Jesus Christ the Mystical, Sermon
JESUS CHRIST the Myſticall SUN.
ISAIAH 60.20.
Thy Sun ſhall no more go down.
THe Text that I have read (Right Honourable) may ſeem a Paradox to many: and that upon a double account. viz. to hear of a Sun,
1. Monopolized, to ſome ſort of people; when as the ordinary Sun ſhineth both upon the juſt, and unjuſt; yet this is confined unto the elect of God, in that poſſeſſive affix, foreignthy.
2. That will not ſet, nor go down from the Horizon where it is: whereas the Sun in the firmament, riſeth and ſetteth every day: But however, it may ſeeme improbable to fleſh and blood, and to the remainders of carnall reaſon, that are to be found within us. And albeit, it may wrap every one into admiration, to hear of ſuch a Sun, ſo confined; and that knowes no way to go down: yet to a man with a ſpirituall eye, it ſeems neither impoſſible, nor yet improbable; becauſe the mouth of truth, that cannot lie, hath ſpoken it.
There are indeed in Scripture many Paradoxes to men that have onelyonly the glimering light of nature within them; as that 1 aMatth. 1.A virgin ſhould bring forth a Son. 2 b2 Tim. 1.10.That Chriſts death ſhould be a means to bring life and immortality to light by the Goſpel. 3 cHeb. 11.3.That all things that are now made, ſhould be made out of things that did not appear, i. e. out of a flat meer nothing, 4. That our bodies when they ſhall be mouldred into duſt, ſhall yet be reunited to our ſoules in the day of the ſecond appearing of Jeſus Chriſt: 5. e1 Cor. 1.26, 27, 28.That God ſhould call into the ſtate of grace, not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble: But make choice of the fooliſh, weake, deſpiſed, yea, baſe ones of the world, when he paſſeth by the Grandees of the earth; to make (I ſay) them heirs of heaven: And among others I may reckon up my Text, which is indeed foreign, but not foreign; beyond the opinion of many, but not beyond the common truth of God, nor beyond the reaſon of a renewed Chriſtian: And in theſe paſſages (eſpecially in this) that ſeem ſo repugnant, yea abſurd many times to a carnall judgment, we are always to put into the ſcale (that we may poize down reaſon, and advance faith)
1 The Power of our God, which is not as the power of man: Mans power is but a limited, finite kind of power; His ell or meaſure is too ſhort to meaſure the infinite, incomprehenſible omnipotence of our God; He that was able to make the Sun to go back in aIſai. 38.8.Hezekiah's time, in a way of retrograde motion, ten degrees: And he that was able to make the Sun to ſtand ſtill in the midſt of heaven, ſo that it haſted not to go down about a whole day, in bJoſ. 10.12, 13.Joſhuah's time: is equally able to make this Sun (whereof he now ſpeaketh) not to go down at all unto his people.
2 The Truth and will of God manifeſted in his promiſes: Hath he ſpoken it, and ſhall he not do it? Hath he ſaid it, and ſhall he not bring it to paſſe? We may reſt ſatisfied in this, that the mouth of the Lord hath uttered, that Thy Sun ſhall no more go down.
3 The Subject whereof all theſe Paradoxes ſpeak, which is here the term Sun, not naturall, but ſupernaturall.
Now that I may briefly lead you to the full meaning of theſe words, You may obſerve the dependance of theſe upon thoſe fore-going, to ſtand thus: The whole former part of this Chapter is taken up in diſcovering the happy eſtate of the Church of Chriſt, under the time of the Goſpel, in regard of all her ſpirituall enjoyments; whereof two are peculiarly enumerated or reckon'd up; To which we ſhall reduce the reſt: viz.
1 The Promulgation of the everlaſting Goſpel, whereby when darkneſſe covers the earth, and groſſe darkneſſe all the unregenerate people on it; The Lord wil then ariſe with light, and bring in unexpected glory unto them: And this ſhall be a meanes to bring in abundance out of improbable places; ſuch as were cVer. 2.Midian, Epha, dVer. 6.Sheba, eVer. 7.9.Kedar and Tarſhiſh: yea from unlikely perſons; viz. fVer. 3.13, 16.Kings, and earthly Potentates, ſhadowed out unto us by the trees of Lebanon. Where by the way, we might obſerve.
Doct. That where Satan hath places under his own command, God there is able not onelyonly to cull, but to call out a people for himſelfe, and bring them in as Doves flocking to their windowes, flying with ſpeed as the clouds: And all to come near at his appointment.
2 The collation or the beſtowing of greater mercies ſpirituall, then on men in former times, upon point of
1 Gifts gVer. 17.; For braſſe I will bring gold, for iron ſilver, and for wood braſſe, and for ſtones iron: i. e. I will confer ſurpaſſing gifts upon them, that ſhall as far ſurpaſs what they have received formerly, as iron doth ordinary ſtones, or as ſilver doth iron, or as gold braſs.
2 Governours hVer. 17.: I will make thy officers peace, and thy exactours righteouſneſſe: which was verified in the firſt fruits, in Ezra and Nehemiah, and other good Governours times: But the full harveſt is reſerved for Goſpel ſeaſons, as is plain to all; wherein Magiſtrates are promiſed to be ſtirred up, that ſhould be peaceable procurers of their peoples welfare: And I am ſure it is a badge of a mans belonging unto Babylon, not Jeruſalem, to be an oppreſſour of the people of God.
3 Priviledges.
1 Violence ſhall not be heard in thee: Which words are not a promiſe of abſolute immunity from the croſs; But a comparative comfort; that however the Church may meet with many preſſures, yet it ſhall never totally be overwhelmed: God will preſerve and protect it, maugre all the violent attempts againſt it; Violence may be attempted, yet violence ſhall never be heard in thy land to prevail finally over my people in it.
2 The breaking in of light amongſt them; ſo that they ſhould need neither Sun, nor Moon; whereby is imported, not that the Saints ſhould be deprived of thoſe common mercies, attending upon their wel-being in this world.
But becauſe they ſhould not now any longer fix their happineſſe in the enjoyment of theſe, or any earthly, low, worldly object, but ſhould be mounted up above, and collocate all their happineſſe in the enjoyment of God; and hence here is promiſed a better mercy: That the Lord ſhall be to thee an everlaſting light, and thy God ſhall be thy glory: and this is amplified in the words of the Text, to ſhew the perpetuity of this light unto them, Thy Sun ſhall no more go down.
The words are an abſolute promiſe, held forth in a Categoricall negative Propoſition; which if I ſhould go about to reſolve logically into the ſubject (thy Sun,) the predicate (going down,) the Copula or the bond whereby they are knit together (ſhall not,) the modality (any more,) I ſhould edifie but little: I ſhall therefore ſtrive Theologically, (i. e, plainly) to divide theſe words, and then you may obſerve theſe two things.
1 The parties to whom this Priviledge doth belong, implicitely held forth unto us in that poſſeſſive particle thy.
2 The Priviledge belonging to theſe perſons: viz. That this Sun ſhall no more go down unto them.
Something here needeth unfolding.
Q. 1 What is meant by this Sun?
Q. 2 What by the going down of the Sun?
Q. 3 Who are meant by the perſons involved in the affix, thy?
Q. 4 What by going down any more?
Q. 5. When is the whole of this promiſe to be verified? I ſhall ſatisfie theſe ſuccinctly.
Sol. 1 By Sun in this place, we are not to underſtand 1. The firmamentary ſun, which is the greater light deſtinated by God to rule the day, and which daily riſeth and ſetteth, as is obvious to experience. But we are to underſtand
2 A metaphoricall Sun, not the creature ſun, but the Creator Sun, twice ſtiled Jehovah, is here onelyonly aimed at, even Jeſus Chriſt, who is the myſticall aMal. 4.2. Alſted. Paratitla. Calv. Deus erit Sol tuus. Quod Propheta loquatur de Chriſto, certiſſimum eſt, &c Heſhuſius. Brē tius in locum. Chriſtus eſt lux aeterna fidelium. Bullinger.Sun of righteouſneſſe.
I know ſome underſtand by Sun
1 The ſtreams of the grace of God, and his favour in the comfortable influences and offers of it.
2 But others look to the fountain of all this favour, viz. Jeſus Chriſt. And therefore moſt do unanimouſly expound it of him: And he it is that is appointed by his Father, to riſe in a ſpirituall way to his people, and never to ſet more upon them.
Sol. 2 The bVerbum foreign i.e. venit, Cum de Sole dicitur, Hebraicè idem quodoccidereeſt: ut Gen. 26. quia ingreſſus erat Sol. Tunc enim videtur ingredi Terras vel Oceanum, ut loquuntur Poëtae. Forerius in locum.going down of the Sun in the proper notion of it, is nothing elſe but the departing of it out of our Horizon. And here the going down of Jeſus Chriſt (if poſſible) ſhould be his finall departure away from his people: Chriſt will never ſo ſet; but however he may be eclipſed, yet he will ſtill continue in their Hemiſphere, i. e. He will abide with them for ever.
