The Great Mysteries of Godliness and Ungodliness, Text 1 – Title page 2
The great Myſtery of Godlineſſe and Ungodlineſſe.
1 Tim. 3. 16.
Without controverſie great is the Myſtery of godlineſſe: God was manifest in the fleſh, juſtified in the ſpirit, ſeen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Creation.THe eternal, inviſible, only wiſe God, a1 Tim. 1. 17.Father, Son, and holy ſpirit, bMat. 28. 19.who only hath immortality, dwelling in that light which no man can approach unto, and which no man hath ſeen, (or can ſee, c1 Tim. 6. 16.) and live, dExo. 33. 20.who being the Authour and beginner of all things, eRev. 1. 8. 4. 11.orders & diſpoſes all things (as their end) for his own glory. fIſa. 45. 7. Prov. 16. 4.This mighty God (intending to make his power and god-head and glory known) gRom. 20. Pſal. 19. 1. 2.in the beginning of time, created the godly frame of Heaven and Earth hGen. 1.as a place wherein to manifeſt much of that glory.
Angels.And having made the Angels (creatures of an intellectual ſpiritual▪ iPſ. 104. 4.and ſo of an inviſible nature; alwayes to ſtand before him, kMat. 18. 10.ready to obey and execute his Commands, lPſ. 103. 20.as miniſtring ſpirits, to obſerve and bring about this great Miniſtry intended, mHeb. 1. 14.made alſo other creatures to dwell upon the earth, of a groſſe and bodily ſubſtance, nGen. 1. 2. &c.ſubject unto the eye of ſenſe, and ſubſervient alſo to this great deſign, oNehem. 9. 6.of his immortal glory.pRev. 4. 11.
Man.And laſt of all (as the abridgement, and compendium of the whole Creation, and the choyceſt piece oſ his workmanſhip, by whom he would be moſt glorified) he makes man, qGen. 1. 26.conſiſting of a ſoul (an immortal and ſpiritual nature) rGen. 2. 7.to ſerve him as an Angel, in a ſpiritual manner, sJoh. 4. 23.and of a body (a groſſe and viſible ſubſtance) to ſerve and honour him, above and beyond other Creatures, (Angels and bruit Beaſts) in a viſible and outward way of worſhip.tGen. 2. 7.
And to that end, endowed him with his own bleſſed Image, of righteouſneſse, holineſſe, and excellent knowledge, u1 Cor. 6. 20. Rom. 12. 1.and gave him alſo ſoveraignty and dominion over the reſt of the viſible Creation: all things being made ſubſervient to him. Original righteouſneſſe.wGen. 1. 26. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10.By which means, he was eminently qualified for ſpecial communion with, and enjoyment of his Creator. xGen. 1. 26. &cThe whole man being in a ſweet frame of holy conformity unto his ſoveraigns will; yGen. 17. 1. Amos 3. 3. Pſal. 73. 20. to the end. Eccleſ. 7. 29.by obedience whereunto, he might have been everlaſtingly bleſſed and happy.zDeut. 11. 26. 27. Ex. 19. 5. Thus have I ſeen on the day of a Kings ſolemn inauguration or Crowning; or on his Royall progreſſe to his great Convention, to eſtabliſh Government, with his people; All his Nobles and Officers richly furniſhed and adorned with all gallantry, both in themſelves and their attendants: each in their place and order, in a ſtately equipage, riding on gloriouſly: And at laſt, out comes the Prince in his Chariot of Majeſty, out ſhining all; as he for whoſe honour that pomp and grandeur was provided: Read the 8th Pſalm throughout.
Firſt Covenant.Now the Lord having made man in this eſtate of honour, aPſal. 49. 12.to make way for his own glory, in and by this great Myſtery of Godlineſſe, b Eccleſ. 15. 14.leaves him in the hand of his own counſel, under a ſtrict Command of not eating of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil, ceut. 30. 15, 16. DGen. 2. 17.with a kind of a Covenant and condition of everlaſting life, upon obedience to it; And if the contrary, upon the breach and diſobedience of it. dIb.Which tie (and the Command concerning it,) was as a ſacramental ſign and manifeſtation of mans ready obedience, eTherefore called the tree of knowledge.to all other Commands of the Almighty, that ſhould be given unto him.
Fall.But now the Devil (being a Reprobate, and a fallen Angel, fJud. 6.) envying Gods glory, and mans happineſſe, gWiſd. 2. 24. Gen. 3. 13.tempts man to the breach of this Commandement, ſuggeſting that by eating, he ſhould be like God: hGen. 3. 5.whereas (wretch as he was) he knew (by his own experience) that by diſobeying, man ſhould be like himſelf, a Devil. And now man (being tickled with ambition of being like to God in knowledge; iGen. 3. 6.and being but a Creature, and ſo impoſſible to be good unchangeably kMal. 3. 6. Ja. 1. 17.(which is the ſoveraign prerogative of God only) by hearkening and yielding to the temptation of the Devil, fell into the transgreſſion: lGen. 3. 2. 17And hereby involved himſelf mRom: 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 45. v. 21. 22.and all his poſterity nRom. 5. 12. 14(he being the head and root of all mankind, and a common perſon (to loſe or injoy) oRom. 9. 7. Col. 1. 24. Rom: 5: 10:for all his poſterity, who were in his loyns; and by natural generation and deſcent to proceed from him, (hereby I ſay) by this one tranſgreſſion, he involved himſelf, and all his poſterity, unto a ſtate of enmity and rebellion againſt his Maker. pProneneſs to all manner of evil: Rom: 5: from 10: to 20: Gen: 6: 5:And thereby forfeited, both that bleſſed Image of righteouſneſs, holineſs, and ſaving knowledge, in which he was at firſt created and contracted a perverſneſs of ſpirit; But alſo loſt that chearful and comfortable light of Gods countenance, which was to have bin his life and happineſſe.
And as a manifeſtation of his loſſe and guilt, man is driven out of Paradiſe (that place of Gods ſpecial preſence, and mans earthly felicity) as never to enjoy the like on earth again; And an Angel with a flaming ſword (the wrath of the Almighty) to keep him for ever out, from eating (ſo much as ſacramentally) of the tree of life and immortality.qGen. 3▪ 24: Promiſe of Chriſt.
And had not Chriſt by an eternal decree and covenant with the Father, r1 Pet. 1. 20:ſtept in and undertaken for us: sHeb. 8. 6.the world had bin preſently conſumed; and man himſelf hurried into Hell and deſtruction, to the eternal miſery both of ſoul and body.tGen. 2. 17. World continued. Rom. 2. 5. &c. Vanity of the Creature.
