas. But let us more particularly behold and fee
the Glory of this Light.
Firft the Light of this Day is the true Light) as the Evar.gelift Saint,
^c/wcalleth it i foh.i.S. Not like unto that of old, which was
darkned with the fhadowes of the Mofaicall Oeconomy, but clear
and manifeft, Lumen tlluminans, A Light that inlightneth ever] man
that cometh into the World, non illiiwinatum, not inlightned by Mofes,
or aoy man in the World.
Secondly, It is a great Light, overfprcading the whole World,
(hining out into all Nations, making a day of Salvation unto all
People. There were two great Lights which God Created in the
beginning, the greater Light to rule the Day, and the leffer Light to
rule the Night: A nfwerably hereunto hath God ordained two
great Lights for his Church, the leffer Light to rule the time of the j
Law, and the greater to rule the time of the Gofpel^ and as the I
Evening did precede the Morning, in the ordering of the natural Day,
fo was the Law before the Gofpel in Reference unto this Day. When
therefore the Night is fpent, andtheDaycome^we may conclude that
a great Light, greater then what was before hath appeared in the
World • and as it was foretold, fo can we fay, It is fulfilled, The
People that walked in Darknefs have fetn a great Light , they that dwell
in the Land of the pjadow of death, upon them hath the Light Jhined •, fo
thea it is a great Light.
Thirdly, It is likewife a marvellous Light ^ as Saint Peter calleth it,
Leading its followers into a knowledge that paffeth knowledge either
Humane or Angelica!!. (So Zanchy interprets the Place Eph. s . 1 ?.)
Revealing fuch things which Eye never faVf, nor Eare ever heard, nor
could have entrcd into any heart to conceive. Marvellous to the BlefTed
Angels,
7oh. ».8
1 ion
7oh 1
Gen. I. \6.
ef
I Pet. I.J,
I Cor- i.9>
1 8a
Mat. 1 3. i o
Look unto JESUS.
p/48.4^.
A ngels, whofe Glory and Crown though it be to be Angels of Light
alwayes beholding the face of God in Heaven, yet perceiving a Light
here alfo in this Day of the Gofpel, whereby they might come to have
more experience of the manifold Wifdome of God, they are faid with
much greedinefs of Speculation, tofto6pdown y and to gaze upon it. Mar-
vellous to the Children of the Day, who are on all (ides filled with Ad-
miration of the glorious appearance of that fhining Light, which they
eonftantly behold in the difpenfations of Grace, and wherein they
conceive themfelves ten thoufand times happier, then if they had the
I Glory of the world laid at their feet. Marvellous alfo to the Chil-
! dren of this World, it being the Aftonifliment of Nations, that all
! their Projects and Attempts to put out the Light of this Day have
! ever been fruftrated, and blown away like the Spiders web . for Ioe
the powers of the Earth, and the Gates of Hell were AfTcmbled, t h cy
parted by together, they faw it, and fo they marvelled, they' were
troubled and hafted away Pf. 48. 4. 5. Vtnw%t^viAent y & vtnejeunt
they come and fee and vanifh together.
| Yea fourthly fo invincible is the light of this day, that all the powers
I of darknefs (hall never be able to extinguifh it. To illuftrate this
J particular let us take into consideration the invincible nature of that"
j light whatfoever it is, which God who is the Authour of Lights hath
I fet up among the Creatures in this World : And to this pur pofe give
I me leave to interfere a very pithy and pertinent Meditation of an A-
j nony mous Authour that 1 have met with in a late Writer which may
lead us farther into the knowledge of the Light of this day,we fee and
prove faith he by dayly Experience how powerfull and dreadfull a
thing the darknefs of the Night is, for when it fallcth,it covereth and
mufrleth up the face of the whole World, it ©bfeureth and hideth the
hue and fafhion of all Creatures, it binderh up all hands, and breaketh
off all employments, it arrefteth -and keepeth Captive all living
Wights, Men and Beafts, that they muft be Mill and reft there where
it arrefteth them •, yea, it maketh them fearfull and faint-hearted full
of fancies, and much fub je& to frights • It is of all other fuch a pow-
erful and unconquerable Tyrant, as no man is able to withftand;
And yet neverthelefs it is not of that Might that it is able to over-
whelme or to quench the leaft Light in the World 1 For we fee that
the darker the Night is, the clearer the Stars ftiinej yea, the lead
Candles light that is lighted^withftandcth the whole Nigh:, and not
onely
Look unto JESUS.
i8 3
only fuffereth not the darknefs to cover or to fmother and opprcfs it,
but it giveth Light alfo even in the midft of the Darknefs,and beate h
ic back for fomc (pace and diftance on every f.de of it : So that which
way foeverit is borne, or wherefoever itcometh, there mult Dai k
neCs depart, and give place unto Light, all the power and drcadful-
nefs of it cannot helper prevaile ought againitit: And though the
Light be fo weake, that it cannot call Light far about, or drive the
Darknefs far from ic, as in the fparkle of an hot Coale - 3 yet cannot the
the Darknefs cover or conceale, and much lefs quench it, but it giveth
light to it fetf alone at leaft fo that it may be fecn afar off in thedarke,
anditremaineth unconqueredof the dark, though it cannot hclpo-
ther tilings, nor give light unto them. Yea (rhac that is yet more
wonderful) a rotten fhining piece of wood which hah the fainted:
light that can be found, yec remaineth invincible of all the power
of darknefs, and the more it is compafled about with darknefs , the
clearer light it giveth • fo little is darknefs able to overcome 01 keep
down any light, but that it ruleth and vanquifheth and expelleth the
darknefs, which elfe overwhelmed, andfnareth, and fettereth, and
putteth all things in fear. Now if this natural light be fo powerful,
and fo able to prevail againft the darknefs of the night, why fhould
not the glorious light which now fhineth in this day of the Gofpel
continue frill in its Bhghtnefs, notwithstanding all the attempts that
are made by the Prince of Darknefs and his Adherents to put it out ?
Continue doubtlef? it (hall, and remain invincible to the end of the
World. Vea,accovdtng to that meafure and proportion of the dai k-
nefs of errcur, which in fundry Generations is raifed up to obfeure
and deface it, It (hall certainly encreafe into a greater Glory. And
though this may carry with it the found of a paradox in the ears of
forne people unacquainted with the ways of God, yet it will be found
to be a mod certain truth, becaufe this day of the Gofpel is not a day
of fmall things, of things to be defpi fed, of things eafy to be reduced to
a non- entity , as if they never had been, fuchas. the defignts of Men
oftentimes to their fhame prove to be • but excellent things they are,
furpafiing the comprehenfions of Angels, which are the fruit and of-
fpringof this day, even the Arcana Coe'i, & MagmlU Dei, The fo
crets of Heaven 3 and the great things of God, thing- which many pro-
phets and righteous men in the generations of old havedt'ired to fee
but could not, are now clearly made known to the Church in this dav
which
i»4
P/iioj,
Dies exer-
eit us idles
fuccefsasj
dies vitto ■
fob. X.J.
Nefcit oc
enfant .
I. Duty.
Ec, 11.7,
Ef 6o> I,
LooJ^ unto JESUS,
which is therefore called the Day of the Lord's power Pf. 1 10.3. A day
of affembiing his armies, that is, his Apoftles and Minifiers to fubdue
the World, A day wherein his mighty afts have appeared unto men,
and the glorious Majefty of his Kingdom, ruling inthemidft of his
enemies, and making himfelf known to his Church, not onely by
the name of God Almighty ,but to be the faithfoJ Jehovah, giving fuch
a being to all his promifes, as never could be the like in the Genera-
tions that were before : and therefore whenfoever any adverfe power
fhall now rife up againft him, to hinder or interrupt him in the corn-
pleating of his moll glorious defign in this day of his power, he will
moll certainly get himfelf a name in cafting it down, and having com-
manded his Light to fhine out of Darknefs, though the darknefs of
mens hearts will not receive it^ yet his Commandment ftill conti-
nuethin force, and his word runneth very fwiftly.
In a word,true and great, and marvellous, and invincible is the light
of this day, concerning which, much might be fpoken from the pre-
dictions of the Prophets, who prophecy ed of this day, and much might
be added from the triumphant exultations of the A potties, whofe eyes
were fir ft opened to fee the light of this day : but there is no need to
undertake any further the clearing of the truth of this point, for the
day it felfdoth declare it, the Sun which is the light and life of this
day, being not onely rifen, but afcended, and not onely rifen and af-
cended, but fixed in his Meridian, never more to defcend, till time be
no more. Let us therefore now come to improve it by fome clofe
Applications unto us all, whofe lot it is to live under this Light.
Firfr, Seeing that this time of the Gofpet is fuch a Lightfome day ,
we then that are the Children of the day are to take notice of thole
Duties which the day requireth of us.
Firft whereof is, that we re joyce and be glad in it. Tmelj Light
is fweet (faith Solomon) and a f leaf ant thing it i* for the eyes to be-
hold the Sun Ecclef. 11.7. How fweet then and pleafant a thing is
it to behold the light of this day } wherein the Glory of the Lord is
rifen upon the Church, as the Prophet foretold itfhouldEf, 60. 1
That glory w ch flnce the beginning of the world was out of the reach
and apprehenfion of any Creature, which yet notwithftanding was
earneftly longed for by the Holy and faithful Servants of God of old.
How happy would Abraham^ lfaac, faccfr , Mofes, David, He-
zelejah ,
Look unto JESUS.
.85
*>'k**h » f°fi*b.. Ef Al *b> Jeremiah, Ez,ekjcl, Vanitl,&c. have ac-
counted themfelves ro have feen that Glory which is now revealed ?
How full of joy would they have been in the light of this day,whereh
with open face we behold as in a Mirroir the Glory of the Lord (kith
the Apoftle zCor. 3. Nay wherein all flefh fecth the Salvation of
God, wherein the Word of God comes with power and evidence and
Demonftration , wherein the Spirit is (hed forth abundantly in the
hearts of Believers, wherein knowledg covcreth the earth, even as
the waters covers the fcas , fo that God's people now need teach no
more every man his Neighbour, and every man his Brother the fenfe
and meaning of the Shadows and Ceremonies of old, faying, Know
the Lord, the Lord whom thefe things do typific, and fo far as fuch
carnal Ordinances are able, make known unto you ^ for now is ful-
filled that which then the Lord promifed, faying, they (hall all know
me from the leaft of them to the Greatefl of them : The whole Myfte-
ry ofGodlinefsi? now clearly revealed, info much that they who
are endued with the Spirit of God, know all things . yea, even Chil-
dren and Handmaidens,people of all forts and Sexes, underftand more
fully the Doctrine of Salvation then the Prophets and great Rabbies
of old could be able to reach into. And therefore it is worth our
confidering how emphatically the Spirit of God in fcripture doth
found out this word ( now ) in reference to the great glory of this
day of the Gofpel, to that very end, that all, who are I fay Children
of the Day, may fee the Light, and re joyce in it. Obferve fome m-
ftances. Behold, now U the acceptedtime, how m the day of Salvation,
X Cor. 6. 2. Now umanifeftedtheRighteoufnefsofGod Rom. 3. 22.
Now is made known the manifold JVifdom of Cod Eph. 3.10. The My-
ft erj which was hidden from Ages and Generations ,is now revealed Eph.
3. 5. Col. I. 26. TheVarknefs is p .*/?, the true Light »c\V (hineth ,
I Joh. 2. 8. Now, Now, Now implying that now, and never be'
fore the dawning of this day there was a light in the world to be reck-
oned of the higheft value.
O blefled and happy Day ! And for ever and ever blefTed be that
good Providence of Heaven that hath brought us to fee the Light of
this Day, making it unto us a good Day, A Day of good tidings ,
A day of Reconciliation with the God of Heaven, A Day of joy and
gladnefs •, Let us therefore I fay again and again re joyce and be glad
io it: Let the Children of the World glory/orae in their carnal wif-
A a dom
t Cor. 3.
18.
7"-3*-34
I J A 1.
10.
*aS. 1. 17.
% Cor. 6. 1.
Rom. 3.11
Eph 3.10.
Epb.$.S.
Col. i.z6.
I lob. 1.8
1 86
Look unto JESUS.
ObjeBion.
^Attfwer.
dom,fome in their ftrength,fome in their riches,But let us glory in this
that we under! and and know the Lord. Now in this ferene and joy-
ful day of his gracious vifitation, did Abraham with great pleafure and
rapture of fpirit rejoyce to fee this day afar off, and (ball not we
now re Joyce when it is at hand, yea, when it comes upon us, and the
Light ofitfhineth round about us? Surely we are rot Abrahams
Children, unlefs we do the works of Abraham-, and if herein we do
not rejoyce, we are not of the Faith of Abraham, and confequently
&all not be bit (Fed with him.
But alas ( you'll fay) this day is a day of trouble, of rebuke and
blafphemy •, of trouble to the Churches of Chrift throughout the
world .of rebuke.for God is angry with the world for fin ■ of Blafphe-
my, the Provocations wherewith God is provoked every day, being
very great, reaching up into Heaven, And fhould we now rejoyce ?
I Anfwer, !t is indeed a day of trouble to the people of God, and
poffiblv if they had rejoyced more for theconfolation which their
eyes have feen, they had not feen fo much trouble upon them as they
do this day. But ncvertbelefs albeit there be fo great and fore afflicti-
ons lying upon the Churches, which all the Children of ths Day muft
be fenfible of, yet is the midft of all this forrow, there is caufe of re-
joycing^ for why s it is not a Night of trouble, wherein no fuccour
or comfort can be found, but the Light of the Lord fo fhineth out
before his people, that they may plainly fee bis good works , which
withanout-ilretched arme he hath wrought and full doth for their
P/. 1 1 i. 4. ! deliverance. Vttto the Righteous faith the Pfalmift ( Pf. 1 1 2.4*) A-
\ riftth Light in Darknefs y that is, in the darkeft times of trouble,then
hath their light of comfort been wont to anfe moft. And therefore
though in feme refpect the day be fomewhat cloudy, yet ids not a
Difmal Day, though the AffL&ion be great, yet the conizations of
Cod are not fo fmall with us. but we may glorifie God in this day,and
rejoyce before him.
True, you'll fay, But alas we remember God and are troubled,
for his Anger we fee is enkindled, it fmoketh againft the fheep of his
Failure- By terrible things in Righteoufnefs doth God anfwer his
People now in this day when they call upon him,chidingand chaftning
them very fore, fhould we then make mirth ?
I Anfwer far be it from us, when the Lord God of Holtes calls to
Weeping and Mourning, &c . that we fnould be of that crofs-grain'd
difpofition
Look mto J E S U S.
187
difpofition, as to thwart the fad Difpenfitions of his Providence by
giving up our felves to any vain and carnall Delights; and when his
handislifteduptocorre&andpunifh, that then we fhould wilfully
(hut our eyes, refufir.gto fee, that I fay be far from m\ But I be-
fecch you, though this be a day of rebuke, Is it not a time alfo of
Love? Nay,when with' rebukes the Lord doth correft his people, Is
there not both love and faithfulnefs to be found in the bottom of thofc
rebukes, which makes them very fweet unto the foul of a Believer ?
Bcfides can we not dilUnguifti between the forrowful difpenfations of
Providence whenfoever they come upon us, and the glorious difpen-
fations of grace ? If the former be matter of forrow, the latter are
of joy j Rejoyce therefore in the Lord alwayes, and again I fay re-
joyce.
Oh but it is adaypfblafphemy, And wbothat hath a tender regard to
God's glory, and the Churches Welfare can chafe but figh and mourn
to fee and hear the Abominations that are fo frequent this day ? How
alas doth errour and herefie jultle with divine truth ? Yea, tram-
ple it under their feet ? And that which encreafeth the forrow, peo-
| pic that profefs godlinefs love to have it fo.Some make a mock at Sin ,
I Thct which fhould be the terrour and amazement of the foul, as being
I mod of all contrary to God, and a worfe enemic to the whole crean-
j on then all the devils in Heil, Foolcs at this day do play and dally with I
it : Others make a mock at Holinefs, either by a profane Diabolical
derifion of it, or els by a falfe Phtrifaical ProfeiTion of it, thereby to
palliate their abominable wickednef?. Here are fome jefting pleafant-
iy with their Maker as he did, who would needs drink a Health to his
Patron, blafphcmoufly calling him his Yakcr ; There others fporting
themfelvcs with the Holy Scriptures,exercifing their fcurrilous Wirs
upon thofe facred Oracles whereat they fhould rather tremble , and
which the glorious Angels do ftoope down to adore .' AIas,ala9, is not
the Air polluted with mod execrable Hell- invented oaths, and that
Vnm*nl] vice of Drunkennefs ( as our late King of never-dying Me-
mory, according to the excellent Wifdom given unto him,in a Speech
of his at Oxford, moft properly formed it) grown Impudent not-
withftanding all the good laws in force againft it ? And fuch Brothelry
commonly belched out by a Brutifh Generation, who yet live under
the light o.f this day , thatthe very Heathens would abhor it f And is
this a time then thinke you, to Rejoyce
A a 2 I
Vro. 14-9-
i88
rf.iif.
I 3 *.
i»J>u*p*
Look ttnto JESUS.
L«^;l7.i4
I x Anfwer, For thefe things indeed lee us be humbled and walk
mournfully before the Lord, let horrourfeife upon us as it was with
the Holy Prophet, becaufe of the wicked thatforfake the lawof the
Lord-, Yea, let us as he did for thefe things even fwim in tears Pf. 1 1 9
156. But we muft know that this kinde of forrow and humiliation is
to be manifefted in denying our felves that natural and lawful joy and
liberty we may take fomenmes in the free ufe of the Creatures , not
at all in quenching our fpiritual joy ,We re Joyce not in iniquity, but
we re Joyce in the truth, this joy no man nor no Devil fhould take
from us, becaufe God hath called us to it, and calleth upon us for it.
All this therefore hindereth not, but that we may and ought to re-
joyce in the Light of this day, though there be much affliction upon
the Church, rebuke from God, iniquity and blafpbemy among men
to befeen in it.
S ccondiy, fuffer the Light of this day to fhine in upon your foules,
that the beams thereof may have their free and clear penetration into
every corner of your inner man. If ye be Children of light , and
Children of the day fprungfrom the womb of the morning, you will
be ftill craving afterlight, ambitious of a Conformity to the noble-
nefsof your extraction: yea, light is your proper element, and the
more you are fwallowed up in it, the more comfortable (hall your life
be unto you. Mif-mean me not • I exhort you not now to ftand ga-
zing after a Light that is too high for your reach,or to break through
God's pavilion to that light that is inacceflible. There is a knowledge
too wonderful for poor man, which while he is cloathed with mortali-
ty, yea, and in fome refpeft when his mortality hath put on immor-
tality, He (ha!! never be able to attain unto. Neither do T call upon
you to look after thofe new lights, which the variry and darknefs of
thefe times do fo much cry up and extol- for fure I am, that which
is new in point of Salvation cannot be true, A pofiticn, though much
difliked by fome giddy heads, may well be maintained againft Men
and Angels : Yea, whatfoever may be obtruded upon you as a fun-
damental Light that (hall appear in this Noontide of che Gofpel to be
of fo nanow an extent, that it hath not or cannot overfpread the
whole Hemifphere of the Church, is mod certainly counterfeit, a
prodigious comet, portending fome ftrong delufions, rather then j»
true fixed light, derived from the fountain of light , For faith Chiift
himfelf, A s the lightning that lightneth pom. one part mdtr Heaven
fi nsth
Look unto J E S US.
189
Jhineth to the ether fart under heaven,fo alfo is the Son of man in his day,
Notoncly in the great day of his glorious apreirance, but even in
this his day :He is not concluded within the narrow confines of Africa,
as the Donates of old would have him,Nor in the conclave at Rome as
the Papifls at this day foolifhly imagine, Nor in the Defat t, that is ,
10 the reparation amongft thofethatnow-a-days forfake the Afl^m
blies, Nor in their fecret Chambers, that is, in the Conventicles of
Schifmaticks-, But his going forth 13 from the end of Heaven , and his
circuit unto the ends of it, his Church hath infallibly, univerfally been
inlightned by him,with that knowledge that is neceflary to Salvation,
unto which, whof ^ ever fhall add, is a Deceiver, and to be anathema-
tized by all the Churches of Chrift.
Putting away therefore thefe vanities, Let your foules give enter-
tainment to that Light, which this Day prefenteth onto you. And
fo much the rather, becaufe the Prince flf darkneis hath raifed up
many foggie ,noifomc, palpable mills toobfeure this light, with which
mitts the eyes of a multitude of people pretending to Hohnefs are
miferably blinded.
And now if it be demanded, what this light is ? I Anfvver
Firft, It is the light of Life ; not a dead light, as the light of ye-
flerday was, which confifted in carnal Ordinances, and dead Sacrifi-
ces, but a living light, that is, Jcfus Chrift himfelf , who though he
wasdeadtoextinguifh the former Light, yet being quickned by the
Spirit, he liveth to eftabhfh this new Light, that {hall therefore un-
doubtedly continue to the end of the World. For behold, faith hee 9
J am alive for evermore , affixing his Seale with an Amen, to note the
umlterablenefs of his prefent eftate. Hee, I fay again, is this light of
life, not like unto other lights that hare no Life m them •, whofo fol-
lowed! the Sun in the firmament 'tis irue hath Light , but it is a Light
wanting life-, when death cometh, it cannot give him life, becaufe it
hath it not to give • There is indeed hope of a tree, when it U cut down
that it way live* gain, futh Job, and that the tender Branch thereof
will not ceafe , ptt$ when Ai^n gi tth ftp the Ghifi. where is Hee?
Not the fent of water , nor ihe light nor heat of the Sun, can be
able to revive him- But fauh chrifl; , Hee thut fiuweth mce hath
the light $f Life, that is, my felf Who am the Sun of '\ignreouf-
nefs having healinginmy Wings, it being given unto me to have
Life in my fcif J oh. 5 . 26. So that I quicken whom I will f.b 5 . 2 1.
And
Job.Z.M,
Job,
10.-
14.7-
*/<*/. 4.1.
fob f.lrf.
'Job 5.'.
Joh.i.4,
Look unto J E S US.
i Cor. 4.4.
And thus faith the Evangdift of him fob. 1.4. In him was Life and
that Life was the Light of Me ft.
So then here you fee what is the light of this day that you are ex-
horted to receive,It is Chrift Jems- let him come therefore into your
fouls, He will bring both light and life with him 3 light into your under-
ftandings, whereby you (hall get more intimate Acquaintance in the
great Myftery of Godlinefs, and life into your Affections railing them
above the World^ and from groveling in flefh and bloud.to a fpiritual
elevation • light to direct yoa in the way, and life to quicken you in
it; light to comfort you in your troubles, and life to deliver you out
of them- the light of the life of grace here, and the light of the
life of glory hereafter : Awake therefore thou that fkepeft, rife up
from the dead, and Chrift (hall give thee Light.
Secondly, The light of this day is the light of the glorious Gofpel
of Chi ift, {hewing to the world fuch glorious Myfteries which before
this day could not be fo clearly known, fuch as the Incarnation of
God, the expiation of fin by his death , the freenefs of Salvation
through faith in a Mediatour, remedy againft the Curfe and mitigati-
on of the rigour of the Law, reconciliation with God, fpiritual Ad-
miniftrations of the New Covenant, all which and many more had
never been manifefted to the Children of Men,had not the day fprung
from on high, even from the Zenith of the Heaven of Heavens, vifited
the Church with this glorious light, and therefore is it well worthy to
be entertained by us.-
Thirdly, Ft is called the light of the knowledge of the Glory of
God,then which nothing canto the Saints be more defireable and
unto which, when the Soul hath in the utmoft extent of her Capscity
fully attained fhe is fully fatisfied, fetting up her reft with a __. pltt*
ultra, as the' Prophet confefled faying, 1 (hall be fatisfied when thy
Glory fhall appear. When as therefore this glory now appearcch in
fome glimpfes to the Soule, whiles (he is Chut up in this Corps of
Clay, fuch Apparitions being the PrdluAium of that perfect happinefs
that is tocome,muft needs be very welcome. Now the Light of this
Day (heweth unto theSouleofa Believer, fo far as it is capable, the
Glory of God viz,. The Glory of his Wifdome, the Glory of his
Power,the Glory of his Grace and Goodnefs, with other his glorious
Attributes, in the Prote&ion of his people, in the fulfilling of his Pro-
mi fes, in the propagating of his Gofpel ^ yea, it fillcth the Soulewjrh
Joy
Look unto JESUS.
ipi
Joy and Gladnefs r lifing it up to a Life Heavenly and Angelical, And
therefore well worthy of Acceptation.
Conftder I befeech you, (ha>l the Glory of the Lord fhinc round
about us, and (hall not we open our Hearts to let it in ? Have we a
Price put into our Hands to get Wifdome, and (hall we have no heart
unto it ? God forbid ! Yea, let us- not content our felves with that
which we have already attain'd, but labour to fee more and more of
this Glory, covet eamtftly the be ft things faith the Apoftle, be dill cra-
ving, Lordftxw rre thj Glory, Lttne fee thy goings , kw tkm mj God
And King got ft in the Santlnary, in the Difpenfations of thy Grace, in
the manifeftations of thy Prefence, O come into my Soule, and let
me be Metamorphofed into thine Image from Glory to Glory, from
one degree of Grace to another, till I corne in the Light of Glory to
fee the King in his Beauty, beholding him as he is, and knowing him
even as I am known.
Thirdly, As we muft rejoyce in the Light of this Day, and receive
it into our Hearts fo are we to walke in it, and by it, Otdenng our
whole Gonverfation according unto it, otherwife we are very unwor-
thy of it.
And here give me leave a while to lead * ou into that Walke ,where-
in Zachary and Elizabeth & holy couple whofe Praife is in the Gofpel,
were wont to walke, They Walked, faith the Evangelift, in all the Com-
mandments And Ordinances of the Lord Luk. i . 6. Let us then joyn
Hearts and Hands together, and go and do likewife.
Firft let us walke in the Commandments of the Lord, doing the
work of the Lord in this Day of the Lord. The Day we know is
ordained for man towo-kin • Man (fairh the pfalmift) goeth forth
unto his work, and to his Labour untill the Evening Pfal. jo-. So
alfo is this Day fet apart and appointed by God for his people to
walk in, that is, to worke, for fo is a holy walking before God inter-
preted in Scripture, e. g. / muft (faith Chrill) fVnlke to day, and to
morrow and the day following ,fpeakirg of his workes which he wrought
at that time; And good wor\es ( faith the Apoftle Evh. 2.10.) God
hath ordained that we fhonld walke in them. This Light therefore muft
not be confumed in vain,not whelm'd under the Bufhel of filthy lucre,
nor hid under the Bed of (lothfull Negligence, but we muft make ufe.i
of it to (hew us our way, and to guide us in our worke. Let us then |
arife '
1 Cor. iz.
3*>
1 Cor. 3.
18.
*. DfJJ
Luk. 1.6.
Quid ertim
' eft Lex
I Dei tiifi
I t x Diet I
Vf. 104.
*3-
Luk. 1 $•
33.
Epb.X.lQ.
-i
9*
Job. 3
£r # Ii i$.
firfl
tive.
MS
LooJ^ unto JESUS.
arife and walke, up and be doing ; not fpend the day in hearing and
talking onely as the manner of fome is •, tor as the light of the sun is
no help, to the Eares and Tongues of men, but to their hands and feet
to walke and worke in : fo is the Lighcof this Day fet up for other
ends and purpofes then for people to fit and chat by (pardon the
Word) for fuch in truth is all the Twanging of Religion upon the
Tongues end,fo much affected in thefe dayes, without doirg. It is the
working Believer that is the onely Believer, and whofoever fhall
fay the contrary/ he is a Deceiver faith St. f&hn, For be that doth
Right eoufnefs in Righteous. Let no man therefore make a flourifh of
his Faith (though he could remove Mountains therewith.) Unlefs he
walke in Love, nor fay he is a Profcffour, unlefs he be aifo a Practitio-
ner of Piety : A vain thing it is for a man toboaft how far he will
walke to heare a Sermon, unlefs he will (hew out of a good Conver-
fation, how far he will walke to do a Sermon. Oh it is doing, it is do-
ing that is the Ornament of Religion, the Crown of a Chnftian Pro-
fcflion, It is the end and fumof all, as we may learn from a good
Arithmetician, when he had -cad up all his Accounts, Let us heare,
faith he. The conclufion of the whole matter , fear God andk^cf his Com-
mandments, for this is the whole Duty of man, upon which a Reverend
Divine of our times gloffeth in this manner, it is as if he had faid, I
will in two words give you an Abridgement of all that can be fpoken.
A tedious thing it is to write many Books,and as tedious to read them, ;
but if a man (hould write a hundred, nay read over a thoufand ; This
is the upftiot and end of all, viz,. To fear God, for his inward Wor-
(hip, and to keep his Commandments, for his outward Service : Loe,
this is the end of man,the perfection of the creature, all that is written
tends to this, all that's commanded , all that's promifed, all that's
threatned, all that's done for or againft man in Scripture may be re-
fol v'd into this, to ftir us up to a holy and upright walking with God,
and to a working out our own Salvation, according to that Light
which this Day bringeth unto us.
A nd now the better to quicken us hereunto, let us take thefe Per»
fwafions along with us.
Confider it is the defigne, the great defigne of the God of Heaven
which he hath undertaken this Day againft all the Machinations of
Hell, to fave his people from their fins, and to refcuethem from the
common Deftruftion, which the old Serpent called the Devil and Sa-
tanas
Look unto JESUS.
tanas had with deep Subtlety, and in the blackcfr and darkeft Caverne
ofhis- inveterate malice contrived againft the whole race of mankind.
To bring which glorious defign to paG, was the Light of this Day
with infinite Wifdome formed, And being fo formed, God faw that it
was very good, good todifcover the Counter- workings of the Ad-
verfary,and Good to guide his people in all their wayes, till they have
quite efcaped the danger, andenrred into his red: with Joy. More-
over as he hath begun his defign , fo his dedre is very earneft that it
might go on and profper without any let or hinderancc f om thofe ,
for whofe fakes he undertook it- therefore do we finde him very fre-
quently in Scripture calling to this purpofe, Oh that my peo-h had
hearknedmtor/.c, and that ifrael had walked in rrj wayes. Oh that
there were fmh a heart in thirn , that they would fear me, and keep my
Commanlemtnti alwayes. Oh that thou had ft kjtewn even thou-, at lea]}
in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace s &c. Thus ail the
day long, he reacheth out his hand, and ftretcheth out his voice unto
us , lealt by our back-flidings and treacherous tampering wich tem-
ptations in our way, we give advantage to the Fncmy to in r errupt
the Lord in this day ofhis power, in the perfecting his work,his great
work
And now 1 befeech you brethren ff the Lord hath of his abun-
dant mercy been careful with all this care for a Company of poor
Creatures that were ready to perifh, letting up fuch a light, fo ex-
ceedingly helpful unto them in their way, as that without it , they
could never be able to keep themfelves upright, but mud undoubted -
ly (tumble and fall into utter ruine , fhould they not do well then to
take heed unto it , that they walk in it ? And fhould they not do very
ill to turn their Backs upon it, thereby fo much as in them lieth, to
frustrate the defign of the Almighty for their good ? Con^der, fhali
the Lord the great and glorious God declare the vehement defires of
his Soul unto us, and (hall not we regard them ? That be far from
us! Foru>, It is but a c k and have with God, He bids us open our
mouth wide and promifeth that he will fill it • When he fhall there-
fore wifh and deiire a thing of us, it is but reafon that we (hould rea-
dily grant it. The wifhes anddeffres of Kings work mightily upon
loving and loyal Subject, No difficulty fhall hinder the fulfilling of
them, as when David did butfigmfie adefire to drink of the water of
Betblcem, meaning onely if he could have had it with a wifh , not
B b requiring
'93
Dm s-i?.
L:,k. I 9.
41.
'94
Job ZlJ,
Pro, 9 .
:"'j/.2.
IX.
2 Motive.
1 a
l T/;ej&. ft
5.
Lw>& ««to y H s u s
requiring, or fo much as intending that any (hould fetch it with the
hazard oi their Jives, yet, immediately three of his mighty men brake
through the Hofte oi the Philiftims, and drew of the water , and I
brought it unto him • Scipk Af, icanus being in Sicile, preparing for j
his expedition into Africk^ when one asked him, what made him fo [
confident, being a young man, to equippa S avy for the invafon ot fo ,
great a Councrey, he prefently (hewed jooofnis Souldiers ;ha: were
before him, and pointed hkewifeto a high Tower, whofe top was
prominent over the Sea, faying unto him, There is not one of the (e
Co/tragioHS And flout fellows that you fee, but with&ut delaj would get up
to the top of this Turret, and throw himfef head- long into the Sea, if 1
commanded him. And {hall mortal man prevaile more to have his de-
firesfuifilledjhen the Almighty God, whoruleth and governeth all
things, can have with thofe people that p.ofefs fubje&ion unto him ?
Especially when his defire is towards them for their own good \ Sure,
ly if there were that loyalty in our hearts towards God as there ought
to be, we could not but give our confent unto whatfoever he (hall
defire. It was well argued by Etiph*** Job 22.3. Is it any pleafure \
to the Almighty that thsu Art Righteous t or is it gain to him that thou
maksfl thj wayes per f eft} What is there can be added to infinite per-
fection? Rather, if a man be wife he is wife for himfelf. And it is
our own Salvation that we are called upon to workout, fothat a
-threefold Cord is here twitted together to draw us to a diligent walk-
ing in the light of this day according to God's Commands, viz, God's
dzfign of our Salvation which we fhould not fruftrate,his defire which
we (hould fetisfie, and our own intereft and benefit which we fliould
be fo wife as to promote to the uttermoft of our power, therefore a-
rife and walk, up and be doing,
Secondly, As we muft walk worthy of God who hath called us to
his Kingdom and glory, fo fhouid we walk worthy of our calling
wherewith we are called : and what are we called f Wee are the Chil-
dren of the Light , and the Children of the Da], we are not\of the Night,
nor of Darknefs, whereupon the Apoftle inferreth, Let usmt fleepe
as do others , but let us witch and be fiber. Brethren let me freely fpeakc
to you, we vaunt our felves very frequency that live under a glorious
light, and whatfoever other? have been before us , we regard it not 5
r/:e an the Menfinvc lot is fallen unto us iivthis time, to know more
of the Myfteties of Heaven then hath been known informer Ages.
Well
Look unto JESUS.
Well, be it fo, but then our fervice mud be anfwerable, it ought to be
as the Apoftle calls ic Asy/o) A*:?**, that is Reafmablt 'fervice ,
not reafonable, as moft ot us make it, conHningit within thofe nar-
row and eafy boundaries which our falfe deceitful hearts hive
devifed • but reafonable it muft be, viz,. Such as is rather futab!e to
men grown up in a Gofpel-llature, then that which is fie to be done
by thofe who were but the Children of Yefterday, under the Peda-
gogy of ihe Law. We are the Lords dayes-men be hath finglcd us out
lor fpecial fervice, his eye is continually upon us, and we have much
work to do, it behoves us therefore to look about us ; for we fhall be
inexcufable, if we be found negligent in the day of the Lord.
Thirdly therefore confider the length of your way that you have
to walk, and the multitude of buhnefles that you have to do, and
then fee whether you have not need to ufe well the Light of this day,
without which, you can never be able to fini(h your courfe with joy.
You have I fay a great journey to go, vie. through all the wayes
of God's Commandments before you can get to Heaven. And thefe
Command rents are exceeding broad, yet mull you travcrfe them in
their whole breadth, having rdpt&unto every particular circum-
ftance,fo far as you are concerned therein. In this journey there muft
be no picking and chufing of our way according to our own fancies,
nor turning afide from any one Commandment-, for,he that tnrneih
away from the holy Commandment^ had been better for him that he
had never known, nor entred into the way of Righceoufnefs at all. And
now alas how is it poffiblc for a poor weak Creature, blind e and hi me
(fuch are we all, the beft ofusall,of our felves) to walk fteddily in
this way, and to continue in it to the end, uniefs he hath the light of
this day to go before him, which alone is ordaned of God to be a con-
duct therein ? efpecially confidering withail the variety and multitude
of bulinefles that are to be done in the way : Let us take norice of
them as they are prepared to our hands by a skilful Workman, one of
athoufand. Chrift, faith he, hath fervice much more then enough
to take up all the Mighr,ftrength, (ludies, abilities, times, callings of
allhisfervants, bufinefles towards God and himfelf, worftiip , fear ,
Communion,Love, Prayer, Obedier.ce,Scr vie. ^Subjcdion-BuGnefies
towards and for our felves, wacchfulncfs, repen:ance, Faith, Since-
rity, Sobriety, Growth in grace •, BuHnefses towa-ds other men as
instruments and fellow-members, exhortation, reproof .direction,
B b ?. inftru&ion.
I
55
Rom. 12.1
j Motive,
Pf.119.96
% Vet.i.
II,
B.jljop
Kcinolds.
196
4 Motive.
Job 7.x.
Joh.9,4.
ZM jw£o J E S U S.
inftru(R:ion ) rr,ourning,rcjoycing 5 rcnonr;g,reIieving,Ltlping ) prayirig j
ferving in all wayes oi love : fo much evil to be avoided, fo many flips
and errours to be lamented, fo many earthly members to be crucified,
fo much knowledge and myftcries to be learned, fo many vain prin-
ciples to be unlearned, fo much good to be done to my f el f , fo much
fervice to be done to my brother, fo much glory to be brought to my
m&fter , every Chriflian hath his hands fuJ of work : and can ail this
be done;without light ? Cr will you (land all the day idle,as if you had
not been hired at all into the Lord's Vine-yard, but {till continue in
the market-place of the World amongft thofe that are without.'But be
it known unto you, you have been hired, and the penny of eternal
life hath been offered unto you again and again •, therefore woe unto
you if you ftandout any longer. As yet there is day light for you to
come in, but you know not how foon it will expire.
Which indeed ought alfo to be thought upon by us as another fpe-
cial Confederation to quicken us in our way. This day I fay will have
an end, and we know not how foon the myflery of God Will be fi-
nifhed, and the Oath fulfilled, that time fhall be no more. This ne-
ver thelefs we know, that there is an up pointed time to man u r on earth ,
and that his dayes are as the dayes ffan hireling, that is, very (hort and
uncertain • fo that how fhort this day of the Gofpel may be to us we
cannot tell- and many times it is made fhorter then the dayes of our
lives, being through God's juft indignation taken from us, leaving
us in the darknefs of our own foolifh hearts, and under the power of
the Prince of darknefs, becaufe we chufe darknefs rather then light.
Very needful then it is to hearken to the advice which the Lord giveth
fyh. 1 2. 3 5 jValkS&izh he in the light While you have the light t leafi dark-
ne[s come upon you, And alfo to follow his example, I muft (faith
he ) veorkjht Work^ojhim that fent me, while it is day, the night cometh
Wherein no man can work. We fee daily that the Sun in the firmament
hath his riling and fettmg, he corneth forth of his Chamber in the
morning like a Bridegroom, and retires again at even : Tims in like
manner is it with the light of this day : it came forth De umhracnlo
jno, out of its place, where it lay fhadowed before in the Tabernacle
of Mcfes, or if you will De thalamo (for the word will bear both)
out of the Prcfence- Chamber of the God of Heaven, where it was
trimmed after the form of a Bridegroom in a more gorgeous manner
then formerly it had been: and being come forth, hitherto like a,
flrong
Look unto J E S U S.
'97
ftrong man he hnh run his race, bearing down all oppolition, driving
before it the darknefs of fttd*ifme % H'llcnifme, P/iganifme y Pafi r me,
and Athcifme^nd what ever it be chat is contrary to found do&rine: !
But being in a rice, it will have an end, and we nay probably con- j
je&ure that it is well neere rinifhed : l or as the coole of the day dolh '
foretell the approaching of the night, fo that coldnefsof love, which
was foretold to be in the lalt times, and is now too palpably to be di-
fcerned in the World, doth plainly demonitrare the letting of our Sun
to be very neere. Yea, and Satan alfo hath great wrath, becaufe hee
hath but a fhort time to work for his Kingdom , knowing well that
the end of this day will be concluding of his whole defign againlt the
Kingdom of Chrift. Do not thefc things 1 fay figniMe to us, that the
day goeth away and that the (hadows of the evening are ftretched out.
That our Sun is declining, and his race even almoft at an end.
