The Equality of the Father Son and Holy Ghost, Book 3 · Section 4

The Equality of the Father Son and Holy Ghost · Book 3 · Section 4

p. 142The fourth Section.

CHAP. I.

The Workes of God, which doe concerne the faithfull in particular, are the Common, and eſſentiall works of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

AS the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, doe Co-work in theſe Actions of theirs, which doe concerne the Church in generall; ſo likewiſe they co-operate in thoſe workes which concerne the faithfull in particular. As namely, 1. in Election, 2. in Redemption, delivering us, Firſt, from ſinne, Secondly, from Satan, Thirdly, from the wrath to come; 3. in Juſtification, Firſt, in the remiſſion of ſins; Secondly, in the imputation of the Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt; 4. in faith, 5. in Hope, 6. in true ſaving, or ſanctified knowledge, 7. in our Union, and communion with God, 8. in Adoption, 9. in ſanctification, both in the beginning & progreſſe of it, both by drawing us to himſelfe, and quickning us, as alſo by giving and multiplying graces in us; 10. in his atteſtation, giving Teſtimony to us, we are his; 11. in ſealing us, 12. in giving us Chriſtian libertie, 13. in ſalvation, or glorification. Theſe are wrought for us, and in us, by the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

The Scriptures doe manifeſt Jeſus Chriſt, and the Holy Spirit to be God, equall with the Father, by p. 143aſcribing to them theſe Workes equally with the Father.

CHAP. II.

Election is a Worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghost.

THere is a two fold Election, Firſt there is an Election to a Miniſteriall Office, or fun…ion; thus Judas though a Devill, was choſen to be an Apoſtle, Joh. 6.70. Secondly, there is an Election to life and glory; thus Judas though choſen to be an Apoſtle, was not choſen to eternall life, Joh. 13.18. I ſpeake not of all, I know whom I have choſen. The former I have already ſhewed to be an Eſſentiall Worke of God; I ſhall endeavour to make manifeſt the latter to be a Worke common to the Trinitie.

The foundation of God ſtandeth ſure, having this ſeale, The Lord knoweth who are his, 2 Tim. 2.19. Election is there ſtilled a foundation; Firſt, in regard of the immutabilitie, and firmeneſſe of it; Secondly, becauſe it is the beginning, and firſt principall of our ſalvation, and the meanes thereof, it being built thereon. The Lord knoweth them that are his; He knoweth them, not onelyonly in ſcientia cognitionis ſed ſcientia dignationis, Pſal. 1.6. He knoweth wicked men, & all their wayes, but he will not own them, Mat. 7.23. He is aſhamed of them, Mar. 8.38. but he acknowledgeth, and rewardeth the Righteous; he paſſeth by the one, but he chooſeth the other. This Election is a Worke of one God in three Perſons.

Firſt, God the Father Electeth, Epheſ. 1.5. He chooſeth us in Chriſt, before the foundation of the World. All p. 144the Sonnes elect, are the Fathers, Joh. 17.10. His good will, and pleaſure, as it is the ground of other graces, Jam. 1.18. Epheſ. 1.14. Luk. 12.32. ſo it is of his Election of us likewiſe, Eph. 1.5, 11.

Secondly, God the Sonne Electeth, Joh. 15.19. I have choſen you out of the World, John 13.18. I know whom I have choſen, Joh. 6.64. He knew from the beginning, who believed not; and in regard of this, the faithfull are ſtiled his elect, Mat. 24.31. Mar. 13.27. All the Fathers elect are his likewiſe, Joh. 17.10. his will and good pleaſure is the ground of our eternall happyneſſe, Joh. 17.24. I will, that they whom thou haſt given me, be with thee; where though he prayeth as our Mediator, yet he willeth it as our God, equall with the Father.

Never any humble Supplicant would pray thus; I will this, or I will that. Beſides the Booke of life, in which the Names of the Elect are written, is the booke of the Lambe, Rev. 21.27.

Thirdly, God the Holy-Ghoſt electeth; the eternall Counſell of God is aſcribed to him, Iſai. 40.31. who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his Counſellour hath taught him? If the Father, or the Sonne chooſe without the Spirit, they ſhould direct him in his work: but he worketh according to his own will, and good pleaſure, for he divideth his gifts, and graces to every man, ſeverally, as he will, 1 Cor. 12.11.

Thus Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, doe Co-work in our Election.

p. 145CHAP. III.

Redemption is a work of the Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, and that firſt, in not onelyonly keeping, but alſo delivering us from the evill of ſinne.

REdemption is a Work wrought of the whole Trinity, as the firſt cauſe, and therefore, Redeemer is a Name uſually aſcribed to God, Iſai. 44.24. Iſai. 34.4. Iſai. 41.14. Iſai. 48.17. Iſai. 49.7. Iſa. 54.58. Jer. 50.43. but more immediately was the Worke wrought by Chriſt our Goel, Job. 19.25. our kinſman. The neereſt kinſman in the Leviticall Law, had power to revenge his Brothers bloud on the Murderer, out of the Citie of Refuge: and alſo to redeeme his inheritance being loſt through povertie. The Lord Jeſus, being our fleſh, Heb. 2.14. is our Goel, our Kinſman; he is the revenger on Satan, that Murderer, Joh. 8.44. and a Redeemer of a better Paradice for us, then that which Adam loſt by ſinne; he is the next and immediate principle of our Redemption, who as he was the Sonne of God, in regard of his Divinitie, became the Sonne of man, in regard of his Humanitie; for he that was the Sonne of God, became alſo the Sonne of Man; that we, which were the Sonnes of men, might be made the Sonnes of God. It ſeemed fit to the Lord, that he which was the Image of God, ſhould reſtore to man that Image, which man by ſinne had loſt. That he, which had created the world, ſhould as it were recreate it. That he ſhould take our humane nature on him on earth, & that he ſhould carry with him our humane nature into heaven; that he which was our God by creation, ſhould be our Lord by Redemption.

p. 146The firſt cauſe of our Redemption, was the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghoſt. God challengeth it as his Worke, Iſai. 44.5. Thus ſaith the Lord the King of Iſrael, and his Redeemer the Lord of Hoſts, I am the firſt, and I am the laſt, and beſides me there is no God; and Iſaiah ſheweth, Iſai. 45.11. There is no God beſides him, a juſt God and a Saviour, there is none beſides him; It is the Lord, who,

Firſt, keepeth and delivereth us from the evill of ſinne.

Secondly, comforteth againſt Satans aſſaults, and delivereth us from him.

Thirdly, and principally, he freeth us from the evill of ſinne, and of puniſhment, and delivereth us from the wrath to come.

Firſt, the Lord our Redeemer ke peth, and delivereth us from the evill of ſin, and therefore we pray in ihe Lords prayer, Lead us not into tentation, but deliver us from evill, Mat. 6.13.

Firſt, the Father keepeth us from the evill of ſinne. To this end Chriſt prayed to his Father, Joh. 17.15. I pray not that thou ſhouldeſt take them out of the World, but that thou ſhouldeſt keep them from the evill. As man, he prayed to his Father to ſupport his Diſciples with his grace, but as God, he himſelf is prayed to by his Diſciples, for grace, 2 Theſ. 2.16, 17. 2 Cor. 12.8, 9. and he doth ſupport them therewith.