But man is reprieved, and the execution of the ſentence (as to the full) is deferred, till the day of judgement. uRom. 8. 20.Yet ſhall he not go here, (and in the mean time) altogether unpuniſhed; for though the earth and other Creatures (that were made for man) continued, the Creatures ſhall rebel, and withdraw ſubjection from him; wGen. 3. 17.and the earth (being curſed for his ſake, ſhall yield him food with ſweat and ſorrow; xEccleſ. 2. tot.and all things ſhall be full of labour, vanity, and vexation: ſo that he ſhall have no ſatisfaction from them. yEccleſ. 1. 8.And further, when he has toyled all his life, to little or no purpoſe (as to true contentment) zPſal. 39. 6.he muſt leave all theſe nothings; aProv. 23. 5. Eccleſ. 5. 14.go unto the duſt, bTemporall Death.(the grave) and lie down (if he go, as he came) in ſorrow.cGen. 3. 19. Rom. 5. 12.
So that upon the matter, man lives upon the earth as a condemned creature, dJo. 3. 3. 5. Mans ſtate of nature.and by patience, long ſuffering and forbearance; eRom. 5. 16. 18 Eph. 2. 1 2.permitted here to continue. And by his …in under guilt, fRom. 9. 22▪& curſe, fRom. 9. 22▪& death, gRom. 3. 19. Ja. 2. 10.(everlaſting death and condemnation) hGal. 3. 10▪and having brought the ſame miſery, not only upon himſelf, but alſo upon thoſe who never ſinned actually, in the very ſame manner, & in the ſame thing, even upon all fleſh, children as well as others.iRom. 5. 12:
So that now by means hereof, every Son and Daughter of Adam is conceived in ſin, and brought forth into the world in iniquity, kMat. 25. 41: 2 Theſ. 1. 9:deprived of that Image of righteouſneſs, holineſs, and ſaving knowledge of God, in which Adam was at firſt created, lRom. 5. 12. 18: Rom. 6. 23. Original ſin.of a depraved mind & ſpirit, alwayes luſting after evil. Being (all Saints as well as others, till regenerated) the children of wrath by nature, dead in ſins and treſpaſſes; as to the injoyment of Gods ſpecial love and favour, and the chearful light of his ſaving countenance, which only is true life and happin…ſſe.mPſal. 57. 5▪ Job. 11. 12. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. Gen: 5. 6. Ja. 4, 5. Eph. 2. 1. 2. 5. Col. 2. 13. Eph. 5. 14. Jo. 3. 3. Pſ. 16. 1. 63. 3. Natures light,
Notwithſtanding which fall and loſſe, there remains in man (as his intellectual nature, and reaſonable faculties) by which he acts wiſely and prudently (as to worldly affairs, and humane concernments nLuk. 16. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 20.ſo alſo) he retains certain veſtigia footſteps, marks and impreſſions of that moral and eternal Law of righteouſneſſe, at firſt ingraven in his heart, by the finger of the Almighty. oRom. 1. 14, 15So that although (as to everlaſting felicity) man be dark pEph. 4. 17, 18 Jo. 1. 5. Act. 26. 18. Eph. 5. 8. Col. 1. 13▪ 1 Jo. 2. 8: 1 Cor. 2. 14:& dead by nature, qEph. 2. 1:being under the power of Sathan rAct. 16. 18.(the God of this world, s2 Cor. 4. 4. Jo. 12. 31.whoſe Kingdom is a Kingdom of darkneſſe, and who rules in men by ignorance, yet there remains ſo much light, (with which every man is enlightened that comes into the world, tEph. 4. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 14.as doth lead him to the knowledge of a God, & prompts him to the worſhip & ſervice of him; mediately & immediately; immediately to God himſelf, by ſome acts of piety and devotion, tendered by all and every Nation, according to thoſe diſcoveries they have of him; and mediately to their fellow Creatures, by certain acts of duty and charity, as they ſtand in ſeveral reſpects, uJo. 1. 4. 9.related to him, and his light accuſing or excuſing, according to his walking. wRom. 1. 19, 20 Act. 14. 17, 17, 23.Which light, ſome men and women (living in ſenſuality, and indulging to fleſhly pleaſures, do as it were detain a priſoner, ſtifling it, and burying it under luſts and unrighteous practiſes, xRom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. Eph. 6. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 17, 18, 19.thereby provoking the Lord to put out that Candle, which he had ſet up, and left within them; yRom. 2. 15. 27 1 Cor. 11. 14. Senſual life.and to give them up to hardened hearts, and ſeared conſciences, paſt feeling; to commit all manner of wickedneſs with greedineſs, zRom. 1. 18.and ſo to make themſelves ſeven fold more the children of wrath, then they were before; aJob. 18. 5, 6. 24. 17. Prov. 24. 20.And ſo continuing finally & impenitently, to run headlong to everlaſting deſtruction: bRom. 1. 24. 26. 28. Eph. 4. 19.carrying in their very boſoms (even in their conſciences, that which awakened at the day of judgment) ſhall condemn them, needing no other Law or witneſs.
Others more civillized, by education, c2 Pet. 2. 20.cuſtom, dRom. 2. 5. 2 Theſ. 8, 9.fear of puniſhment, eRom. …. 12. to the end of the …6. v. Rev. 20. 12. Civil life.good example, fProv. 21. 6.wholſom counſel; gJer. 30. 23.And ſome by the power and efficacy of Religion, in a way of common illumination and conviction, (which ordinarily goes along with it, where not obſtinately oppoſed and hindered) hProv. 22. 15. Deut. 13. 11. 17. 13. 19, 20, …1, 12.walk more evenly, ſweetly, uſefully then the former: with whom therefore, it ſhall be more eaſie at the day of judgement, then for them.
Yet they and the former, are both in a ſtate of eſtrangement towards God, & lyable to eternal condemnation; for though the lives of ſome are leſſe …inful then others; yet the heart of all are equally iProv. 12. 15. 6. 23.o Gal. 6, 7.* Condition of faith by na…ure Eph. 2, 312. 4. 17, 18. Prov. 27. 19. Rom. 3. 10, 11, 12. Ib. Gal. 3. 10. Ja. 2. 10.depraved. kHeb. 6. 4. Act. 7. 51.And none is perfectly righteous; mLuk. 10. 1…. 14. Rom. 2. 6 1 Pet. 1. 17. 2 Cor. 9.without which no man (by the tenor of the firſt Covenant) can be juſtified and ſaved. *foreign;So that all are bThat as in a Priſon, under lock and key, that he cannot get out.concluded under ſin, cJob. 10. 7. Pſal. 89. 48. Iſa. 43. 13. Pſal. 49. 7, 8. Chriſt held forth.and none able to redeem or deliver his own ſoul, much leſſe anothers▪ dJo. 5. 15. 16.All having ſinned and come ſhort of the glory of God, (all of all Nations) both Jew and Gentiles, being under the curſe, and ſubject unto the bondage and thraldom of Satan for ever.
