The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant, Religious treatise · Part 1 · Chapter 4 · Section 10
SECT. X.
5. A Fifth ſingular comfort unto you who have God to be your God in Covenant, There is a conjunction of the whole Trinity in all the buſineſſes of our eternal bleſſedneſs.is this, viz. A common conjunction of the whole Trinity in all the buſin…ſſes of yo…r et…rnal bleſsedneſs; This is an exceeding high point, and of exceeding comfort unto you, that there is an union in the Trinity of perſons in their gracious reſpects unto your ſalvation.
There is an union, or common conjunction of the perſons of the Trinity. Firſt, In reſpect of love. Secondly, In reſpect of conſent, and in reſpect of A conjunction of the three perſons.purpoſe. Thirdly, In reſpect of operation. Fourthly, In reſpect of Relation. Fifthly, In reſpect of engagement. Sixthly, In reſpect of Communion.
1. In respect of love; what is that? That is, every one of the perſons doth love In reſpect of love.you. John 16. 27. The Father himſe…f loveth you. Epheſ. 3. 19. To know the love of Christ which paſseth knowledge. Rom. 15. 30. The love of the Spirit.
There is a twofold love in the perſons of the Trinity.
1. A natural and neceſſary love, ſo they love each other. The Father and the Sonne and the Spirit do ſo love one another, as that they cannot but love one another.
2. A voluntary and gracious love; with this love all who are in Covenant with God, are loved of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Spirit.
This love of the Trinity may be conſidered both in reſpect of the properties of This love may be conſidered In reſpect of the properties of it. It is the higheſt of all love.it, and in reſpect of the fruits and vertues of it.
1. In reſpect of the properties of it.
1. It is the higheſt of all loves. Nothing which is in the creature can poſſibly be of that height, as that which is in God; Holineſſe in the creature, is not ſo high as holineſſe in God; goodneſſe in the creature, is not ſo high as goodneſſe in God; mercy in the creature, is not ſo high as mercy in God; love in the creature, is …ot ſo high as love in God.
Love in God is pureſt love; there is no mixture in that love; love in God is perfect love; there is no defect or want in that love; The love of Parents to their children, and the love of husband and wife, they are but weak ſhadowes of the unutterable and unconceivable love of God unto his people; As the eſſence of the Trinity is the higheſt eſſence, ſo the love of the Trinity is the higheſt love; you cannot be loved by any that is higher than the Trinity; nor can there be any love higher or equal to their love.
2. It is a moſt ſpecial love; not only in this reſpect, that no other people (beſides your ſelves) ate dignified with this kind of love; but alſo in this reſpect, that It is a moſt ſpecial love.the love of the perſons even unto your ſelves, is moſt choice and wonderful; and this you do read concerning the love
Of the Father, which is in the ſame Meridian unto you who are the children of the Covenant, as it is u…to Jeſus Chriſt. John 17. 23. That the world may know that thou haſt ſent me, and haſt loved them as thou hast loved me. And ver. 26. That the love wherewith thou haſt loved me, may be in them, and I in them.
What love the Father hath to Jeſus Chriſt, ſuch a love hath the Father unto you who are Chriſts; and this doth appear in four particulars. 1. When he elected Chriſt, he did then elect you. 2. When he did purpoſe to give Chriſt to you, he did then purpoſe to give you to Chriſt. 3. That you are of the ſame relation unto him with Chriſt; and therefore Christ is not aſhamed to call you brethren. 4. That you are heires of the ſame Kingdome and glory with Chriſt.
Of the Sonne, who loved you to the utmoſt heighth and depth, and expreſſion of love; Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, Joh. 15. 13. Ye are my friends, ver. 14. ſo Epheſ. 5. 2. Chriſt loved us, and hath given himſelf for us, an offering and a ſacrifice to God.
And ſo for the Spirit; He loves you ſo, that he layes out the utmoſt of his power, and the choiceſt of his gifts and graces upon your ſouls.