Sol. 3 The perſons related unto by the particle (thy) are expreſſed in the verſe after the Text; Thy people ſhall be all righteous, by profeſſion at leaſt, and by ſeparation at the laſt; when it ſhall be wholly purged, and only the righteous ſhall dwell in it. Jeſus Chriſt hath been about this purging work, even from the dayes of his coming into the fleſh; yea ſome way, from the beginning of the world, in ſeparating the tares from the corn, nMatth. 3.12.the chaffe from the wheat; and he ſtil goes on to purge his floor, and will go on to the day of harveſt. To thoſe that have righteouſneſs imputed or imparted, this promiſe doth actually belong, while they are here: of which more anon.
Sol. 4 By going down any more: There might indeed ſeemingly be the going down of Chriſt, when he went into the lower parts of the earth. But that was meerly in regard of his humanity; For *Heb. 9.28.Chriſt was once only offered to bear the ſins of many. He went down once and no more, not a ſecond time. But in regard of his Deity; by his Spirit once ariſing in our ſouls, he will never any more go down to us.
Sol. 5. This Promiſe, in regard of the inchoation of it, is to be begun here; where our God freeth his people many times from mourning; and gives unto them beauty for aſhes; the garment of joy for the ſpirit of heavineſſe. Where Saints are truly ſtiled, aIſa. 61.3.trees of righteouſneſſe, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified; where they have the ſpirituall bLuke 17.21.kingdome of Chriſt begun within them. But
For the perfect conſummation of it, that is reſerved for heaven hereafter; yet the firſt fruits we do enjoy here. Saints, they have in the Church Militant this promiſe begun to them, onelyonly the full complement of it is reſerved for them in the Church triumphant.
It is now to the beginnings of Chriſt here, that I ſhall labour in my enſuing diſcourſe, to apply this promiſe, which being thus expounded, doth reſolve it ſelf into theſe two Obſervations.
1 Doct. That Jeſus Chriſt is the ſame to Believers, as the Sun is to the world.
2 Doct. Quamvis obnubiletur, &c. Oeculampadius.That however Jeſus Chriſt, the ſuperceleſtiall Sun, may be eclipſed, or beclouded, yet he will never go down from his people.
Thy Sun ſhall no more go down; i. e. however it may have a curtain drawn between thee and him, as the firmamentary Sun hath by clouds, or by the Moon in its eclipſe, yet go down, i.e. depart, he will not. Now for the profitable proſecution of theſe obſervations, I ſhall follow this method:
1 I ſhall demonſtrate the grounds why Chriſt is ſhadowed out under this notion of the Sun.
2 I ſhall cleare Chriſt to be the ſame to beleevers, as the Sun is to the world. Both theſe in reference to the former propoſition. And then,
3 That however this myſticall Sun may ſometimes be eclipſed, yet he will never go down from his people.
4 I ſhall give the improvement of all.
For the firſt. There are few that haeſitate about the application of this metaphoricall title to Jeſus Chriſt, that are not utterly unacquainted with the word of God; becauſe we read, that aPſal. 84.11.Jehovah. the Lord God is a Sun to his people, the giver both of grace, and glory to them. And the Prophet bMal. 4.2.Malachi is very plain, that he is the Sun of righteouſneſſe, that doth ariſe with healing in his wings; cPlacaei Diſputat. p. 175.this Sun being twice ſtiled Jehovah in this Chapter. If any doubt be, it is touching the accommodation of this to Jeſus Chriſt. And for the reſolving of that, I ſhal lay down theſe two things, viz. that he may be juſtly ſo ſtiled in a way of
1 Oppoſition,
2 Alluſion.
1 If you look upon him in a way of oppoſition to
1 Leviticall ſhadows, or ceremonies, which yet were typicall prefigurations of him: Chriſt was as the Sun, in reſpect of thoſe candles, torches, ſtars, or leſſer lights at moſt. He did as far ſurpaſſe them in regard of ſplendor, as the firmamentary Sun, doth the ſigne of the Sun painted upon any Table. They are indeed but dull aHeb. 10.1. Coloſ. 2.17.ſhadows of him, that was the glory to come.
2 That innate or naturall darkneſſe, that is to be found in all men by nature. For by nature bforeign. Eph. 5.8.we were not onelyonly darke, but darkneſſe; not in the concrete, but in the abſtract, which carrieth abundance of emphaſis in it. And when Jeſus Chriſt comes, he fills us with light, as the Sun doth the body of the hemiſphere, overrun with darkneſſe. And thus he becomes cJohn 1.9.the light of every one that comes into this world; viz. that is ſpiritually illuminated by him. Thus we ſee he is as the Sun, in reſpect of umbrages, and as the Sun, to diſpel all that intrinſecall darkneſſe to be found within us.
2 By way of alluſion. Alluſions may be many; but thoſe that are naturall, and obvious to all, (becauſe I do deſire to profit all) I ſhall make uſe of. He is as the Sun,
1 By way of beauty or excellency. The Sun is deſervedly looked upon, as the Lord of all elementary vertues, the fountain of all aëriall light. By ſome as the heart of heaven. For as the heart is in the body naturall, ſo is the Sun in the firmamentary body. Some look upon it, as the ſparkling eye of heaven, that carrieth beauty in it; yea ſome of the Philoſophers fancied, that in the ſun was the ſoul of the world, which filling that fiery globe (which we ordinarily ſee) thence diffuſeth his rayes, as ſo many ſpirits, whereby he diſtributeth life, ſenſe, and motion to all ſublunary creatures. It muſt needs be granted by all, that it is the moſt glorious, beautifull, and the faireſt among all the ſtars.
Which how far it may be accommodated to Jeſus Chriſt, I ſhall briefly make out unto you. aPſal. 45.2. foreign Eſt verbum geminatum, augendae ſignificationis gratiâ. Rivet.Jeſus Chriſt is ſaid to be fairer then the children of men. Perſonall beauty is a great ornament, when ſeconded with morall vertues, how much more when with divine graces? as in bGen. 39.6.Joſeph and c1 Sam. 16.13.David. But when attended with the eColoſ. 1.19.fulneſſe of grace, which was to be found in Chriſt alone, what abundance of luſtre muſt it needs adde unto him? What that outward form, or feature of Jeſus Chriſt was, is utterly unknown, though that Jeſuite durſt take upon him to deſcribe it. God, I conceive, hath dealt by that, as by the body of Moſes, hiding of it, leſt any finding it, fVavaſor. de formâ Chriſti.ſhould idolize or adore it, in a diſtinct way from his Deity. But though we neither know the outward form, or feature of Jeſus Chriſt; yet the Scripture holds him forth as very faire and beautifull, as altogether lovely to the eye of faith. Cant. 5.16. foreignNot onelyonly beautifull in one part, but in all parts; and two things that the word makes out to us, do abundantly demonſtrate it.
1 That Jeſus Chriſt was without aforeign Heb. 9.14.ſpot, bforeign, 1 Pet. 1.19.blemiſh, or deformity. Chriſt he was without any blemiſh in reſpect of ſin. Deformities in body, alwaies ſpeak the preſence of ſome ſin in the ſoul Jeſus Chriſt was in all things like to us, yet without ſin. For ſuch an high Prieſt became us, that was holy, harmleſſe, and undefiled, ſeparate from ſinners. Jeſus Chriſt he was
1 Holy. foreign,He had holineſſe to the Lord engraven upon his heart, aExod. 28.36.as the high Prieſt had it upon his holy crown of pure gold, like to the engravings of a ſignet.
2 Harmleſſe or innocent. foreign.Devoid of all naturall pravity or ſinfulneſſe, unto which both Prieſt and People were obnoxious in the Levitical Law.
3 Ʋndefiled, unpolluted; foreign.not contaminated with any ſin. a2 Cor. 5 21.He knew no ſin, by his own commiſſion, though he felt much for it by imputation.
4 Separated from ſinners. He was obnoxious, foreign.as to no ſin, ſo to no guilt of ſin in and of himſelf. Separated he was from ſinners, as the high Prieſt when he entred into the holy of holies, was from the common people, which cauſes him to challenge the Jews, bJohn 8.46.Which of you convinceth me of ſin?
2. He was the brightneſſe of his Fathers glory, foreign. Heb. 1.3.or that reſplendent luſtre or effulgency ariſing from the light of his Father. He was not onelyonly the reflection of the Father, as of the Sun in the Rainbow in a watery cloud; or as the Sun in the water or glaſſe, at the rebound onelyonly. But as the Son is many times the reflection of the Father, being his own lively Picture and Image; as having all theſe glorious excellencies of wiſdome, knowledge, purity, that are to be found in his Father. Hence it is that we are ſaid [feelingly] to a2 Cor. 4.6.know the glory of God in the face of Chriſt. Becauſe in Chriſt we may ſee all thoſe glorious excellencies that are to be found in the Father, when as the veile that is upon our minds by nature, is done away. Now if Jeſus Chriſt were ſinleſſe, and the glittering refulgency of his Fathers glory, he muſt needs ſurpaſſe the Sun in beauty, when it ſhineth in its fulleſt ſtrength.