Secondly, the Sonne keepeth from the evill of ſinne, Jud… 1. we are perſecuted in Chriſt Jeſus; when …aue had beſought the Lord Jeſus for grace, he received this anſwer from him; My grace is ſufficient for thee, 2 Cor. 12.8, 9. yea, ſo ſufficient was his grace to Paul, that he acknowledged, he could doe all things though Chriſt that ſtrengthened him, Phil. 4.13. This was the end that he gave himſelfe for us, to deliver us from this preſent evill p. 147world. Gal. 1.4. yea it is God our Saviour, that keepeth us from falling, and preſenteth us faultleſſe before the preſence of his glory, with exceeding joy. Jude 24.29. verſ.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt keepeth us from the evill of ſin; It is through the Spirit wee mortifie the deeds of the body, Rom. 8.13. It is he that guideth us into all truth, Joh. 16.13. It is through the Holy-Ghoſt, that any can ſay Jeſus is the Lord; and no man ſpeaking by the Spirit, can call Jeſus accurſed, 1 Cor. 12.3.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt, doth redeeme his Jſrael, the Church from all their iniquities Pſal. 130.8.

CHAP. IV.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, comfort us againſt Satans aſſaults, and deliver us from his power.

IT is God alone, that comforteth us againſt Satans aſſaults, and delivereth us from his power; he can put a hooke into the noſe of this Leviathan, and bore his jaw through with a thorne, Job. 42. He is the God of conſolation, Rom. 15.5. He it is that comforteth thoſe that are caſt down, 2 Cor. 7.6. He bringeth Satan under our feet, Rom. 16.20. And he maketh a way to all tentations, that we may be able to beare them, 1 Cor, 10.13. He cureth all thoſe wounds, which Satan maketh in the Soules of his people; neither Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, ſhall be able to ſeperate us from the love of God, that is in Chriſt, Rom. 8.39. wee are through him more then conquerers, Rom. 8.37. Firſt, a Conquerer enjoyeth the benefit of his conqueſt, but for a while; but we enjoy an everlaſting benefit in our conqueſts. Secondly, He conquereth p. 148only corporal enemies; we conquer ſpirituall. Thirdly, He overcommeth Men, we overcome Devils. Fourthly, Worldly Souldiers, ſubdue their enemies by killing; but the Lords Souldiers, overthrow all their enemies, by dying; yet it is not of our ſelves, but through him that loved us; we may ſay of our ſpirituall enemies as Jehoſhaphat ſaid of his Corporall, 2 Chr. 20.12. O God wee have no might againſt this great company, that commeth againſt us; neither know we what to doe, but our eyes are upon thee.

The comforting us againſt Satans aſſaults, and the deliverance from his power, the Scripture aſcribeth to the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

Firſt, God the Father comforteth us; The Apoſtle prayeth to him to effect this, 2 Theſſ. 2.16. and giveth thanks to him for effecting it, 2 Cor. 1, 3.4. And he delivereth us f…om the power of darkneſſe, Col. 1.13.

Secondly, God the Son comforteth us, 2 Cor. 1.5. Our conſolations abound by Chriſt, He is the conſolatio… of Iſrael, Luk. 2.25. He calleth all that are heavy laden, and promiſeth to eaſe them, Mat. 11.29. Paul therefore prayeth to him for comfort for himſelf, 1 Cor. 12.8, 9. and for the Theſſalonians, 2 Theſſ. 2.16. And in regard of the light of Grace and Conſolation he himſelfe giveth us: the Holy-Ghoſt is ſtiled, in relation to him, another comforter, Joh. 14.16. we overcome Satan by the blood of the L…b, Rev. 12.11. It is Michael and his Angels, that fight …gainſt the Dragon and his Angels, Rev. 12.7. In vain, might even the Angels fight for us, if they had not the Lord Jeſus for th…ir Captaine. Neither Angel nor man ever prevailed without Chriſt. They that fight under this head, are ſafe; thoſe th…t fight without him, cannot but periſh. It is the Lord Jeſus, who by his death, deſtroyed him that had the power of death; that is, the Devill Heb. 2.14. He ſpoyled Principalities and Powers, Col. 2.12. He p. 149is our Goel or kinſman, Job 19.25. that revenged us on Satan.

Thirdly, it is God the Holy-Ghoſt, who is a comforter to all the faithfull; he is oft by the Lord Jeſus ſtiled the Comforter, Joh. 14.16, 26. Joh. 15.26, Joh. 16.7. He it is that worketh ſpirituall joy and comforts in the hearts of the beleevers. Act. 9.31. Gal. 5.22. & by the ſword of the ſpirit, which is the word of God, we are armed againſt Satan and his adherents, Eph. 6.17. and well may the Word of God be called the ſword of the Spirit; The Spirit is the Author of it, 2 Pet. 1.21. 2 Tim. 3.16. Eph. 3.5. he made this weapon for our uſe. Secondly, the Spirit of God directeth us how to uſe this Weapon, and helpeth our infirmities, Rom. 8.26. ſo that through him the weapons of our warfare are mighty to the pulling down of ſtrong holds, 2 Cor. 1.9.

Thus Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt doe comfort us againſt the aſſaults of Satan, and deliver us from his power. For the Lord Jeſus, who was our ſurety, Heb. 7.22. gave himſelfe a ra…ſome for us, Mat. 20.28. 1 Tim. 2.6. and thereby hath ſatisfied the juſtice of God, Iſa. 53.5. 2 Cor. 5.21. 1 Joh. 2.2. the d…bt that we owed is paid by him, Iſa. 53.6. the obligation is cancelled, the hand-writing of Ordinances that was againſt us is blotted out, Col. 2.14. the Work of our redemption is thereby finiſhed, Joh. 19.30. Gods juſtice being ſatisfied we are delivered from Satan, Luk. 11.21, 22. Heb. 2.14, 15. who is but Gods Jaylor, Luk. 12.58. and who del vered us into his hand, Mat. 18.34. Till his juſtice was ſatisfied, and the debt that we owed was diſcharged by Chriſt, which being performed by him, we are redeemed out of the hands of all our enemies, Luk. 1.71.74.

p. 150CHAP. V.

3. The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghost, redeeme us from eternall deſtruction of body and ſoule.

THe Lord is eſpecially our Redeemer in delivering our ſoules from destruction, Pſal. 103.4. Zachariah bleſſeth the Lord God of Iſrael, for viſiting and redeeming his people, Luk. 1.68. which was not onelyonly the Father, or the Sonne, but the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt as I have ſhewed.

Firſt, the Father redeemeth us, he delivereth us from the power of darkneſſe, and tranſlateth us to the Kingdome of his deare Sonne, Col. 1.13.

Secondly, the Sonne redeemeth us. He is the Lambe of God that taketh away the ſinnes of the World, Joh. 1.29. that burthen of ſinne, that did lye heavie on us, he took and caried for us, Iſa. 53.4. Iſa. 53.11, 12. 1 Pet. 2.24. he is our Goel or kinſman, Joh. 19.25. which did the part of a kinſman for us, in redeeming us, and our heavenly inheritance to us, as it was figured, Levi. 25.25. and foretold, Hoſ. 13.14. he redeemed us by giving himſelfe for us, Tit. 2.14. Act. 20.28. 1 Pet. 1.18. Eph. 5.2. Iſa. 53.5, 6, 8▪ 10. Eph. 1.7. Col. 1.14. he hath waſhed us with his bloud, Rev. 1.3. Rev. 5.2. 1 Joh. 1.7. Heb. 9.14. he became our ſurety, Heb. 7.22. and gave himſ…lf a ranſome for us, Mark. 10.45. 1 Tim. 2.6. As God, he did redeeme us by his power, but as man, he purchaſed our redemption by his merits, actively fulfilling the Law for us, Rom. 5.18, 19. Heb. 7.26. 2 Cor. 5.21. and paſſive…y ſuff…ring for us the puniſhments due to the tranſgreſſours of the Law, Gal. 3.13. p. 151Rom. 3.24, 25. who as God and man, is the Saviour of his Church, Eph. 5.23. and people, Mat. 1.21. delivering us from the wrath to come, 2 Theſ. 2.10.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt redeemeth us; He is the earneſt, and ſeale of our inheritance, untill the redemption of the purch…ſ…d poſſeſſion to the praiſe of his glory, Eph. 1.13, 14. yea the Spirit promiſeth to them that overcome, that they ſhall not be hurt of the ſecond death, Rev. 2.11.