3. It is the ſweeteſt of all loves; There is no love whatſoever which affords more delight, contentment, and ſatisfaction unto the hearts of men: Thy love is better It is the ſweeteſt of all loves.than wine, ſo the Church ſpeaks of Chriſt, Cant. 1. 2. Thy loving kindneſſe is better than life; ſo ſpeaks David of the love of God, Pſal. 63. 3. Behold what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, 1 Joh. 3. 1. ſo ſweet is the love of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Spirit, that in the apprehenſion and enjoyment thereof, the ſoule is ſatisfied as with marrow; It is a kinde of heaven unto us; every faculty of the ſoul is affected with it, and by it is filled with joyes, and praiſes, and love again to God.
4. It is a moſt tender love: the Fathers love unto you is ſo, and the Sons love unto It is a moſt tender love.you is ſo, and the love of the Spirit is ſo unto you; The love of every o… is tender, in a marvellous ſenſibleneſſe of your perſons and conditions, and in as marvellous a readineſſe to help and bleſſe you; There is not any one want upon you, not any one diſtreſſe, but every one of the perſons in Trinity is apprehenſive of it, and looks on it with tender bowels of compaſſion; I pitty them ſaith the Father, I wil help him ſaith Chriſt the Son, I will ſupport and comfort him in this condition, ſaith the holy Ghoſt.
5. It is a moſt free love: every one of the perſons loves you with a love which ariſeth It is moſt free love.only from love, not from any thing in your ſelves, nor for any benefit which can ariſe from you unto your ſelves; but only becauſe they will love you, and are ſo pleaſed to love you: the love of the Father doth not finde you, but make you children; the love of Chriſt doth not finde you, but make you righteous; the love of the Spirit doth not finde you, but make you holy: It is a communicating love: all the favour which you have, and all the good which you have, you have it wholly upon the meere account of the freeneſſe and goodneſſe of their love.
6. It is a moſt permanent love: There is no change of it, nor end unto it; ſee Rom. It is a moſt permanent love.8. 35. to the end. God is your eternal Father, and Chriſt your eternal Prieſt, and the Spirit is your eternal Comforter: there is no end of themſelves, and there is no end of their love unto your ſel…es.
Secondly, In reſpect of the fruits and vertues of it.
The fruits and vertues of the love of the Trinity unto you, are high and glorious. In reſpect of the fruits and vertues of this love This love is the foundation of all the good of heaven and earthI will mention ſome of them.
1. This love is the foundation of all the building, the ſprings of all the ſtreames; all that future glory in heaven, and all the poſſible enjoyments on earth (in reference unto that glory) they all flow from this love: all the kinde thoughts of God, and purpoſes, and Counſels, and Acts are built upon this foundation of love.
2. This love is the moving wheele, it is that which ſets all the Attributes of God This love is the moving wheel.a working for you (the Wiſdom, and Power, and Goodneſs, and Mercifulneſſe, and Graciouſneſſe, and faithfulneſſe of God) yea which ſets every perſon of the Trinity a working for you; It is the love of the Father which did put him upon the thoughts, and upon the gift of Chriſt: It is the love of the Son which did put him upon the giving of himſelf, upon dying for you: And it is the love of the Spirit which did put him upon the giving of himſelf unto you, and working all his works for you.
3. This love is the reaſon of their delight in you; you are made neer by it, and become This love is the reaſon of their delight in you.exceeding dear unto every one of them: the Father takes pleaſure in you, and ſo doth the Son, and ſo doth the Spirit; they take delight in your perſons, and in your graces, and in your ſervices: and every one of them manifeſts himſelf unto you, and makes known their relations unto you.
4. This love is at coſt and charges for you, and it makes all eaſie and joyful: there is not a perſon of the Trinity but is glad (if I may ſo expreſſe it) with all his heart This love is at coſt and charges for you.to do you good: it is no burden to the Father to promiſe, nor to the Son to purchaſe, nor to the holy Ghoſt to apply the riches of Grace and Glory unto you.
