Light from Heaven, To the reader – Table of contents
TO THE READER.
THe highest Points of Christian Religion, and such as are most above the Reach of Humane Wisedome, are those that lye below, in the foundation; and therefore are they called the Mysteries of the Kingdome of Heaven, Mat. 13.11. and the deepe things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10. And the knowledge of these things, is tearmed an ascending into Heaven, Iohn 3.13. a knowledge of such things as eye hath not seene, nor eare heard, nor would ever have entred into the heart of man, had they not beene revealed to us by him that came downe from Heaven, even the sonne of man that is in Heaven. That blessed Apostle S. Paul, that was rapt up into the third Heaven, did yet chiefely desire to studie and teach these Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: I determined not to know any thing among you, save Iesus Christ, and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2.2. Yea and after all his studie and teaching, was not ashamed to confesse of himselfe, that he was not yet perfect in the knowledge of Christ, nor had attained so much as might be attained, but was still therefore looking upward, and pressing forward to that which was before, Phil. 3.12, 13. And indeed, what David acknowledged, concerning his searching the Scriptures in generall; that though he had proceeded further in the discoverie of Divine Truths, then those that went before him, Psal. 119.99. I have more understanding then all my Teachers, for thy Testimonies are my meditation; yet he was still to seeke of that which might be knowne, Vers. 96. I have seene an end of all perfection, but thy Commandement is exceeding broad. (Even as those great Discoverers of the Newfound Lands in America, at their returne were wont to confesse, that there was still a Plus-ultra, more might be descryed then was yet seene;) that may we say concerning those glorious things revealed unto us in the Gospel concerning Christ: Proceed we as farre as we can, in the studie of them; that, we know, will be nothing, to that which is still to be learned: for the Riches of Christ, Ephes 3.8.herein discovered, are indeed unsearchable.
It is disparagement therefore at all, either to those that are the chiefe Masters of the Assemblies, Eccles. 12.11.to teach, or those that are of the highest Forme in Christs Schoole, to learne, yea,Heb. 5.12. and that againe and againe, the first Principles of the Oracles of God. Sure I am, how-ever others puffed up with an opinion of their owne worth, may be otherwise minded, the Reverend and learned Author of these ensuing Tr…atises was of this judgement; who, though he were a wise Master-builder, yet, according to the grace that was given unto him, (which was indeed like that of Elisha, in regard of the other Prophets, 2 King. 2.9. the elder Brothers Priviledge, a double portion) he was still taking all occasions to lay well the foundation, and that in one of the most eminent Auditories for Learning and Pietie that are in the Kingdome.
They that were his constant Hearers, know this well; they that were not, may see it by these his Sermons now published, (reduced, as was deemed most fit, into four severall Treatises) wherein, as the season required, he still tooke the opportunitie of instructing his Hearers in this great Mysterie of our Religion, The Incarnation of the Sonne of God; one of the chiefe Fundamentals of our Faith, one of the chiefe of those Wonders in the Mercy-Seat, which the Cherubins gaze at, which the Angels desire to prie into, 1 Pet. 1.12. And indeed, by reason he spake at severall times, and by occasion of so many severall Texts of Scripture concerning this subject, there is scarce any one of those incomparable benefits which accrew to us thereby, nor any of those holy impressions which the meditation hereof ought to worke in our hearts, which is not in some place or other sweetly unfolded. In the first Treatise, the Mysterie it selfe is indeed chiefely opened, and is therefore called, The Fountaine unsealed: the rest, as in so many strea…es, convey to us that Water of Life which issueth from thence; teaching us how to improve the knowledge hereof to the glory of God, and the spirituall enriching of our owne soules. The noted Humilitie of the Author I now the lesse wonder at, finding how often his thoughts dwelt on the Humiliation of Christ. If we that now reade them, be not changed into the same image from glory to glory, it will be our owne fault. This take from me, the Treatises following are published by Copies of his Sermons which himselfe approoved and appointed, and that by subscribing his owne hand, purposely to prevent imperfect Copies. Embrace them therefore as truly his; and the Lord so raise up thy heart in the carefull perusall hereof, that thy profiting may be seene of all.
Thine in the Lord Jesus, A. JACKSON. Lond. Woodstreet, April 18. 1638.
THE CONTENTS OF THESE ENSVING TREATISES.
THE SUMME OF THE first TREATISE.
GOdlinesse, what.
page 4
The Gospel a Mysterie, why.
10
Religion, why persecuted.
14
How to carry our selves in Religion.
15
To blesse God for Mysteries.
19
Not to set on them with humane parts.
20
Mysteries of Religion above reason.
22
Not to despaire of learning Religion.
23
Not to slight Divine Truths.
24
Godlinesse a great Mysterie, why.
34
How to be affected with it.
38
To endevour to learne it.
42
Godlinesse a Mysterie, without controversie.
ibid.
Men live not worthy these Mysteries.
45
What Truth to account Catholike.
47
Of God manifest in the flesh.
50
Christ justified in the Spirit.
70
Christ seene of Angels.
93
Christ preached to the Gentiles.
114
Christ beleeved on in the World.
137
Christ received up in glory.
164
THE SUMME OF THE second TREATISE.
ANgels an Host, why.
205
Of glorifying God.
216
The greatnesse of the glory of Redemption.
222
How to know whether we glorifie God.
232
Hindrance of Gods glory.
238
How to come to glorifie God.
243
Whence peace comes.
252
Peace wrought by Christ, why.
258.
How to know our peace with God.
262
How to maintaine Peace with God.
269
Motives to stirre up to this peace.
273
Gods good will, the ground of all good.
282
Why God loves us in Christ
286
How to know Gods love to us.
288
THE SUMME OF THE third TREATISE.
CHrist was rich.
5
Christ God, why
9
Christ became poore.
10
Particulars of Christs poverty.
13
Christs poverty our riches.
16
What riches we have by Christ.
18.
Why we are enriched by Christs poverty.
22
Riches by Christ, what.
26
Abasement of out ward riches
35
How to i… prove the riches of Christ.
41
How to know we are in Gods favour.
53
Grace may be knowne.
55
Example of Christ should move us to good workes.
62
How to profit by Christs example.
63
Motive to follow Christs example.
66
Manner of doing good.
70
THE SUMME OF THE fourth TREATISE.
THEre is difference of people.
83
God will have some in the worst times, why.
ibid.
Comfort that God will have a Church, when we are gone.
85
Gods children but few.
86
God hath a speciall care of those few.
88
Gods Church and children afflicted in the world, and why.
94
Outward povertie a helpe to povertie of spirit.
98
Providence serviceable to predestination.
105
Spirituall poverty, what it is not.
106
What it is.
107
Degrees of this povertie.
ibid.
Before conversion.
108
After conversion.
113
Signes of spirituall povertie.
120
How to come to spirituall povertie.
128
God trusted, as he is knowne.
134
Evidences of trust in God.
137
How to come to trust in God.
148
FINIS.