The Father, the Word, and the Spirit are equall in glory and power, and are one, and the ſame firſt cauſe of our Redemptio…, which was inchoatively the worke of the Trinity; Although terminatively it was perfected and conſummated by the Sonne of God, to whoſe Perſon humane N…ture was united, Joh. 1.14. So that two whole, perfect, and diſtinct Natures, the God-head, and the Man-hood were joyned together in one Perſon eſpecially without either Converſion, Compoſition, or confuſion of either, which though he had two Natures, yet he is but one Chriſt, God and man, the onelyonly Mediatour between God and us. 1 Tim. 2.5. and is the next and immediate principle of our Redemption, and he as our high Prieſt once offered up himſelfe, Heb. 7.27. for our ſinnes, Heb. 10.12. as a Lambe without blemiſh and without ſpot, 1 Pet. 1.19.

CHAP. VI.

Juſtification is a Worke of the Father and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt, and that, firſt, in regard of the remiſſion of our ſinnes, or healing of our ſoule-ſickneſſe.

JUſtification hath two parts, (which as Tilenus obſerveth) differ not eſſentially, but rationally, Rom. 4.6. p. 152There is, firſt, a remiſſion of ſinnes, or healing of our ſoules; ſecondly, an imputation of the righteouſneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt.

Firſt, the Lord alone forgiveth ſinnes. He alone is the Phyſician that can cure all the maladies of our ſinſick ſouls; he challengeth this as his owne prerogative, I, even I, … he tha… b…o…teth out thy tranſgreſſion… for mine owne ſake, and will not remember thy ſinnes, Eſa. 43.25. Sinne is onelyonly committed againſt God, Pſal. 51.5. Hee onelyonly therefore can remit it. And ſurely when he hath remitt…d it, who can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? …or it is God that juſtifieth; who ſhall condemne? it is Chriſt that dyed, Rom. 8.33, 34. The words the Apoſtle uſeth are remarkable, foreign, to call into court, Satan may wranglingly diſpute againſt thy ſoul, thy conſcience may erroneouſly accuſe thee, the Law … produce cancelled Bills againſt thee, but none of theſe ſhall hurt thee, that hath an intereſt in Chriſt, who hath ſatisfied Gods juſtice for thee. And therefore, Secondly, the Apoſtle oppoſeth the death of Chriſt, by way of challenge to whatſoever Sinne, Satan, Juſtice, or Law can object; when he ſaith not, Who ſhall accuſe? (for we may have accuſers enough) but Who ſhall cond…mn? it is Chriſt that died. The Pſalmiſt may well conclude him to be bleſſed, to whom the Lord imputeth no ſinne, Pſal. 32.2. If the Scribes and Phariſees had not maliciouſly erred in the perſon, they had concluded well in the thing, None can fo give ſinnes but God onelyonly, Marke 2.7. Luke 5.21. For if man could do this, then he could br… g a cleane thing out of an uncleane, which none can do, Jo… 14.4. but God onelyonly. He alone can heale our back-ſlidings, Hoſ. 14.4. which is nothing elſe, but a forgiveneſſe of ſinnes; Marke calleth that a forgiving of ſinnes, Marke 4.12. which ſay and Paul do call a healing of them, Eſay 6.10. Act. 28.25, 27. And ſurely p. 153forgiveneſſe of ſins, or healing of the ſoule, is a worke of God, Eſay 44.22. Pſal. 103.3. 2 Chron. 30.20. Pſal. 147.3. Pſal. 41.5. wrought by the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

Firſt, the Father forgiveth ſins, Matth. 6.14. Marke 11.25. If ye forgive men their treſpaſſes, your heavenly Father will alſo forgive you. And thus Chriſt as man prayed to his Father for his Enemies, Father, forgive them they know not what they do, Luke 23.34. Moreover, healing the ſoule is the worke of the Father, Eſa. 6.10. with Mat. 13.15. for he ſent Eſaiah, Eſa. 48.16. as I have ſhewed.

Secondly, the Son forgiveth ſinnes; ſo he ſaith to Mary, Luke 7.48. Thy ſinnes be forgiven thee; and ſo likewiſe he told the ſick of the Palſie, Marke 2. Luke 5.20. Matth. 9.6. And this he did to manifeſt his power, Marke 2.10. That they might know the Son of man had power on earth to forgive ſinnes. Where the Lord Jeſus manifeſted his divine power, in healing corporally the ſickneſſe of the body, and curing ſpiritually the infirmities of the ſoule. He cauſed the filthy Garments to be taken away from the holy Prieſt, and he ſaid, Behold, I have cauſed thine iniquities to paſſe from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment, Zach. 3.4. he tooke away his ſin, and clothed him with his righteouſneſſe. And ſurely this is an unqueſtionable truth in the Apoſtles judgement, and therefore he ſaith, Col. 3.13. As Chriſt forgave you, ſo alſo do ye. This healing of the ſoul is a worke of Chriſt, Joh, 12.40. Luke 4.18. He as God healeth by the power of his Deity, but as man by the merit of his paſſion, Eſa. 53.5. his blood being a Soveraigne balme to cure our ſin-wounded ſoule, yea Eſa. 43.25. I, even I am he, that blot out thy tranſgreſſions for mine owne ſake. He it is that forgiveth, who was made to ſerve with our ſinnes, which was Chriſt, who took p. 154on him the form… of a ſervant, Philippians 2.6.

Secondly, he who forgiveth, forgiveth ſins for his owne ſake, but our ſinnes are forgiven in …hriſt; it is his blood w…ſheth them away, 1 John 1.7. Rev. 1.5. Heb. 9.14. Acts 20.28. Eph. 5.2.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt forg…veth ſins, Heb. 10.15.17. The Holy Ghoſt, that made a Covenant with Iſrael (as I have ſhewed) promiſeth them to forgive their ſins. The Holy-Ghoſt alſo commanded legall ſacrifices, Heb. 9.8. whereby attonement was made for ſinne; yea becauſe the Holy-Ghoſt doth apply and diſtribute remiſſion of ſins, whi…h is obtained by the blood of Chriſt. Therefore when as our Saviour entruſteth his Diſciples with the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven miniſterially to binde or looſe, he firſt ſaith, Receive the Holy-Ghoſt, John 20.22. manifeſting thereby, that it was the Holy-Ghoſt who did remit ſins by them. It is the Spirit who promiſeth to give to them that overcome, a white ſtone, Rev. 2.17. The Holy-Ghoſt alludeth to the cuſtome of the Gentiles, to whom he wrote; which uſed theſe ſtones in judicature. If the Judge gave a white ſtone, it was a token of abſolution; but if it were a black ſtone, it was a ſigne of condemnation. The Spirit promiſeth to give abſolution, or pardon of ſin, or freedome from condemnation, to them that overcome. Moreover, healing of the ſoule is a worke of the Holy-Ghoſt, ſo Paul manifeſteth, Acts 28.25, 27. And I ſhould heale them (ſaith the Holy-Ghoſt there.)

The Father, the Son, and Holy Ghoſt, are equall in Power, Majeſty, and Glory. and do co-worke in forgiving of ſins, and healing of the ſoule of the believer.

p. 155CHAP. VII.

2. The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, do co-worke in imputing of Chriſts Righteouſneſſe.

ANd as not imputing our ſinnes, is a worke of God, 2 Cor. 5.19. ſo the imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſſe to the believer, is his worke likewiſe.