This love is that which makes them reſtleſſe untill they have done you good; (the Father waits to be gracious, and to ſhew mercy! How do I long untill it be accompliſhed, ſaid Chriſt of his ſufferings for us, &c.) and unweariable in the doing of us good.
5. This love of their is that which makes them ſo dreadful and heavy unto your enemies; This love makes them ſo dreadful to your enmies.ſo high in the wayes of your defence, and ſo high in the works of vengeance on your Adverſaries; enemies to your enemies, and friend unto your friends; God by his Spirit fills their hearts with terrours, and puts them into ſtreights, and drives your enemies to their feet: and Chriſt rides conquering, bathing his ſword in blood.
6. This love of theirs is the reaſon why they do all of them bear with all your infirmaties, yea and cover the multitude of your ſins, that they deale ſo gently with This love is the reaſon why they all bear with your infirmities Five comforts from this.you, and accept of your weakeſt performances, and defires, and tears, and ſighs, and greans, and paſſe by all your failings, &c. Thus have you heard of the common union of the Trinity in their love unto you, which I think is a clear ground of wonderful contentment; for being intereſted in this their common love of you,
1. All fears and doubts are ſilenced in all your approaches unto God; The Father All fears and doubts are ſilenced in all your approaches unto God. You cannot but ſpeed very well in prayer.unto whom you pray, he loves you: the Son by whom you pray, he loves you: the Spirit who helps you to pray, he alſo loves you: If you have the love of every one of them, there is no juſt cauſe of any diſtruſtful fears.
2. Nay, how can it be, but that you muſt ſpeed very well? Love gives the kindeſt, and fulleſt, and eaſieſt, and ſweeteſt anſwers and helps! what, will not the loving God and Father, the loving Chriſt and Saviour, the loving Spirit and Comforter, what will they not do for you?
3. Whatſoever God is in his greatneſſe, the better it is for all you, who are thus beloved of him. I do confeſſe that the greater God is, (if he loves us not) the Whatſoever God is in his greatneſſe, the better it is for you.more dreadful is our apprehenſion of him: but the greater that he is, (if he loves us) this is the more comfortable unto us: The greatneſſe of his power, who loves us; The greatnſſe of his Alſufficiency, who loves us; The greatneſſe of his Mercifulneſſe, Wiſdom, Knowledge, Faithfulneſſe, &c. who loves us; can you have a greater encouragement then this; that God who knows all things, who hath all things, who can do all things, who will perform all things, this God loves me! unqueſtionably therefore I ſhall be the better for that power, &c.
4. The common love of the Trinity aſſures you against damnation, and periſhing; This common love aſſu es you againſt damnation, and of ſalvation.and of ſalvation, and bleſſedneſſe: Love preſerves, but deſtroyes not: love brings us near, but rejects, and forſakes not: for how can it poſſibly be, that any man ſhould periſh and be loſt, who is intereſted in the higheſt, and deareſt, and unchangable love of God? who hath the ordaining love of the Father unto ſalvation, and the meriting love of Chriſt to purchaſe ſalvation, and the applying love of the Spirit, effectually undertaking to guide and lead him unto ſalvation. I confeſſe that if God did not love you, there could be no ſalvation for you; …or were the love of the Trinity divided and parted, ſo that though the Father loved you, intending your ſalvation, but the Son would not undertake it with his love to die for you, to procure ſalvation; or if the Son and Father would conſent in their love, but the holy Ghoſt would not love you, ſo far as to bring you into Chriſt, to be partakers of him, and of ſalvation, then there would be a manifeſt uncertainty of your ſalvation; or if all of them did love you with a changeable love.
5. Laſtly, it cannot be that you ſhould want any neceſſary good; If that argument It cannot be that you ſhould want any neceſſary good.of Chriſts be ſtrong againſt the fear of wants (Matth. 6.) For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all theſe things: ſurely this is ſtronger; Your Father loves you, therefore you ſhall not want them.
