The Rising Sun, Chapter 6 – Chapter 7
CHAP. VI. The fourth Incommunicable Attribute, Omniinfluence.
AFter the Omniscience and Omnipresence of Christ, already touched, let us come to consider that Admirable and Incommunicable Attribute of Omni-influence, wherewith the upper and neather Sun are adorned and enriched.
The Sun hath his residence in heaven only, but his Influence is diffused into all the heavenly bodies, and to all these Sublunary Creatures; air, earth, water, and all the hoste of them; yea, to those subterraneous Mettals and Minerals hid from the Vultures eye. We have the influence and benefit of the Sun in every breath of air, bit of bread, in each dish of flesh, fish, fowle, yea, in each herb used for food or Physick.
The Sun hath an universal influence upon the Creature in his Generation, production, vegetation, maturation, &c. So Christ upon the new Creature, and upon all his actions and motions.
Sol & homo generat hominem; The Sunne and man beget a man; the Sun and seed bring forth corn; the Sun and showrs bring on Harvest: But the Sun is one in every thing. So Christ his influence is All in all: In works of Nature, nothing was made without him at first, Joh. 1. 3. In works of Grace nothing is, or can be done without him: John 15. 3. Without me yee can do nothing.
Christ in the instruction gives saving knowledge, Christ in the conviction worketh repentance, Christ and the Promise work faith, Christ and the Consolation works peace. Accedat Christus ad Elementum, fiet Sacramentum. Christ and the Element make a Sacrament: Christ in the Sacrament makes a rare Feast.
The Sun hath a various and marvellous influence; but our Sun far more. The Suns influence of light dispels darkness out of the air, Christ out of the soul. The Suns influence of heat takes off the cold from the Creature, brings in a reviving warmth; but what like the cheering of Christ his love? it takes off deadness, restores the new Creature. Thy Psal. 3…. Cant. 1. 4.favour is better then life, sweeter then wine.
The Suns attractive influence draweth up grosse, earthy, and watry vapours, and converteth them into air. Christ in conversion is so attractive, that hee drawes earth up to Heaven, and turnes Corruption into Grace.
The Suns dissolving influence again sends downe those Vapors, when purged and prepared, in rich and fruitful showres; and Christ, those hearts full of grace and Peace, he had before attracted; turning again air into water, melting heavenly hearts into tears of love.
The Sun hath a productive influence, which animates all seeds, and Christ all graces. And a Restrictive influence, sometimes binding the earth with a bar of Iron, that no seed breaks forth; such Christ his restraining hand upon corruption, that though all seeds of it in our nature, it breaks not forth.
Again, his mollifying influence dissolveth congealed mountains of snow, and rocks of ice into fluid water; and Christ at work upon the heart, dissolveth Petram in fontem, Petrum in Lachrymas, turneth impenitents into Penitents, unbelief into faith, obstinacy into obedience.
Lastly, The Suns admirable alterative influence, causeth mines and springs of Gold and Silver to grow in the bowels and kidneyes of the earth, the proper seat of clods and stones. Christ hath an higher operation in the soul, in that strange alteration made there in the midst of a vile earthly heart, where nothing grew but stone, nothing lay but mire and clods of dust; there he seate…h mines of heavenly Treasure, Faith more precious then gold, and Holiness more precious1 Pet. 1. 7. then Rubies. Instead of the thorn shall come up the Fir tree, in stead of the bryar the Myrtle Isai. 55. 13.Tree. And it shall be accounted to the Lord for a Name, and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. And in another place, For Brass will I bring Gold; and for Iron Silver; Isai 60. 17.for wood brass, and for stone iron. Here is a great alteration indeed.
1. This shewes what reason the ApostleApplicat. 1. had to use those two great expressions ofEph. 1. 23, and 4. 10. Christ. 1. That he filleth all in all. 2. which is more, That he is all in all.Col. 3. 11.
1. That he fils all; herein he is as the Sun for his influence. All] that is, 1. All Persons, Men, Angels, men of meaner, or more excellent encowments; he fils All, Ministers, Magistrates, &c.
2. All Places: heaven with glory, earth with grace, he… with terrour, whole world with wisdome. Power, Providence, omnipresence, omni-influence, prisons with liberty, dungeons with light, crosses with triumph.
3, He filleth all Ordinances: preaching with efficacie, Prayer with prevalencie, Sacraments with nourishment, the Sabbath with blessings.
