The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 5
The Natiuity of our Lord Iesus Christ, commonly (but truely) called Christmas day.
SVch is the truth and constancy of Gods promises,Connexion of this feast with the former Sondaies. which in Iesus Chrst are yea & amen; that though heauē & earth shall passe. yet on… iot or title thereof shall neuer passe. For that which the Father hath in times past foretold by the mouth of his Prophets, he hath now fulfilled and performed it, in sending his Sonne, in the similitude of sinfull flesh, to be borne of a sinner (though not conceiued in sinne) to be borne for sinners of all sorts and degrees of people, which belong to saluation.
As then vponupon this day there is a solemne feast celebrated of the Christian reformed Churches (but not of the factious conuenticles,Vse of the doctrines culled out for this day, & the other three holidayes. and seditious Assemblies) so there are such fundamentall points of religion selected, and culled out to be handled, both for the day it selfe, and the concomitant holidaies: as Gods people may therein take infinite causes of inward and outward reioycing. For,Generall sūme of the Scriptures for all these holidaies▪ besides the sweete and heauenly discourses falling out for the great day it selfe, (called Christmas day) concerning the eternall Diuinitie, and true humanity, the two natures, and the three offices of our Sauiour and royall Redeemer,
We hauehave vponupon the next day after, a ratifying of this truth by the death of S. Stephen: a Deacō of the Primitiue Church, and the first Christian Martyr.
VponUpon the third holyday (called S. Iohns day) a strong confirmation of these truths by S. Iohn the Euangelist, that beloued Disciple of Christ.
And vponupon the fourth day, a notable celebration and commemoration of the truth and time of Christs birth,Christs diuine and humane generation. (that babe and young Lambe of God) by Herods bloudy massacre of such a multitude of sweete babes and innocents.
Chr…st hims lfe a…ledgeth the proph…cies to proue the truth of his birth.The Scriptures of the Prophets Isay and Dauid, who (as Christ himselfe saith) do sp…ake of him▪ where he alledgeth the booke of the Psalmes (from whence the Church hath ch…sen sixe for this feast) doe testifie and make mention of our Lords birth humane, of his generation diuine, and of his eternall kingdome.
6 Proper Psalmes.The 19.45. and 85. Psalmes for morning prayer, as also the 89.110. & 132. proper Psalmes for the euening do shew the truth of these doctrines vntounto vsus. The 19.19 Psalme analised. Psalme declareth these particular points.
2… The creatures teach.First, how Christ the Sonne of God, the maker of the great world, teacheth all men in generall, by the creatures, to wit, 1 heauens, 2 firmament, 3 daies, 4 nights, 5 Sunne, v. 1. to the end of the 6.
2 The word doth teach.Secondly, how the Lord God by his word in the mouth of man, that little world, with the working of the fiery spirit, doth,
First, conuert mans soule.
Secondly, giuegive wisedome to the simple,
Thirdly, reioyce the heart.
Fourthly, giuegive light vntounto the eyes.
Reade more, from the 7 ver. to the end of the 11. concerning the excellent effects, and incomparable qualities of this second Schoolemaister.
The 45 Psalme,45 Psalme analised. which is the second of the proper Psalmes, intreats of a good matter, for, 1. it is of the King of Kings, Christ our Bridgroome, and 2 of his spowse the Church, 3. of the beauty, louelove, and glory of both.
85 Psalme analised. 1 Generall experience of Gods louelove to the Church.The third is the 85 Psalme: wherein Gods Church and people do speake, 1. generally of the louelove of God in Christ, which they hauehave found by experience, Lord thou hast bene favourable to thy land, thou hast turned the captiuity of Iacob. ver. 1.
Secondly,2 Partieular experience thereof. the Church intreateth of this louelove of God in particular, Thou hast forgiuen the iniquity of thy people, and couered all their sinnes, verse 2.
Third…y, they confirme by future prophecie,3 Confirmation & assured hope of the future performance of all. that which they hauehave found by precedent, and shall find by future effect, in then selues and others, MercieMercy and truth shall meete together, righteousnesse and peace▪ &c. verse 10.
In the fourth of our proper Psalmes, which is the 89,8… Psalme analysed. the sweet singer of Israel. 2. Sam. 23.1. is rauished in spirit, and therefore by the effect of the former experience,
First, he protesseth and prophecieth,1 Dauids protestation of praise for Gods mercies herein. I will sing the m…rcies of the Lord for euer: with my mouth will I declare thy truth, from one generation to another▪ verse 1. A reason of this his protestation he rendreth, For I said, mercy shall be set vp for euer. verse 2.