2. There is a conjunctive union, as in the love of the Trinity, ſo in the will and There is a conjunctive union in the will and purpoſe of the Trinity in the matters of our ſalvation.conſent, and purpoſe of the Trinity in the matters of your ſalvation. There was one mutual will between them from eternity, and there is one and the ſame mutual will between them unto eternity: what the Father did will, the Son did will, and the ſame did the Holy Ghoſt will: and what the Father did propoſe for your ſalvation for the matter and manner, unto all of that did the Sonne and holy Ghoſt conſent and agree: and what the Father did intend and purpoſe with reſpect unto the ſalvation of the Elect, that ſame did the Son and the holy Ghoſt intend and purpoſe alſo.
As the will of the Father was not, nor could be hid from the other perſons, (every one of them being one and the ſame God) ſo there was a mutual will and liking, and determination in every one of them, as to all the matter appertaining unto our ſalvation.
Though it be moſt true, that the perſons of the Trinity be in their reſpective ſubſiſtences ſo different, that the Father neither is, nor can be the Son, nor the Son the Father: nor the holy Ghoſt either; yet it is as true, that every one of them is the ſame Deity, and had the ſame will in and for mans ſalvation: that ſome ſhould be elected of God and finde mercy, and have ſalvation: there was a mutual will and conſent twixt the three perſons in the Trinity. That Jeſus Chriſt (the Son of God) ſhould have theſe beſtowed upon him, and he be charged to procure their ſalvation, by being incarnated, and by being humbled to the death, even to the death of the Croſs; as to this alſo, there was a mutual will and conſent in the Trinity; I will give and ſend you, ſaith the Father; Lo I come, I will give my ſelf, ſaith the Son; and I will anoint and ſanctifie you for this, ſaith the Spirit; that the holy Ghoſt ſhould be ſent to open and apply the ſalvation of God unto the Elect of God the Father, and to the redeemed by Chriſt the Son, this alſo fell into their common will, and conſent, and purpoſe, in reſpect werereof the holy Ghoſt is ſaid to be ſent and given from the Father and from the Son, Joh. 14. 26. The Comforter which is the holy Ghost, whom the Father will ſend in my name, he ſhall teach you all things, &c. Joh. 15. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will ſend unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceeds from the Father, he ſhall teſtifie of me.
I will not enlarge my ſelf in this diſcourſe at this time, becauſe it will fall in more fully when I come to ſpeak of the parties intereſted in the Covenant: only let me tell you who are in Covenant with God, that your comforts are exceeding great, even from this, That there was, and is a mutual will, conſent, agreement, and purpoſe of the whole Trinity concerning you and your ſalvation; for this will concerning you, and your ſalvation,
1. It is the gracious will of Gods decree.
2. It is a fixed and invariable will.
3. It is an effectual, and infallible will.
4. And (I if may not be miſtaken) it is the binding will, or argument of all the perſons, unto which every one of them (as it were) ſets his ſeal, and in which they are all of them bound up, and according unto which every one of them doth act, or expreſſe himſelf for our ſalvation; O what infinite love, and goodneſſe and wiſdom is this, that our ſalvation ſhould be thus contrived, and ordered, and diſtinctly undertaken and agreed upon with one common conſent of will and purpoſe by the whole Trinity of perſons, every one of them contributing his whole ſelf, and heart, and power towards it! Surely your ſalvation muſt be precious, and excellent, and ſure, and we our ſelves as ſure in our enjoyment of it.
3. There is a conjunctiveneſſe of operation: every perſon of the Trinity doth act There is a conjunctiveneſſe of operation.or work for the good and ſalvation, as will and intend it, Joh. 5. 17. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work, verſe. 19. whatſoever things he doth, theſe alſo doth the Sonne likewiſe, John 14. 31. as the Father gave me commandement ſo do I.
The Miſſion and Donation of Chriſt to ſave us, this is the work of the Father.
