The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 32
Trinity Sonday.
EVery one of the subsistances in the deity,Doctrine of the subsistence, in the Trinitys are by themselues in many places of holy Scripture most plainely set forth vntounto vsus: As the subsistence or person of the Father begetting the Sonne ab aeterno, and creating all things by the Sonne: The person of the Sonne being begotten, creating the world (being God with the Father) and redeeming his people. The person of the holy Ghost neither made, created, nor beggotten, but proceeding from both, being God with both: and therefore a worker with both, in the creation, but chiefly in the recreation, regeneration, and sanctification of all the elect.
Now because these three persons are not three Gods,Reasons of the Churches chosing of Scriptures for this day, but one God, by these subsistences, not diuided (though distinguished) in these persons combined and vnited: The fathers of the Christian Church hauehave (in the principall Scriptures culled out for their Leitourgie) not omitted the confirmation also of this deepe point of Thcology, the mystery of the holy Trinity, appointing two portions out of the old Testament, and three out of the new,Mor. Prayer. 1 Less. Gen. 18. for the proofe and manifestation thereof.Parts.
The first text of Scripture is written, Genesis 18.1 Elohim appeared to Abraham in three personall distinct Angels. where Mosts
First, sheweth that God appeared to Abraham, the which God Moses nameth the Lord, ioyning the name Elohim of the 3. persons vntounto the name of Iehouah, Elohim appeared to Abraham,the name of the diuine essence and vnity of the God-head: Moses seeing how God appeared to him, that is to say in 3. Angels, whom Abraham tooke for three men. ver. 1.2.
3 Abrahā spake to one as to three and to three as to oneSecondly, Abraham in his entertaining of them, spake to one as to three: when he said, Lord, if I hauehave found fauour now in thy sight, go not I pray thee from thy seruant, an ordinary familiar speech vsed by all the faithfull, when they speake to Elohim all three persons together, giuing them the essentiall title of the God-head vnderunder the name Iehouahiah or Adonai. ver. 3. to the end of the 8.
3 The Angels phrases of speech are both plurall and singular,Thirdly, in the question which they propounded to Abraham, then they said vntounto him, whereis Sarah thy wife, ver. 9. And he said, (that is the Lord, as ver. 13. and 14. ver. 10) I will certainely come againe to thee according to the time of life, and Sarah thy wife shall hauehave a sonne, &c. vntounto the end of the 12. verse.
4 Iehouah by the 3 Angels expostulated with Abraham,Fourthly, in the Lords reproouing question, or expostulation with Abraham about Sarahs laughing, verse 13.14.15.
5 The men did rise vp, and Iehouah said,Fiftly, Moses saith, the men did rise vp from thence, and looked toward Sodome, ver. 16. And the Lord said: shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do. ver. 17.18.19. There is Gods reuealing of the citties destruction to Abraham. Then the Lord said, because the cry of Sodom and Gomorthe is great &c. ver. 20. 21. There is Gods determination of the execution of his iudgement.
6 Abrahams supplicating for Sodome, and Iehouahs answering him.Sixtly, it is manifest that God by these three Angels spake to Abraham, euen God in three persons, by these three persons, these heauenly persons, not onelyonly by that which first, Moses relateth before, but secondly, also by Abrahams earnest supplication for Sodome in sixe seuerall r…quests, and the Lord answering euerytime, verse twentieth two ad thirtitieth two: & thirdly, by that which Moses relateth in these words: And the Lord went his way when he had left communing with Abraham, &c. ver. thirtieth three to the end of the chapter.Elohim appeared to Ioshua,
In the second Scripture written Ioshua the first chapter it is said,Eue. Prayer. 1 Less. Ioshua 1, Proofes for the doctrine of the Trinity.
First, that Iehouah, that is, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, spake vntounto Ioshua the sonne of Nun, verse 1. All three are reduced vntounto one essence, where it is said,1 Iehouah Father, Sonne, & holy Ghost spake to Ioshua. vntounto the land which I giuegive them, verse 2. Also EueryEvery place hauehave I giuen you that the sole of your foote shall tread on, ver. 3.4. No man shall be able to withstand thee all the daies of thy life (It was I am that speake to him Iohn, 8.58.) as I was with Moses, so will be with thee, verse 5. It was the third person in the Trinity from whom proceeded the graces and gifts of strength, valiancy, valor, and good courage, meditation in the booke of God day & night, with all other good gifts commended and and commanded to Ioshua, as verse sixe, seuen, eight, nine, HaueHave not I commanded thee, saying, be strong and of a good courage.