But now behold and wonder at this great and glorious myſtery. The great God (not willing that all men ſhould periſh) eEph. 1. 5. 9.according to the good pleaſure of his will (which he had purpoſed in himſelf from all eternity) unaskt, unſought unto (for who, or which of all men or Angels, (with all their light or knowledge) could have once imagined ſuch a thing, which was not fully made known to any, either in heaven or earth, till the time of full accompliſhment) fRom. 3. 24.deſigned and appointed the eternal word, that enlighteneth all men that come into the world, gEph. 3. 10.with the common light of all nature) h1 Jo. beg:to come himſelf into the world to enlighten his people, with the ſpecial light of grace: And (paſſing by the Angels that fell, and reſerving them in chains of darkneſſe, to the judgement of the great day) to take on him the ſeed of Abraham, and to partake with us in our nature (fleſh and blood) and to become man, like unto us in all things iMat. 4 2. Luk. 1. 78, 79. Mat. 4. 10. Luk. 2. 32. Joh. 8. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Col. 1. 12. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 21. 24.(ſin only excepted).
That ſo participating of both natures (divine and humane) he might become a middle man, a fit Mediator between God (by ſin offended) and Man (by ſin offending) iMat. 4 2. Luk. 1. 78, 79. Mat. 4. 10. Luk. 2. 32. Joh. 8. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Col. 1. 12. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 21. 24.and alſo, that knowing our infirmities kHeb. 2. 16.(whereof he was to have experience by thoſe tryalls and temptations, which he ſhould ſuffer in our nature whilſt on earth) he might be the more compaſſionate towards us; and to ſuccour us, when we are tempted; l2 Pet. 2. 4. Heb. 2. 16. 14. Heb. 2. 17. Heb. 4. 15. Mediator.and to perform the office of a merciful and faithful high Prieſt for us in things pertaining to God and our ſalvation) in making reconciliation for the ſins of his people.m1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 9. 15. & 12. 24. Heb. 4. 15. Heb. 2. 18. Prieſt. Heb. 2. 17. Contemplation.
And here Oh depths of the love of God, how unſearchable, how unfathomable, nRom. 11. 33. 1 Cor. 2. 9. 1 Joh. 4. 8.as 1. That a Father, ſuch a Father, the Father of love, yea love it ſelf; (for God is love,) That ſuch a Father, ſhould give ſuch a Son, the Son of his love, his loving and beloved, his own and only begotten Son, not having ſuch another, oJo. 1. 14. 3. 16 1 Jo. 4. 9. Mat. 3. 17. &c.That he ſhould give him to and for man; Man a worm, nay worſe, a ſinner, a ſinful man, an enemy, pJo. 3. 16. Rom. 5. 6. 10.a rebel to God, whom he might have juſtly deſtroyed, and yet have bin in himſelf (as before) bleſſed and glorious for ever; Man by whoſe goodneſſe God is not made better; nor by whoſe badneſſe he is never the worſe qJob. 22. 3. Pſal. 16. 2.O here is miſericordia in excelſis, mercy in its heights, in its exaltation, love without parallel, herein God commended his love to the purpoſe, rJob. 35. 6, 7, 8which made the multitude of the heavenly Hoſt, ſing gloria in excelſis, glory to that God in the Heavens, that had ſuch reſpect to men on Earth; who for their ſin deſerved to be in hell; That when man (who by ſin had departed from God, the ſpring and fountain of his happineſſe and glory, and thereby juſtly deſerved to be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction, from the preſence of the Lord, and the glory of his power. sRom. 5. 7, 8.And being caſt out to the loathing of his ſoul (had he but eyes to ſee his own corruption and wretchedneſſe) and no eye pittying him; tLuk. 2. 13, 14much leſſe able to help him, That then, even then, when man was ready to periſh, ſhould be the time of love, and the Lord ſhould paſſe by (or rather ſtand ſtill and pitty, and caſt his skirt of compaſſion over him, and ſay unto him, again, and again, and again live; u2 Theſ. 1. 8, 9Oh ye Heavens ſtand amazed, and oh thou earth, (fleſh and blood) rejoyce and tremble. wEze. 16. 2, 3, 4, 5.Eſpecially conſidering, that when there was none to help, the arm of the Lord alone xEzek. 16. 6, 7, 8.ſhould bring deliverance unto man; by raiſing up a mighty ſalvation for him, out of the houſe of his Servant David, yPſal. 2. 11. Heb. 12. 28.even Chriſt the Lord, zIſa. 63. 5.the wonderful counſellor, the mighty God, (mighty to ſave) aLuk. 1. 68. 69the everlaſting Father, the Prince of peace, bLuk. 2. 11.who becoming man, came under the ſame Law, and obligation to obedience with us. cIſa. 63. 1.And not only ſo; but alſo became our ſponſor ſurety, and undertaker for us, dIſa. 9. 6.to do, ſuffer and fulfil that for us, which we were no way able to do for our ſelveseGal. 4. 4, 5.
For whereas we ſtood bound to fulfil and keep the whole Law for life, under a penalty of the curſe and death for non-obſervance: Man loſing his ſtrength (which he ſhould have had by his keeping cloſe to God in obedience) fHeb. 7. 22.I ſay man loſing his power to keep the Law; the Law loſt its power to acquite man. gRom. 8. 3, 4. Mans ſtate under the Law.And of a Law and miniſtration of life; hGen. 2. 15, 16 Gal. 3. 10.became a Law and Miniſtration of death, iRom. 5. 6.And the higher and more powerfully it wrought before (by mans obedience to it) for comfort and ſalvation: ſo the higher and more powerfully it works now (by its convincing light in the conſcience) the more dreadful it is, (by reaſon of mans diſobedience to terror and wrath, and condemnation.kGen. 37. 1. Gal. 2. 16. 3. 11 Rom. 10. 5. Gal. 3. 12. 2 Cor. 3. 7. 2 Cor. 3. 9.
Neceſſity of Chriſt.Now when we were thus without ſtrength, lRom. 5. 6.all of us being thus ungodly, mIb.Chriſt, God-man nJo. 1. 14.for his great love wherewith he loved us, undertook the mannagement of our quarrel, and became the Captain of our ſalvation, to bring us to God and glory. oHeb. 2. 10.For if there had been any Law, way or means, that could have reſtored man to life and happineſſe, (could man by performing and keeping the Law, have procured his own freedom, and ſtood juſt and upright before the barre of Gods juſtice) then Chriſt had come and undertaken the work in vain: pGal. 3. 21. 22. 2. 21.which once ſo much as to imagine, were the higheſt blaſphemy againſt the wiſdom and goodneſſe of God, that ever was conceived.