Work therefore now tor your lives, if ever you will do it, the night
cometh wherein no man can work. Could we fpeak to the light of
this day , as Jofhua did unto the Sun , to (land ftill and make
it (lay our leifore, we might then take our own time ? But as all our
times, foefpecially this is in the hand of God ; and as no worldly or
infernal power can precipitate this day,or cut fhort the hours thereof,
fo can none protract it beyond that meafure, which the grave and wife
antient ofdayes hath appointed unto it. The day is his, and the night
is his, faith the Pfalwift, the day, I fay, ofthegofpel, and the expi-
ration of it ( as well particular to fomcPerfons and Nations, as uni-
verfal at the end of the World ) are in his power under his irreverfi-
ble decree, to be ordered according to the good pleafure of his Will^
and therefore out of our reach to be interrupted in their courfe by any
thing that we can do. A rife then and walk, Up and be doing, leaft
dreadful darknefs feize upon you before you be aware. It is report-
ed by Hiflorians of Titus Vifpaftanus ( entituledby them delicU h .-
j muni generis, becaufe he delighted to do good unto all ) that when
! hehadfpenta day withoutdoingfomewhat whereby the Common-
wealth or fome private perfons might be benefited by him , he was
wont to fay Diem perdidi, the day is loft ; O let us confider the day
is well ni^h fpent, and the night is at hand, If now we ftar.d idle, and
will do nothing, or if we be flothful in the multitude of bullnelTes,
which the Lord hath fet us, not Serving the time with that fervency of
fpirit, as is fit for the day, we alfo may fay hereafter when it will be
Rom.
1 1.
KdLtf
1 1.
too i hkuof\ii>
9 8
Lool^ unto JESUS.
Ec.9. IO.
Row. 1 5,
too late Ferdidimus diem, we have loft the day, and arelofHn the
night without any remedy. What therefore the Preacher faith in his
fenfe, the fame fay 1 in this, fvhatfoever thine hand findeth ( in the
word ) to do, do it with all thy mighty for there is no work^ nor device ,
nor Knowledge^ nor tv if dome in the grave thither thon goefi j That be-
ing (as one faith) Seculpim Mercedis , not Seculum Operis, not a
time of work, but of wages, and your wages (hall furely be according
to your work.
To Conclude, Let us according to the Advice of the Apoftle walk,
hcne/l/y, that is, Decently as in the Day, in all the Commandments
of the Lord , doing that which is good in his light ( for this is in-
deed that honeft decency which adorns a believer, and fets a beautiful
luftre upon his holy p/ofefiion ) In which Advifo the Apoftle feems to
allude to the civil Cuftomes and Manners of people that are modeft in
the World, who are wont both in their apparel and deportment to
demean themfelves decently in the day time, and will while they are
in the light be afhamed that any thing difhoneft and unfeemcly (hould
be found upon them, oracled by them: whereupon he would have
us alfo that believe to learn and remember to bear fuch a refped unto
this day of the Gofpel, and the light fhining about us, as to have our
Converfation honeft, and to do nothing uncomely in it, No Rioting
or drmkennefs, no Chambering or Wantonnefs, nor other the like di-
fhoneft works of Darknefs fhould be feen amongft us, which in this
d,iy will cover uswithfhame to the loathing of our perfonsin the
Eyes of God , and his Holy angels ; Away with them therefore ,
and let us walk honeftly.
And now for a clofeof this Exhortation, I (hall take liberty to
fpeak a word unto you in feafon, If you be Children of the day , be-
ware of the deeds of darknefs in this time wherein you pretend to
remember the Nativity of our Lord Jefus Chrift. It is not my work
to argue againft thefolemnity which Yefterday, to Day, andfome
Day es following, is ftill held up and continued among us ; neither will
I undertake ( as the manner is ) to Judge any man here prefent in the
freedom of his Confcience for his obferving this Anniverfary Feftival,
yea though his obfervationof it be accompanied with a more then
ordinary ufe of the good Creatnres of God, provided that he doth ,
as the A poftle fpeakes, obferve it to the Lord. But I befeech you, I9
this to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, to run into excefs of Riot ,
and
Look unto JESUS.
and to lee loofe the reins into all manner of diforder and Licentiouf
nefs ? is this to Commemorate the Birth of Chnh\ to fpend the time
ingoumardr/.ingand fwiniihDrunkenefs ? Sicdneexprimitur fttbli-
cum gJtndium per publicum dedecus I Htcciae fo'enncs dies decent ^ an*
Alios non decent ? Will you fo teftifie your publick rcjoycing, as to
make your felvcs a publick fhame ? Do fuch things become thefe fe-
flival dayes which are fcandalous and unbecoming thofe that profels
the name of Chrilt upon other days ? It was the complaint of Ttrtml-
li*n in his time, and we have too much rtafon to make ufe of it now.
O my Brethren,beware 1 fay again of the unfruitful works ofdarknefs
at this time, it you be die Children of the Day. And a needful Ca-
veat it is, for I think it hath been too trutly faid,God hath been more
di (honoured in many place* of this land by Riotirrg and Drunkennefs,
and other Abominations in the twelve dayes, then in all the twelve
months following. Let us therefore I fay again walk honeftly as in
the Day , and as becomes Children of the day in all the Command-
ments of the Lord.
1 have I confefs been fomewhat large in handling this fub je&.But the
day will not fail us, though we take a turn or two more then ordinary
in walking this round,! mean in meditating upon this holy walk, and in
exhorting one another while it is called to day,to beftir our [elves in it.
Let us now pais on to the other Mde of this walk, that is, the ordi-
nances of the Lord, for they indeed are the excellency and glory of
thisday- and methinksufhould be our endeavou;, yea, it fhould be
our Ambition to exercifc our felves in this walk alfo more frequently
then w t c do. What greater happinefs can there be in this world, then
to walk with Cod, and to hold a fweet correfpondency with him ?
To pour out our complaints before him, to make known our requefls
unto him , and to receive inftrufrion and benedictions from him? what
a privilcdge is it peculiar to this day, to finde the Lord Jefus Chrii*
in his Regal and Pontifical attire, walking in the midft of the feven
golden Candlefticks, that is, in the aflemb'ies of his people, breathing
upon them with his fpirir, and infinuating himfelf kindly into then-
hearts by his word and Sacraments ? Are not the goings of the Lord,
the Lord [ fay our God and our King in his Sanctuary, worthy to be
traced by us, efpecially, when the favour of his Oyntmentsdoth fo
fpread it felf that it isfenfibly to be difcerned ? What, do not the
word9 of God do good to thofe that walk uprightly ? Shall God all
the
*99
aco
Look unto JESUS.
Ptt.if-3 1 -
the day long from the riling of the Sun to the going down of the fame,
(ketch out his hands unto us, filled with the chorceft of his bleftings
that ever he did hold out to the Children of men, And (hall not we
put forth our hands to receive them ? Is it nothing to have Satan fall
down like Lightning before us in the powerful difpenfations of Go-
fpel- Ordinances? O how happy were we, if we knew our Hap-
pinefs ?
Butfince 1 am fallen upon a fcrious expoftulation in this cafe, fuffer
me i befeech you good brethren that belong unto this Congregation,
to b;ing it home to your Coniciences by a particular application ^and
without offenfebee that fpeech,which is intended not to offend, but
onely to tiffed with a clear Truth.
Yefterday, it is like, if there had been a Sermon in this place, here
would have been a full Congregation • To day alfo it appeareth our
A (Terribly is greater then it was wont to be upon thefe dayes, yet
yefterday, and today, and all our dayes , what do we that are your
Minifiers but work the work of him that lent us , preaching peace by
JefasChrift (he is Lord of all) Whence is it then that our MefTage
is defpifed? That the holy and divine Ordinance of preaching is fo
much fleighted by your abfenting your felvesupon fuch dayes of the |
week wherein Minifiers come freely to impart a nto you fome fpiritu- ;
al gift, fuch as they have received from the Lord? If indeed we did i
preach any other Gofpei, then that which the Church of God hath j
received from the beginning , or any other Jefus then him who is the
fame yefterday, to day, and for ever, ye might have juft caufe to de-
fpife our miniftery , and to hold us accurfed. But when we bring
| unto you no oilier docTrine of falvation then thrit which hath been |
profcifed and maintained by the Church of God in all Ages,fealed and
confirmed by the bloud of Martyres , yea by the bloud of God him-
felf, accompanied alfo with the mighty operations of the fpirit of
God to the converfion and falvation of multitudes that hear it , how
can you without contracting unto your felves an extraordinary guilt
in the fight of God , refufe as you do to refort to this place at fuch
times, when this word is faithfully preached, having no lawful lett to
hinder you,and to keep you from it ? Do you not hereby openly pro-
claim unto th-j world that you have no care of your fouls , what be-
comes of them , whether they fink or fwim , whether they favedor
damned ? He that refufeth wftnittion, faith Solomon, defpifeth his own
foul.
Look unto JESUS.
20 1
yW. Nay is it not a plain demonftration of coo great an impiety, a?
that you care not for God himfelf, that you regard bun not, fear him
not,nourifti!ng in your hearts a fee ret atheifm and enmity againft him?
Where there is not a deiire of the knowledge of Gods waies, there is
queiHonlefs a flender account made of the ma jefty of God , and a fe-
cret if not an open reparation from him. To this purpofe faith fel,
They that defire not the knowledge of his waies , fay unto him in their
hearts, depart from hs> Nhy more. To refufe to hear the word preach-
ed when we may , and God offered it unto us , at fuch a time I fry,
to have no minde to it, no love to it , but difdainfally to turn our
backs upon it , is a greater fin ( according to the judgment of Chrill
himfelf ) then the lin of Sodom and Gomorrah Hear what he faith
Matth, 10. 14. 15. And what he fpeaketh there to his Difciples,
he fpeaks to all his fervants lawfully called to the work of the minille
ry, into whatfoever City you enter, and they receive you not, fhake
off the dun 1 of your feet, Verily I fay unto you, it (hall be more tole-
rable for the Land of Sodom and Goirnvrsb in the day of judgment
then for that City. We 1, be allured of it, when all's done, and the
time of reckoning (hall come, This will be found to be a very great
fin. It will not boot thee then (poor man J to fay, ! have been care-
ful to celebrate the commemoration of my Saviours Nativity , at the
ufual time of the year , no, no, thy obfervation of this Eccleiiatlical
Conftitution will not by ten thoufand talents counterpoize thy great
fin in difobeying the commandment of thy God by fo frequenc refu-
fing to hear him , as thoudoeft , at other time of the year when he
fpeaks unto thee in the miniftery of his word : Whereas therefore you
wi 1 do this , from which I will notdiflwade you , Do not leave the
other undone , which God hath fo exprefly commanded (hould be
done • but to day hear his voice and harden not your hearts.
There are fundry other Ordinances which the children of the day
might here be exhorted to walk in. But it will not be expedient now
to infift upon them all ftverally , onely let the Sacraments, which arc
together with the word the prime Ordinances of this day, have that
regard which is due unto them. The Lord we know hath comman-
ded that we (hould walk in them ; For as he faid of old under the
Law Lev. 18.4. So hath he in tried: fpoken it again and again in
the Gofpel concerning his Sacraments efpecially , ye fh. ill keep mine
Ordinances to wnlkj herein, I Am the Lord jour God. Obfcrve, It is not
Co faid
Job. 11. \ 4
Mtttb 10.
14. 15-
Levit.
4.
18.
102
•;>
Look unto JESUS.
(aid to talk and diicourfe of them oncly,as the manner of fome isnow-
a-daies, much lefs to keep ihem clofed up and confined within thofc
narrow limits which our late upitart Anabaptifiical Projectors have
dtvifed , with whom there hath been too much tampering and com-
pliancy, even alrnoft to theirrepairable ruine of that whole Evangeli-
cal [nftitutc, -under which we have hitherto profpercd ; but to walk in
them, that is, to cfe them both for our incorporation into his Church,
and oar corroboration in it. Since then the Lord hath commanded
us this fervice , we had not beft ftand arguing ftill about the admini-
ftranon of it , and in the mean time leave it quite undone : But let
Miniftere and People look to it betimes, lead the anger of the Lord
imokeyet more and more againft them for their difobedience. Thus
much for that which concerns the children of the day , and what the :
day requireth of them.
In the next place feeing the Time of the Gofpel is fuch a lightfome !
Day, let this ferve to awaken the World that lyeth afleep in the dark- ;
nefs of [gnorance and Profanefs. And oh that I were now a Boaner- j
ges that I might with the Thunder and Lightning of this day rouze and
ftartle fuch Sleepers out of their (loth and fecurity, wherein they are j
willing to lie down, like thofe the Prophet fpeakes of Ef. $6. 10. Lo- j
vingto (lumber, miferably ftupified with the DeluHons cf the Koone- j
day Devil, fcarcely fo much as dreaming of their imminent danger,till '
it comes upon them with the dreadfull Alarmes of Gods Infupportable
Vengeance.Lookup, O ye poor Creatures, behold and fee, the Nght
ispafi, and the Day is come, the Morning is not onely fpread upon
the Mountains,and the Day Star in his Courfe driving before it the
fhadowes of the Night,but the Sun hath fhined out in his full ftrength.
What? AreyounotafhamedthustoturneDay into Night, and to
lie fnorting in your finfull Security, whiles fo glorious a Light fhineth j
round about you? If you will ftil! (hut your Eyes- let your Eares |
yctbeopentothatGofpcl-Thunder clap (^ 3- J 9-) and let them j
tingle to heare it, This is the Condemnation (rhe very damning Sin]
which finkes men deepefl into Hell) that Light is come into the Wwld,
and men love Darlytefs rather then Light.
But let us a little take thefe fleepers apart one from another, and
proclaime before them the Day of the Lord.
Firft ycu that are wilfully ignorant, who know not, nor will under-
hand
Look unto JESUS.
ftand, bu: cake Pleafure to walkeonin Darknefs, and will not fee the
Light, very ape to learn how to carry on a Dcfign to your Advan-
tage in things of this World, but (larke fooles in the myftery of God-
linefs •, Conlider, f$ th;s a time to be Ignorant, when the Light of
the knowledge of the glory of God bach fhmed out, no: in the vailed
face o\M Cts, as it did Vefterday, but in the glorious face of jefus
Chriit ? Is this day of the great things of God fo illultrioufly vihble ,
to bcdefpifed ? Oris there Inch Comelinefs and Beauty in the Biack
hue and prodigious feature o' darknefs, that men fhould fo much de-
light in it ? The times of former ignorance God was pleafrd to u
at, buc now he commands all men every where to repent. Awske ,
Awake therefore you that have hitherco defpifed knowledge, Aw ke
I fay , open your eyes now, if ever you will fee^ for if civs Go
which this day hath fo demonltratively made known to the World be
as a Hidden di.nguiro you , it is an evi dent token of your c
ing perduion.
But if ch.s Day doth produce fuchTerrour, and pr-ove (o D
for thofe that are ignorant, oh what a bb.ck Day is it 'ike to be unco
thofe that are Profane? Let Swearers, and Liars, and Drunkard;,
and Oppreflburs, and unciean Adulterers, and cruel Vomers and
Defpiiers of Gofpel-Ordinances, with all the reft of that Rabble that
lie down in the Lethargy of Sin, tremble and be horribly afraid at the
Apparitions of this Day : Since you will not open your Eyes to fee
the Light of it, you muft and fhall abide the evil that attends upon it.
The evil 1 fay how ftrange foever it founds in the eares of men u: -ac-
quainted with God and his Word, who think of this Day, as if there
were nothing bur calmnes and ferenity in it ; And truely to a Believ-
er that walks ifl the light of it, It is a day, as hath bcenfaid, of rich
and abundant Grace, A joyfel day ; To fitch dsfear the N*me of the
Lord ( faiih the Prophet Malachy) jhtRthe S*n of Riihttejtfnifs st-
rife with hfAlingin his \V/«gf, bri:
i2inf»in
hi, rayes the cheerful and
comfortable light of life, that health and falvation, which fruli keep
them fafe in the midll of all dangers. But will it fhine forth thus a-
like unto all, to thofe that ferve God, and to thofe that ferve him not?
hear the Prophet in the words before- going, proclaiming the contrary:
Behold (let the world take notice of it ) the D*y cometh, that is , this
very Day we now fpeak of ( as appeareth clearly by the context ) that
Shall burn as An Oven , And aII the proud, yea aII that do Wicked! j, fiaH
bcasfr I C c 2 You'll
2C3
Ma!. 4.
Mai. 4.1
204
Look unto JESUS.
Ef.6l,
Scelustu-
tivnaltqu'iSy
nemo fecu-
rum in lit.
Sen. Hyp.
Tuta effe
feeler a, fe*
cura non
poffiwt.
Bern.
You'll fay p er h aps as thofe Scoffers did 2 Pet. 3, 4* where is the
promife of his coming ? So, where is the terrour of this daj } For fiixc
we are fallen afleep in our fins, as you tell us, we are fafe and fe-
cure, even in this day that you would have us believe to be fo terrible
w e fee no forrow a tall, but thrive and profper in the World accor-
ding to our hearts defire,and to morrow (hall be as this day, yea much
more abundant. But O poor deluded people, is this indeed your pre-
emption ? Wo unto you that ever you were born if you fuffer this
delufion to prevail upon you. What f Do you think to be fafe in the
day of the Lord's Vengeance ? For, whatfoever you vainly dream of
it, fuch it is to all obftinate, impenitent finners, as it will appear more
hereafter. For the prefent, let me expoftulate the Cafe with you ;
Are you indeed fo fafe from the evil of this day, as you do pretend :
If you be, yet, as one faid, furely you cannot be fecure ; Or rather
fecure fay I with another you may fometimes be, but you can never
be fafe : A miferable fafety that isfurrounded with fo much danger,
And the fecurity that you boaft of, is a fure token ©f your imminent
Deftruction. irtf/jf.5.3.
You may I confefs profper in the World, and encreafe in riches,yea
you may come in no misfortune like other folke, nor be plagued like
other men, and yet notwithstanding this day of the Lord's Venge-
ance have a terrible influence u pon you. There is an Vltrix miferi-
cerdia an avenging mercy, giving freedotne from trouble, in Anger
and Difpleafure, Solo audita contremifco faith Holy Bernard fweetly
I tremble at the very hearing of it, God keep me from fuch mercy ,
Thefe bleflings are beyond all wrath. But what talke you of profpe-
rity and fecurity ? Did you never hear that God rains downfnares here
upon his enemies, as well as fire and krim&one^ftorme and tempeft > And
that the profperity of fooles Shall dejtroy them? What advantage then
have you by thefe outward things, wherein you fo much pride your
felves, and applaud your own happinefs, When they (hall be mftru-
mental in bringing you to utter ruine. In the meantime, oh how
doth the Soul lie torching under the burning heat of this day? Which
though it be by fome but little felt, yet it is the foreft judgment of all
other; for as the Lightning never pierceth more fiercely then when it
melteth the fword, and hurteth not the fcabberd, fo is the wrath of
God never more incenfed then when he punifheth the foal and (pares
the body. Look then into thy foul, O poor Sinner, and fee what this
day
Look *nto J E S U S.
205
day doth there bring forth, either an obduration upon thy heart, or
I an inflammation upon thy Conference. O how 1$ the heart fome-
j times hardened in fin ? Made more and more obllinate and perverfe
i againft the Lord t Yea, and that which aggravates the mifery, it is by
! that very means whereby the Saints are renewed, and made happy in
i their Conformity to God in nghteoufnefs and true holinefs^for as the
' heat of the Sun fofteneth wax and hardeneth clay both at the fame
! time (o hath the light of this day its feveral operations upon the God-
i ly and Ungodly according to their feveral Capacities, and difpofitions,
The one it brings into an humble frame fit for fuch imprefiions as the
fpirit of God will fix upon them, The other are thereby made more
and more refractory and inflexible in their fin, till tfiey be ripe for de-
duction. And is not this a great terrour unto men, that, that which
might have been for their wealth, to enrich them with grace and glo-
ry (hould become unto them an occafion of falling into extream mi-
ferie ? Sometimes again the Confcience of an impenitent (inner is
fet all on fire by the lightof this day, and put into fuch a flame that
nothing can quench K • yea, the more illuminations it hath of the
glimpfes of that glorious grace which is now revealed, the more vio-
! lentflafhes of God's glittering fword do withal! break in upon it to
the amazing of the foul with terrours that are inextricable and unex-
preftible. A black cloud of WitnefTcs might be produced that have
found this true by too lamentable experience. Not as if this, light did
naturally bring forth fuch faderTc&s, but wherefoever it fhincth ,
being mighty to prevail, if it be refifted ( wo unto them that make
the oppofitijon ) it comes I fay like Lightning with greater Violence ,
and where it meets with fuch combuftible fturTas a reprobate Spirit ,
it proves through the juft judgement of God a devouring fire*
True it is that even the moil holy and faithful fervants of God may
fometimes for want ofadueobfervationof this day,havc terrible np-
prehenfions of it, The light of it may fcemtogo altogether retro-
grade unto them, and the illuminations thereof may alfo turn into
dreadful inflammation upon their Conferences : But yet becaufe they
ixtthe Children of the T)*y, The healing which is under the wings of
that Sun that giveth light unto it,(hall furely have a comfortable in-
fluence upon them, And the anointing which they have from the Holy
one, (ball be as an eye-falve, whereby they may fee the light more
clearly, and a prefervative Ukewife, fo to keep them, as that the pro-
mife
oo6
2/43.*.
M*L 4-
»4mos$.i8
^Amos /?fr, making I
your torment hereafter the more infupportable. O what a day then is
this wherein men treafure up wrath againft the day of wrath . ? A moll:
deplorable efface ! yet this is the Lot of all impenitent Sinners.
I f any (h r 'uld yet enquire how it comes to pafs that this inevitable
mifery falls upon thefe wretched kind of people that we have been
fpeakingofj muft anfwer,There are two things which the Holy Ghoft
in Scripture doth plainly prefent unto us as the grounds and caufes
thereof. Firft the fin of fuch perfons is found out by the light of this
day. Secondly, Their fin doth find out them,Whcn fin is found out,
Gods anger is enkindled, when fin findes out the finner, his anger is
then put in Execution. The firft of thefe will juftifie God in his fe-
vereft judgements againft fin wherefoever it appears, The fecond will
convincethe finnerof thedeceitfulnefsof fin, and ofhis folly in en-
tangling himfclfwith that which will be his utter undoing. But let
us confider thefe feverally.
Firft, I fay their fin is made maniteft by the light of this day , and
their
it. 4.19-
Look unto JESUS,
fob. I5--4 v
Fr0.28.13
Heb4-*h
Rom.1.16.
F/.i,i.
their Iniquity found to be hateful, yea more hateful then the fin of
yePerday. All things faith che Apoftle that are reproved, arc made
manifeft by the light- and the clearer the light is, the more Ugly doth
a Deformicy feeme in the eyes of all that look upon it. Now it is,that
fin is become exceeding finful, that is, hath gotten more ftrength to
do rnifchief then formerly it was wont to do, putting more malignity
and perverfnefs into the hearts of men then ever, and affronting the
Alniiglity with the greatePt impudence , def piling thofe means
which Divine Wifdom hath found out for the fupprefling of it, Now
it appears in its proper colours, infomuch that, as our Saviour faid,It is
inexcufeable, there being no Cloak, of a carnal Apology large enough
to cover it. When fin then (hews it felf in this manner, who can lay any
thing to the charge of God , or cenfure his righteous proceedings
againlt it > True it is, Profane and Godlefs wretches do what they can
to keep their fin^clofe, that it may not be feen, But thy/ball not pro-
sper faith Solomon, that is, their proje&s will fail them, For why ?
The day opens all the fecrets of mens hearts, the light of it comes
with fuch a mighty penetration,that no corner of the Soul can efcapeit,
whatfoever luit and corruption lurketh therein it findes it out, All the
palliations and tergiverfations of finful men, All their tricks and eva-
iions, their winding and turning things upfide down, their crafty con-
trivances to hide their wickednefs are now laid Naked, and openly dif-
fered before the eyes of God with whom they have to do. Yea, now is
preparation made for the difcoveries of the great day, for according to
the light of this day (hall that judgement alfo be. And herein will
that of the Pfalmifi be verified, D#y unto day tittereth fpeech. This
day will make known unto that day, whatfoever fin hath been a&ed in
it unrepented of. And this now, this I fay is that which fretts the
hearts of fecure finners, that their fins which they would have lie hid ,
and be forgotten, diould be thus found out, and brought to light to
their (hame and confufion. Hence comes their rage and madnefs a-
gainft the light, that they could even wifh many times the Sun out of
his Orb, and the bright beames of Divine Truthes fwallowed up in
perpetual darknefs,rather then their fins, which they love better then
their Souls,(hould be thus difturbed and difcovered. All which confi-
dered how righteous is God in his Anger sgainft fin when it is found
'out and made manifeft by the Light ?
Secondly when fin is found out fey the light of this day, unlefs the
finner
Look unto J E S US.
firmer then followes the light to find out a Saviour to five him from
his fim (co whom it would certainly lead him ii he would diligtn
ferve it) his tins will ilutiy find out him and fall upon him with all the
enrfes that are written in the Law, wherein, ai the ApofHe huh, The
ftrength cf fm lieih, and without which it could he of no force at al ro
produce, no nor to pronounce the leall Condemnation. 'Uiat t
crable Le gue which hath been made with fn, will betray the (inner,
and bn; g him under the power of it 4 whether he will or no. Thine
own wi.l^ dnrfs faith the Prophet /hail corrcB thee, and thy Ings !
(hall reprove thee. The pride iflfrael dcth tcftifie to hisface,i . ro-
phet H*fea. Behold here how fin which for a while feemes pJeafant to
the (inner, and promifeth to bring him much delight and contemrnenr,
how it will in time flare him in the face, and prove both a witnefs a-
gainft him and his Executioner. Ten have finned againfi tie Lerd i and
be fttre jour fin will find yon out ^ faid Mofes once to the two Tribes
and the half Nnm. 32.23. winch may very well be applyed to all
profane perfons this day : Tn which words the Holy Ghoft fecms to
allude unto dogs hunting greedily after their prey until! they have
found it. For fo it is with fin, fomtimes it is like a Bandog that Iycth
at the door of the Soul, not fuffering any thing that gopd is to enter
there, as fome interpret that place G(n. 4 7. Sometimes it is like a
Blond hound that purities the linner,and wil not leave till it hath caught
him by the Throat, and rent theCaule of the Heart with defperation,
and this purfuite is the more like to fpeed,becaufe it is in the d*y,whcr-
In the light is a furtherance unto it : So that the (inner (hall at taft in
effect fay to his fin, as Ahab did to Elias, Hail: thou found me O mine
Enemy? And cry out in the Devils Language, Art thou corre to torment
me before the time f Undoubtedly whensoever God letteth (in loofe
upon the foul either to flupifie and harden the heart^or to (ting the
confeience with that venome which this day (accidentally and by the
juft judgement of Cod for the defpite caft upon the light of it N pu 5 into
it, it is the bittercft Enemy ofall other • wherein neverthelefs the (in-
ner doth but reap the fruit of his own folly, and is filled with his own
device?,in nourifhing fuch a Viper in his bofome that will bring all this
mifchief upon him. Thus may ignorant and profane people fee what a
wofull day is come upon them, (ince they will notwalkin the light of
it, they lofe themfelves in moft deplorable darknefs
Let us conclude this ufe
with fome Application,
D d
Confider then
with
QOp
J 6.
M.
I*
Kxrn 3 2.
^pplicati
aio
Ma/. 3.1.
Mat. 3, ii
Look unto JESUS.
with your felves O poor People ready to perifb, Is not this a great and
and notable day ? A nd can you now be able to endure the Coming of
the Lord ? Now as the Prophet faith, ychenhc appearts as a R finer s
fire and as Fullers fo?e, that is, to caftoutall drofs ard filch out of
his Church, when as the Baftlft faith, He ernes with his Tan m his
hand, that is, The preachi?-g of his Gofpel in die n ini ; cry q{ his fer-
vants, whereby as with a purging blaft, he will throughly cieanfe his
floor, gathering h:s wheat into his granary, but burning up the chaff
with unquenchable fire ? Can your hearts endure, or your hands be
ftrong in the day wherein the Lord chus deals with you ? How much
better were it for yon to awaken your felves out of your finful fecu-
rity, and to walk in the light of this day , then to have the Thunder and
Lightning of it flafti into your Souls with the pledges and hrft-fruits
of everkiiing burnings ? what meaneft thou O fieeyer ( faid the fhip-
mailer unto Jonas when the Sea wrought and roared for his prey) So
, now when you are in fuch apparent hazard, may it not be very well
faid unto you, what mean you fktpers ? Will you go away in a fleep,
and be (Wallowed up for ever in the bottomlefs fea of Gods wrath and
fury ? What mean you thus carelesly to lie down in (in, when you
Should walk before the Lord in the light of the living ? Is this a time
think you to fay with the Sluggard Pro. \6, 10. Tet a little fleepe^a
little (lumber, a little folding of the hands to Jleepe, when dreadful dan-
ger is fo neare , and ready to fail upon you as an armed man ?
Awake therefore I fay you that are ignorant,Be not (till brutifh for
lack of undemanding - 5 when God hath fent out his Light and his truth
to leade you and guide you, do not you refufe any longer to follow
it. If in the things of this World you can, asoccafion isoffered,ma-
nifeft fome skill and dexterity, promoting carnal interefts, and nego-
tiating your affairs to your beft advantage, will you not be without
excufe, ifinthofe things that concern the everlafting eftate of your
Souls you be foolifh and ignorant even as beads before the Lord ? O
remember that you have Souls, fouls more precious then all the world,
which fhould be cared for, as well as your Bodies : And what is both
the Ornament and the Nourifhment of a Soul, but that knowledge,
which this day would enlighten it with? Aias confider, Is it not a
fhame that all the labour rf a man fhould be for hi* month (as the wife
Preacher once faid Ecdef. 6. 7. ) and his Soul in the mean time, which
denominates the man,
diftinguifhing him from other Creatures that
are
Look unto JESUS.
are inferiour unco him to fa altogether Vnfatisfied? Awake therefore
and get Wifdom, now while it is to be had, which is the principal ,
AndVvill all jour getting* , and above all ', get under (landing.
Awake alio you that arc profane ! Let the fwearer awake left God
alfo fwcar in his wrath that he fhall never fee the light of this day, un-
lefs it be to his horrour and amazement, Let the fwimfh drunkard
that makes a fwill-tob of his body, and his foul a trough for the Devil
tobouzein, let him I fty awake outof his intemperance, foricisthe
eleventh hour of the day , and if he continue until night, he (hall be
inflamed with the cup of Gods fury , which is full of mixture, that is,
of curfes that are written for ecernity agiinft impenitent finners.
Let adulterers and unclean perfons awake out of their filthinefs.
They (hall elfe be thrown into a bed of fh ime , and the day fhall un
cover their nakednefs to the loathing of their perfons in the fight of
God and his holy Angels. Let the mercilefs opp/efTour awake that
grindes the faces of the poor with a heart more hard then the nether
mil-ftone , let him I fay , awake betimes, and brcsk off his fin by re-
pentance , undoing heavy burdens, and letting the oppreiTed go free,
otherwife the Arrow of Gods indignation that now flieth by day, fhali
furely find him out, and peirce him thorough with a wound incura-
ble : In a word, let the fraudulent Deceiver, the voiup;uous Epicure,
the atheiftical Scoffer, the greedy Mammomit , and the Idolatrous
Rimmonift, I mean theSuperftitious Romanift, with all o:her of that
Cimmerian crew , children of darknefs , who are this day faft afleep
in their fins,rouze up themfelves , and be awakened : Alas poor crea-
tures what mean you ? Will you I fay again go away in a fleep > Be
tenebris adttnebras^ from the inner darknes of your minds fwallowed
up in ignorance and profanefs to the outer darknefs of Gods ever-
lafting difplcafure ? Shall the terrible lightning of this day blaft your
fouls till there be no remedy? What mean you fleepers ? Awake,
awake, it is now time that you (hou Id arife from deep, yeathenme
is almoft paft : Now is fa Iv at ion nearer then Vvhen you firfl believed,
that is , when you firft gave up your names to Chnft to be his Difci-
pIes,andnow is damnation nearer, then when you fir ft were threatned.
To conclude, be confident, what ever Satan may fuggeft unto you, or
what ever vain imagination your own foolifh and deceitful hearts have
entertained concerning this day, be affared I fay of this, if will bring
you no better tidings , then what
I have here proclaimed in your
Dd 2 ears,
21 I
?ro. 8.7-
Pf 75- «.
Rom. 13.
II.
212
2 Pet, 2.3.
i^. prorjus.
1 Cor.
Viafeculi
Via Ami-
Kll.
Looh^ unto
JESUS.
ears , unlefs you awake , you will certainly perifh •, Albeit you lie
fleeping in fin, yet ysur damnation (as the Apoftle faith) Jlumbreth not
for the day light keeps it awake , and not onely fo , but provokes it
with greater and greater rigour to fall upon you. But I will hope
better things of you. Who will not difdainfully rejed what is here
offered unto you, yea fach things as accompany falvation, beeaufe the
light of this day naturally bodes that which is good unto the world
whereas the judgment that comes along with it is but accidental'
mercy being now in her prime , beautified with an evangelical Iuftre'
and re joy ring againft judgment.
With this hope we {ball terminate this firft Point , viz, the Deno-
mination of the Time Sw^e^' > t0 ^ a Y > % sit is rendred in the Text
according to our third Interpretation.
That, which comes next to be conjidered is^ what is here
predicated of that Time viz. jefus ChriH o Autos
The lame co Day.
TH E fame now as yefterday , the fame which he was from the
beginning , as he told the Jewes , when they demanded of him,
faying, who art then Joh. 8. 25.
That which he was from the beginning, viz, the Prophet , Priefr
and King of his Church, he is the fame now in the time of the Gofpel.
Other foundation can no man lay, faith the Apoftle, then that that is laid,
VohUhis fhrift feftts^ And other falvation can no man expect then that
which hath been from the beginning , there being no other name given
finder Heaven , nor in Heaven neither, Whereby believers may ever get
to Heaven. It is the decree of Heaven not to be difanulled till time
be no more, It is the way ever! 'aft *'*?£, wherein the Wifdome aud Power
of the Almighty (hall be gloriouily manifeftedtothe eternal confufi-
on of that grand apoftate the Devil and all his AngeIs,whofe inveterate
malice hath from the beginning been principally bent againft Jefus
Chrift.
In the handling of this Subject our bufincfs fhould be to confider
Jefus
Look unto JESUS.
213
Jcfus Chrift in the execution of his Mediatorial Office : For that in-
deed hath been the work of this day , And which huh made this day
j more glorious then yefterday. Yefterday 'tis true he was, as ic is faid
! before, the onely Mediatour between Cod and man , bc:ing ordained
j of the Father to that hgh honour , but it was by virtue of ih u which
I he hath to day actually accomphfhed both in his life , and in his death.
Whufoever therefore hath been fpoken concerning him mu'c be un-
derwood with a reference unto the work of this day , whereby all the
former mediation in the High Court of Heaven for the Fathers of old,
is made good and effectual in the Law of God , and ratified for eter-
nity.
And this fpeaks him flill to be 'o * At/13*, the fame, or the onely he,
who was willing in this day of his power to perftd for ever them that
in all the Ages of the Church, have been, are , or fhall be fan&ified ,
that is, confecrated and feparated out of the world , and dedicated to
be vciTels of honour unto God.
We flia.l not enter into a large furvey of that which Chrift hath
done and furTered, nor make any Rricft fearch into his office, whereby
it may in all points be made manifeft that he haJi now in this time of
theGofpel fully perfected the work of redemprion^and fo proved him-
felf to be the fame to day which he was yefterday : We have fpoken
fomewhat of thefe things before , and therefore fhall forbear to fpeak
much of them now-, and there have been Writers of late who have
magnified the Office of Chrifts Mediatourfhip , therein doing emi-
nent fervice boih unto him and his Church: Yet it is but meet that
we (hould, for our methods fake, take this fweetfubjed a! fo along
with us, though it be folded up but in fome general termes, which be-
I ing opened particularly would enlarge ourdifcourfe too much, where-
, in already I may be judged by fome to hive gone te.ond my
bounds.
In the firft of the as &c. Whereas according
to the courfe and method of time, that which was,(hould have had the
precedence. But here we fee, It is by Chrift , fpcaking of himfelf
with
Look unto J E S U S.
with a refpecT unto his Mediatourftiip (as appears by the 1 1. 13. and
18. Tcrlcs following he doth) putinthefecondplace,to noteuntous,
t hit his prefcnt eltate m his officers to be preferred before chat which
was and gives a Being unto it.
But it way pofiibly be objected, How can this be that Jefus Chrift
is the Same to day as yefterday, when we fee a revocation of Divine
Ordinances that were of old inftituted for the Publick Worfhip of
God, and the benefit of his People, and others now appointed in
their (lead ? Was not the feventh day in the week commanded to be
kept Holy to the Lord, and is it not now changed ro tberTrft? Did
not God give unto Abraham tha Covenant of Circumcifion for an
cverlafting Covenant to him, and to his ked y adding alfo a terrible
penalty upon the leaft failing thereof in thefe words, The Vncircum-
cifed Man-child, whofe flefi of his foreskin is not Circumcifed > that
Soul (hall be cut off from his people, he hath broken my Covenant}
Yet now we here the A pottle Saint Paul telling us that Circumcifton is
nothing Nay more, If any fbould be ww Circumcifed Chrift himfelf
djall profit them nothing. Was not the Pafleover commanded to be
"kept by the people of God, as a perpetual Ordinance throughout
their Generations ? And do we not now hear Chrift fpeaking unco his
Church of a new ordinance in ftead thereof, faying, This is my body
-which is broken for yon, and this is my b loud which is ford for yeu^ This
do in remembrance of mec, thereby taking away the firft Sacrament,
vU The Pafchal Lamb, that he might inftead thereof eftablifh this
fecond ? Is not the Temple, and the Temple- Service quite removed,
and all thofe legal Ceremonies, which were of ChrifVs own inftituti-
on as hath been before obferved, now utterly abolifhed > And is
not all this change now bought about by his own exprefs order and
appoin:mf nr ? How is he then the Same ?
I Anfwer briefly, Albeit indeed there hath been a change in thefe
things, which are but Circumdantial, yet the Foundation of God
(tande'ih fure and the Faithful Witnefs in Heaven will tcftifle unto
1 us upon Earth, that Jefus Chrift isflill 'o 'Aim*, the Same. Hee
I who is the Eternity of Ifrael, that Pater ^£temitatis , as the Pro-
phet f/^vcallethhim, The EvcrUflir. a
Solution.
Ef % 6,
2 [6
Loo£ tftffo JESUS.
•-hm ged upon him : HU Covenant he doth not break, neither
will he, though the form and manner of the Adminiftration thereof be,
in purfuancc of it,w>tally varied; The fame Salvation,on Gods part to-
wards his people, he hath ftill propounded, And the fame termesof
reconciliation with God to the Church he Kill proclaimed, viz. To re-
pent and believe. Nothing new then in the SubMance of this Cove-
nant, whereof he is the Mediatour , but onely in the Accidents and
Circumttances of m ani fellatio n, which can never argue any variable-
nefs at all in him • As love- tokens between friends may not alwsyes
be of the fame kinde, but may fomeumes be interchanged, yet the
perfonsftill continue the fame to each other in love and faithitilhefs ,
And as the clothes may differ fometimes, when the body that wears
^hem remainerti llill the fame.
We might here fpeakof the enlargement of the Church in this time
oftheGoipel beyond the former limits, even from Sea to fea to the
uttermoft parts of the earth, that promife being now fulfilled, viz.
That her feed /hou/d inherit the Gentiles^ and make the deflate Cities to
be inhabited^ Which enlargement did necelTanly require an abolition
of thofe rites which were affixed to the Mofaieal Tabernacle.
We might alfo further (hew how the difpenfrtions of grace are in
great wifdom and faithfulntfs proportioned not ©nely to the exrent,
but the age and growth of the Church • in regard whereof fhe being
not fit now to live upon carnal ordinances, as fhe did yefterday in her
minority, was therefore ro have ftronger meat provided for her, viz.
That which is more fpirirual.
In fine, We might confider that feing God doth vouchfafe his pre-
fence unto his Church in a more glorious manner, more freely, more
clearly in this day of his power and grace then he hath been wont here-
tofore, eafing his people of thofe Yokes, which they were notable to
bear, and performing the promifesand predictions given out by his I
Prophets fince the World began, it is but meet therefore that there
fhould he a removal of thofe fhadows that were the appendants of his
former appearances, and that Memorials be kept, and Monuments
fet up of the fcveral difcoveries of his prefem glory. Thefe things I
fay, might have been infifted upon more largely, but that it is fit now
to draw towards a conclusion. And that which hath been written may
fiffice to remove the obje&ion laid in our way, fo that we may (till
proclaim before the World the Immutability of the Lord Jefus Chrift,
that
Look unto J E S US.