Secondly,2 Iehouah Elohim made the promise to Ioshua and encouraged him to fight his battels, that it was Iehouah Elohim who made this promise and so incouraged Ioshua, appeareth by that effect which Gods voyce and word tooke: first, in Ioshuaes charge and precept to the officers of the people, to the Reubenits, Gadites, and halfe the Tribe of Manasseh, ver. 10. to the end of the 15. secondly, in the peoples yeelding obedience to Ioshuaes iniunctions, and their incouraging of their Captaine with the word of the Lord before spoken, onelyonly be strong (that is in the Lord) and of a good courage,
The third Scripture for this day writen Matthew 3. being the second Lesson for morning prayer,Mor. prayer. 2 Less. Math. 3. wherein the Euangelist maketh records.
First, of the time, place and authority of Iohn the Baptist, 1 Iohn Baptist preached in the name of the three persons.his preaching, straitnesse of life, and baptisme, verse 1. to the end of the 12.
Secondly, of S. Iohns baptizing of our Lord Iesus, the Author and institutor of this Sacrament,2 Iohn Baptist baptised our Lord one of the three persons manifested in the flesh. Inexpugnable proofes of the Trinity by Iohn Baptist, &c.verse 13.14 15.
Thirdly, the sequele, proofe and approuing of this baptisme, and of Christ the person baptized by a most perspicuous confirmation of the mysterie of this holy and sacred Trinity.3 The proofe and sequele of all by the chiefe testimonies of all,
1 In patre testificante
2 In filio testificato.
3 In spiritu sancto super filium descendente & veniente. ver. 16.17. to the end of the chapter.
The fourth Scripture is Reuelation 4. chapter ver. 1. to the end of the chapter:Epistle Reuel. 4. chapter, Scope of it, is a reuelation of the mystery of this holy Trinity, Wherein the mysterie of the holy Trinity is declared vntounto Saint Iohn in a vision of Iehouahs holy and glorious Maiestie.
First, in the description of the throane and him that sate thereon. ver. 1.2.3.
1 By a description of the throne and him that sate on it,Secondly, in expressing the concomitants of this Maiesty and throne, with the ornaments and other things gracing this throne, ver. 4. to the moity of the 8. ve.
Thirdly, in a relation of the praises which are ascribed to this vnity of Essence in Trinity of persons.2 By a description of the concomitants and attendants vpō this rhrone.
1 By the 4. beasts, in the rest of the 8. ver. and in the 9.
2 By the 24. Elders in the 10. and 11. verses, the end of the chapter,3 By a congratulation of all the elect vntounto this vnity in Trinity.
In the fift Scripture written, Iohn 3.1. to the end of the 15. ver. the Euangelist in the dialogue betweene our Sauiour and Nicodemus concerning regeneration proueth plainely the truth of this point of our Christian faith concerning the mystery of the Trinity.Gospell 1 Ioh. 3.1. ad 15. Summe of this Scripture, For Nicodemus acknowledgeth the person of the Father, and the Sonne, in these words, a teacher come from God, ver. 2. the person of the holy Ghost in these words of Christ, Verely, verely, I say vntounto thee except a man be borne of water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God. ver. 5.
Testimonies not to be contradicted to proue the mystery of the Trinity,It is a singular and most excellent Scripture to shew the way to heauen here vponupon earth:The vse of this holy Scripture. the way to be Christs true Disciples and his deere sheepe, as the Scripture appointed for the Gospell vponupon Tewsday in Whitson-weeke describeth the false sheepeheard, and the true.Parts.
In this text of Scripture regard
First, the occasion1 Occasion. of Christ his doctrine and instruction, ve. 1. and in a part of the second ve.
Secondly, the doctrine2 Doctrine, & instruction it selfe, from thence to the end of the 15. ver.
