The Equality of the Father Son and Holy Ghost, Book 3 · Section 3

The Equality of the Father Son and Holy Ghost · Book 3 · Section 3

p. 114The third Section.

CHAP. I.

The Workes of God, which concerne the Church in generall, are the Common Workes of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

AS the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, doe Co-operate in theſe Workes, which doe concerne Chriſt the Head of the Church: ſo they likewiſe effect theſe Workes, which doe concerne the bodie of Chriſt, the Church of God, which works concerne either, Firſt the Church in generall: or, Secondly, the faithfull in particular.

Firſt, theſe Workes which concerne the Church in generall; Firſt, Gods covenanting with his people; Secondly, his delivering Iſrael out of Egypt; Thirdly, his ſending Angels on any extraordinary meſſage to his Church; Fourthly, his ſending Prophets under the Law; Fifthly, his ſending Apoſtles; Sixtly, appointing them to preach in ſome places, and not in others; Seventhly, his ſpeaking in, and by the Prophets, and Apoſtles; Eighthly, his ſtrengthening them in their callings; Ninthly, his ſending Paſtors, and Teachers; Tenthly, his giving Lawes to his Church; Eleventhly, his giving more particularly, the Law unto Mount Sinai; Twelfthly, the tranſgreſſion whereof is an offence committed againſt him; and Thirteenthly, provoketh him to wrath, grieveth him; Fouretenthly, p. 115his wonders; Fifthteenthly, his gifts of Miracles; Sixteenthly, his building the Church; Seventeenthly, his raiſing the dead; Theſe Workes are wrought by the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

The Scriptures doe manifeſt the Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt to be God, equall with the Father by aſcribing to them theſe Workes equally with the Father.

CHAP. II.

The making of a Covenant with the Church, was a Worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

THe Lords Covenanting with his Church and people, is a Worke of God alone. There is not any Dayes-man betwixt them, that can lay his hand upon them both, Joh. 9.33, that ſhould, or could Vmpire for them; onelyonly the Majeſtie of Heaven is pleaſed ſo farre to abaſe himſelfe as to Covenant with us; for, whenas there was ſuch an infinite diſtance between heaven, and earth, God, and man, that man could never have enjoyed Ged as his never-failing bleſſedneſſe, or have had communion with him, as his ſoule-filling happineſſe: but by the Lords voluntary condeſcention to us, which he expreſſeth by way of Covenant; it was out of the riches of his grace to us in Chriſt, that his infinite Majeſtie humbled himſelfe to Covenant with us, that he would be our God, and that we ſhould be his people; in this worke, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, have an equall ſhare with the Father, or rather they Co-worke.

p. 116Firſt, the Father Covenanted with us in Chriſt; Hag. 2.5. According to the word that I cove…anted with you, when ye came out of Aegipt; he covenanted with them. Firſt, that he would be their God; Secondly, that they ſhould be his People. Ezek 36.28. And thus Chriſt calleth the Father; The Apoſtles, God and Fa…her; Ioh. 20.17. who, Thirdly, ſuffereth in all the afflictions of his Church and People; for ſo Eſay telleth us, In all their afflictions, he is afflicted. Eſay. 63.9.

Secondly, the Word, who being made fleſh, is the Mediator of the Covenant, Heb 8.6. 1 Tim. 2.5. Mal. 3.1. Yet he being the ſecond Perſon of the Trinitie, is the Teſtator and Covenanter of his Church: For if Chriſt be not a Teſtator, whereunto tendeth the Apoſtles reaſoning? Heb. 9.16. Where a Teſtament is, there must of neceſſitie be the death of a Teſtator. Firſt, it was the Lord Jeſus that dyed; he is therefore the Teſtator, or Covenanter: ſecondly, the Church of God are his people, Mat. 1.21. Luk. 1.77. Zach. 2.11. Mat. 16.18. Through him, and in him, God is ours, and we are his, Cant. 6.2. who, thirdly, ſuffereth in the afflictions of his people, Act. 9.4. The perſecuted members ſuffer on earth, and the Lord Jeſus, the Head, complaineth from heaven; Saul, Saul, why perſecutest thou me?

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt is the Author of this Covenant. So the Apoſtle ſheweth, Heb. 10.15, 16. The Holy-Ghoſt alſo is a witneſſe to us, for after he had ſaid before; This is the Covenant that I will make with them, &c. And ſurely, there cannot be a better interpreter of the Leviticall Rites, then the Apoſtle: who having ſpoken of the firſt Covenant, and of Divine Ordinances pertaining to it, Heb. 9.18. which God had commanded, Exod. 26. Lev. 16. and comming to ſhew their ſignification, which was intended in them by God, that ordained them, he ſaith, Heb. 9.8. The Holy-Ghost p. 117this ſignifying that the way out of the Holyeſt was not yet made manifeſt, while as the firſt Tabernacle was yet ſtanding; as if he had ſaid, the Holy-Ghoſt in giving theſe ceremoniall lawes, intended to ſhew, that the way to Heaven was not ſo wide, not ſo common, not ſo open, as it ſhould be when Chriſt aboliſhed in his fleſh, the Law of Commandements, contained in Ordinances Eph. 2.15. And blotted out the hand-writing that was againſt us, Col. 2.14. Secondly, the Church of God are his People. So the Apoſtle ſheweth, 2. Cor. 6.16. that this was the Holy-Ghoſt. appeareth by comparing this verſe, with 1. Cor. 6.19. for we are the People of God, who dwelleth in us, and whoſe Temples we are; but we are the Temples of the Holy-Ghoſt. 1. Cor. 6.19. 1. Cor. 3.16. and he dwelleth in us; Rom. 8.11. And Thirdly, he ſuffereth in the perſecutions of his people, and the perſecutors doe reſiſt him, Act. 7.51. and doe deſpite to the Spirit of Grace, Heb. 10.29.