2 In regard of the ſeat and influences of it, aPſal. 19.5.God hath placed a Tabernacle for the Sun in the heavens: There it keepeth it's reſidence. And hence Aſtronomers (clapping him into circles) allot unto him various Orbs; As the Eccentrique wherein the body of it remains; and a couple of orbs, the bforeign.one to carry the part that is remoter from the earth, and cforeign.another to carry the loweſt part of it. And a late dCopernicus.Aſtronomer hath found out one more, Eccentrum Eccentri; but all in heaven. Jeſus Chriſt we know, not only as God, but as man, is now in heaven; and gActs 3.21.the Heavens muſt containe his bodily preſence till times of the reſtitution of all things: hRev 3.21.And that he is ſet down in his Fathers Throne, on the higheſt Seat of all glory and excellency. Sol agit in inferiora, motu, lumine, & influentiis.By however, the Sun's reſidence be in heaven, yet his light and influences are here below on earth.
And he may be ſaid to dwell among us in regard of his rayes and beams: Jeſus Chriſt, we know dwelleth in the higheſt Heavens, but by his rayes and beams of grace, aIſai. 57.15.he dwels with them that are of a contrite heart, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, Rev. 2.1.and the heart of the contrite ones. By them he walketh in the midſt of the golden candleſticks; and as the Sun doth daily viſit the earth with his influences, ſo doth Jeſus Chriſt, the day ſpring from on high, viſit his Saints with the imbreathings and revivings of his graces and comforts.
3 In regard of his magnitude and greatneſſe: The Sun, of all the Planets, is deſervedly looked upon as the greateſt, both *Quantitate molis & virtutis.in bulk and vertue. The greatneſſe of it Aſtronomers did heretofore gather eſpecially by *Alſted. in Cyclopaed. lib. 11. cap. 4. de foreign Solis Reg. 2.eclipſes: And they make it out by demonſtrations, that it is 166 times bigger then the earth: How much greater then is the Creatour of the Sun, then that firmamentary ſun it ſelfe. We know, that by the Word (i. e. Jeſus Chriſt) lJohn 1.3.all things, (even the Sun it ſelfe) were made. We finde the Prophet crying out, mIſai. 53.8.Who may declare his generation! And I may ſay, Who can declare his greatneſſe! no creature (I am ſure) is able to demonſtrate it, zPſal. 145.3.becauſe there is no end of his greatneſſe, it is unſearchable. The heavens do contain the firmamentary ſun, but the Heaven of heavens cannot contain this myſticall Sun in regard of his Deity.
4. His Forme and Oneneſs.
1 The form of the Sun is of an orbicular round figure, a cPierius lib. 39 de Cireulo.clear embleme of eternity; for in a circle there is neither beginning nor ending. We read of nHeb. 7.3.Melchiſedek, that he was without beginning of dayes, or end of life, viz. as recorded in the hiſtory of Moſes: And in that he was a lively type of Jeſus Chriſt, who as God, is the firſt and the laſt, God bleſſed for ever.
2. For Oneneſs. We know that there are many ſtars, Sol quòd ſolus eſſet, ſolus luceret, & reliquis ſtellis lucem impcrtiret. Cicer. 2. de Natura deorum.but one Sun that gives light to the world. There are many Saints that receive of Chriſts light continually, as the ſtars from the body of the Sun. In Arabia there is (as they ſay) to be found but one Phoenix; And in the body certainly there is but one heart: In the firmament but one Sun, and in the Church but p1 Tim. 2.5.one Mediatour between God and man, the man Chriſt Jeſus.
5. In regard of motion. The Sun, we know, is very quick; and that in twenty four hours it doth encircle the whole world. David repreſenteth him qPſal. 19.5, 6.to run, like a giant, the race that is ſet before him: that is,
1 Very ſwiftly, infinitely faſter then a man of the largeſt ſieze, or the longeſt breath. David's illuſtration, though ſome way expreſſive, doth fall ſhort of the Sun in the quickneſs of its motion. A bird upon the wing, an arrow ſhot out of the bow, cannot poſſibly reach the ſun upon point of ſpeed. How many thouſand miles doth he run within an hour? Bellarmin. de Aſcenſ. mentis in Deum gradu 7o, mihi, pag. 146.It was a curious obſervation of that Cardinall, when hee had the full proſpect of the body of the Sun, ready to go down, to try a concluſion of the quickneſſe of the motion of it, took the Pſalmes into hand: Before (ſaith he) that I had twice read the 51 Pſalm, the whole ſun was ſet. Whereby he doth conclude, that the ſun runs in the eighth part of an hour 7000 miles: Though the Cardinals compute (as well as his doctrine in matters Polemicall, or of controverſie) doth very much fall ſhort of truth; yet his experiment in this, gives ſome proof of the quickneſſe of the ſun's motion: For the quickneſſe of Chriſts motion; how quickly did he come from heaven to earth, when he did aſſume our nature, and vailed himſelfe under our humanity? How quickly comes hee to the reliefe of his Church in diſtreſſe? And is he not as quick as the lightning upon point of motion, when he comes to enlighten the world with his truth?
2 Indefatigably, unweariedly: How conſtant was Jeſus Chriſt in doing the will of his Father, and to finiſh the work, that he ſent him about: How doth he profeſſe, that it was his meat to do it. Never was there any hungry man labouring ſo conſtantly for, or delighting in his appointed food, as Jeſus Chriſt did conſtantly in doing the will of his Father.
6. It's obedience to the Command of God. There is an obedientiall power, whereby the firmamentary Sun ſtandeth at Gods appointment; that made it to ſtand ſtill in Joſhuah's time: and to run back upon the diall of Ahaz, for a ſigne to Hezekiah. And how was it with Jeſus Chriſt? what an obedientiall yeilding was there of himſelfe to the will of his Father? He declares unto all, that he came upon this errand, that he might fulfill his Fathers will, and finiſh the work that he had ſent him to do; and that he did do all things that pleaſed him alwayes: When he findeth it in the volume of the book to be written of him, that he ſhould do his will, Pſal. 40.7, 8.How doth his heart eccho? Lo, I come, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy Law is within my heart. And when he was to compleat the great work of our Redemption by his agony, his bloody ſweat, and finall paſſion; How doth he diſcover a will melted into the will of his Father, when reſigningly he gives up himſelfe in the midſt of all that ſoul-anguiſh that was upon him, which extorted, Father, if it bee poſſible, let this cup paſſe from me. Yet mark how willingly he doth ſurrender up himſelf to his Father; Yet not my will, but thine by done.
So that in theſe ſix reſpects the firmamentary Sun is a lively embleme of that ſuper-celeſtiall Sun Jeſus Chriſt. viz. both in regard of
1 Beauty and excellency.
2 Seat and influences.
3 Magnitude or greatneſs.
4 Form, and one-neſſe.
5 Motion, and
6 Obedience.
No wonder therefore that this name is accommodated to him in Scripture.
And yet to make it out a little fuller: Do but conſider with me the next thing that we are to ſpeak to for the clearing of the firſt point, viz.
2 That Chriſt is the ſame to believers, as the Sun is to the world. Thence it is that he is held forth to us by this notion in this place, and the places fore-cited; that I will not trouble you with the repetition of: OnelyOnly for the demonſtration of it, conſider with me, what benefit the world, receiveth by the Sun, the like ſhall we find believers to receive from Chriſt. Now among other things that the world receiveth from the firmamentary ſun, I ſhall inſiſt on theſe ſix: viz.
1 Light.
2 Life.
3 Heat.
4 Fruitfulneſſe.
5 Comfort.
6 Purity.
All which Saints receive from Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore to every individuall, the promiſe may be repeated; Thy Sun ſhall no-more go down.
1. The firmamentary Sun is very operative to produce light, and diſpell darkneſſe. It is ſeated as it were in the center, navell, or heart of heaven, that it might impart its light to the ſtars that are above and below it, yea, and unto all the earth beſides. How quickly doth it in his approaches near unto our Horizon, much more at his coming up into it, drive out darkneſſe out of the air; and ferret it out of our houſes; It is the Steward of light. Now as aëriall light flowes from the ſun, ſo all ſpirituall light flowes from Jeſus Chriſt. It is he that filleth
1 Goſpel Ordinances with light, and nPſal. 19.8.maketh his word to be an enlightning word to the [mentall] eyes of his people.
2 He it is that filleth the ſouls of his elect with light, not onelyonly with the light of naturall reaſon, wherewithall aJohn 1.9.He fils all that come into this world: But with the light of grace; He that did command light to ſhine out of darkneſſe, b2 Cor. 4.6.'Tis he that ſhineth into our ſouls: He ſets up a light there, viz. the light of ſaving knowledge, and juſtifying faith; yea, and the cJohn 8.12.light of life too in the beginnings or it. The Sun naturall is as the Father of light naturall, and the Sun ſpirituall of light ſpirituall. Wherefore he ſaith, dEpheſ. 5.14.A wake thou that ſleepeſt, and ſtand up from the dead, and Chriſt ſhall give thee light. eIſai. 60.2. Placaei diſp. 17. Pag. 179.A paſſage cited out of this Chapter of Iſaiah; The Lord ſhall riſe upon thee, and his glory ſhal be ſeen upon thee. The Apoſtle changeth only the title Jehovah into Chriſt.
2 It produceth heat. Hence the Pſalmiſt tels us, that fPſal. 195.there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. It is the heat of the ſun that warms the ſeeds, and roots of flowers, and many herbs in ſpring, that are in the womb of the earth, and draweth them out by his ſhinings: It's his heat that doth produce Minerals within, as well as vegetables upon the ſurface of the earth: Now what the Sun is in the Kingdom of nature, that is Chriſt in the Kingdome of grace: It is he that by his word warmes the hearts within, of his people.