Though we have not a righteouſneſſe of our owne, yet the Lord giveth us a righteouſneſſe of his own, Rom. 10.3. which is anſwerable to his juſtice, and what man or Angell is able to reſiſt it? He juſtifieth, who ſhall condemn? Rom. 8.33. It is one God that juſtifieth the circumciſed Jew by faith, and the uncircumciſed Gentile through faith, Rom. 3.30. Yet this one God is diſtinguiſhed into three perſons, who do co-operate in this great work of juſtifying man through faith, by the imputative righteouſneſſe of Chriſt: which word imputed, though divided by Papiſts, yet is eight times uſed by the Apoſtle in one chapter, Rom. 4.6, 8, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24.

Firſt, The Father juſtifieth us not onelyonly by pardoning of ſin, but by imputing of Chriſts righteouſneſſe which the Apoſtle calleth the righteouſneſſe of God, Rom. 10, 3. And that, firſt, becauſe it is it, which God imputeth for righteouſneſſe to us: ſecondly, becauſe it is that which God accounteth for righteouſneſſe in us: thirdly, becauſe it is that righteouſneſſe which J…ſus Chriſt, who is God over all, bl…ſſed for ever, Rom. 9.5. hath wrought for us. Thus the Father, who raiſed Chriſt from the dead, Gal. 1.1. 1 Theſ. 1.10. imputeth this righteouſneſſe to us, Rom. 4.24.

Secondly, the Sonne juſtifieth us. By his knowledge p. 156(ſaith Eſay) ſhall he juſtifie many, Eſa. 53.11. He it is that maketh a reconciliation for ſinne, and bringeth in everlaſting righteouſneſſe, Dan. 9.24. But more cleerly doth the Apoſtle ſhew this truth, 1 Cor. 6.11. Ye are juſtified in the Name of the Lord Jeſus. This righteouſneſſe of ours by faith, Peter calleth the righteouſneſſe of God, and of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Pet. 1.1. Not as if the Apoſtle ſpake of two diſtinct perſons, there being but one Article in the Originall, and therefore there cannot be two diſtinct perſons deſcribed thereby. Yea our Lord Jeſus promiſeth to them that overcome, to clothe them in white raiment, Rev. 3.5.

Thirdly, The Holy Ghoſt juſtifieth us; Ye are juſtified in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6.11.

Thus the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt, who are one God, are alſo one and the ſame efficient cauſe of our juſtification, both in forgiving of ſinnes, and in imputing the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt through faith, which is the inſtrument of our juſtification, and is alſo the worke of God, John 6.29.

CHAP. VIII.

Faith is the worke of the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

FAith is the inſtrument, by which we are juſtified, that is, the hand by which we lay hold on the Lord Jeſus, and his righteouſneſſe, and apply it alſo to our ſoules. Yet faith is a Gift of God, Eph. 2.8. It is his worke to purifie our hearts by faith, Acts 15.9. Yea it is a worke of God, wherein he exerciſed the ſame exceeding greatneſſe of …is power, in effecting it, that he uſed p. 157in raiſing Chriſt from the dead, Eph. 1.19, 20. It being as great a worke to worke faith in the heart of an unbeleever, who is ſpiritually dead, as it was to raiſe Chriſt from the grave, when as he was corporally dead.

This being alſo an eſſentiall worke of God, common to the Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, undividably to effect.

Firſt, the Father worketh faith in us; the Apoſtle prayeth to him for it, Eph. 6.23.

Secondly, the Sonne worketh faith in us; the Apoſtle prayeth to him for it, Eph. 6.23. and the Diſciples of him the increaſe thereof, Luke 17.5. And ſo likewiſe doth the father of the Lunatick, Mark. 9.24. By him do we believe in God, 1 Pet. 1.21.

Thirdly, The Holy-Ghoſt worketh faith in us, Cor. 12.9. It is a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. And we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteouſneſſe by faith, Gal. 5.5.

Thus the mighty worke of faith is wrought in us by God, who is diſtinguiſhed into Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, which do unſeparably, undividably, and unconfuſedly worke this grace in our hearts, in their perſonall order, making us to believe, and hope in God.

CHAP. IX.

Hope is the Worke of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

HOpe is the Worke of God alone; it is the God of hope that muſt fill us with hope, Rom. 15.3. He is the God of hope, firſt, objecttive, our hope is to be placed on him: Secondly, effective; our hope firſt is p. 158wrought by him onelyonly: Secondly, He it is likewiſe that cheriſheth this hope in us; Paul therefore prayeth to him for the increaſe thereof, Rom. 13.13.

The working of hope in our ſoules, the Scripture aſcribeth to the Father, to the Sonne, and to the Holy-Ghoſt.

Firſt, the Father worketh hope in us; Paul acknowledgeth it, 2 Theſſ. 2.16. and Peter bleſſeth the Father for begetting us againe to a lively hope, 1 Pet. 1.3. He ſtabliſheth our hearts, and giveth us everlaſting conſolation, and good hope through grace, 2 Theſſ. 2.16, 17.

Secondly, the Sonne worketh hope in us; ſo the Apoſtle acknowledgeth; and he prayeth to him for the Theſſalonians; firſt, that he would eſtabliſh them, and give them everlaſting conſolation, and good hope through grace, 2 Theſſ. 2.16, 17.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt worketh hope in us, Rom. 5.5. We abound in hope, through the power of the Holy-Ghoſt, Rom. 13.13. We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteouſneſſe, which is by faith, Gal. 5.5. He it is that giveth us conſolation and comfort, Act. 9.29.

The Father, the Word, and the Spirit, do undividably co-operate in working hope in our hearts, though there be a diſtinct and perſonall order obſerved by them, in working this and all other graces in our ſoules.

p. 159CHAP. X.

True ſaving or ſanctifying knowledge, is a Worke of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-Ghoſt,

NOt onelyonly outward illumination, which God doth ſometime beſtow on wicked men, is a worke of the Lord, (as I have ſhewed) but alſo that knowledge which accompanieth juſtifying faith, and is proper onelyonly to the Elect is a worke of God, and is proper to him alone to effect, Exod. 4.11. Man alone cannot effect it. Ariſtotle, a man of the deepeſt reach that antiquity ever bread, amongſt the many books he wrote, and are in part extant, how little did he write of God; and how uncomfortably did he die in the midſt of all his knowledge? Anxius vixi dubius morior, neſcio, quo vado. Bois on 1 John 5.6. I have lived waveringly, I dye doubtfully; I know not whether I go. With all his wiſdome, and with all his experience, he could not give any true and proper knowledge, but onelyonly that which is falſely ſo called, 1 Tim. 6.20. Thoſe things never entered into the heart of man, which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2.8, 9. Angels knew not the myſteries of Chriſt, till it was revealed by God to his Church, Eph. 3.10. 1 Pet. 1.12. They did not teach the Church this wiſdome, but by the Church this wiſdome of God is knowne unto them, Eph. 3.8, 9, 10. God alone is the teacher thereof, Eſa. 54.13. He openeth the heart to receive it, Act. 16.14. He covenanteth with his Church to write his Law in their hearts, Heb. 8.10. Yea the Scripture calleth it, the giving of a new heart, Ezek. 36.26. Ezek. 11.19. a worke that God alone can effect.

p. 160Firſt, the Father giveth us this knowledge, the faithfull learne it of him, John 6.45. Peters holy confeſſion of Chriſt, was a worke wrought in him by the Father, Matth. 16.17. and Paul prayeth to him for this grace on the Epheſians, Eph. 1.17. and acknowledgeth he receiveth it from him, Gal. 1.16. And Chriſt giveth thanks to his Father, for hiding it from the prudent, and revealing it to babe…, Mat. 11.25. Luke 10.21.