Thus the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, are one God in Eſſence, and have one common and eſſentiall operation; and are one and the ſame author of the Covenant with the Church, though in reſpect of the order of their Relations, and their perſonall manner of working; there is in this, and in all their workes a diſtinct order. Thus the Father maketh a Covenant with his Church by his Sonne; who is the Mediator. 1. Tim. 2.5. and through his Spirit, who is the earneſt of our inheritance, Eph. 1.14. Which ſheweth no inequalitie in the Perſons, but onelyonly the voluntarie diſpenſation of this, and other Divine Actions; which God in his infinite Wiſedome is pleaſed to uſe.

p. 118CHAP. III.

The delivering of Iſrael out of Egypt, was a worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

THe deliverance of Iſrael from Pharaoh, and the bringing them out of Egypt, was a worke of God, Pſal. 136.11. the Lord challengeth it, as his worke to Iſrael, and requireth obedience therefore from Iſrael, Ex…d. 20.2, 3. …al. 81.10. yea, the Lord alone did lead them, and there was no ſtrange god with him, Deut. 32.12. Yet this was an eſſentiall and common worke of the Father, the Word, and the Spirit.

Firſt, the Father brought them out of Egypt: So he ſaith, H ſ. 11.1. Out of Egypt have I called my Sonne: Which was typically true of Iſrael, who is ſtiled Gods fi ſt-borne, Exod. 4.22. but prophetically fulfilled in Chriſt, Mat. 2.15. who was the onelyonly begotten of the Father, Joh. 1.14, 18. Joh. 3.16, 18.

Secondly, the Sonne …rought Iſrael out of Egypt, whom they tempted in the Wilderneſſe, 1 Cor. 10.4, 9. and were deſtroyed of the d…ſtroyer. He was Ehejeh (I am) Exod. 3.14. that ſent Moſes to deliver Iſrael. To which Name, the Lord Jeſus doth oft allude in the New Teſtament, Joh. 8.24. Joh. 8.28. Joh. 8.58. Joh. 13.19. Joh. 4.26. He was the Angel, that was ſent to keepe Iſrael in the way, and to bring them into Canaan, Exod. 23.20. and was no created Angel, but the Angel of the Covenant, God bl…ſſed for ever. For, firſt, Iſrael was to obey his voy…; ſecondly, …e had power to puniſh, or pardon ſinne; thir…ly, Gods Name wa… in him.

Thirdly, the holy Spirit brought Iſrael out of Egypt: p. 119he led them, Iſa. 63.14. and he was grieved by them with their rebellions in the way that he led them, Act. 7.51. Heb. 3.7, 8, 9, 10. Iſa. 63.10.

Yea, you have the Prophet Iſaiah mentioning all three Perſons, in treating of this worke of Iſraels deliverance from Egypt, Iſa. 63.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Firſt, the Father, by a Synechdoche, called Jehovah: Secondly, the Word ſtiled, the Angel of his preſence; who uſually, in Scripture, hath the name of an Angel attributed to him, but never tooke the nature of an Angel on him, Heb. 2.16. Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt, who is called the Spirit, who effected this worke. Yea, 2 Sam. 7.23. Halecu Elohim, (both the Noune and the Verbe are Plurall) The Gods went to redeeme a people, and yet it is added, to himſelfe (in the Singular:) where the pluralitie of Perſons, and the Unitie of the Eſſence, is evidently demonſtrated; it being one and the ſame Divine Power in Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, that wrought this glorious deliverance for his Church and people: who, as God himſelfe, ſpeaking to Iſrael, ſaith, Exod. 20.2. Deut. 5.6. I am the Lord thy Gods (word for word in the Originall) which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt. What pluralitie is there, which he intimateth? but onelyonly that which Chriſt expreſſeth, when he ſaith, M…t. 28.19. In the Name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

CHAP. IV.

The ſending of Angels on extraordinarie Meſſages to the Faithfull, was a worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

THe ſending of Angels, as his Meſſengers, is a worke …o God. The Lord, who is the God of his Church, p. 120and the Father of the Faithfull, for the benefit of his Church, and the good of his Faithfull ones, hath diſpatched theſe Embaſſadours from Heaven to Earth, and hath ſent both Angels, which are his heavenly Miniſters, Heb. 1.14. and Miniſters, which are his earthly Angels, Rev. 2.1. & 12.18. Rev. 3.1, 7, 14. to fulfill his Will, and to deliver his Meſſages to men. And ſurely, the Lord, who is the God, and maker of Angels, hath alone abſolute Power of himſelfe to ſend them, and they doe his pleaſure, Pſal. 103.21. They hearken to the voyce of his wo…d, Pſal. 103.20. This is an eſſentiall and common worke of God: For,

Firſt, the Father maketh his Angels ſpirits, and his Miniſters a flame of fire, Heb. 1.7. Yea, Chriſt telleth Peter, That at his prayer, his Father would have given him more then twelve Legions of Angels, Mat. 26.53. More then foureſcore thouſand heavenly ſouldiers are readie armed at Ch…iſts prayer, as man; but at his command, as God: For,

Secondly, the Sonne hath twentie thouſand, even thouſands of Angels. That this was Chriſt, is cleare; for it was he that aſcended on high, and that led captivitie captive, Pſal. 68.17, 18. which Paul, an un-erring interpreter, Eph. 4.8, 9, 10. ſheweth to be the Lord Jeſus. Moreover, he ſendeth his Angels to gather his elect, Mat. 24.31. Mat. 13.41. Mar. 13.27. 2 Theſſ. 1.7. And, he ſent his Angel to John, Rev. 22.6, 17. to ſhew him things to come.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſendeth Angels to the Faithfull: The Angel, which appeared to Cornel…us, Act. 10.2, 3. the Holy-Ghoſt ſent, Act. 10.19, 20. He ſent the men, by direction of that Angel, to Peter, Act. 10.22.