1 Sometimes making them to yeild: As the hard Adamant by ſoking of it in the warm blood of a Goat; which (as ſome ſay) is rendred thereby apt to be worked upon; ſo the hard heart of a ſinner ſteeped in the warme blood of Chriſt, Zach. 12.10.fals preſently relenting that it may be wrought upon.
2 Sometimes to melt as wax before the fire: As David found by experience, Pſal. 22.14.My heart is like wax, it is melted in the midſt of my bowels. It is this that turneth an heart of ſtone into an heart of fleſh: according to that gEzek. 36.26.covenantpromiſe, I will take from them an heart of ſtone, and I will give unto them an heart of fleſh: A melting heart by reaſon of fear, is a great judgement, as we ſee in the hExod. 15.15. Joſh. 2.11.Canaanites, and iIſai. 19.1.Egyptians. But to have an heart melted by reaſon of ſin, ſeen through the glaſſe of the Goſpel, and the piercings of Jeſus Chriſt, is a tranſcendent mercy; As we ſee in k2 Kin. 22.19.Joſiah: Of whom we read, that his heart was tender, and therfore penitentially he humbleth himſelf before the Lord. It is the heat under the Limbeck, that maketh the water drop out of the head of the Limbeck: and it is the inward heat which we find from Jeſus Chriſt, that makes many times tears trickle down our eyes, becauſe men keep not God's laws. It was this that made David waſh his bed, and water his couch with tears.
3 Sometimes it inflames them, and ſetteth their hearts a burning within them; That warmth that Chriſt put into his word did ſo far tranſcendently warm Jeremiah's heart, that he profeſſeth, lJer. 20.9.his word was in my heart, as a burning fire ſhut up in my bones; and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not ſtay. Fire will out. It was that which made the hearts of thoſe Diſciples ſo hot within them, that they brake out; Did not our hearts burn within us, Luke 24.32.while he ſpake unto us by the way, and opened unto us the Scriptures? It is Chriſt that filleth us ſo with the fire of love, that all the waters of affliction cannot quench it.
3 Sometimes it cauſeth life. How doth it draw out that plaſticall or formative power, which is to be found in ſeeds, making them to ſprout while they are under the clod, and thereby enquickning them? How doth it, as it were, every Spring call back roots and trees, out of their ſwoone or ſeeming deadneſſe, in which they lay all Winter long? The Sun by his beams carrieth down life unto them; yea, to us alſo in ſome reſpect: It is the ſun that concurreth as an univerſall cauſe to the generation of man, Sol & homo generant hominem.and to his ſupporting in the eſtate of nature: Did not the Sun ſo qualifie the aire with it's beams, it would be utterly unfit to generate or maintaine the vitall ſpirits in us: We owe indeed the life of nature, ſome way to the ſun in nature: But ſure I am, we owe the life of grace totally unto Jeſus Chriſt, this ſpirituall Sun; Jeſus Chriſt is our mCol. 34.life, as well as our light; It is he that is a n1 Cor. 15.45.quickning Spirit. As no creature can poſſibly live without the benefit of the ſun; ſo neither can any Chriſtian live the life of grace without Jeſus Chriſt.
4 It makes the earth very fruitful, it is the ſun that makes the trees to ſprout, and the graſſe to ſpring, corne to grow, and (in a word) that crowneth the earth with fruitfulneſſe. Our God gives oActs 14.17.fruitfull ſeaſons in their ſeaſon, filling our hearts with food and gladneſſe; chiefly, though not onelyonly by the Suns means; whereby he doth renew the face of the earth, and bringeth precious things out of it. And is there any thing that makes a Chriſtian more pPhilip. 1.11.fruitfull in the fruits of righteouſneſſe then Jeſus Chriſt? Without Chriſt, it is certain, we can do nothing, zPhilip. 2.13.till he worketh in us both the will and the deed of his own good pleaſure. But when his bleſſing comes to our ſoules, the command of Chriſt is operative as in the creation, when he ſaid, qGen. 1.22.Be fruitfull: And it is he that by commanding, maketh us to be rCol. 1.10.fruitfull in every good work; and doth increaſe the fruits of righteouſneſſe in us: As all our wel-ſprings are in Chriſt, ſo all our fruitfulneſſe is from him.
5 It bringeth comfort: How doth the ſight of the Sun in the open air cheer and revive the heart of a man newly drawn out of a dungeon; or that hath been a long time confined to his bed of ſickneſs? How ſEccleſ. 11.7.pleaſant then is it to behold the light of the Sun? Its light, and warmth, and all its influences are refreſhing unto us. It is not the promiſes, though never ſo cordiall, that can bring in comfort to our ſouls, unleſs they do receive a command from Jeſus Chriſt for this end and purpoſe: It is he that comforteth them that are caſt down. It is he that is the tLuk. 2.25.conſolation of Iſrael: and he comes furniſhed with a commiſſion from his Father, and was anointed by the Spirit, to bind up the broken heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, Iſa. 61.1, 2.the opening of the priſon to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and to comfort all that mourn. It is he that gives commiſſion to his Ambaſſadors to go about comforting work; Comfort ye, Iſa. 40.1, 2.comfort ye my people, (ſaith the Lord;) ſpeak ye to the heart of Jeruſalem, and preach, ſaying, Her warfare is accompliſhed, and her iniquities are pardoned, &c. We may ſay of all other comforters, (if this Sun be abſent) as Job of his friends, Miſerable comforters are ye all. But if Chriſt be preſent, and all worldly comforts be abſent, we may then ſay as Jacob, I have enough; I have all. He is able to make our hearts to be brimfull and run over, by the comforting influence of his own Spirit, Mr Ro. Glover.as he did the heart of that Martyr, being full of comfort upon the ſight of the ſtake. He is come (Auguſtine) he is come, he is come.
6 It bringeth purity and healing. We ſee by ordinary experience, how the Sun will as it were purge and heal the aire, that was infected with peſtilentiall breathings; and how it clarifieth it, that was overrun with fogs and miſts (things that are unwholſom to the body of man.) And is there any thing that will ſo purge the heart, as Jeſus Chriſt will? When he is as Refiners fire, and Fullers Sope; when he ſitteth to purifie the hearts of the houſe of Levi, whom he doth intend to make ſpirituall Prieſts unto his Father. How doth he cry to his Spirit, as Hezekiah in another caſe, 2 Chron. 29.5.have out the filthineſſe out of the holy place. When once he begins to ſprinkle clean Covenant-water upon us, Ezek. 36.26.from all our filthineſſe he will cleanſe us. Iſa. 1.25.It is he that is able to purge away all our droſſe, and take away all our tin, and to purifie us to himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Tit. 2.14.When this Sun of righteouſneſſe doth ariſe, Mal. 4.2.he doth ariſe with healing in his wings. Whereby he regenerateth us, and reneweth us after the Image of God, and beginneth here the cure of our corruptions, though the perfecting of the cure be reſerved for heaven.
Thus we ſee, the myſticall Sun, Jeſus Chriſt, to be the ſame to beleevers, as the Sun in the firmament to the world, upon point of benefit; giving to them,
1 Light.
2 Heat.
3 Life.
4 Fruitfulneſſe.
5 Comfort.
6 Healing.
Qu. But how may I know whether I have a right of propriety in this Sun or not; that ſo I may be able to judge, whether this cordiall paſſage doth belong unto me or not? Thy Sun ſhall no more go down.
Sol. For anſwer hereof, I ſhall onelyonly offer to your conſiderations, ſome hints from theſe ſix properties, whereby you may be able to judge of your intereſt in this Sun. And let conſcience briefly anſwer to theſe interrogations: viz. Hath Chriſt,
1 Come in with enlightening influence to my ſoul? There was a time, when I ſate in the region of the valley of the ſhadow of death, when I was in another Egypt for darkneſſe; but light is now riſen unto me, and I am removed into another Goſhen; Col. 1.13.He hath brought me out of the kingdome of darkneſſe, and tranſlated me into the kingdome of his dear Son. He hath communicated of thoſe treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge unto me; Col. 2.3.whereby though he have not made me politickly, craftily, cunningly, worldly wiſe, in the things of this life, to over-reach or circumvent others, or to enrich my ſelf by indirect ways; yet he hath made me ſavingly wiſe, or wiſe unto ſalvation. He hath diſcovered himſelf in the face of Jeſus Chriſt unto me. Yea, he hath ſhewen me my ſelf in the glaſſe of his Word, how miſerable I was by nature; how happy by my intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt. And all this light filleth me with love to Jeſus Chriſt, and maketh me more humble in mine own eyes, becauſe the little that I know, is not the thouſand part of what I know not. He hath made me, with Mary, thus wiſe, as to chooſe the better part, that one thing neceſſary; and with Moſes, deliberately to chooſe to ſuffer afflictions with the people of God, rather then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon. And with David, to take his word to be a lamp to my feet, Pſal. 119.and a light to my paths. I can now ſay experimentally, Whereas I was born blinde, now I ſee.