21 7
that he is 'O 'Aun<, The fome to day which he was yefterday. Some
inferences would no-v bj derived from hence which may be of ufe in
this time of the Goi'pcl Le: us contidcr offomewhat in order there-
unto, before we proceed any further to that which follows.
Firft,Wemay hereupon again infer, that thofe Churches which this
day proftfs the faith of Chrift Crucified, according ro this confrant
rule, cannot Juftly be taxed with > ovelty in their profcilion, as thofe
who this dny follow the Romifi Synagogue arc apt to traduce them.
What though they have laid afide fome corrupt R ices and fuperfluous
Cultomes which by long tract of time, ard too neare a Vicinity and
too Gnful a compliancy with the World they had contracted, yet fo
long as they hold the Foundation, and this Foundation (till rtandeth
Aire, the feme that ever it was, it mud be accounted afoul (lander
to fay that they are but of a late edition, and that their Religion was
never heard of in the world, before Luther gave his Imprimatur un*
tore.
But we (hall make no more mention of this here, having alfo fpok-
cn of it before. Nevenhelefs becaufe thefe (tenderers are fo imperi-
ous in their cenfures of others, and to the end they may be convinced
of their own folly ( if atleaft they be not ftarkblinde ) it will not be
amifs upon this occallon a little to retort upon them this imputation of
Kovelty, and fo lay it ( as it well defer veth ) at their own door. We
(hall not need to feek far for our Warrant in this matter^ our prefent
Text will prefent it unto us; Jefus Chrift is the Same throughout
this day of the Gofpel from the beginning to the end, The Dodrine
of life which he hath delivered in the holy Scripture is fure and fted-
faft, not to be altered and revoked in the leaft Tittle or lo:a of ic. It
is net yea sn4 naj ( as the Apoftle faith 2 Cor. I. 1 9 ) But Tea and
Amento the ghry of God, fooner will be overturn the whole ftameof
Nature, then nicer the word that is gone out of his Lips: Whofoever
therefore they be that maintain any doftiine different from this infalli-
ble Staadard,and obtude it upon the world,as neceflary to alration
are notorious innova ours : Now, is it not as clear as the Sun, that rhe
Church of Rome hath herein exceedingly erred, teaching for do&nn.'s
the Precepts of men ? What a mafs of Upftarc Heterodox Opinions
have they forged time after time, which can never be jollified by he
everlafting Gofpel of the Son of God ? which yet notwithstanding
E e are
ai8
Look unto JESUS.
Sefs. 4.
Decreto de
Can. Scrip.
5 Tim.
arepreffed with fo much violence , that whofoevcr will not receive
them,muft be Anathematized, and per fecuted to death with fire and
fagot : May we no: therefore conclude that notwithstanding all their
doting pretentions to Antiquity, they are but Novellifts, a brood of
yefterday, and their recent inventions worthy of no value f
We deny not but where Antiquity is found in a way of Righceouf-
nefs, it is indeed a Crown of Glory among the Churches ofChrift.
But being found in a way of Errour, wandrng from the righteous
rule of the written word, and laying inconftancy upon Jefus Chrift
( who is this way of Highteoufnefs ) as if he" were not the fame ftill
in his Dodrine which he hath delivered to his Church, it is fit to be
4efpifed
We mufthere now look to be told that the written word is not
the onely rule, but that there are many other unwritten verities, to
which we are likewife bound to give heed, as well as to that which
is written. Yea and the Council of Trent hath thundred out their
Anathema againft thofe who refufe Traditions for the rule of faith, as
well as againft thofe that refufe the written word.
But may it not then be demanded,if it be fo,where can faith finde a
fure foundation to fix upon , that which is unwritten being very un-
certain, whether it be from Heaven or of men f If the written word
be but a part of Gods revealed will, and thefe unwritten verities , as
they are called , the other part, never can there be affurance given
to any of the whole Myftery of Sarvation , neither can the Church
know it aright in the whole feries of it, as God hath revealed it.
For when fome affirm a Tradition to be Apoflolical , which others of
as great account difdainfuily reject for a fpurious fu per- inducement
and forgery, thruft upon the Churches in after-times ( which differ-
ing in this cafe hath frequently come to pafe even in the Primitive
Dayes of the Gofpel) what a miferable maze is the faith of a believer
brought into? Will not our confidences be much weakned in our fpi-
ritual conflicts, and our hopesof gaining Converts to our Chriftian
Profeflion from among thofe that are without (if they fhou Id make
this objection unto us) be utterly choaked, and our endeavours in that
kinde fruftrated , and come to nothing ? To let pafs the great multi-
tude of thefe Traditions, the number of them being never yet deter-
mined, whereby they muft needs become a great yoke and burthen
to the Church of Chrift : If that which is written be iufficient to make
Look unto JESUS.
219
a man wife unto falvation , furely that which is unwritten is not abso-
lutely neceflary to be heeded by us.
It is not to be denied, but that the Church hath Power to appoint
fome certain Canons and Rules for the obfcrvation of Pubiick order
and decency, unto which, fo long as they are inoffenfive in their own
nature, they that are true Children of the Church will give a ready
and a ctoearful obedience : yea we do confefs that in things indifferent
a refpeft ought to be yeilded to Antiquity, and to their Traditions"-,
But if an Angel from Heaven (hould come and tell us that all thofe
things which are (imply neceflary to Salvation are no: to be found in
the Holy Scriptures, we mud hold him accurfed.
We further do willingly grant that the Lord Jems Chrift and his A-
pofties preached many things that were never written, And what they
fo preached ought to be of equal Authority with us, as that which is
written, Pari veneration, pari pietatu nffcttn ( the very words of the
Council of Trent not to be difliked ) with as much Piety and Venera-
tion to be received by us, as the Books of Holy Scriptures, if they
were as certainly known. But it is a ftrange and flrong dehifion (which
we hope (hall never feife upon us ) to believe that they preached do-
ctrines which are as directly contrary to what is written in The (aid
Books as light is unto darknefs. Holy and Faithful Mailer Decring\n
his Commentary on the Epiftle to the Hebrews cxpoftulates this cafe
fadly in thefe words • Is it the word of Chrift written that we (hould
not worftiip Angels, And is it his Word unwritten that we (hould
pray unto them f Is it his Word written that we (hould not be bound
to our Fore-Father's Traditions, And is it his Word unwritten that
our Father's Traditions (hould be to us as his Gofpel ? Is it his word
Written that to forbid marriage which is honourable in all eftates
is the Doctrine of Devils, And is it his Word unwritten that Minifters
(hou'd be forbidden to marry ? Is it his Word written that five words
in a known Tongue are better in the Congregation then five thoufand
in a ftrange Language, And is it his Word unwritten that in our Con-
gregations we (hould pray in a Language which the people underftand
not > Is it his Word written that the dead are blefled which die in the
Lord, and they reft from their labonrs, And is it his Word unwritten
that they are tormented in the fire of Purgatory ? In (hort. Is it his
Word written that his Minifters (hould be fubjeft to Kings, (hould at-
tend upon their flock, and not meddle more then needs muft with the
E e 2 affairs
Yet Edlar-
rnine.
faith. Not
affcrimus
in Scriptu-
ris non con
liner i ex-
prefie tot am
Dochinam
netejJUriam
five defide
five de mC m
ribu*.
Lib. 4. de
verbo non
[crip to.
Ca.Z.Setl.i
12Q
Ef. 19.13.
Vhili.^
?hil$, *3
Loo J { unto
JESUS.
affairs of this World, And is it his Word unwritten, that the Pope
fhallexercife Authority over Temporal powers, depofe Kings at his
pleafure, and that his Inferiours of the Conclave (houldbe fecular
Princes? Harh God written it that Thrift facrificed himfelf once for
all, and made a perfect Redemption, And hath he left it unwritten
that a (haven Pried muft facrifice him every day, and fay a Vafs Pro-
pitiatory for the quick and dead f What perverfnefs is this of men
of Corrupt minds thus to dream of Traditions contrary to the written
Word of God ?■ And what an intolerable indignity do they put upon
.Chrift to make him thus palpably contradict himfelf, as if he had for-
gotten to be Dill e o 'Au^< The Same ? But full well did Efaias pro-
phecy of thefe men,faying,T/?ij people draweth mare unto me with their
mouthy and honour me with their lips ', but their heart is far from me 9
But in vain do they Vtorfiip me, teaching for Dvclrtnes the Command-
ments of men Mat* 15. 8.
But leaving thefe to their uncertain Traditions , and their moft cer-
tain innovations, Let us look home to our felves, and hearken to the
Apoftles advice which he giveth Phil. 2. 5. viz,. To let the fame minde
be in us which was in Chrift fefus •, for he ha r h fet us an example,tbat
we (hould herein alio follow his fteps, even to be conflantly the fame
in thofe things that belong to the Kingdom of God.
Not that we fhould ftand at a ftay, and make no further progrefs
in Knowledge, Kolinefs, Zeal for God's glory, Brotherly-love, felf-
1 denial, Contempt of the world, &c. then we have already attained,
Rather let yefterdayes work in that fence be forgotten by us, and let
us reach forth ( as Sain' Paul kid he himfelf did ) to a greater per-
fection, making this day to be more abundant, then what hath been
before •, for in (o doing we fhall alfo referable Jefus Chrift, who made
his work which the Father had given him to do,to appear this day un-
der the Gofpel in a more fpiritual glory, then it did yefterday under
the Law. But my meaning is, that we be ftill the fame , not forfaking
our firft love, as the manner of fome is, nor declining from that clofe
andfincere walking with God, whereunto we have happily by reite-
rated vows and folemn engagements devoted our felves, after we efca-
ped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Jefus Chrift.
A needful warning it will be to us ; for the truth is, mans nature
is a wondrous mafterpiecc of iiiconftancy,No creature under the whole
heaven
Look unto JESUS.
721
heaven being fo variable as mail is j Nay it is a matter of fome difficul-
ty^* the world goes, air.ongit a multitude to findc a Man, that is, One
who for a Mafculine fpirit indeed may deferve the name of a Man,or as
fome render the original word in Scripture, A Man, A Man, that
is, A Man both wayes, in regard both of the outward and inward man:
For there are fome Men-Men, and fome Mcn-Beafts ; which made the
Cynick at noon -day to go up and down in a throng of people wi:h a
Lanthorne and Candle in his hand, fearcbing as he faid for a Man, that
is, A Man for Conftancy and Prude nee, as well as in outward appear-
ance •, and Seneca alfo in his time counted it a great rarity, Magnam
rem puta ( faith he ) unvm hominem agere^ It is a hard thing to Aft
a Man kindly, meaning, to heatwaves One and the Same ; For one
that doth fo,How many are there that disfigure themfclves with diver-
fities of fhapes ? One while they will be frugal and grave, another
while prodigal and vain. Such levity Holy Bernard fweetly taxeth ,
Non paucos frequenter t xperimur , &c. We oftentimes meet with ma-
ny, who fcarcely one houre continue in the fame mindc, but are like
drunkards nodding and reeling too and fro, changing their judgment,
yea without judgment wavering {till from what they had determined
Semper quod non habent enpientes, & e\uod habent fiflidientes, A!-
wayes defiring what they have not, and loathing that which they have.
This inconftancy fpeaks men to be like unto Reuben , Vnfiable as wa-
ter , Far unlike this our Heavenly Pattern who was alwayes the fame
No, nor like that honeft Roman of whom it was faid, that it was as
eafie to turn the Sun out of his courfc, as to make him go from his
Word, or change his refolution.
But cfpecially in the high and weighty matters of Religion to be
wavering and inconftant, argues too much feeblenefs of fpirit, unhe-
aling thofe that are feparated from the world to be the followers of Je-
fus Chrift, the Rock of ages who never changeth. h%NehemUh
faid, Is it for fuch a man as I tope} So fay I, for fuch to fall from
their ftedfaitnefs, One-while to be Zealous and forward in the wayes
of Holinefs, another while backward and indifferent, taking up a
Form of Godlinefs according as their humour and fancy leads them
like unto thofe of old, whom Hilary fpeaks of, that had a Monethly
or a Yearly-Faith, what a fliame is it ? Yet alas too many there are
in thefedayes among us of this halting Generation, who are apt to
turn with every winde of temptation. Ifpeaknot here with a refe-
rence
Lev. if. i.
P/49.U.
to.
Sen.Epi.
1x8.
G«f.49.4.
Sirrii qui
wenfi
xxl annu m
fidem ha*-'
bent.
*222
Look unto JESUS,
Socrates
lib. 3.
cap. 13.
rencc unto changes in point of external order in the Church , which
may fometimes be excufable as we (hall (hew hereafter ( though
there be a fort of difTolute and debauched people who can finde
no other change to fpend their inve&ives upon, the better to palliate
their own wickednefs ) but when the life and power of Religion is fo
farneglefted, as that we can recede from thofe engagements and re-
folutions wherewith we have folemnly devoted our felves to God,To
turn afide after Vanity, walking according to thecourfe of this world
in wayes of Licentioufnefs and Profanefs , this furely is matter of
jull complaint. A las we confider not it feemes what a difhonour wc
bring upon our holy profeffion, How much we grieve the fpirit of
God, nor what advantage we give unto Satan to encroach upon us ,
when we are not Godly and Religious in a conftant and continued
Courfe, butoffandon, faft and loofe in the Covenant of our God
which we made in our Baptifme • When with Pilate we are inquifitive
after Truth, but prefently, as he did, turn our backs upon it ; feeme
to confult with God and his word about our fpiritual eftate, and in
the fame breath many times caft him quite out of our thoughts, as if
we could do well enough without him, Like unto Saul, who in all
haftc calls out, Bring hither the Ar^ But then, goto, it skills not
greatly, carry it back again. Such unfavoury Salt ( as Eceholius for
his treacherous halting in Religion juftly (tiled himferf ) can have no
rellifh in it acceptab e to God or his Church.
Away therefore with this fpirit of giddinefs which hath too much
prevailed in thefe dayes, and let us quit our felves like men in being
ftill the fame ! When we have a Rock appointed for our ftanding by
the wifdome and Faithfulnefs of the Almighty, whereon we may be
fafe againft all the ftormes and tempelts of the Prince of the power of
the air, (hall we turn away from it, and in our Converfation fwim
with the dream of this prefent evil world, or in our judgement roll
our felves upon the waves of new-fangled opinions, where we may be
toflfed to and fro and carried about with every winde of Do&rine,and
where nothing is to be expe&ed but to be fwallowed up at laft in the
bottomlefs gulfe of errour and confufion ? Oh (hall we thus dally in a
bufinefs of fo great moment I Far be it from us 1 Rather let us Look
unto JESUS, and follow his Example in being ftill The
Same.
And now that we may deal impartially herein, Let it be a Word in
feafon
Look unto J E S U S.
feafon to us of this Nation, who have not like our Pattern, been the
fame of late , what we have formerly been. We have made it our
boift fince we fcparated from Rome and caft off the Yoke of Anti-
Chnft that we have received Chrift Jefus the Lord, profefiing his
Gofpel to be a Law unto us. But how we have walked in him, and
been Obedient unto it, as we have been taught, yea taught of God
in the Miniftcry of his faithful fervants,cur deeds may declare. Time
was when truth was of fo high account with us, that if it had been pof-
fiblewe would have plucked out our own eyes, rather then to have
parted with it •, But we have feen the time, wherein ( Servis dormi-
entibus The Lord pardon us in this ) Truth was fallen in our Streets ,
and we have been fuch Grangers unto it by giving entertainment to
Errour in the moft ugly appearances thereof, that we might well have
asked, as he did, what is Truth ? True it is there was a certain Cove-
nant made ( whether according to truth and righteoufnefsfomewhat
may be faid hereafter ) but made I fay for the extirpation of HereHe
and Errour, &c. But it is as true which was once freely fpoken at a
Monethly-faft in Saint Margarets fVcftminfter, if we had [worn to the
utmofi of our fewer to have advanced Errour and Herefy^ the] could not
well have grown and encreafed more then they didjvhen we fwsre againft
them. There was a time alfo when we took fweet Counfel together
under the peaceful Government of a Religious King, rnd the vigi-
lant infpe&ion of Grave and Orthodox Bifhops, walking to the houfe
of God in company, where we had full Congregations, the office of
theMiniftery Honoured, the Word faithfully preached, Sacraments
duely adminiftred, &c. And have not Sacraments of late been laid
afide as ufelefs and unneceflary, The Miniftery cryed down as Anti-
Chriftian Congregations fcattered, Churches put to profane and
fordid ufe's, to the fhameof Religion, and the fcorn of our Adver-
faries roundabout us ? The Word indeed wns preached, and we do
with all due thankfulnefs acknowledge it to God's glory • for though
fome did preach Chrift of envy and contention, not fincerely , yet
fome did it of good will, and therefore feeing Chrift was preached ,
■whether in pretend or in Truth , therein with St. Paul We did rejoycejta
andwillre joyce NotmMmdwg it was both our fin and our fhame that
that Holy and Divine Ordinance was, I fay not with impunity, but
with pubhek approbation fo much profaned, when the pulpit was too*
often made a Tub for Mechanick praters to pour out their Blafphe-
22
1646.
Vhil 1.1 8
m:< s
z^4
ECU. II
Look tmto JESUS.
mies, or turned into a Theatre by others to promote carnal interefts ,
and to ftrengthen the Scbifme that was then fee up .- And if any ho.
neft Orthodox Minifters durft be fo bold according to their eommifli-
on given them ofChrift: to manifeit their zeal in preaching againft
thefe impoftours and their abettours ( as fome there were who
could not fo bear ) It was not their Gravity, Learning, Piety , Fi-
delity to their Countrey ,nor ability to promote the glory of the Go-
fpel that could be a fufficient fafeguard unto them, But they muft be
branded with the odious mark of Malignancy, and even in the very
execution of their office, affronted, interrupted , contradidedjea
fometimes laughed to fcorn : I inftance not in particular perfons , Hi*
Majefties gr?xious Ad of indulgence forbidding it. But hence it was
that many faithful Minifters were fo much defpifed throughout the
Nation, fometimes called Legalifts, otherwhiles Formalin's, yea re-
viled with the moft opprobrious terms that Malice it felf could invent.
To fome they were too plain, to others they were too eloquent, one
while tax'd for not preaching Chrift,anotherwhile for not holding forth
the Dodrineof Free- grace-, But if in their Sernrons they happened to
make mention of thofe Holy Antients whom the Church hath honour-
ed with the Name of Fathers, they were prefently by fome temerari- .
ous Head or other cenfured for Babers, or at the bed but low-fpiri-
ced Men, that would be padling in the (hallows of Antiquity , not fit
forfooth to be named with the profound knowledge of thefe dayes. So
imperious were people grown in their fuperintendency over their
Teachers^ yea though they were i!i ; .rerate Mechanicks , yet being
the Darlings of the ^ehifme, they would pcfume, as being allowed
to be Didatours to the mod: grave and learned Minifters that were
not of char F:idon, nor confiderirg what the Apoftlc faith, that
The fpirits of the prophersa-e fubjed to the Prophets, implying
doubclefs, that it is the Fcciei aftical Senate that fhould take cogni-
fnceof Preachers Dodnnes } fo as to regulate whatfoever may be
found amifsimhem, not the Company of fptsr-men, or calves of
-the people, as the Prophet cailerh the rude multitude. But fuch was
the impiety of rhofc :imes, that the poor Minifters of Chrift (chough
by the Holy Ghuft accounted the ^rime M«fters of the A f ambits)
did commonly ftardin their Pulpits like prifoners at the Bar when
their Hearers, how ignorant foever, fac like fo many Judges round
about them.
Again,
Look unto J E S U S.
Again, As preaching was prophancd, fo in like manner was praye r
too much perverted and depraved. Whereas in our approaches to
God we were wont to fall down upon our knees, adoring the Divine
Majefty with the humbling of our bodies to the very duft, according to
the religious example of the devout fervants of God in Scripture, yea
oitheSonofGodhimfdf, of whom Saint £*^ faith, that He kneeled
and frayed, Saint A-farl^tlnt he fell to the ground and prayed , Saint
Af'itibcw that he fell upon hid face and prayed, What an Unrevcrend in-
folency hath the late times produced, when this humble gefture was
in many places wholly negle&ed, as being forfooch below the Saint-
fhip of our Upftart Reformers, who poiiibly might pretend to have
more familiaritie with the God of Heaven, then thofe could be allow-
ed to have, that had been before them-, And therefore they might
now ferve him without fear, though the truth is, they did it not in
righteoufnefs nor true holinefs. Was noc the fpiritualncfs of prayer
confined to the fuddennels of conception, and volubility of utterance
( qualities not incompofliblewith a fpirit of opposition to all that is
good and holy ) which alfo were accompanied too frequently ( it is to
be feared ) with a vain oltentation of mens abilities for invention, and
with fuch exprefiions many times that no honed heart God knorceth
could fay Amen unto them ^ When a Set-form though compiled ac-
cording to the warrant and pattern that Chrift hath given us, and ufed
with a pious and (incere devotion, was ( contrary to the rules of Chri-
ftian Charity, contrary to the judgement of the belt Divines, both An-
ticnt and Modern, forein and domeftick, yea, contrary to the gene-
ral pradice of the Reformed Churches ) condemned and rejected as
unfutabletothe fpirit of Adoption, and unacceptable to the God of
Heaven , as if the Almighty were more to be taken with the variety
of words, then with the groans of the fpirit, which may aflbon afcend
up into -his ears in the Religious ufeoi'aform, as in the uttering of
the belt conceived prayer in the World. But it is no marvel that fet-
forms of prayer were fo much decryed, when the Lords prayer it felf
was fleighted, yea fo defpifed, that ifa^rdingto the good antiene
Cuftome among us, prayers wereconcluded with a rehearfal ofit,Such
was the horrible profanefs of fome ( who yet pretended to a Serapbi-
J calftrain of Holinefs above others) that they would thereupon mod
j unreverendly in the face of the Congregation put their hats on their
i heads, that they might thereby throw contempt upon that prayer,
1 F f and
22
Znf 11.41
Lool^ unto JESUS.
and thofc that ufcd it. "Which difUainful pofture, if they did at all ac-
count it lawful and fit to be ufcd in fo foiemn a matter as the fervice
of God, would have been more tolerable at thefe times, when con-
ceived prayer it fdf was dishonoured by the Plagiary fuper- induce-
ments of other mens labours, furreptitioiiiiy taken out of their printed
Boob, and under a pretence of fuddenn els of Corception frequently
andat large thruflinropublick prayers even by thofe that were the
greateH: enemies to common and publick forms. Sundry other in-
ihnces might here be reckoned up .whereby it would appear that there
was not any thing wherein the Beauty ot Holinefs had filmed ont in
former times that was notwofully polluted in thofe day es of Schifm
by our Changirgs and Counter- changirgs. which were futh that it
might well be fud of us, notwuhfcar.ding all our vain, glorious preten-
tions, toag'crious light fur pa fling; all that had been feen in the Ages
before, that indeed and in truth we feared not God : Alas our Glo-
ry was our ihame, and we like a foohfh people and unwife, loved to
have it fo, accounting that which was indeed our fhame to be our
greateft glory.
But mn fait fie ab faith, It w?s not wont to be thus. We had left our
firft love and zeal for the truth of rise Gofpel , and therefore did God I
in his juft judgment give us up to ft rong delufions to follow after i
lies. High time then was it for us to repent and do our firft Works, |
and to fay with thofe in the Prophet , we will go and return to our j
firft husb'nd , for then was it bectcr with us then now. Theflreets ; ;
of Romifh A^ekn ponibiy may ring of thefe our mi f- doings , and j
the rather becaufe we are not quite gone over unto them , when we I
were brought very near : But Btey may (\nre their breath to remove '
their ownlknch, if they can, which is fo noifome all the world over. J
We will our felves give glory to God in confefling that our tranf- |
greflions have been many, srtiS our back- Hidings have encreafed
Oar Artful compliancy with Anabaptifme,Browmfrne, Tamilifme &c.
which in former times were judged by us , according to their proper
nature , to be mod abominable Errou; s , hath been fo notorious that
it doth even fill our faces with fhame and bhifrring, when wefadly
take it into our confederation, that we whom God have made a Nati-
on not to be defpifed, but honourable in the eye of the World, and ft
Cfeercfa adorned with a glorious beauty furmounting other Churches
even
Look unto JESUS.
21J
even by theirownconfefsion , yea terrible as an Army with I
to Anti-Chrift and his Adherents , fliould make our ieives thus naked
and bare by entertaining fuch (curie into our bofome which was fit-
ter rather to be trod under foot. Surely very un\vor:hy have we |
hereby made our fclvcs of that dignity which God bath put upon
us.
True it is this mifebeivous projtfft was firft hatched and afterward,
fomented- by fome falfe brethren amor g us, the fpurious ifiueof fdm a
Ltjitn and gmpptrjiiug, yet b:caufe it did prevail and pew to fijeh
a height without any the lead control from thofe that had power in
their hands to fupprefj it, to whom the Nation d.d generally in a
manner fubmit, the gink therefore of a mo ft (baneful Af* - 'cy rrughi
too juftly wc fear be imputed un o us.
But re joyce not againft us O our encmy^hovgh we have fallen, we are
through mercy rifen again, & though our backilidings have been flrong
yet they are not ( blefTed for ever and ever be the Name of our God )
cither like unto thofe of Jernfalem or thofe of Rome perpetual. If wc
havethrcugh the fly insinuations tfjefuitical Emiflaries,who have min-
gled themfclves with us in the late Tranfadtionsof our nation, and the
cunning craf:inefs of Hypocritical felf feekers,been too ra(h and heady
in endeavouring to amend what was judged to be amifs in things per-
taining to God, we will not when God hath (hewed us our Errour be
pertinacious in it •, but return rather to our Obedience from which we
have fwerved, and be better advifed hereafter, waiting upon the Lord
in his own way for the propagating of his Gofpel as his word and pro-
vidence fhall dired us. In the mean time we will not fpare to pub-
lifhour forrowfor thofe deplorable waftes which our inadvertency
hath brought upon this poor yet exc-iien? church of Chrift. Too
excellent indeed to be the Mother of fuch unnatural, foolifh and diso-
bedient Children, as we have been unto her • Who though (he be
comely in the eyes of her Beloved and in the eyes of all the daughters
of bis people in the world about her, yet wo unto us we have black-
ned her with the fpots of our Divisions, and brough: a cloud over all
her excellencies. Surely this is a Lamentation and muft be for a
Lamentation.
But what then would fome fay , would you have us now to relinquifh
'that glorious Caufe which with a solemn League and Covenant we
F f 2 have
a8
Look unto JESUS.
have undertaken to maintain- and return again to profanefs and fu-
perftition ? wbat were this but to deal falfely in the Covenant of our
God and to draw the guiit of odious inconflancy upon us? It will
become us rather according to your former admonition, herein to be
{till the Same, and to follow the example of thofe refolute and faith-
ful Martyrs who of late to the very death perfifted in the juftifying of
fo good a caufe.
Now unto this Obje&ion it will be requisite to give a full and clear
refolurion,to the end that it may be made evident who thofe are among
us that come neereft to the pattern here prefented in the Text in be-
ing dill the fame, whether thofe that object thefe things, accufing
their brethren of I know not what fin-ful temporizing and tergiverfation
for not joyning with them in endeavouring to root up the foundation
of this Change which the Divine Providence hath brought upon this
Nation, or thofe that are thus accufed, who upon convictions of Con-
science are neccflitated with the whole ftrength of their fouls to pro-
mote and give furtherance unto it.
In the treating of this fubjeft, though I queftion not but fome will
be apt to quarrel at my plain dealing, yet I (hall without upbraiding
any particular perfons, labour as in the prefence of God to give fatis-
fa&ion to thofe Confciences that in truth defire to be refolved concer-
ning the warrantablenefs of fubmitticg to this Change in returning to
our obedience, And (hall infert nothing,bnt for what I fhall be willing
to be refponfal to any who fhall rationally require an account of
me.
To begin then with the Caufe, as it was called, and a Glorious
Caufe , What was it f It was pretended at firft that great matters
fhould be done for the King, People, and Religion, The King (hould
be made a great and glorious Prince, The People (hould have their
jufl: liberties rcftored unto them , Religion (hould be e{tablifhed,and
fet free from the invafion of all Herefiesand Errours wherewith it
was before corrupted, All which being done we (hould hnde our
felves the happieft Nation upon earth, and Glory fhould dwell in
our Land. Unto this plaufible found did multitudes of well-meaning
people in the fimplicity of their hearts give an attentive Ear, and were
allured to contribute their affiftance to the carrying on of fogood a
work. But if this were the Caufe that was fo much cryed up and ex-
tolled
Look unto JESUS.
129
tolled, for which the Land was filled with violence from one end to
the other,How came it to pafs that it fell fo foulcly as it did ? Who was
it that hindered the progrefs of it ? Was it not they that abfurdly pre-
tend ftil an adherency unto it,when a fword by their means hath palTcd
through the Soul of it? Is not their Hypocrilie, Double dcaling s Sclfc
/eeking, Treachery in the whole managery of this bufinefs difcovered
plainly in the face of all Mankinde ? Certainly (Viould all Hiftoriesbe
fcarclfed,there could not be found a more palpable Cheat put upon a
Nation fmcc the beginning of the World: 1 hepublick taith of the
Kingdom to afliirc the Reallity of thefe pretenfes was through the pre-
valency of a fort of Trakours to God, their King and their Countrey,
frequently turned into publiek fraud. Yea the faith of t the Gofpel
was made a Cloak to cover the corrupt projects of felf- ended Men.
Nothing done of all that waspromifed, but rather very much clean
contrary-, Confulion and Difordcr brake in upon us like a Deluge
and there was no viable remedy in the apprchtnfonof all Unbiaflcd
men, but afwiftandoverfpreadingdefolationmuft needs have fallen
upon the whole Land. All which confidered, To make boaft dill of
a Caufe, wherewith they dealt fo pcrfidioufly , and of which God
in his juft indignation , for the Corruptions both in the birth and
growthofit, hath faidit (hall not ftand, making ita NehnfitdnAoih
it not argue a righting agai nit God, and a defign to be (till the Same
rather in a treachery which all the Chriflian world cryeth (hame
upon, then loony thing wherein the glory of God, or the fafetyof
their Countrey might be concernd ?
As for the League and Covenant (called in fcorn the Legal Cove-
nant even by thofe who do now plead it) it was indeed brought
on to add a feeming ftrcngth to the faid Caufe,and the better to draw
inconfiderate people to joyn in the purfuance of it. But there are
many unanfwerable reafons to be heeded that do clearly (hew the
nullity thereof, which being exactly related by others, we (hall not
need to infift upon them here. Somewhat notwithftanding (hall be
here added to give fatisfa&ion in this particular. It is well known that
to incline people to the taking of the Covenant ( that is , to take the
Whip with fix cords (as the fix Articles in K. Henry the eights time
was called) to fcourge and torment their Confciences with) fome ufe
was made of that Reltri&ion in the firft Article of it • viz.. Accord
i'ng to the Word of God, being interpreted by the politick Concilia-
tours
tjO
fund,
1647.
Look unto JESUS.
tours of tbofe dayes, as a Provifo, whereby an Out-let was fee tor any
to recede from the Observation of it, if afterwards upon better con-
federation they found it to be otherwife then it was reprefented unto
them. But what vile Hypocrite was this, to lead poor people into a
fnare by fuch tricks of Legerdemain ? Nay is it not an impious Moc-
kery of the Holy Ghoft thus to rmke the Word, which is the Oracle
of the moll High God, a fule to the politick fnterefts of wretched men?
For, as it is well obferved, upon the fame account we may fubferibe
to tiie Council of Trent, yea to the Turkifti Alcoran 9 fwearing to
maintain and defend either of them, viz,* fo far as they are agreeable
to ike Word of God. Bat much better furely may we now make the
r ui left i&ion our Warrant totally to caacel that Covenant by a
godly forrow, and ferious lamentation for it, finding it in fundry re-
fp^&s different from that Righteous Rule, according to which all our
ftions a*e to be fquared. For in fuch cafes that golden Axiom j
mull be our Guide, viz Posnitenda ProwiffiQ, non perficienda Pra-\
(\mpiio i The Covenant muft be retracted by Repentance,not the Pre- j
fumption heightened by Continuance.
As for the Illegality of it throughout, from firft to laft, our Famous \
and Renowned Univerfity of Oxford hath with a general Confent in a
full Convocation very plainly and faithfully difcovered it to the filen-
cing of all Gain- fryers, and to 'their everlafting Honour before God
and Man. Unto whofe cleer Argutatiorra I remit all men that arc in
3 capacity to receive fat is faction in this point,and to be convinced with
Rcafon ; Concluding with the Cafuift, Ne fit Saer Amentum pietatis,
imped' mentum pietatu^ nee vinculum ini quit at is , Let not a pious Ob-
ligation be a bar to piety, nor a bond of iniquity.
Whereas it is faid next, that by Deferting the Catife we fhall return
again to Profanefs and Superftition, I anfwer, God forbid 1 Rather
it is to be hoped that an unanimous Agreement in rooting up the faid
pretended Caufe, would be the ready way to remove that Profanefs
and SuperfKtion which have provoked Gods difpleafure againft us.
But let ic be considered, What returning to profanefs can there be now
more then the Land was polluted with in the time of the late Schifme,
when the Name of God was difhonoured by Swearing and For fear-
ing. The Ordinances of Jefus Chrift negleded, yea defpif -d, Gods
faithful Minifters cruelly mocked and derided-, Inaword, When ini-
quity did fo much abound, (though it muft be confeffed it aboundeth
ftiH
Look unto J E S U S.
■j.^\
/till .toomuchamongftus, even in thefe dayes of our Deliverance)
that fcaree any poftenty (hall be able to add thereunto t And as for
Superftuion ,' which the Holy v cnprure calls ^iimJki^a. , that is.
Fear of fslfe Daemons , rather then of the true God , What can be
:er then that which hath been already fee up and fpre d about the
Nation by our Sectarian Seminaries, Independents, A nab aj*#h Anti-
nomians, Seekers, Qurkers, and Ac reft of that Rabb.e, who have
notwithllanding the drug lings of God and Man upon their I onfeien-
ces, been like a company of :>u per ftitious Dotards, fo mad upoa tin ir
Idols, I mean their Squint eyed , Wry- necked , Double- rengued ,
Snivelling Daemons of Horrid and MonRrous Opinions, and wherein
they continue to this very day, that it is a manifeft token, as one fa'd
not amifs, 1 hey are crrour-bhfted both from Heaven and Hell. Nay
more, Was there ever fuch a clofeand cunning Connivence afforded
Mnccthe Reformation began in this Nation, to Romifh Super ftitions,
then was under the Regency of the faid Caufe ? The great Projeftour,
oratleaft Protra&our , thereof himfelf, who made England to fin,
obferving in one of his proclamations (though neverthelefs it was af-
ter that alfo Tolerated) that Multitudes of Jefuits and Popifh Priefts
did refort unto and remain within this Common-wealth and the Do-
minions thereunto belonging , who with great Audacity did exercife
all offices of their Profeifion , both faying Maffes and feducing the
people to the Church of Rome. If then that Caufe fo much pleaded
for, had fuch ill Confequents attending upon it, may we not we'll fay,
SyUatkCAufatolt>t::r Ejfe&us •, When the Caufe is taken away the
E&d will follow?
At lealt as i faid before there is great hope it {hall folio w.efpecialry
now when God hath in Mercy fet over us a Man of Underftandmg and
Knowledge, to length en out the State and Tranquillity of our Conn- I
trey, when for the TranfigreiTions of it, it was by the Intrution of U-
ferpers, neer unto urter ruine. A Man I fey after his own heart, Tu-
tourd and Bred up by him like David in the fchool ofaffliftion,Whofe
Heart is alfo fixed upon God to fore him in Righteoulnefs and true
Holinefs • A Prince fo pious that he makes it his work, and accounts I
it his glory to have true Religion eitablifhed among!! his people in the ScebttM*
Power and Purity of it: Witnefs his extreme diflike of Profanefs, , i £l * ,es Pr -
which he hafted to pnbltfh the very next day after his happy Return ]££*£?**
unto us, Commanding it to be read in all Churches monechly for fix
moneths
1655.
Pro.i3.i.
1660.
10,2
Look unto JESUS.
L. Bi(bop of
Winton.
moneths after; (But well worthy indeed to be fet up in them as a per.
petual Monument of Piety to all Generations) Wherein he declares
the Purpofc and Refolution of his Religious Heart in thefe words,
We will not exercife juft Severity againft any Malcfablours fooner then
againft men of Diffolute, Debauched and Prophane lives, with what parts
fuver they may be otherwife qualified and endowed. Requiring all
Majors, S beriffs. and fuftices of the Peaee to be very vigilant andftricl
inthiVifcoverj and Profecution of alt Di([olute and Profane Perfons y
fucb as blaffheme the Name of God bj profane [wearing and curfing, or
revile and difturb Minifters , and deffife the publicly \X>or/bip of God.
Witnefsalfo the Declaration which his Majefty fet forth (0#*£. 25,
immediately following ) concerning Ecclefiaftical Affairs, wherein he
hath made known to God and the world,That his Refolution is andfhall
be to promote the Tower of Godlinefs, to encourage the Exercife s ef Reli-
gion both public k^and private, and to take care that the Lords Day be Ap-
plied to Holy Bxercifes without unnecessary divertifements, and that In-
sufficient, Negligent, and Scandalous Minifters be not permitted in the
Church. Which being fo, What is it but a profane flander of the foot-
fteps of Gods Anointed,both of Chrift himfejf, and his Vicegerent o-
ver us, to amufe the world with falfe reports of a return to profanefs ,
as if the Times were now become foloofe, that Wickcdnefs fhould be
eftablifhed by a Law ? Whereas there was never more likelihood then
now (if the Devil through the turbulent fpirits of fa&ious Schifma-
ticks did not hinder it ) for Religion to profper , and Holinefs to
flourifti.
Away then with Profanefs, and let SuperfUtion pack together with
it • for what entertainment is it like here to finde, When King Char Is
the Szffercr, the fonne of King Char Is the Martyr ( as a Reverend Fa-
ther of our Church hath worthily proclaimed him) is now by the Di-
vine Power and Goodnefs fettled upon bis Throne , to be the Defender of
that lakh for which he furTered t That Taith, I fay, which the Church
ofEnglandprofeffethinoppofitionto the Church of R©me ; From
which (as it wa*s obferved by that Loyal and Peace-making Parliament,
that Hrft fo happily brought the Nation under his Majefties Govern-
ment) neither the Temptation of Allurements, Perfwaftons and Promi-\
fesfrornftducing Papifts on the one hand, nor the Perfection and hard
Vfage from feme f educed and mi f- guided ?r of e fours of the P rot eft ant
Religion on the other hand, could at all prevail npen him to make bim
fwerve
Look unto J E $ U S.
33
ftfcrveinthcleaft Dtgrte , But chofc rather Rill tofuflfer Afflictions
though never fo grievous, as Mojts did, then to enjoy the pleafures of
fin for a feafon, by fo doing : For which his Name (hall be fvveet, and
his Memorial precious in all [he Churches of Cbrift to the end of the
World. I fay then again, Is it ike,that Stiperflition in any kinde fhould
be Tolerated (much It A (hall u be Eftabiifhed) under the Government
of fo famous a Sufferer for the Proteftant Profeffion, yea and fo active
a Defender of it, who hath made itraanifeft that his Care and Study
is for the propagation thereof, And who hath folemnly profefled that
nothing (hall be propofed to teftifie his Zeal and ArTe&ion for it, to
which he will not readily confent ?
It will be objected, What do we hear Words, when we fee Deeds f
Is there not an A&ual return to Superfiition in this Land now, when
the Ceremonies which were cad out are brought in again, and the
Liturgie reftored ? And what are thefe, but either the Iflucs of Will-
worihip which the Holy Scripture doth condemn, or the Bratts of
Babylon which fhould be taken not to be cherifht , but to be dafht a-
gamft the (tones ? Befides, Is not the Government alfo by Bifhops fet
up again in its former Height, which is not warranted by the word of
God ? If we then fhould confent to thefe things , How {hall we like
unto Jefus Chrift our Pattern in the Text, continue faithful with God
in our Conformity to his Rule which he hath fet us ?