Secondly, he grounds his protestation,2 The ground of his protestation. and his confirmation vponupon a most sure foundation, Gods owne oath infallible made vntounto Dauid, a true type and figure of Christ. Reade the text from the 20. verse to the end of the 37, you shall find that the Prophets doctrine is most plaine, concerning the eternall generation diuine, and the infinite eternall perpetuity of the spirituall kingdome of Christ Iesus our Lord.
In the fifth of these proper Psalmes, being in number the 110.110 Psalme analysed. 1 Dauid sings of all these points together. 2 He confirmes it by Gods oth. First, how well doth king Dauid first sing of all these points together, to wit, the diuinitie, humanitie, kingdome and priesthood eternall of his Lord and Sauiour, The Lord sayd vntounto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, &c. verse 1. Secondly, how doth he proue it, but by repeating Gods oath irreuocable, The Lord sware and will not repent. Thou art a Priest for euer, &c. verse 4.
In the sixth of these proper Psalmes the 132,132 Psalme analysed. A relation of another oath which God hath made. Parts and con…ēts of the oath. one of the songs of degrees, our royall Prophet tels vsus of an other oath which God hath sworne, confidently made, and constantly to be performed, The Lord hath sworne in truth vntounto Dauid, Of the fruit of thy body will I set vponupon thy throne. verse 11. Here,
1 Christs kingdome.First, God by Dauids mouth doth prophecie,Christs kingdome, priesthood & prophecie. that Christ shall be borne a King, of the royall stocke and tribe of Iudah, Da…ds f…mily. Second y God confirmeth this point concerning the perpetuitie of Christs spirituall kingdome,2 Cōfirmation of the perpetuity of this kingdome. that howsoeuer the Iewes and other enemies deale with Christ and his church; yet vponupon the head of Christ, his crowne shall flourish Verse 18.
In our first Lesson for Morning prayer,Mor. Prayer. 1 Lest I ay 9. being Isay the 9. chapter, these doctrines of instruction are confirmed vntounto vsus.
PartsFirst, Isay prophecieth of the certainty of Christs birth,Parts 1 Certain… of Christs birth. in the preterperfect tense. VntoUnto vsus a child is borne, and vntounto vsus a Sonne is giuen. Ʋerse 6.
Secondly, of his diuine and eternall generation2 Diu…ne and eternall generation. in the present tense, The mightie God, the euerlasting Father. Verse 6.
Thirdly, of his perpetuall kingdome3 Perpetuity of his kingdome. in the future tense, The Prince of peace, the increase of his gouernment shall hauehave none end. Vorse 7.
In the first Lesson for Euening prayer, being Isay, chapter 7.10,Euen. Prayer. 1 Less. Isay 7.10. to the end of the 15 verse: what words can be more plaine then these, Behold a Ʋirgin shall conceiue and beare a Sonne, and she shall call his name Immanuell. Which words of the Father te…tifying of the Sonne, do most pregnantly proue,
Parts.First, the immaculate and true conception1 The true and immaculate conception. of the Virgin with Christ, That holy thing and Son of the most high, &c. Behold a Ʋirgin shall conceiue.
Secondly, the certainty of Christs birth,2 The certainty of Christs birth. and beare a sonne.
Thirdly, the vniting of two natures, diuine and humane in one person,3 Vniting of the two natures. The summe o… the 4 scriptures of the new Testament. and thou shalt call his name Immanuel.
From these 8 Scriptu…es of the Prophets and old Testament, if we discend to foure more of the new; we shall in the cleere noone day and bright sun-shine of the Gospell, behold the acting, effecting, accomplishment and vse of the fore-prophecied fauors.
For in the second Lesson for Morning prayer, Luke 2. v. 1. to the end of the 14,Mor. Prayer. 2 Less. Luke 2.1. to the 14. the Euangelist sets downe the truth of the birth of our Sauiour.
First, in naming the time when, secondly, the place where, thirdly, the manner how, fourthly, the persons celestiall and terrestriall,1 Time, 2 Place 3 Maner, 4 Persons the witnesses. as witnesses of the ioyfull birth of this euer-blessed babe.
And in the Gospell for this day Saint Iohn the Euangelist, chapter 1. to the end of the 14 verse,Gospell. Iohn 1.1… v. 14. Summe of ali the 14 verses. speakes of Christs diuine generation before …ime, and so is he foreign, verse 1.