2 Warmed my heart with divineſt love, which like the fire of the Sanctuary, is alwaies burning within me, breaking forth in flames of piety towards God in Chriſt, and of humanity, courteſie, kindneſſe towards men, eſpecially toward Saints? Exod. 2.Do I finde it to be as the fire in the buſh, that conſumed it not, though it continued burning? Yea, that all the waters of affliction or perſecution cannotſlack, much leſſe extinguiſh my love unto Jeſus Chriſt? He hath ſo ſhed abroad his love in my ſoul, Acts 21 13.that makes me willing to do and dye for Chriſt. Now how your pulſes beat this way as Chriſtians, let conſcience judg And for you (Right Hon.) that are intruſted with the government of this great city, there is expected from you, not onelyonly warmth of love, but a peculiar fire of zeal to promote the glory of God, Pſal. 69.9.as you ſee in David, The zeal of thy houſe hath eaten me up. When obſerving the Ordinances to be contemned, the Name of God blaſphemed, Sabbaths profaned, Religion trampled under feet; zeale then inforceth him, yea even conſumeth him, for the promoting of the glory of God. You that are the Magiſtrates in this renowned City, conſult your own conſciences in this particular.
3 Come in with life? 'Twas my condition when I was in my naturall eſtate, as it was with Lazarus ſome way, when buried. I did once lie in the grave of my ſins, as he in the grave of the earth. Hath Chriſt enlivened and enquickned me to newneſſe of life? Can I ſay truly as Paul, I live, yet not I, Gal. 2.20.but Chriſt liveth in me; and the life that I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, that hath given himſelf for me? Doth this life from Chriſt make me lively in all duties for Chriſt; that ſo I may ſerve God in my generation, either in a way of Magiſtracy, Miniſtry, or in a private orbe or ſtation?
4 Made me any way fruitfull? Doth the ſpring of grace come as faſt forward in my ſoul, as the ſpring of nature now on the earth? doth he make me fruitfull, as a good
1 Magiſtrate: Exod. 18.21.to bring forth the fruits of the feare of my God, of truth, righteouſneſſe, of courage and judgement; cauſing me to hate covetuouſneſſe, and reject bribes, Exod. 23.8.which do blinde the wiſe, and pervert the words of the righteous? Hath he begot in me deſires to ſee the ſanctifying of the Lords ſabbath; to countenance Religion; and to be a terrour to them that do evil, and an encourager of them that do wel?
2 Miniſter. Hath he begot in me unfeigned deſires to propagate the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, and faithfully to feed the flock, over which the Lord hath ſet me; rightly dividing the word unto them, without reſpect of perſons; and that by my life and converſation, I may be a pattern to the flock, in Faith, Doctrine, and Purity; leſt otherwiſe I ſhould prove like one of the Carpenters that built Noah's Ark, who building it for anothers ſafety, were themſelves drowned?
3 Private Chriſtian. Epheſ. 6.4.Labouring as a Father to traine up my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; As a Huſband, 1 Pet. 3.7to dwell with my yoke-fellow as a man of knowledge; and as a Maſter, Col. 4.1.to do that which is equall and juſt for my ſervants, having care for their ſouls, whoſe bodies labour daily for me. And above all, watching over mine own wayes, and walking with my God continually, bringing forth all thoſe Goſpel fruits, Gal. 5.22even the fruits of the Spirit, as love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſſe, goodneſſe, faith, Gal. 5.23. Non eſt lex, nempe damnatoria. Paraeus.meekneſſe, temperance, againſt which there is no law, viz. to condemn them.
5 Brought in ſolid Goſpel-comforts and reviving influences to my ſoul? when my ſpirit hath been overwhelmed, then the comforts of my God have rejoyced my heart. Have we found, 2 Cor. 5.that as our ſufferings have abounded for Chriſt, ſo our conſolation alſo hath abounded by Chriſt? Have we found, the hotter the day, the greater the dew at night; the hotter the time of trouble, the greater the dews of refreſhing from our God? Ask what experience this way, and let conſcience give anſwer.
6 Hath Chriſt ariſen with healing in his wings to thy ſoul or no; healing thee of thy pride, paſſions, infidelity, impenitency, worldlineſſe, hardneſſe of heart, prejudice? In a word, hath he given a deaths-wound to all thy corruptions? and doth he begin to purifie and cleanſe thy heart by faith every day more and more? Acts 15.9.If conſcience, rightly principled, can but aſſure thee, that thou haſt received Goſpe-light, heat, life, comfort, healing, and art rendered Goſpelly fruitfull in all the fruits of renewed obedience; thou mayeſt aſſure thy ſelf, that the truth of this promiſe will be made good unto thee, that thy Sun ſhall never go down any more. Which leadeth me now to the ſecond Obſervation.
Doct. 2. That however Jeſus Chriſt, this true myſticall Sun, may ſometimes be eclipſed from, yet he will never go down any more to his people.
It cannot be denied, but that Jeſus Chriſt, this Sun, may be eclipſed in reſpect of us. Aſtronomers tell us, that eclipſes do properly belong to the Moon, becauſe that only totally may be deprived of light, viz. when it cometh into the ſhadow of the earth; which yet never aſcendeth ſo high as any other Planet, to eclipſe it wholly. I ſhall yet make uſe of this non-ſcripturall term, in reſpect of the notion of it, for want of a better.
Eclipſes are nothing but the occultation, or hiding of any Star from our aſpect; cauſed either by interpoſition of the Moon between us and the Sun, as in Solar; and of the earth between the Sun and the Moon, in all Lunar Eclipſes. There may many things intervene between us and Jeſus Chriſt, that may hinder his beams from flowing in upon us: In defectu, Sol ipſe nihil patitur, ſed noſter fraudatur aſpectus, Macrob.Now Chriſt may ſeem to be offuſcated, in reſpect,
1 Of himſelfe, when his glory, power, or truth are eclipſed.
2 Of us, when as our graces and comforts are beclouded.
1 In reſpect of himſelfe, Chriſt may ſeeme to ſuffer an eclipſe in reference to his own.
1 Glory: thus, when he came abroad into the world at the firſt, nJohn 11.11.He came to his own, but his own received him not; and that mainely upon this account, becauſe his glory was veiled and hidden from them: oIſai. 53.2.They could ſee no beauty in him, why they ſhould deſire him. The Prophet giveth there the ſenſe of the people: They looked upon him, as a poor, deſpiſed, meer man, and that had nothing of worth in him. Indeed, to believers, Chriſt is alwayes precious; 1 Pet. 2.7.they have an eye open to ſee his glory, and admire his excellency. As a Painter may have an eye open to ſee the worth of a piece, that another may lightly eſteem; not becauſe there is not excellency in it, but becauſe an injudicious man in that art wanteth eyes for to diſcern it. Jeſus pCant. 5.10.16Chriſt is to believers altogether lovely, the ſtandard-bearer among ten thouſands. Yet it muſt be confeſſed, the glory of Chriſt was mightily eclipſed, when his Deity was veiled under the frail fabrick of mans humanity.
2 Power; when he ſeemingly ſuffered,
1 Himſelfe to be over-powred on earth; to be apprehended, buffeted, ſcourged, and crucified; to ſee him that was the Creatour of nature, to ſuffer death by his ſinfull creatures; this was that which brought that qLuke 24.21.diſciples faith to a low ebbe; when he thus ſpake, We hoped that it had been he that ſhould have redeemed Iſrael, viz. by his power. He looked for a temporall ſaviour from the Romane yoke. But ſeeing the Power of Chriſt to be eclipſed, he ſcarce knoweh what to ſay or hope for.
2 When Chriſt ſuffereth his own people to be as they were in Davids time.
1 Driven back, or rPſal. 44.10.routed in the day of their encounter with their enemies, being ſmitten with Panick fear, and not able to ſtand under it.
2ly, Pillaged and plundered, given up to the will and luſt of their enemies.
3ly, Scattered up and down among the heathen; driven out of their own habitations: made a reproaah to their neighbours, ſPſal. 44.13, 14.a proverb and a hiſſing to all that are about them: Yea
4ly, tRom. 8.36.All the day long to be killed, and appointed as ſheep for the ſlaughter. When Saints are maſſacred, and perſecutours no more troubled, then butchers at the killing of ſheep: Jeſus Chriſt in all theſe ſeemeth to be under an Eclipſe, in regard of his own power, at leaſt in our apprehenſion; which maketh the Church to cry out, uPſal. 44.23, 24.Awake, thou that ſleepeſt, O Lord, ariſe, wherefore doſt thou caſt us off for ever? wherefore hideſt thou thy face, and forgetteſt our affliction, and oppreſsion? *Pſal. 142.4.When we look upon the right hand, and there is none to ſave; and on the left hand, and there is none to deliver, and refuge faileth from our ſouls. The power of Jeſus Chriſt ſeemeth to be in the eclipſe in reſpect of his people, when he reſcueth not in tentations, and in outward troubles he doth not deliver them.
