The Preciousness of Christ Unto Believers, Table of contents
A Table of the maine things contained in this following TREATISE.
THe coherence of the Text. p. 1. 2.
What is meant by precious. p. 2. 4.
What the faith is, that eſteems Chriſt precious. p. 5, 6, 7.
The diviſion of the Text, with the Doctrines contained in it. p. 8, 9.
The maine Doctrine propounded, viz. that though Chriſt be ſlighted and undervalued by unbeleevers; yet he is exceeding precious to thoſe that doe beleeve. p. 10.
The Doctrine is proved by three eminent ex-examples. p. 11.
In the proſecution of the Doctrine, three things are inſiſted on. 1. ſome demonſtrations, 2. Some illuſtrations. 3. Grounds and Reaſons of the point. p 12.
1. Demonſtrations, and they are foure.
1. Beleevers are impatient of Chriſts abſence. ibid.
2. Beleevers make diligent ſearch after Chriſt when abſent. p. 13.
1. They ſeeke Chriſt diligently in the uſe of all meanes. p. 14.
2. They ſeek Chriſt conſtantly without intermiſſion. ibid.
3. Beleevers have a prudentiall care in keeping Chriſt when they have found him. p. 15.
4. Beleevers doe bewaile Chriſts abſence, ſeeke him with diligence, and keep him with prudence out of a principle of love. p. 19.
Love, what it is. ibid.
The will cannot be forced. ibid.
The will muſt have a ſutable object to draw it out. p. 21.
Chriſt is a ſutable good to the ſoule of a Beleever. ibid. 22.
A ſecond thing in the proſecution of the Doctrine is the illuſtrations, viz. 1. Rarity, 2. Eſteeme, 3. Price. 4. uſefulneſſe. p. 23.
1. The rarity and ſcarceneſſe of a thing makes it to be precious. ibid.
Chriſt is rare in the world. ibid.
2. The high eſteeme, that is caſt upon a thing makes it precious. p. 24.
Chriſt is highly prized by the Father. p. 25.
By Angels. p. 26.
By Saints. p. 27.
3. The great and exceſſive price, that is given for a thing makes it precious. p. 29.
Much hath been given for Chriſt. p. 30.
4. The uſefulneſſe and profitableneſſe of a thing makes it precious. p. 31.
Chriſt is precious for all things, but eſpecicially for
Juſtification. p. 32
Sanctification. p. 34.
The parts of Sanctification are two, viz.
Mortification.
Vivification. p. 35.
Beleevers are ſanctified by an influence of grace flowing from Chriſt their Head. page 36. 37.
The third thing in the proſecution of the Doctrine is the grounds and reaſons, why Beleevers doe ſoe highly eſteeme of Chriſt. p. 38.
1. Reaſon, Beleevers are in ſome meaſure convinc'd
1. Of their miſery without Chriſt. ibid.
2. Of their inability to help themſelves. ib.
2. Reaſon, Beleevers apprehend an infinite treaſure and happineſſe, that God hath treaſured up in Chriſt; and that to be joyned to him, is the only way to obtaine theſe bleſſings.
viz. the Fathers love. Pardon of ſinne. Manifeſtation of Gods face. page 42.
1. The love of God is infinite like himſelfe, and cannot be conferred upon any creature for its owne ſake. ibid.
Chriſt alone is a ſutable object for the love of God. ibid.
The treaſures of Gods love and riches are firſt in Chriſt, and by him conveyed to us. page 43.
2. There is an abſolute neceſſitie of Chriſt for the pardon of ſinne. p. 45.
Chriſt redintigrates mercy and juſtice, when they ſeemed to be at variance. ib.
Chriſts bloud onelyonly purges away ſinne. p. 48.
When ſinne is pardoned there is a confluence of all bleſſings comes along with it. page 49, 50, 51.
3. It is Chriſt alone, that doth as it were unmaske and unvaile the face of God; and helps us to a manifeſtation of it. page 52.
Chriſt is the brightneſſe of Gods glory. p. 54.
3. Reaſon, Christ is precious and excellent in all relations: either as he is man, or as he is Mediator, or as he is God. p. 55.
1. As man, Chriſt was holy and harmeleſſe ibid.
2. Chriſt was lovely in his abaſements. p. 57.
Chriſt was in the Eſſentiall forme of God. page 58.
Chriſt did evacuate and emptie himſelfe of all his glory p. 59, 60.
