the curse, and under the wrath of God, whether | hath fulfilled: So that they need not run to the thou believest it or not. Ga. iii. 10. Jn. iii. 36. Ans. 2. But now the second thing, how thou shouldest know, whether the Spirit of Christ doth effectually set home the law upon thy conscience, or not; and therefore to speak directly to it, if the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, doth set home the law effectually; then the same Spirit of Christ shews thee more sin than the sins against the law. For, law for righteousness: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to every one that believeth. Ro. x. 4. Again, if the Spirit of Jesus setteth home the law upon thy conscience, thou wilt freely confess, that although the law curseth, and condemneth thee for thy sins, and gives thee no power either to fulfil it, or to come out of thy sins: Yet God is just in giving that law, and the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.' Ro. vii. 12. (1.) It shews thee, that 'all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.' Is. Ixiv. 6. Thou seest all thy (4.) Lastly, It also convinceth of judgment to praying, meditation, hearing, reading, alms-deeds, come: He (viz. the Spirit) shall reprove the world fasting, reformation, and whatsoever else thou hast of sin, of righteousness, yea, and of judgment too. done, doest, or canst do, being an unbeliever, de- Ac. xxiv. 25. Then doth the soul see, that that very serves at the hands of God his curse and condem- man that was born of the Virgin Mary, crucified nation, and that for ever: And therefore thou art upon the cross without the gates of Jerusalem, so far from trusting to it, that in some measure shall so come again; even that same Jesus, in thou even loathest it, and art ashamed of it, as like manner as he was seen to go up from his disbeing a thing abominable, both in God's sight and ciples. Ac. i. 11. Yea, they that are thus convinced thine own. Phil. iii. 8. Thou countest thy own per- by the Spirit of Christ, know that God hath apformances, when at best, and thine own righteous-pointed a day, in the which he will judge the world ness, A bed too short to stretch thyself upon, and a covering too narrow to wrap thyself in. Is. xxviii. 20. And these things thou seest not overly, or slightly, and as at a great distance, but really and seriously, and the sense of them sticks close unto thee. (2.) It shews thee that thou hast no faith in the man Christ Jesus by nature, and that though thou hadst no other sins, yet thou art in a perishing state because of unbelief, according to that 16th of John, ver. 9, 'Of sin, because they believe not on me.' If therefore thou hast been convinced aright by the Spirit, thou hast seen that thou hadst no faith in Christ the Son of Mary, the Son of God, before conversion. It shews thee also, that thou canst not believe in thine own strength, though thou wouldest never so willingly; yea, though thou wouldest give all the world (if thou hadst it) to believe, thou couldest not. Because faith is the gift of God. i. 29. (3.) In the next place it will shew thee, that if thou doest not believe in the man Christ Jesus, and that with the faith of the operation of God,' Col. ii. 12. thou wilt surely perish, and that without remedy; Also it shews thee, Ep. ii. 8. Phil. that if thou hast not that righteousness, which the man Christ Jesus accomplished in his own person for sinners; I say, if thou be not clothed with that instead of thine own, thou art gone for ever; and therefore saith Christ, (speaking of the Spirit) 'When he is come he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness' too. Jn. xvi. 8. That is, the Spirit shall convince men and women of the sufficiency of that righteousness that Christ, in his human nature, * Overly,' carelessly, negligently, inattentively.-ED. in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained: Ac. xvii. 31. which is the man Christ Jesus: For it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead.' Ac. x. 42. And now, O man, or woman, whoever thou art, that art savingly convinced by the Spirit of Christ, thou hast such an endless desire after the Lord Jesus Christ, that thou canst not be satisfied or content with anything below the blood of the Son of God to purge thy conscience withal; even that blood that was shed without the gate. He. xiii. 12. and ix. 14. Also thou canst not be at quiet, till thou dost see by true faith, that the righteousness of the Son of Mary is imputed unto thee, and put upon thee. Ro. iii. 21-23. Then also thou canst not be at quiet, till thou hast power over thy lusts, and corruptions, till thou hast brought them into subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then thou wilt never think that thou hast enough faith. No, thou wilt be often crying out, Lord, give me more precious faith: Lord, more faith in thy righteousness; more faith in thy blood and death; more faith in thy resurrection: And Lord, more faith in this, that thou art now at the right hand of thy father in thy human nature, making intercession for me a miserable sinner. Jn. xvi. 5—7. 