I anfwer, Firft we may be ftill the fame in a conftant Adherency
to the "Foundation, though we may as Divine providence leads us, whe-
ther it be in Judgment or in Mercy, vary fometimes from that which
is Circumftantial (of which nature are thofe things that are here ob-
jected unto us) and our fidelity to the former wil certainly entitle us to
a faithful Imitation of Jefus Chrift, notwithstanding our change in
the latter. Nay, is it not a great weakning of the Foundation, and
an injurious imputation put upon the Mafter- Builder , to lay f ) n
we ghtuponCircumftantials, as to make them Unchangeable when
they are not of his particular appointment, though allowed by him to \
be annexed to his Building? It is Sup^rftition doubtlefs fo to fet up
External Rites in competition with the Everlafting Rule of the Go-
fpel, as if they were not upon any Emergency whatfoever to be al-
tered or removed. And it is as ranck Superfiition on the other fde
G g after
*34
Super fitio
ex J«per
&> ft an do,
quafignifi-
catumimU
urn efie.
Sen. Epift.
Look unto JESUS.
after they have been removed and reftored again, pertinacioufly to
fland in oppofition againft them , efpecialiy when Experience hath
made it manifeft that the removal of them hath introduced much dif
order and profanefs in the fervice of God. But we may appeal unto
Chcift himfelf to Judge in this Cafe, Whether or no, when a Chriftian
Magiftrate that truly feareth God , taking notice of a great decay of
Religion, which by a wild and lawlefs Liberty hath been brought a-
mongft his Subje&s, (hall for the improvement of Piety recommend
unto them a Porm of Divine Service accompanied with fueh Rites and
Ceremonies as are in force by Law,and in the obferving whereof True
Religion hath formerly flounfhed, Whether, 1 fay, it be Superftition
in them to joyn with him in the Obfervation thereof, efpecialiy when
they arc few in number, no merit placed in them, nor arc they requi-
red to be obferved as things neceflary to falvation, or as parts of Gods
worfhip which under pain of Damnation ought to be ufed, nor as figns
operative,working Grace in thofe that make confeience of them ; buc
areexprefly declared to be indifferent in their own nature, and that
upon juft caufes they may be altered and changed .- In fo much that
if the Supreme Magiftrate fhali again forbid theufe of the faid Service
and Ceremonies, the people may without fin lay them afide, yea are
bound in Confeience fo to do, and obferve others (provided that they
have the fame premifed Boundaries) which he fhall command. All
which considered, Who feeth not how unfuftly we arc acenfed of Su-
perftition in the Service of our God, becaufe of our religious ufingof
fome few harmlefs Ceremonies, without which our late Experience
may fufficiently teach us, that Religion it felf would not long ftand in
fafety, but by degrees be totally laid wafle f Ego certe Mas veneror ,
& tantafietati fsmper a fur £* , for my part I (hall, notwithstanding
the Oggannition of gain- fay ers, highly efteem them, and commend the
obfervation of them to all who are willing to advance the Kingdome
of the Lord Jefus. It was faid of one {Luke 7. 47.) She loved much,
becaufe much was forgiven ; Were it not here a ru'jsp^r, an Excurfion
from the matter in hand, I, who have too much complyed with the
late Schifme, and through mercy not onely been convinced of my fol-
ly therein, but (blefTed be God) do partake of the Indulgence of Holy
Church my Mother in the forgivenefs thereof, could open my heart at
large in her vindication againft her Adverfaries, who are very apt to
caft afperfions upon her. But the defign of this Treatife tendeth
another
Look ant* J E S U S.
another way, and Wifdom in this matter hath been clearly jullificd of
her children.
Ncverthelefs I (hall prefume (without offence, I hope J to offer a
fmall Libaracn of my love and duty unto this dear Mother in the jurti-
rication of two of her Ceremonies which by her unnatural children are
as much quarrelled at as any, Thofe are
Firft, Bowing at the Name of Jefus.
Secondly, Bowing at our Entrance into, and Departing from the
Congregation.
For the firft (befides what hath been abundantly written by others)
we are , in the duties of Divine Worfhip and Service , to give unto
Chrift this Honour, upon thefe two Confidcrations : Firft, Becaufe
that for our fake he made himfelf of no Reputation • Secondly, Be-
caufe a fort of wretched men in the world about us, fet on by the De-
vil, confpire together to make him of no Reputation alfo.
Firft 1 fay for our fake he made himfelf of no Reputation • great
reafon therefore that we fliould account hira worthy of all Honour :
not onely that which is Spiritual in captivating every thought to the
obedience of his Gofpel , but that alfo which is of the body, in the
outward deportment of it ( for he hath bought it with a Price , a
great Price, even his deareft Bloud, as well as the Soul ) it was no rob-
bery for him to be equal with God, for he was the Brightnefs of his
Fathers Glory, the Character of his Perfon,yet Saint Paul tells us, he
emptied himfelf, and took upon him the form of a fervant, and was
made in thelikenefs of men, and being found in fafhion as a man, he
humbled himfelf, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the Oofs : Now Qxanto pro me vilisr, tattto mihi cbarior , faid Holy
BermrcL fweetly • The more humility appeared in him, it is but meet
that the more honour be afcribed unto him. Admit that it be not a
duty of the Text,toufe Genu-flexions at the mentioning of his blefled
Name whiles we are employed in the publick exercifes of Divine
Worfriip , yet fince the Father hath , even upon the account of his
Humility, highly exalted him, and given hira a Name above every
name , it well becommetb the Church upon the fame account ( in a
conformity to that Divine Pattern ) according to her poor ftrength
and ability, by all ways and means to exalt hira likewife. This then I
Gg 2 con-
2^6
Look unto *j E 3 M 5.
conceive may fomewbat flop the mouth of Contradiction againft the
holy and religious cuftom of our Church in requiring ail perfonsto
Bow at the Name of Jefus, for {he hath learned it of the Father (whofe
example is without ccntroverfie in this caic worthy of all imitation)
to exalt
tion.
him , becaufe for our fake he made himfelf of no reputa-
Again, Is not our Lord now (as ithsthbeen prophecied of him
Ef a - 53-3) dtrfpifcd and rejected of men ? Do not Jews, Turks, and
Infidels blafpheme that worthy name , by which we are called f Are
not Secinians thofe turfed Hereticks as unwearied now in their ma-
lice againft him, to lay his honour in the duft,as the Arians were of old?
Is not the precious I loud of this Immaculate Lamb of God, (hed to
take away the fin of the World, every where almoft, beflaver'd with
the impious mouthes of execrable fwearers ? And are there not fome
wretched people rifen up amongft us in thefe days , who out of a Luci-
ferian Pride, pretend that they are as well and as truly God , as Jefus
drift, becaufe they have their Being in God, and are partakers of the
Divine Nature ? What thenfhould the Church do, but out of a de-
teftationof thefe horrid impieties, and out of a tender regard to the
honour of her Lord, give a fignal teftimony of her duty, in command-
ing all her faithful children to bow their bodies in token of reverence
unto him, at the mentioning of his Name ? That Name, I fay, which
founds the fweeteft in the ears and hearts of poor penitent finners,
which fpeaks him not onely to be Iramanutl, God with us, but Imma*
nu ( as the raprure of our admired BiOiop Andrews diftinguiftieth it)
With us, or,One of us, bone of our bone, and fleflh of our flefh, which
harh been the occaGon that his enemies have laid hold upon, to make
light account of him. But enough of this.
It is faid alfo that our bowing the body at our Entrance into the
Congregation, and Departure from it , isSuperRition. In anfwer
hereunto ( to add fomewhat Ukewife to that which hath been written
by others) If this be Superftition, we may juftly retort it upon the
common practice of Non-conformifts themfelvesin their private meet-
ings , where they ufe at their rifing up from their Devotions, to bow
their bodies to one another , pretending, as it hath been faid by fome
of rfeir principal leaders, that it is a laudable cuftom among-them,
for
Ltok unto JESUS.
for that they do thereby teflirte their unanimity in the ferviceof God,
and mutually witnefs their gratitude for their mutual praying for one
another. Thus plaufibly can they pleafe themfelves with Apologies
for what they aft of this nature among themfelves in private , with-
out any fcrnple at all of confcience , and yet uncharitably condemn
the Churches order for doing the very fame thing in publick to the
fame good ends and purpofes amonglt many other , as it' their private
Incurvations were more warrantable from the word of God, then
our pubiick Genu-flexions : Certainly as publick prayers arc more
acceptable unto God then private, fo publick reverence in the place
and time of Gods Worfhip and Service will better become us , and
more adorn our Christian Profeflion, then any thing can of that kinde
in private whatever. Itisufual amongftus, for men in token of
reverence, to be uncovered, when they enter into the Congregation,
and it is generally look'd upon as a bold impiety, if any fhould be fo
voyd of fhame, as to prefume to do otherwife. Judge then whether it
be not as lawful to bend the knee, or bow the body, as to uncover the
head, in fuch a time and place, fince thofe geftures are more folemnly
reverential then this , and the more reverence we ufe that is futable
to the quality of the fervice we are about, the more comely ( doubt-
lefs ) is it in the fight of God and man.
Our blefled Saviour would have his Difciples, when they cntred in- i
to an houfe, to falute it, And if the Sonne of Peace were there, to let I
their peace at their departure reft upon it : How much more then
when we enter into, and depart from the houfe of God ( for fuch are
our Churches, notwithstanding the malicious prating of profane fcof-
fers, as well as the Synagogues of old were amongit the Jews) fhould
we (hew the affe&ion of our hearts towards it by the gefture of our
bodies? Efpecially when we know that it is the Tabernacle of Meeting
between God and his people ? Shall our God then, the God of love
and peace, be there, and we not aware of it ? And (hall his people
there afTemble together, in obedience to his Command, To adore his
goodnefs,To praife his name, To hear his word, To receive his blef-
fing, To teftifie their faith, To pour out their requeRs, To joyn toge-
ther in a holy communion as b^cometh members of one and the fame
myftical body , Andftiould not we be ready , as thofe that are obli-
ged to the fame obedience, ar cur Entrance among them, and Depar-
ture from them , to give teftimony , by the bowing of our bodies , of
the
a}8
Look unto JESUS.
Cd.z.il-
not [par-
the bending of our fouls to the fame fervice, and of our cordial rcjoy-
cing at our feilowfhip with them therein ?
Nay more , Are the glorious Angels there prefent ( as the holy
Scripture once and again runteth unto us they are ) defiring to look in-
to our manner of the pablick fervice of our God , and willing to be
our guardians in it , And fhould not we from firft to laft fo demean
our fel res therein, with a refped unto their prefence, that they may
re Joyce to behold their God and our God worshipped on earth, as he
is in heaven, according to our capacities , with reverence and godly
fear? Surely, Ifthefe things were confidered aright as they ought to
be, they that have hitherto been fo ftirf in their prejudices againft>the
holy Church, for requiring thefe externall Genu-flexiom , would be
more flexible then they have been : They would not fay , It fufficeth
that our hearts are right towards God , though we do not (hew it,
and becaufe God requireth truth in the inward parts, Therefore, it is
enough that we do with our fouls love the aflemblies of Gods people,
and delight in the Law of our God in the inward man, thereby think-
ing to palliate their want of reverence which is due to God and his
Church. But the wifdome of the Wife checks them for this their folly,
telling them that open rebuke is better then fecret love.
This by the way in the vindication of the Order of our Church,con-
cerning thefe two particular Ceremonies. Let us now proceed
more generally as we began , in anfwer to the before-mentioned
Objection.
Secondly, Admit that it was Will-worfhip which brought on thofe
Ceremonies and Liturgy at flrft^and hath now reflored them, yet it wil
not follow that they therefore are fuperftitious-, For what is that *es«-
*ospM*)i«it that will-wor/kip which the Apoftle makes mention of
Col. 2. 23 . And which thefe Objedours fo much infill upon ? Great
out-cryes indeed have been made againft it : But what if in the end it
do appear that there is not a mark of diflike fet upon it by the Holy
Ghoft, but rather an approbation given unto it ? Let the place be
confulted, and we (hall finde, that the Apoftle there joyns will-^or-
Jbip With humility and b eating dew* or mortifying if the Body ^ both
which arc required in thofe that will be Difciples of Jefus Chrift . If
Will-worfhip therefore be to be condemned, how comes it to be
ranked with thofe things that are fo good and commendable ? Again,
the Traditions that the Apoftle fpeaks of are faid in refped of Will-
worfhip,
Look unto JESUS.
worfhip, that is pretended to be in them, to have a (hew or pretert
of wifdom, that is, of true fpiritual wifdom, otherwife what advan-
tage would the fhew be unto them? And can any thing be faid to have
a (hew or fhine offiuh wifdom in Will- woi (hip, ifall kinde of Will-
worfhip be in it felf (inful ? Hypocri:es make a (he w of Holincfs,and
falfe Prophets will make a (hew of Truth, putting on a south gar-
ment to deceive-, fo to make a (hew of wifdom in Will-worfhip im-
plies clearly tint Will-wor(hip is a thing good and acceptable unto
God. Elfc what (hall we judge of the free will offerings among th:
faves, which were not required by any particular Law, but were
left to every mans liberty, and fo were fpontaneous, not neceflary ?
And what elfe was the Celebration of Purim, The fait of the fourth
moneth, kept for a memorial of the taking oijerufalem by the Chal-
deans the ninth day of that moneth, Or the faft of the fifth moneth
for the burning of the Temple the tenth day of that moneth, Or the
faft of the feventh moneth for the death ©f Gcdaliah, upon which fol-
lowed the utter difperfion of the remainder of the Jews into Egjpt ,
&c. Or the faft ot the tenth moneth for the feige laid before Jcrnfa-
lem in the tenth day 2 Reg. 25. i. Moreover what were the abfti-
nences and aufterities of the Rechabites which are fo commended by
God, and yet were over and above the proportion that was required
in the Law ? What the feaft of dedication or rcftitution of the J ewes
Temple and Religion which Antiochtu had corrupted, inftituted by
Judas Maccabeus and his brethren, and yet obferved by Chnfc him-
felf foh. 10. AH thefe and many more of the like nature, which the
Scripture makes mention of, reckoned up by Dodour Hammond
in his Annotations on the Epiftle to the Coloffians ( whom I acknow-
ledge to be the Authour of this Expofuion) what were they but
Will-wor(hip, being fnpra slatntnm (which fome vainly conceive
to be all one with Supcrftition ) noc under any pofitive command, yet
allowed by God and accepted, and therefore not to be accounted as
fuperftitious. So thofe Ceremonies, &c. which have been and are
again in ufe amongft us (1 mean fuch as are eftabhfhed by law ) may
indeed be faid to be a WiU- worfhip, wherein we in this time of the
Gofpel (hould rather excell thofe before us under the Law, then to
come (hort of them ) But to fay that they are therefore Superfluous,
that is, Anti-Chriftianand Idolatrous, as fome are apt mo'l profane-
ly to traduce them, is a Solcecifme proper for thofe that are enemies
unto reafon. Neverthelefs
239
Z.i^.iS4
^;.3.I9
/"•3f.
Mrfc.4.59.
1/LO
Senatus
populus-
qi.e Ro-
manus.
Looh^ unto JESUS,
Nevertheless though our Form of Divine Service and Ceremonies
be a Will-worfhip , yet we (hall ever deny that they fprung out of
Babylon, that is, according to the fenfe of thefe quarrelfome people,
that we received them from Rome. It is the Lot it feemes of this poor
Church of Chrift, to have this Crofs laid upon her , viz,, to be on all
fides upbraided (till with Rome , Papifts on the one hand checking us,
that the firft Plantation of the Gofpel here came from thence , and
that therefore we are unnatural Children to feparate our felves as we
do , from our Mother that gave us our being : Schifmaticks on the
other hand charging us that we have not, as we pretend, feparated
from that Idolatrous Church , but to this very day do hold too fervile
a compliancy with it , crying out againft us with open mouth , as is
the Mother, fo is the Daughter, Rome like a falfe Strumpet hath devi-
^d a Superftitious Form of Religious Worfhip , and England like a
true Chip of the old Block doth follow her example therein : But as
Venerable Beit once gave the fenfe of thofe four famous and folemne
Letters S. P. £jl. So may we in this cafe ; Stultus Fopulus <>)%<£-
rit Romam, foolifh people cry out Rome, not undemanding what they
fay, nor whereof they affirm.
As to the firft of thefe reproaches , if it were not out of our way,
we might reply, that fuppofing (not granting) it to be true, The people
of this Nation received the Chriftian Faith from Rome, We hold not
our felves obliged thereby, to follow Rome any other wife then (he
followeth Chrift, for we have learned it from the mouth of our Lord
himfelf , that who fo ioveth Father or Mother more then him, is not
worthy of him. But what Logick is this ? The Planters of the Faith
here came from Rome, Ergo, the people of this Nation were ever after
in the worlhipping of God to keep the Order of Rome ? If this argu-
ment would hold (faith Bifhop Jewel ) then would I reafon thus •
The Church of Rome was firft planted!;'/ them that came from Grzcia or
from fernfalem, Ergo, Rome is to keep the Order of Gracia or of Jerx-
falem: which confequence I dare fay will not down with her that takes
upon her to be perpetual Di&atrix to all the Churches of the world.
Butwefhall let this pafs as impertinent to our purpofe, neither is
there need-at any rime to infifbmuch u pon it • for it is iufficiently wit-
neffed (faith Bi£hop6W^V,by many Hiftories without exception,that
our Ifland of Britain received the Faith of Chrift, even in the firft in-
fancy of the Church,from ferxfalemSrhsLt which is now before us is to
make
Look unto JESUS.
241
make manifeft tlic folly of theiaSchifmaticalObjcftours, who accufe
us of Superfhtion in our Church-Service, becaufe, as they Jay, we
received it from Rome. It would be too large a digrefsion here to
undertake a Vindication of our Church in every particular that con-
cerns this matter (enough hath been written thereof already by fun-
dry perfons both Learned and Godly whofe works praife them in
the gates) yet requisite it is that fomewhat be here added to wipe off
that afperfion before premifed, which may be reduced to this Argu-
ment. Whatsoever Church hath received her forme of Divine-Ser-
vice from Rome, is therein guilty of grofs Superftuion : But the
Church of E*gUnd\\aA\ received her form of Divine-Service from
Rome : therefore is the Church §{ England in the form of Divine- Ser-
vice guilty of grofs Superftition.
We will not meddle with the proportion of this argument, Let
Rome plead for her felf againft it : But as for the aiTumpcion we fhall
by clear and plain demonitration prove that to be utterly falfe, both
in refpeft of the times of old, as alfo of the later, knee the Prote-
ftant Reformation.
And iirft.Wc may here by the way upon very good warrant affirm,
that Nonfptitfic ab initio. It was not wont to be thus with England
in the times of old, viz,. To follow Rome in the forme of Divine Ser-
vice. The reafon of our confidence herein, we have from that vener-
able Authour our Country, man before mentioned, who is by all
parties acknowledged to be afaithful Witnefs worthy of an high efteem
in the Church , Hee I fay in his Ecclefiaftical Hiftory informes us,that
the Church of this Ifland of Britain well near until feven hundred
years after Chrift, in thejveeping of E after-day and manner of Bap-
tifing,followed the order of the Greeks Church, without any regard
therein had to the Church of R*me. And when Anftin that impe-
rious Monk was fent hither from Rome, here were faith Rede at that I
rime one Arch-Bifhop, (c\cn Bifhops, and one and twenty hundred
holy and religious Monks about Bangor, who lived by the labour of
their own hands, the Countrey being tor the moft part Heathenifh, '
and as he further avoucheth, f lures viri dottijfimi , many moe great
learned men that utterly refufed to receive any Roman orders or cu-
ftomes from the faid Aufiin in the Service of God, though he urged
them thereunto by many terrible threats. Again Sain Gregory being
then Bifhop of Rome y of whom it is faid, none of all his fuccefTours
H h were
Betla lib.
cap.i$.
Lib. z.
cap. 2.
^42
o3*
Look unto JESUS.
were for Hoiinefs and Learning worthy to be compared with him
when he had fent this Aufiin hither to preach the Gofpel he «ave him
his inftrudions in this manner, where jon finde anj thing thttfeemeth
better to the Service of God then is in the Church of 'Home, Chsofe you
the fame, and do jour endeavour to bring into the Englifh Church the
be (I and choice ft things, C hoof e out of many Churches, for thin* s are not
to be loved for the place fake, but the flace u to be loved for the things that
are^good. a
By thefe inftances it may appear that this Church in thofe daves
did not in their pubhek ferviceofGod conform to the order of the
Church of Rome, neither did that Church impofe any fuch order up-
on us. v
In procefs of time indeed it came to pafsthat there were fundrv
Orders came here into ufe, efpccialiy that of Strum compiled by
Ofmnend Etr\ of Ztor/tf and Bifliopof Salisbury, which continued for
above five hundred years till the reign of Edward the fixth. In all
which time the Romifb Superftitions in Divine worfliip were too much
obtruded upon the people of this Nation ; But thofe times of darknefs
are not within the verge of this Vindication.
But for our prefent Liturgy which hath been cftablifhed fince the
Reformation, that it fhouid be originally taken out of the faid Miflal
andconfequentlytranfmittcdcousfromjRawf as they would make
us believe , is clearly as manifeft an Untruth , as that we have
originally received our Religion from Rome. True it is that that
breviary, as it is called, fecundum Salisburienfis Eccleji*. nfum doth
agree income things with our Liturgy : But it will not therefore
follow that our Liturgy is a poor puifne extca& taken out of it. Sober
and difcreet men would rather infer thereupon that our Liturgy and
as much of that Popifi Portifory as is incorrupt, are taken out of the
Primitive Chriftian Liturgies, which were devoutly ufed in feverai
Churches perfecuted for the faith of Chrjft long before any R om i(h
Superftitions were in Being . whercunto if there be with us a holy dc-
fire of Conformity to fhew that we are in communion and fellowship
with that poor perfecuted Church of old, that was valiant for the
Truth, refitting the enemies of Chrifteven unto bloud, and upon
whofe unwearied labours and fufferings we are happily entrcd What
orTenfe is it ?
Now that our Liturgy is fach we might alledge the faithfulnefi of
the
Look unto J E S
the Compilers of it, who according to the truft repoKid in them (<*s
matter Fox reports it in his Martyrology ) had in this important bu-
fincfs as well an eye and refpeft unto the moll fincere and pure Chn-
flian Religion taught by the Holy Scriptures, a$ alfe to the uf'.ges of
the Primitive Church . which the Ad of Parliament made for the
Confirmation of it, attefteth in thefe words, The Common Prayer efia-
blifced bj Law in England is agreeable to the word of God, and the Pri-
mitive Church : And as the King, a Zealous and Religious Pnnce to
fatisfie fome of his mutinous Sub jeds about it, faith, /; is altered from
that the popes of Rome for their Incre brought it unto.
But it may be this will not be accounted argumentative with our
techy Opponents ( though the faithfalnefs of fome of thofe very per-
fons is by them oftentimes propofed unto us for our imitation) We
fliall therefore here produce fomewhat that is more convincing. And
ftrft that we may fee it is no new thing to follow the example of the
Primitive times in the forms of Divine worfhip, let an inftancc be
confideredby usoutof E ufe biw, an Authourof good account as he
is well known in all the Churches. This Eufebix* having taken no-
tice of what Philo the JeV?, who lived in the dayes of Claudius C
take to produce any poficive Precept from the holy Ghoft in this plr.ee
for the cftablifhment of Epifcopacy in the Church; it is enough to
(hew that a Divine Approbation is given of it, indefenbing the qua-
lification of the perfons that are to employed in fuch an Office did
from that of a Presbyter, together with thcirfuperiority over Pref-
bytcrs, and how they arc to exercife their power in the leveral parts
thereof, viz,. Ordination and Jurisdiction. Whuh Divine Appro-
bation if we can here finde, as I doubt not we (hall, I hope it will be
acknowledged by all to be Tant-amount to a Divine Institution.
though it have not any pofitive Appointment in Scripture, but is one-
ly glanced at in fome certain places • yet that (hould not create any
fcruple in the mindes oi any about it , no more then fome points of
Faith, which we freely profefs, are icrupled by us , though we finde
them not exprefiy commanded in the written Word. Is it meet for
any to fay unto God, What doeft thou ? Who alas among us hath
known the minde of the Lord .' Or who hath been his Counfellour, r o
know fully the reafon why he doth in fuch a manner ifTue out his Pre-
cepts? Are not Clouds and thick Darknefs fet about the Pavilion of
God ? Let not filly man then dare to remove them. It would far bet-
ter become us to keep our diftance,and to be wife according to fobrie-
ty, then to arraign the pure word of Truth before the bar of our cor-
rupt reafon ; or to call the holy Spirit of God to account, for not gi-
ving full fatisfadion (forfooth) to our foolifh expectation. What if
Chrift, being willing to make his Regal Power the more known to the
world, would onely give fome fmall intimation of his will concerning
this matter ( as he hath done of fundry other things , which we need
not here mention ) to try the fpirics of men, whether they would
thereby be fubject unto him or no .? It is ordinary we know with the
Princes of the earth to deal thus with their Subjects , by a look or a
glance of the eye, or by a word of the mouth though.uttered in an ob-
lique way,to give notice of their further intentions, fo to fearch into
and finde out the Loyalty and ready affections of thofe about them :
And (hall Jefus Chrift be denyed this liberty ?
This being premifed, let us now come to inquire out the meaning
of the Apoftle in the afore- cited place , and fee whether or no his
words will allow of fuch an Identity between Bifhop and Presbyter as
haih been commonly conceived- or rather, try whether by deducti-
on we can prove from thence the Divine Right of Fpifcopacy , which
I Ii 'is
IjO
Look unto JESUS.
is fo much contradi&ed in thefe days, onely let prejudice be forborn
till fuch time as we have put an end to this controverfie.
Firft it cannot be denied that the Apoftle writeth to Tit as , .as to
one, with whom he had entrufted the fole infpedion of that large and
fpsciouslfland ( an 1 (land containing in it an hundred Cities called
therefore Hecatompdi* ) wherein his appointed work was , Not to
gather a Church by converting the inhabitants thereof from their Pa-
g^nifme and Judaifmetothefaithof the Gofpel ^ but the manner of
governing a Church which was already gathered, was prescribed unto
him: And this is by the Apoftle branched out into two things, viz.
Setting in order things that were amifs or wanting, or as it is rendred by
fome (according to the original word here 'E^/iof^™ correcting dis-
orders, and Ordaining Mimflers, both which plainly argue Epilcopal
authority-, for no (ingle presbyter was ever allowed even by our Anti-
epifcopal men to manage fuch a power : Sow as according to the A-
poftles word, Hcb. 7. 7. The lefs is bleffedof the better , fo muft the
correction of what is amifs, and the power of conferring an Ecclefia-
flical office upon any be in a Superiour alfo.
I know well what is ufually objeded here, viz,, ThttTitus was
an Evangelift, that is, fay fome, an Affiftant to the Apoftle in his pere-
grinations among the Churches, and therefore was endowed with an
extraordinary power , infomuch that his office was not capable of a
Succeffion. My anfwer hereto is this, It is granted that Titus for
fome time removed from pi ace to place with the Apoftle, as the exi-
gency of his work required , one while at fertifalem, another while at
Crete, from thence to Nicopolis he is ordered by the Apoftle to come
unto him ; after that he is fent to Corinth, from whence he is expected
at Treas, and met with Paul in Macedonia, whence he is fent again to
Corinth, &c, as fome have traced him in his feveral Stages ; Yet ne-
verthelefs though he was fuch a temporary Itinerant wirh the Apo-
ftle, and (if they will needs have itfo) though he executed the office
of an Evangelift in fo doing, It followeth not that his firft Commif-
(ion for Crete was thereby revoked • But that he did the office of an
Evangelift while he attended the Apoftle, may be granted, as he did
while he was refident in Crete, that is, by labouring in the Word and
Doctrine. For after all that can be faid, other Evangelift Titus never
was, nor can he ever be proved to be. Add hereunto, Neither can it
be found that ever Titm had fuch a peculiar charge given unto him in
any
Look unto J E S 11 S.
2c;i
any of tbofe places, where he cither accompanied the A poitle, or was
employed by him, as he had in Cnte : lor was he ever appointed to
fuch a work either in JeruSnUru^ or in Corinth, or in Macedonia, or
in Valmatia, or in any place elfe be! : dcs Crete ? Surely it cannot be
imagined but that thefe places might need the cut and vigilancy of
a Titus as well as that to which he was conf gnd. If therefore fuch
an office of Government fixed upon one pcrfon, in one place, over a
numerous Clergie,was for the advancement of the Gofpel ,of fuch n„-
ceffity in the dayes of the Apoftles, who were not a: a;i wanting in
thedifchargeof their duty , without all contradiction it is at feaii as
neceflary now , unlefs we will fay that the care of the Churches
well-fare was conhVd unto thofe Primitive Times, and no: to be ex-
tended to after- ages.
All which contidered, It is more then probable that the Apoflle did
devolve a power upon Titus, not of an Evargdift in the late upftart
fenfe, but that which is indeed Epifcopal, fupenour to that of an ordi-
nary presbyter, and not onely fo, but that this was to be a prefidenc
for the Government of the Churches to the end of the world.
* Efpecially when we look upon the reafon which the Apoflle an-
nexeth to the feventh verfe in thefe words, Tor a Bificf mu fi be blame-
lefs, dec. Which for my part I conceive to be the ground of the A-
pottlesownadin leaving Titus at Crete for the ends and purpofes
there premifed (knowing him to be a fit inftrument for fuch a weighty
employment) and not at all to fhew the qualincarion of the perfons
whom he fhould ordain, as it hath been commonly underftood Such
qualification the A poftle had defcribed in the fixth verfe, faying, If
any be blantelefs^ that is, as a late Writer gloffeth upon it,approved by
the teftimOny of the Church to be under no fcandalous (in, The hufi
bandcf one Vcifc, that is, One who lives not with a fecond wife after
putting away the firft, Having faithful children, that is, fuch (if he
have any ) as have all received the} aith. (For if he bring not up his
own children to be Ch iftian, what hope is there thac he will be fit to
convert others ?) Net accufedof riot or *»r*//,iliii is, who liver tempe-
rately and regularly: Meaning that Titer fhould not ordain any,but
t thofe tbat are thus qualified inrefpe&of their oz/n vcrtuous living, &
the Chriftian education of their children : But now ir be fhould again
in the feventh verfe repeat the fame qualification of unblameablencfs,
as referring to the fame perfons , his words would border too much
Ii 2 upon
252
Look unto JESUS.
k^Kffi*?**' ^^^^er.nadent tothatfp^
ed A hiw ?he h oert: S° ' ^VfMr the '«"' had declar -
hc vZZ^rhr ,W 3h6e(i > whomr/rwihould ordain
E ^fh,, §U ' e Tr hl L rafdfar ^°". implying withal the m!
mnor antbnfi'lr Wn A< *' "& he!eft hlmin Cm, about fuchan
Sfh he 5 ^ ^ C0rreftdif0rdcrs ' and «> ordain Elders. For
E>,T ^^ (that is, one who muft be employed in thefei
fcindol m 'fi l f-*M. &c. OtlWe with what face can
fit for fuchoXr^f '^'"g^^h qualifications ware juft and!
corr^Jfr,^ ' L t,ley bewantitl g >n bimfclf? Or how can he >
he efore teZZ^u' ifhe c h i^(ef. be blame- worthy 'Knowing!
incX &c ln P ° intS fi " ed f ° r this § rCat WOr *' ! left *«
ci s fi^v ttheintCnt0ft , heA P oftle here plainly is this, partly to fj
o fL^X/ r,1In§hiSleaV,n " himthere ' «being'fo P ra Jurpo fcl
SnJoffh^if nrC °a nCernn,CM ' b «t chiefly to (hew the qualified- '
whom h,T £ C ° be e , mp!oyed in corre * n g and opining , upon
Whim R an h0D0u " ble ™rk of diftinftion for his worksi^ca"
Kflifd bv a H t^ n Whe, ' eaS th , e Pcrf ° m ° rdained > he had before di-
K? ► y pr ,°P er t0 their office,cal!ing them/Wr fw This
o the Se^" 011 f S* \ P ° ftleS ""§• which ! hut A SK
mbi/ui v 8 rH Cnt ° f ^ , Chur£h - Ic is c ' ear without an Y wreft or
ihvr'l y ' and "Pon wh.ch u plainly follows that Biihop and Pres-
iheSv« n ? C -°r , l" nd - thc , farac ' but diftinftin their offices- and it L
apto duBnftfrom th of
I ir i? y ' of divine initiation. ,
nSS* (enfe . wl . 11 " ot fallowed by our Opponents, as for my part
F/L, ereas the Apoftle faith, that He left Titus « Crete * tn Uin
i SfedT' 7 ™ 7, ^"8'nthefixthverfe how they ftiould be
Wde« K P r r egreatcarethatr '^ fl'ou'd have '" ordaining
fortl Z'r„ r ° m ST**"" Bishops were to be chofS
of chei S ^ rnme " tof the Churches, whom it concerned in regard
ot- their power and authority above all others to be blamelefs,af the
Stewards
Look 'unto J E S US.
253
Stewards of God, doc felf- willed, &c. From whence I colled trut the
office of B 1 s h p and Presbyter arc not one and the fame.
Some Obje&ions poflibly will be made agtinft this interpretation
alfo • but let judicious and fober- minded men judge whether they be
of fuch weight, fo as to carry the A potties fenfe againft it.
I confef9 great is the confidence that hath been built upon this ima- ,
ginary Identity from whence hath fprungmuch trouble to the Church
of God : and none have exceeded therein fo much above meafure , \
as thofe perfons, who with a ftrange kinde of arTe&ation called them-
felves by that Uncouth name of Smellymnnus j For they led on with
this Errour, that Bishop and Presbyter are one and the fame,
take upon them to tax the A pottles reafoning as inconfequential, and
his demand as they call it, Unjuft, unlefs he fubferibe to their opini-
on •, Which cenfure they are likewife pleafed to ttretch out further by
a fimilitude according to their fancy: If a Chance Hour, fay they, in
cne cfour Vniverfties fbouldgivc order to his Vice-Chance Hour to Admit
none to the degree of a Bachelour in arts, but fuch as were able to preach,
or keep a. Divinity AH, fir Bachelour s in Divinity muft be fo , what
reafon or equity were in this ? So if Paul leaving Titus in Crete fbould
give order to him, not to admit any to be an Elder, but one thus and thus
qualified, becaufe a Bifbop muft be fo, Had a Bifbop been an Order or
Calling diftintl from or fuferieur to a Presbyter, andmt the fame , this
had been no more rational or equal then the former. Thus They. Bat
the fenfe of the Apoftle being rendred as before (which for ought that
I can fee may very well.be fo) Their fimilitude, or fomewhat alike
unto it, may be retorted upon them in this manner, If a Chancellour
in one of our Univerfities fhould give order to his Vice-Chancellour
to admit none to the degree of a Bachelour in Divinity , but fuch as
were learned in the Scriptures, of good report, and of a grave and
fober converfation, for Dodours in Divinity (who are to be taken
out of that lower degree) mutt be fo, there would be both reafon
and equity in fuch a Command • fo when the Apoftle gives order to
Titus not to admit any to be a Presbyter, but one that is blamelefs ,
becaufe a B 1 shop who is tobechofenoutofthe Presbytery mutt
be fo, 1 hope the Divine fpirit of this Dstlor gentium may pafs with-
out control, and not have an imputation of irrationality any more
put upon him, though it be affirmed ( as the truth is) that the office
of
*54
Jam.
1,20
Look unto JESUS.
ofa Bishop is here diftinguifhsd by him from due oi
ter, and made Supenour unto it.
Prcsby-
Let none now think of me that becaufe of this my free manner of
writing, 1 have defign'd thereby to make way for a polemical difpute
with feme perfonsof nore chat are contrary minded in this cafe, they
would miltake me much chat fhould judge fo of me : I am not willing
to be reckoned among 'he difputers of this world, And I do confefs
my fell the unfittelt of many upon fundry accoums for fucb an under-
caking : befides there hath been too much wrangling already among
u«' 7 Animolities have encreafed to the great decay of brotherly-Love
in ihe management of this controversy, occafioned chiefly by this pre-
tended Identity. But the wrath of mm, faith the Apoitle, worlejth not
the Rtghteou[ne[s of God : And what have all the Jehtt-hke (allies, and
furious heats of the adverfaries of Epifcopacy at length produced,
Wh it I fay whereby Gods name may be honoured, or his Church e
dihed ? Is not the fhame of their nakednefs made bare to the view of
all men ? Oh that God would now give repentance unto all thofe tha:
are confeious to themfelves of a guiit herein.
Even ihofe very perfons that I mentioned before, who were the
Ring leaders in this difference, have reafon fadly to lay it to heart, if
they be yet iivmg^who had they but followed that Counfel themfelves
which they give unto that Reverend B 1 shop with whom they \
did contend, their offenfe had not been fo great, viz. To have writ- \
ten me e catstiokflj, and to have given lefs fcop'e to their luxuriant pen;
for as they did let it run into caufelefs aggravations, it did certainly
bring too great a fcandal upon Religion, and made good their adver- ;
; fanes charge againft them. But fince things that are pad cannot be !
; wholly recalled, Oh that they would give glory to God in confefling
their Errour, and endeavour »to repair again thofe breaches which \
their inadvertency hath made,by a publick retraftation.They are men
that pretend much to tendernefs of Confcience, and therefore I pre- j
fume are not of that proud Cardinal's fpirit, who confeffed there was
need enough to reform the abufes of the Rcmijh-Chmch, but he could
not endure that Luther a poor beggarly Friar (as hecairdhim )
fhould give the firit Onfet unto it; I hope better things ofthefe
men, as to this cafe, in their capacity, and that they will not difdain
for this once to receive a word of Exhortation from one that is leaft
efteemed
Look unto J E S U S.
55
efteemed in the Church- becaufethey know well, that the more in-
confiderable rhe perfon is, as to his owtward eftace, that gives them
an advice of fuch concernment as this, they may the more magniiie
Gods name in a ready contenting thereunto.
But to return to our purpofe,] have here offered my conceptionsin the
expounding of this Scripture, which hath been (b much controverted
of late, humbly prefenting them to the judgment of the Church no.
knowing that ever yet any expofitour Antient or Modern hath ren-
dred the fenfe of it fo before. If the glory of God may hereby be
advanced, and the Churches peace promoted, f have my aime and it
fhall be the Crown of my rejoycing to my dying d^y. But as to the
Objection that hath thus let out my thoughts fo far towards this fub-
jed, I will be consent that either of thefe interpretations that are
here givcn,will fooner be received by thofe that are wife and moder-
ate, then our adversaries wrefl: which hath hitherto created fo much
trouble unto us.
The refult will be this. Epifcopal Government i« warranted by
the word of God, therefore it is no fuperflition to have it reeftablifh-
ed in our Church, nor no tranfgreflionof the Law of Chriit,to yeild
fubjectionuntoic.
And now to finifh this matter : whereas there hath been a Cry
made, Away with Superftition and Away with Idolatry, Away
with Liturgy and Away with Bifhops, we may clearly fee'by what
is here written, that this clamour is altogether caufelef?. Poor peo-
ple that are thus wofully deluded, the Lord pitie them, and the Lord
forgive them, for they know not what they fay. Much more reafon
furely is there to cry out with afhout, Blefled be God for Liturgy
and Epifcopacy .whereby we are now really and in truth delivered out
o^ BabjLn.
Admit that our Liturgy be found in the manner of fome expre/Iions
and tranflation of it fit to be changed, for the reafons of expediency
and condefcenfion, (wherein neverthelefs we are for the churches frke
tofubmit to the wifdom of chofe in whofc power it is, to order that
change) yet as it is, considering the woful effects which he want of
it h xh produced, and in regard of the reafons before fpecified, it will
well become all that fear God heartily to rejoyce at its Pveftaura-
tton.
Admit alfo ( which yet without contradicting the Holy Ghoft can-
no:
<2j6
Concerning
Ecclefiafti'
cat affairs.
1661.
Looh^unto JESUS.
Pro. 1 3. To
Pro.i6.iS
not be granted ) that Epifcopacy were as bad in its own nature , as
Schifmaticks would make it: yetitmuftbe acknowledged to be far
better then that Anarchy in che Church, which was pro jeded by the
late Sect of Over-turners for their own finifter ends : But it is now
manifeft that this defpifed,perfecuted Epifcopacy 3 is not an humane Ec-
clefiaftical ordinance but Divine, and therefore it is that Government
under which we may have the greateft confidence that Religion may
flourifh , and our fouls may profper. Efpecially when we
look upon thofe grave and reverend perfons , who are pre-
ferred to that office and charge , and finde them , ?.ccording to
his gracious Majesties Declaration , men of learning ,
virtue and piety , fuch of whom the world is not worthy , if it
fhould (till perfift in enmity againft them. I name none, for by their
works and by their furferings you may know them, Onely let that
free and faithful Speech uttered in a Sermon before his Majefty that
now is ( whom God long preferve ) at the time of his Coronation ,
(hew what manner of fpint a Bifhop may be of when he is employed
in his Matters bufinefs in preaching the Gofpel, which was this, Thofe
perfons ( meaning Kings and Princes ) that can be f unified by none but
God, fhall be fare to be mofi (everely punifhtd by God, ifbecaufe they can
be punifhedby none but him , they pre fume the more to fin againft him.