3. Chriſt was obedient unto the will of his Father. p. 61.
Repentance was hid from his eyes, when he was under the preſſures of Divine wrath. page 62.
He prayes the cup might paſſe from him with ſubmiſſion to his Fathers will. page 63.
4. Chriſt as man, was perfect in graces. page 64, 65,
Chriſt was more perfect then Adam. p. 66.
Chriſts Excellencie ſhines forth in diverſe reſpects, as man. p. 67, 68.
2. Chriſt is excellent as God-man, as he is Mediatour. p. 69.
In the Mediatorſhip of Chriſt wee are to conſider three things: viz. his Prophecie. Prieſthood. Kingdome. p. 70.
Chriſt was the head of all Prophets in diverſe reſpects. ibid.
1. All other Prophets were but types and ſhadowes of Chriſt. ibid.
Moſes was a type of Chriſt in diverſe reſpects. ibid. 71.
Noah, David, Eliſha, Jonah, John the Baptiſt were all types of Chriſt. p. 72, 73.
2. Other Prophets could ſpeake onelyonly to the eares of men: but Chriſt ſpeakes to the heart. ibid.
Other Prophets could preach wiſdome unto men: but Chriſt can preach men wiſe. page 74.
3. Other Prophets were inſtrumentall to ſearch out the mind of God; and they did it by way of act onelyonly: but the mind of God was in Chriſt habitually and radically. p. 75.
How all fulneſſe is ſaid to dwell in Chriſt. page 76.
4. Other Prophets could reveale but ſome part of the will of God, and at ſome times onelyonly: but Chriſt doth it fully, and altogether. ibid. 77.
5. Other Prophets might not preach themſelves: but Chriſt might. p. 78, 79.
6. All Prophets had their Commiſſion from Chriſt. p. 80.
Chriſt is the fountaine of all Prophecie. page 81, 82. 83.
2. Chriſt it a Prieſt wherein is the heart & ſtrength of his mediation. p. 84, 85. 86.
The dignity and exceeding preciouſneſſe of the Prieſthood of Chriſt is ſet forth by a collation and compariſon between him and the Leviticall Prieſts, thoſe of Aron's order. page 87.
1. In the Leviticall Prieſt-hood there were a plurality of Prieſts: but Chriſt was Prieſt alone. ibi.
2. In the Leviticall Prieſt-hood there was a change, and a ſucceſſion of Prieſts: but Chriſts Prieſt-hood was impaſſable. page 88.
Chriſt was not a Prieſt after Aron's order: but after Melchiſedec's. ib.
In what reſpect Melchiſedec is ſaid to be without Father and mother. ib. 89.
3. The Leviticall Prieſts offred oftentimes: but Chriſt offered but once. p. 99. 91.
4. Other Prieſts and their Sacrifices were but types and ſhadowes: Chriſt is the eſſence and ſubſtance of thoſe things. p. 92
5. Other Prieſts entred onelyonly into that place, which was typically holy: but Chriſt into heaven it ſelfe. p. 93.
If men will Judaize and ſtick to Moſaicall rudiments; they have no right to eat of the Chriſtians Altar. p. 94.
6. Other Prieſts offred firſt for themſelves, and afterward for the people: but Chriſt was without ſinne, and needed no ſacrifice for himſelfe. p. 95.
7. Chriſt was a mercifull Prieſt. p. 96, 97.
8. Chriſt was the Prieſt, the Temple, or Tabernacle, the Altar and the Sacrifice all in one perſon. page 98.
1. He was Prieſt in reſpect in reſpect of both natures. p. 99.
2. he was the Tabernacle or Temple moſt properly according to his God-head. page 100.
3. He was an Altar moſt properly according to his Divinity. p. 101, 102.
4. He is a ſacrifice moſt properly according to his manhood. p. 103, 104.
Chriſt as Mediatour is a King: and in his Kingly Office he ſhines forth moſt excellently above all other Kings, and that in diverſe reſpects. p. 105.
1. Chriſts Kingdome is ſpirirituall. ibid.
Chriſt onelyonly rules over the Conſcience. ib.
The ſoules of men are one of Babylons chiefe merchandize. 106.
Domination and Lordſhip over the ſoule and Conſcience is that part of Chriſts glory, which he will not give to another. ib.
Wee are not to mancipate and enflame our Conſciences to any humane deviſe in matters meerely ſpirituall. p. 107.
Chriſt rules in the Kingdomes of men, and meddles in their ſecular affaires in reference to his own ſpirituall Kingdome. ib. page 108.