True it is, could man have (as I may ſay) juſtified the Law, by keeping it, the Law would have juſtified him, in and by that obedience to it; qRom. 10. 5. Gal. 3. 12.but now the Law is become weak and unable to juſtifie any man, rRom. 8. 3.though powerful and ſtrong enough, to condemn every man, s2 Cor. 3. 7.having loſt its ſtrength to ſaving purpoſes, not through any defect or inability of its own (for it is holy, juſt, and good;) tRom. 7. 12. Chriſt incarnate.but through the weakneſſe of the fleſh (that is) …ans corrupt nature, who is not now able to fulfil it. And now behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the ſins of the world. uJo. 1. 29. Eph 1. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Rev. 13. 8.For now God (for the accompliſhment of that deſign of free grace and love, which he had laid, before he laid the foundation of the world) wGal. 4. 4.when the fulneſſe of time (by him appointed was come) ſent his Son, xJo. 1. 1, 2, 3.him that is the eternal word, by whom he created all things: yHeb. 1. 2, 3. Jo. 18.that eſſential word, which really, fully, ſubſtantially knows, and makes known, and fulfills his Fathers will; zRom. 9. 5. Jo. 17. 2.him that is God over all, bleſſed for ever, aPhil. 2. 6.equal with the Father in being, Majeſty and glory, bProv. 8. from 22. to 32. Jo. 17. 24.him in whom his Father delighted from all eternity, cJo. 3. 16.his own and his only begotten Son, cJo. 3. 16.promiſed before to Adam, dGen. 3. 15.preach'd to Abraham, & the Patriarks eGen. 12. 3. Gal. 3. 18. Gen. 18. 18. 26. 4.typified in the legal ſacrifices, fCol. 2. 17. Heb. 10. 1.and prophecied of by Moſes, and all the Prophets, gAct. 26. 22. & 28. 23.pointed at by John, hJo. 1. 29.he ſends him, this Son, in the likeneſſe of ſinful fleſh, for ſin to condemn ſin in fleſh, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in the Saints, who walk not after the fleſh, but after (and according to) the ſpirit▪ iRom. 8. 3. 4.And whereas we were under …in, kRom. 3. 9. Gal. 3. 22.God made him who knew no ſin (in himſelf) to be ſin for us by impu…ation, that we might be made the righteouſneſſe of God in him, l2 Cor. 5. 21.in like manner. And whereas we (by reaſon of that ſin) were under the curſe, he was made a curſe for us, that he might Gal. 3. 13, 14redeeme us from that curſe, that ſo we might inherit the bleſſing: & therefore the Lord having laid hold on our ſurety, who is mighty to ſave and to deliver (being man that he might ſuffer in the ſame nature and in the behalfe of thoſe that had ſinned; sHeb. 2. 14.And God that he might make full ſatisfaction to God, that was offended. tAct. 10. 18.The Lord I ſay, having thus laid hold upon our able ſuretie, laid and charged upon him all our iniquities, bruiſing and almoſt breaking his gracious heart, with the helliſh terrours of divine revenge and juſtice, where he made his righteous ſoul an offering for ſin. uIſa. 53. throughout.So ſharp and hot were the flames thereof, that it made the maker of the whole creation grone and cry out, my God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? wMat. 27. 26.A ſpeech more dreadful, & fuller of aſtoniſhment, then if the whole frame of heaven and earth (all men & angels, had been tumbling headlong into everlaſting torments; for in this God had not forſaken himſelfe, but his creature onelyonly; but in that, wrath was kindled beyond the finite apprehenſion of the creature, here God (as it were) forſook and left himſelf, Chriſt being God, one God with the father, bleſſed and beloved for ever, (And yet my God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? And here behold and ſee (and in ſeeing weep) was there ever ſorrow, like unto this ſorrow, which Chriſt ſuffered in the day of his fathers wrath and fury? And again; behold and ſee (and in ſeeing rejoyce) that Chriſt ſuffered theſe ſorrows as our ſurety. Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our ſorrows, he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities, the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed; All we like ſheep have gone aſtray, and he hath laid upon him the iniquities of us all.xIſa. 53. 4, 5, 6 Reconciliation:
And thus was God in and with Chriſt, in his everlaſting decree, Covenant and conſent, roconciling the world unto himſelf a2 Cor. 5. 19.by that one ſacrifice and offering bHeb. 1. 1. 10, 10., whereby through the eternal ſpirit cHeb. 9. 14.he offered up his life and ſhed his blood upon the Croſſe, a ſacrifice for ſin, dHeb. 10, 12:to reconcile us unto God. eEph. 2. 16. Col. 1. 20. 24.For without ſhedding of blood, there is no forgiveneſſe of ſin to be expected; fHeb. 9. 22.Obedience to the Law (becauſe ſhort & imperfect) cannot effect it; & make man right and perfect. But now by this one offering up of the body of chriſt once for all, he hath perfected for ever thoſe that are ſanctified, ſeparated and ſet apart for God, gHeb. 10. 14.So that Meſſiah, the Prince of our peace, and the Authour of our eternal ſalvation, being thus cut off by death, hath confirmed the Covenant (made between him and his Father) having finiſhed the (ſatisfaction for) tranſgreſſion, and made an end of (the reign of) ſin, by making reconciliation for iniquity, and bringing in an everlaſting righteouſneſſe. hDan. 9. 24. 27To the end, that whoſoever believed in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. iJo. 3. 15.So that now there is no condemnation, to them that are (by believing) in Chriſt Jeſus; kRom. 8. 1, 2. New Covenant with Chriſt.for the Law of the ſpirit of life in Chriſt Jeſus, hath freed them from the Law of ſin and death; for this was the Covenant between Chriſt and the father, that when he ſhould have made his ſoul an offering for ſin, the pleaſure of the Lord (by him thereby fulfilled) ſhould take ſo good effect and ſo proſper under his hand that he ſhould prolong his dayes, and ſee a ſeed (a holy ſeed) he ſhould ſee and enjoy, that which his ſoul travelled for, and ſhould be ſatisfied, for all his ſufferings. The reward whereof was this, ſc. that by the knowledge of (and faith in) him who in that work, was his Fathers righteous Servant, he ſhould juſtifie & acquit many lIſa. 53. 10, 11, 12.(even as many as believe in him) from all their ſins, mAct. 13. 38. 39by bearing the guilt and puniſhment of their iniquities in his body on the tree of the Croſſe, n1 Pet. 2. 24. Sealed by his Reſurrection.whereof aſſurance is given, in that he raiſed him from the dead; oAct. 2. 32. 3. 15. 10. 40. 13. 30, 33, 34.for it was impoſſible that he ſhould be holden or detained by the grave, pAct. 2. 24. Jo. 17. 4. & 19. 30.who finiſhed the work that his Father had given him to do; qGen. 3. 15.viz. by ſuffering the heel of his humanity to be bruiſed by Sathan, that to break the head and chief of all his deſigns, which was to keep man captive r2 Tim. 2. 26.for ever in his Kingdom of darkneſſe. r2 Tim. 2. 26.So that by ſuffering death, Chriſt hath deſtroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil. And thereby delivered them, who through fear of death were all their life time ſubject to Sathans tyranny and bondage. sEph. 5. 8. Act. 26. 18. Eph. 6. 12.And now though the Devil accuſe & lay ſin to the charge of Gods Elect, yet God himſelf doth and muſt juſtifie them. And whoſoever condemns, 'tis not much to be valued; for it is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again; tCol. 1. 13.for he died for our ſins, and roſe again for our juſtification, having thus wrought the work of everlaſting righteouſneſſe, uHeb. 2. 14, 15 Juſtification.whereof the world may be clearly convinc'd to full ſatisfaction, in that he is aſcended unto his Father, & we ſee him no more; wRom. 8. 33, 34.for certainly, had he not ſatisfied and made full payment and reconciliation, he muſt have come again, and died again; yea, & again, he muſt have been often offered up, as the ſacrifices under the Law were. xRom. 4. 24, 25.But his blood (being the blood of God) yDan 9. 24. Confirmed by his Aſcenſion.was of more worth, value & efficacy, then the blood of all the ſacrifices in the world.zJo. 16. 8. compared with v. 12. Heb. 10. 1. 2. Act. 20. 28. Heb. 9. 14.