The giving of himſelf for our Redemption and Reconciliation, this is the work of the Sonne.
The calling of us, and Renewing, and Regenerating of us, this is the work of the holy Ghoſt.
Indeed there is ſuch an excellent co-operation of the whole Trinity in the buſineſſe of our ſalvation, that the greateſt works conducing thereunto are promiſcuouſly attributed to every one of them, as our Vocation, and Juſtification, and Adoption, and Sanctification, and Glorification; all theſe are ſometimes attributed to the Father, and ſometimes to the Son, and ſometimes to the holy Ghoſt.
Sanctification is thus promiſcuouſly attributed unto them.
1. To the Father, Jude ver. 1. Sanctified by God the Father.
2. To the Son, 1 Cor. 1. 2. That are ſanctified in Chriſt Jeſus.
3. To the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 15. 16. Being ſanctified by the holy Ghost.
Juſtification is alſo thus attributed to them.
1. To the Father, Rom. 8. 33. It is God that juſtifieth.
2. To the Son, Rom. 9. 5. Being now juſtified by his blood.
3. To the holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor. 6. 11. But ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the name of our Lord Jeſus by the Spirit of our God.
Vocation likewiſe is thus attributed unto them.
1. To the Father, 1 Pet. 1. 15. As he who hath called you is holy, &c.
2. To the Sonne, Rom. 1. 6. Among whom are ye alſo the called of Jeſus Chriſt.
3. To the holy Ghoſt, whoſe mighty power it is which brings us into Chriſt.
The like you may read of Adoption aſcribed unto the Father, Epheſ. 1. 5, unto the Son, Gal. 4. 6. and unto the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 8. 15.
We have a rule, that opera Trinitatis ad extra ſunt indiviſa, although the modus operandi and the Terminus actionis may be diſtinct; and queſtionleſſe as all the Attributes of God are affirmed of every perſon, ſo all the operations proper to God, are common alſo unto them.
Now what a glory and comfort is this, that every one of the Divine perſons hath a hand in every thing which concerns our ſalvation! As they do all of them conſent unto it, and reſolve upon it, ſo every one of them doth work towards it; We look upon that paſſage as of great weight, and ſtay, and comfort unto us, in Rom. 8. 28. All things (viz. here below in common contingencies) work together for good to them that love God! How much more is this for our ſupport and comfort, that all the Trinity, that every perſon in the Trinity is working together for our ſalvation, that God the Father is working, and God the Sonne, and God the holy Ghoſt!
As they ſay about the Incarnation of Chriſt, that every one of the Perſons in the Trinity had a hand in it, though the ſecond perſon only was Incarnated (as three may weave a garment, which one of them only wears) thus may we ſay of our ſalvation, that every perſon of the Trinity acts, and works towards it, and will ſtill ſo work, untill they have come to the laſt work, untill they have finiſhed that work in our eternall glorification.
4. There is a common union alſo of Relation and Intereſt of all the perſons in every There is a common union of Relation and Intereſt of all the perſons in every Believer, and of every Believer to them.believer, and of every believer to them. Every one of the perſons hath an intereſt in you, and relation to you.
1. The Father hath an intereſt in you, 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will be a Father unto you, and ye ſhall be my ſonnes and daughters.
2. The …on hath an intereſt in you, Chriſt in us, Col. 1. 27.
3. And the holy Ghoſt hath an intereſt in you, he dwells in us, and abides in us, 2 Tim. 1. 14. and you alſo have an intereſt in every one of the perſons.
1. You are in the Father, the Church that is in God the Father, 1 Theſ. 1. 1.
2. You are in the Son, Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, 1 Cor. 1. 30.
3. You are in the Spirit, He that is joyned unto the Lord is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. I alſo have the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 7. 40.