What a thunder clap is this to be rattled in the ears of a King when
he is in the height of his temporal glory ? Let any now, or all of that
fort of people, who are apt to cry out Away with Bifhops, but try a
little thtir own fpirits, and fee whether at any time they have been ,
or can be more faithful in fpeaking of Gods testimonies in fuch an au-
dience, and not be difmayed. 1 lay therefore again, Let not the peo-
ple of this Nation any more be fuch enemies to the Gofpel of Chrift,
and their own fouls, as to fay Away with Liturgy and Away with E-
pi fcopacy ; rather we fhou Id fay
Away with Schifme and that virulency of fpirit which hath too
much prevailed upon us in thefe later times, againft thofe things that
are fo. confonant to the holy Scriptures.
Away with pride, which we have experimentally found to be the
Mother of contention, and the fore- runner of confufion, whofe fwel-
lings of late with fcorn and contempt have fuperabounded, Her Chil-
dren pretending to tread down the pride ofothers, have with the faces
of Sodom and Gomtrah done it with a greater pride.
Away
Look unto J E S U S.
57
Away with hypocrify and diflembling holinefs which hath ever been
accounted a double iniquity. It is the beft fervant the Devil hath, and
(hall have anfwcrable wages above all the reft. This is chat Croco- I W*.»4.f i
dile that could weepe and houle, whenithadadefign to deflroy ar.d
(Wallow us up quick, That Jezebel that could proclaim a fall: when 1
(he proje&ed cruelty and oppreffion, That Pharifee than could make !
long prayers, when poor Widows and Orphans houfes were at the I
end ot his devotion, That Judas that would kifs and betray in the
fame breath, cry All hail, ar.d in the very inftant finite under the fife
rib, therefore Away with it.
Away with felf-feeking that hath cramb'd the bags and fifl'd the
coffers of covetous earth-worms with the mines of their Country.
Away with Herefie and Blafphemy, The one cu-ts the throat of
truth, which ihould be dearer unto us then our lives , And the other
flies in the face of God Almighty, and bids defiance againft Heaven ,
Both which I dare lay have a deeper place in Hell then Superftition ,
yet both of them rode circuit about this Nation, while it flood un-
churched by ourdivitlons, and unkinged by our fins.
Away with that Image of Jealoufie,that Anti-Catholick and Ahti-
Chriftian Toleration, which for politick ends and purpofeshach cun-
ningly yet moft profanely been cryed up as the common intereft of
Sion that God takes care of, as if an abomination of defolation were
now become the Churches glory, And the way to prefervc truth \n
its purity were to blend it with Errour. Had this curfed project con-
tinued as it began, well might that Machiavellian principle in time
have patted for found doctrine, viz,. That all (hall be favedin their
own Religion, though the Church of this Kingdom would ( as it was
once faid ) fooner have become the Devils dancing-fchole then Gods
Temple. In the mean tune thofe poor Superfluous Majignants that
durftihewthemlelvesin the behalf of Liturgy and Epifcopacy muft
be furc above others to be exempted from this indulgence, and fo left
toperifti without any remedy : douhdefs this juggling did roufe up
the jealoufie of the Almighty, and therefore it was high time to fend
it packing.
i Away with Irreverence, Profanefs-$ Loofenefs, Sordidnefs in the
| Service of the Holy and Dreadful God, which in the judgement of
' all that are truely pious is far worfc then that Oihcr extreme of
1 overmuch Curiolity and Superftition, This in fome kinde preferv-
K k
ing
■J5»
fud.v. 8.
Look unto JESUS.
Jud.v.i.
Bi.hop
Andicws
thus argu-
eth,No man
couldpierijh
in the gain-
faying of
Kora-hj
under the
Gojpel
{which St.
Jude faith
they may )
if there
were not a
fuperiority
in the Cler-
gy- t for Ko-
rahs trntt'f
ny was be-
caufe he
might not
be equal to
Aaron, ap-
pointed his
fuperisur
by God.
Num. \ 6.
io.
ing, fupporting.. exalting Religion, The other defacing, fupprcfiing,
trampling upon it.
Finally, Away with Defpifing Dominion* andffeakjng evil of Di-
gnities, which Saint Jude condemneth v. 8. that is, as it is proba-
ble by the purport of his Epiflle, fuch dominion and fuch dignities as
were then fettled in the Church, againft which Diotrezhes, and his crew
would be dill carping, or as iris v. 19. Separate themfelves. Upon
which defpifers the fame Apoftle pronounceth Gods vengeance, which
hath a meafure reaching even to all thofe who are this day guilty of
the fame fin ; Wo unto them, faith he, th-.y have gone in 1 he way sfKain,
perfecutirgChriftsfervantsbecaufcthey are preferred and accepted
before them, even as Cain did his brother Abel, And ran greedily af-
ter the errour cf Balaam for rer?ard % pouring out their curfes upon the
poor Church of God in hope to enrich themfelves by the fpoils of it ,
And perijh in the gain- faying of Corah, Their contempt of and infur-
re\v edge it is a very baft buftnefs,
but tlocy put it upon me.and I cannot avoid it.'\ his being witnefTed againft
him at his trial, he had not fo much confidence then as to deny it.
Whereby it feems that one while he accounted it a very bafe bufinefs,
another while after he had gotten preferment by it, it was the moll
Nobieand Glorious Ad that ever he did in all his life. His Indict-
ment alfo charging him with Malice, He replyed, that he ailed cneij
at a Connfe Hour for htf fee, fo that it wight be ( as he faid ) called a-
varitia not malitia, C wet ox fnefs^mt Malic s. And being told that
he demanded judgement againft the King, He anfwercd, Ht* wean-
ing was judgement for his acquittal. Yea further,when he was in Ire-
land, he did, as he faid, put in a Petition to the Honourable Commif.
h*oners that he might have the benefit of his Ma jetties Declaration at
Breda : but when he faw his expectation therein to be frustrated by
the fentence of death upon him, the Cafe is altered, his Death mutt
be a Martyrdom, and the Caufe for which he furTers, the moft glori-
ous Caufe that ever was agitated for God and Chrift fince the Apo-
ftolical times. Juft like fome flu rdy Beggar, who at firft will feem
to be very humble, pouring out his prayers for fuch as will relieve
him, but if he have not an almes given him according to his asking,
heprcfently falls to curfing and banning. Let now the beft freinds
this man had, judge whether he be to be commended for constancy and
fortitude in his Caufe, or to be condemned for (hameful fhufrling and
halting in it, and consequently whether he be a fit pattern for their
imitation.
Had he and the reft of his fellows in iniquity but given teftimony of
fo much felf- denial, as to have refufed that Wealth and Preferment
which they gained by their bufy actings in their Caufe, and have kept
themfelves in that inferiour rank, wherein they were before they had
brought fo much mifchicf upon us, they might poffibly not have been
fo fubjed to cenfure as they were : but when they coveted feilds and
houfes,and took them by violence,oppreffed a man and his houfe,even
a man and his heritage, when they fpoiled for themfelves ( as the Pfa -
w*/?fpeakcth ) and like wretched Ahab did kill, and alfo take po (Tef-
fiOn,
2<5i
Mr. Nut-
1<7.
6%
Look unto JESUS.
(ion, yet in the mean time would be efteemed as the prime patrons of
publick liberty, and in point of religion,Saints of the greateft magni-
tude in this Hemifphere of the Church, Out upon it, It was as hateful
Hypocrifie as ever was feen under the Sun, And I doubt not but thofe
that now juftifie it will have their eyes open one day fo to account of
it.
Now therefore O foolifh people and unwife that are fo miferably
deluded with vain and empty fhadows of holinefs and conftancy in a
pretended caufe of Religion, be warned betimes, and as you love
your fouls, never let them enter into the fecret of thefe men, nor be
baptifed with the baptifme that they were baptifed with. Away I
fay with that fpiritof Rebellion and Sedition 3 of Divifionand Delution
that hath too long haunted this Nation, Let it from henceforth never
be entertained by us any more : And if we have not quite loft that
antient genuine integrity and goodnefs of Nature that hath been pe-
culiar to the natives of this Kingdom, we will all joyn hearts and
hands together to fend it packing.
Confider what hath been faid, and the Lord give us a right under-
standing in all things. But I hope it is now made evident who they
be among u* that come neereft to the pattern here prefented unto us
in the text, in being (till the fame,Whether thofe that have framed the
obje&ion which hath caufed this difpute,or thofe againft whom the
objection is framed.
i And now becaufe this Test is in an cfpecial manner intended for
! the inftru&ion & encouragement of the Hebrews to fubmit themfelves
to the Scepter of ChrifVs government, I (hall out of a friendly zeal
for their Converfion make another fhort Application unto them.
O yce that were once a people, and who fhall again ( we believe)
be glorious among the Nations, be at length informed aright concern-
ing the Meffiah, whom I hope you will upon a perufal of what is here
written (if you fuffer not prejudice to captivate your judgment ) ac-
count to be this Jefus ooely,whom your Fathers perfecuted and we a-
dore. Be wife I fay,& receive inftru&ion concerning his Kingdom here
upon earth : It is not to be nor ever (hall be conformed to the King-
domes of this world in outward pomp and fplendour, in expectation
whereof you have been hitherto wofully blinded* For look what
manner
Look unto J E S U S.
manner of power our Lord exercifed over his people yefterday, the
fame doth he to day- becaufe he is Rill *Q 9 Afllt the fame. And
whatfoever alteration hath happened therein, as ( it muft be confu-
ted ) fome there is, and ought to have been upon thofe termes before
mentioned, which yer, as we have faid , argueth no inconftarxy at
all in himfclf, It is a change unto that which is more fpiritual and fo
confequently is his Kingdom at a fan her diflance.from the world then
it was betore. Was it not prophecyed of him that he fhould be a
man offorrovfs, broken W'ith infirmities, &c. And even where his com-
ing is fpoken of as a King, That though he be juft and bringeth Salva-
tion with him^ yet he is lovely too, and fhould tefhfie it by the poverty
of his appearance, not to be mounted in a Princely manner as the
Kings of the earth are wont, but upon no better deed then a rawed
Colt ,f he foal of an afse y which furely fpeakes him to be one that would
take no great [late upon him.
And harh not this which is written been this day fulfilled by this
'O *Aui9i this onely Hee, Jefus Chrift, as all elfehath been which
was yefterday prophecyed of the Mefiiah ? why then will you fufTer
your felves to be deceived by Satan with a fruities waiting for of 1
know not what glorious appearance of Another yet to come .' True it
iswealfolookfor another coming of this our great Redeemer and
we now call upon one another daily, as you have been exhorted here-
tofore , Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand ; But ( as
it is obferved by us from the Holy Prophets and Apoftles ) The Sce-
pter will be changed, and the government wholly altered from what
it was before, Then was the Kingdom of Grace , now of Glory and
Juftice, Then was the faving, now the judging of Souls Then came
it in the tongues of Men, but hereafter in the trumpet of an Arch. An-
gel, Then with tidings of great Joy to the whole World, but that
that is to come (hall be with Terrour and Amazement to all the kin-
dreds of the earth, Then with glory to God on high, and peace upon
earth, but hereafter with V* V* V* habitatoribus terra, Thrice wo
to them that dwell upon the earth • Then to gather the loft fheep of
the houfe of Jfrael into the (heep-fold, now to fever the Sheep from
the Goats • Then to embrace both Jew and Gentile, now to divide
between fervant and Servant at the fame Mill, between man and wife
in the fame bed, between Jacob and Bfau in the fame womb and to
pronounce the one of them blefled, and the other accurfed. Repent
therefore
263
BfK
Bi(hop
King upon
Jonai.
26a
Luk I 9.
: 2.
Lool^ unto JESUS.
therefore we fay unto you , for this kingdome of God is at hand, to
deface all kingdomes, to root up the nations, to confumc the earth
with her works, and the people with their fins. This is the kingdome
and no other that is now to be looked for • and our Lord is gone to re-
ceive it for himfeli : But whofoever they be that will not have him to
reign over them whiles he fivayeth the fcepter of his Grace, which is
fo defpicable in the eye of the world , when he returneth he will have
fuch Rebels and Traytours draggM into his prefence,and fee them ex-
ecuted before him.
Oh then let not the Serpent beguile you any 'ongcr with the expe-
ctation of a fools paradife,Rather come I befeech without any further
delay, O ye children of Ifrael, and children of Judah together,andfeek
the Lord your God, who hath promifed to be found of you, Ask. the
Kvttj to Zion with year faces thitherward (and we for our parts will give
you the beft directions we can) Say, as it is written of you you (hall
fay , Come let us jcyn our [elves to the Lord in an everla fling Covenant^
that JbaU never he forgotten Too long alas have you been unmindful
of the Rock that begat you , and forgotten your God that formed
you : And will you iKll continue to be a froward Generation , chil-
dren in whom is no faith ? Is the Lord Chrift a ftumblir.g-block un-
to you,becaufe of the reproach that is caft upon his kingdome by a fin-
ful world I A world that accounteth the things of the Spirit of God
but foolifhnefs, which things it cannot know nor receive,becaufe they
are fpirituaily difcern'd -, And will you conform yourfelvesto the
guife of the world? You that have heretofore with fo much zeal de-
clared your abhorrency of it , Will you now joyn in a confederacy
with it to your (hame in that which is fo contrary to the concurrent
predictions of all your Prophets concerning the kingdome of the Mef-
fiah ? Some of whom Iconfefsdo fpeak of his glory and great at-
chievements, but that muft be underilood in a fpiritual fenfe, as that
he will bring the world under the power of his grace, And thofe that
do refifl: it, he will by his Word and Spirit meft righteoofly condemn:
Elfe how will you free thofe other Prophets from falfliood and crrour,
who fpeak as much of his poor, bafe, raid contemptible eftate, under
many miferies and afflictions, yea of hisdea:h andpailion ?
As for that dream of two Mefliafles to come, the one Ben Jefeph
of the Tribe of Ephraim, who is to fuffer and undergo thofe indigni-
ties, the other Ben David of the Tribe of fhdah, who muft redeem,
deliver
Look unto JESUS.
16
deliver and reflore Ifrael to cheir former inheritance, and gather them
together out of all the earth, who muft vanquifti, fubdue, andm?kc
tributary all princes and Potentates of the world, who never mud: dye,
but live and reign everlafungly in temporal Glory, who {hall raife
again the dead lfraelites unto life, ar.d amongft them Median Ben Jo-
feph; Jtisfofottifhanabfurdity, chat I believe you your fclves are
atiiamcdof it.
The Median whom you have expected is the Rock of Ages p the
Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the ending, Would you have him
then to vary the form of his Government, which he hath alwayes ex-
erci fed over his Church in a fpiricual way, to a worldly compliancy
with the Princes of the earth ? What a fhamefu! incondancy would
this be, unfutablc to his Honour, and no whit conducibie ro the work,
j the great work of Mefliah indedroying the kingdome of Satan ? Yea
what fruit would thereby redound unto you in carrying you fafely
through your pilgrimage here that you might fit down with Abra-
ham ^ "jfaac, and faccb in the kingdome of God ? For us, We profefs
this to be our earned defire in our own behalf, and if yon be indeed
the children of Abraham, it would be your ambition to obtain it ra
ther then any earthly glory. Did the Lord ever in ail the time of ye-
flcrday exercife a temporal Power over the Kings and princes of the
earth f Where was his 1 hrone erected f What mettal was his Crown
made of ? When Pharaoh kept his people in Egypc,What armies of men
did he mufter up for their deliverance? When A m ale k.cimc out agaimt
them, Mofes his Deputy betakes himfelf to prayer, whilft Jojhua rights
the Lords battels:But what need the one pray,and the other fight,if the
Lord himfelf who is the Lord of Hofts,not onely of his fubje&s, but of
his enemies too,was to have excrcifed fuch a Power ? And how ill did
the Lord take it of your forefathers , when they thus mutinied againft
him, faying, Nay but we will have a King over us, that we alfo may be i 1 Sam. 8.7.
lilej unto other nations r They have, faith he, rejcFtedme that IJbouldnot \
reign over them, meaning in his fpiricual mediatory Power, as I have
before obferved, which though he ftill in great mercy continued as for-
merly , during that regal Government , which they then chofe, and
which fhould in time have been mercifully cftabliftit among them,had
they not been fo precipitant in requiring it, yet was his Spirit grieved
at that their rebellion againft him. Oh know for certain, It is a far
greater rebellion againft the Lord your God that you are this day
L 1 guilty
i66
Look turto JESUS.
Exfk.zo.
f/.-4?.*3.
Thatthefe
jqraclesof
the Hea-
then were
(buck
dumb at
that unie,
wri-
tings of
flie Hea-
then do
ent-
V
guilty of, In that you do fo caufelefly out of a vain affectation of con.
fbrmiry to other nations , unwarranted by Mofes and the Prophets,
reject the Anoynced of the mod high God , that he fhould not be
your King, according to that form of Government, which is devcnV d
upon him by the Father.
Bat iv>* obfimntc your obftinacy againft him , hitherto he hath
reigned, and reign he will (till, as he hathdone^/^rf all the gates of
hell: He is the breath of our nofthrils, and the life of our fouls -, un-
der his (hadow we do live and rejoyce, yea and we will re Joyce more
and more. And as for you, becaufeof your nnkir.de refufal of him,
hath not this our Lord, according to his oath, hitherto with a mighty
band) and fir ached.- out arm, ana fury poured cut rule 'd over you f Whence
otherwife hath it come to pafs that fo deep a (lain hath been brought
upon ail your excellency, and that your glory is thus eclipfed ? That
you are Scattered over the world , and whereas you were the head ,
you are now become the tail of all nations , as the Lord once threat-
ned you ? Which bring fo, Whether then it be better to be under his
grace, or under his wrath, judge ye. There is no avoyding it , wili
ye, nill ye, one way or other you fhall ever be fubdued unto him , ei-
ther as children or as captives, as fubjects or as flaves ; for the Lord
hath fworn by himfelf ( the greatell oath that ever was heard of) the
word is gone out of his mouth in righteoufnefs, and (hall not return,
That tinte him every knee Jha/I how , ever -j tongue jbali fwe/ir, Efa. 45.
j 23. And if ever demonstrations were found among the creatures for
j the confirmation of any thing, there have been fuch that are mod con-
i vincing in this matter of fub jecting the world to the irrefutable power
j of Jcfus, according to this oath.
Two memorable occurrents I fhall mention in order hereunto that
are paft all gain-faying. Firft at his birth the Oracles of the Heathen
teftified of him by their filer.ee, not daring once to peep or mutter out
an anfwer to their importunate fuppliants , after that this c o Aop<, the
Oracle of the Living God once appeared.
Secondly at his death,The Sun in the firmament did alfo bear witnefs
unto him, by a total eclipfing of his light to the amazement of the
world far and near. In Egypt it was feen and admired by Dknyfius A-
recpagita, as appears in his Epiftle to Polyctrp , wherein hedefircth
Polycarp to enquire of one Apollorhanes ( who would not it feems be
reclaimed from his Gemiiifme) what he thought of that eclipfe which
he
Look unto J E S US.
:6 7
he faw when he was with him ac Heliopolis a city in Egypt, at rhe time
of our Saviours differing , when he could not but acknowledge that
| that with other remarkable wonders, which they took notice of toge-
j ther, were Qiiav &!xoiC&} U^ay^ivf , viciflitudes or changes of Di-
I vine works. Which Dionyfms being at that timealfo a Heathen and
much aftonifhed at the unnaturalnefs of the faid eclipfe, cryed out, as
it is reported of him, » tv SiUv n*Vx«,&c. Either the Deity fxftr-
cth y or hsth fympathy with that which fujfereth , or the Whole World is
ready to be diffolved : Adding withall , Deus igmtus income patitttr
ideoej', IJniverfnm hi fee tencbris obfenratur & concutitnr j that is An
unknown Godfuffers at this time in the flefb, which makes the wnr'd to
jhake ^nder thU obfenrity. But afterwards when the Apoftle Sain t PahI
I came to Athens, and affirmed Jefus Chrift to be the unknown God at
! whole death the Sun was foobfeured, the faid D'mjfius hearing him
■ became a convert to the Chriftian Faith, and all his life time after an
eminent fervant to Jefus Chrilh
Thele reports poffibly you will not regard, howfoever the truth
-of the eclipfe cannot be queitioned by you, which may let in fo much
light upon you to make you believe that fomewhat extraordinary was
then a&ed in the world, which God would have the world to take fpe-
cial notice of.
And now to conclude, What is it ( O ye miferably blinded people)
that you flick at ? If the Lord Jefus Chrift the Son of the BiefTed Vir-
gin,our Lord and our God,hath not exactly fulfilled all that was pro-
[ pheciedofthe MeiTiah, If he hath not done the works that no other
| man did, or can do, If you have not hitherto fmarted enough under
i that heavy Curfe, which your fathers brought upon you, when they
I crucified the Lord Jefus, crying out. His bloudbeupon us and our
children, go on then dill in your pertinacy, deny him to be the Lord
that bought you, look for another that can do more for you, then he
hath done : For us, in the mean time, we will bewail before the Lord I
your woful blindenefs and hardnefs of heart ; and though we cannot
convei fc with you as brethren , becaafe of your perverfnefs in your
prefent infidelity, yet we will pity you, as thofe who were once a peo-
ple, in whom the Lord delighted, yea as thofe of whom we have good
hope upon the return of your Captivity, to fee you made the r«Lory
of Nations, a Praife in the earth : Which hope as we may be confi-
dent it will not fail us, in the time and feafon which the Father hath
LI i p Ut
o68
Look unto JESUS.
I Cor.)
Eph.2
;»*
Of,}
1 J ''"
f ■
i 8,
19 4
put in bis own Power, fo may the confederation of thofe grounds and
reafons hereafter fpecified, whereon this hope is built, in time prevail
with you, to bethink your felves of your long eftrangement from your
God," and to quicken your return unto him.
Lafiiy, Since it is fo that Jefiis Chrift is the Same to day which he
was yefierday, then have the Churches of the Gentiles good reafon to
rejoyce in that they, fubmitting thcmfelvesto Chnfrs yoke, may be
fure that the fame Divine Love which was of old mamfefted to the
jews is in as full meafurc according to their capacity extended towards
them. What high account was made of Ifrajel heretofore , the holy
Scripture doth every where tell us ; How Cod entred into a Cove-
nant with them, was nigh unto them in ail -hat theycall'd upon him
for, cftcemed them his Inheritance , his Vineyard, his peculiar Trca-
fare, when all other Nations were reje&edas unclean, proclaimed
Out-laws, and cad forth as dogs, not fuffered to intermeddle with the
childrens priviiedge : But now fince the Holy .Ghoft hath not onely
told us, that Jefus Chrift the meflenger of this Covenant, the purcha-
fer of this Inheritance, the planter of this Vineyard, the great Lord-
Keeper of this Treafury hath broken down the wall of Partition that
was between Jews and Gentiles, making both one, but that he is alfo j
the Same to day which he was yefterday, as able now to fave them to |
the uttermoft whofocver they be that come unto God by him, and as
ready to do the will of the Father ,in being a Light to lighten the Gen-
tiles ( according to the prophecies of old ) as to be the glory of his
. people Ifrael , we may therefore be confident in our approaches be-
i fore the Lord, looking for mercy and grace to help in time of need,
j being as much intereffed in ail the happy Priviledges of the everlafting
Covenant of promife,as ever were the jews ; there is no difference
now, faith the Apoftle, between the Jew and the Greek, for the fame
Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him, Per whofocver (hail
call upon the name of the Lord (hall befaved: Now is the true heaven-
ly found gone into all lands , the Gofpel preached to every creature,
which the Apoftles carried about when they had their Commi/Fion
j given them to go into all the world, their Line reached to the ends of
the earth, insomuch that the Orb or Tabernacle of the Sun ( fo the
j Divine Spirit of the Pfalmift is interpreted by the Apoftle) was bound-
ed within the limits of their CemuuiTion. Saint Paul had his circuit
! from
Look unto J E S U S.
from ferufalem to Spain , and he made it his bufinefs to preach the
Gofpel, not where Chrift was named, left hefhould build upon ano-
ther mans foundation ; So that if one of thefc Itinerants could run
fo great a part of the world , we may well fuppofe that the
ovc
other twelve might with czfc divide the reft of the world among them.
And now what alas werewemadanddefperate Idolaters, that God
ffcould bring us hitherto ? Thnt the Lord Jbould fij to its , who were
not his people , Touare my people ■ and that we fiouldfa] , O Lord thon art
cur Gcd ? O what a mercy is it, that we the poor, and the maimed,
and the halt, and the blinde, who abode in the ftrects and lanes of the
Citr,vea that we who wand red about in the high- way cs and anions ft
the hedges ,(hould be called to the Wedding- feaft of the King of hea-
ven ? That unto us who fate in darknefs and dwelt in the region and
fhadow of death Light fhou!d fpring up ? Let therefore the name of
the I o; d be magnified by ns poor finners the Genriles ( as the Pro-
phet foretold it (houid ) from the riling of the Sun , unto the going
down of the fame. Andfinceweare through grace become children
of £«(», let us take the liberty here to fing one of the Songs of S ion So
far as we may be concern' d therein.
give Thankj into the Lord, for he U Gocd }
For his mere j endureth for ever,
O give Thanks un* the God cf gods,
For his mercy endureth for ever,
O give Thankj unto the Lord of lords >
For his mercj endureth for ever,
To Him- who alone doth great wonders,
For his mercy endureth forever,
Who remembred us in sur lowefiate,
For his mercy endureth for ever.
O give Thankj unto the God of heaven,
For his mercy endureth fir ever.
Let the Redeemed of the Lord among the Gentiles fay fo , whom
he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered them out
of all lands, from the Eaft, and from the Weft, from the North and
from the South, not oncly to dwell in the houfe of the Lord here and
to fee hisgoodnefs in the land of the Living, but to fit down with
Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob in the kingdome of God to all Eter-
nity.
And
269
Rom,
ZO,2
4-
Mat.
Luk.
L1.9.
14.
Mali. 11.
7°
tins.
Lu-
Conftan-
tine.
Xing Hen-
ry the 8.
Epb. 2,19.
Looh^ unto JESUS.
And let us of this Nation among the reft and above the reft, as it is
our duty, give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name, acknow-
ledging nis great mercy } in that his unchangeable love hath had an ex-
traordinary raeafure reaching even firft unto us. Oh how hath the
Lord been pleafed to fend his Gofpel upon the wing unto this Nation?
So wonderfully here prevailing,that England hath had this honour in
an eminent manner to be the firft- born of grace among the Nations ?
Here reigned the firft Chriftian King that ever was in the worid,who
fiibmitted to the Law of Chrift, confirming it by a civil fan&ion-From
hence went the firft Chriftian Emperour that put an end to the bloudy
perfecutions of the primitive Ghriftians, yea and after the general de-
fection from the purity of the faith, made by the Romifb Church ,
which like the tail of the Dragon, threw down to the earth a great
part of the Stars of Heaven, Here the Reformation of the Chriftian
Religion began firft to be eftabliihed by a Law, by the firft King that
ever caft off the yoke of that Anti-Chriftian Ufurper • Wherein
whether his defign was to promote any (inifter intereft of his own, as
fome imagine, or to advance the Kingdom of Chrift, is not much ma-
terial for us to know, The arme of the Almighty hath hitherto been
ftretchedout, for the prefervation thereof, counter- working all the
Machinations of Hell, which have been and ftill are upon the Devil's
forge againft it. Rejoyce therefore in the Lord O England, and a-
gain 1 fay rejoyce.
But as it is our bounden duty to afcribe unto the Lord the glory
of this mercy, and to rejoyce that we are no more ftrangers and for-
reiners, as the Apoftle tells the Epkjians, but fellow-citizens with
the Saints, that is, the Jews, and of thehoufe- hold of God. So we
cannot but abhor the treachery of rhofefalfe brethren among us, cal-
led Anabaptifts, who like a brood of Vipers would if it lay in their
power ( but that Gods mercy towards us, triumphs over their falfe-
hood ) disfranchife us of our liberties in the houfe of our God, and
rob us of thofe priviledges wherein the Lord Jefus Chrift hath made
us free, giving us therein equal right with his Ifrael that was before
us, becaufe he is ftill the Same.
I might inftance in "fundry of their Anti-Chriftian tenents tending
hereunto,But for brevities fake will make mention onely of one, that
is,their Antipa?dobaptifme,not allowing the Infants of Believers to
be admittedinto the houfe-hoid of faith by the Sacrament of Baptifme.
It
Look unto JESUS.
It is not my purpofe here to difpute this point at large, being out
of my way • enough hath been written of it already. And h hath
been found by experience to be a toylfome task to run the wilde-
goofe chafe ( as a learned divine now with God once phrafed it ) af-
ter a well breathed Opimonift • they delight in Vitilitigation, Tt is
! an itch, as he faid, that loves a life to be fcrubb'd, they defirc not fa-
tisfadion, but fatisdi&ion, whereof themfelves mull be judges. I
(hall not therefore fay much to this quarclfome people: Let them
confider how they will anfwer the Apoftle here who avoucheth Jcfus
Chrifl to be thee Same to day which he was yeflerdaj. Certainly if the
, infants of the Jews were by virtue of Chrifts mediatory office to be
received into the bofome of the Church, and diftinguifhed from thofe
that were without by a Solemn Sacrament of initiation, but the infants
of Chriftian parents, to whom be'ongeth the Kingdom of God, as
as well as to the Jews before , mud not be allowed to partake of a like
priviledge, but be reckoned ilill as dogs ( as the Scripture calls all that
are without ) Jefus Chrifl: is not the Same according to the Apoftles
word, Neither is his office now of fo much ufeunto his Church, as it
hath been formerly • Of fuch blafphemy as this, not to be mentioned
without horrour, mud this curfed errour be the foundation.
But let me ask of thefe deceivers, How came it to pafs that Chrifl
hath no: obtained this priviledge for our Infant?, as well as he did for
the Jews, feeing God is not now the God of the Jews onely , but of
the Gentiles alfo ? Surely it rouft be either becaufe he would not, or
becaufe he could not ; To fay he would not, doth plainly demonltrate
his love of us to be left, then it was of the Jews , which agreeth not
with that abundant grace that hath been now revealed in the time of
the Gofpel •, To fay he could not, contradið that univerfal power
vv ch the father had given unto him in heaven and in Earth ; The exercife
of which power he would firft have to be manifefted in difcipling whole
Nations of die Gentiles, receiving them into Covenant by the Sacra-
ment of Baptifme, as the Jews were by the Sacrament of Circumcifi-
on. Where the word ( Nation ) in order to the Gentiles mult with-
out controverfie be taken in the fame fenfe, as it was with a reference
unto the Jews^ for as the Nation of the Jews was made up of all forts
ancf fexes, old and young , fo in like manner are the Nations of the
,Gen:iles: And becaufe his commiffion, which he then gave unto I
his Apoftles, was not formed according to the erroneous fancy of thefe !
deluded !
-7i
Mr. Nath.
Ward.
Matt. zS.
iS,i;.
2J1
Look unto JESUS.
deluded people, who in effecl render it thus, Go *nd Difciple Ml men,
But thus, Go mk Difciple ail N*ticns^ baf fifing them in the name, &c.
And Children being a part of the Nations, we may conclude with-
out any hefitancy that the intent and purpofe of the Lord in this com-
rniftlon to his A potties was,that they (hould wherefocver they came ,
baptife the Children as well as the Parents. And feeing he came to
j break down the wall of partition that was between Jews and Gentiles,
j which was actually done in the execution of this Commiffion , It is
not to be imagined that he would by it fet up a partition-wali between
Parents and their Children, fo as that they {hould be at as great a di-
ftance the one from the other in point of eternal Salvation, as Heaven
is from Hell •, A thing he never did in all the Ages before, and un-
doubtedly whatfoever thefe Dreamers may blafphemoufly prate a-
gainfthim, He hath not done it now becaufe he is full the Same.
I will not dwell any longer upon the Convidion of thefe obftinate
people, leaft the more reafon be (hewed unto them out of the Scri-
pture to lead them into the way of truth , they be thereby, according
to their ufual wont, the more hardened in their errour : The Lord
open their eyes that they may fee betimes, what dishonour they bring
unto Jefus Chrift in the diminution of hi$ power by their frantick Opi-
nions. What difturbance they create unto his Church and confequent-
ly what hazard they run, notwithstanding their conceited affurance ,
of their own everlafting Salvation.
We have now done with this fecond particular, vU. Jefus Chrift is
r o *avtv< The Same to day which he was yefterday, that is, The Same
to his Church in the time of the gofpel, which he was in the time both
before and tinder the Law.
CHAP.
Look unto JESUS:
CHAP. III.
Sheweth how JESUS CHRIST frail conti-
nue to be o 9 Ayn$ the Same forever
r U?itohis Church.
WE ftiould now according to our prefcribed method come to
fpeak of the third courfc or computation of time here menti-
oned in the Text, and of that which is predicated of it, viz,. 'U7*f
X?iro< o \Av-nt A t&j Shall the rule and Canon of our Union be
conftant and perpetual, and (hall we be full to feek for a way of uni-
ting ?Let diffenting'Brethren but lay afide Animofities and prejudices
wherewith they have foeaiily been befet. and follow the track and
foot-Reps of the Lord Jefus , and we (hall quickly fee an end of
ail our differences. They were w&nt to fay in old time (faid that Mo-
ther in Ifrael) They fiall turely ask comfelat Abel, and fo they end-
ed
. •
Look unto J E S U S.
ed the matter s Now alfo according to the word of the Holy Ghult in
Scripture, Let us fiand in the Way expand fee andaskfor the old fathes,
where us the goodvray ? The way wherein the Lord himfelf hath walk-
ed , and let us wallet herein, and tve fhall fnde refl for our fouls - Wee
fhall fee Salvation is neerunto us, yea neerer then we are aware and
that Glory doth dwell in our Land.
The voice of the Oracle which would guide us into the good way
fpeakes in this manner, fefus Chrift is the Same yefterday, to day, and
for ever j Which in effed tells us, our foundation is fure and itedfait
and our corner- (lone, as it hath hitherto brought on the building into
an excellent frame on the one fide, in the Ages that are paft, fo it
would alfo do the like on the other, in thefe our dayes, and the Aces
that are to come, if there were but fuch a conformity held with it
as there hath been in former times. True it is the Word written is an
infallible rule for the guiding of us in matters of Faith, from which we
are not to digrefs, It is fo Iikewife in all things elfe that concern the
Worfhipof God, and the publick good of the Church, fo far as it
doth lead and direct us therein^ but unlcfs we will fay that Chrift
hath deferted his Church ever Once he gave a being unto it, we muft
avow his continued courfe and pradice in the ordering of it ( which I
hope none will fay is contrary to what he hath written ) to be a war-
rant alfo of our Subjedion thereto. What then is that good way?
Not furely the way of Divifion and Separation, which tendeth to
Confufion ^ for God is not the i\uthour thereof, neither will he al-
low of it in any of the Churches of the Saints : but of Unity and Or-
der, that all fuch as make profeftion of the Gofpel may be of one ac-
cord, and as they Hand in their feveral relations to the Church where-
in the wifdom of God and his good Providence hath placed them to
bear up, as with one (houlder, the glory of Ch:i[Vs Name againlt fin
the World, and the Devil. '
Look now unto JESUS. Firft, It hath been his conftant defign
to bring all thofe who believe in him into a Brotherly fellowfhip one
with another, not onely to unite them in feveral Societies, as fome
would have it, but to gather thofe Societies into one Bodv • And
the more there is of this Union among them under Himfelf /who is
the fole head of the Eody ( which Dignity none can challenge ( if ic
be but by way ofRefemblance) without Anti-Chriftian Ufurpation
and a prefumptuous encroachment upon him ) it hath ever been rnofi
agreeable
7«
77
a;$
Look, unto JESUS.
agreeable to his mind and will. This I fay hath been the product of
his eternal wifdom for the eftablifhment of his Kingdom in the midft
of the Nations.
Secondly, It hath always been his work to fettle a Government in
his Church for the well being of it, that peace and love might be pre-
ferved amongft his people, punifhments inflicted upon the unpeacea-
ble and unruly, and that all things, efpeciaily in the duties of his pub-
lick worfhip and fervice might be done ( according to the variety of
emergencies arifing in feveral Nations and Ages ) Decently and in or-
der ( For that is decent and orderly in one place and time, which by
experience proveth to be uncomely and diforderly in another ) Which
government being de fatlo to fay nothing of it here de jure ( enough
hath been faid of that before ) continued from the beginning, he hath
been pleafed to blefs and profper with a moft happy fuccels, to the
enlargement of his Kingdom , and the propagation of his Gofpel :
Which we may well prefume he would notha?e done in fo long a fuc-
cei!ionoftime,andfo many viciffitudes of troubles and deliverances
that have come upon his Church, if it had not been according to his
miride- but lince it is fo, and the Apoille here telling us, that he is
the Same for ever, we may probably conclude that as he hath not left
his Church without a care of her well-being in this particular, fo he wiil
not digrefs from it , but that fuch a Government fo continued and
made fuccefsful by him (hall be perpetuated, as own'd, by him to the
end of the world.
Let us then I fay again look unto ]efus , and fee his goings in his
Sanduary in the midft of his people from the beginning,Let us fee alfo
and acknowledge his Immutability therein^for the Eternity of Ifrael
is not as man that he fhould lye, or the fon of man that he (hould re-
pent; As in all other things that he hath undertaken for the advance-
ment of his kingdome, fo undoubtedly in this he will be the Same for
ever. Tf therefore this hath been his work and defign, to eftablifh u-
nity and order in his Church, and to fettle and profper this very go-
vernment in it, which is this day fo much contradicted, will it become
thofe that pretend to have an intereft in him to walk contrary to
him ? Or will he ceafe to be the Same in the carrying on of his own-
work, in his good old way, to pleafe thofe unquiet people that will ne-
ver be fatisfied , but make the world believe they do him the greateft
fervice 3 when they do what they can to hinder his work ?
What
Look unto JESUS.
79
What though fome mens Tongues and pens run riot, crying out
ftill tor liberty, Liberty of Confcience ( not confidering that to ferve
the Lord inachearful fubmiftion to his fwcet yoke , whtrewuh he
hath always kept his Church in good order,is perfect freedom • nor
being willing to know nor understand that Confcientia in t tint urn libera
1 in cjiteKtum ab errere liber ata. Confcience is fo far free, as it is freed f rem
I crrour ) Yet we may be fure jefus Chriit will dill keep on his courfe ,
! becaufe he is the Same for ever. And let Confcience it felf (for which
all tins clamour is made) Wherefoeverit is r:ot enthralled to luftor
crrour, judge in this cafe, whether it be a liberty which Chriit hath
put-chafed for thofe that believe in him, to crofs him in his work,which i
he hath hitherto wrought for the good of his Church. I fpeak not '
here of what he hath permitted a long time for the trial of his people,
and the advancement of his truth (as being able to bring good out
of evil ) but what he hath alwayes a&ed, as the King of his Church,
and which the very nature of his office did indeed require fhould be
done • For any to quarrel at his aftings,and to call in queftion all that
he ha:h hitherto done in that kinde, as if he had been everfince his
afcenfion onely a fpechtour of his Church, to fee how well fhe could
fhift for her felf in her own prefer vation, without the exercife of his
power by fettling a government in her,what is this but to tax him with I
negl igence in his office, and to make him a Saviour but in part, which
in effect is to be none at all ?
What though there be fome things that are circumftantial to this ;
Government, and fome Ceremonies in divine worfhip that have not
an immediate ftamp of Divine authority upon them to make them
currant ( which will never be found in the whole inftituteand order of
any Church ) fhould we therefore reject ail that is in them good and
warrantable ? Becaufe people have not their defire in things indiffe-
ic,Chould they not confent to that which is neceffary for the honour
ofChrift, and the welfare of his Church f Two things that fhould
be dearer to us then our lives, much more are they to be preferred
before a felf-fatisfa&ion in fome fcrupulous niceties, the bare fifing ,
or not ufrng whereof ( as the Apoftie fpeaks of meat ) coramendeth
us not to God. But alas thefe things are not regarded as they
ought to be Mens novel apprehenfions of the Kingdome ofChrift, and
their particular interefts therein muft counter- ballance all the pul
concernments of Chrift and his Church.
Burl
2 SO
M)\ Vines.
Efi.zit;
i Cor. i . t 3
Look unto JESUS.