Thus it is the worke of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, who are equall in Power and p. 121Glory, to ſend Angels to the Church in any extraordinarie Meſſage.

CHAP. V.

The ſending of Prophets to the Church, was a worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

THe Lord of the Harveſt alone ſendeth Labourers into his Harveſt, Mat. 9.38. The Vinitor provideth Labourers for his Vineyard, Mat. 20. God alone appointeth Miniſters in his Church, Prov. 9.3. No man is to take this honour on him, but he that is called thereunto of God, Heb. 9.4. How oft did God complaine of falſe Prophets in the Old Teſtament, and falſe Teachers in the New; that they did run, and God ſent them not? Jer. 23. Mat. 7.21, 22, 23. The Church is Gods Encloſure, taken out of the Commons of the World; none but he may appoint Paſtours, to feed his Flock therein.

It was therefore a worke of God, to ſend Prophets under the Law: Which thing the Prophets did uſually manifeſt in their Writings, Jer. 1.1, 2. Ezek. 1.3. Hoſ. 1.1. Joel 1.1. Jon. 1.1. Mic. 1.1. And therefore the Prophets were called men of God, 1 King. 13. 2 King. 1. 2 King. 4. 2 King. 6. becauſe they were called of God, and manifeſted the Lords will to his people.

This worke of God, of ſending Prophets, was eſſentiall, and common to the Father, to the Sonne, and to the Holy-Ghoſt.

Firſt, the Father ſent the Prophets. He who afterward ſent his Sonne, did firſt ſend Prophets to the Jewes, Mat. 21.34, 35, 36, 37. Luk. 20.10, 11, 12. Mar. 12.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Heb. 1.1.

p. 122Secondly, the Sonne ſent the Prophets, Mat. 23.34. Luk. 11.49. The wiſedome of God (which was Chriſt, Prov. 8.) ſaid, I will ſend them Prophets; who is alſo called the Lord God of the Prop…ets, Rev. 22.6. compared with Rev. 22.17.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſent the Prophets, Ezek. 11.1.4. he ſent Ezekel and bid him propheſie, Numb. 24.2. The Spirit of G…d came upon Balo…m when he propheſied. The Holy-Ghoſt ſpake by David, Act. 1.16.2, Sam. 23.2. And Agabus ſignified by the Spirit of a great dearth, Act. 11.28. and certifieth the Church in the name of the Holy-Ghoſt, that Paul ſhould be bound at Jeruſalem by the Jewes, Act. 21.11.

Yea, it was one action of the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, who is one God in eſſence, to ſend Eſaiah, Eſa. 6.1. The Father ſent him, Eſa. 48.16. The Lord God, and his Spirit ſent me, when the Father and the Son, are called by the Lord God; Secondly, The Sonne ſent him, John. 12.40.41. Where he repeateth that particular meſſage, and ſheweth that Eſaias ſaw the glory of the Lord Jeſus, and ſpake of him. Thirdly, The Holy-Ghoſt ſent him, whoſe glory Eſaias ſaw, Eſa. 6. when he citeth this ſame errand which Eſay was ſent on; Act. 21.25, 26. Eſay, 6, 10, 11. and Eſaias witneſſeth, Eſay, 48.16. I know ſome Divines, interprete …his Propheſie, Eſa. 48.16. of the Father, and the Holy-Ghoſt, ſending Chriſt; where, Firſt, That interpretation doth alſo prove the equality of the Holy-Ghoſt, with the Father. Secondly, It doth no way croſſe this; for many things ſpoken of by the Prophets, were fulfilled in the Prophet, as in a type of Chriſt; and in Chriſt, as in the Anti-type of the Prophets; as he that readeth the Pſalmes of David, and other Propheſies of the Old Teſtament may eaſily perceive. Thirdly, The other places, namely, Ioh. 12.40.41. and Act. 28.25. doe ſufficiently ſhew, that the p. 123Sonne and the Holy-Ghoſt did ſend Iſaiah; which that the Father ſent alſo, I thinke none doubteth.

CHAP. VI.

The ſending of the Apostles, was a worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghost.

GOD, as he ſent Prophets under the Law, ſo did ſend Miniſters under the Goſpel; both extraordinarie Meſſengers, as Apoſtles; as alſo ordinarie Miniſters, as Paſtours and Teachers.

Apoſtles were ſent of God. And therefore, Matthias being to be choſen an Apoſtle, they pray unto God, to ſhew unto them, whether he had choſen Matthias, or Joſeph, Act. 1.24. And Paul telleth us expreſſely, 1 Cor. 12.28. That God ſetteth Apoſtles in the Church. Where, the Name of God is taken, not perſonally, but eſſentially for the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt; the ſending of Apoſtles, being a worke common to them.

Firſt, the Father ſent Apoſtles. So he ſent Paul, who was an Apoſtle of God the Father, Gal. 1.1. Gal. 1.16. by his w…ll 2 Cor. 1.1. and commandement.

Secondly, the Sonne ſent Apoſtles, Joh. 4.38. Joh. 20.21. So he ſent the Twelve, Mat. 10.16. Mat. 28.19. as alſo Paul, Act. 26.16. Act. 22.21. who was an Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.17. Gal. 1.1. Act. 9.15. and ſent by his commandement, 1 Tim. 1.1. and therefore he giveth thankes to him, 1 Tim. 1.12.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſent Apoſtles. He it was that gave commandement to the Apoſtles, Act. 1.2. He ſent Philip to the Eunuch, Act. 8.29. He ſent Peter to Cornelius, p. 124Act. 10.19, 20. Act. 11.12. He ſent forth Barnabas and Paul, Act. 13.4. who were ſeparated at his commandement, Act. 13.2.