4. Relations: Magistracie withhonour, fear, obedience, from their inferiors; with love, justice, courage, watchfulness, care, fidelity, circumspection towards their inferiors; with zeal, authority, boldnesse, diligence towards God. Ministry with ability, assistance, Paternal affections, maternal bowels, Nurses care towards their flocks, and with successe in their labours. Conjngall relations with love, sweetnesse, condescention, compliance and mutuall delight in each other.
5. All his peoples hearts: the ignorant with knowledge, the dead with life, unbelieving with faith, secure with fear, impenitent with repentance, stony with softnesse, sad with comfort, troubled with peace, unsatisfied with certainty, weak with strength, wavering with stability.
6. All Conditions: riches with thankfulnesse, poverty with contentednesse, mercies with sweetness, afflictions with tolerableness, prisons with comforts, sicknesse with patience, persecutions with joyfulnesse, death with peace.
7. All things: (when he saith all, you may imagine more, I cannot name every one;) reproof with terrour, conviction with fear, promises with hope, consolations with assurance, Sacraments with comfort, desires with faithfulnesse, labours with fruitfulnesse.
8. All in All. In all thy needs, in all thy straits, and in all thy fulnesse, in all cases, encouragements; dispensations, he fills thy prosperity, thy adversity, thy society, thy solitude, &c.
2. The other expression is far higher; He is All in all; The Sun for light is all inCol 3. 11. all to make day all the world over, sta…s cannot do it; his heat all in all to make summer, his influence all in all to make spring and harvest:
So Christ is all in all. Had we the united merits of all the Angels and Saints in heaven, they could not help us being lapsed and fallen; one poore man would begger them all to set him up; had we the sufferings of all the Martyrs since the beginning of the world, for the benefit and relief of one man, it were too low a price for him. It cost so much, Christ only could bear the charges of it. Christ is all in all, who can cast up the summa Totalis of this reckoning. To be somewhat in some case, is as far as any creature can goe, an Angel is somewhat in some case, not all in any thing, not somewhat in all; somewhat in excellency of grace, glory, and many perfections, somewhat to benefit man; nothing to satisfie Gods Justice, nothing to Redeem man; but Christ is all, and in all. They are good Ministers to the Saints, bad Mediators for the Saints.
The best creatures and graces have but one, and that a finite use; Christ hath many, and infinite. Bread is somewhat to a hungry person, nothing to a sick; Physick somewhat to a sick, not to a person in health; sight to a blind, a pardon to a condemned person, mony to a poor man.
Of Graces, repentance is somewhat to a guil…y soul, knowledge to an ignorant soul, certainty to a doubting, faith to a distrusting, righteousnesse to a soul conflicting with strong corruptions; but it is only Christ who is all in all, to a poor man, rich man, sick, found, bond, free, living, dying, condemned, pardoned man, he is all in all; to an ignorant, knowing, repenting, believing, righteous man, he is all in all; He is bread, clothing, gold, eye-salve, liberty, pardon, physician, way, truth, light, wisdome, righteousnesse, sanctification, Redemption, all in all.
Especialiy Christ may be said to be all in all in ten respects.
1. His Teaching is All in All in the matter of our Illumination, mans teaching nothing, were it by Paul or Apollo. Who teacheth Job. 36. 32.like him?
2. His Drawing is all in all in the matter of our conversion; not others perswasion, not our own preparation. Draw me, we wil run after thee.Cant. 1. 4.
3. His Bloud all in all in the matter of our Reconciliation, Col. 1. 20. Rom. 3. 23.
4. His Death all in all in matter of Divine satisfaction, 1 Cor. 15. 3.
5. His Righteousnesse all in all, in the matter of our Justification, Rom. 3. 22.
6. His Spirit all in all in the matter of Sanctification, 1 Cor. 6. 12.
7. His Intercession all in all in the matter of our Acceptation, Heb. 7. 25.
8. His Grace all in all in the matter of our Supportation against sin and Satan, 2 Cor. 12 9.
9. His Peace all in all in the matter of our compleat satisfaction and consolation …ere, Ioh. 16. 33, and 14. 27.
10. And his Presence all in all to our Glorification, and compleat Beautitud… hereafter. Phil. …. 23.
Use 2. This informs us what singular benefitUse 2. we have by the influence of Christ upon us, more then if we had his corporal presence; it was expedient that he should goe away, John. 16. 7.both for his own glory, and our advantage; the spirit had not descended, nor his Intercession been so prevalent, if he had not departed. The Suns body, if it were possible to be with us on earth, would not be of that use as now his influence is, though his residence only in heaven. It might astonish and dazle us, not so cheer us; it is better for us, that Christ is mediating in heaven, then if he were working miracles againe on earth.