But O yee poor deluded people confider, Hath not the Lord Jefus
Chrift been already too much diihonoured by your needlefs difTenti-
ons, but that you will have him to difhonour himfelf by varying from
his wonted courfe in the ordering of his Church ? Hath not the peace
of his poor Chtirch been too much difturbed, and Chriftian Charity
too much violated heretofore in the late times of Schifme, when ( as
one of the prime Leaders amongit you faid then too truely ) It was al-
moft Popery to fpeak of it?This was indeed the old mark(for by thitJhaU
all men- knew that je are my Dtfciples, faid Chrift, if yee love one Ano-
ther) But the truth is 3 it was almoft worn out, and inftead thereof
Infelix Lolium, unhappy Feuds, Quarrels, Divisions, Rents abound-
ed : What fruit had you then in thofe things whereof you have been
a(hamed, that you will now return unto them again, rather then to
joyn with your Brethren in things that are indifferent >
It was a fweet and Chriftian refolution of devout Saint Bernard
! when he faw differences arife that might caufe a breach between him
| and others with whom he had formerly held a brotherly co*cefpori-
I dency, He wrote unto them in thefe Words, Adhtrebo vobiSetfi no-
j litis, adhtre bo vcbis et/i noli wipfe^ I will be of yon though yon be un-
\ billing, I will be ofyon,thozgh I be unwilling my ft If. O if there
were in you brethren but this meeknefs of wifdom to bear and for-
bear , and fuch a zeal for the publick peace, which you are bound in
Conscience to promote, it would furely more adorn your Chri-
ftian Profefiion, then all your cariering with Spear in Reftagainft
the cftabiiftied Orders of the Church in Polemical argutations.
If it be fo that you have any peculiar priviledge granted unto you
from heaven above others, to go in untrodden paths by your felves,
to difavow that order and government under which the Church hath
flourished in former times, and to diffolve all ancient bonds of unity
and Chriftian fociety in the pub ick worfhipping of our God (as fome
by their violent Impulfes of fpirit, others by their Enthuftafms have
p;etended to have) let it be produced that we may believe you. But
as the Apoftle puts the queftion, fo may we , Is Chrift divided} How
is he then the Same f Hath he been with his Church ever from the
beginning, exercinng his Power in the eftablifhment of order and go-
vernment in it, without which I fay again it could not well have beenfo
long preferved ,promifing aifo that he will be with it, for that end and
purpofe, to the end of the world ? And hath he given a countermand
or
Look unto JESUS.
281
or a connivence unco force to feparace themfelves from the fa:d order
and government, yea to do what lyeth in them utterly to difanul it ?
Verily it mult not, it cannot be imagined that he who is the Same ye-
fterdny to day, and for ever, fhouldat all prevaricate or fwervefo
diametrally from, his pnrpofe and practice, wherein he hath always
manifested himfelf to be the Same.
If the confederation of chefe things will not bring on a compofureof
our difference?, and allay the fha pnefs of contradicting fpirics, I know
not what will. And if when men fee what the Lord hath done, and
hear what God the Lord, that is, God which is the Lord, viz. Jefus
Chrirt doth fpeak, who doth ufe to fpeak peace unto his people and to
his ^aints, to fpeak it as a Comforter, and to lpeak it as a Counfellour
(for it hath always been the earneft defire of his foul to fee his people
live peaceably one with another) they will neither acquiefce in his do-
ing, nor follow his counfel, What (hall we judge of them, but that they
are willing not cnely to turn but to run after folly, and that they de-
light in vain janglings, which do minifter endlefs debates, rather then
godly edifying?
Laftly, this will afford ftrong confolation for all that do live godly
in Ghrift Jefus, borh in refpect of themfelves, and their pofterity.
Firfl, for themfelves. When we finde much uncertainty in Crea-
ture-Comforts about us, This may be our re joycing and our refuge,
thatChrift will be the Same unto us for ever. Though friends may
fail, though means may fail, though health may fai ^though heart may
fail, yet Chrift will never fail. Look what Peter fp:ike, but did not
perform, Chrift hath fpoken, and will furely make good, Though all
forfakethee, yet will not I. Let therefore that fweet and precious
Proraife belaid up in the heart of every true believer as a cordial to
comfort it in all changes and troubles whatsoever that may arife,writ-
ten notonely by the Apo(tle,£fr£. 13. 5. but in fundry other places
of Scripture for our greater confirmation, / will never> never, never ,
never , never leave thee, or for fake thee.
Secondly, for pofterity. We may re joyce in this that the Lord Jefus
Chrifl: wili have as tender a care of them , as he hath had of us, before
them, becaufe he is the Same for ever. He will be the Same to inftruct
and teach them, the Same to defend and protect them , the Same to
fave them from their fins, and to bring them to glory. Thin argueth
N n the
Tfal. Sf
fJLY) (n \y~
28
Vf*l, i oft.'
Htb. i.lo.
P/iol.S.
ZM */jft JESUS.
the Prophet, pfal. 102. 27. which the Apoftle applieth unto Chrift,
Hebr. 1. 10, &c Thou art the Same, and thy years /ball have no end.
The children of thy fervants fhafl continue ( under thy prote&ion and
provifion ) And their feed /hall be eftablijhed before thee.
Shortly then, Is not this exceeding great comfort to godly parents
in all ages, That Chrift will be a guardian to their children after their
deceafe ? They (hall not be left (as we fay) to the wide world, neither
fhai I fuch parents be like unto him of whom the Pfalmift fpeaketh,
who Ooould have none to favour his fatherlefs children : But becauie
Chrift is the Same for ever, he will, as he hath done, ever take care of
his people that are in Covenant with him, not onely making bis Work
appear unto his Servants, but his Glory alfo unto their Children : For
he remembreth his Covenant for ever- the Word which he com-
manded ( viz. his Angels to obferve in the preservation of his people,
or, the blefling which he hath decreed and iffued out with fuch Au-
thority, that it (hall prevail againft all oppofition) to a thoufand gene-
rations. Leave therefore your fatherlefs children unto him , he will
preferve them alive, for with him the fatherlefs fhall ever finde
mercy.
CHAP. IV.
She with how JESUS CHRIST is o 'k»**Th$
Same unto his Church in her Triumphant
eftate unto all Eternity.
Hitherto have we feen Jefus Chrift the Same unto his Church ye-
fterday, to day, and for ever in all the Generations that have
been, are, or fhall be in this world, while fhe abideth in her Militant
eftate- which hath given occafion of fundry Inftru&ions that may
through the goodblefTmg of God be profitable and feafonable for
thefelaft times.
But what then mayfomefay ? Will Chrift forfake his Church
when flic is in her triumph, and ceafe to be r o 'Aim?, the Same unto
' her
Look unto JESUS.
282
her, when he hath finifhed his whole work, and prefented all her chil -
dren before his Father in glory ?
I anfwer dill, Jejus Chrift will be the Same for ever unto his
Church, that is to fay, Not onely in this world, but in that alfo wl
is to come.
To this purpofe le:us briefly confider two things : Firft the full
fenfe and utmoit extent of the A potties words here «< r»i 'A/a;^,
for Ever. Secondly how Chrift will be the Same unto his Church in the
world to come.
As touching the Firfr, We muft know that the Origins! word v A/^y
( which is as much as to fay ah uv, Always Being) literally fgnifies
an Age ( which F.nglifh word is obferved to have fome affinity with
that Greek termination,) and an Age of what extent focver it be hath
an urintcrrupted being. Now this word being here put in the plural
number, may probably intend thcfeveral ages of both worlds, Firft
of this prefent world, together with the fundry revolutions ttoac
in ir, one generation patting, another fucceeding : And fecondiv
the world to come.
This fenfe I conceive wirhfubmillion may be allowed • for where
the word is put in the Angular number, there is often intended the one
world, or the other ^ Sometimes it is put forties world, as Luke 20.
34. Matth.iS.io. Sometimes again it is written for the world to
come, as fob. 6. 5 1 . 5 8 . But being here rendred in the plural number,
it may well be faid to comprehend the fcveral age* of both worlds. I
confefs, the world to come is ofren in Scripture, fcr /j 5 rendred in the
plural number, h< t«\ Vw**, and with an amplification too in fundry
places of Tvr'Aiwuv -, but where the fenfe will bear a further latitude,
as it doth here, too narrow a confinement is not to be fee unto it,
v.g. Confider we the place of the Apoftie, 1 Tim. 1. 17. theLordis
therecal!ed 'o B*. dec. I have Declared unto
them thy name (that i9, faith he, In this World, fo far as thej a-re able I
to receive it) And I ivill Declare it (that is, faith he) In the world to
come more perfetlly.
Yea give me leave to add one Medication more touching this
weighty matter, which I confefs I received long fince from a Divine of
eminent Note, in his writing unto me. ' fn Glory, faith he, The Re-
Mation of Head and members between Chrift and n$ fhall not ceafe, !
' but fhall be rather perfected by the enjoyment of that for whichGod i
• did appoint it ; which is the fhedding abroad of his love upon thofe I
4 that are made conformable to the Image of his Son. For the end and \
'aime which God hath in the decree of Election, is to make thofe ,
c whom he did fore-know and predeftinate to be conformable to the I
c Image of his Son, that he might be the firft-born among many Bre-
1 thren : Now when God (hall have accomplifhed this aime, ana
'(hall be fully conformable to the Image of his Son, then fhall we
fufcep:.
Ktw<
I Pet 1.1J
Hcb)
.
14.
Col.
17.
I. 16.
28S
i Coy.
8.
n
Mai. z.i6.
Look unto JESUS.
I
fufceptibleoftheLove wherewith he loveth his Son, as he is Man
c (for the love wherewith he loveth him, as God, none can partake
' of, but he alone) and when by this conformity to his Image we fhail
'befufceptibleofthisLove, then the brother- hood between Chrift
c and us fhall not ceafe, or be made void, nor (hall then his Preroga-
tive of being the firfV born among many Brethren be taken from
'him, but it (hall rather be mod glorioufly compleated, when not
'onely the Fathers Love wherewith he loveth the firft-born fhall be
4 extended to all thofe that are fully conformable unto his Image, but
' alfo the Love of the firft-born himfelf (hall have irs full and glorious
' Influence upon his younger Brethren. By all which it is clear, Je-
'fus Chrift will be over his Church Triumphant in Heaven, as he is
4 now over his Church Militant here on Earth .
Again, As he will be then over us,fo likewife he will be in us. In us
he is now by Faith, but Faith which gives him entertainment in our
hearts, and Hope which attends uponhim there,(hall vanifh with this
Life and expire in their Servicers being ©f no ufe in Heaven (for Faith
is of things not feen, and therefore cesfeth when vifion cometh, Hope
alfo if it be feen is not Hope)onely Love remaineth to be the conftant
Bond of atneternal Union betwixt Chrift and us,and by love it is that
he will take Poffeflion of our hearts in Heaven,as he doth by faith here
upon Earth. Love faith the Apoftle never fai/etk : NottheLoveof
Chrift to his Church, nor the Churches Love unto Chrift even in
refpeft of their relation to each other begun here in this life,flial ever
fuffer the leaft diminution.
Firft, I fay the love of Chrift to his Church, as it is his myftical
Body, fhall never be out-dated: For amongft us faith the Prophet
Mddchj^ He hateth putting away, therefore much lefs will he himfelf
give his Church in Heaven, when he hath presented it a glorious
Church, not having fpot or wrinkle or any fuch thing, &e. a Bill of
Divorce, but will ever own her, and delight in her, as his beloved
Spoufe, having loved her, he loveth her unto the end, yea, and be-
yond the end to all Eternity.
And for the Churches love unto Chrift in Heaven, How can it
chofe but be more enlarged.? Partly becaufc fhe will ever look upon
Chrift, as one that had been when time was, her faithful Mediator ,
and wirh eternal acclamations will applaud him, as her Saviour , who'
hath brought her to life and immortality s when fhe was near unto
death
Look unto JESUS.
death and everlafting mine. But chiefly becaufe the love of the Fa-
ther, wherewith he loved Chrift {hall, according to Chrifts own pray-
cr,bein hciyhat is, take full po{TenTonofher,andconfequentIy as it is
added in the fame place,wi!l Chrift himfelf beiii us likewilc,as the blcfs-
ed refult of that infinite love of the Father towards his Lie A people.
1 or a further opening of this extraordinary point, and becaufe it
hath not had that regard given unto it, asit defervetb, it being fel-
dom thought upon, I (hall here crave leave to write the more treely
of it. And hrft let me once more infert the judgement of the afore.
faid Divine in his writing unto me concerning this matter, whofe
words 1 do offer to the consideration of the wife and godly.
1 The Saints faith he ( fpeaking of their eftate in Glory after the
c refurre&ion ) are fealcd up to God by his name formerly written in
' theirforehead,asitisi?fv. 14. i.Nor is the name of the lather onely.
' faid to be written upon them,but the new name of Chrift is alfo writ-
* ten upon them, and the name of the new'i 'fcrnfalcm which cometh
* down from Heaven, as it is Rev. 3.12. And their names once written
1 u t on them (hall never be blotted out again, therefore Chrift (hall be
' for ever in them, by his name written upon them-,For by the imprefli-
' on of their names upon them, they are fitted to receive eternally the
1 influence of the Fathers and the Sons love. And I conceive that when
1 the work of Chrifts Mediation (hall beat an end, and that Chrift
1 (hall give up all thofe whom he hath brought to glory,unto the Fa-
4 ther, that the Father may be all in all in them, That then Chrift al-
4 fo as to them (hall receive anew name , by which he (hall be in and
1 over them for ever : For Chrift as he is the head of the new crea-
4 ture to purchafc life eternal to all that are to be brought unto the Fa-
1 ther • fo now fince he hath purchafed that life, he hath gotten a name
' above every nstnc : And when he (hall have brought all the redeem-
4 ed unto the poiTeflion of the life prepared for them, then (hali they
1 become his fulnefs, and by their con jun&ion to him , he (hall have a
4 new ftate of glory, as the fruit and effecT of his Mediatorial admini-
4 ftration (hinirg upon hiflfc which 1 t?ke to be his new name, w ch then
* alfo (hall be written upon his redeemed forever, And they (hall be
'exalted to fit with him in his Throne, as he was exalted, and fat
1 with his Father upon his Throne Rev. 3. 21. By ail which (faith the
c faid writer ) I conceive it is evident, that in the ftate of eternal g!o-
' ry Chrift (hall be in us, as the fountain and head-fpring of life eternal
289 '
t
Job.lJ.r6
Rev. 14. 1.
Rev. $.u-
Rev. 3.21
Oo
unto I
2pO
Look unto JESUS.
Luk.l. 33.
Dan.j. 14.
In fecur-
da parte
quadtio-
num ex
Nov. Teft.
Tom. 4
Kom.S.17'
Epb.
17*
n*.
Kez/.i9.9.
Caena, eo
q-:od elt
ulrima re-
fe&io.
Ret;. 21.
1?.
' unto all mankinde, over whom ( by and in the Fathers love and
1 name which he hath declared unto them, and put upon them to re-
c main for ever, and to be all in all with them ) He (hall fhine in his
1 own cverlafting love and new name. Thus he. Whether er no ac-
cording to truth, Judge ye.
I might in the purtuance of this fubjed alledge fundry other places
of Scriptures that have a tendency hereunto, as, viz.. that of LuJ^. 1.
33. Where the Angel Gabriel tells the blefTed Virgin, that that ho-
ly thing that fbottld be bom of her (hould reign over the hotife of Jacob
for ever , and of hi* lOngdome there fhouldbeno end; Which wasalfo
foretold by Daniel the Prophet Dan. 7. 1 4. Where fpeaking of the
Meffiah, he faith, his Dominion is an cverlafting Dominion, which fhall
not pafs away, and his Kingdome that which {hall not be deftroyed ; Eorh
which places St. Auftin with much vehemency referreth to Chrifts
Kingdome over his Saints in Heaven. Et qui hornm teftimonium re-
traUandum put at, faith he, perfidia plems cfi, that is, whofoever he be'
that fhall judge their witnefs (viz,, of the Angel and Prophet) to be
of no force, is himfelf full of falfhood. I might alfoadd what the A-
poftle faith, Rom.%. 17. That the Saints fhall he heirs of God and
jejnt heirs with Chrifi , which clearly impheth that his relation to his
Church as the firft-born among many brethren , and chief heir, fhall
continue for ever. And that of Eph. 5. 26. 27. Where itisfaid,
that J e fits Chrifi gave himfelf for his Church, &c. That he might pre-
fent it to himfelf a glorious Church, &c, Yea ar d that alfo of Rtv. j 9.
9. might very well be infilled upon to this purpofe , where mention
is made of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb , which fignifieth that
ultimate rejoycing which the Church fhall have with her Lord and
Husband in Heaven , where the light not onely of God , but alfo of
the Lamb fhall fhine , and glorioufly encompafs about the Bride the
Lambs Wife , which is the new Jerttfalem ,. that is 9 the Church Tri-
umphant for ever. But I forbear to profecute this Point any further,,
let us now fumme up the premifes together , and when we have an-
fwered an Objection that is considerable, we (hall put a period to this
whole matter.
I % therefore, if the Perfenal Union of bo h Natures Divine and
Humane in Jefus Chrift (hall never be diflblved which will heighten
marvelloufiy the Glory of the Saints in Heaven •, And the Myftical
Union between Chrift and his Church fhall alfo unceffantly continue
in
Look unto JESUS.
in Heaven to all eternity, who is there that is not defhtute even of the
light of Reafon, but will infer that JefusChrift will be 'o 'At/la? , the
Same to his Church for ever in Glory, which he is now and ever hath
been unto her in her militant eftace during her abode here upon
earth.
It will be objected, if it be fo, how (hall we underftand the Apoftle,
in the before-mentioned place, when he faith , That Cbrifi fidil deli-
ver up the Kingdome to God even the Father ; And th.it when all things
are fhbdued unto him, then JhaU the Son alfo bimfelf be fnbyU unto him
that put all things under him, that God ma] be AH in All ?
Now I confefs it will be very requifite to be clear and plain in re-
viving this doubt , that we may underihnd aright the fenfe of the
Spirit of God in this Scripture -, For it feems to be dircdly contrary
to our prefent Dodrine which we have propounded and confirmed.
I (hall therefore endeavour briefly the explanation thereof.
Firft whereas it is (aid, Chrift (hall deliver up the Kingdome to God
the Father.it is not to be underftood,as if Chrirt (hould not reign any
more, or as if the Father did not now reign , but that then it ihould
come to his turn, when he received the Kingdome from the Son. For
the Father and the Son are not at fo great a diftance,but that both may
reign together. Regnat Pater inVilio ,regnabitFUius in ?atre(faAMuf-
eiilm well upon the Place) The Father reigneth now in the Son, the Son
(halt hereafter reign in the Father:The Scepter indeed (hall be changed,
and the form of Government altered, but of his Kingdome there fhali
be no end, rather it (hall be more glorious then it isnow,when all ene-
mies being fubducd , Jefus Chrift (hall without the Miniftery of An-
gels or men,by his own Light, Love, Life and Power immediately with
the Facher and the Holy Ghoft, fill and govern all his Saints for ever.
Saint Auguftine hath above others written very freely and copi-
oufly of this matter, enough to give fatisfadion to any that (hall
object this fcruple ; It will not be amifs therefore here to render his
very words, as he hath written them, without any alteration.
In Evangelio legimus Angelum dicer e ad Mariam Matrem "Domini,
quod regni ejus, id eft Chriftinon erit finis* Ft Daniel eadem dicit ,
Tunc exurgct regnum in dternam, cjiiodnunquam corrumpctur : contra
Apoftclus de Domino, cum tradiderit regnum Deo & Patri. £luomc~
OO 2 do
9*
Ohjctlion.
i Cor, i $
14.18.
Solution,
In loco ft;
pradiSo.
39.X
AfiMI.17
J oh, 17.3,
Job. 17.3.
IM a>ifc> JESUS.
do regnum habebh quod traditurtis Deo & Fatri ? In caufa PatrU &
Filii, id eft, Dei & Chrifti traditio non abolitio intelUgitur. Cenfidera
enim quomodo Pater tradiderit Filio regnum, Ipfo hxc Domino proteft an-
te, Omnia mihi traditafzxt a Vatrtmic: Si Pater ergo debit habere Ceil
Regnum ,cum tradidit, pott ft & de Salvatore diet quia cum tradidit ami-
fit. Nam Filiuspoftquam traditum ftbi a Patre regnum dixit, Patrem
adhuc pr after ens ait, Hac eft autem vita sterna, nt cognofcant te folum
& verum Deum & quern miftfti fefnm Chriftum. That is. In the
Gofpel we finde the Angel telling Mary the Mother of the Lord that
of his Kingdom, that is, Chrifts there ftiould be no end • Daniel alfo
faid the fame, Then (hall a Kingdom be fet up for ever that fhall never
be deftroyed, 1 he Apoftleon the contrary (peaking of the Lord,faith
He fhall deliver up the Kingdom to God. and the Father : But how
fhall he have a Kingdom which he muft deliver up to God even the
i Father ? In a cafe agitated between the Father and the Son that is
between God and Chrift, a Resignation is not to be taken for an A-'
! bolition : For confider how the Father delivered the Kingdom to the
Son^ which thing the Lord himfelf witnefTeth inthefe words All
things are delivered unto me of my Father •, If the Father did d'eveft
himfelf of power, when he made this deed of delivery to the Son then
may it alfo be faid of the Son^that when he delirereth up the Kingdom
again to the Father, He himfelf fhall be wholly deprived of it. But
Abftt. For the Son after he had faid the Kingdom was delivered unto
him of the Father , he gives the Father ( notwithstanding ) the pre-
heminence in thefe words, This is life eternal that they might know thee
the onely true God, andjeftt-s Chrift whom thou haft fent. Secundum
hunc igitur fenfum & films non amittit regnum, cum tradidit Accor-
dingly neither fhall the Son lofe his Kingdom, when he mafceth a de- i
livery of it to the Father.
And now confider, Is not the Judgement of this Holy Antient and
light of the Church very clear in this point. %hat though the oeco-
nomy of Chrifts office in interceding for the Saints fnali indeed final-
ly ceafe, yet of his Kingdom there fhall be no end.
If any fhould yet enquire what it is for the Son to deliver up the
Kingdom to the Father, I fhall again borrow Saint Auftin's words
( to which there need no addition, being fo pithy and pertinent ) for
herein alfo he fatisfieth the fcrupulous inquirer.
S ed nunc videamus quid ftt F ilium trader -e Fatri regnum: Hoc eft
quod
Look unto J E S U S.
| quoddicit Ap ftolus, tunc & ipfe fubjeilus erit ei, qtiifubjecit ei omnia
I ut fit Dens omnia, in ,*»nibus, Subjeclio igitur hjc tl us
Patri FMus non ncgetur, & nibilominns aternum regnum habere dica-
tur, Hoc eft regnnm filii, quia in Nomine Jcfu omnia genua flcftentur
turn cosleftia, terrtftria, & infer na.
Poftquam omnia Chriftumfuerint confe(fa five vi, five volmtate
mjfterium unius Dei cunttis mamfcftabitur & omnis gr attar um atlio
referetur a Patre, ex quo funt omnia , ut cefsante pradlcatione, units De-
ns fciatur in mjfterio Trinitatis j (fum entm omnes poteftates omnes
principatus & dominations Chrifto gcnu-flcxerint, tunc Filius mani-
ftffabit non fe efse a quo funt omnia , fed pit am ejus, & ilium infe videri
hac eft fubjetlio & regni traditio. Oftendens enim patrem efse a quo
funt omnia, fubjecitfe illi, cum de eo fe dicit efse : Tanta enim majeftas
& claritas in advent h fiii videbitur, ut omnes potent i a & chori An-
gelorum, hunc fingularem patent Deujrt. Salvator autem cum fe non
ilium efse d.xerit qui dic'itur Pater fed F ilium ejus, regnans trad.t re-
gnum Patri ; in hac re manifeftata eft &fubjettio & regni traditio
quia cum & a Patrefe profitetur ejfe quicquid habet, Patris confite-
tur ejfe, omnem [ummam referent ad eum. Thus he fweetly and fuf.
ficiently . Whofe words may be thus tranflated into our own I-
diome.
Let us now confider what it is for the Son to deliver up the King-
dom to the Father. It is even that which the Apoftle faith, then (hall
the Son alfohimfelfbefubjed: unto him that put all things under him
that God may be all in all, whence it followeth that this fubjection is
the fame with the delivery up of the Kingdom. An interpretation
therefore here fcems to be neceflary, that the Son may be acknow-
ledged to be fubjeft to the Father, and yet neverthelefs that he may
be faid to have an everlafting Kingdom, which may be called the King
dom of the Son : becaufe then at the Name of Jefus every knee muft
bow of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
Earth.
When all things do confefs the Lord Jefus,and are made fubjeft un-
to him, whether it be by constraint, or by confent, then fhall the my-
ftcry of one God be made manifeft untoall, and all praife (hall re-
dound unto the Father, of whom are all things that {o, when preach-
ing ( that is the creatures fervice in proclaiming the Name of God)
fhall I
2 93
^O?
Scd per
quern funt
omnia.
sAmhr.
Toil. t. -16.
294
Job. 14.
10.
Ad Oro.
Com. Prif-
cill'ta. cap.
7. torn. 6.
*Augufl.
eodem lo-
co.
Lool^ unto JESUS
fiiall ceafe , the one onely God may be known in the myftery of the
Trinity. For when- all rule and all authority and power ihall bow
the knee to Chrift, then (hall the Son manifeft himfelf that it is not he
of whom are all things, but that he is his Son, and that in him, he him-
felf is to be feen (according to his own words, foh. 14.10) This then
is the fubje&ion and the yeilding up of the Kingdome : Chrift fub-
jcð himfelf unto the Father, proclaiming the Father to be he of
whom are all things , confefiing alfo that he himfelf is of him. For fo
great Majefty and Glory will appear in the comming of the Son, that
all the powers of Heaven , and company of Angels may pofsibly look
upon him as God alone. But our Saviour when he (hall fay , lam
not he, that is, the Father, but his Son, he delivers up the Kingdome
to the Father , and yet continued! tobeKingftill. Herein then I fay
is manifefted both his fubje&ion, and his delivery up of the Kingdome-,
becaufe when he profeiTeth that he himfelf is of the Father , he con-
fefleth that whatfoever he hath is of the Father , afcribing unto him
the glory ofbeing the complement of all things.
Befides this the fame Saint A*ftin adds yet another fenfe concerning
Chrifts delivery up of the Kingdome to the Father , interpreting the |
faid Kingdome for the people of the Kingdome, that is, his charge of j
the Eled Saints, which he received of the Father, not furTcring one of \
them to be loft, Cum tradiderit Regnum Deo & Patri, id eft, cum per- j
duxerit fanftos fuos ad contempUtionem Patris &c. He (hall deliver
up the Kingdome to the Father , that is, when he hath brought all his
Saints to behold the Glory of the Father, and his own Glory which he
had with the Father before the World was.
Now whether we underftand the Apoftlc in this fenfe or that other
before ( either of which we may fafely adhere unto , and unto one or
both of them without queftion muft the words of the A poftle be re-
duced ) we may conclude infallibly that Chrifts delivery up of the
Kingdome to the Father (hall not deprive him of that power and au-
thority which he had before over his Church , but that he fhall conti-
nue to be King thereof unto all eternity ♦
JUttod nut em dicit Apoftolus, deinde finis cum tradiderit Regnum Deo
& Patri , ibi finemnon confumentem y fed perficientem fignificat. And
whereas the A poftle faith, then cometh the end, when Chrift (hall de-
liver up the Kingdome &c. That is not to be underftood of the end
bringing with it deftruftion and diffolution, but rather that which
bringeth
Look unto JESUS.
95
bringeth pcrfe&ion . wherein fhall be a clearer demondration of
Chrirts Power and Wifdome in the governing of his Church then is
poflible now to be difcerned • For as Luther upon thefe very words
of the Apoftle, faith well, Eft idem hie inTerris regnnm^ cjtiodpoftea
in CoeliifHturum erit, nifi quod jam contcttnm oculis noflris mn pateat.
It is the fame Kingdomc here upon Farth , which (hall be hereafter
in Heaven, but that we are not able now abiding in this mortal and
linful ettate to perceive it being hidden from our eyes.
I could multiply Authours both Ancient and Modern who do all
agree in this, that when Chrift delivers up the Kingdomc to the Fa-
ther, he then onely layeth down his Mediatorial Office, not continu-
ing any longer the Fathers Deputy in the governing of his Church, but
that his Kingdome notwithstanding fhall everlaibngly be the Same :
The fame in the manifestation of his Wifdome, Power, Love, Good-
nefs towards his redeemed people to all eternity. Onely how and
wherein he will exercife the Authority of a Head over his Church o-
therwife then is before related , there is none that is wife unto fobrie-
ty that will fpeak of it, or be inquifitive after it. Such knowledge is
too wonderful for u=, it is high, we cannot attain unto it.
Now therefore let all the ends of the Earth , that is , all the Inhabi-
tants of the World farre and near , Look unto Jefus , and befaved
Confider him in his Divine Nature , as he is begotten of the Father
from eternity to eternity, confider him alf© in the feveral works of ere-
acion , continual prefer vation , and future reftauration of all things,
look unto him in his relation to his Church, what he hath been, is, and
eternally will be without any variablenefs or (hadow of turning,you'll
hnde him in all that which the Apoftle here proclaims him to be , the
fame yefterday, to day, and for ever.
Look unto him then I fay , that you may more and more long after
his appearance, love him, and delight in him. Look unto him that
you may follow his example ( an example equivalent with all Rules of
righteoufnefs ) in thofe things which he did and commanded , though
not altogether in thofe things which he did, but commanded not.
What better object can you have to nx all the thoughts of your hearts ;
upon ? He is the pattern fet for your imitation according to the depth
of Divine Wifdome : Ke is the gift of God to the World ^r' ;°%^ -
>y <&?<>x^> a grater gift then which (though God be great in power
a;:d
Appl'lCAt!-
on.
Ef.tf.ti.
1
z6
Epb. I. 6.
Hag. r. 7.
P/.4*. *■
CVt«f. 5.10.
Sic Hie
man us, fie
ora fere-
bat.
Loo& mto JESUS.
and infinite in love) he hath not to give. He is the beloved, in whom
the lather is well pleated, delicUDei & humani generis-, the darling
of the Almighty, and the defire of all Nations fairer then the children of
men, white and ruddy, the chief eft of ten thousand, white in his Divine
Nature (according tothefenfeof fome late Espofitours ) which was
the brightnefs of his Fathers fubftance, and red in his humanity, being
of the fame fubftance with the fir ft Adam who was mndc of red earth-
white in his holinefs , and red in his bloud and fufferings^ white in his
own immaculate purity and innocence , but red in the imputation of
our fins , which are like fcarlet and crimfon is/. 1. 1 8.. White in his
goodnefs and free grace to humble finners , but red and bloudy to all
his enemies that will notfuffer him to reign over them.
Worthy is this our Jefus that we (hould continually look unto him.
He looks unto us in all our afflictions and fupports us in them , In all
the deadly hazards that we are liable unto through the malice of Sa-
tan, and preferves us from them, In all our backflidings, and recovers
us out of them, In all the duties of Religion, and by his fpirit enables
us unto them, In all the works of our callings ,and commands a bleiling
upon them. Without him we can do nothing , without him we are
nothing , without him we can hope for noching : He looks upon our
graces, the fruits of his own fpirit in us, and cherifheth them- upon our
infirmities and pities them, upon the purpofes, inclinations- defires of
our hearts towards him , and delights in them ^ upon our bodieiand
fouls and will undoubtedly fa ve them. Should his eyes then run to
> and fro amongft us , and be {till fet upon us for good , and fhould not
we look unto him again ?
I call you not to an empty fpeculation of Jefus Chrift in a pidure ,
according to the manner of fuperftitious dawbers , who paint him out
in a Crucifix futable to their own foolifti fancy (for who among them
can fay exprefly , fuch was the faihion of his countenance and other
parts of his body, as we fee here in the draught before us) and then
Pygmaleon-like dote upon it , or rather like the Prophets Carpenter,
as they are well refembled , fall down and worfhip it when they have
done. Such vanity as this let us leave to thofe that have their eyes
full of fpiritual Adulteries , whom a deceived heart hath turned afide,
fo that they cannot deliver their own foul , nor fay when they take
hold of their Crucifix, is there not a lie in my right hand?
But
Look unto JESUS.
But beloved Chrillians,! fpeak as no wife men, Judge ye what I fay,
You that: have been in the Holy Mount with Jefus, 1 mean that have
been converfant with him in his Word, and have the anoynting which
ye received of him abiding in you, whereby you are made able to fee
him that is invifble, you know better how to look unto h;m, that you
may draw virtue from him. The wife mans (jes are in his he*d, feith
Solomon, he conMdercth well what hedoih, that he may do it to the
beft advantage j or he lifteth them upwards, faith Saint Ambrofe, and
fixeth them upon Chrift his Head , fitting at the right hand of God ,
when the eyes of a fool are in the eeds of the earth, poring upr n va-
nity, to the feedirg cf his folly , but rpthing at all to the (atisfying of
his foul, we wafl^here bj faith- a3 the Apoltle tells us, and net bj fight ;
The lefs therefore there is of fight, the more anfwerablc to the Rule
will our walk be : Let Faith then have us per ft ft work in drawing the
whole foul to look unceffancly unto jefus^as the Authour and Fimfher
of our Vaith and Salvation, who hath begun his rood work in us, and
will alfo perfeft it • who hath given us grace to believe and will forcly
continue this grace with us even to the end, becaufe he is the S.ime
forever. F?ith will make us to fee what he harh done for us, how
he was faithful in fulfilling all Righteoufnefs , what he haih furTcred
likewife , how he was faithful unto de?th, yea unto wrath • for that
which we fhould have been fufferingin hell for ever, that did he in
thefhoittimeof his Paflion fuffer in our ftead ^ it will make us fee
what he is now doing, dwelling in our hearts , (bedding abroad his
love in our fouls, prefervingus out of the hand of the enemy that
feeks our deftruftion , appearing bt fore God in our behalf, prepa-
ring a place for us, that where he is, there we may be alfo. And
what he will do , prefent us before his Father , proclaim our Integrity
and Sincerity before his Angels , crown us with Glory , embrace us
with the evcrlafting Arm's of his Love, continue to own us for his
brethren unto all Eternity.
Oh then let us look unto this Jefus that our fouls may be more and
more ravifhed with his love. 1 hey that thus look unto him here with
the eye of Faith, when their natural bodies (hall become fpiritual bo-
dies, fhall moft certainly with their eyes behold this their King in his
beauty for ever with joy unfpeakab'.e and full of glory. Which ex-
ceeding fuperlative eternal weight of glory that we may obtain, both
Pp I
*97
I joh. z.
VJ.
EC z.l 4
Pro. i7-»4
2/Cor. 5J.
29S
Look unto JESUS,
I that have here, according to the grace that is given unto me, written
of this Sub jeft, and you that with an honeft and g^od heart have read
andperufed it, The Father of Mercies and" he God of all
Confolation grant unto us through the Mediation
of that ^on of his love , our Lord
and our Life Chrift Jefns y
Amen, Amen.
Bern. Serm. 22. in Cantic .
Currimus omnespoftte^O Domine Jefujn Odore Vnguentorum
tuorum, inemnem ten am exivit Odor Vita, & qui vitalem banc
[par Jam ubiq-.fragrantzam ne?i [entity & ob hoc non currit, aut
mortuus eji i autputidus.
AN
9
A N
A PPENDIX
To the former
TREATISE,
Added y becaufe of the federal Addresses that are
therein made unto the J e w s^ and proving dearly
from Scripture that they pall in time become
a people again in whom the Lord
will delizht.
a
Ecaufe mention hath been made of the great hope that is
to be conceived concerning the Jews FUltauration, it is
fit here to (hew the reafon of this Hope, and what good
warrant may be produced for our confidence therein :
The rather becaufe there are fome amonglt our felres,
who will (becaufe they will) be Scepticks in this point , being too
apt to infult and trample upon this forlorn and defolate people,though
our Apoftle hath given fufficient warning :o the contrary. Neither
' will our undertaking herein be impertinent to the matter we have had
j in hand, for it will in theifTue plainly demonftratc the Immutability
; ofthe Lord JefusChrift towards this people, and chat his Covenant
I which he made with their Fathers is not forgotten, but (hall inviola-
I P p 2 bly
}O0
Dent. 4. 30
3* : -
Look unto JESUS.
Dent.
jo.
bly be kept and fulfilled to a titrlc in this day of his power beranfr
even becaufe he is © - A ^ fill the Same unto them , as ever he was'
from the Beginning. ' " c '" c "m
T he ground upon which we do in the name of God proceed is this
f Mofes and the Prophets he of account with the Jews or the
Lord Jefus Chrift and h IS Apoftles of any value with us there mav
be great hope for the Jews to expeft, and good warrant'for us -o be
lieve their reftauration. ° De
Firft, Hear what Mofes faith of this people Dent. 4. 3 0. 3 1 Hfc.
thnwumMatUn (as they are this day) andalltkfe lhi „ n !"
come upen thee, even :n the latter dayes (remember that) if thfu turn
to the Lord thy God, and jhalt be obedient unto his voice ■ < l r l rZ
rhyGodis a merciful God) he Ml not M „ke thee, neither deL thee
norforgetthe Covenant of thy Fathers which he fware stnto the J. But if
■ God hath now call away his people in thefe latter daves fo as that
they (hall be no more a people, hath he not forgotten the' Covenant
of their Fathers, which he fware unto them ? covenant
Poffiblyitw.ll bereplyed, That pomifewas attended with this
hi Z ' 7 tUr u Unr ° th , £ L u° rd "P 1 God > and be °bedient unto
his voicejBut that will never be becaufe of the hardnefs of their hearts
to which they are giver, up by the fuft judgement of God for their'
contempt of the Gofpel, when it was fent unto them
In anfwer hereunto,hear Mofes once acain, Dent \o 1 &r if,U„„
return unto -the Lordthy God.then^i'l the Lord th } ' God turn thy cZ
Uvtt y ,a»dh^e common up* thee, and* 11 returned rather thee frL
ff^ons ^hither the L^dthjGodh.nhfcatteredtheV^
be dnve„ cut unto the utmofi farts of heaven, from thence »/// the Lord
thy God gather thee and from thence will he fetch thee i And the Lord thy
Gcdwulcircumafe thme heart and the heart of thy feed to love the tJj
thjGcd wh M thine heart, and with all \h]U ^hatZ^j
Helral^de^ £? ** ^^ Premifed ?»<»>
Firft, Thefe prom.fes doubtlefs are grounded upon the new Cove
nant ( for the old admits of no mercy to be (hewed unto anv unon rhl
violation of it) The cond.tion therefore muft be underftffin t
anfwerable fenfe, If you return, and if you obey th c is when
Ihalt Return, and when thou (halt obey f'befng Educed'
there-
Look unto J E S U S.
thereunto by that Grace which I will give unco thee.
Secondly, Of whom fpeaketh Mofes this? Offomc few, a Tribe
or two of the Children of ifrael, or of the whole Nation ? Surely of
•the whole Nation j but hitherto is not the Captivity of the whole na-
tion turned, neither hath the Lord gathered them from all thofe na-
tions, and theutmoft parts of heaven, whither he had in his fore dif-
pleafurefcattcted them.
Thirdly, Circumcilion being the Sacrament of initiation whereby
this people were feparated from the World, and folemnly admitted
to be a peculiar portion to the Lord, the promife here of circumcifin^
their hearts doth not fo much imply their confirmation in iheir obedi-
ence during their reftored eftate, as the turning of their hearts even
at the time of their re-admiflion to be the Lords.
Fourthly, This promife hath never yet been fulfilled in any of
their former deliverances : For Saint Steven fpe?keth to them in this
manner, after all that God had done for them , Tee ft iff -necked and
mcircumcifed in heart and ears, ye doalwayes refifl the Hdj Ghoft, as
jour fathers did, fo doyee. It remaineth therefore that the accomplifh-
ment thereof is yet to come , viz.. In thefe latter dayes. Thus
Mofes.
The Prophets likewife with one Confent do teftifie the fame. j
Firlt, ifaiah is very free and copious in this matter. It fhall come \
topafs, faith he, in that day ( Ef. l I. 1 1, 12. ) that the Lord Jh all fet
his hand again the fecond time Jo recover the remnant of hit people that ,
fia^ te left, from Affyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros,andfcm
Cufl, and from EUm, and from Shinar, and from Hamtth, and from
the I {lands of the Sea , that is , from all quarters of the World. And
hefiall fet up an enfgnfor the Nations, andfhallafiemble the eutcafts of
Ifrael, and gather together the difperfedoffudah, from the four Corners ,
of the Earth.