1 Ti. ii. 5. He. vii. 24, 25. And then, O poor soul, if thou comest but hither, thou wilt never have an itching ear after another gospel. Nay, thou wilt say, if a presbyter, or anabaptist, or independent, or ranter, or quaker, or papist, or pope, or an angel from heaven, preach any other doctrine, let him be accursed, again and again. Ga. i. 8. And thus have I briefly shewed you. First, How Christ, as he is God, doth enlighten every man that comes into the world. Secondly, What this light will do, viz. shew them that there is a God, by the things that are made; and that this God must be worshipped. Ro. i. 20. Thirdly, I have shewed you the difference between that light and the Spirit of Christ the Sa viour. Fourthly, I have also shewed you, how you should know the one from the other, by their several effects. The first light convinces of sins, but of none other than sins against the law; neither doth it shew the soul a Saviour, or deliver (for that is the work of the Spirit) from the curse wherewith it doth curse it. But I shewed you, that when the Spirit of Christ comes and works effectually, it doth not only shew men their sins against the law, but also shews them their lost condition, if they believe not in the righteousness, blood, death, resurrection, and intercession of Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary, the Son of God. Jn. vi. 44. and xvi. 24. Mat. And thus much I thought necessary to be spoken at this time, touching the nature of conviction. iii. 17. He. i. 9. THIRD. Now in the Third Place. Though I have spoken something to this thing already, namely, concerning our Lord the Saviour, yet again, in few words, through grace, I shall shew, that he was made, that is, born of a woman, and made under the law, to redeem them that are under the law. My meaning is, That God is our Saviour. First, And for this, see Is. xlv. 15. where you have these words, Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour:' And ver. 21, 22. you have these words, Who hath declared this from ancient time? - - Have not I the LORD? And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:' Why, who art thou? For I am God, and there is none else.' Also in Is. liv. 5. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.' Read also ver. 6-8. of that chapter. I could abundantly multiply scriptures to prove this to be truth, but I shall only mind you of two or three, and so pass on; the first is in Jude, ver. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory.' And Ac. xx. 23. Jn. iii. 16; 1 Jn. v. 20. the law,' (that is, he was subject to the power and curse of the law) to this end, to redeem them that (are, or) were under the law, 'Ga. iv. 4, 5. that is, to deliver us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.' Ga. iii. 13. From whence take notice, that when the salvation of sinners was to be actually wrought out, then God sent forth the everlasting Son of his love into the world, clothed with the human nature, according to that in Jn. i. 14. He. ii. 14. and 1 Ti. iii. 16. which saith, 'God was manifest in the flesh,' that is, took flesh upon him. Second, This Son of God, which is equal with the Father, did in that flesh, which he took upon him, completely fulfil the whole law: So that the Apostle saith, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.' Ro. x. 4. This righteousness which this Christ did accomplish, is called, "The righteousness of God.' Ro. iii. 22. This righteousness of God, is by the faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all them that believe: My meaning is, it is imputed to so many as shall by faith lay hold on it. This is also part of the meaning of that speech of the Apostle: 'As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.' Ga. iii. 27. That is, by faith have put on the righteousness of Christ, with the rest of that which Christ hath bestowed upon you, having accomplished it for you. This is also the meaning of the Apostle, Co. ii. 9, 10. where he saith, for in him (that is the Son of Mary, chap. i. 13, 14.) dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.' That is, in his obe| dience and righteousness; which also the Apostle himself doth so hard press after, Phil. iii. 8, 9. saying, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord;' which Lord was crucified by the Jews, as it is in 1 Co. ii. 8. for whom, (that is for Christ,) I have suffered the loss of all things (as well the righteousness of the law, in which I was blameless, Phil. iii. 6. as all other things) and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:' which is unto all, and upon all them that believe.' That place also in the ninth of Daniel, ver. 24, 25, holdeth forth as much where prophesying of the Messias, he saith, that it is he that came to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.' Now that the righteousness of the Son of Mary is it, mind the 26th verse, where he saith thus, And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off,' that is, Christ shall be crucified, ‘but not for himself,' that is, not for any sin that he hath committed; for he committed none. Then surely, Ro. iii. 22. it must be for the sins of the people, Jn. xi. 50. as the high priest said, 'It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people,' which