Secondly, the Sonne gives us this as well as other graces, Eph. 4.8. He declareth God to us, John 1.18. Paul, though brought up at Gamaliels feet, and taught according to the perfect manner of the Law of the Fathers, Acts 22.3. yet knew not the Goſpell, but by the revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, Gal. 1.12. He is she light of the world, John 3.19. John 12.46. He giveth light to the faithfull, Eph. 5.14. John 1.9. Luke 2.32. He revealeth the knowledge of God to us, Mat. 11.27. Luke 10.22. He openeth the underſtanding, …uke 24.45 He giveth us understanding, that we may know him that is true, 1 Joh. 5.20. He teacheth us, Eph. 4.21, 22.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt giveth us this knowledge, 1 Cor. 12.8. Neh. 9.20. he is therefore ſtiled the ſpirit of knowledge, and of the feare of the Lord, Eſa. 11.2. God revealeth the hidden myſteries of our ſalvation by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.10, 11. neither can w… know them without him, 1 Cor. 2.12. He teacheth all things, Joh. 14.26. 1 John 2.27.

We muſt learne of God, what we muſt think of him. It is a vaine labour to ſeeke for any knowledge of him, without him; who is no otherwiſe known of us, but as he revealeth himſelf to us; which revelation of himſelf, is a worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

p. 161CHAP. XI.

The Union that is between God and us, is a worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

THere is a neere Union between the Lord and every beleever: The Lord is his Churches portion, Pſal. 142.5. Pſal 73.26. Jer. 51.19. Jer. 10.16. Lam. 3.24. And the Church is Gods portion, Jer. 12.10. Deut. 32.9.

By faith which the Lord worketh in our ſouls, and by his Spirit, which he ſendeth forth into our hearts, Gal. 4.6. we are united to him, 2 Pet. 1.4. we have communion with him, 1 John 1.3. and he dwelleth in us, 1 John 4, 12. and we in him, 1 John 4.13.

Firſt, the Father uniteth us to himſelfe, John 17.21. And ſecondly, we have fellowſhip and communion with him, 1 John 1.3. And thirdly, in regard of this communion, he dwelleth in us, John 14.23. and we in him, 1 Theſſ. 11. 2 Theſſ. 1.1.

Secondly, the Son uniteth us to himſelf, John 17.21. Secondly, we have communion and fellowſhip with him, 1 John 1.3. And in regard of this communion, thirdly, he dwelleth in us, for ſo he promiſeth, Zach. 2.10. John 14.23. and that he performeth by reſiding in the hearts of all believers, Eph. 3.17. Col. 1.27. John 6.56. 2 Cor. 13.5. And we likewiſe are in him, 2 Cor. 5.17. 1 Theſſ. 1.1. 2 Theſſ. 1.1. Phil. 1.1. Eph. 1.1. Rom. 16.7. John 6.56.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt uniteth us to himſelfe, 1 Cor. 6.17. Secondly, we have communion and fellowſhip with him, 2 Cor. 13. laſt. Phil. 2.1. And in r…gard of this communion, thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt dwelleth p. 162in us, 2 Tim. 1.14. Rom. 8.9, 11. 1 Cor. 13.16. 1 Cor. 6.19. Jam. 4.5. 1 Pet. 4.14. And we are in him, Jude 20. 1 Cor. 12.3. Gal. 5.16. Gal. 5.26.

Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, are the husbands of the Church, in the plurall number, Eſa. 54.5. and yet but one Lord, for ſo it followeth, The Lord of Hoſts is his Name.

Oh the ſoule-raviſhing eſtate of the beleever, who hath God ſo neerely united to him, and hath ſuch a ſweet communion b…tweene the Lord and his ſoule, that God dwelleth in him, and he through Chriſt in him. And there is no wonder, that the Lord beſtoweth this, and all other mercies on his ſoule, when as it pleaſeth him to adopt him to himſelfe, to be his ſonne, which alſo is a worke of God.

CHAP. XII.

Adoption is a worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

ADoption is a work proper to God: He alone adopteth children to himſelfe; who both can, and will, and alſo doth make them Heires of God, even joynt Heires with Chriſt in Glory, Rom. 8.17. Which grace of adoption is the undivided worke of one God in three Perſons; who as he is our Father, ſo we are his children by adoption, who of his owne will begat us, Jam. 1.18. we being begotten by counſell, and not by nature. …or ſo the Lord Jeſus is the onelyonly begotten Son of the Father, …oh. 3.16, 18. Joh. 1.14, 18. 1 Joh. 4.9. the Father being his proper Father, Joh. 5.18, and he his proper Sonne, Rom. 8.32.

Firſt, the Father adopteth us. He hath predeſtinated p. 163us to the adoption of children by Chriſt, Eph. 1.5. It is our everlaſting happineſſe, that we are ſo neerly admitted into the preſence of God, that his onelyonly Sonne ſtandeth betwixt us and him; and that the Lord Jeſus calleth us his brethren, Heb. 2.11. by the Fathers choice of us in him.

Secondly, the Sonne adopteth us: As many as received him, he gave power to become the Sonnes of God, even to them as believe in his name, John 1.12.

Thirdly, The Holy-Ghoſt adopteth us; and therefore he is called the Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8.15. He it is that maketh us children of God, Rom. 8.14. As many as are led by the Spirit nf God, they are the Sonnes of God. The Spirit leading us, as a Father leadeth his childe.

Adoption therefore is a worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt, being ſtiled our Father, as in the Lords Prayer; where the name Father is not taken perſonally, but eſſentially; namely, for one God diſtinguiſhed into three perſons. And ſurely the Sonne and the Holy-Ghoſt have this Name Father aſcribed to them in Scripture (as I have ſhewed) and they are with the firſt Perſon, a Father to us, not onelyonly in regard of Adoption, but alſo in regard of Regeneration or Sanctification; as I ſhall ſhew.

CHAP. XIII.

Sanctification is a worke of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

SAnctification, which in Scripture is ſometimes called Regeneration, Renovation, Converſion, Repentance, New Life, New obedience, &c. is the Worke of God, p. 164Joh. 1.13. If to create man be in the power of God alone; then ſurely to re-create him, is in his power onelyonly. For the former is called the worke of Gods fingers, Pſal. 8. but the latter is aſcribed to the ſtrength of hi… armes, Luke 1. And ſurely none is able to repaire the depravations of nature, but the God of nature. He it is that taketh from us our hearts of ſtone, and giveth unto us an heart of fleſh, Ezek. 11.19. Ezek. 36 26. The Lord challengeth it as his worke, I am the Lord that ſanctifie you, Levit. 20.8. Paul prayeth to God to effect this grace throughly in the Theſſalonians, 1 Th…ſſ. 5.23. He giveth men repentance, 2 Tim. 2.25. He quickneth thoſe thae are dead in treſpaſſes, and in ſinnes, Eph. 2.1, 5. He bringeth to the birth, and he bringeth forth, Eſa. 66.9. He ſaith to them which lye weltring in the blood of their naturall uncl…anneſſe, Live, Ez k. 16.

Secondly, they that are ſanctified, are the children of God, Joh. 1.12, 13. borne of the Spirit, John 3.5. and borne of God, 1 Joh. 3.9.

Although the Scripture uſually aſcribeth ſanctification to the Holy-Ghoſt who doth peculiarly terminate this worke; yet it is not to exclud… the Father, and the Sonne from it.