Thus Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, three Perſons, but one God, ſent Paul the Apoſtle to preach the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt.

CHAP. VII.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghost did limit the bounds of the Apoſtles Commiſſions, appointing them where they ſhould preach the Gospel.

AS the Apoſtles had their Commiſſions from God to preach, ſo they had their prohibitions from him, where they muſt not preach. To ſet Bounds and Limits to the Apoſtles (who had generally the care of all Churches, 2 Cor. 11.28.) was a worke peculiar to God: It was He alone that gave them their Commiſſions, and could alone limit thoſe Commiſſions he had given them. This was an eſſentiall worke of God, common to all three Perſons.

Firſt, the Father, from whom Chriſt, as man, received his Commiſſion, ſendeth this great Doctor of the Church, in his owne Perſon, to the loſt ſheepe of the houſe of Iſrael onelyonly, Mat. 15.24. Rom. 15.8. To him the Apoſtle Paul prayed, to have his way directed to Theſſalonica, 1 Theſſ. 3.11.

Secondly, the Sonne prohibiteth the Apoſtles, in his firſt Commiſſion that he gave them, from going to the Gentiles, or to the Samaritans, Mat. 10.5. And to him the Apoſtle prayed, to direct his way to Theſſalonica, 1 Theſſ. 3.11.

p. 125Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt forbids Paul and Timothie to preach in Aſia, Act. 16.6. or in Bithynia, Act. 16.7. And Paul is bound in the Spirit to preach in Jeruſelem: which witneſſeth in every Citie, that bonds and afflictions wait for him, Act. 20.22, 23. And Philip is caught away from the Eunuch by the Spirit, that the Eunuch ſeeth him no more, Act. 8.39.

There ir therefore one and the ſame Divine Will, and Power, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt, with the Father, which gave Commiſſions to the Apoſtles to preach, and limited their Commiſſions; that though they muſt preach in ſome places, 1 Cor. 9.16. yet they might not preach in others.

CHAP. VIII.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, ſpake in and by the Prophets and Apoſtles.

THe Prophets, and the Apoſtles were but the voyce, God was the ſpeaker, he did ſpeake by the mouthes (not of ſome onelyonly) but alſo all the Prophets, ſince the World began, Luk. 1.7. all Scripture both of Prophets, and Apoſtles, is of divine Inſpiration, 2 Tim. 3.16. yea, the Lord himſelfe teſtifieth, Hoſ. 12.10. I have ſpoken by the Prophets, and I have multiplyed Viſions, and uſed ſimilitudes by the Miniſtery of the Prophets; and becauſe the Lord is the ſpeaker in the Scriptures, the Scriptures therefore are called the Word of God.

This is an Eſſentiall and common Worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt, to ſpeake by the Apoſtles, and Prophets.

Firſt, the Father ſpake by the Apoſtles, and Prophets, Heb. 1.1.

p. 126Secondly, the Sonne ſpake by the Apoſtles and Prophets. It was the Word of Chriſt, that Paul ſpake, Col. 3.16. Phil. 1.27. and it was the Lord Christ that ſpake in Paul. 2 Cor 13.3. he did ſpeake by John in his Propheſies, Rev. 1.11, 12, 13, 14. he ſpeaketh in the Word, Heb. 12.25. and he did ſpeake by the Prophets, Zac. 2.8, 9, 10, 11. &c. Hoſ. 12.4.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſpake in the Apoſtles and Prophets; he ſpake in John. (who was both an Apoſtle, and a Prophet) when he wrote to the ſeven Churches in Aſia, Rev. 2.7, 11, 17, 29. he was in Joſeph, Gen. 41.38. and ſpake in and by the Prophets, Num. 24.2. Mich. 2.8. Nehem. 9.30. Num. 11.29. Heb. 3.7. with Heb. 4.7. 2 Pet. 1.21. Act. 28.25. Act. 1.16. and he ſpake in, and by the Apoſtles, Mat. 10.20. Mar. 13.11. he taught them what to ſay, Luk. 12.12. and ſo inſpired Stephen, that his enemies were not able to reſiſt his wiſedome, Act. 6.10. he revealed the Mysteries of Chriſt to the Apoſtles, and Prophets, Eph. 3.5. who was not onelyonly in them, but alſo on them, Luk. 2.29 Luk. 4.18.

Yea, you have the Word, and Spirit ſpeaking in David from the Father, 2 Sam. 23.2, 3. It being the Eſſentiall Worke of one God in three Perſons, to ſpeake by David, and by all the Prophets and Apoſtles.

CHAP. IX.

The Father, the Word, and the Spirit, did ſtrengthen the Apoſtles, and Prophets, in their callings.

AS God alone did ſend the Prophets, and Apoſtles to his Church: ſo for the good of the Church, he p. 127did ſtrengthen the Apoſtles, and Prophets in their callings; he made Ezekiels face ſtrong againſt his enemies faces, and his forehead ſtrong againſt their foreheads, Ezek. 3.8. yea, he telleth Jeremiah, that he had made him a defenced Citie, an Iron pillar, and brazen walls againſt the Land. All the calumnies, and oppoſitions, which they ſhot at him, could not pierce him, to hurt him, they might, and did fight againſt him, but they ſhould not, they could not prevaile againſt him: For I am with thee, (ſaith the Lord) to deliver thee, Jerem. 1.18.19.

This worke is Eſſentiall, and it is common to all three Perſons.