man was the true Messias, Da. ix. 24. which also is the Son of Mary. Mat. i. 18-23. And the Son of God, Mat. iii. 17. And also the true God, 1 Jn. v. 20. And this Messias, this Son of the Virgin, this Son of God, this true God, did not die for himself, for he had not offended; neither did he fulfil the law or finish transgression, and bring in everlasting righteousness for himself, for he had not sinned, 1 Pe. ii. 22. therefore it must of necessity follow, that this righteousness of God, this everlasting righteousness, is imputed to all, and upon all them that believe. Ro. iii. 22; 2 Co. v. 19-21. But, ་ Thirdly, this Messias, this Son of Mary, this Son of God, this true God, he was put to death for the sins that his children had committed, according to that saying, Herein perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.' 1 Jn. iii. 16. Also in Ac. xx. 28. the apostle speaking to the pastors of the churches, saith, feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.' See also Zec. xii. 10. Now, I would not be mistaken. I do not think, or say, that he died in his divine nature, but as it is written, he in his own body on the tree did bear our sins; 1 Pe. ii. 24. which tree was the cross. Col. ii. 14. And as the apostle saith again, who when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high.' He. i. 3. And again, the apostle speaking of this glorious God, saith on this wise, (being before speaking of his godhead) in Col. i. 19-22. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself: by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, who were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.' But how? Why in ver. 22. he tells you, that it is in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight.' That is, Christ, who is the true God, after that he had finished all actual obedience on earth, did in the power and strength of his godhead, Jn. xix. 50 and x. 18. yield up himself to the wrath of his Father, which was due to poor sinners (and that willingly) Is. Ixiii. 3. [see He. ix. 14. and read that verse with understanding] according to that saying in 1 Pe. iii. 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust:' That is, the Son of God for poor sinners: that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.' Again, 1 Pe. iv. 1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us (not for himself Da. ix. 26.) in the flesh, (in his own body which he took of the Virgin,1 Pe. i. 24.) arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:' That is, let us die to sin as he did, that we might live to God as he did, and doth. Ro. vi. 10. And thus have I briefly showed you, I. That the Son of Mary is very God. II. That he made the world. III. That he is our Saviour, and how. IV. That he died for sinners, and how, namely, not in his divine nature, but in his human, in his own body, and in his own flesh, Col. i. 22. redeeming his church with his own blood, Ac. xx. 28. and with his own life. 1 Jn. iii. 16. Jn. x. 18. We shall now pass on to some other things (the Lord willing) touching his burial, resurrection, ascension, intercession, second coming, resurrection of the body, and eternal judgment. HIS BURIAL PROVED.-I shall prove by several scriptures that he was buried, and so pass on. Therefore see that place, Mat. xxvii. ver. 57. and so forward. After that Jesus the Son of God had been crucified a while, he gave up the ghost; that is, he died; and after he had been awhile dead, Joseph of Arimathea went in to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave consent thereto. And Joseph took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in clean linen, and laid it (viz. the body of Jesus) in his own tomb, and rolled a stone upon the mouth of the sepulchre, and departed. Also in La. xxiii. 51-53. The apostle Paul also teacheth so much, 1 Cor. xv. 3, 4. where he saith, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scripture; And that he was buried.' Again, in Ac. xiii. 29. the apostle speaking there of Jesus Christ, saith, And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.' And so much touching the burial of Jesus Christ the Son of God. · RESURRECTION. In the next place, I am to prove, That that very man, whom the Jews did crucify between two thieves, called Jesus Christ, did rise again. That very man, with that very body wherewith he was crucified upon the cross, did rise again out of the grave in which he was laid. And this I shall prove 1. by scripture, 2. by the testimony of angels, 3. by Christ's own words after he was risen, and 4. by the testimony of the apostles in the scripture. First therefore consider, Ps. xv. verse 10. where the prophet speaks on this wise of Christ's resurrection; For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.' Which words the Apostle Peter cites in Ac. ii. from ver. 22 to 32. also Is. xxvi. 19. in the person of Christ saith, Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.' See also Ja. xx. 15, 16. where mention is made of his appearing unto Mary Magdalen, and he called her Mary, and she called him master; which signifies that he was risen, and that she knew him after his resurrection; for he was come