3. Be ready to acknowledg Christ and his influence in every good, in illumination, conversion, consolation, &c. his attractive, productive, restorative, sin restraining, heart changing, his gracious dissolving, mollifying, and his alterative influence.
So in every ordinance, if there be force in the Word, any sweet in the Promise, any life in the Minister, any quickning in the Sermon, any warmth in a Christian, any relish in the Sacrament, any benefit in a Correction; give Christ the glory. Tast Christ in All, as we may the Sunne in each morsell of bread, and draught of drink.
Again, In every outward good: have we any joy in our enjoyments? any comfort in our wants? It is he that hath sanctified and sweetned all our toyl, labour, meat, drink, marriage, poverty, riches, crosses afflictions. He is the tree that hath sweethed the bitter water; he the Salt that hath cured the cursedEx…d. 1… 25 2 King. 2 21 Gen. 5. 29. and unsavory waters; he, like Noah, comforts us concerning our toil. He hath restored us to a child like right to, and a blessing in all mercies. In Christ, God hath given us all things, Rom. 8. 32. And in him it is that God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, Rom. 5 32 2 Pet. 1. 3 1 Cor. 3 21Ephes. 1. 3. and hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and Godlinesse. Therefore all things are yours, saith the Apostle, because Christ is yours.
4. This shewes whence it is (if the influenceUse 4. of Christ be of that force) that some are called, thereupon converted, changed, sanctified, after that supported, comforted, and to the last preserved; others are not called at all, or not moved when called, but remaine blind or deaf as the Adder, are hardened contradict, oppose and …erish in their unbelief and gainsayings. The Scripture puts it upon this energeticall, speciall, and distinguishing operation of the influence of Christ. To you it is given to kn…w th… mysteries Matth. 13 11of the Kingdome; to others it is not given; it is revealed to babes, it is hidden from M…th. 11. 25 1 Cor. 1. 26 27the wise and prudent, the poor, simple, weak, despised are chosen and called, when not many wise, Rich, noble, are called. The father chuseth some and then giveth them to Christ,Joh. 6. 37. 44. then draweth them to Christ, then chargeth Christ with them. Those he keepeth in hisJohn 10. 28, 29 hand none p…ucketh them out. Peter is yet winnowed by Satan, Christ prayeth for him, he recovers his standing though he fell.Luke 22. 31, 32 2 Cor. 12. 8, 9. Paul is buffeted, but Christ assisteth with sufficient sin-resisting Grace, and Paul is upheld
Again, whence is it that the same Ministry is effectual in some pl…ce to some persons, not to others? Paul preacheth atAct. 22. 18. Jerusalem, but in vain, They will not receive thy testimony concerring m…: there was no such influence. At Rome he preached and spread the faith: the Reason is given, The Lord who made Peters Ministry effectualGal. …. 8. to the Jews, wrought effectually in Pauls when he came among the Uncircumcised.
5. Lastly, This may satisfie sober men (curiosicy5. is never satisfied) in clearing Christ, notwithstanding such his influence, from being Author or partner in any sin, or Anomaly. Act. 17. …8. Col. 1. 1….In him we live, move, and have our being; yea, even the Divels and wicked men live, move, have their being in and from him: he sustains their persons, governeth their actions, concurreth in their operations, this is not evil. Judas could not betray John. 19. 1….Christ, nor Pilate condemn, nor Souldiers crucifie him, if such power had not been given from above. Shimei could not have cursed2 Sam. 16. 1…. or flung a stone at David, if God by his concurring permission had not said, Shimei, Curse David.
The lame horse is ridden by his Owner; that he moves, is from his Master; that he goes faster, slower, this way or that, is from his Master; that he halts, is from his owne lameness, not his Master. A Scholer useth an ill made blotting pen, that it writes is from the Scholer, that it writes ill, or blots, is from it self. A Workman layes a strait rule to crooked timber; the Workman and the rule make it not crooked.
Object. Why doth not God mend this then?
Resp. 1. Stay there, thou piece of clay.Rom. 9. 20, 21.
2. Who shall give the Potter Law? he is not bound.
3. He can bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil, Gen. 50. 20. Christs Garments are alwayes white as wool; when ourRev. 1. 13 Ezek. 18. 29 wayes are unequal, his wayes equal.
Christ is as the Sun: The Sun is the efficient cause of Light, therefore cannot be of darkness; of heat, therefore not of cold: upon his departure follows darkness and coldness, not caused by the Sun (if it be so said, it is improperly, causa deficiens, not efficiens.) God who is the sole Author of good, cannot be an abettor of evil, Jam. 1. 13.
