12 For the second, which is the original of life, it is greatly for the praise of it, that it flows from that life which is in God himself; which is an unspeakable glory to the creatures that enjoy it. With thee is the fountain of life, saith David, Psal. 36.9. So he calls him the God of his life, Psal. 42.8. Natural life is but a sparkle, that flows from the life of our parents; but spiritual and eternal life, is kindled from ⟨p. 143⟩that infinite light and life in God; But yet not as Christ received we this life: for he had it by natural generation, we have it by a way unspeakable from God, but yet by Jesus Christ: In him was life, as the life was the light of men, John 14. He that hath the Son hath life, John 5.12. and he it is that is eternal life, viz. to us, vers. 20. As there is no light in the visible world, but from the Sun in the firmament; so there is no life in the spiritual world, but from God in Heaven, which hath caused it to shine in our hearts by the Son of righteousness, Christ Jesus. Thus our life is called the life of God, Ephes. 4.18, and Christ is said to live in us, Gal. 2 20. Which should teach us greatly to admire and adore the excellency of Gods goodness, and make us to rest our selves for ever under the shadow of his wings, Psal. 36.7, 8, 9. But that this point may be more clearly understood, we must consider of the original of this life from God three ways.2 First, in respect of Ordination, and so it flows from Gods decree; He hath ordained us unto life, Acts 13.48. and our names are written in the book of life, Phil. 4.3. Secondly, in respect of Merit; it was bought of God by the death of the flesh of Christ. I give my flesh for the life of the world, John 6.51. This life will not be had without his death: that we might live in eternal life, he must dye a temporal death. And shall not this greatly inflame our hearts to love the Lord Jesus, that gave himself for us, that we should not perish, but have everlasting life? Thirdly, in respect of operation or inchoation; and so the fountain of life is either without us, or within us: without us is the Word of Christ, that is the immortal seed by which we are begotten unto life, 1. Pet. 1.24. and so is called the Word of life, Phil. 2.15. And the word is so, as it is the word of Christ that is Gospel; My words (saith he) are spirit and life, John 6.63.
12 For the second, which is the originall of life, it is greatly for the praise of it, that it flowes from that life which is in God himselfe; which is an unspeakable glory to the creatures that enjoy it. With thee is the fountaine of life, saith David, Psal. 36.9. So he calls him the God of his life, Psal. 42.8. Naturall life is but a sparkle, that flowes from the life of our parents; but spirituall and eternall life, is kindled from ⟨p. 143⟩that infinite light and life in God; But yet not as Christ received we this life: for he had it by naturall generation, wee have it by a way unspeakeable from God, but yet by Iesus Christ: In him was life, as the life was the light of men, Iohn 14. He that hath the Son hath life, Iohn 5.12. and he it is that is eternall life, viz. to us, vers. 20. As there is no light in the visible world, but from the Sunne in the sirmament; so there is no life in the spirituall world, but from God in Heaven, which hath caused it to shine in our hearts by the Son of righteousnesse, Christ Iesus. Thus our life is called the life of God, Ephes. 4.18, and Christ is said to live in us, Gal. 2 20. Which should teach us greatly to admire and adore the excellency of Gods goodnesse, and make us to rest our selves for ever under the shadow of his wings, Psal. 36.7, 8, 9. But that this point may be more clearly understood, we must consider of the originall of this life from God three waies.2 First, in respect of Ordination, and so it flowes from Gods decree; Hee hath ordained us unto life, Acts 13.48. and our names are written in the booke of life, Phil. 4.3. Secondly, in respect of Merit; it was bought of God by the death of the flesh of Christ. I give my flesh for the life of the world,
- 1The original of this life.The originall of this life.
- 2It hath its original from God three ways.It hath its originall from God three waies.