Firſt, the Father ſanctifieth us, Joh. 17.17. The Lord Jeſus prayeth to his Father to ſanctifie his Diſciples, no… onelyonly to the office of an Apoſtleſhip, but to a fuller me ſure of grace, as 1 Theſſ. 5.23. The Father begette…h us ag…ine to a lively hope, 1 Pet 1.3. He maketh us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1.12. which is done by ſanctification: For without holi…eſſe no man ſhall ſee God, Heb. 12.14. The Lord will have none to dwell with him in happineſſe, which will not h ve him to dwell with them in holineſſe. Yea Jude …leerly manifeſteth, Jude 1. that we are ſanctsfied by God the Father

p. 165Secondly, The Sonne ſanctifieth us: If he waſh not us, we have no part in him, Joh. 13.8. we are ſanctified in him, 1 Cor. 6.11. 1 Cor. 1.2. He ſanctifieth and cleanſeth his Church, Eph. 5.26. Mal. 3.2. He is to them as a refiners fire to try them, and not as a conſuming fire to d…ſtroy them. He purifieth to himſelf a peculiar people zealous of good workes, Tit. 2.14. they being a peculiar people to him, muſt yeeld peculiar obedience to him. He preſenteth us holy and blameleſſe, Col. 1.22. He that ſanctifieth (ſaith the Apoſtle) Heb. 2.11. and they that are ſanctified, are all of one; for which cauſe he is not aſhamed to call them brethren. The Lord Jeſus ſanctifieth us two wayes: Firſt, as God equall with the Father; ſo he ſanctifieth by the power of his Deity, even by faith in him, Acts 26.18. Secondly, as he is God and man, our Redeemer, ſo he ſanctifieth us by the merits of his humanity, Heb. 9.9, 10, 14. Heb. 10.10. waſhing us with his blood, 1 Joh. 1.7. Rev. 1.5.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſanctifieth us, 1 Peter 1.2. 2 Theſſ. 2.13. 1 Cor. 6.11. Rom. 15.16. For which cauſe all the graces in us are called the fruits of the Spirit, Eph. 5.9. Gal. 5.22. we are borne againe of the Spirit, John 3.6, 8. For as Chriſt the head was conceived by the Holy Ghoſt, Matth 1.18. ſo the myſticall Body of Chriſt is regenerated and borne againe of the Spirit, Joh. 3.5. and renewed of the Holy-Ghoſt, Tit. 3.5. We are changed into the Image of the Lord by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.18. who is the Spirit of holineſſe, Rom. 1.4. who is holy in himſelfe, and alſo worketh holineſſe in us, gradually cleanſing us from all impurity. Things are purified two wayes from naturall corruptions; firſt by fire; ſecondly, by water. And thus in the Leviticall Law, things legally uncleane, were l… gally purified, Num. 21.33. And ſurely the Holy-Ghoſt in regard of his cleanſing us from ſpirituall corruptions, p. 166is uſually compared to theſe two Elements; firſt to fire, as Mark. 9.49. Matth. 3.11. Secondly, to water, as Eze. 36.25. with 27. 1 Cor. 6.11. Eſa. 44.3. Joel. 2.28.

Sanctification is thetefore an eſſentiall worke of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-Ghoſt, which is ſignified to us in our Baptiſme being baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt, Mat. 28.19. We are waſhed therefore, and cleanſed from ſinne, by the joynt, yet undivided worke of the three perſons of one Eſſence; who are not divided in working, as they are not divided in nature; but are one God in nature, and in working, as will appeare in the particular effects and fruits of ſanctification; ſome whereof I have already treated of. It now remaineth, that I further manifeſt how the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghoſt, do co-operate, both in the beginning progreſſe, and full perfecting this worke in us; ſhewing how that they do draw us, and quicken us, and increaſe grace already wrought in us.

CHAP. XIIII.

The Father, the Word, and the Spirit, doe draw us.

THe Scripture ſetteth forth our unwillingneſſe in the firſt act of our converſion two wayes, by two ſeverall ſorts of Metaphors: Firſt, by comparing us to an unwilling creature, that will not follow, but it muſt be drawne. Secondly, by comparing us to a dead creature, that cannot follow, unleſſe it be made alive. Fi…ſt, God draweth & leadeth us to himſelf: he drew the Iſraelites with the cords of love, with the bands of a man, p. 167Hoſ. 11.4. God of us men, that are unwilling by nature, doth make us willing through grace, powerfully inclining our wills and affections to follow himſelfe; we having without him no ſufficiency of our ſelves, 2 Cor. 3.5. 1 Cor. 4.7.

This worke is equally wrought, both by

Firſt, God the Father, who draweth us to Chriſt, for ſo the Lord Jeſus witneſſeth, John 65 44. No man can come to me, except the Father that ſent me, draw him, And ſurely when the Father hath drawn us into Chriſts hands, it is not all the powers of the Prince of darkeneſſe ſhall draw us back, Mat. 16.18. Joh. 10.29. It is a gift given to us of the Father, that we have any power to do good, Joh. 6.65. Jam. 1.17.

Secondly, God the Sonne, who draweth us to himſelfe; ſo he promiſeth, John 12.30. When he is lifted up from the earth, he will draw all men to him; and thus the Church deſireth of Chriſt, Cant. 1.3. Draw me, and we will run after thee. And no wonder, for without him we can do nothing, Joh. 15.4, 5. it is from him wee have power to do good, Phil. 413. he it is that ſtrengthneth us with his grace, that all the principalities and powers of the Prince of darkeneſſe, ſhall never pluck us away, or draw us back from him, Joh. 10.28.

Thirdly, God the Holy-Ghoſt, who draweth us, Jer. 31.3. who in the ſame chapter (as I have ſhewed out of the 31. verſe, with Heb. 10.15, 16.) maketh a Covenant with us. He it is that the children of God are led by, Rom. 8.14. even as blinde and impotent perſons by a guide. We cannot confeſſe Jeſus to be the Lord without him, 1 Cor. 12.3.

Through Chriſt we have an acceſſe by one ſpirit unto the Father, Eph. 2.18. Loe all the three Perſons deſcribed by the Apoſtle, in working this worke: The Father, to whom we have acceſſe; the Sonne, as the way, p. 168Joh. 14.6. through whom we have acceſſe, and the Holy-Ghoſt in whom we have acceſſe, as our guide and Conductor.

There is there diſtinct and Perſonall order of working, in which they worke as they are three diſtinct Perſons, whoſe Power and Eſſence is one, as their work is one; In reſpect therefore of the Eſſence, there may be ſaid to be one common operation, but in reſpect of the diſtinction of Perſons, there is a diſtinct manner of working,

CHAP. XV.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, doe quicken us.

THe Lord quickneth us with his grace, who were dead in treſ…aſſes and ſinnes, Eph. 5.1, 5. 1 Tim. 5.6. Mat. 8.22. It is a Work of one God in three Perſons to give not onelyonly corporall life, 2 Kin. 5.7. but alſo ſpirituall life, Hoſ. 6.1, 2.

Firſt the Father quickneth whom he will, Joh. 5.21.

Secondly, the Sonne quickneth whom he will, Joh. 5.21.

Thirdly the Holy-Ghoſt quickneth, Joh. 6.63. Rom. 8.11. and it is whom he will, he quickneth; For he di…eth his Gra es ſeverally as he will, 1 Cor. 12.8, 11.

This mighty Work of quickning thoſe that were dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, is wrought by the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, who doe co-operate and yet are one and the ſame efficient cauſe (as they are one God) of that ſpirituall life which the children of God live by.

p. 169CHAP. XVI.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt, doe give Grace to us, and multiply Grace on us.

THe Lord doth not onelyonly give Grace to us, but he alſo increaſeth his gifts, and multiplyeth his graces on us. He is the God of peace, that ſanctifieth us throughout, 1 Theſ. 5.23. he doth begin good in us, he do…h perfect it, he doth finiſh it, Phil. 1.6. Phil. 2.13.