3 Truth: The truth of Chriſt may be much obnubilated, xRev. 8.12.Thus Chriſt ſomtimes ſuffered the third part of the Sun to be ſmitten, and the third part of the Moon, and the third part of the Stars; ſo that a third part of them were darkened; becauſe the ſun of Goſpel-truth ſhined not, but was hidden; and the Moon repreſenting the Church, and the ſtars repreſenting the Miniſters in it, were ſmitten, and loſt much of their light. yRev. 9.2.When Antichriſt openeth the bottomleſſe pit, and there ariſeth a ſmoak out of the pit, like the ſmoak of a great furnace, it cauſeth an Eclipſe of the Sun of truth, by reaſon of errours, ſuperſtitions, idols, and thereby an inundation of ſin: Truth was hereby obſcured, yea, a totall eclipſe by an inundation of errours, and by a generall apoſtacy; As in that Apoſtolicall Church, zRev. 6.12.When the Sun became black as ſackcloth of hair: When men's inventions were mingled with the doctrine and merit of Jeſus Chriſt, what a totall eclipſe did the truth of Jeſus Chriſt then meet withall?
2 In regard of us; Chriſt may ſeemingly be eclipſed.
1 When his graces are partially beclouded in us; as there is no ſtar in the firmament, but is capable of an eclipſe, ſo there is no grace in the ſoule but may be much darkned. A mans knowledge and faith may not onelyonly be in the wain, but in the eclipſe; ſo that though he have Chriſt in the promiſe, he ſhall not be able to diſcerne him: no more then thoſe aLuke 24.16.diſciples going to Emaus; when their eyes were held that they ſhould not ſee his perſon, i.e. know it. A ſtrange detention! When it is with us, as it was with Mary, with her blubbered eyes; who miſtaketh Chriſt for the Gardener. Or as it was bJohn 20.25.with Hagar, that had a fountain of water before her, cGen. 21.19.yet could not ſee it till God was pleaſed to open her eyes. Chriſt may hide himſelfe from our hearts, that knowledge or faith ſhall not be able to reach him. And as it is with knowledge and faith, ſo it is with hope too; as we ſee in thoſe diſciples fore-mentioned, going to Emaus, We hoped that it was he that ſhould have redeemea Iſrael: and as it was with the Church in Jeremiah's time, We have looked, (i.e. we hoped) for good, but no good came, and for a time of healing, but behold trouble; and deſpondingly men are ready to ſay, dJor. 8.20, 15.The harveſt is paſt, the ſummer is ended, and we are not ſaved. Saints hopes may be ready, in regard of temporals, to give up the ghoſt, as it was ſometimes with Paul, who profeſſed that all eActs 27.20.hopes that we ſhould be… ſaved were now taken away. And the like I might inſtance in all other graces. But I muſt haſten.
2 In regard of comforts, which may be totally eclipſed, fJob 13.24.When God doth either hide his face; whereof Job doth bitterly complain, Wherefore hideſt thou thy face, and holdeſt me for thine enemy? thou writeſt bitter things againſt me, and makeſt me poſſeſſe the iniquities of my youth. This was that which drained ſo many tears from the Church gPſal. 44.24 & 88.14in David's time, and from David with the Church; Wherefore hideſt thou thy face, &c? And in Iſaiah's time, Thou art a God that hideſt thy ſelfe. Bitter it was to h2 Sam. 14.32.Abſalom to be deprived of the ſight of the face of David, ſo that he would rather put himſelfe upon the viſible hazard of death, then to be any longer without it: But infinitely more bitter it is to a Saint to be deprived of the face and favour of God. This draws out thoſe mournful complaints, iPſal. 13.1. & 89.46.How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? for ever? But however this be true, that there may bee partial eclipſes of many graces, and total eclipſes of many comforts: Yet this Sun being once up in the Horizon of our ſouls, will never any more go down from us; What elſe is the meaning of thoſe promiſes, that I ſhall only uſe to confirme this truth withall? This in the text is ſo plain, that whoever runs may read it, that once being riſen in our hearts, he will never ſet any more unto us: And he that will not take Gods word in one place, will take it in no place. To which I might adde (if neceſſary) kMatth. 28.20Behold, I am with you alwayes, to the end of the world. A promiſe not only extenſive to the Apoſtles, for ſpeciall preſence; or Miniſters, the faithfull Diſpenſers of his word, their ſucceſſors; but to all of them that were to believe by their Miniſtry: And that promiſe, lHeb. 13.5.I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee: A promiſe firſt paſt to mGen. 28.15.Jacob, then to nJoſh. 1.5.Joſhuah; but yet for the people of o1 Sam. 12.22Iſraels ſake, which were a lively figure of Chriſtians. And therefore by the Apoſtle it is extended to all believers: q. d. It cannot be that I ſhould leave thee, or deſert thee: Well I may ſometimes be beclouded and eclipſed from thee, yet I will never leave thee totally. This is the baſis of the Apoſtles confidence; pPhilip. 1.6.He that hath begun a good work in you, will performe it. When he layeth the foundations of the buildings of grace, he doth not deſert his work, but he will ſtand by it, and carry it on, and that for ever. Hence it is, that Chriſt, when he takes poſſeſſion of the ſoul, he comes to qJohn 14.23. 1 Cor. 3.16.6.19.abide in the ſoul: And abiding (we know) implieth continuance of reſidence. He dwels here as in his houſe, habitation, or temple. 'Twas a promiſe of his to abide in rPſal. 68.16.Mount Sion for ever; that was for that periodicall ever of Chriſt's coming in the fleſh. But ſJohn 14.23.Chriſt promiſeth abſolutely to abide for ever with his people by his ſpirit. He will be alwayes with us by his word, whereby he hath made himſelfe known in a covenant-way, and by his ſpirit to regenerate and ſanctifie us to eternall life, by his ſpeciall preſence and power, preſerving and ſecuring us in all the colliſions, combuſtions, confuſions that are in the world. God engaging himſelfe, tIſai. 46.4.That as he hath borne us from the belly, and carried us from the womb; ſo even to our old age, and hoary hairs, he will carry us. uPſal. 73.24.And he will guide us by his counſel, till he do receive us to glory.
As the hils ſtand about Jeruſalem, ſo the Lord ſtands about his people from this time forth even for ever. Now we know that God is not as man that he ſhould lie, Num. 23.19.and as the Son of man that he ſhould repent. Hath he ſaid it, and ſhall he not do it? Hath he ſpoken it, and ſhall he not bring it to paſſe? Theſe and many other promiſes that lie ſcattered up and down throughout the Book of God, are far more unalterable then the Lawes of the Medes and Perſians; upon which we may ſafely reſt for our eternal ſecurity; that Chriſt will not go down from us, in regard of his ſpecial preſence. And for the preſence of all his graces, that are abſolutely neceſſary unto ſalvation; However they may come into an eclipſe, *Iſa. 53.10, 11.yet Chriſt will never finally take them from us; becauſe the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. Pſal. 125.2.That gift of God, whereby he hath ſet us apart in his own counſell is unalterable and unchangeable; as being bottomed upon his eternall grace, love and mercy. Numb. 13.19.Heaven and earth may change, but our God never changeth upon point of affection toward his people. Beſides, the purchaſe of Jeſus Chriſt, whereby he hath bought us to be to himſelfe a peculiar people, that ſtands ſtill in force, and ſhall never be made void, being founded upon that unalterable *Iſa. 53.10, 11tranſaction with his Father in the behalfe of us. But I muſt wave the inlarging of all theſe.
Now for the improvement of all: Theſe points may be improved.
Ʋſe 1 1 By way of diſcovery: of which before, pag. 17.
Ʋſe 2 2 By way of comfort, to every one of you, to whom this ſun hath ariſen, and the day-ſtar hath appeared in your hearts. To you I mean, that can make it out by former diſcoveries, even to as many as zHoſ. 3.5.fear his name, fearing him and his goodneſſe, or becauſe he hath been good and gracious unto you: Thou that feareſt to offend or provoke him (as a dutifull child) a loving Father, becauſe he hath been bountifull to thee, which makes thee to cry out, being ſolicited to ſin, as Joſeph did, aGen. 39.9.How ſhall I do this great wickedneſſe, and ſo ſin againſt God? If Chriſt this true myſticall Sun, bee ariſen in thine heart, he will never ſet in regard of thoſe radicall graces, at leaſt, conferred upon thee.
Obj. 1 But you ſay, that Chriſt will never go down, when once he doth ariſe to us; but alas, we find the contrary: If Chriſt be in us, whence then are all theſe evils upon us; how cometh it to paſſe that all our comforts are departed, and the love of Jeſus Chriſt ſeemeth to be gone from our ſouls?
Sol. For anſwer hereof, note, That Chriſt may be preſent, though his comforts be abſent. The Sun is in the firmament, though he be eclipſed. Comforts are ecilpſed upon a double ground.
1. Sometimes in a Prerogative way, when Chriſt doth with-draw himſelf from comforting of us; and this eclipſe is not much unlike that at the paſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, an eclipſe not naturall, but bAquin. 3a q. 44.2. 2da.miraculous: Whither you reſpect,
1. The durance; for three whole hours, which no naturall eclipſe doth laſt; becauſe of the greatneſſe of the Sun, and the ſmaleneſs of the Moon, and the quickneſs of her motion.
