Two Treatises, Title page – To the reader
Two TREATISES: The One, Handling the DOCTRINE Of CHRIST's MEDIATORSHIP: Wherein The great Goſpel-Myſtery of Reconciliation betwixt God and Man is opened, vindicated, and Applyed. The Other, Of MYSTICAL IMPLANTATION: Wherein The Chriſtian's Union and Communion with, and Conformity to Jeſus Chriſt, both in his Death and Reſurrection, is Opened, and Applyed. As they were lately delivered to the Church of God at Great Yarmouth, By JOHN BRINSLEY, Miniſter of the Goſpel, and Preacher to that Incorporation.
London, Printed by T. Maxey, for Ralph Smith, at the ſigne of the Bible in Cornhill, near the Royall Exchange. 1651.
To the Chriſtian READER.
EVery naturall man wil readily aſſent to this Aſſertion of Solomon, Eccl. 11.7viz. Truly the light is ſweet, and a pleaſant thing it is for the eyes to he hold the Sun: And every conſiderate experienced Chriſtian (valuing Goſpel Sunſhine at a far higher rate) doth with the bleſſed Apoſtle,Phil. 3.8. account all things but loſs; for the excellency of the knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt his Lord: neither deſigning, nor deſiring to know any thing in compariſon of him crucified.1 Cor. 2.2. Mal. 4.2. Pro. 2.10. Although every beam from this Sun of Righteouſneſs is pleaſant to the ſanctified ſoul, yet nothing in the myſtery of Chriſt, is more affectionately taking upon the heart which loves and improves him, then the diſcoveries of his taanſcendent tranſactions as Mediator betwixt his Father and the Elect, in reference unto all ſoul concernments, from their firſt Converſion, to their full Glorification.
This Fundamentall truth of the Goſpel (viz.) the happy execution of Chriſts Mediatorſhip, in purchaſing by his paſſion, Heb. 7.25.and applying by his interceſſion, whatſoever may conduce to the complete bliſs of his people, is very wel cleered, and ſtrongly defended from pregnant Scripture in this enſuing Treatiſe. The reverend and laborious Author (my ancient and worthy friend) hath alſo added therunto another profitable Piece, viz. A Diſcourſe concerning the Beleevers Conjunction & Communion with Chriſt. Both which will (I hope) be found very uſefull both for information and comfort, unto them who ſhall ſeriouſly peruſe them. In them the underſtanding Reader ſhall taſte the ſavourineſs of the Authors ſpirit, and ſee Scripture Authority backing all the particulars which he holds forth unto publick conſideration. England of late years hath been unhappily peſtered with frothy and pernicious Pamphlets, which have tended only to feed mens luſts, and to ſatisfie the itching humours of vain hearts: Oh, that the Almighty would give us again to prize and relliſh ſuch wholſome Treatiſes, whereby our ſouls may be edified in the knowledg and practical improvement of Jeſus Chriſt. In him I am
Thy Friend and ſervant, SIMEON ASHE. Sept. 22. 1651.
ΜΕΣΙΤΗΣ: OR, The One and OnelyOnly MEDIATOUR Betwixt GOD and MEN, The MAN CHRIST JESUS. Wherein The Doctrin of Chriſts Mediatorſhip is largely handled; And the great Goſpel-Myſtery of Reconciliation betwixt GOD and MAN is Opened, Vindicated, and Applyed. As it was lately preſented to the Church of God at Great Yarmouth, BY JOHN BRINSLEY, Miniſter of the Goſpel, and Preacher to that Incorporation.
2 COR. 5.18. God hath given to us the Miniſtry of Reconciliation.
PSAL. 11.3. If the foundations be deſtroyed, what can the Righteous do?
London, Printed by Tho. Maxey for Ralph Smith, at the ſign of the Bible in Cornhill, neer the Royall Exchange. 1651.
Memoriae SACRƲM.
To the Eternal Honour OF THE One and OnelyOnly Mediatour betwixt God and Men, The MAN CHRIST JESUS, His bleſſed SAVIOUR and REDEEMER:
J. B. The unworthieſt of his Redeemed Ones, in Teſtimony of his unfained Gratitude for ſo uneſtimable a Favour, Humbly Dedicateth theſe His WEAK, & (ſo far as they are his) WORTHLESSE MEDITATIONS.