This is an eſſentiall worke of God, and is common to the Father, to the Sonne, and to the Holy-Ghoſt.

Firſt, the Father giveth us Grace and Peace; For this cauſe the Apoſtles pray to him for it, Eph. 1.2. Col. 1.2. Phil. 1.2. Rom. 1.7. Rev. 1.4. and he multiplieth his Graces, he gives us, Jude ver. 2.

Secondly, the Sonne giveth us Grace, and Peace; For this cauſe the Apoſtles pray to him for it, Col. 1.2. Eph. 1.2. 1 Theſ. 1.1. Rev. 1.4, 5. and he multiplyeth thoſe Graces he giveth us, 2 Pet. 1, 2. Jude ver. 2.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt giveth us Grace and peace; The Apoſtle for this cauſe prayeth to him for it, Rev. 1.4. who though one, Eph. 2.18. 2 Cor. 11.4. 1 Cor. 12.4. yet is he called the ſeven Spirits; Firſt, in regard of his manifold Gifts and operations to all Churches; Secondly, in regard of particular relation that he had to theſe ſeven Churches, to whom John wrote; Thirdly, he deſcribeth him, as he ſaw him in the Viſion, who is after deſcribed of John, as ſeen of him in the forme of ſeven lights, Rev. 4.5. Secondly, he multiplyeth the graces he giveth us, ſtrengthening us with might in the Inner man, Eph. 3.16.

p. 170It is the undivided Work of one God in three Perſons to give grace, and to multiply on the Church thoſe graces he hath given it, cauſing it to increaſe with the increaſe of God, as Paul ſpeaketh, Col. 2.19.

CHAP. XVII.

The Father, the Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt doe give Teſtimony to us, aſſuring us we are the Lords.

THe Lord doth not onelyonly give Grace to us, and increaſe the Graces he hath wrought in us, 1 Theſ, 5.24. Phil. 1.6. but alſo witneſſeth to our ſoules the ſincerity of theſe graces, he worketh in us, and teſtifieth in our hearts his ſalvation he hath wrought in Chriſt for us; for ſurely, he that alone made the heart, he that alone ſearcheth the heart, he that alone worketh grace in the heart, can alone teſtifie unto the heart with comfort, Act. 15.8. the truth of thoſe ſoule-ſatiſfying graces that he hath wrought in us, whenas by faith he purifyeth the heart, Act. 15.9. The comfortable atteſtation of theſe graces therefore in our hearts, is a worke of the Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, who (as I have already ſhewed, made the heart, know the heart, and worke grace in the heart, and doe worke in witneſſe-bearing to our hearts, of the truth of thoſe ſoule-comforting graces, that are therein.)

Firſt the Father witneſſeth it to us; he ſendeth forth his Spirit into our hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father, Gal. 4.6.

Secondly, the Sonne witneſſeth it to us; he is the true and faithfull witneſſe, Rev. 3.16. Rev. 1.5. he witneſſeth in us our ſalvation, 1 Cor. 1.6. and teſtifyeth to us the comfort that are in his word.

p. 171Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt witneſſeth it to us; he beareth witneſſe with our ſpirits, that we a…e the Children of God, Rom. 8.16.

There is three that beare record in heaven, (which doe not onelyonly teſtifie Chriſt to be the Meſſiah, or Saviour of the world, but alſo to be our Meſſiah, and Saviour) the Father, the Word, and the Holy-Ghoſt, and theſe three are one, 1 Joh. 5.7. one God, one witneſſe. Yea, our Saviour Chriſt ſpeaketh of this teſtimony plurally, Joh. 3.11. we ſpeake that we doe know, and teſtifie that we have ſeene, and ye receive not our witneſſe,; a place not to be paralelld in the Evangeliſts, where our Saviour ſpeaketh plurally: not in the name of John Baptiſt, or the Prophets; (for their authority could no way adde to his, neither did he receive teſtimony from man, Joh. 5.34. where he ſpake it moſt peculiarly in regard of John, Joh. 5.33.) but he ſpake in his Fathers name, and alſo in the Holy Spirits name, whoſe teſtimony and authority he oft urged, Joh. 5.32. Joh. 8.18. Luk. 4.18, 19. and ſurely if Angel, or Archangel, or any Creature in heaven or in earth, ſhould onelyonly witneſſe our ſalvation to …s in Chriſt, we might then doubt; but why ſhould we doubt, when the Lord himſelfe witneſſeth it? Firſt by word, calling us in Scriptures his Children; Secondly, by deeds, working in us grace, which are the fruits of his ſpirit, Gal. 5.22. and Thirdly, by ſeale, (as I ſhall now ſhew ratifying it to our ſoules, Eph. 1.13.

p. 172CHAP. XVIII.

Sealing of us is a Worke of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt

FIrſt, ſealing is a note of appropriation; we worke that which is our own, and that which we have confirmed and ſealed, we doe account it our own, now theſe whom the Lord chooſeth to himſelfe, he ſealeth The Lord knoweth who are his, having this ſeale, 2 Tim; 2.9.

Secondly, ſealing is a ſigne of diſtinction; Lawyers cauſe ſeales to be put to Evidences, Merchants ſet markes on their wares, and Shepheards have brands for their ſheep to know and diſtinguiſh them. Thus Chriſt in a peculiar manner is ſealed of God the Father, Joh 6.27. and all the Elect are ſeal…d in him, Eph. 1.4.

Thirdly, ſealing is a worke of conforming; There is a likeneſſe of the ſeale imprinted on the thing ſealed; and ſurely when the childe of God is ſealed of God, there is then an Image of God wrought on his ſoule.

God therefore ſealeth us; Firſt to appropriate us as his own; Secondly, to diſtinguiſh us from others; Thirdly, to conforme us to his own Image; which worke of ſealing us is wrought by one God in three Perſons.

Firſt, God the Father ſealeth us; ſo the Apoſtle ſheweth, Eph. 1.13. 2 Cor. 1.22.

Secondly, the Sonne ſealeth us, Ezek. 9.3, 4. He is the Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. that hath the ſeale p. 173of the living God, Rev. 7.2. who though an Angel by name yet is he not an Angel, but a Sonne by nature, Heb, 2.16. Heb. 1.3. to 13. where the Apoſtle diſtinguiſheth the creating Sonne from the created Angels, plainly proving the Sonne to be the Creatour, but Angels to be but creatures.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſealeth us; Grieve not the Holy ſpirit of God, by which we are ſealed to the day of redemption, Eph. 4.30. where the Apoſtle meeteth with two contrary errours, Firſt, the Righteous after their calling may fall into ſinne, and ſo grieve the ſpirit God, yet, Secondly, they cannot fall totally and finally, for they are ſealed by the ſpirit of God to the day of redemption.

Sealing of us therefore is the Worke of one God, who is one in Power, Will, and Operation, who ſealeth his Children in their hearts, confirming them thereby to his own Image; and alſo ſealing them in their foreheads; imboldening them to profeſſe him. By the former he maketh us to love him, by the latter he cauſeth us to acknowledge him.

CHAP. XIX.