2. The time; Aug. lib. 3. de civ. Dei, cap. 15in the full of the Moon; becauſe it was then the Jewiſh Paſſeover; and Solar eclipſes are alwayes confined to the cMelancthon. in John 19. milli pag. 867. parte tertii.new of the Moon naturally; which made that dDionyſius Areopagita.Philoſopher to crie out, that either nature, or the God of nature did ſuffer, at the ſight of that eclipſe: Though I cannot approve of his obſerving of the Moons getting between us, and the Sun.
3. The univerſality; It was generall, not only in Judea, but in all the world, as is eGerbard.probably conjectured. Whereas no Solar eclipſe can be univerſall in all the world, though it may be totall in one part.
The Eclipſe at the ſuffering of Jeſus Chriſt, was by the inhibition of the beams of it by the God of nature, who, Aquinas in Catanâ.as he can withhold the fire from burning, the water from drowning; ſo the Sun from ſhining for a time. fVidetur mihi clariſſimum mundi lumen retraxiſſe radios ſuos, ne aut pendentem videret Dominum, & impii blaſphemantes, luce ſuâ fruerentur. Hieronym. lib. 4o. in Matthaeum.Hee puts out ſeemingly the eye of the world, as being unwilling to behold the wickedneſſe then committing. gDionyſ. Arecpag.Some have fancied, that God fetched back the Moon at the paſſion of Chriſt, in a retrograde way; as he did do the Sun upon the diall of Ahaz: but that ſeems improbable; for then that eclipſe had been naturall, in reſpect of the Sun, not ſupernatural. I rather look upon it as an eclipſe in a way of meer prerogative, or hMelancthon.miracle; and ſo Chriſt may withhold all his own rayes and beams of comfort, that none ſhal look down upon us; for the exerciſe of the graces which he hath already conferred upon us.
2. Sometimes eclipſes ſpring from naturall cauſes; as the interpoſition of the body of the earth; when the Sun and Moon ſtand diametrally opoſite, and the ſhade of the earth is darted up to her: this cauſeth the Lunar eclipſe. And ſo when the denſe body of the Moon interpoſeth it ſelfe between us and the Sun, it cauſeth a Solar eclipſe. Theſe are the naturall cauſes of them. And ſo it is in regard of our ſpirituall eclipſes, when as the condenſated clouds of our ſins aſcend over our heads, and ſtand as the Moon between us and Chriſt, preſently we come into an eclipſe, in regard of our comfort. Your iniquities (as the Prophet ſaith) iforeignſeperate between you and your God, and your ſins kforeign Iſai. 59.2.hide away his face from you. The Prophet ſeemeth to make uſe of eclipticall expreſſions: for ſo it is that our ſins make our God to lLam. 4.44.hide himſelfe under a cloud, that our prayers cannot come at him. See therefore the cauſe of the eclipſe of thy comforts, it may be ſome ſin will be found, that doth interpoſe it ſelfe between thee, and the Sun of all thy comforts.
If thou findeſt ſin in the wind, remove it away by repentance, that thy comforts may flow down again upon thee.
Obj. 2 But the Eclipſes of my comforts are very terrible and dreadfull; and it may prove prodigious too.
Sol. I deny not but it is in ſpirituall eclipſes as in the eclipſes of the Sun. They are
1. Very dreadfull in themſelves, when totall, though our God would not have his people diſmayed at them; mJerem. 10.2.Learn ye not the way of the heathen, neither be ye diſmayed at the ſignes of heaven, for the heathen are diſmayed at them. If God doth eclipſe our comforts, he would not have us to ſorrow, as men without hope; he biddeth us to have patience, and telleth us, though heavineſſe cometh at night, yet joy will come in the morning. Yet
2 They are ſeldome prodigious. I have read indeed that Solar eclipſes have had ſometimes judgements ſeemingly to bring up the rear of them; and hence ſome have not ſtuck to father them upon the eclipſes: Groundleſly, as
1 Famine, as that foretold by nActs 11.Agabus, is pretended by ſome to be uſhered in with an horrible eclipſe, if we believe Hiſtorians, Dion.which famine continued for five years, and the prices of all things came to be increaſed eight times more then ordinarily.
2 Captivity; Alſted. Chron. pag. 54.as that into Babylon: And ſome deem the ruine of the Jews was portended by that horrid, miraculous eclipſe at the death of Jeſus Chriſt.
3 Peſtilence; as that great eclipſe in the firſt Peloponeſſian warre; when as the whole body of the Sun was almoſt darkned, ſo that many ſtars by day were ſeen of divers, and which is reputed by ſome to have uſhered in that grievous Attique plague, (whereof ſcarce the like) whereby Athens was almoſt quite deſtroyed; Thucid. lib. 2. pag. 117. 127. &c.and that great peſtilence, which did miſerably afflict all Germany and France, in the year, 1093.
4 Earthquakes: As that horrid Eclipſe in anno mundi, 3733. When the earth was ſhook 57 times in one year, after ſuch a prodigious defect of the Sun, And that in Gordian's time, Julius Capitolinus in vita Gordiani tertit. pag. 161.anno Chriſti, 237. wherein many cities were ruined, and many men loſt their lives, when day was turned into night, and men could not ſee any thing without candle-light.
5 Perſecutions: as that ſtirred up by Antiochus Epiphanes, and that by Antichriſt againſt John Huſſe, and Jerom. of Prague, when the Papiſts did confirme that helliſh doctrine, that Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks. Alſted. Chron. pag. 61.And when the darkneſſe was ſo horrid, that the birds fell down dead upon the ground.
6 Yea abundance of errours and blaſphemies: as Arianiſme in Conſtantius's time, abounding after that eclipſe; and that ſad controverſie about image-worſhip, between the Eaſtern and Weſtern Churches, was fained by ſome to have been uſhered in by an eclipſe of the Sun. Eginhard. in vitâ Caroli magni. Apparuit per ſeptem dies macula nigri coloris, &c.And all that darkning of Goſpel light, under all thoſe ſucceſſive Popes, ſeemed to ſome uſhered in by that great eclipſe, preceding the death of Charles the Great; after which, the Sun ſeemingly wore a black patch ſeven dayes ſucceſſively, if we may credit it.
7 Wars; which ſometimes have proved very bloudy; as that of Darius, when routed by Miltiades, and after by Alexander, where he loſt 90000 of his men in one pitched battle; and that of Xerxes in two remarkable battels alſo.
It cannot be denied but theſe have been the fore-runners ſometimes, yet we cannot juſtly ſtile them the cauſes of theſe great judgements. But
1 When ſuch like judgements at any time befall us Chriſtians, they are more to be imputed to the conjunction of our ſins, then to the conjunction of the Planets. And one diſcriminating difference of Chriſtians from heathens, is to look to the procuring cauſe of all; viz. ſin: rather then to theſe ſuppoſed diſcoveries of the wrath of God.
2. I obſerve upon a juſt compute, Nam experientia teſtatur, viſis eclipſibus, ſaepe fertiliſſimos, ſaluberrimos & exoptatiſſimos ſubſequutos fuiſſe annos. Al…ted. Encyclopaed. Vranoſcop. par. 2. cap. 12. Reg. 10.bottomed upon the experience of a learned man, ſometimes after eclipſes, there have the moſt fruitfull, healthfull, and moſt deſirable times followed. And yet I take not upon me to determine what is in the womb of providence.
3 The world hath had as grievous famines, captivities, peſtilences, earthquakes, perſecutions, errours, wars without them, as ever it had with them; how then can they truely be fathered on them?
4 I have read, that Hannibal had the beginning of his victories uſhered in by one eclipſe, and his totall and finall ruine by another: ſo that nothing certaine can bee concluded.
5 The face of the heavens was never the ſame exactly ten dayes, no not two dayes together ſince the Creation; and how can there be any xCum experientia ſit ſaepe expertorum, & caedem conſtellationes & revolutiones, nunquam bis revertuntur, nedum ſaepiùs, (ut oportuit) ſi certè inde regulae colligendae eſſent, …icus Mirandula: contra Aſtrologos.experimentall knowledge by this?
6 Moſt of the former judgements, cannot with the leaſt colour of probability, be imputed to thoſe eclipſes: For that famine whereof Agabus propheſied, began before the eclipſe, though it continued after. And the captivity of Judah did betide them ſeven years after that eclipſe which which was fore-told by Thales Miſeſius. And the ruine of the Jewes (if at all) was portended not by a naturall, but a miraculous eclipſe, as formerly I made out: for their ruine befell them above five and thirty years after the horrid eclipſe in Chriſt's time, which is far beyond the modern account of our ſtar-gazers, bLilly. Annus Tenebroſus.who confine the operating of any Solar eclipſe to ſo many years as the hours are, in which it is eclipſed; which cannot naturally exceed three at moſt. And for wars; how many eclipſes did betide c this Land, from the yeare one thouſand five hundred and ſixty, unto the year one thouſand ſix hundred and twenty? and yet how few were our wars in thoſe times?
7 To intaile any of thoſe former judgements upon eclipſes, is meerly heatheniſh; or to look upon them as any way ominous, or prodigious; aJerem. 10.2.It being only the way of the heathen, and therefore not to be appoved of by any Chriſtian: As when that bCleombrotus.Generall ſaw the cforeign. Herodor. lib. 9. pag. 516.Sun eclipſed, being at ſacrifice, he preſently draweth off all his forces, and would engage himſelfe no further. The like might be inſtanced in many others. But ſo the doubt formerly urged.