Firſt, the Father ſtrengthened them: he ſtrengthened Paul, and Timothy, 2 Cor. 1.21. and therefore they give thanks to him for his merciemercy and comfort, 2 Cor. 1.3, 4.

Secondly, the Sonne ſtrengthened them. So he promiſeth to give his Diſciples a mouth, and wiſedome, which all their Adverſaries ſhould not gainſay, nor reſiſt, Luk. 21.15. he enabled Paul to the Miniſterie, 1 Tim. 1.12. yea, ſo great was his ſtrength in Paul, that the Apoſtle telleth you, he is able to doe all things through Chriſt that ſtrengthened him, Phil. 4.13.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſtrengtheneth them. Micha telleth you, he is full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, Mich. 3.8. he it was that taught the Apoſtles, how to anſwer their oppoſers, Mat. 10.19, 20. as alſo what to ſay, when they were queſtioned, Luk. 12.12. and indeed all Stevens Enemies were not able to reſiſt the wiſedome, and the Spirit, by which he ſpake, Act. 6.10.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt have the ſame operation, and the ſame naturall power, and are therefore of the ſame Eſſence, for the equalitie of power, is from the equality of Nature in them.

p. 128CHAP. X.

The ſending of Paſtors, and Teachers unto the Church, is a Worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

PAstors and Teachers are appointed of God, 1 Cor. 12.28. And therefore they are ſtiled men of God, 2 Tim. 3.17. No man may preach the Word, but he that is ſent, Rom. 10.15.

This ſending of Paſtors, and Teachers into the Church, is a Worke of God, Jer. 3.15. Jer. 23.4. and it is Eſſentiall, and common to all three Perſons.

Firſt, the Father appointeth Paſtors, and Teachers in the Ghurch, 1 Cor. 12.28. Whether you take God there, either Eſſentially for the Trinity, or Perſonally for the Father, it will follow, that God the Father ſetteth Teachers in the Church.

Secondly, the Sonne giveth Paſtors, and Teachers in the Ghurch, Eph. 4.11. He, namely Chriſt, gave ſome Apoſtles, ſome Prophets, ſome Evangeliſts, ſome Paſtors, and Teachers. Moreover, they that are faithfull in this Office, are his Miniſters, Col. 1.7. 1 Tim. 4.6. his Embaſſadours, 2 Cor. 5.20. his Stewards, 1 Cor. 4.1.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt appointeth Miniſters, and Elders, and therefore Paul chargeth the Elders of Epheſus, Act. 20.17. to take heed to the flock of God, over which the Holy-Ghoſt hath made them Overſeer… Act. 20.28.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt are one and the ſame God: there being one and the ſame action, and Authoritie of them in ſending Paſtors, and Teachers into the Church.

p. 129CHAP. XI.

The giving Lawes to the Church, is a Work of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

AS the Lord alone doth appoint Officers to Teach, and to Rule in his Church; ſo he onelyonly appointeth Lawes, by which his Church muſt be ordered, and guided. There is but one Law-giver, Jam. 4.12. whoſe Lawes alone bind the Conſcience: yet he is diſtinguiſhed into three Perſons.

Firſt, the Father giveth Commandements to his Church. Thus John telleth the Elect Lady, 2 Joh. 4. I rejoyced greatly, that I found of thy Children walking in the truth, as I received Commandement from the Father.

Secondly, the Sonne giveth Commandements to his Church. Thus the Lord Jeſus telleth his Apoſtles; A new Commandement give I unto you, Joh. 13.14. not new in matter, but new in forme; we were by Moſes commanded to love our Neighbour, as our ſelves: but by the Lord Chriſt, we are commanded to love one another, as he hath loved us: yea, he telleth his Diſciples, Ye are my friends, if ye doe whatſoever I command you, Joh. 15.14. and Paul willeth the Galathians, to love one another, and ſo fulfill the Law of Chriſt, Gal. 6.2. the Law of God being the Law of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 9.21.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt giveth Lawes to his Church; and therefore the Apoſtles in their decrees, which they ſend to the Churches of the Gentiles, ſay, Act. 15.28. It ſeemed good to the Holy-Ghoſt, and to us, to lay on you no greater burthen, then theſe neceſſary things. Had this holy Aſſembly forgotten to mention God, as the Author of p. 130theſe Lawes, and reſt wholly on a Creatures inſpiration? (as ſome blaſphemouſly imagine the Holy-Ghoſt to be.) Surely, if the Holy-Ghoſt were not God, he had no Authoritie to preſcribe Lawes, as neceſſary to the Church of God, Gal. 1.8. yea, Paul ſaith, If any man thinke himſelfe to be a Prophet, or Spirituall, let him acknowledge the things that I write are the Commandements of the Lord, 1 Cor. 12.37. as if he had ſaid, if there be a Prophet amon…ſt you, inſpired by the Holy-Ghoſt, he will acknowledge the things that I write, I write by the inſpiration of the Holy-Ghoſt.

Thus you may ſee the giving of Lawes to the Church, is an Eſſentiall Worke of God, common to the Father, to the Sonne, and to the Holy-Ghoſt, who although they be three Perſons, or Subſiſtences, yet there is in them, but one Subſtance, Nature, or Eſſence.

CHAP. XII.

The giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, was the Worke of the Father, the Word, and the Spirit.

AS the giving of other Lawes to the Church, was a Worke of God, ſo more particularly, the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, was his Worke; It was wrought by the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt; It was Jehovah Elohim, Exod. 20.2. Deut. 5.6. one G…d in three Perſons that ſpake to Moſes.

Firſt, the Father gave the Law to Moſes; and therefore Chriſt telleth the Jewes, that Moſes accuſed them to his Father, Joh. 5.45., The Law which Moſes had p. 131from the Father, did accuſe them, as breakers of that Law, to the Father.