The Sun shineth on a Meadow, it brings forth sweet flowers; on the dunghill it shineth, that stinks; the Sun puts not that stink on the dunghil. The word of Christ comes to the Jaylor and Lydia, and is a sweet savourActs 16. and 5. 33 and 7, 54 of life; to the High Priests, they are cut to the heart, and storm, and stink. The Sun shines on Gardens, Herbs, Plants, they yeild their fruit to recompence the Dressers pains: But though the weeds also have a common influence of the Sun, they put forth noisom leaves and Flowers, and seeds of their own; that these weeds grow, is from the Sun; that they bear such leaves, flowers, and seed, is from their own nature, and pristine seed. When God in Scripture is said to harden, it is not so to be understood, that he doth it, Infundendo malitiam, sed non infundendo mollitiem; not by provoking unto sin, but by denying or withdrawing his Grace, and the influence of his Spirit.
CHAP. VII. Perfection, another Incommunicable Attribute.
PErfection is another Attribute of this lesser Sun, much more of Christ the greater and brighter Sun. In the one is a Perfection of Light, Lustre, Beauty, no spot, darkness, or defect in it; in the other, is all Perfection of Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, Redemption: all Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg, all fulness of the Godhead 1 Cor. 1. 30: Col. 2. 3. 9bodily.
Perfection implyeth two things.
1. Perfectum est id cui nihil addi, detra…ive potest. That is Perfect, to which nothingNunquam novus, nunquam vetus, sempe… agens, sempe… quietus, colligens & non … gens …o…tans, & implans & protegens; creans & nutriens & p…ficiens▪ qu… rens cum nil desit tihi. Reddis debi…a, nulli debens; do…s omnia nihil perdens, Aug. Conf l. 1. …. 4 can be added or diminished: both are so. The Suns light is of that perfection, that all Stars shning, add nothing at all to it: All hid, lessen not the Suns light. All Angels and Saints add nothing to Christ. Though the Sun enlighten all the Stars, it hath never the less; Christ beggars not himselfe at all, by relieving us. The Sun hath the same light, if there were no eye did heed it; Christ had the same glory and blessednesse before the world began, when none to observe it.
2. That is perfect, which is not possible to be tainted, corrupted, or prejudiced by any object, opposite, change or chance, whatsoever that may fall out. The Sun beholds all objects, all the works of Nature, many of which have a natural ill savour; all the Acts of men, many which have a wo…se moral noisomeness; but the Sun is not at all tainted, nor his beams defiled by the sight. Christ Jesus is privy (not accessory) to all the Oppressions, Treasons, Murders. Whoredomes,Amas nec aest… as; zelas & s… securus es; poenitette, & non doles; iras…eris & tranquillus es. Aug. ibid. &c. acted under the Sun; an observer of all the damnable Heresies, and pernicious Doctrines that are broached; but his Perfections are not in the least impaired, because he receives no taint, he is no approver of them.
1. This shewes us, that God receivesApplic. 1. nothing from the Creature. He did not out of any necessity or indigence create the world; we want a house, therefore build; a horse therefore buy; a servant thereforeRecipis quod invenis, & non amittis; nunquam inops, et gaudes lucris; nunquam avarus & usuras exigas. Idem hire: but God did not create heaven because he needed a house, or the Angels and men, because he wanted Servants: He had the same perfect blessedness in himself before there was a world or Creature. The Sun receives not his light from our eye, but our eyes from his light.
2. If he be perfect, then cannot wicked ones when they do their worst, hurt or prejudice him; Whoredomes, Heresies reach not him. Look unto the Heavens, and see, Job 35. 5. 6, ….and behold the clouds which are higher then thou. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him, or of thy Transgressions be multiplied, what dost thou unto him? Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art, and thy Righteousnesse may profit the son of man.
3. Lesse doth hee need our Duties. If thou bee Righteous, what is that to Job 35. 7him, or what receiveth he at thy hands?
Set not up thy rush candle to the Sun, it needs it not, it beares it not, but puts it out: All the Starres in Heaven, and Lights on earth are abashed and appear not in the Suns presence. Even that which was 2 Cor. 3. 10.made so glorious (that is the face of Moses) had no glory (said the Apostle) in this respect, by reason of the glory (of Christ) that excelleth. But he that put on a Vayle when heeExod. 37. 33. came from God to speak to Israel, that hee might hide his Glory, needed to put on another Vaile when he went in unto God to hide his Imperfections.