2 However things may ſucceed after naturall and firmamentary eclipſes, cannot be determined by man; yet we have cauſe to look upon the malignity ( *Suppoſitio nihil ponit.if there be any) of all eclipſes to be from the malignity of our ſins, when any bad conſequences follow: if that the paſſion of the Microcoſme ſucceedeth the paſſion of the Macro-coſme; not becauſe of the malignant aſpect of the ſtars, but becauſe of the malignant nature of our iniquities. This I muſt needs aſſert, that as after the darkeſt night, followeth commonly the cleareſt day; ſo after the eclipſings of Gods countenance for a moment, commonly follow the influences of greateſt mercies. Saints (I am ſure) have found it ſo by experience, after all theſe hidings of God. bPſal. 30.5.It is for a moment that his wrath continueth, but with everlaſting mercies that he doth frequently break in upon his people. Eclipſes Solar do never exceed three hours, and the eclipſes of the countenance of Jeſus Chriſt, do ſeldome continue ſo long in the totall darkneſſe of them, but ſome promiſes, as ſo many ſtars, will appear unto them.
Obj. 3 But my infirmities do moſt of all diſcover themſelves, when Jeſus Chriſt doth eclipſe himſelfe from me?
Sol. What I now ſpeak, I ſhall not ſpeak to palliat any mans ſin. Yet we know that the ſpots of the Moon do never ſo much appear, as in her eclipſes. Then all may ſee that her parts are not equally condenſated; yet in this caſe my adviſe is to humble thy ſelfe for theſe infirmities; and if thou be in Chriſt, thou mayeſt be then confident that thou haſt Jeſus Chriſt with the Father, to be an Advocate for thee, if thou be a penitent believer. And cPſal. 37.24.that though thou fall (by infirmities) thou ſhalt not utterly be caſt down; Vide Mollerum.For the Lord will uphold thee with his hand; which may be expounded not onelyonly of falling into afflictions, but infirmities.
Object. 4 But this troubleth me; never did any meet with ſuch eclipſing of comforts, as I meet withall.
Sol. But how canſt thou tell that? A man may know the continuance of his owne, hardly of anothers paine. I conceive †Alſted. Encyclo. lib. 11. Ʋranoſcop. par. 2. cap. 12. reg. 4.there have been as many eclipſes in former ages, as in theſe later times: though they never were recorded, or ſo much obſerved. And Saints doubtleſſe in former times did ſome of them meet with the ſame, even as thou meeteſt withall this day. It is an obſervation by ſome, that the ſame eclipſes do never return again, and that becauſe the face of the heavens altereth daily. Coeli motus inter ſe ſunt incommenſurabiles. Nec unquam Phaenomena, eodem prorſus modo recurrere poſſunt. Alſt. lib. & cap. quo ſupra. reg. 7.Which however it may hold true in naturals, yet it holdeth not true in ſpirituals; becauſe we know the ſame afflictions that we meet withall, our brethren that have been in the world, have met withall. d1 Pet. 5.9.Nothing hath happened to thee, but hath happened to others thy fellow-members before thee. The ſame Sun eclipſed in one way to ſome in one time, hath been eclipſed often in regard of other places. How often are men in India and Africa robbed of the light of the Sun by eclipſes, when we our ſelves in England do enjoy the full benefit of it? And on the contrary. Thou art not therefore able to judge what others have met withall.
Obj. 5 But the eclipſes of my comforts are very long and frequent.
Sol. The eclipſes of the Sun are longer, while the Moon ſtandeth longer directly between us and it; And the ſhorter, the ſooner the Moone is removed from between us and it. The longer ſin continueth unrepented of after commiſſion, the eclipſe is like to be longer; and the ſooner repentantance followeth to remove ſin, the ſhorter time, in all probability, it will continue. And for the frequency of thine eclipſes; Some take upon them to determine, how often eclipſes may happen to theſe two great Luminaries in a years ſpace, viz. that there may be five, or thereabout, and not above ſix; Alſted. Encyclopaed. lib 11. Ʋranoſcop. part 2. reg. 6.And they obſerve alſo that there is no year that hath not ſome eclipſes, albeit they do not appear to us. Spirituall eclipſes may return often, and yet no oftener then they have to others before us. But for thee, that art ſubject to theſe ſpirituall eclipſes; I would offer theſe few things by way of direction, and ſo conclude.
Ʋſe 3 Of direction to thee in this eſtate.
1. See what it is that doth interpoſe it ſelfe between thee and Jeſus Chriſt. In all probability, ſome ſin or other. When Joſeph's brethren had ſold him, God at the laſt drawes a cloud between him and them, eclipſeth his favour, ſtartling their conſciences, and then they conclude, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, Gen. 41.11.in that we ſaw the anguiſh of his ſoul, when he beſought us, and we would not hear: therefore is this diſtreſſe come upon us. Or, as Reuben ſaith plainely unto them, Therefore, Gen. 41.22.behold alſo his blood is required. When conſcience is awakened, then will the cloud appear more thick unto thee.
2. Take notice of the magnitude of thy ſin by the greatneſſe of thy eclipſe. They are the eclipſes of the Sunne and Moone, that ſhew both their greatneſſe, and the greatneſſe of the earth alſo: When David was under the eclipſe, how doth he then bewaile the magnitude of his ſin, as the procuring cauſe of it. My ſin is ever before mee. And, Againſt thee, Pſal. 51.3, 4, 5.thee onelyonly have I ſinned thus hainouſly. And hee runs back to Originall ſinne, to ſee if that had not contributed ſomething to that grand eclipſe that was upon him: Behold, Pſal. 51.6.I was ſhapen in iniquity, and in ſinne did my Mother conceive mee. Men knowing, that it is the greatneſſe of the plaiſter, that may ſhew the greatneſſe of the wound: and the greatneſſe of the eclipſings of God's favour may ſhew thee the greatneſſe of the ſin, that is upon thee.
3. Let the Sight of thy Sin, and it's magnitude, drive thee unto repentance, which is the readieſt way to bring thee out of thine eclipſed eſtate, and condition: Job 42.6.When Job was brought penitentially to abhorre himſelf in duſt and aſhes, how quickly did hee finde the flowings downe of love upon him? And was it not ſo with David? How quickly did hee heare of joy and gladneſſe, ſo that the bones that God had broken doe begin to rejoyce, after ſuch time as he ſeriouſly repented.
4. Give thy ſelfe wholly to prayer. Prayer will not draw the firmamentary Sun out of the eclipſe one moment the ſooner; no more then the Romans beating of braſſe pans, and lifting up their lighted torches towards the Moone, Plutarch. in Aemilio.would draw her any whit the ſpeedier out of the eclipſe: Yet it may draw this ſuper-coeleſtiall Sun much ſooner out of it. When it came to that, Lord, in trouble they have viſited thee, they have poured out a prayer while thy chaſtiſement was upon them, Jonah 2.2. & 4.4.how quickly then doth this myſticall Sunne ſhine in upon them? And then they conclude, Thy dead men ſhall live, &c. Iſai. 50.10.When Jonah was in the belly of the Whale, hee looketh unto the Lord, and his prayer cometh to his holy Temple. How quickly then doth mercy come in to him? The penitent ſoule that goeth to God in the name of Jeſus Chriſt, with a Bee not farre from mee, for trouble is near, or upon mee, may confidently expect, that comfort will not be long in coming.
5. Waite ſtill on God. Sweet is the counſell of God himſelf, and exceeding cordiall, Who is among you that feareth the Lord, — that walketh in darkneſſe (i. e. Iſai 30.18, 19.that hath his Sun eclipſed,) and hath no light; Let him truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God: Paralell is that declaration, Our God waiteth to bee gracious unto his. A grand condeſcention, for the Creatour to wait upon the creature! And he will bee gracious to thee, when he hears thy cry. He can cauſe light to riſe out of moſt obſcure darkneſſe. Pſal. 112.4. Gen. 15.17.When the Sun went down in Abraham's time, wee read expreſly once, there was a great darkneſſe, and a ſmoaking furnace; and yet then God came in with a burning lamp among the pieces, i. e. emblematically, his people: God hath limited our eclipſes, not onelyonly firmamentary, but ſpirituall; not onelyonly for hours, but for moments: And he waiteth ſtill to be gracious to them that humbly wait upon him their God.
6. Keep out of the ecliptick line, when once thou art come out of it: Providentiall motions bring on Solar and Lunar Eclipſes: but ſelfe-ſinfull motions bring on our ſpirituall Eclipſes. If after thou are eluctated out of one, thou falleſt into another again; Conſcience will twit thee, Jer. 2.17.Haſt not thou procured this to thy ſelfe? But if thou carefully wait upon God, and keep thy ſelf from ſin; thou ſhalt always find this text to be verified, That Chriſt this Sun of Righteouſneſſe will never go down to thee: He will never remove out of the Horizon of thy ſoule: Though in a prerogative way he may eclipſe himſelfe, yet thou ſhalt find that thy Sun will not any more go down from thee.
FINIS.
ERRATA.
Pag. 23. line 1. for Apoſtolicall, read Apoſtatical. p. 30. l. 32. for ſo, r. to.
End of the text · Fulk Bellers, Jesus Christ the Mystical (1652)