Secondly, the Sonne gave this Law to Moſes; He it was that ſpake in Mount Sinai, Act. 7.38, 38. called there an Angel, but he was the Angel of the Covenant, which is Jehovah, Exod. 19.9, 20, 21▪ 22, 23, 24. the Iſraelites deſire not to heare the voyce of God, Deut. 5.25. which the Apoſtle expoundeth, Heb. 12.19. that the word may not be ſet before them; and he it was, that ſpake from heaven, Heb. 12.25.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt gave theſe Lawes to Moſes; This the Apoſtle intimateth, Heb. 9.8. for he giving the interpretation of ſome Lawes, he prefixeth this, the Holy-Ghoſt this ſignifying, &c. as if he had ſaid, this is the interpretation of thoſe Lawes the Holy-Ghoſt gave.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, which gave this Law, are one Jehovah, Deut. 6.4. Heare, O Iſrael, the Lord thy God, is one God, and yet the pluralitie of Perſons (which is ſhewed by our Saviour, to be the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt) is intimated in the word Elohim, as R. Simeon, Ben. Joha…, in Zoar, writing on th…s place, affirmeth: adding moreover, that this Miſterie ſhall not be revealed before the comming of the Meſſiah. The Doctrine of the Trinitie being maintained by the Ancienter Rabbies, but by theſe of Latter times, in oppoſition to the Lord Jeſus, this truth, as well as others, is wilfully, and maliciouſly oppoſed.

p. 132CHAP. XIII.

The breach of theſe Lawes, was an offence againſt the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

AS the Lord was the Maker, and giver of theſe Lawes: ſo he it is that is offended by the breakers of theſe Lawes. And thus David acknowledgeth: although he had ſinned againſt Bathſheba, by inticing her to folly; againgſt Uriah, by murdering him; againſt the whole Army, by indangering them at the death of Uriah; againſt the Church of God, by giving them an evill example; and againſt the Children of Ammon, cauſing them by this his act to blaſpheme God, and to defie Iſrael, 2 Sam. 12. yet he ſaith, againſt thee, againſt thee onelyonly have I ſinned, Pſal. 51.4. For the Lord is properly the partie offended, whether the ſinne be committed immediately againſt him, as in the ſins againſt the firſt Table; or whether the ſinne be committed mediately againſt him, as in ſinnes againſt the ſecond Table. And ſurely the wrong done to the cr…ature, is therefore a wrong becauſe it is againſt the will, & the command of the Creator: and were it not for that, no wrong were done to the creature. Now as the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt, gave the Law: ſo ſinne which is the tranſgreſſion of the Law, is committed againſt the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, and doth provoke them to wrath.

Firſt, ſinne is an offence committed againſt,

Firſt, the Father. Thus the Children of Iſrael ſinned againſt him, in breaking Moſes Law, Joh. 7.19. and therefore Chriſt in his prayer, ſaid, Luk. 23.34. Father, p. 133forgive them, they know not what they doe. As God, he himſelfe forgave them, but as man, being the great high Prieſt, he prayed for them, and as the Advocate of the Church, he excuſed them. It was great love in the Sonne of man to forgive them, greater love to pray for them, but moſt great love to excuſe them.

Secondly, the Sonne. So the Children of Iſrael ſinned againſt him in the Wilderneſſe; They tempted Chriſt, and were deſtroyed of the Destroyer, 1 Cor. 10.9. and the Apoſtle telleth us, that they which wound the weake conſcience of their Brethren, ſinne againſt Chriſt, 1 Cor. 8.12. he likewiſe is reproached by them that reproach his ſaints, Heb. 11.25. and perſecuted by thoſe that perſecute his people, Act. 9.4. yea, ungodly Apoſtataes doe crucifie afreſh the Sonne of God, and put him to an open ſhame, Heb. 6.6.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt. For ſurely the Children of Iſrael ſinned againſt him; They rebelled, and vexed the holy Spirit, Iſa. 63.10. Act. 7.51. wicked men by ſinne, doe reproach him, 1 Pet. 4.14. An…nias, and Sapphira did lye to him, Act. 5.3, 4. and did tempt him, Act. 5.9. and were taken away by ſudden death, Act. 5.5, 10. yea, our Saviour telleth you of a blaſphemy againſt the Holy-Ghoſt, which ſhall never be forgiven, Mat. 12.32. Surely, the Holy Ghoſt is God, equall with the Father, the blaſphemy againſt him being irremiſſible.

Thus it is one God, who is diſtinguſhed into three Perſons, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, who is the onelyonly Law-giver, and againſt whom any ſinne, when it is committed, is an offence, being contrary to his Will, Juſtice, and Goodneſſe.

p. 134CHAP. XIIII.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, are provoked to wrath by ſinne.

SUrely, there is no ſuch changeable paſſion in the immutable God, as wrath; neither is there ſuch an affection in him, as anger; But the Scriptures condeſcending to our capacity, and ſpeaking after the manner of men, doe attribute anger to God, and doe aſcribe wrath to the moſt high; there being only the like effect of it wrought by his Juſtice, but no ſuch affect (as the Schooles ſpeake) in his Majeſtie; there being ſuch effects, as anger produceth in man, wrought by him; though there is not any paſſion of anger in him. And ſurely, if any thing could poſſibly make God to be angry with man, it would be ſinne, which is ſo contrary to his Will, Nature, Holyneſſe, and all his Attributes; and therefore according to the language of the Scriptures, ſinne provoketh God to wrath, and grieveth the holy One of Iſrael.

Firſt, the Father is provoked to wrath by ſinne, Rev. 6.16. He that ſitteth in the Throne, (where the Father is included, though the Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt are not excluded, Rev. 22.1, 3. Rev. 5.6. his wrath is terrible to the great ones of the earth.