Seſſion in glory.And now having broken the priſon dores of death, and led Sathan (who held us in captivity) captive, aEph. 4. 8.and openly triumphed over him on the Croſſe, bCol. 2. 14, 15. c 1 Pet. 1. 21. Mat. 22. 44. Act. 2. 30. 33. 36. Heb. 1. 13. Eph. 1. 20. Heb. 1. 3. & 10. 1…, 13.he is now ſet down at the right hand of God in glory, there to rule untill he hath ſubdued all his enemies; not only to himſelf (as then he had done) but alſo to all his people, dRom. 16. 20. Heb. 2. 14, 15. Interceſſion.there compleating his Prieſtly office, by appearing in the preſence of God, and making interceſſion for them. And by his Spirit, as their king bPſal. 2. 6. Jo. 12. 15. 1 Cor. 15. …4.ruling in, and over them, untill the time of reſtitution, and ſetting all things right; cAct. 3. 21. 2 Theſ. 1. 8, 9, 10. Act. 17. 31. 2 Tim. 4. 1.when he ſhall gloriouſly come, in great majeſty, to judge all men, and to render to every one according to their deſervings.dRom. 2. 5, 6. The Believers Confidence.
a Heb. 9. 24. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 24, 25. 1 Jo. …. 1, 1.In the mean while, a poor believer (though in and of himſelf, worthy of nothing but wrath, and death, & hell aEzra. 9. 6, 7. Dan. 9. 7, 8. Gen. 32. 10) may through that intereſt he hath in Chriſt (by believing) come boldly to God, bHeb. 4. 16. 10. 21, 22. Eph. 3. 12.and plead that righteouſneſs, which is every way adequat and proportionate to divine juſtice: c1 Jo. 2. 1, 2.And God in juſtice (with all humble, yet faithfull reverence be it ſpoken) muſt acquit the man; though in himſelf ungodly, dRom. 4. 5. 8. 33.for payment being made, & ſatisfaction given by the ſurety, eHeb. 7. 22.it is but juſt that the debtor be acquitted and diſcharged; fRom. 4. 24, 25& ſhall not the judge of all the world do right; gGen. 18. …5.yea, God is juſt, and will declare his righteouſneſſe, by juſtifying him that believeth in Jeſus.hRom. 3. 25, 26. Miniſters of reconciliation.
Now God the Father having thus reconciled the world unto himſelf by Chriſt; for the farther carrying on of this work, commits the miniſtery and ſervice of this reconciliation to his Apoſtles and Miniſters, a2 Cor. 5. 18, 19.in their ſucceſſive generations; bM. 28. 19, 20.who as Heralds and Ambaſſadors authorized and commiſſionated by him, c2▪ Cor. 5. 20.ſhould publiſh (and in his na e preach) the glad tydings of ſalvation, this everlaſting Goſpell: And to let all men (even the Gentiles) ſee what hope there is of their fellowſhip and participation of the bleſſings and benefits of this myſterie of godlineſſe; dEph. 3. 8, 9. 1. 18.which from the begining of the world have bin hid in God, who created all things by Jeſus Chriſt, eIbid.no nation, people or perſon being now excluded or ſhut out, (the partition wall of Jewiſh ordinances being broken down fEph. 2. 14.) and both Jew & Gentile, bond and free, male and female, gGal. 3. 28▪all may come & drink freely of that well of ſalvation, which Chriſt hath opened for all perſons that will come unto him, hIſa. 55. 1, 2. Lu.▪ 24. 6. Zech. 13. 1.) whereof for his part he is ſo free, (being no niggard of his blood and merits) that he intreats all to come and partake of. And by his ſervants making a full tender of himſelf, iMat. 11. 28, 29.as Prieſt, Prophet and King, to all that will receive him. And to as many as thus receive him, giving them right, power, and juſt claime, to become the ſons of God, kJo. 1. 12., and heires of the kingdome lIa. 2. 5.which he had purchaſed.
New Sect.—Ability given to know and receive Chriſt.But now man by his fall, being dead, & in the dark, yea, darkneſſe it ſelf, and ſo (in his natural ſtate and blindneſs) unable to receive and comprehend this glorious and gracious myſterie, of being righteous by anothers righteouſneſs; aRom. 10. 4. 5. 17.and of being ſaved by anothers ſufferings bRom. 5. 9, 10(all men, Jewes and Gentiles doting, and being fruitleſly ſet upon, ſeeking life and happineſs, by their own doings and performances. cRom. 10. 3.) Therefore together with the revelation of this myſterie, by the miniſtry of his ſervants, ſent for that purpoſe Chriſt (over and above that common work of the Spirit, by which he enlightens every man that comes into the world) gives unto thoſe, who are given him of the Father, dJo. 17. 6.and who are to be called according to the eternal decree and purpoſe which he purpoſed in himſelf, eRom. 8. 28. Eph. 1. 9. 3. 1….and whereby he ſurely knowes, thoſe that are and ſhal be his f2 Tim. 2. 19.) to them he gives a mind and underſtanding to know him, and to receive him, and to be in him, and to be one with him; who is the true God, and eternal life. g1 Jo. 5. 20. And tobe in himAnd now a believer having Chriſt (who is eternal life) hath eternal life in and by Chriſt, a1 Jo. 5. 12.whereas thoſe who thus have him not, ſc. by believing, have not eternal life; becauſe (what in them lies) they make God a liar (not entertaining and cloſing with that teſtimony, and record that he gave of his ſon: b1 Jo. 5. 10.which was; that in him he was well pleaſed; cMat. 3. 17. 2 Pet. 1. 17.not onelyonly with him (for ſo he could not but be in juſtice, forhe had never offended him) But in him, he was well pleaſed, being in mercy and loving kindnes dEph. 2. 7.ſatisfied for the ſins of all thoſe, who come unto God by him; eHeb. 7. 25.who therefore are received as ſons and daughters; by free grace fEph. 5. 8.and adoption.gEph. 1. 5.