The occasion is deliuered and related in these circumstances:Circumstances of the occasion foure. first, in the person, name, or calling of him that ministred this occasion: secondly, in his action, he came to Iesus: thirdly, in the time when he came, by night: fourthly, in the end of his coming, to confesse Christ, or to confer with him, to be instructed of him, ver. 1.2.
Our Sauiour Christ his instruction is deliuered in manner of a dialogue,The Doctrine is deliuered in forme of a Dialogue. as catechizing this old ignorant doctor vponupon one of the first points of religion, wherein he was as blind as a beetle, though a teacher in Israel. Of this dialogue there is
First, a generall proposition set downe by our Sauiour,Parts of the Dialogue. verse 3. concerning regeneration,1 Proposition concerning regeneration. prouoking and vrging Nicodemus to answere and reply, though he did it but rudely, as verse 4.
Secondly, Christ makes a particular explanation of his former generall proposition, telling, expounding and shewing the manner2 Explanation of this generall proposition by setting downe the manner how it may be. how this may be, to wit, of water and the spirit. ver. 5.
Thirdly, our Lord prooueth this his explanation by a distinction3 Explanation proued by a distinction. of the two sorts of births, That which is borne of the flesh, is flesh, &c. ver. 6.
Fourthly, our Sauiour concludes the generall proposition4 The gen…all proposition is concluded: by preoccupating and preuenting Nicodemus his maruailing at the strange words and new proposition which was first set downe, Maruaile not that I said vntounto thee. &c. ver. 7.
5 Nicodemus is dehorted from maruailing at this doctrine of regeneration.Fiftly,Infallible testimonies of the efficacy of Gods Spirit & power. Christ Iesus vrgeth the point of dehorting Nicodemus, by a simile, wherein he resembles the wind and breathing of the holy spirit to the ordinary spirit and wind tha… bloweth, Spiritus vbi vult spirat, &c. ve. 8.
Sixtly, Nicodemus (as not contented with Christs answere, though it was true, full and peremptory6 A reioynder of Nicodemus to Christs answere, though it was full and peremptory,) in a third speech he makes a reioynder to Christs answere, a slender, a lamentable and most ignorant reply, like many in our Courts of Chancery and else where, and like those idiots, who in reasoning and disputing, do either deny the conclusion, or begge the question,Christ answeres the old Doctors reply 3 waies. saying, as Nicodemus saith heere: How can these things bee, verse nine. For which cause euen for his crooked and senlesse talke Christ takes him vp roundly,
1 Condemning him of grosse and shamelesse ignorance. Art thou a teacher in Israel and knowest not these things. ver 10.
2 Pronouncing the truth & certainty of Diuine knowledge, Verily, verily, I say vntounto thee: we speake that which we know, &c. ver. 11.
3 Not excusing but pittying the ignorance and incredulity of the Iewes. If when I tell you earthly things, yee beleeue not, 7 S. Iohn relates two vnanswerable reasons to maintaine his thesis withall.&c. ve. 12.
In the seuenth place, or seuenth part of this Scripture, S. Iohn relateth two impregnable reasons, which our Lord alleageth to maintaine his proposition withall, or rather his conclusion,
The first is taken from a most sure ground, Christs Diuinity in his omnipotent Ascension,1 Reason from Christs Diuinity in his omnipotent Ascension. and Diuine descension. For no man ascendeth vp to heauen, &c. verse thirteenth,2 Reason from th… publication of th… Gospell which is … resembled to the lifting vp of the serpent.
The other is taken from the publication of this truth, the holy ministery and preaching of this word, wherein the preaching of the Gospell of Christ Iesus, the preaching of the crosse is
1 Resembled to a course vsed in the time of the law, by Moses, Theory & practise must go togetherto wit, his lifting vp of the serpent in the wildernesse, verse 14.
2 The end of this ministery is expressed,2 The end of this preaching is declared. the end why Christ must thus be exalted and lifted vp, both by his death vponupon the crosse, and by the preaching of the crosse, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, but hauehave life eternall, verse 15. which our Sauiour Christ cals the kingdome of God, whereunto none can enter except he be borne againe, as he said before,