Let us here alfo take notice of fome confederations very pertinent,
as I conceive,to our prefent purpofe.
Pirft, The Prophet we fee fpeaks of the fecond time of Gods (tretch
ing out his hand for the deliverance of all the pofterity of Jacob, which
fecond time muft be in the dayes of the Mefliah, as appeareth by the ,
tenth verfe. Secondly, Obferve this place is not to be underftoodof I
the eled both Jew and Genrilc ( as fome will have it ) tor the Pro-
phet had in the tenth verfe fpoken particularly of the Genriles. There-
fore
Qi
^ftf.7.?I<
I Rf.x 1.1 1,
g02
Loo\ unto JESUS.
fore the people here intended are without controverfic onely the feed
of A braham according to the fkfh. Thirdly, Confider how the Pro-
phet fpeaks not ofjudah alone, or the two Tribes that came out of
Babylon after the feventy years Captivity ,bu: ( which is very remark- j
ab!e,not onely here but in fandry other places ) of lfrael and Judah to- I
gether who never yet were united fince their firft fcparation.
Fourthly, This affembling and gathering of lfrael and Judah toge-
ther (hall be in thofedayes, when the Lord fees up an cnl:gn for the
Nations, that is, when the Mcffiafa (hall be lifted up in the Miniftery
of the word, Yoxhe is thereel^offejfe, which fhould fiand for an en-
fign eft he peoples.
See another Prophecy from the fame hand Bf 4 3- S, 6. Fear mt,
faith the Lord to lfrael, for lam With thee h 1 will bring thy feed from
the Eaft , and gather thee from the Weft, 1 wiR fay to the North, give
ftp, and to the South^keep nsttacle^^ bring my Sons from far , and my
Daughters from the endsofths earth. And again Ef. 45-^2, 2a. Loc'k,
unto mce, and be yeefaved alt the ends of the earth , In the LordfhaH all
the feed of lfrael be juftified, and /ball glory.
Let it be now hereupon considered, Hath there been as yet an uni-
vcrfal gathering of lfrael to the Lord, fuch as is here mentioned? Hath
the Lord as yet juftified all the feed of lfrael, that is, the Nation of
them againft their enemies ? Or doth the Nation yet glory in that fal-
vation, which hath been wrought in the world now in the time of the
Gofpel? If not, then furely thefe things are yet to be fulfilled.
If it be obje&ed ( as fome will not (lick to do it ) that thefe and
the like places are to bee underftood Synechdochically , as putting
apart for the whole, viz.. lfrael for the whole Church of God
throughout the World, that it fhould be gathered and juftified, and
that all the people of God fhould glory and make their boaft of the
Lord. I anfwer, Though it fhould be fo, yet the literal meaning
here, as it referreth to the pofterity of Jacob, is not to be wholly
fleighced- for admit, that it be an ufual form of fpcech by a Synech-
doche, to put a part for the whole, Yet fuch a Synechdoche mud
needs be accounted a violent affault upon reafon, and was never be-
fore heard of, as that a part fhould (lgnifie the whole , when that
part which fhould exprefs the whole is not included, but (hut out
from it: doubtlefs in all Synechdochichalfpeechesthe part fet down
for
Look unto JESUS.
P
for the whole mud: be always a part of it : as when Saint Paul fa id ,
Teefoallfee my face no more A ft. 20. His face is a part of him , Aid
thus mufl all other Synechdoches whatfoever be undcrftood, the part
fignifying the whole muft of neceilicy be included and contained in it.
If therefore all [he Nation of Ifracl here be put for all che Nations ot
Believers in the World, as a part of the whole, then it mult certainly
follow that the Nation oflfraei according to the flefh was included a
a part, and not excluded from the whole.
Let us go on, omitting for brevities fake what might be more cd-
ded ouc of the Prophet Efay to this purpofe, wherein he hath abound-
ed ; Confider how feremiah keepeth alio in the fame t ack. For thus
faith he in the Name of the Lord. In tfafe dayes the houfe of fudah fhall
walk^with, or to the ho::fe of Ifraely and they fhall come together , dec.
And again, 1 will gather the remnant of my fo>\ out cf all Country es
whither I hAVe driven them, and will bring them Again to their folds, and
they fb all be fruitful and encreafe, and I will fet up Shephsards over
them which fh a 11 feed them, and they /hall fear no more, nor be difmayed ,
neither pjall they be lacking, faith the Lord.
Add hereunto, Loe the dayes come, faith the Lord, that I Will bring
again the Captivity of my people Jfrael and fudah, faith the Lord , And
they fhallferve the Lord their God, and David their King, Whom I will
raife up unto them.
The like alfo is prophecyed by Ezekiel, Thus faith the Lord, beheld
I will take the Children cf Jfrael from among the Heathen, whether they
be gone > and will gather them on every fide, and I will make them one
Nation in the Land upon the Mountains of Ifracl, and one King fhall
be King over them, and they fhall be no more two Nations, neither fhall
they be divided into two Kingdoms any more at all, and my fervant Da-
vid fhall be their Prince for ever. Moreover I will make a Covenant cf
peace with them , it fhall be an everlafiing Covenant with them , and I
will place them and multiply them, and Will fct my fancluary in the rmdft
of them for evermore. My Tabernacle alfo fhall be with them, Tea I
will be their God, and they fh all be my people, and the Heathen fhall knew
that I the Lorddofantlifie Ifrael, when my Sanctuary fhall be in the
mid fi of them for evermore.
Again (Jer. 31. i ? 4.) At the fame time faith the Lord, that is, in
the later dayes ( as appears Jer. 30. 24.) / will be the God of all the
families of Ifrael y and the] fhall be my people •, Again I will build them,
and
>-3 18,
Jer.
4.
Jer.
*j.? 3
9
21, 11,
ij, &c.
er. 3 1
3"6q.
Je r Si-3-9
Look unto JESUS.
and th$n {halt be built Virgin of Ifrael, thou fljalt be again adorned
With thy Tabrets, and thou fhalt go forth in tht dances ofthtmthat make
merry.
! willingly pafs by many other places that might be alledged, for
it would be too much to inferr. all that is written thereof.
But I demand, Hath any of thefe thing? as yet come to pafs ?
When was it that the houfe oijudah did walk with the houfe of Ifrael
together, fince the time they were divided one from the other in the
days of Rehoboam ? Hath the Lord as yet gathered the remnant of
his flock out of all Country es^ whither he hath driven them, or fet
up fhepheards over them, to feed or to defend them, fo as they
fhould fear no more, nor be difmayed ? Do Ifrael and fudah this
day unanimoufly ferve the Lord their God , and David their
King, that is, the Mefliah David's Son ( as interpreters^both Jewijh
and Chriftian expound it) of whofe government and peace there
(hall be no end f Hath God fet his Sanctuary in the midft of them, or
pitched his Tabernacle among them, fo as the Heathen do take notice
of it, that it is the Lord that doth fandtfic Ifrael} If his Sanctuary
hath been among fomeofthem, it hath been again removed, but
here it is faid, his Sanctuary fhall be in the midfl: of them for ever-
more ; In fine, Hath God as yet in thefe latter dayes declared himfelf
to be the God of all the families of Ifrael (ince their defection from
him, and own'd them again for his people? Is this Virgin as yet
repay red, llnce fhe was ftnpt of her ornaments, or hath (he yet fur-
bifht over and trimmed up her Tabrets,that fhe might rejoyce at her
reftauration ?
If none of all thefe things I fay be yet come to pafs, and the word
ofGod cannot be retracted, they are yet to be fulfilled, and fhali in
time mod certainly have their due accomplifhment.
Yea more,that neither their divisions amongft themfelves , Ifrael a-
gatnft Judah,and Judah againft 1 frael,nor their inveterate ftubbornnes
againft the Lord might be any hindcrance unto them, the Lord pro-
mifeth by the Prophet Jeremy in thefe words, I will giv s . them one
hearty and eve way, that thy may fear me for ever, for the gwd of them ,
and rf their Children after them. And by the prophet Ezekiel in thefe
words, A new heart alfo will I give you y and a new fpirit will I put with-
in you, and 1 will tikj away the flony heart out of your flt/h, and I will
fat my fpirit within you, and cauft ym to walk^in my Statutes, and ye \
fball\
Look unto y E 6 U S.
/ball krepmy judgments And do them. Oh bleflld and thrice happy
fh.ill this people be when thefe things are fulfilled. I deny nor but
thefe promifes have a meafure reaching to us Gentiles, even al 1 amono
us, that are intereffed in the new Covenant. But I fay again fhe
people chic arc mentioned cannot without violence done to the
fenfe of the Holy Ghoft, be excluded from them in the dayes of the
Gofpel.
I omit what might be further added out of thefe Prophets to this
purpofe, As the vifton of dry bones In the Prophecy of Ezekiel , reflor-
ed to life again: And th.it of AVo ft ickj made both one intht hand eft he
Prophet ; with fundry other difcovenes of the minde of God concern-
ing this truih, which upon an unprejudicate perufal even by thofe
that are contrary- minded, would appear unco them to carry in them
this fenfe, viz,. That this firft-born of the Almighty,this people fo en-
tirely beloved of the Lord (hall not at this day be quite forgotten, as
dead men out of minde, nor be ever divided one from another, ai they
have been, but (hall rcftorcd agnin norwithftandmg the feeming im-
poflibilitie of it, to their priftine glory, and (hall be happily re-united
together into one, as becometh brethren.
In the next place let us try whether the Prophecy of Daniel will
afford us the like Suffrage herein, as the other Prophets have
done.
But before we enter hereupon give me leave to premife a word or
two. It is not my purpofe here to launch out too ventroufly into
this deep, I foiefee the danger that attends upon it, many of late ha-
ving loft themfelvesin fo doing by a too much confidence of their skill
and ltrength, that I may not therefore fall under the guilt of rafhnes
and inadvertency in this kiude with others, who have been perempto-
ry in bating and determining the FpoclcSand Periods of times men-
tioned in this Book, and that of the RtvtUtiou ( which have appear-
ed to their (hame to be of a larger extent then thofe limits which they
have fet unto them J I (hall onely offjr what I have to fay to the
judgement and examination of the Church, not daring to determine *
in a point of fuch difficulty and uncertainty ,as that is, which I am now
about to infill upon.
The place which I have fingled out for my purpofe is in the ninth
Chapter of this Prophecy and the twenty fourth verfe • Where the
QJI ' Angel
i°5
3cc5
P4/J.9-14.
Look unto JESUS.
Br{hop
'Mounta-
Angel who is before called the Man Gabriel; becaufe he appeared in
aftumtfiefhapc, fpeaksqrtto Daniel m dm manner. Seventy weekj
( m it is translated ) are determined npn tl.J people, and upon thy Holy
City, to finifi the Tranfgrefion, and to wake an end of fins, and to wake
reconciliation for Inicjnty, and to bring ineverlafiing right eovfnefs, andto
feat ftp the VifiiH and Prof hery, and to anoint the m ft Holy.
Inthecxnofitionofwhich words 1 finde Interpreters do general-
ly run upon this foot of account, making thefe feventy weeks, as they
are called, to be feventy times feven years, ard to begin at one ot
thofe four Edicts mentioned in Ez,ra and Nehemah, that came iorth
fronuhofe Perfi*»Mon&ixl& % Cjr*s i VMri*sfn& Artaxerxcsjor the
reftoring and returning of the people, and tor the building of the
Temple and City . wherein they do much vary one from another ,
and are at i great Iofs in their computations , becaufe not oncly the
Scripture doth not afford help in this matter, not esprefiing the full
years of the reign of thofe Princes, nor yet the feries of their iuccef-
fion, but thofe Hiflorians alfothat have been of old, who ( as a learn-
ed Antiquary obferveth) having fo many, andfo great helps at hand, j
which we want, of the. Perfian, Babylwan, dffjrian, Egyptian'^
Writers, who at large related the ads of thofe Princes, with whom!
in their times the (tateofthe^w did concur, and who were abun-
dantly furnifhed with Hiftories of the Seleucidan and Lagidan Princes
of the Macedonian race, with whom the Jews after the Captivity had
great negotiations, have left unto us fo very poor, or none at all helps
for direction herein, in fo much that we have little or no caufe to
thank them for it •, Upon which consideration 1 fay none of our Expo-
fitours before us could, nor can any man tlfe to this day conclude pre-
cifely upon a certain root of time for the beginning of thefe ^ years ac-
cording to this account : nevenhelefs it is the concurrent judgement
of writers that at one of thefe forementioned Fdidte muft ihefe feven-
ty weeks take their Commencement and Beginning: the final Pe-
riod whereof, which muft be as uncertain as the Beginning , they
make to be either at the com;i)2 of the Mcffiah, or at his Baptifme, or
at his Death, or at the deftrutf ;on of ferttfxlem and the Temple, the
amounty of which time, fay they, mskes up 490 years, ancl^ arc af-
terwards by the Angel branched out into feveral parcels, where every
piftftathfoiTie Cardinal thing of fgcrial rcraarkc filed unto it , that
il ■ u 1 d h ?. ppen w i th i h tha t ti me.
1 A But
Look unto J E S US.
or
But I (hall now crave leave to lay down my conceptions of this
Scripture, differing from the ordinary interpretation of it, believing
there is enwrapped in it the whole purpofe and determination of God
concerning his Ifrael from firlt to lad , beginning at feme notable E-
poche, and to be continued untill the final reftauration of that Nation
which is yet to come.
This I confefs may feem (trange at fir ft fight, becaufe of the novelty
of it : But by that time we have duelycontidcred the word* , as they
are delivered by the Angel , it may happily be adjudged not altoge-
ther impertinent, and may give occafion unto fome of a more diligent
fear ch and enquiry after a further meaning of the Holy Ghoit in this
Scripture, then as yet hath been thought upon.
Obferve then, the Prophet under landing by books , as he (kith in
the fecond verfe, the number of years, whereof the Wcrdof the Lord
came to Jeremiah that he would accomplifh feventy years in the de-
flations of feru/alent (which years were then expired) he /tteth him-
felf (as ver. 3.) to feck^ the Lord God by prayer and /application in the
behalf of his peop'e, and the Holy City, that mercy might at length
be fhewed unto them in their deliverance. Whereupon this aniwer
is prefently returned unto him by Gabriel-, buc what aniwer is it ?
Not punctually pofitive to his prayer , which was for the aforefaid de-
liverance io much defired by him, now after the expiration of the
terme appointed for the Babylonifh Captivity , thatfeems to be the
leaft part of the Angeh errand at this time , but becaufe Daniel was a
man greatly beloved, the Angel hath a matter of greater import here
to reveal unto him , in which he might be affured that the deliverance
J which he prayed for {hould alfo be included. But what is this bufi-
i nefs of greater import ? Is it the happy confequents which (hould fol-
low upon their deliverance? Thus indeed hath it been conceived :
But rather is it not (as I have faid, and which 1 (hall undertake here to j
prove to be) the purpofe of God concerning his delivering this people
out of all their troubles , efpecially thofe which they endured in Egj t t
and Babylon , and now alfo in their difperfion into all Lands % where
they are fcattered to this very day , from the very time when they
were firli brought iiro a p-eparatory way of being formed into a Na-
tion ? As for the Holy City, that onely is inferted in this anfwer, br.
caufe the Prophet had mentioned it in his prayer, and the Angel fpeaks
more particularly of it in the verfes following. This with fub-
Qq 2 mi flic n
3o8
* Which a .
gree> with
Alltedi us
bis account
Look unto JESUS.
miflSon of my judgment to the Holy Catholike Church , and of my
Vother the church of England , I conceive to be the genuine fenfe of
that Scripture, and what 1 bave now to fay to it^ I deiire may be con-
fidercd without prejudice.
My fupputation of the time here mentioned is after this manner,
,Thefe yo.Weekt'5, as they are called, I take for 70 Jubilees, eachof
! i being 49, years , they together make up 3 43 o years. Now if
we reckon irom the time oi Jacobs going down into E^jpt ( which is
h. Epoche that I fix upon, the reafon whereof I (hall (new hereafter J
here will not at th s time want muchofcompleatingthefefeventy
Jubilees.
Tor from that time to the Incarnation of our Saviour the
Lord Jefus Ghrift, * were 1721. years, and fince the Incarna-
tion are 1660. Bo; h which accounts make up 3381. So that
to fill up the faid number of Jubilean years there remaineth but
one (ingle Jubilee more , which will fall out to be in the year
of our Lord 1709. About which time the people of If rati ( call-
ed here Dxnich people bscaufe of his care and tender affection to-
wards them ) may become a people again , according to the concur-
rency of Scriptural Prophecies , their iniquity , tranfgreffion and (in
finifhed and taken away through the reconciliation that fhall be then
between their God and them, in (tead whereof they fhall have an ever-
lafting righteoufnefs, brought in by the good hand of God upon them,
whereby they (hall become a righteous Nation for ever , and foconfe-
quently the whole Vifion and Prophecy concerning them will be feal-
ed, that is, confirmed and concluded • and the molt Holy, or the Ho-
linefs of HolinefTes, that is, either the Holinefs of Ifrael, furpafiing all
the HolinefTes of believing Gentiles (hail be anointed , that is, exalted
above all others, or the Mefliah, even the Lord Jefus, who is the Ho-
lieft of them all ffor there is Ho ier then the Holieft , and there is Ho-
lier then they) (hall be anointed, that is, reign as King over them, and
they by their unanimous acclamations and chearful fubje&ion acknow-
ledge him to be their Sovereign.
The fenfe of this Scripture I confefs'is new , but it will not follow
thereupon that it cannot be true. Yet I am not confident that it is the
onely meaning of the Spirit, for then I fliould pretend to be wifer then
Daniel. But I will wait for the determination of the Holy Church
about
Look unto JESUS.
°9
about it, and expeft till the end be, what Divine Providence will
work in bringing of it to pafs , hoping to reft , and to ftand in my lot
wuh D*nil at the end of the dayes.
Soon intricacies I know mil appear in this interpretation , which I
(hall endeavour to unfold: Yet furclam they arenot fo irnny aso-
thfer F.x portions are perplexed with , andfo fnarled that they can ne-
ver be rcfolved.
Firft an account will be required of me why I fhou'd call and reckon
thofe for Jubilees which are in our Tranflation called Weekes. 1 an-
fwer, though the word be tranflated Weekes (which i do not take up-
on me to correct, the word having a meafure according to cripture-
phrafe extending to various fignificatiom ) yet fuchas are skilful in the
Original do well know that thefe words may be alfo rendred thus,
fevens feventy are pared out for thy people. Now the Scripture
fpeakes of three feveral forts of fevens or feptenaries in order to fuch
times which the Lord hath fan&ified. Firft, the feventh day, fecond-
ly , the leventh year , thirdly, the feventh Sabbatical year, Thefe.
vench day was the Sabbath wherein the people were to reft, Lev. 2 3
3. The feventh year was the Sabbatical year wherein the ground
refted , Lev. 25.4. The feventh Sabbatical year was the Jubilean
Sabbath, Lev. 25.8. The acceptable year above all the reft, the year
ofliking or good- will, Ef.61.2. or as i**,^/ calls it, the year of U.
forty y or general releafement proclaimed by found of trumpet, where-
in every man was to return to his Inheritance again , and every fer-
vant to his freedome,which priviledges doub:lef$ brought on mnch re-
joycing and jubilation among them: It was a year of great expecta-
tion , infomuch that it is conceived to be the great Epoche or ( aido
of their times, as the Olympiads were among the Graciant , and the
luflra of old and ind ftions of late among the Romans Hoc cbferva
(faith Alftediut) JubiUos effe infattibiles Charattcres fecundnm ejttos
prdcipua torpor* in Scrioturis definiri poffunt : This know, that Jubi-
lean Sabbatifms are the raoft infallible characters to decipher and d-
ftinguifti the principal times of note in the Holy Scripture. This fe-
ptcnary therefore feems to be worthy of more then ordinary regard :
And the rather becaufe it did likewife in an efpecial manner fhadow
out our deliverance by Chrift , which was indeed the acceptable year
of remiflion, p ophecied of before, Ef.61. 1.2. and fo interpreted by
our blcfTed Saviour, Luk. 4. 18. As alfo thereby was {ignified our
return
Uv.%1. $
Lev 2? 4
Lev 2.?. 8,
Ef.6\.z.
E x eL 49-
"7-
Hofpin'un
de Orig.
Fcft. c. 9.
310
Did net our
Saviour al-
j luck unto'^
1 the-jo.Ju-
bikes when
I be /pake of
: ourforgi
\ vin? one
i another je-
• venty times
[even ?
Looh^ unto JESUS.
return into the Heavenly Paradife, Lttl^. 23.43. from whlchweare
fallen in Adam. The feventh year may be applied to every mans par-
ticular confummation when his foule is received up into glory , but by
the Jabilean Sabbath (wherein all the Jfraelites had their re-entry
upon their Lands formerly fold) is the general re-entry of all believers
into theKingdorae of Heaven , which they had formerly forfeited by
their (ins , molt happily prefigured. Thefe things then being fo, and
the Angel leaving it undetermined which feven of the three it is that is
here meant , whether this great Septenary rather then that of weekes
of years may not in reafonbe judged to be that which the Angel here
intended , when he faid fevens feventy are cut out for thy people , let
the Church determine.
As for that objection which perhaps may here be caft in , that the
Jubilean year was not ordained before fuch time as Mofes gave out
the Law to the people in the Wildcrnefs , and therefore could not be
reckoned on before it was in being. And that alfo , that the Jubilee
was a part of the Ceremonial Law, and therefore as out ofdate,not to
be reckoned on in the time of the Gofpel , thefe I fay upon due cor-
fideration will appear to be of no force.
Lor firft, the feventh day Sabbaths and Sacrifices were a part of the
Mofaicai Inftitute , jet were ebfervedbj Gods feople fr6m the beginning
of the World , fo might Jubilees too , for ought that may be objected
to the contrary. Yea it is apparent that Jubilees have been diftingui-
fhed of old into two forts, viz,. fubiUi Mxndani, & fubilai Mof*iei t
that is, Jubilees of the Creation, and Jubilees of the Law . fo that this
account by Jubilees might be before the Law. But there is no need to
go fo far for an anfwer : The Angel might here fpeak of fuch an ac-
count of years by way of ProlepHs or Anticipation ( a Figure ufual in
Scripture ) though there were no Jubilees to be obferved by that peo-
ple for above 200. years after faeds going down into Egy ft. And
whereas it is ob jected in the fecond place, that becaufe the Jubilee is a
part of the Mofaical Pedagogy, therefore it is not now to be reckoned
on ; I anfwer , no more do we , fo as to obferve it according to the
Law of Mofes , neverthelefs while the world ftandeth, 49. years will
be fo many ftill , and no more nor fewer then they were wont to be,
when Mofes gave out the Law, And the Angel might fpeak accor-
ding to the Phrafeology of that Age , and to the appreheniion of the
Prophet,
Look unto J E S US.
i i
Prophet, though the Judaical observation of Jubilees was to ceafe long
before the expiration of the'time that he was infilling upon. But e-
nough of this. Let us proceed.
The time of Jdfks going down into Egypt is (?.s hath been faid be- j
fore) very remarkable , and may be eReemed a fit Epccha lor the be-
ginning of thefe fcventy Jubilees. The grounds and reafons of which ,
con j. dure, 1 do now here offer to confederation.
Hrll, when Jacob went down into Egypt God promifed him to
make him a great Nation , Gen. 46. 3 . And withall defigned tint ve-
ry place for the performance of his word , which was there fulfil led. |
For thus M'fes tells the people, Dent. 10.22. Thy fathers Went \
down into Egypt With threefcore and ten perfons , and now the Lord thy |
God hath made thee , aa the Stars of Heaven for multitude. Whence
we may colled:, this journey inro Egypt was the beginning or providen-
tial occafion of forming this people into a Nation , and whereby God
did vifibly fore-lay hisdefignof proving himfelf unto them to be the
great Jehovah, in giving a being to his Promife made before unto A-
brAham : Therefore very fit to be the Epocha of the Vifion and Pro-
phecy concerning this people.
Secondly, Egypt was the place where Jfrael wasfirftas a Childe
trained up under his Fathers difcipline , and for the fins wherewith
they there finned , God made them there to pafs under the rod , and
brought them firft into the bond of the Covenant ( Lev. 17. 7. Jofb.
24 14. 2T^. 23.3J fo that in all likelihood , there did the time of
Jacobs trouble begin, which in the purpofe of the Almighty , was (as
the Angel here fpeaketh ) cut out and pared for this people. And as
they continued in their undunfulnefs, forgetting the God that fo/med
them, fo was their trouble alfo continued afterwards by fundry punifli-
ments inflided on them in their feveral Generations, but efpecially in
the Cabylonifh Captivity , and to this day lengthned out in their pre>
fent difperfion into all Lands, where the Lord hath fcattered them.
And have we not good reafon then to fuppofc .hat faet-bs going down
into Egypt at the commandment of the Lord was eminently fnbfervi-
enu to thefe ends, that God might enter upon his work , his great
work, which he had determined concerning this people ? Somewhat
furely there is in it that the Spirit would have us to take foecial notice
of, becaufe we find it fo often mentioned in the Scripture, fee Gen. 46.
6 De*\ 10. 22. Bent. 26. 5.7^.24. 4. Pfal. 105.23. Aft. 7 15.
12
- T *
ry..
IM unto J E S U S.
It may be faid Abrahd m 2.1(0 went down into Egypt two hundred
and fixteen years before Jacob , this recount therefore of Jubilees
may as well begin from thit time as from Jacobs going thither*
A negative anfwer mull hereunto be given, tor fi ft , though A-
braham went into Egypt , yet it was not ac the commandment of the
Lord , but as a traveller from one Country to another , as his affairs
called him, and it was but for a fhort time,for he wen: up from thence
again, and which is remarkable , All that he had he b ought away with
him. Gen. 13. i«
But as for Jacob, he went not thither but at the exprtft word of the
Lord, and there he continued till the day of his death, and his Poftehty
removed not from thence till the Lord led them forth with a ftrong
hand and ftretched out arm, Secondly, when Abraham went thither
God had not made known unto him the afflictions that his Pofterity
fhould endure in that Land , and therefore he might beat his liberty
before, to go thither or not , as feemed good unto him • but when
once this was revealed URto him {Gen. 1 5 .) there mull then be no more
journeyinginto Egyn by thefe Pairiarchs , till the very beginning of
that time came , which is here by the Angel faid to be cut out for this
people, that is as I have faid, for ;heir growing up into a Nation, and
I differing fuch chaftifements which the Divine Wifdome had appointed
Gen.i6, 2. ! for them. And hence it was (very probably) that an exprefs, inhibi-
tion was given unto Ifaac, that he (hould not go down into Egypt, as
his Father Abraham had done , though itfeems a necefiity lay upoa
him to relieve himfclf and his family at that time by the plentyof E~
gypt, being put to as hard a ftrait, by reafon ot a fecond famine in the
Land of Canaan, as his Father Abraham was.
Thirdly Jacobs going into Egypt was a Type of our Saviours going
thither (one refembling the other in fundry notable circumrtancesj
and in that regard is the greater notice to be taken of it. To in-
ftance :
Firft Jacob went thither at the commandment of the Lord , fo was
Jefus carried thither by a V effage from Heaven.
Secondly Jofeph was a means of bringing Jacob into that Land , fo
did another fofeph carry Chrift into it.
Thirdly, Jacob went down into Egypt , that being the Countrey
chofen of God for Ifracls infancy, for he grew a lovely Childe, there
God taught Ffhraim to go ? taking them by their arms, Hofi 1 1, 1. 3.
So
Look unto, j E 6 U S.
So was the Holy Child Jefus carried into Egypt , to be there for a
while kept at nurfe, as 1 may fay, with his moiher, ind during his
x Minority to have that education as was meet and convenient for
him*
Fourthly , faeot went thither to preferve his life from the Famine,
Gen. 45 5.7. And Jcfus was carried thither, to keep him out of
harms- way , and to prefcrve his life from thofe that fought to de-
ftroyir.
tiftly , Jacob and his pofterity were to (lay there , till the time
came which the Lord h id fet for their difmifiion from thence , fo Je-
fus was not to be brought out of Egypt till he was called according to
the faying of the Prophet Hof.n. 1. Out of Egypt have I called
my Son, and word brought by the Angel for that very purpofc
Matth. 2. 13. 19.
Thefe things being fo, may we not infer th.it the time of faccfa
going into Egypt w. s a time of great remark in Scripture , and that
it is the fi'tteft of all other co make an Epocha from whence thefe fe- j
venty Jubilees are to derive their commencement and beginning.
Another argument there is yet to be confdertd ior ihe confirma-
tion of this fenfe of the Angels words, taken from the end or final i
caufe for which thefe 70. (evens were determined , which is here faid j
To fnijb the trattfgrefsion , and to m#kj an end of ftnncs , And to make j
reconciliation for iniquity ( that is , that nounrighceoufnefs of what !
kindcor degree foever , whether that (Ingle tranfgreflion of ftcob in
the finful manner of fupplanting his brother Efan , or that unnatural !
cruelty of his ten fons againd: their brother f&fepb , or the numberlefs
multitude of fins, whereof they have fir.ee been guilty , or their moft
execrable iniquity againft the Lord of life, and his Gofpel fent among
them, fhould remain ns a blot upon them, to caufe any more feparati-
on between their God and them ) and to bring in everl ifling righte-
oufnefs (which will confummate the ViHon and Prophecy ) that they
may be a righteous Nation , and holy People to the Lord above al
others, fo long as the World endurech.
Hereupon I demand, Have thefe things as yetbeen fulfilled upon
this People ? Is their iniquity , tranfgreflion and fin ( to fpeak of it
firft in a general fenfe ) fmifhed or purged away ? Yea is it at all re-
trained ? Rather doth it not abound mo e and more ? If then thefe
feventy fevens mud be limited to f ) narrow a compafs as they have
R r ufually'
n
' Ali-
ens I.
aphui
it jo>
j p'.
lero
: ill
SE?ypto7.
c ;-
I
ICil.
it im-
p'endr
hero f/j
maJi
3'4
1 6.
Look unto JESUS.
ufually been, Where is the truth of this prophecy t Where ? It is in
the Mefriah ( fay fome ) who by his death hath done all this for them :
Moll true, But never thele.fs it fhall not be effe&ual onto them till they
do believe, and receive him for their Mefliah ^ For Chrift it the end of
the Law for Righteoufnefs to every one that belicveth, faith Saint Paul y
Rom. I c. 4. But withall the Apoftle there sddeth that which we finde I
in tkis people to this very day, They have not aH obeyed the GofpeL For
as Efoad faith, fo may we , who among them hath believed our report
( concerning this Mefsiah ) which hath been carried to the end ef the
world f Yea the fame Prophet fcarcth not in plain terms to fay, Iw/ts
feznd of them that fought me not , / was mf.de mmiftft unto them that
aiksd not after ,w, meaning the Gentiles, bat to lfrael he faith , All day
Lnghave I fir etched forth my hands unto a difobedient and gain- faying]
people : This time therefore is not yet expired ,becaufe their iniquity ,|
tranfgrefsion and fin as yet remained].
Or if that (Ingle tranfgrefiion in Jacob or his fonnes before- men- 1
tioned was flnifhed, having received a juft recompense of reward at |
their deliverance out of Egypt ; and the multiplied rebellions fincc of |
the Jewifti nation, wherewith they in their feveral generations after- i
wards did provoke the Lord againft them, were fealed up at their re. !
turn out of Babylon^ fo as they fhould appear no more to their fhame:
yet their iniquity in crucifying the Lord of glory is ftill marked before
the Lord, and therefore is their prefent captivity ftill continued. But
when thefe feventy fevens are ended, God will furely be reconciled to
them for that alio.
It will be objected, How doth this Interpretation agree with the
words following, where thefe feventy fevens are branched out into a
tripartite divifion, and made to expire at the furthelt with the defini-
tion of ferufalem ?
Ianfwer, Though mention be there alfo made of feventy fevens,
yet 1 conceive it will not necefTarily follow. that they muftbethefamc
with thofe before fpoken of, ver. 2 .4. but becaufe the Prophet had in
his prayer, befought the Lord for the City Jerufalcm, as well as for
the people, therefore after that the Angel had made known the minde
of the Lord in order to the whole Vifion and Prophecie concerning
the people, he then goeth on to reveal unto him in the following part
of the Chapter more particularly what (hall befall the City within
the
Look unto J ES U S.
;i5
the compafs of another feventy diftinft from the former, ye: included
in it, wherein alfo (hould happen the greareft manifeftation of Gods
love unto his Ifrael : For in that time the whole Prophecy relating to
the Medial) (who was to confirm the Covenant made with Abraham,
and who, as the Angel faith, did confirm it in one week of that kvtn-
ty) fhould be fulfilled. In regard therefore that this latter is fo ex-
prefsly referred to the City , both for the re-edifying and the deftru-
dion of it , and the former as punctually referred to the people hr:
thofe ends and purpofes there fpeciried , as hath been proved , it may
well be prefumed that they are not the fame.
Yea, the Angel himfelf feems to put the difference : For when he
fpeaks of the firft feventy he calls upon the Prophet to underfland the
matter, and to confider the vifion, that is, the vifion which was by the
faid term of years to be felled ; And when he fpeaks of the latter fe-
venty , he again advifeth the Prophet to know and underfland, im-
plying that he was about to reveal another fecret unto him touchino
his City which would likewife require his bed: underftanding , as the
other before did.
And now to conclude, Let it be confidered whether this fenfc that I
have (through the guidance I hope of Gods g ace) given of this
Scripture , doth not carry with it a found of truth, according to the
mindeofthe Spirit of God in it : which if it do, Is it not clear that the
poftenty of Jacob (called here by the Angel Darnels people, becaufc
God would not own them during the time of his defertion of them )
fhall (hortly be reftored to the honour of their Primogeniture and be-
come Gods people again, according to the Covenant made with their
fathers, Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob •, which Covenant he will not
break, becaufe he is f o 'tont , the Sameyefterday, to day, and for
ever.
Much more might be added in the vindication of this fenfe that T
have here given, but it is time now Mannm de tabula, , to put an end
to this matter, in the handling whereof I have already been larger then
at firlt. I intended,when I entred upon it : yet meet it was that 1 (hould
not onely give the meaning thereof according to my apprehenfion,
but to clear up the difficulties of it, yea and to anfwer thofe objections
that might be rai fed again! t. it : I confefs there is a Angularity that I
may pofTibly be charged with, yet I hope I may bcexcufed therein :
Rr 2 For
?
Look unto J E $ U S.
Hofi.\o,
For firft in ibch dark and dubious offertures of the minde of God , as
this is, no man is or ought to be bourd up by the fenfe of another, but
a latitude may be taken in rendring 'he conftrwction of them, provided
that the common Boundaries which the fpirit of Truth hath fet unto
us in "this cafe be not tranfg efled. Secondly I have here with all due
modefty declared my opinion after the form of an Hypothecs, and by
way of Conje&ure , with fubmiflion alfo to the Church of Chrift \
wherein I do but as becometh a dutiful fonne of the Church ; Onely
let not my humble manner of propoGrg my judgement create a preju-
dice in the hearts of anyperfons to make them to think the more
fleightly of what I have here written. If it bz but a bare conjecture
. have here offered, it is but as all other Interpretations have
been that hitherto are given of this Scripture : Neither indeed was
it poilible, as I have before faid, that any Expofitor could go beyond a
conjtdure in their Interpretation of it : For the variety of their Epo-
che's do plainly argue much uncertainty in their computations. And
whereas they generally agree upon one root of time in order to their
accounts, viz. The going forth of the Commandment ( though when
that fhould be they cannot precifely tell ) who knows but that by
the Commandment may be underilood the Word which the Angel
fpake of before unto the Prophet, verf. 1 3 . that came forth from God
hlmfclf at the beginning of his fupphcations to reftore and build Jcru-
falcm^rzth&c then an Edift from thofe Perfian Princes, whom Expofi-
tor s have feverally fancied to them fe Ives to have iilued out for that end
without warrant uncontroulable from the Spirit of God f Yea and
fame other fenfe might yet be rendred of thefe words more then hi-
therto hath been thought upon by any, which upon trial may pofiibly
endure the Teft as well as thofe that have iormerly pafsM for currant
amongft us. But I approve of that fage advice which an Ancient hath
long fmce given, viz,. It is bed at fome time to fay nothing, at every
time to fay enough, but at no time to fay all.
Go we on therefore to the next, that is the Prophecy of Hofea. Tn
the firft Chapter whereof, we flnde that when the Lord pronounceth
Loammi againft his people , which ftiould be the laft Abdication of
them even in this their prefent difperfion (according to the concur-
rent judgement of fundry Expofitors) making no other account of
them then as of a heathen Nation, The Prophet notwithftanding up-
on
Look tmto JESUS.
3»7
On this angry word which founds terribly to all that hear it, addech
immediately a word of comfort again, faying, Tet the number of tk
children of Jfrael/hall be &s the/and of the fed which cannot be meafured
nor numbred.
It will be faid that this word of comfort hath reference to the ifrael
of God among the Gentiles : I anfwer , Be it fo , yet I fay here a-
g.iin, the holy Ghofl: hath not fet any fuch limitation, as if the pofte-
rityof Jacob were to be quite excluded. For let me ask with an in-
version of the Apoftles words, IsGodtheGodof the Gertiles onely ?
Is he not alfo of the Jews} Yes of the Jews alfo : otherwife how
fhould the children of Ifrael and the children of fudah be gathered
together ( as it is faid they (hall, verf. 1 1. ) after this ultimate abdi-
cation, and appoint themfelves one Head to be their Governour f
which being yet to be done, it followcth that this Prophecy alfo is not
yet fulfilled.
Yea,and if it be true that that vaft and large part of the world cal-
led now America hath been the receptacle and hiding-place fpr the
ten Tribes ever fince their exile out ot their own land ( as of late it
hath with very great probability been conjectured to be , fomc con-
ceiving the fame to be fore-fignified by the Prophet ObadUh,vtxi. 20.
The captivity of JerufatemfiaJl poffefs the cities of the South, that is,
of America, fo fcituate, or the dry Cities, that Countrey being much
under the Torrid Zone : Others conftruing that Prophecy Efa. 66.
1 9 as fore-telling the fame thing, / will fend thofe that efcape of them
unto the Nations to Tarfhifh, Pul, and Lud that draw the Bow , to Tu- \
bal and Javan, to the Iflss afarre of that have not heard my fame, neither j
have feen my glory , &c. ) Then alfo (hall that be fulfilled in them
which followeth, Hof. I. it. And they /hall come uf out of the Land,
where they have all this while layen hid , and where the Lord hath
fhut them in. But how lhall they come up will fome fay, feeing they
are now ever fince their entrance there^nvironM round with the fea?
Shall the fea give them way again, as it did when they came up out of
Egyft ? So indeed fome are of opinion taking their guefs from 2 Efd.
13.47. Or (hall the Angels be fent to be their Convoy with fome
unwonted miracle through the ayr ? I anfwer, Firfl: it is questiona-
ble whether that other world, as it is called, be divided from this by
the fea, (fome Writers of very good note think otherwife, ) and if
both be (till contiguous, What hinders but this people may return the
way i
Rom 5 2.9 ,
Obad.y 10.
Efe.66.19,
2|8
Efa.Co.y.
mf.i.n
HoflA-
Vtrf.y
Lqo\ unto JESUS.
way that they went .? But put cafe that Time and the Sea two infa-
tiable devouiershave through Gods permiflien made a fepararion, to
the end that this baniftied Nation might be there (hut up till the time
of their Enlargement be fully come, then may that of the Prophet E-
faj be verified concerning the manner of their return, Efay 60. 9
The {hip of Tarfhilh, that is, of the Mediterranean fea ( for fo is Tar-
fhifi in that place to be taken ) fiall be firfi ready (being of the near-
eft vicinity to the land of Canaan) to bring theft Sons of God from far,
&c. unto the Name of the Lord thsir 6od, and to the Holy One of Ifrael, j
&c. At which time great [halite the day of Jezreel ( faith the Prophet j
in the fore-cited place ) that is, It fhall be a day of great admiration i
unto all by reafon of the gathering together of the Jfraelites, which j
before fecmed rather to be fezreel ( that is, a people difperfed by j
G od ) then an Ifrael that had power with God and prevailed.