Son-ſhip witneſſed.And now that thoſe who thus believe in Chriſt, might have the witneſs in themſelvs of their Sonſhip; becauſe they are ſons, God ſends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, whereby they are imboldned to call upon God as Sons, crying, Abba, Father, aGal. 4. 5, 6, 7.being thereunto the more imboldned, becauſe by the ſame Spirit they are ſealed and marked out unto the day of redemption: bEph. 1. 13.c Eph. 1. 13, 14And which is given to them as a pledge and earneſt in hand, for an aſſurance to them of their full inheritance, when their adoption and ſon-ſhip ſhall be compleated, by the redemption of their bodies from the power of Corruption, d8 Rom. 23.as now their ſoules are, from the reign and power of ſin, eRom. 6. 14.The ſame ſpirit alſo, in the meane time leading them into all ſaving truth; fJo. 16. 13. 1 Jo. 2. 27.comforting them in all their troubles; gJo. 16. 7. 2 Cor. 1. 4.and helping them in all their infirmities. hRom. 8. 26.And thus hath a Believer in himſelf, the teſtimony both of blood and of the ſpirit witneſſing to and with his ſpirit, that he is a ſon and child of God.iRom. 8. 15, 16 Juſtification witneſſed.
But then, as there are three in Heaven, that bear record and give teſtimony to this great myſterie of godlineſs, ſc. The Father the word & the holy Ghoſt; a1 Jo. 5. 7.So there are & muſt be three witneſſes on earth. i. The heart of a true believer; before the work can be compleated, which are three, the Spirit, Blood, and Water, b1 Jo. 5. 4.For d Jo. 19. 34.Chriſt came not by blood alone, for juſtification, nor by water onelyonly, for ſanctification: but by water and blood; c1 Jo. 5, 6.both which Sacramentally flowed forth from his precious body, when he hung upon the Croſſe, a Sacrifice for our redemption: thereby ſhewing forth the end of his ſuffering, viz. both the juſtification & ſanctification of his people. And therefore he that hath not the h 1 Jo. 5. 8. Who ever is a childe of God, by faith in Chriſt to juſtifie him: Hath the Spirit of Adoption to to ſanctifie him, which ſeales to him, his intereſt in the compleat and perfect work of Redemption from all his ſpirituall enemies: ſin as well as Satan.witneſs & teſtim. within himſelf of all three hath not the witneſs of either, eJo. 3. 33, to the end.he whoſe heart & conſcience cannot witnes to him, his faith & believing in that blood of Chriſt ſhed, for his juſtification, cannot have the witneſs of this blood (as water) for clean…ing and ſanctification. For Chriſt ſanctifies none, but whome he juſtifies, fGal 4. 6. Sanctification witdeſſed.& he whoſe heart cannot witnes to him his faith operating on the blood of Chriſt (as water) for ſanctification, canot have the teſtimony of blood, and his intereſt in it, for juſtification; For Chriſt juſtifies none, but he alſo ſanctifies the n. gEph. 5. 24. 26. 27.And he that hath not the teſtimony and witneſſe in himſelf, of his intreſt in blood and water, for juſtification & ſanctification; cannot have the teſtimony, and witneſſe of the ſpirit, ſealing, for theſe three agree in one, iTitus 11. 2. 11, 22, 13, 14.& all beare witneſs to one & the ſame truth, ſc. Chriſts comming & dying to redeeme us from ſin and all iniquity, iTitus 11. 2. 11, 22, 13, 14.both in the guilt and in the filth of it, both from the condemnation, and from the domination of ſin: For the grace of God which bringeth ſalvation & hath appeared to all men, teacheth us, that denying ungodlineſſe and world y luſts, we ſh…ud live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godlily in this preſent world, looking for that bleſſed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeeme us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelf a peculiar and choice people, zealous of good works. And for aſmuch as no uncleane perſon, can enter into the Kingdome of Heaven where the inheritance is. (For know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdome of God; Be not deceived, neither a 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.Fornicators, nor Idolators, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor Theeves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, ſhall inherit the Kingdome of God and of Chriſt. For there ſhall in no wiſe inherit there any thing that defileth, neither whatſoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie. bRev. 21. 27.Therefore Chriſt (who hath purchas'd his Church) doth alſo purifie it, and cleanſe it that he might preſent it unto himſelf a glorious Church, without ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that it ſhould be holy & without blemiſh, cEph. 5. 27.For they are redeemed from their vaine Converſation, which they learned from their Fathers, d1 Pet. 1. 18.and do not (after they have once learned Chriſt, and have heard him, and are taught by him in truth, and as the truth is in him, eBph. 4. 20, 21) they do not walk as other people, walking in the vanities of their darkned minds, fEph. 4. 18.(being through the ignorance that is in them, gIb.ſtrangers from the life of God, hEph. 4. 23.But being renewed in the ſpirits of their mind▪ iEph. 2. 10.and the Image of God being reſtored in them; by the power of their new creation in and by Chriſt Jeſus, kEph. 4. 22: Col. 3. 8.they put off as to their former converſation, and manner of life, the old man, which is corrupt, by deceitfull luſts formerly mentioned; lEph. 5. 4▪But they now alſo put off all this, lying and defrauding, and ſtealing and bitterneſſe, and wrath & anger, & clamor, & evill-ſpeaking, & fooliſh talking, and unfitting jeſting: And putting on the new man they now uſe ſuch language that do edifie and built up others in holineſſe, and ſuch as miniſters grace to the hearers. mEph. 4. 29.Their converſation being now without Covetouſneſſe; nHeb. 13. 5.and ſuch as becomes the Goſpel. oPhil. 1. 27:And according to their hopes and expectation, p1 Jo. 3. 3.as knowing that though God of free grace choſe them (from the beginning) to ſalvation, q2 Tim. …. 10:yet the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, muſt be by and through the ſanctification of the ſpirit, and belief of the truth, r2 Theſ. 2. 13.and ſaithfull obedience; ſRom. 16. 26. Gal. 5. 6.And now acknowledging no other Soveraigne but Chriſt, and acted by a ſpirit of love, t1 Jo. 4. 19.as ſons they live to him, who died for them, u2 Cor. 5. 14, 15.being contented to be, or to be accounted any thing, ſo Chriſt may be glorified in them and by them, whether by life or by death, wPhil. 1. …0, 21.And having no confidence in the feſh, or fleſhy priviledges, they worſhip God in the ſpirit, and rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, xPhil. 3. 3, 4, 5, 6.Counting all things loſſe and dung in compariſon of the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus their Lord, that they might obtaine him, and be ſound in him, not having their own righteouſneſs which is of the law (or by the law of working) but that righteouſneſſe which is by believing in Chriſt, the righteouſneſſe which is of God by faith. yPhil. 3. 8, 9.And although they know that whiles they are in the fleſh they ſhall not be in all things perfect, zProv. 14. 16. Eccleſ. 7. 20. 1 Jo. 1. 8. 10. Pſal. 19. 12 Ia. 3. ….yet forgetting that which is behind (that to which they have already attained) as not anſwerable to their longings, they preſſe forwards more and more toward perfection, aPhil. 3. 13, 14(grieving under their imperfections, and longing to be disburthened b2 Cor. 5. 1. 4.) until they reach the mark they ayme at, the price of their high calling whereunto God hath called them in & by Chriſt Jeſus, cPhil. 3. 14.deſiring in the meane time ſo to know him) by an operative and effectuall knowledge (and the power of his reſurrection, and to have communion and fellowſhip with him in his ſufferings, that being conformed to him in his death, dPhil. 3. 10.they might by all or any attaine their part and portion in the bleſſed reſurrection.eIb. 11. A Chriſtians ingagement by Baptiſme.