out of the grave, see ver. 6, 7, 8. Again, another scripture is that in Lu. xxiv. 1-3. The disciples of Jesus coming to the sepulchre, thinking to anoint the body of Jesus, found the stone that was on the mouth of the sepulchre rolled away; and when they went in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus; and at this they were troubled and perplexed. ver. 4. But as two of them went up to Emmaus, and were talking of what had befallen to Jesus, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them, ver. 15. Another scripture is that in Mar. xvi. ver. 9. which saith on this wise, Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils.' Where take notice how the Holy Ghost lays it down in these words, out of whom he had cast seven devils. To intimate to us the certainty, that it was the same Jesus that was born of the virgin Mary, who did many miracles, and cured many diseases, who did also cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalen, that did rise again. Yea, saith the Holy Ghost, it was the same Jesus that did work such a wonderful miracle on Mary, he appeared to her first, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And let these scriptures suffice to prove the resurrection of the Son of God. Second, you shall have the testimony of the holy angels also by the scriptures. And first look into Mar. xvi. 3–7. the words are these, And they (viz. the disciples) said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone?' They had a good mind to see their Lord, but they could not, as they thought, get away the stone which covered the mouth of the sepulchre. And when they looked (that is, towards the sepulchre) they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man (that is, an angel) sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; And they (the disciples) were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted (you have no cause for it) Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen, he is not here; behold the place where they laid him.' What scripture can be plainer spoken than this? Here is an angel of the Lord ready to satisfy the disciples of Jesus, that he was risen from the dead. And lest they should think it was not the right Jesus he spoke of, Yes, saith he, it is the same Jesus that you mean; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, do you not? Why he is risen, he is not here. But do you speak seriously, and in good earnest? Yea surely, if you will not believe me, behold the place where they laid him. This scripture, or testimony is very clear to our purpose. But again, the next place is in Mat. xxviii. ver. 3-7. In the third verse had need to fear and tremble, for they deny the faith of the Son of God. there is an angel (as before) bearing witness of the resurrection of Jesus. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto them, (viz. to the women who came to seek Jesus) Fear not ye:' but let them that seek to keep the Lord in his grave fear if they They are they that will; for you have no ground of fear, who seek Jesus who was crucified; He is not here, for he is risen; he cannot be in body here and risen too: If you will not believe me, come, see where the Lord lay, and go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall you see him. But shall we be sure of it? Yea, saith the angel, Lo, it is I that have told you. See how plainly this scripture also doth testify of Christ his resurrection. Here, saith the angel, you seek a Saviour and none will content you but he, even the same that was crucified: Well you shall have him, but he is not here. Why, where is he then? He is risen from the dead. But are you sure it is the same that we look for? Yea, it is the same that was crucified. ver. 5. But where should we find him? Why, he goeth before you into Galilee, where he used to be in his life-time, before he was crucified: And that you might be sure of it, there to find him, know that he is an angel of God that hath told you. ver. 7. And thus have you in brief the testimony of the angels of God, to witness that Jesus the Son of the virgin, the Son of God, is risen from the dead. Object. But you will say, might they not be deceived? Might not their eyes dazzle, and they might think they did see such a thing, when indeed there was no such matter? Ans. Well, because it is so difficult a matter, to be persuaded of the truth of this thing, that Christ is raised again out of the grave, that very man, with that very body; though these things that have been already spoken, might be enough (through grace) to satisfy, yet because of the unbelief of some, we shall turn to some more of those infallible proofs that are spoken of in Ac. i. 3. to prove the point yet more clear. Third, Do but see how the Lord doth deal with an unbelieving disciple. Jn. xx. ver. 23—29. You shall see in the 23d verse, Christ after his resurrection is talking with his disciples, but Thomas was not with them. But when the disciples saw him again, they said unto him, We have seen the Lord, ver. 25. but Thomas would not believe them. Another time Jesus comes to his disciples again, and then Thomas was with them; then so soon as the Lord had said, 'Peace be unto