2. Chriſt Kingdome is univerſall. p. 109.
1. In reſpect of all Nations. ibid.
2. In reſpect of all ſorts and conditions of men. p. 110, 111.
3. In reſpect of all ages and times of the world. p. 112.
4. In reſpect of all creatures. p. 113.
3. Chriſt rules as King alone without either colleague in the largeneſſe of his dominion, or Regent in his minority, or Vice-roy in his abſence. p. 114, 115.
4. Chriſt is an eternall and everlaſting King. page 116.
In what reſpect Chriſts Kingdome is ever laſting. page 117.
In what reſpect Chriſt ſhall give up that Kingdome to the Father at the laſt Day ibid. 118.
Chriſts Kingdome is not ſubject to ſucceſſion, or to be devolved and rould downe to after comers. page 119, 120.
5. Chriſt is matchleſſe and eminent above all other Kings in all royall vertues, endowments, and accompliſhments. p. 121.
1. He is a moſt ſapient and wiſe King. ib.
2. He is a moſt puiſſant & warlik King. ib.
3. He is as eminent in peace, as be is in war. page 122.
4. He is a moſt juſt and righteous King. page 123.
5. He is a most mild and mercifull King. page 124.
Chriſt as King is eminent above all others. p. 125.
The third thing ſpoken of Chriſt as Mediatour is his God head. ibid.
There are fathomleſſe depths, and ſtupendious Myſteries, and confounding excellencies to be found in God. p. 126.
In generall, Chriſt is excellent, in that he is the altitude and ſummity of all glory, and one eternall God, the ſame in eſſence and ſubſtance with the Father. p. 127.
In ſpeciall thus.
1. Chriſt ſhines as the Sunne, in all perfection and ſufficiency of wiſdome, power, goodneſſe, love, Majeſty, & glory. p. 128.
all theſe perfections are originally in Chriſt. ibid.
3. All perfections of vertue are in Chriſt in the abſtract, they are his eſſence. page 129, 130.
ſome concluſions are drawne from the God-head of Chriſt, by Scripture aphoriſmes, to ſet forth the preciouſneſſe of Chriſt. p. 131, 132, 133, 134, 135.
A fourth Reaſon why Chriſt is precious to Beleevers: v…z. he is abſolute for all manner of ſupply: and the ſupply which he makes to Beleevers is full, ſutable, and conſtant. page 136.
1. Chriſt makes a full ſupply to the ſoule, as is manifeſted by many types and ſhadowes which of old had relation to him. page 137, 138.
2. The ſupply that we have by Chriſt is ſutable. ibid. p. 139.
3. Chriſt makes a conſtant ſupply of grace. p. 140, 141, 142.
A fifth Reaſon, Chriſt is the moſt gainfull object in the world for the ſoule. p. 143.
1. He is abſolute gaine. ib.
2. He is univerſall gaine. p. 144.
1. In reſpect of all perſons. ibid.
2. In reſpect of all times. 145.
3. In reſpect of all things. ibid.
3. Chriſt is gaine in, and for himſef. p. 146.
A ſixt Reaſ: Chriſt is precious to Beleevers, becauſe of the attractiveneſſe, and alluring vertue
Of his love.
Of his beauty. p. 147.
Of his grace.
1. Chriſts love is very winning and conciliating, drawing the affections of the ſoule to Chriſt. p. 148, 149.
2. Chriſt is winning and attractive in his beauty. ibid.
He is of a faire & comely complexion. p. 150
He is proportionable in all parts. p. 151.
3. Chriſt is attractive in his graces conſider'd 152.
1. As inherent in himſelfe. p. 153.
2. As beſtowed upon the Saints. p. 154, 155.
Beleevers are the glory of Chriſt. p. 156.
Reaſon 7. Chriſt is precious to Beleevers from that evidence of Intereſt, right, & propriety, that they have in him. p. 157.
1. In all his works & performances. p. 158.
2. In all his dignities and honours. p. 159.
3. In all his Offices and adminiſtrations. p. 160.
4. In all his bleſſed influences & graces. ib.
The application of the point.
1. Uſe. It ſhewes us the reaſon why the moſt in the world doe deſpiſe Chriſt, and care not for him, namely, becauſe they have no faith. p. 161.