And to this duty (of holy walking) a believer holds himſelf bound by his very profeſſion; for having by baptiſme put on Chriſt and Chriſtian profeſſion, aGal. 3. 27.he thereby engages himſelf (as the Jew by circumciſion to keepe the whole law bGal. 5. 3.) ſo he by baptiſme to believe, obſerve and keepe the whole Goſpel, cGal. 3. 27. Rom. 6. 3, 4, 5, 6.That very ordinance in its intent purport and ſignification; directing him, and pointing out unto him, his duty: as one ſpecially intereſted in the ends and benefits of Chriſts death, thereby ſealed and ſignified dRom. 6. per tot.. So that he doth and muſt conlude, (that where ſin had abounded and reigned in him before, even unto death; that there now grace and favour (through Chriſts righteouſnes) doth reign much more to eternall life eRom. 5. 10, 21) yet he dares not (he may not) ſtill continue in his ſin, that grace might ſtil abound, fRom. 6. 1.Nay he concludes (as it is indeed) it is impoſſible. For how ſhall they that are dead to ſin, (and ſo have no more to do with it) live any longer therein: gRom. 6. 2.for they know (if they know any thing) that as many as are baptized into Jeſus Chriſt, & thereby baptized into his death, buriall and reſurrection; are baptized and thereby engaged, not only to the name, profeſſion and calling of Chriſt and Chriſtianity, and to own him in theſe particular actings; But alſo (if they expect to finde reall benefit, by the worth and merit of them) that they finde the reall and efficacious fruit of all theſe powerfully by the ſpirit working in them. hRom. 6. per totum.So that he concludes the death of Chriſt to be the death of ſin. And the reſurrection of Chriſt, the reſurrection of the life of his grace & holines, Reckoning himſelf now no longer debtor to live unto the fleſh and its corruption, but debtor to live unto the ſpirit and its holy motions.iRom. 5 10, 11, 12, 13 Often uſe of Lords Supper.
And having alwaies an eye to the great love of Chriſt, who by his death and blood ſhedding, hath thus redeemed him, He cannot but often thinke upon him, and thankefully remember him, in and by that ordinance which he appointed in an eſpeciall manner (a little before his death) for that very purpoſe, aLuk 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 24, 25.wherein he publikely owns him, and makes profeſſion to the world of his faith and hope, and rejoycing in him.b1 Cor. 11. 26.
And thus Reader, thou haſt a little of much more that might be written of this great myſterie of godlineſſe, in which thou haſt a rude delineation of Gods method in reſtoring fallen man The grounds and ends of this Myſterie of Godlineſſe thus ordered in a way of Freegrace.into his favour, through the whole progreſſe, whereof (as is eaſily perceiveable) there runs a continued line and cord of free grace and mercy, thus contrived and ordered by him for a threefold reaſon.
The firſt reaſon, reſpects God himſelf, who hath ordered it in this manner, is; that he alone might have all the praiſe, the glory, aJer. 9. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 29, 30, 31, &c.If ſalvation had been attainable by the law of working, man might have had ſomewhat whereof to have boaſted and gloried in himſelf. For although, that working had come infinitely ſhort in proportion to the reward propoſed; And although that reward therefore, was but upon a free promiſe. (And ſo only to be claimed) Not through the worthineſſe of the work, or worker. And although that work had been performed, but by ſtrength received from him; by whom the reward was promiſed, yet if man had performed the condition (on his part required) the Lord would have accounted it, as happineſſe earned, and would have given in the reward, as due in by (and for) working; And would have allowed him in his glorying, bRom. 4▪ 2▪But you ſee clearly, that that way of ſalvation is quite ſhut up; For by the works of the law (and by obedience thereunto,) can no man be juſtified, cPſ. 143. 2. Acts 13. 39. Rom. 3. 20.and therefore hath the Lord concluded, and ſhut up all under ſin, that by ſaving thoſe who are ſaved by free, rich, and undeſerved, and unearned grace and mercy, he might take away all matter and occaſion from man of boaſting, and glorying in any work, or thing done, or performed, in or by himſelf, by any ſtrength or power, how ever received, which he might call his own, dRom. 3. 27.and that he that glories, might glory in the Lord, that he is a God that exerciſeth loving kindneſs in the earth, and that there is none like unto him, that pardoneth iniquity, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſion of the remant of his heritage (his choſen heritage,) and who retaineth not his anger for ever, becauſe he delighteth in mercy, eJer. 9. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 19, 30,and in mercy hath freely given his own Son (as before) to do that for us, which we were no wayes able to do for our ſelves: fRom. 3. 24, 25.viz. to fulfill all righteouſneſs in his own perſon for us, that we only beliving in him (as to the juſtification of our perſons, and acceptation with God) might not periſh, but have everlaſting life.gRom. 3. 16. 1 Jo. 5. 10. Mark. 16. 16. A farther manifeſtation of free-grace.