Secondly, the Son is provoked to wrath by ſin, Pſ. 2.12. Kiſſe the Sonne, leſt he be angry, and ye periſh from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little, bleſſed are all they that pu… their truſt in him. Periſhing in the way, importeth ſuddaine deſtruction, whiles they are doing their actions; yea, the great Princes of the World ſhall be terrified with the wrath of the Lambe, Rev. 6.16

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt is provoked to wrath by p. 135ſinne, Iſai. 63.10. and grieved thereby: and therefore the Apoſtle dehorting from ſinne, addeth, Eph. 4.30. and grieve not the Holy Spirit; ſinne being that, which alone angreth, and grieveth this holy Spirit.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt being of one Nature, Power, and Authoritie, are alike grieved, and provoked to wrath, by the ſinnes of the wicked, and the tranſgreſſions of the ungodly. Oh that men would looke in anger upon their ſinnes in time, which if not repented of, will make the Lord look in anger on them for ever.

CHAP. XV.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, doe onelyonly worke Miracles.

THe Lord alone, for the good of his Church, can, and doth onelyonly Worke Miracles, Pſal. 136.4. He alone doth wondrous things, Pſal. 72.18. it is not in the power of any Creature, properly to doe any Miracle, Joh. 10.21. Angels, good, and bad, may and oft doe effect great and ſtrange Workes, but it is not without the helpe of God. Firſt, they worke by the h…lpe of God, they having their power and being of him. Satan and his inſtruments can doe no more then the Lord giveth them power. And it is Pareus obſervation: that the word foreign it is given, is twenty times uſed in the Revelations, even then when the Holy-Ghoſt ſpeaketh of the power of evill Angels, and wicked men. Secondly, they uſe the h lpe of Gods Creatures in all their workes: But the Lord alone worketh of himſelfe, and wit out the helpe of any Creature.

Firſt, he alone doth wondrous things.

p. 136Secondly, He alone giveth power to work Miracles.

Firſt, The Lord alone doth wondrous things.

Firſt, God the Father doth great wonders, Mat. 3.17. he cauſed his voyce to be heard from Heaven, to Earth, though it paſſe through many Mediums, and be many Millions of Miles diſtant.

Secondly, God the Sonne doth great wonders, He made a light to be ſeene above the brightneſſe of the Sunne; Act. 26.13. and a voyce to be heard from Heaven to Earth, Act. 9.3.4. Act. 26.13, 14. God did this, and al other wonders by the Lord Jeſus, as he was man; Act. 2.22. But he did them by his own power as he was God, Luk. 6.19. Mar. 5.30. He clenſeth the Leaper by his abſolute power; he toucheth him, and ſaith, I will, be thou cleane, Mat. 8.2. I will, is the ſtile of God only, who doth whatſoever pleaſeth him in Heaven, in Earth, and in the Sea. Pſal. 135.6. The commanding word, I will, the Imperative Mood, be thou cleane (if wee reade not with the falſe-colouring Spectacles of Arrius) doe evidently ſhew, that Chriſt is God, and wrought this by his owne will, and power; for he healed this Leaper in a moſt exact, and compendious manner both by the operation of his humanity, in touching him; and of his Divinity, in ſaying, I will, be thou cleane; He raiſed likewiſe Magiſterially the young man from death; Luk. 7.4. Youngman, I ſay unto thee, ariſe, with him it being al one to ſay and to doe; He effecting that with his Divine Power, which he commanded with his humane voyce; yea, in his own perſon, he grapled with death in the grave, and conquered him in his own territories; 1. Cor. 15.55, 57. Tryumphantly, rayſing himſelfe from the dead; Joh. 2.19. Jo…. 10.18. 2 Cor. 13.4. He aſcended into Heaven, Joh. 3.13. Joh. 6.62. Act. 1.9. And led captivity, captive, Eph. 4.8. And he will at his ſecond comming, make thoſe which have beene dead for many hundred yeares, to heare his voyce. Joh. 5.28.

p. 137Thirdly, God the Holy-Ghoſt doth great wonders; he can make his voyce to be heard from Heaven, to earth. Rev. 14.13. He made the Apoſtles in a moment, to ſpeake with ſtrange toungs and ſeverall languages; they ſpake as he gave them utterance, Act. 2.4. That which multitude of Schoole-maſters could not effect in many years in one man, the Holy Spirit doth effect it exactly in a moment, and that in many; and no wonder, for man ſhall ſoone learne that, which the Lord himſelfe undertaketh to teach. It was the Holy-Ghoſt, who led the people of Jſrael, ſafely through the red Sea, and the wilderneſſe, Eſa. 63.14.

Thus the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, have one and the ſame power, whereby they worke miracles, and therefore none of them is greater or leſſer, then another, but are coequall, and conſubſtantiall.

CHAP. XVI.

Gifts of Miracles, is from the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

THough the Apoſtles and others wrought Miracles, yea, greater Miracles then Chriſt, Joh. 14.12. as Peters ſhadow cured many, Act. 5.15. and Pauls Handkerchifs healed diſeaſes. Act. 19.11. yet they did them not in the ſame manner, as the Father, Sonne, or Holy-Ghoſt did; There was theſe notable differences. Firſt, the Apoſtles had not this power at all times, Mat. 17.16. Phil. 2.27. 1 Tim. 5.23. 2 Ti. 4.20. Secondly, they did not effect them by their own power, or in their own name, Act. 3.1….16. but by the power of God who wrought theſe wonders by them, Act. 15.12. It was God that gave gifts of healing, p. 1381 Cor. 12.28. for it is God alone that can worke Miracles, Pſal. 72.18. and therefore he alone can give this power of working Miracles to others.