Now this common relation and intereſt of every perſon in the Trinity as to you, and the mutual relation and intereſt again as to them, is a matter of ſuch infinite conſequence, and full happineſſe, as indeed I am not able to unfold it; I will only touch at a few things in relation to one of theſe perſons, and that is God the Father. If God be your God in Covenant, then he is your Father, and you are his Conſider this in relation to God the Father.children: the Apoſtle admires at this, in 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath ſhewed us, that we ſhould be called the ſons of God: the dignity is moſt high, that we ſhould be the ſons of the moſt High; But let us view the comforts of it. There are ſix comforts from this, that our God is our Father.
1. Your Father is the Father of mercies. Bleſſed be God, even the Father of our Your Father is the Father of mercies.Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of mercies, 2 Cor. 1. 3. God is the Father, 1. Of Chriſt. 2ly. Of every believer. 3ly. And of mercies. All mercies are in the Father, and from the Father. And ſhall you want mercies who are in ſo near a Relation to the Father of Mercies?
2. Your Father doth love you exceedingly: Is Ephraim my dear ſon, is he a pleaſant Your Father doth love you exceedingly.childe? Jer. 31. 20. love is frequently given to God the Father, Joh. 14. 23. 1 Joh. 2. 15. Cap. 3. 1, &c. his Jewels, Mal. 3.
3. Though you have offended him, yet if you mournfully return unto him, he will Though you have offended him, yet if you returne he will be gracious. Your Father hath enough to help you. You may eaſily prevaile with your Father for all neceſſary good. You ſhall be heirs who are children of this Father. There is a common engagement of the whole Trinity unto you.be very gracious unto you, and receive you kindly. When the Prodigal childe came back to his Father, his Father faw him yet a great way off, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kiſſed him, Luke 15. 20.
4. Your Father hath enough to help you, and he will take care of you; In my Fathers houſe there is bread enough, and to ſpare, Luke 15. 17. Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all theſe things, Matth. 6. 32.
5. You may eaſily prevail with your Father for any neceſſary good; If you being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more ſhall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matth. 7. 11.
6. You ſhall be heirs, who are children of this Father. If Sons, then Heirs, Rom. 8. 17. Heirs of God, and joynt heirs with Chriſt. Luke 12. 23. It is your Fathers pleaſure to give you a Kingdom. Matth. 25. 34. Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
5 There is a common engagement of the whole Trinity unto you; every one of the perſons is engaged to you. The Father is engaged to you, to do all that a God and Father can and will do for his children. The Sonne is engaged to you, to do all that a Chriſt, and Mediatour, and a Redeemer and Saviour can and will do for his Members. The Holy Ghoſt is engaged to you, to do all that a Spirit of truth, knowledge, faith, comfort, can do for thoſe who do come to the Father and the Son.
6. Laſtly, There is a communion twixt you and every perſon of the Trinity, 1 Joh. 1. 3. Our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 13. 14. Thereis a communion but wixt you and every perſon of the Trinity.The grace of our Lord Jeſus Christ, and the love of God, and communion of the Holy Ghoſt be with you all. Communions with a Father, with a Sayiour, with a Comforter; And verily theſe communions are moſt gracious and heavenly in reſpect of every one of them: when the Father manifeſts himſelf unto you in the Relation and Teſtimonies of your loving God and Father; And whom Chriſt diſcovers himſelf unto as your Head, and as your Lord, as your Saviour, in your intereſts in him, and his in you: and when the Holy Ghoſt opens himſelf unto you in the ſtrengthning of your graces, in his comforts, and evidences, and aſſurances, and fealings, why! Theſe things are as life to the dead, and as raine to the thirſty land; they are an exceeding refreſhing unto you, they are a moſt heavenly tranquillity and joy, and ſatisfaction unto your hearts.
And thus have you heard of the happineſſe of thoſe people who have God to be their God in Covenant, in reſpect of his Attributes, and in reſpect of Chriſt, and in reſpect of the Spirit, and in reſpect of every perſon of the Trinity, and in their conjunctive relation and operations.
I will proceed a little further to ſome of the reſt of the comforts depending upon Gods being your God, which I mentioned at the firſt.