Nay, a little farther; to ſet forth the fulneſs, and freeneſs of this grace, ſo free is it, that whereas, this righteouſneſs of Chriſt is made ours, onelyonly by our cloſing with, and receiving Chriſt, aJo. 1. 12.as tendred to us by the Father, and to thoſe ends and purpoſes (before mentioned) that very grace or hand (as I may ſo call it) whereby we do receive him, is freely given to us.
For whereas all men have not faith b2 Theſ. 3. 2.(without which it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, and to be accepted with him cHeb. 11. 6.) and without which no man can receive and cloſe with Chriſt Jeſus for righteouſneſs, and life, and whom whoſoever hath not, hath not life) the Lord himſelf, gives faith it ſelf to the heires of ſalvation (the choſen and called according to his purpoſe dRom. 8. …8.) whereby they do believe. eEph. 2. 8. Phil. 1. 29.And whereas they are naturally unwilling to deny themſelves, and to come to Jeſus Chriſt, he makes them (who of themſelves are not able ſo much as to have a good thought f2 Cor. 3. 5.willing and able, gIb. Phil. 1. 13. Heb. 12. beg. 2.and whereas their faith, is weak, he ſtrengthens it; h1 Pet. & 5. 10.And when their faith is ready to fail, he ſecures it, iLuk. 22. 32.nay, whereas there is an utter inability in man to this ſaving work; and ſo much reluctance in corrupted nature againſt it; the Lord puts forth Exerciſes more then common and ordinary power, to accompliſh this work in the hearts of his children, not only power, but great power, yea, exceeding great power; even the ſame by which Jeſus Chriſt was raiſed from the dead, which is no common and general power. kEph. 1. 19. 20. 2 Theſ. 1. 11.So that there is ſuch a change wrought in a believer that the work is called (as it is) there being none of this in man before) a new creation. lEph. 2. 10. 2. Cor. 5. 17. Gal. 6. 15.And the man a new man; mib. Eph. 2. 15 4. 24. Col. 3. 10:And he hath a new heart, nEzek. 36. 26.and a new Spirit; oEzek. 11. 19.whoever attains this hath another ſpirit then he had before. And all this is freely given them of God, p1 Cor. 11. 4.and of meer grace; that God might have all the glory and man might cry Grace grace; unto it; qRom. 4. 16. 5. 20. Zech. 4. 7.For grace is free, elſe grace were not grace; rRom. 11. 6.To God alone therefore be glory.
A ſecond reaſon why the great myſterie of godlineſſe is thus contrived, reſpects the Saints (true Chriſtians tis for their ſecurity) certain attainment to, and eſtabliſhment in the glory and happineſſe propoſed. God at firſt, when he had made man good and ſ Luk. 2. 14. Eph. 1. 6. 3. 21. Saints ſecurity. Qua ſupra.happy, left him to himſelf, and to his own freedome, not engaging in any ſort, to preſerve him in that condition; And man ſhewed himſelfe a creature, though good yet mutable; But now Jeſus Chriſt, the ſecond Adam, a1 Cor. 15. 45. 47, 49.and the head of this new creation, hath entred into a Covenant with God, and made an agreement with the father eſtabliſht upon better termes, and better promiſes; bQua ſupra.for whereas the Condition of the firſt covenant and agreement between God and us for happineſſe, was exact obedience to be performed in our own perſons: Man (you ſee) made righteous and holy (and without ſin in him, to prompt him to diſobedience) yet did not keep himſelf ſo, but irrecoverably fell (for ought that he could doe to help himſelfe) from that bleſſed Condition. And if he could have helpt himſelf (which was impoſſible) he that fell once might fall away again, and ſo could never be ſecured of his happineſſe.
c Job 4. 18, 19.But now (contrary to the cuſtome among men) A tenure in Capite is better then fee-ſimple. To have and to hold ſalvation by Chriſt our head, is better (more ſecure & laſting) then when in our own keeping, God won't truſt us, nor Chriſt won't truſt us with our ſelves, nor with our righteouſneſſe (by which we ſhall ſtand upright and in favour with them) any longer, if our righteouſneſſe were in our ſelves, (ſuppoſing we were redeemed from our former Captivity) yet if when we were truely good, and had no experience of ſin and corruption in us, we did then faile; much more ſhould we do ſo now. But it now being in Chriſt (who is more then a bare Creature) and now become our ſurety and undertaker, he will keep it for us. d1 Pet. 1. 3. 4. 5.and us for it. And will not faile us. eHeb. 13. 5. 2 Cor. 12. 9.So that now the promiſe of righteouſneſſe, life and ſalvation is ſure to all the ſeed of Chriſt. Believers, I will not be long here neither, f Rom. 4. 16.leſt my book ſhould ſwell, (but reader) bleſſed God for Jeſus Chriſt, and be thankfull.
Mans ſtrong ingagement to duty.And now laſtly (to come to a concluſion) and wherein I will be brief: This great myſterie is thus ordered; That the Lord might thereby more ſweetly (and in a way agreeable to his own nature) draw man unto himſelfe; And more ſtrongly ingage him, to him. aJer. 31. 3. Hoſ. 11. 4.Theres nothing ſo ſweetly freſhly and ſtrongly drawes and ingages a rational & ingenuous nature, as love & mercy. And by how much the greater the Diſtance and diſproportion was between the parties deferring; And by how much the greater the miſery and unworthineſſe of him was, to whom the mercy was extended; by ſo much the greater, ſweeter, ſtronger, powerfull and prevailing is that grace and mercy ſhewed.bEzek. 6. beg.
Reader, enlarge theſe things in thy meditations, till thy heart be warmed, and then admire, and adore, and love, and ſerve; c2 Cor. 5. 14. 15And conclude, and ſay, withodt Contriverſie great is the myſterie of Godlineſſe. God was manifeſted in the fleſh, juſtified in the ſpirit, ſeen of angels precheth unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into Glory.
From whence we expect him to come to judge both quick and dead, dAct. 17. 13. 2 Tim. 4. 1.Even ſo, come Lord Jeſus come quickly.eRev. 22. 20.
MYSTERIE. BABYLON THE GREAT, OR, The Great Myſtery of Ʋngodlineſſe DISCOVERED.
From the Writings and Speakings of a Company of Spirituall Juglers, called QƲAKERS.
WHEREIN Their Cheats are manifeſted to the World, for the reducing of thoſe they have ſeduced, and the eſtabliſhment of ſuch as by Gods mercy are not yet taken in their Snares.
By Ra: Farmer, a Servant of that Jeſus Chriſt that was crucified at Jeruſalem, above ſixteen hundred years agoe.
LONDON, Printed in the Yeare. MDCLV.