Where Chriſt ſeemes a deſpicable and worthleſſe thing, there's no faith, as appeares
1. By their ignorance. ib. p. 162.
2. By their ſtumbling at Chriſt. p. 163, 164
3. Their not improving of Chriſt. p. 165.
4. By their careleſneſſe of the things of Chriſt. p. 166, 167, 168, 169.
5. By their refuſing to receive Chriſt. p. 170, 171.
6. By their being ſatisfied without Chriſt. p. 172, 173.
2. Uſe. The diſcovery of a fit object for our affections. p. 174.
The affections of the Saints are ſome more, and ſome leſſe intenſive upon Chriſt. p. 175, 176.
3. Uſe. The diſcovery of the ſingular effects, the excellency of Chriſt, have upon Beleevers, drawing out their affections unto him. p. 177.
We may judge of all our affections, by the affection of love. ibid.
Love is the height of our eſteeme, and there are in it three acts or effects, viz.
1. Complacency or well pleaſednes. p. 178.
1. What the love of complacency is, being referred to Chriſt. ib.
Cheiſt is an exceeding pleaſing object to a beleeving ſoule. p. 179.
Chriſt is welcome to a Beleever, however he repreſents himſelfe. p. 180.
The Saints are wel-pleaſed with Chriſt in ſpirituall deſertions. p. 181, 182.
Chriſts ſweetneſſe doth ſwallow up all his bitterneſſe. p. 183.
The force of that pleaſantneſſe, which is in Chriſt, is ſuch, that nothing can make his Saints weary of their profeſſion. p. 184, 185.
2. From complacency flowes a deſire of union. ib.
The love of union deſires to enjoy Chriſt. p. 186.
Chriſt is enjoyed.
1. In his Ordinances. ibid.
2. In his ſecret & ſweet appearances. to the ſoule. p. 187, 188.
3. In his perſonall preſence. p. 198. 190.
3. From complacency and deſire of union flowes benevolence or good-will. p. 191.
Benevolence being referred to Chriſt, is an affection whereby we deſire his name may be glorified. ib.
A Beleevers love to Chriſt is a conſtraining love. p. 192.
4. Uſe. We are to conſider the unmatchable excellency & preciouſnes of Chriſt. p. 193.
We are to conſider by way of motive, thoſe rich and coſtly gifts, which Chriſt hath beſtowed upon in: & they are ſuch as theſe,
Precious bloud.
Precious Graces.
viz. Precious Promiſes.
Precious Love. p. 194.
Precious Spirit.
Precious Priviledges.
1. Motive. The bloud of Chriſt is precious in theſe reſpects.
1. From the purity of his humane nature. ib.
2. It was noble bloud. p. 195.
3. It was his Life-bloud. p. 196.
4. From his perſonall union of his Manhood with his God-head. p. 197, 198
5. In the bleſſed effects thereof. p. 199.
1. It ſaves from wrath. ibid.
2. It is the price of redemption. p. 200. 201.
3. It is the bloud of entrance into heaven by which Chriſt entred. p. 102.
By which Beleevers enter. p. 103, 104.
2. Mot. Chriſt hath beſtowed upon Beleevers precious graces. p. 205.
Faith is called a precious grace, and that for theſe reaſons.
1. It is the roote grace. p. 206.
2. In reſpect of its Author. p. 207.
3. In reſpect of its obiect. p. 208.
4. From the effects and workings of it. p. 209, 210.
3. Mot. The Promiſes of Chriſt are great and precious, if we conſider
1. The nature of the Promiſe. p. 211, 212, 213.
2. Of the Antiquity of the Promiſe. p. 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219.
3. The precious things contained in the Promiſes which doe appertaine
1. To temporall life. p. 220, 221.
2. To ſpirituall grace. p. 222, 123.
3. To eternall glory. p. 224. 225.
4. Mot. Chriſt hath beſtowed precious, love, and precious it is becauſe,
1. Infinite. p. 226.
2. Gracious. p. 227.
3. Liberall. p. 228, 229.
4. Eternall. p. 230, 231.
5. Mot. Chriſt beſtowes upon Beleevers his precious Spirit which doth theſe things.
1. It illuminates our mindes, p. 232, 233.
2. It ſanctifies our natures, and therefore compared to wind. p. 234, 235, 236.
To fire. p. 237, 238.
To water. ibid.
3. The Spirit ſeales our adoption. p. 239, 240.
6. Mot. Chriſt beſtowes upon Beleeevers Priviledges, namely,
1. Acceſſe to the throne of Grace. p. 241, 242.
2. Good Succeſſe of their ſuites. p. 2… ▪ 244, 245, 246, 247, … ▪