you,' he turned himself to Thomas, and said to him; Thomas, O how doth the Lord condescend, to the end he might strengthen the futh of one that is weak. Fourth, I shall now briefly touch two or three scriptures, the which hold forth his disciples' testimony of his resurrection. And the first is in Ac. x. 40, 41. In which place the Apostle speaking of the Lord Jesus, saith, Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly,' yet 'Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us (saith the Apostle) who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.' Again, Ac. iv. 10; and xiii. 29–31. The words run thus (the Apostle speaking of Jesus, saith) And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.' See 1 Co. xv. 1-8. And thus far touching his resurrection from the dead. reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and | where he came to them on the shore, and called reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: them, and provided for them a dinner, and wrought and be not faithless, but believing.' ver. 27. As a notable miracle while he was there with them at much as if the Lord should have said, Come that time, namely, the catching of 153 great fishes, Thomas, thou hast doubted of the truth of my and yet their net break not. (Jn. xxi. read that resurrection very much; thou sayest that thou whole chapter, and Ac. x. 41.) Which as it was a wilt not believe, except thou do feel with thy great miracle, so it did also show his power and fingers the print of the nails, and do thrust thy authority over his creatures. Besides his eating hand into my side. Come Thomas, reach hither and drinking with his disciples after his resurrecthy finger, and behold my hands, and see if there tion; and also his preaching to them. Ac. i. 3. This were not the nails driven through them; and reach is not the least, viz. that he was with his disciples hither thy hands and thrust them into my side, and on earth forty days, which was almost six weeks, feel if I have not the very hole in it still, that was speaking to them the things concerning his kingmade with the spear that the dom: which was a mighty confirmation of their soldier did thrust into it, and be not faith in his resurrection. so full of unbelief, but believe that my resurrection is a glorious truth. Another infallible proof, is that in Lu. xxiv. from the 36th, to the end of the 44th verse. In ver. 30. it is said that the Lord, (even while they were talking) stood in the midst of them and saith unto them, Peace be unto you:' But they were so far from being at peace, that they were terrified, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And Jesus said to them, 'Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?' What, do you think that I am a spirit? Do you think your eyes dazzle? Behold my hands and my feet.' Look well upon me, and see my hands, and the holes in them, and likewise my feet, and the holes in them, and know that it is I myself, and not a spirit, as you suppose. Know, that it is I myself, and not another. Doth your hearts fail you? Then take hold of me with your hands, yea, handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet.' As if he had said, Come my disciples, take special notice of me, do not be daunted, nor affrighted, but consider that it is I myself. Well, they could not believe as yet, but wondered that such a thing as this should be: And while they were thus wondering he will give them another infallible proof: And he said unto them, have you here any meat?' ver. 41. As if the Lord had said, Come my disciples, I see that you are very full of unbelief, if you have here any meat, you shall see me eat before you all. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb, And he took it, and did eat before them.' Again, ver. 42. the Lord strives with another infallible proof against their doubting, saying, My disciples, do you not remember what discourse you and I had before I was crucified, how that I told you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets concerning me. Mar. viii. 31; xiv. 21. Another infallible proof was, that appearance of his at the sea of Tiberias, ASCENSION. In the next place I am to prove that this very man, Christ Jesus, the Son of the virgin, in his very body, the same body that was crucified, is above the clouds and the heavens. And though this is made light of by those men called quakers, and other infidels of this generation: Yet I am sure that it will prove true to their cost, who reject it as erroneous and vain. But to prove it, First, I shall prove that he is ascended. Secondly, that he is ascended above the clouds, and the heaven. First, that he is ascended, see Ep. iv. 8-10. Wherefore (saith the Apostle) When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth, he that descended is the same also that ascended (again) up far above all heavens.' Again, read Jn. xx. 17. where Christ after his resurrection from the dead, saith to Mary Magdalen, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:' That is, I have not yet ascended with this my body wherewith I was crucified on the cross. But go to my brethren, and say unto them (meaning his disciples) I ascend unto my |