In the 14 verse, being the second generall part of our Gospell for this great feast, the beloued disciple tels vsus out of these words, And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among vsus, &c. that in time, the creator of time, in the fulnesse of time had his humane generation and cohabitation in the tabernacle of our flesh, and so is he foreign, though not foreign: So that this very foreign, which is, foreign, to and with God the Father, is for our sakes become the Sonne of man, and of the same substance of his mother, a perfect man of a reasonable soule, and humane flesh subsisting.
¶Epistle. Hebrewes 1.1. to the end of the 13.The Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes, chap. 1. v. 1, to the end of the 13, giues vsus to vnderstand, that God hath fauoured vsus more in these latter dayes, then he did the fathers in former times, verse 1.
First, in speaking to vsus by his Sonne.1 God speakes to vsus by his Sonne, verse 2.Generall sūme and particular analyse.
Secondly, in shewing vsus that he is the true Prophet.2 Christ is the true Prophet, verse 2.
Thirdly, the Author of this Epistle describes, first, the person of Christ in his God-head and Man-hood vnited, verse 3. And secondly, the offices of his Kingdome, Priesthood and prophecie. verse 3.3 Christs person is described,
Fourthly, he sets forth Christs excellency aboue Angels4 Christs excellency aboue Angels, and all creatures, in these his offices of Kingdome, Priesthood and prophecie. verse 4.5.6.7.
Fifthly, he proues the eternity of his kingdome5 The eternity of his kingdom. after all creatures terrestriall and celestiall. verse 8. &c.Christs true and immaculate birth.
Eue. Prayer. 2 Les Titus 3.4. The end and vse of all the former fauors.In the second Lesson for Euening prayer, Titus 3.4. to the end of the 8. A scripture concluding the Seruice of this high and solemne day, S. Paul shewes the vse of all these premised fauours, and the end, or rather the ends why God hath thus dealt with vsus,
1 Our saluationFirst, that we might be made heires of eternall life. verse 7.
2 Our obediēceSecondly, that we bel…euing in God, might be carefull to shew forth good workes, verse 8.
Vse of all these 12 Scriptures, and dedicatography together. The best Iewell we can weare at Christmas, or any other time.Thus are these eight Scriptures of the old, and foure of the new Testament (as the twelue precious stones in Aarons brooch and iewell vponupon his brest) combined and set together. That eueryevery Christian man or woman may this Christmas time weare them next their hea…s, as an heauenly Amulet and Antidote compounded by Gods true Apothecaries, to preserue them from the poyson and plagues of Atheisme, Iudaisme, Turkanisme, Papisme, Anabaptisme, profanenesse, of negligence and carelesnesse in the right manner of worshipping, and in the true forme of fearing, and obeying God in Iesus Christ, by the power of the holy Ghost.
Now let vsus diue deeper, and search more diligently into the Gospell for this day, that we may behold that comely order which S. Iohn obserueth in it, and the heauenly lessons which we are to learne out of it.
That which the holy Euangelists, Mathew, Marke and Luke had written according to the Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets, concerning Christs accomplishing of all things before spoken, by his birth, life, doctrine, passion, death,Difference betwixt the writings of the other Euangelists and Saint Iohn. resurrection, &c. S. Iohn doth in this booke after another manner, and in another kind deliuer. For he epitomizeth that, which they discoursed of at large, concerning Christs humanity, and that in these words, And the word became flesh, and dwelt among vsus, &c. And he maketh a most ample tractate, as touching Christs diuine nature, as touching his effects also, and the execution of them.
These 14 verses of this first chapter,Occasion of the choice of this scripture, Iohn 1.1.14. are as a specimen of the whole booke; and therefore the godly Fathers of the church hauehave chosen it as a most speciall Scripture to be handled vponupon this day, and at this time.
In the first 13 verses, he writes of Christs diuinitie.Generall analyse.Christs diuinitie.
In the 14 verse, of Christs humanitie.Christs humanity.
He proues the diuinitie of the Sonne,Confirmation of the diuinity. whom he calleth the Word.
First, by his eternitie,1 Eternitie, In the beginning was that word.
Secondly, by his Consubstantialitie 2 Consubstant…alitie,in the Deitie, and that word was with God, that is, one of the persons of the Deitie.
Thirdly, by the nature and essence thereof,3 Essence and nature, and that word was with God, verse 1.