The gift of Miracles, is an Eſſentiall worke of God, and is common to the Father, to the Sonne, and to the Holy-Ghoſt.

Firſt the Father giveth this power, and therefore the Apoſtles pray to him for this power of Miracles, Act. 4.31. where the Father alone is not perſonally prayed to, but Eſſentially with the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

Secondly, the Sonne giveth this power to the Apoſtles, Luk. 10.19. Mar. 6.7. Mat. 10.1, 8. Mar. 16.17.18. Joh. 14, 12. and Miracles were done in his Name; Peter telleth Enea…, that Jeſus Chriſt maketh him whole, Act. 9.38. and ſheweth the chiefe Prieſts, that it was not their own power, and holyneſſe, Act. 3.12. but by faith in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt of Nazaneth, they had made th clame man ſtrong, Act. 3.16. Act. 4.10. and Paul was reſtored to his ſight by his power, Act. 9.17. who though in Heaven, in regard of his bodily preſence, yet is alſo on earth, healing men by his Divine power.

Thirdly the Holy-Ghoſt giveth this power to men to worke Miracles, 1 Cor. 12.9, 10. He ſo illuminated the eyes of Stephen, that being on earth, he did not onelyonly by the eye of Faith, but with the eye of his bodily ſenſe ſee Chriſt from earth to Heaven, Act. 7.55. If the Holy-Ghoſt had been a Creature, how could he have given ſuch power to Steven, it being proper onelyonly to God to effect Wonders. And Paul full of the Holy-Ghoſt, ſtruck Elymas with blindneſſe, Act. 13.9, 10, 11.

Yea, God the Father, God the Sonne, and God the Holy-Ghoſt wrought Miracles, by the hands of Paul, Rom. 15.17, 18, 19. I have (ſaith he) therefore, whereof p. 139I may glory through Jeſus Chriſt, in thoſe things that pertaine to God, (namely, in God the Fathers working Miracles by him) For I will not dare to ſpeake of any of theſe things, which Chriſt hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient in word, and deed. (Thus the Lord Jeſus wrought effectually in him, in his Apoſtleſhip, and gifts of healing) through mightie ſignes and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God.

(There is the Holy-Ghoſt working Miracles by Paul.) Thus the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, one God in Power, Majeſtie, and Eſſence, doth great wonders, and gave power to Paul, and others to worke Miracles, and effect wondrous things.

CHAP. XVII.

The building of the Church is a worke of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghost.

THe Church is Gods houſe, 1 Tim. 3.15. He is the builder of it, Heb. 3.3, 4. the faithfull are his building, 1 Cor. 3.9. Where,

Firſt, not only the Father buildeth it, but alſo, ſecondly, the Sonne buildeth the Church, Mat. 16.18. upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell ſhall not prevaile againſt it. The gates of the City were the places, where uſually they ſate in Councell, 1 Kin. 22.10. and where their chiefeſt ſtrength lay. The Lord Jeſus intimateth in this his promiſe to his Church, that neither the policy, nor power of Sathan and his Angels, ſhould ever prevaile againſt his Church; (a worke proper to God to promiſe and to effect.) This is the houſe which w…ſedome built, Prov. 9.1. Yea, the Apoſtle p. 140proveth Chriſt to be God; Firſt, becauſe he built all things; Secondly, becauſe he built the Church which it his houſe, Heb. 3.3, 4, 5, 6. the Chuch is bis, Act. 20.28. the faithfull are his people, Mat. 1.21. Zac. 2.11.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt buildeth us up for an habitation of God, Eph. 2.22.

It being a Worke of God to build the Church; the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt building the Church, not inſtrumentally, but efficiently with the Father, are therefore equall in Power, and Operation with him.

CHAP. XVIII.

The raiſing the Dead, is a work of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

TO reſtore a loſt habite, was judged by Phyloſophy, a thing impoſſible; and if impoſſibilities might admit of degrees, the raiſing of the Dead was thought more impoſſible thē other things. But the Pihloſophy of Chriſtians not contradicting, but tranſcending reaſon, hath learned out of the Scripture another Leſſon, and their faith grounded on Gods word, maketh them to believe the reſurrection of the Dead. And ſurely there is no impſſibility in that which God promiſeth; He will aſſuredly effect that which he undertaketh: and he will doe all his pleaſure, Iſa. 46.10. If he worke, who ſhall let it? Iſa. 43.13. this worke therefore is great, is difficult, but it is to man, not to God; He can as eaſily raiſe the Body out of ſomething, as he did at the firſt create it out of nothing. The Lord challengeth p. 141this as his worke; I even I am he, and there is no God with me, I kill, and I make alive, Deut. 32.39. This Worke is a Worke of one God, yet he is diſtinguiſhed into three Perſons, which effect this great Worke.

Firſt, the Father raiſeth up the Dead, John 5.21. not onelyonly theſe that are ſpiritually dead in ſinne, but alſo thoſe that are corporally Dead through ſinne.

Secondly, the Sonne raiſeth up the Dead; He promiſeth to raiſe up thoſe that beleeve in him, Joh. 6.40, 54. Joh. 11.25. He changeth our vile bodies, that they may be faſhioned according to his glorious working, whereby he is able to ſubdue all things to himſelfe, Phil. 3.21. yea, he raiſeth all, both Good, and Bad, they that have done good, to the Reſurrection of life, and they that have done evill, to the Reſurrection of damnation, Joh. 5.28, 29.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt raiſeth the Dead, Rom. 8.11. He quickneth our Mortall bodies, by the Spirit that dwelleth in us.

The Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, are equall with the Father in Power, and Majeſtie, and doe Worke together in theſe Works, which doe concerne the Church of God in generall.