Chriſtian Libertie is a Worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

BEing Redeemed, Juſtified, Adopted, and Sanctified, and ſealed by God, we have the glorious Liberty of the children of God; We that were Bondmen by nature, Tit. 3.3. Eph. 2.2, 3. become the Lords freemen through gtace, 1 Cor. 7.22, Lawyers tell us, that if any Lord of a Mannor doe contract with his Villain, … is by that Act of his Lords d…liv… from his moſt p. 174ſlaviſh tenure of Villenage, and made free thereby; ſurely, the Lord our God condeſcending ſo low, as to covenant with us in Chriſt, he doth thereby free us from that ſlaviſh tenure we held by ſince Adams fall, and maketh us therewith free Denizens of Heaven, fellow-Citizens of the Saints, and of the houſhold of God, Eph. 2.19. we are freed from ſinne, Rom. 6.22. Rom. 6.14. Rom. 8.33. we are ſet at libertie from Satan, Heb. 2.14, 15. Luk. 11.21, 22. from the Law, Rom. 7.3, 6. Gal. 5.18. Rom. 6.18. from it's curſes and maledictions, Gal. 3.13. from it's condemnation, Rom. 8.1. and from its rigour, Gal. 3.10. there was Perſonall, Univerſall, Actuall, and Conſtant obedience required in every title, which left no place of repentance, (Repentance being an Evangelicall grace, the proper priviledge of the covenant of grace; Chriſt came from heaven to publiſh it, Luk. 5.31, 32. Mat. 4.17. he ſhed his bloud to purchaſe it, Act. 5.31. he bids his Diſciples to preach it, Luk. 24.47. and ſurely therefore it cannot be legall: the apoſtatizing Angels had not the benefit of it, nor man, till Chriſt had purchaſed it,) Chriſt hath freed us from this rigour of the Law, and from the wrath of God, Rom. 5.9. 1 Theſ. 1.10.

This Worke is a Worke of God, none could effect it. But,

Firſt, the Father procureth us Liberty; He delivereth us from captivity. Paul giveth thanks to God for it, Rom. 7.24 25. where God is taken Eſſentially, and not Perſonally, for the Sonne and Holy-Ghoſt free us from our ſlaviſh captivity together with the Father.

Secondly, the Sonne procureth us Liberty, Gal. 5.1. Stand faſt in the Liberty wherewith Chriſt hath made you free. There are two things which the Lord hath entruſted in his Churches hand, Firſt, chriſtian faith, for p. 175which we muſt earneſtly contend, Jude ver. 3. Secondly, chriſtian Liberty in which we muſt ſtand faſt; The Apoſtle calleth it the Libertie we have in Chriſt, Gal. 2.4. which is Chriſtian liberty, not onelyonly becauſe we muſt uſe it to the glory of Chriſt, and according to his rules; but becauſe he is the Author of it. If the Sonne make you free, then are you free indeed, Joh. 8.36. he delivereth us who through feare of death were all our lifetime ſubject to bondage, Heb. 2.15.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt giveth us liberty, 2 Cor. 3.15. where the Spirit of the Lord is, the…e is liberty. David calleth the Holy-Ghoſt the free Spirit, Pſal. 51.12. Firſt, becauſe he worketh freely in us, 1 Cor. 12.11. Secondly, becauſe he worketh freedome in us, and for us; and therefore the Apoſtle telleth us: The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ hath made us free from the law of ſinne and death, Rom. 8.2.

It is manifeſt Chriſtian liberty is a worke of the Father, Sonne, and Holy-Ghoſt, who worke this worke in us, and for us; God looſing us from all bondage, that we may ſerve him, Luk. 1.74. and delivereth us from the ſlavery of our enemies, to tye us more firmly to his ſervice.

CHAP. XX.

Salvation, or Glorification, is a Worke of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy-Ghoſt.

SAlvation, or Glorification, is the worke of God alone. I, even I, am the Lord, and beſides me there is no Saviour, Iſai. 41.11. Iſa. 43.23. he ſaveth us, 1 Tim. 1.9. he giveth us eternall life, Rom. 6. laſt. Eph. 2.8.

p. 176Firſt, the Father ſaveth us, ſo he promiſeth, Hoſ. 1.7. I will ſave them by the Lord their God. Here are two Perſons ſtiled Jehovah; Firſt, the Father promiſeth to ſave Iſrael; Secondly the Sonne by whom this deliverance is wrought, and Iſrael is ſaved. And the Lord Jeſus telleth us, John 10.29. None can pluck his ſheep out of his Fathers hands. Intimating thereby, that he will preſerve them to that Kingdome which he hath prepared for them, Matth. 25.34. and according to his good pleaſure giveth them it, Luke 12.32. And to this end out of his love to us, was it, that he gave his onelyonly begotten Sonne for us, John 3.16. yea, even for his little ones, thoſe who are little in their own eyes through humility, little in the eyes of others through contempt: yet it is not his will that any one of theſe little ones ſhould periſh, Matth. 18.14.

Secondly, the Sonne ſaveth us, John 6.33. He giveth life to the world. So the Father promiſeth, Hoſ. 1.7. and he himſelfe affirmeth, that he will give them that are faithfull to death a Crown of life, Rev. 2.10. He giveth his ſheep eternall life, John 10.28. It is his mercy we muſt look for unto eternall life, Jude ver. 21. It is his Name by which we are ſaved, Act. 4.12. There is no other Name given under heaven whereby we muſt be ſaved. According to the merit of our ſalvation, Chriſt Jeſus is alone; But according to the efficacy, and application of it, it is common to him with the Father, and the Holy-Ghoſt.

Thirdly, the Holy-Ghoſt ſaveth us. He is the Spirit of life, Rom. 8. that giveth life to us, we being ſaved by the renewing of the Holy-Ghoſt, Tit. 3.5. who promiſeth to give to them that overcome, to eate of the tree of life, Rev. 2.7. and that they ſhall not be hurt of the ſecond death, Rev. 2.12.

Thus theſe Actions and Works of the Father, the p. 177Sonne, and the Holy-Ghoſt are their joynt and undivid…d Works, becauſe there is not in God a divided, or multiplyed Eſſence, but one and the ſame divine Eſſence; it being the ſame God which worketh all in all, 1 Cor. 12.6. The unity of whoſe working dependeth on the unity of their power. That therefore which the Scripture aſcribeth to one Perſon of the Godhead, it aſcribeth ſometimes to another. As in the ſeven Epiſtles to the Churches in Aſia, the Sonne in the beginning is deſcribed as the Author of them; yet in the concluſion we muſt here what is ſpoken, as ſpoken by the Spirit of the ſeven Churches, Rev. 2. Rev. 3. Again, the gifs that are given to the ſeven Churches, ſome times the Spirit doth promiſe them, as to Epheſus, Rev 2.7. to Smyrna, Rev. 2.11. to Pergamus, Rev. 2.17. and ſometimes Jeſus Chriſt promiſeth them, as to Thyatyra. Rev. 2.28. to Sardis, Rev. 3.5. to Phyladelphia. Rev. 3.12. to Laodicea, Rev. 3.21.

Though therfore the Scripture in ſetting down the graces, doth uſually aſcribe them to the Father, in the Sonne, and by the Spirit, Epheſ. 1.4, 5. 1 Cor. 6.10. Tit. 3.4, 5. This order of diſpenſation holdeth forth unto us a diſtinction of perſons onelyonly, and no diviſion of Eſſence. It ſheweth an order in which they worke; no inequality in regard of their Nature, Eſſence, and Subſtance which is one: their Majeſty, Power, and Glory is one, though in reſpect of the diſtinction of Perſons, they are Relatives: and therefore ſo are not one, but are thus co-equall and co-eternall.

Oh that we would look into the Glaſſe of Gods Word, then might we ſee cleerely, how the Father, the Sonne and the Holy-Ghoſt doe worke in all their Works in us, and for us. Oh what unſpeakable comfort would this work in our ſoules, to praiſ… God for his mercies. And Oh what ſoule-comforting matter p. 178would this yeild to ſtirre up our Brethren to praiſe the Lord for his mercies, there might we ſay one to another, Come, and heare all ye that feare God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my ſoule, Pſal. 66.16. then might we ſing praiſe one with another, ſaying, Bleſſed be the Lord God of Iſrael from everlaſting to everlaſting, and let all the people ſay Amen, Praiſe ye the Lord, Pſal. 106.48.