Christs Certain and Sudden Appearance to Judgment, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
1. THe first appearance of Christ was in the flesh, above sixteen hundred years ago in the Land of Iudea, unto the people of the Jews, the only-then-visible-Church upon the Earth. There it was that the Word was made Flesh; and amongst that people he dwelt for a while, some of whom beheld his Glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. There it was that the eternal Son of God was made man, being conceived miraculously by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, without the contamination of original sin, which all ordinary conceptions do introduce: His real Mother, and supposed Father were both of the Tribe of Iudah, and of the lineage of David, and he was born in the Town of Bethlem, according to the Scripture predictions: who, after he had lived thirty years in obscurity, was baptized by Iohn Baptist, his Fore-runner and Harbinger; in whose Baptism, when Iohn saw the Heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting upon him, and heard the voice from the excellent Glory, saying, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. He gave his testimony concerning him, that he was the Son of God, and the Lamb of God, who taketh way the sins of the world. Who after his own baptism and temptation, and Iohns imprisonment, made his appearance more openly unto Israel, shewing forth his glory, not in outward pomp and splendour, but in a more high, eminent, and wonderful manner, altogether Divine, exceeding the imitation of any Earthly Monarch in the World.
He shewed forth the glory of his power, in the Miracles which he did work, namely in opening the eyes of the blind, and ears of the deaf; in loosning the tongue of the dumb, and the bonds of other infirmities; in cleansing the Lepers, and healing other diseases with a word; in casting out Devils after long profession; in calming the Sea and Winds when boisterous and stormy; in raising up the dead, before, and after burial for some daies, and the like.
He shewed forth the glory of his Knowledge, in looking into the hearts of those which came unto him, being able to perceive their most secret thoughts and imaginations, and needed not that any should restifie of man, for he knew what was in man.
He shewed forth the glory of his Wisdom, in his most wise answer, to the ensnaring questions of the Pharisees and others, in the most excellent and heavenly doctrine which he preached, wherein he did not teach his Disciples subtile and empty speculations, which the greatest wits in the world have busied themselves about, but great soulsaving truths; indeed he revealed some great and deep mysteries (above the reach of the highest wit, of the greatest Schollar, without the teachings of his Spirit) which were momentous and needful in order unto practice, but the greatest part of his doctrine was plain and easie.
He shewed forth the glory of his Holiness, in his exact walking, and perfect obedience unto the Law of God, without the least deviation or sin.
He shewed forth the glory of his Goodness and tenderness towards the children of men, in going about to do them good, and give succour to them which were in misery, casting out none which came unto him.
Especially he shewed forth the glory of his Mercy and infinite Love to his own people, in submitting to so low a condition as he liv'd in for their sakes; in humbling himself and becomming obedient unto death, even the cursed, disgraceful, painful death of the Cross; besides the soul miseries which he endured through sense of Gods wrath due for their sins, that he might satisfie Gods justice, and deliver them from eternal death and wrath to come, and purchase Life and Glory for them.
Thus Christ lived, and thus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; and being dead, the bonds of death could not hold him, neither did the holy one see corruption, but the third day rose again from the dead, according to the Scriptures; and after his resurrection, was seen of Mary Magdalen, of Peter, Iames, all the Apostles, of five hundred brethren at once, according to the Scriptures. After forty daies was taken up into Heaven, and is there in his humane nature at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens, making intercession for his people, where he will abide untill the second appearance.
Thus concerning Christs appearance in the flesh.