Again in the third Chapter of this Prophecy of Hofea, verf 4. it is
foretold of this people in this manner •, The children of Ifrael fbatta- J
hide many days without a King, and without a Prince, and without a Sa-
crifice, and without an Image, and without an Ephsd , and without Tera-
phim, As much as to fay, They (hould live like a company of falvage In-
dians, no government Eccleftaflical *r Civil, no form of Religion to be
found among them, either according to the law of Mofes , or according to
the corrupt Exemplar of their fore- fathers : All which hath come up-
on the ren Tribes in thefe latter days. Bat mark now what the Pro-
phet addeth, verf. 5. Afterwards JhaR the children of Ifrael return and
feekjhe Lord their G«dand David their King, that is, ( as it is confef-
fed on all hands) the Uc(Tmh,Davids fonne according to the flefh^ and
Jh all fear, that is, worfhip the Lord and his goodnefs, manifefted in
the Mcffiah ( without Types and Shadows , much more without the
leaft mixture of Idolatry old or new ) in the latter days. If then this
judgement here written be executed upon this people to the utter-
rcoft, undoubtedly their Reftauration and Return both from their
fin and their captivity , fhall (according to the words of this Pro-
phecy) be fulfilled, and in the determined time brought to pafs alfo.
Thus have we hitherto ken the Prophets as with one voyce tefti-
fying and proclaiming the purpofe and counfel of God concerning the
Calling and Converfion of the fetys in the latter dayes. More Tefti-
monies of the like nature might be produced out of the other Pro-
phets
Look unto JESUS.
V9
phcts to tins purpofe. But the time or at leaft the patience of Tome
would fail , if we (heuid undertake to {hew further what David and
the reft have Prophecyed and written hereof. We (hall therefore for-
bear to infift upon any more, and feeing that in the mouth of two or
three witneffes every word Is eftablifhed , the Prophets already men-
tioned may fuffice for the whole number.
But becaufc there are fome amongft us who with much pertinacy
do affirm that the Jews (hall never be a people again, fo long as tbe |
World endures ( which afTertion doth thwart tbe Doftrinc of Chrifts
Immutability which we have here maintained ) hear therefore what
the fpirit fpeaketh of it to the Churches out of the New Teftament •
For even therein alfo have we a full and clear teftimony from the
mouth of Jefus Chrift himfelf and his Apoftles toaffure us of this
truth againft all Cavils whatfoever.
Firft, Then fee what the Lord faith Lule^ 2*. 2|, £4. There QjaII
he great diftrefs in the Land, And Wrath upm this people, And they /halt
fall by the edge of the /word, and fhall be led away Captive into all Na-
tions, and ferufalem Jhall be tndden down of the Gentiles, until the time;
of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
See here how in wrath the Lord remembreth mercy ( faith vener-
able Bede upon the place ) £1*1* wn inferpetuptm, donee tern for a Na-
tienrm impleantur, the judgement here written is not to be perpetua-
ted till time be no more, but onely to continue till the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled.
Concerning which times, though it be true that the Father hath
referved them to himfelf, as a ferret not fit to be imparted to the
World (in which regard it hath been and will be too much boldnefs
to prefcribe the very inftant of their expiration ) yet we may fafely
fay of them ( the words of our Saviour here importing no lefs) that
whenfoever they do expire, ferufalem fhall be delivered from her
bondage, and confequenrly that light and gladnefs, joy and honour ;
(hall come upon the fewifi Nation. Let us then for this end make a !
little enquiry into them, and confider what is meant by thefe times
of the Gentiles. Sundry conftrudions are given of thera by Inter-
preters, nevertbelefs I doubt not but that which hath a tendency to
our prcfent purpofe, we fhall finde to be mod genuine.
Two Expofitions I have met with, which (though the A«thours
thereof
Lttk
: I,
320
bertum rra-
gnum Ta-
per locum.
Look unto J E S U S.
thereof be of great note in the Church ) are not in my poor Judge-
ment to be allowed, the one reaching beyond the fenfe of the Holy
Ghoft, the other coming (hortofit, asitihall here evidently ap-
pear,
Firft, That which goeth too far makes the filling up of the times
of the Gentiles to be contemporary with the final Confummation of
all things, and fo confequently holdeth that neither the fews nor fe-
rufaUm (hall ever be reftored again. Thus the Lutheran Exposi-
tors generally understand it. But againft this it may be Ob-
jected.
Firft, We no where finde in Scripture that the fulfilling of the
runes of thsG^»n7f.risrendred in fuch a fenfe, viz,. For the end of
the World • and in fuch cafes the Holy Scripture hath been ftill wont
( the wifdom of God fo ordering it ) to explain it felf by fome reite-
rations and paralel places, to the end that the Church might in a form
of found words fully know the minde of the fpirit.
Secondly, It is inconiiftent with the Prophecies that went before
concerning the Gentiles, that in the time of the Gofpel, they fhould
generally fubmit unto the Church of the Jews (as we have before
undeniably proved) when ferufalem (hall be again inhabited, and
made a praife in the earth.
Thirdly it is plain that our Saviour in this 21 of Saint L*kt puts a
difference between the defolation of fudea, and the diflblution of the
world .making the former a portentous omen and fad prefiguration
of the latter. As therefore the diflblution of the world (hall be fe-
condedwithan eternity of reft to all Believers, fo (that the type
may fute the Anti-type ) (hall the defolation of fttdea be alfo attend-
ed with a fweet peace and happy deliverance to Gods antient people,
the inhabitants of that Land even in this World before the diflblution
thereof. AH which confidered this cannot be the meaning of our Sa-
viour in this place.
The other expofition which I mentioned that cometh too (hort, is
given by a late learned and induftrious writer amongft us, Doctour j
Hammond by name, who affirmeth that the times of the Gentiles here
fore-told by our Saviour are already paft,having had their full end as I
that Iaft and notable deftrudion both of the City fer&falem and the j
people, which was brought upon them by zy£lhis Adrianta fixty five
years after the burning of the Temple by the Remans under the con- j
duft'
Look unto JESUS.
duct of Titus the Son otFefpafianus : All which time of the Roman (
poflefling the City, he makes the full extent of this word 'a*? J until!,
and will have it reach no farther. For then fauh he, Adrian rebuilt
a part of the City, and called it by his own name, «>£///*, inhibiting
it with Gentiles, whereupon it followed, that as all the f cws remain-
ing fuch in opposition to the Chriftians were utterly b miflit the Ci-
ty, &c. So the believing Chriftian Jtws returned thither again from
their dtfperfions, and inhabited it again, and joyned, and made one
Congregation, one Church wi:h the Gentiles, which had there by that
f time received the faith alfo, and till then continued a diftinft Church
from the Jews. Thus he.
But againft this novel conceit, for fo it may ( Salvo hemre T>oUi &
dtfmBi Author u ) well be called, which as I faidcometh fhortof
the fenfe of our Saviour in the fore-cited place, fome juft exceptions
offer themfelvcs to our confederation.
Rrfl,lf we examine the ftory upon which the faid Authour ground-
ed his afTertion, we fhall finde that the truth of this Prophecy con-
cerning the treading down of Jerufaltm by the Gentiles, until the
times of the Gentiles were fulfilled, was fo far from receiving its final
accomplifhment at that remarkable change under Adrian jhzt it might !
well be thought, it did then more then ever before, begin moft emi- j
nently to appear. The (lory of which times related both by Eihnick
and Chriftian Authours in fhort is this :
The Ennperour Adrian being wi ling it feems to vex the Jews, cau-
fedan Idolatrous Temple to be erected in Jerufalem dedicating it to
ftifiter, and commanding withall a certain number of Romans and o-
ther Foremen, devoted to that Idol, to dwell in the City, that they
might refort unto his Temple • whereat the Jews, who till then had
a toleration both for the exercife of their Religion, and their abode
in that Countrey, being thereby much provoked (and becaufe, as
fome report, the Emperour had iffued out an Edict againft their Cir-
cumcifion) They brake out into open Rebellion, whereunto they
wereftirred up by a Seditious perfon, who called himfelf by the name
of Barchechel as', that is, the Son of a Star, pretending thereby and '
making the Jews believe that he was (Tfrfii)**) fent to be as a light
from Heaven unto them, according to the Prophecy of Balaam , and
that he would deliver them out of their prefent bondage. To him
they are eafily perfwaded to yeild their Confenc, being deluded by
S f the
?2I
3"
Look unto JESUS.
Comment,
in Zeph.
Cap. I .
the (igmficancy of his name (faith Eufibfos ) and chufinghim for
their Captain, they grew up into a very formidable Army. Bur. the
Emperour hearing of this infurre&lon, prepares to fupprefs it, and af-
ter a long and tedious war of three years and a half with thefe rebelli-
ous ft\\>s, brings upon them a fweeping defolation : their Ring. lead-
er (whom the fewj afterwards for his impofture called Btrcbcubab ,
that is the Son of a lie ) fell in the battel, and many thoufands of his
followers ( myriads faith Nicephorus ) were by famine and fword
mtferably deftroyed.Such of them that efcaped were by a decree from
the Emperour banifhed for ever from that City and commanded upon
peril of their lives, Ne pedem in agrttm Jerofolymitanum aliejuando
inferrent, not once to fet footing anymore upon that Land, or fo
much as to look towards it from any high place : And moreover to
fignifie their utter Alienation from thence, there -was a Hog cut in
marble, fet upon the gate* by which men go to Bethleem. In fine this
City, as Eufebius faith, being by this war utterly deprived of her an-
tient inhabitants, & a feregrinis natmibus habit ari cozpta, and begun
to be pofTefTed by forein Nations, was afterwards made a Roman Co-
lony, and the name of it changed into *ALlia Capitoiina. Yea fuch a
deluge of miferies did then b eak in upon rhat City and people, info-
much, fail h Saint ferome, Vfyuead }rafentem di'em,&c. even unto
his time the fews were not differed to enter into jerufalem, unlefs it
were to bewail the ruines of it • which admiffion alfo once every year
they purchafed at a dear rate, not being allowed to abide there above
their limited hour, and whofoever defired to (lay there longer , to
fpend more tears, they were to give more money to the Souldiers that
were fet to watch them, ut qui quondam ewer ant fangmnem Chrifti ,
emant Uch^ymas [uas, that they who had before bought and fold the
bloud of Chrift jfhould now buy their own tears ,faith the fame Father
fweetly in the fame place, whothere alfo very. Graphically defcribcth
the manner of their lamentations : from thefe premifes we may there-
fore conclude that Jerufalem was now more then ever before trodden
down of the Gentiles.
Secondly, Admit that fome converted Jews 3 as this Authour faith,re-
forted thither after this change, yet that argueth not that the city was
reduced again to her priftine eftate •, for thofe fews were not formed
into any Polity, had not the Government of the City, but the Romans
ftili kept it in fubje&ion ; True it is that by degrees it came to be in-
habited
Look unto JESUS.
habited awhile by (hri/Hans, and was dignified wi:h a Patriarchal feat,
yet 1> ill the Gentiles had it in pofleftion, and in that refpect trod it un-
der foot. For the word here n*7«j, % as learned GrtUtts obferveth ,
is all one with Tenert jure vifarU, i. e. to keep in fubjeftion by
right of Conqueft, and therefore, he from thence derivech this confe-
quence, v/«. The fenfe of it cannot be limited to the Romans alone ,
but reacheth to all others that came after them in the Conqueit of
that City, as Per/fans, Saracens, Frank*, and Turkj, who have fuc-
ceffively taken it into their poiTefIion,tfoe Turk* at tiiis day trampling
upon it, and giving it a name of their own deviling, according to their
Language, viz.. Cufmnobarechi whence we may infallibly infer, that
the times of the Gentiles in treading down Jerusalem is not yet
fulfilled.
And now having weighed thefe two expofitions of our Saviours
words, and found them too light, it remaineth that we fcek out fome
other, that is moreagreable to his fenfe and meaning.
Firft then (hall we fay that by the times of the Gentiles is meant
the times of their ignorance, and abominable idolatries? And tint
as when the iniquities ot the Amorites were full, God did drive out
thofe Nations from the Land of Canaan, and according to his promife
brought his people into it, giving it to them for a perpetual inheri-
tance. So when the meafure of the Idolatries of the Gentihs , their
cruelties, opprefsions of one another and fundry other abominations
that are amongft them is come to its full length, then (hall be brought
to pafsthe faying that is here written, ferufalem fhall no more be
trodden down, as it hath been, nor the Captivity of the Jews any lon-
ger continued.
Or fhall we fay that by the times of the Gentiles may be underflood
the times of Gods patience in waiting for the Converfion of thofe (7f«-
tiles ,who profefsing the name of Chnft have too much departed from
his rule and government ? So indeed faith Grotius, that the words of
this Text may in fome refpeft carry that interpretation.
But becauie thefe imply a total amputation and defertion of the
Gentiles upon the reftauration here fpoken of, contrary to the fenfe
of the Holy Ghoft in many places of Scripture, We (hill therefore
wave them alfo, and fubfenbe unto that otBede before-mentioned, as
rnoft found and Evangelical, wherewith we have likcwife the concur-
rent aflfent of very good Expofitors both antient and modern, viz..
S f 2 That
3M
49;
». I.
JIB.
7.
1.6.
Look unto JESUS.
That by the times of the Gentiles is meant their feveral feafons allot-
ted unto them by the providence of the Almighty for their receiving
the Gofpel, and the filling them up to be the compleating of thofe
determined feafons to the utmoft period -, And that when thefe fea-
fons, which are known unto God alone, are perfectly fulfilled,and the
fulnefs of the Gentiles thereupon come in, according to the predicti-
ons of the A pottle Rom. 1 1. ( of which we (hall alfo fpeak foraewhat
in its proper place ) Then and not before, fhall the Captivity of the
ffws be turned back, and Jerufalem alfo refcued out of her thraldom.
Then I fay again it (hall doubtlefs come to pafs • For can any thing
fail of all that the Lord hath fpoken? Is his arme (hortned that he
cannot make good his word .? Or hath he forgotten to be gracious ?
Is his mercy fo frequently promifed, fo clearly confirmed by a perpe-
tual Covenant to his firft- born Ifrael clean gone for evermore r But
how (hall he then be e o 'Auxe^the Same? Jofiua once fpakeit in
the justification of God before his people, when he had fettled them
in the promifed Land, and gave them reft round about , There failed
not ought of any good thing which the Lord hadfpiken unto the houfe of If-
rael) All came to pafs Jofh. 21.49. No more certainly (hall any thing
fail now, becaufe the Lord who is ft ill the fame hath faid it, the word
is gone out of his mouth, and cannot be difanulled. Shortly then, as
this City and people is according to this prophecy fcattered and laid
wafte, fo when this appointed time here mentioned is come, They (hall
( though all the powers of darknefsbe againft it ) be reftored to their
liberty and dignity again.
Afecond witnefsoutof the New Teftament to confirm us in this
point we have given us out of the flrft of the Alls flxth and feventh
verfes. The words are thefe. when they therefore were come together
the J asked of him, faying. Lord wilt thou at this time reftore again the
Kingdom to Ifrael ? And he faid unto them, It is not for yon to k^mw the
times or the feafons which the Father h*th put in his o¥pn ptwer.
Iknow well the Apoftles have been, and are to this day charged
here with anerrour common among the ^Viv (as it is reported of
them ) namely, That the time fhould come when the Mefsiah (hould
reign as Lord and King upon the Earth, according to the manner of
the world 5 and thar all Nations (hould in that kinde befubjecT unto
him , and becaufe the Jctys were to have ihe preheminence among
them, therefore doth the Apoftle fpeak here of his Dominion in this
manner, calling it the kingdom of Ifrael. But
Look unto JESUS.
W
But I mud crave leave to enter my difTent unto this charge, becaufe
it runs on too faft in the world without a warrant , yea I cannot but
account it too much rafhnefs to impute a fault unco thofe eminent
fervants of Chrift, where the Holy Ghoft in Scripture hath not given
a clear demonftration thereof. A fault indeed here is whereof they
were too guilty, in bufying themfelves about the knowledge of a time
wherein they were not concerned , and for which the Lord rebukes
them. But that they fhould now (as for what they had done former-
ly in that kinde, it is not here Material) look for fuch a temporal
Kingdome of the Mefliah, as the ftwi generally did, and do Hill ex-
pect , this I confidently deny. The grounds of which confidence will
appear, when I (hall have proved that this difcourfe between Chnft
and his ApoMles is a clear confirmation of the point in hand.
That we may understand a ight the fenfe of this Scripture , let us
confider diftinctly three things. Firft, theoccafionofthisQueftion.
Secondly, theperfons that put the Queltion. Thirdly, theAnfwer
unto it.
Tirlt, the occafion from whence the Queflion did arife is couched in
this word therefore, when thej therefore were come together , they aslejd »f
him , &c. By which word of connexion it is manifeit. that their
Quefticn was not fuddainly ftarted as of a thing impertinent to the
purport of Chnfts Doctrine , which he had been prefting upon them
in thofe fourty dayes, fincc his Refurrection, but rather was produced
by them, as a rcfult very confonant thereunto. He had been fpeak-
ing to them , as it is faicl verf. $. of the things pertaining to the King,
dome of God, that is, of the future eftate of his Church, for as for the
Doctrine of Salvation , he had fully made that known unto them be-
fore, as appears J oh. 15.15. Where he faith, AH things that I have
heard of my Father , / have made hnfwn m$ti you : So that probable it
is, the Subject of his difcourfe now was, as i havefaid, concerning his
Church, giving inftructions for the planting and governing of it, and
premonitions alfo what dangers and difficulties it was like to fuflfcr,
and how it fhould profper and p> evaile over them all in the latter end.
And herein the Lord manilelts his provident care and tender com-
panion which he had of his Church , refembling thereby good old fd
€ob his Type (in this very particular) who when he was about to leave
the world, calls upon his fons to gather themfelves together , that he
migh (hew unto them, what fhould befall them in the latter dayes.
Whereas
G:n. 49-
^i6
In his An-
nota.
Ltd
14,
21.
Lool^ unto JESUS.
Whereas therefore the Lord Jefus Chrift had been fpeaking to his
Apofties of thefe things pertaining to the Kingdome of God, and they
thereupon enquire of h^m concerning the reftoring the Kingdome to
Ifrael , is it not paft all gain-faying that fome at leaft of the things
which he fpake had reference to this reftauration ? Efpecially when
as ii. is well obferved by Grotins, non negat ft id fatturum, fed quo id
fatHrum effet tempore ,noluit ab ipfis inquiri, he doth not deny that fuch
a thing he would do , but onely was not willing to be enquired of by
them, when it fhould be done. Much was to be done, asthefequcl
now proveth , before this which they fo haftily fought for could come
to pafs, which they thought not of (for it could never have entred in-
to their hearts to conceive , unlefs it had been revealed unto them,)
1 wherein neverthelefs they and their Succeffours for many Ages fhould
be employed as fervants and co* workers with Cbrift, to the end, that
this much deftred reftauration might, by the bringing in of others alfo
to the faith of the Gofpel, be attended with the greater glory. And
hence it is that the Lord commands them that they fhould not depart
from Jerufalem ( becaufe from thence was the word of life to go out
into the world ) till they were baptifed with the Holy Ghoft , which j
was the promife of the Father, whereby they were to be endued with
power extraordinary (as being the chief inftruments under Chrift) |
for fo great a work, and to authorize others in an ordinary way to be '
their co-agents in it.
Secondly, confider the perfons that put the Qucftion. Firft, it was j
the Apofties, men not to be defpifed , fuch as were legati a latere, \
whom Chrift had chofen above ail others to be his witneflesof what i
he did and taught, and to be his Embaffadours to carry his name into
all the world ■, who did eate and drinkj with him after he arofe frsm the
dead, Ad. 10.
Secondly, the Apofties, who though they were not yet baptifed I
with the Holy Ghoft, according to the promife of the Father, yet had !
received the Holy Ghoft by Chrifts breathing on them, whereby they j
had not onely power given them more then ordinary, but knowledge J
alfo more then ever they had, to difcern what might be moft conduci- I
b'e to the advancement of their Mafters honour , and fo knew more j
of his minde in order thereunto, then any others could or can poffibly I
attain unto.
Thirdly, the Apofties altogether, not one or two of them fepara-
ted ;
Look unto J E S US.
W
ted from the reft, defirous to windethemfelves into their Matters fa-
vour above their fellows (as it had unhappily fallen out informer
time,) but the eleven with one confent j'oyned as one man to put
this Queftion unto him • for when they were come together,it is faid,
they asked of him, faying, L*rd wilt thou At this time reftore again the
Kingdcme to Ifrael ? Which Kingdomeif it were never any more to
have a being in this World , as a thing inconfiftent with the manner of
Chriits Spiritual Kingdome , their general agreement about it would
doubtlcfs have been adjudged no better then a confpiracy againft the
Dignity and Prerogative Royal of their Lord and Matter, andconfe-
quently had not gone without a fevere check , no more then their
precipitant difquifition after the time did , for which they are re-
proved.
Thirdly , confide r the anfwer that the Lord giveth , It is net (faith
he) for you to know the times or the feafons which the Father haih put in
his own power. Obferve , he doth not tax them with folly and back-
wardnefs of believing the Prophets , as he did the two Difciples going
to Emmatis • For they after all the manifeftations that he had made
in their fight of the mighty power of God , and the clear teftimonies
he had given , that the predictions of the Prophets concerning the
Meftirh were terminated in hirn, doubted neverthelefs whether it was
he that fhould redeem Ifraet out of his troubles : But thefe believing I
the Prophets, being now thoroughly inftru&ed by him concerning his
Church, and aflunng themfelves thereupon that he was ordained of
God to be the reftorer of Ifrael's liberty , without which the Church
could not be complcat , he onely reproveth them for their overmuch
hatte , and bufie intrufions into the fecret counfels of the Father , be-
ing defirous it feems before the time to be eye- witnefTe3 of that , as
well as of all the other mighty works which Chrift had done among
them.
Yea moreover, if we compare the words fpoken to thofe two Difci-
ples, with thefe here to the A potties, fome further light may yet ap-
pear unto us concerning this matter : To them it is faid, Ought net
Chrifi 'to fttffer thefe things, and to enter into his glory f To thefe , It is I
not for yati to knoVv the times or feafons which the Father hath put in his !
o\\n power. In the firft 3 he implieth that the redemption of Ifrael
(that is, fuch as they meant, elfe our Saviours reply had not tended to
the rcfolving of their doubt) could not be accomplifhed before he en- !
tied
Luk.
z6.
328
Rom, I
Look unto J E S U S.
tred into glory- For there this our Lord and Nobleman (as he is
called, Lul^ 19. r 2.) went to receive his Kingdome, and there he was
to rule and order all things for the benefit and advantage of his people,
both of Ifrael. and of all other Nations in the World, according to the
times and feafons which the Father would impart unto him % when he
was in glory. In the fecond he intirnateth that the times and feafons
for the bringing to pafs Gods righteous purpofe concerning the thing
which they demanded, are running on in chat glory whereinto he was
entring , and are guided onely by the will of the Father - y and there-
fore they fhould be contented with their meafure , and wait with pa-
tience for the full a.complifhment of this deliverance , which God in
his due time, beft known unro himfelf, would furcly bring to pafs by
him, even whilehe is in his glory* But let us proceed.
Thirdly, it cannot but be now expected, that that well known wit-
nefs of Saint Pa»l ( Rom. 11.) fhould be produced. Let it then be
examined, for it bringeth with it fo clear an evidence in this cafe, that
the Holy Spirit by it fecmeth to remove away all doubting.
. We (hall not flay to make any large Metaphrafe upon the Chapter
( he that runs may read the fenfe of it) let itfuffice to take notice of
the general fcope in the whole , and to gather out of it fomewhat that
may be moft material for our confirmation in this point we are upon
and for the conviction of thofe that are of a contrary judgment*
In the two Chapters immediately before-going the Apoftle having
written feverely of the rejection of the Jews (according to the Pro-
phecies that went before of them ) for their rejecting of the Gofpel,
he undertakes in this to mitigate the acrimony of his ceniure , to the
end the Gentiles mighc not take occafion to infult over them, as if they
were an abjeft people , given up to a final abdication : Which un-
bro:herly infultation that he might anticipate ( fore-feeing that it
would prevaile too much, as it feems it dorh to this very day) he ren-
dreth here his meaning in plain termes , (hewing manifeftly what the
purpofe of God is concerning his rejection of this his ancient peculiar
people, viz. That it was not to be cither univerfal or perpetual •
which mitigation he fweetly infinuates once and again in the form
of a Dialogue : Hath God (faith he) caft away his people ? God forbid.
Have they ft nmhled that they fiould fall f God forbid.
Where, by the way, we may obferve the Apoftles method, in con-
tracting
Look unto JESUS.
tracking his whole difcourfe concerning this (nb jecT in the folurion of
thefe two Qutres In his treating of the firit he proveth clearly that
the rejeclio.i ot the /nw was not a total re je&ion. In his arguing
upon the ftcond , he proveth alfo as infallibly that it (hall noc be 'a
final rejection. So long therefore as we follow the conduct of the
A pottle herein , we fliall noc need to tear the contradiction of any
other.
Tbc fir ft part of his undertaking we (hall for brevities fake omit ,
and becauie it may be judged not fully Argumentative to the point
in hand : For it is not to be doubced (will fume fay) but that fome of
thefe calt-away Jews might belong ro the Election of Grace, as well
as the Gentiles ,and therefore may in all ag;s be converted to the Faith,
as the Apoftle himfelf was. That therefore which we have to fay fhali
be derived froffl the fecond wherein we (hall prove as undeniably that
the whole Nation fliall in Gods due time be nade happy in this Con-
version alfo .
Firft then obferve with what Authority the Apodle makes known
his minde, not nakedly affcr ting his judgement, but like an Apoftlc
indeed prefixcth his' Aui* ipn thereunto. So he did a: fir it, when he
entred upon this matter, A.y* oSV, I fay then , (odoth he now agiin
A'-^ovy, I fay then: Thus Dictator- like as became him , he pro-
nounceth his Sentence ( tamjHam ex Cathedra ) whereby he not one-
ly gives a further Explanation of his meaning, but advifeth ail forts of
people (his Advice here beirg equivalent with a Command) to acqni-
efce in his faying, and to fubfenbe unto him.
But what is it that he faith ? Firft he puts the Queftion, Have they
(tumbled that thtjf Jkwld fall? that is , per Synechdochcn , that they
fhould fall finally ? Or as Saint Chryfeftomc glofleth upon it, Is their
fall fo great that it is irrecoverable? The \nfwer hereunto follows,
not by a bare Nega:ion, but as abhorring fuch a thought in himfelf,or
in any other, m« yenm , as much as to fay , Thar bi farre from you
once to imagine, as it is from me fo to decern,
And now if the Apoftle had faid no more , this verily had been e-
nough to ftop the mouth of all comradi&ion : For who is he that
dares utter a word in opposition to the A potties faying ? Buc that the
Gentiles might not think more highly of ihemfelvts , nor more dif-
dainfully of the Jc\\>s then they ought to think, behold how his heart
is enlarged for his brethren his kmfmen according to the flefh ( as he
T c calls
33°
Look unto JESUS.
calls them, Row. 9. 3. ) Shewing firft (in that which we are willing
to pafs by ) the Poffibility of their Reception , fecondly the Probabi-
lity of it, thirdly the Certainty. The Poflibility (as I have faid) he
had infiftcd upon before in the beginning of the Chapter. Now comes
hc,verf. 1 1 ,1 *, &c. with variety of Arguments to (hew the Proba-
bility. Afterward*, vcrf.2^&c, &c. he proveth the Certainty there-
of ^ In the end applauding and magnifying the Wifdome and Know-
ledge of God , his ftupendious Wifdome in making die Defertion of
the f cVpj an occallon of calling the Gentiles , and his profound know-
ledge farre beyond the reach of all the heavenly Intelligences, in
knowing how to work upon the mofl: obftinate jtws , by bringing
them to the obedience of the Gofpel through their envy and emula-
tion towards the Gentiles.
This in fhort is the fumme of the A pottles undertaking. And
•ihould we now follow his track throughout his whole Difcourfe upon
this Sub jed, though poffibly fome wou'd account it tedious to afford
us their company -, yet we fhould not be found guilty of an inexcufa-
bledigreffion from thefubjed that we have before treated of, in fo
doing. Tor the Text being directed to the Hebrews ,to afTure them of
Chrifts immutability towards them (which argues clearly that he
would not finally for fake them, though for the prefent they were as
Grangers fcattered about the world, 1 pet. 1. 1.) The explicating
therefore of thefe parallel Scriptures w ch the holy Ghoft hath record-
ed for our confirmation therein,cannot with any (hadow of reafon be
reckoned as an impertinency, especially when a point fo material to
the honour of the Lord Jefus Chrift is called in queftion , a9 it is this
J day. Neither indeed could that which hath been here done in order
thereto have been omitted, unlefs we fhould have betrayed the Text :
to the gain- faying of men, which God forbid. And let this ferve for
a vindication againft all thofe cavillers , who are ready to object im- \
pertinencies unto me in the allegation of thofe Scriptures which have j
here been made ufe of to this purpofe.
Keverthelefs to avoyd more prolixity we fhali not exactly trace
the Apoftle in the purfuance of this argument concerning the Proba-
bility of the re-ingrafting of the fewifi Nation into the Church of
God •, onely give leave in the behalf of Gods glory, and the fpecial
wintered of his Church, to put a ^pare or two, which are the fruit and
\ off- fpring of an aftonifhing admiration: The Refolution whereof
(hall
Look unto JESUS.
(hall be left unto the adverfaries of this poor defpi (cd people to be
determined by them, either with a retractation of their errour here
and repentance for it, or hereafter before the Tribunal of the righte-
ous Judge, when he (ball appear in his glory.
Firfl: then I demand, Whether it be not jufl and meet that God
(honld obtain Ins end , which he hath propofed unto himfelf concern-
ing both Jews and Gentiles in the difpenfation of his mercy ? He hath
( faith the Apoftle, verf. 3 2. ) eoncltidcdthcm all in unbelief, that if in
his jtlft Judgement (hut them all up together, as in the very verge of
hell, under the dominion of (in :' ( which mifery neverthelefs they had
brought upon themfelves by their contumacy againfb him) but to
what end ? Was it that he might dellroy either one or the other > No
verily , but rather th.it he might have mercy ttfon th:m all both Jews
and Gentiles. To the Gentiles who were firit in this 'a-whSha pertinaci-
oufly fet againft the Lord and his Anointed , he would make known
the riches of his Grace, and take them into his Covenant as weil as the
Jews. But becaufe the Jews indignation was fo great against the
Gentiles , that they would not vouchsafe to own them as brethren and
co- partners with them in the fame grace (though thty themfelves
alfo moft unthankfuliy rejected this grace when it was offered unto ;
them, refemblmg iherebv, as the proverb is, the Dog in the manger I
who would neither eat of the fodder himfelf, nor fuffer the poor hun-
gry Ox, Handing by, to eat of it that would) therefore did God leave
them to a woful blmdnefs and hardnefs of heart , that through rheir
fall, falvation might come to the G'.ntUes • wherein notwithstanding
God had a favourable refpecT unto the Jc\\>s likcwife, viz,. That they
feeing the Gentiles taken into his bofome, enjoying the priviled^esof
children ( facte beyond their expectation ) and themfelves defpifed of
Gcd, and difperfed over the world, might be provoked to emulation,
that is, to an earneltdcfireof reconciliation with God, as difdaining
to be a Nation inferiour to any other Nations in his love, and willing
to be like unto them , yea to furpafs them in all things that might en-
dear them unto him.
Now confider when God (hall in the depth of his Wifdome con-
trive a giorious deiign for the exalting of his grace, fo glorious, that
next to the fending of hi, or.ely Sonne into the world would be the
grcateft that ever fhouldbe aded upon the Theater of the world,
Tt 2 and
i* 1
Si
t'ctr-e
Look unto JESUS.
9*e
re
and withall give notice of it in his Word to the children of men, that
they might wait for the accomplishment thereof, Is it not an affront
offered to the Wifdome of God, and a check given unto his Grace/or
any to doubt, whether it fhoiilcl come to pafs or no ?
Secondly, Since not onely the glory of God, but theintereft of his
Church is herein highly concerned, j demand in the next place, Whe-
ther it be not very requiMte , that they who profefs themfelves chil-
dren of the Church fhoeld rejoyce in thofe difcoveries of Divine Pro-
vidence that may any way tend to the promoting of that intereit?
Saint Paul here who was called to bean Apoft'eof the Gentiles, ac- j
counts it a magnifying of his office , to make his boaft of the great!
encreafeof thofefpiritualricb.es, winch he fore-fawfhould be the j
portion of the Churches of the Gentiles upon the reception of the j
Jews in the latter dayes. Hear how he argues, if the fall of them, \
that is, the ^W/, be the riches of the World, and the diminifhing of
them the riches ef the Gentiles, hity much more their fulntfs ? And a- '
gain, If the casing away of them be the reccncil'wg of the world , what]
Jhall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead ?
Words indeed ot an irrefifiable conviction ; unlefs we will fay with
the Laodicean, We are rich and encreafed in goods, and have need of
nothing : Alas we have need of more grace, becaufe Satan now hath
more wrath then ever, having but a fhort time to work for his king-
dome 5 we have need of more holinefs, becaufe the pollutions of the
world are g-own more filthy •, we have need of more acquaintance
with our God, becaufe our hearts are grown more deceitful : doubt-
lefs we are not fo full, but we have yet need of more, at leaft we have
need of mere brotherly love, ancTChriftian unanimity, then is at this
day to be found amongft us-and that thofe fchifms and divifions under j
which the poor Church of Ghrift 4yeih {toggling as it were for life j
fhould be taken out of the way .True it is we Gfntiles who were before
a beggarly people have upon tbef'twi failing into poverty been enrich- 1
ed by Divine bounty, but have not we alfo g ( own wanton with our |
wealth, gadding about after vanities that cannot profit us? When they
were caft out of favour we were reconciled to God,who were before
(trange;s,yea enemies unto him : But have not we alfo many a time
vexed his holy Spirit by our treacherous A poftacies, as much as they ?
And how then fhail this be remedied ? Which way (hall we have our
wants
Look unto JESUS.
533
wants fupplyed? Our breaches repaired f Our hearts more cftabiifh-
ed in the trmh t Doth not the t\ pottle who is of counfel with the Al-
mighty in this cafe , and therefore knew be it the way of Divine di-
fpenfation of grace toward w , doth r.ot he I fay tell us hen
how all this dial I be brought about to our exceeding great advantage,
viz. by the reception of this people into favour, restoring them again
folly to their dignity and preheminence among the Nations ? Not in-
deed as a meritorious caufe therof (that is far from the Apofllcs mean-
ing) but in a way of fubferviency to that providence which ordereth
ail things for the good of the Church.
And now let it be confidered, How great is that goodnefs which |
God hath laid up for his people even before the Sons of Men in the
latter dayes ? May we not then expedamore plentiful effufion of
his Spirit in the powerful operations of it upon the hearts of Believers?
And that all thofe peftilent herefies wherewith the Chriftian Churches
among the Gt utiles have been miferably infeftcd even almofl unto
death, (honld be thrown to the Moles and to the Bats ? The jarring
and jangling found of Schifme no more to be heard in their AiTem-
blics, and in fttiid thereof both Jtws and Gentiles to be united toge-
ther in a moft entire and ir.difibluble bond of Brother- hoed f And
when this fulnefs of happinefs (hall come upon the Gentiles ( as it will
furely happen unto them upon the fu:nefs of the Jews , the Apofile
himfelf being witnefs ) may it not be reckomd ( according to the A-
poftles word) as it were a new life from the dead ?
I demand therefore again, Are thefe things fo ? Hath Cod deter-
mined to advance fo much theintereft of his Church by the Reftau-
ration of the ffw/, and is it meet that we fliould ftand cavilling a: ic ?
Shall this our Apoftle thus mngnifie his office,and with a paternal care
of our good, argue fo irrefrngably in our behalf, and (hould we like
a company of wayward children with unkinde RecfJcitrations fpurn a-
gainft his office, and our own happinefs ,vilifying the one, and as much
as lyeth in us nullifying the other ? How thefe Qvtre's may be an-
fwered, together with many other that might be gathered from the
following branches of the A potties arguing about the facility of the
Jews Heitauracion, (hall I fay be kk to their confederation, who not
oncly cauflefly call it into queftion, but peremptorily deny that the
Nation
3B4
Look unto J E S U S.
Nation of the fews (ball ever be reckoned among the Nations of the
world any more, andfoconfequently afperfe the Lord Jefus Chrift
with inconftancy towards this his firft beloved people , as if he would
not be 'o 'Aim* unto them, the Same to the end, which he hath been
from the beginning.
If any fhall fay , That to put thefe Quaycs in fuch a manner is to
beg the Queflion,that is, To conclude that for a truth, which is in con-
trovert whether it be fo or no. I muft anfiver, If the Apoftles argu-
ing hitherto will not fatisfie, and that neither Pofiibilities nor Proba-
bill ties heaped together will down with gain-fayers to draw them to a
convi&ion , we have a more lure word of Teftimony given here in
the clofe, whereunto they fhould do well to take heed, leaft unhappily
they be found even to fight againft God.
To the end therefore that no man might in this cafe plead igno-
rance, which is commonly the mother of arrogance , Hear what the
Apoftle addeth, w/. 25, 26, &c. I would not brethren (faith he) that
you fhould be ignorant of this myfterie^ ( left yon fhould be wife in jour
own conceits) that blindnefs in part u happened unto Ifrael until the f*t-
nefs of the Gentiles be come in; and fo all ifrael fhall be faved ,
&c.
I know well that thefe very words of the Apoftle are alfowrefted
by fome to another fenfe • as there will not want cavils againft the
cleareft demonftrations of Truth to the worlds end. And if we fhould
give an ear to whatfoever maybe fuggefted unto us by oppofite par-
ties, we (hall never be free from hefitancies in the interpretation of
any Scripture, nor in the affcrting of any Dodrines, though never fo
fundamental. Let this prefent Scripture be look'd upon but with an
unpre judicatc eye, and be confidered in the moft plain and grammati-
cal fenfe of it, and then fee whether it doth not precifely determine j
this point, viz,. That there is a time approaching, wherein the fewifb
Nation fhall be reftored, and become a glorious converted Nation a-
gain, which God will own for his Beloved people, notwithstanding
all their unkinde rebellions againft him. To afford fome help herein,
obicrve,
Firft the Apoftle fpeaks of this matter, as of a myfterie, and there-
fore (hould the more diligent heed be given unto it. A myfterie in-
deed it is • Firft in regard of the origination of it, being fprung out
of
Look unto JESUS.
of the profound aby fs of Gods infinite wifdom and knowledge. Se-
condly in regard of the prcgrefs of it, being much oppofed by the in-
fidelity of men, who are and will be flow of heart to believe it. Thirdly
in regard of the unfearchable way and manner how it (hall be a&ed ,
when in the fulnefs of time it (ball be brought to pafs in the world ,
however therefore men do fleighc it, the Apoille it ieems makes great
account of it.
Secondly, Headvifeth the Rowans to take fpecial notice of it • 1
would not brethren, faith he,have you ignorant hereof, &c . As if he
fhould fay, beware that you do not out of a fond conceit ofyour
privilcdges above the pnw,caft this rnyftery out of your thoughts, as a
thing impertinent to your cognifance, for you are concerned in it,
and that which is revealed of it will certainly be required of you.
Thirdly, He prccedeth to adefcriprion ofihe rnyftery fo far as it
was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghoft. Blindnefs ( as we read it )
in part is happened unto Ifracl untill the fulnefs of the Gentiles be
come in, and fo all Ifrael fhall be faved.
Where firft,that we may the better poife this rnyftery Jet us a little by
the way confider the judgement inflicted upon this people ^ which alas
alas we finde to be exceeding great. So much doth the word n*e»*r*
fignifie, for that is not a blindnefs in the mind onely, but a fpiritual
obduration overfpreading the whole foul, whereby they are become
utterly unfenfible of their fin and mifery. And thus we finde the word
n^fa's-M^ rendred before verfe 7. by Beza and other?, relitfm occalu-
erunt^hat is, the reft were hardened .or covered all over with a brawny
thicknefs. Thus alfo is it written of them Aft. 28. 27. The heart
if this people is waxed grofs, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their
\ eyes have they clofed, leaft the] fhould fee ruth their tjes, and hear with
\ their ears, and under ft and with their hearts , ice. For why ? God hath
given them in his juft difpleafure (faith the Apoftle) verfe 8. To
*nv{juL Hg-TctrvZiaf, Aflothfulffirit, a fpint that luls them afL j ep in
their fin, leading them in the dark : or as the word may imply, A fpi-
rit that pierceth them through, nailing them fa ft to their infidelity ,
pricking their eyes that they fhould no: fee, and boring their ears that
they fhould not hear unto this day.
Hence it i that they obftinately rejecTall means of their converfi-
on, they blafpheme Chnft in their Synagogues, and whenfoever any
mention is made of him, they cry out Ddeatur mmen ejus, let his name
be
33)'
Non enim
eft Yli^a-
|