Two of these Arguments are by S. Iohn, for the more certainty of the truth repeated, The same was in the beginning with God, first, that is one of the persons of the Deitie,4 Rep…tition of two former argumēts for the better confirmation, secondly, coeternall, verse 2.
The other arguments are taken from the workes and effects of the Sonne and word of God.5 Arguments taken from the workes of Logos.
The first, is the worke of Creation, All things were made by it, and without it was nothing made which was made. Verse 3.
The second, is the worke of Vinification, the worke of giuing life, that is to say, reason and vnderstanding kindled in mens minds, to acknowledge him to be the Author of so great a good, In it was life, and that life was the light of men, verse 4. And that light shineth in the darknesse, &c. verse 5.
The next maner of reasoning,6 S. Iohns testimony to confirme the truth hereof, and kind of argumentation which S. Iohn vseth, is testimonium humano-diuinum, or diuino-humanum, the testimony of Iohn the Baptist, who being a man, yet was a Gods man, a man of God, first, sent from God: secondly, bearing this office, to this end, To testifie and beare witnesse of this light 1. the Son of God, 2. the Son of man, God and Man, 6.7. & 8. verse.
In the other 5 verses following,7 Kind of reasons are arguments drawne from the cause and effect. our Euangelist will teach and proue by reasons and arguments, drawne from the cause and effect, that albeit there was sufficient cause and reason why this light of Christ should hauehave taken better effectChrists diuinity and humanity demonstrated. in illuminating the world in generall, and the Church in speciall, taken out of the world. Yet neither did all the world, nor all th… Church (whom S. Iohn cals Christs owne) receiue it.
1 From the cause,The first argument taken from the cause, is, He was that true light which lighteth eueryevery man. Verse 9.
2 From the cau…e.The second, He was in the world, that is, by the creatures and light of reason, he did (as it were) in the person of his Godhead and Manhood offer himselfe to the world. Ver. 10.
Effects. Christ is to some,Now for the effects of these heauenly causes, first, it fared with our Lord Iesus this true light and Soule-phisition, as it doth with a light which is extingui…hed, 1 Like an extinguished light,or a good medicament prepared which is not of ignorant or wilfull patients receiued. The light was generall, the medicament foreign, sufficient (though twas but one) to cure all and eueryevery one. But,2 Like a reiected medicament.
1 From the effect in the world.First, the world suffred it to stand by them, for the world could not see, it was in darknesse. verse 10.
Secondly, though the greatest physi…ion applied this medicine himselfe to his owne patients,2 From the effect it tooke in the Church, th… worldly lewes: yet the greatest number of them would none of it. He came vntounto his owne, and h…s owne receiued him not. verse 11. Herein they were worse then the world; for that they did know and acknowledge Christ, but would not receiue him.
3 Effect of this cleere light was in the elect, Christs best patients.Thirdly, the third effect that this cleare light and most soueraigne medicine tooke, is in the thankful receiuers therof, Christ… best patients, to wit, the elect and godly. To whom, as he administred the medicine, so be vouchsafed the blessing, good opera…ion and happy effect thereof, to beleeue in his name. Description of the elect,And these good patients are thus described:
First, by the right and title of filiation, 1 By their fi…iation,a prerogatiue to be made the sonnes of God by adoption. verse 12.
S…condly, by their generation2 By their generation. and birth, or rather by their regeneration and new birth, which is to be borne of God, that is, spiritually of Gods spirit. VntoUnto which birth Saint Iohn opposeth the carnall and fleshly, which is, first of blood, secondly, of the will of the flesh, thirdly, of the will of man. v. 13.
Christs humanity is thus proued:Confirmation of Christs humanitie,
First, twas no other nature but the essence and essentiall nature of God foreign, Sermo, that word which was made, that is,1 Coniunction of the essence, became flesh, which tooke not vponupon him the nature of Angels, but of Man, And the word became flesh,
Secondly,2 Twas in our flesh, not in the nature of Angels, he dwelt and made his abode for the time in the tent and tabernacle of our flesh, And dwelt among vsus.
Thirdly, he that is of these two natures, hath the essentiall fulnesse of two qualities, and attributes full of grace and truth.3 He hath essētiall fulnesse of grace & truth,
Fourthly, this glory of Christs Maiestie manifested in the flesh, was beheld of men when this Word the naturall Sonne of the Father appeared in the flesh, 4 Men behold the glory thereof.And we sawe the glorie thereof, as the glorie of the onelyonly begotten Sonne of the Father. Verse 14.