1. We must know Jesus, carrying on the great work of our salvation in that eternity before all time. Come, learn what this Jesus is, 1. In his relation to God, and so he is Gods Son, eternally begotten before all worlds. See above, and learn it throughly, who it is that was begotten, for the person, when it was for the time, how it was for the manner, and what was the mutual kindness and love of him that begot, and of him that was begotten: O the height and depth of this knowledge! 2. Come, learn what this Jesus is in his relation to us before all worlds, and to that purpose study close that great transaction betwixt God and Christ for our salvation. 1. Study that project of God, that he would glorify his grace; and to this end, that he would predestinate Christ, and in Christ he would choose some of the souls of men, and amongst the rest, that he would choose thee, whom notwithstanding sin, he would make holy, and without blame before him in love. 2. Study the counsels of God concerning man before all worlds: O 'twas an hard question, how sin should be pardoned, the sinner reconciled, and yet God glorify his justice? none but the wisdom of God could ever find out a way to have had mercy on the man, and yet to take vengeance on the sin; but herein appeared the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, he devised the way to translate this mans sin (suppose thine own sins) on another's person, who was able to bear them; & to interest this mans person (suppose thine own self) in another's righteousness, who was able to cover him. 3. Study the foreknowledge of God, how the Lord knew his from everlasting with a knowledge of love and approbation; after the project was laid, and the counsels of God were agreed upon it, then God fore-knew, or fore-saw whom to embrace in his eternal love: And, O my soul, if thou art one of his, if God in Christ hath of his own free love set thee apart to life and salvation, then know it for thy self, 1it is inward experimental knowledge we speak of. 4. Study the purpose of God concerning thy salvation; this purpose of God speaks the stability, and certainty of they salvation in Christ; his purpose is in, and from himself, who is God, and not man and therefore cannot repent;2 hath he said, and shall he not do it? hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 5.
1. We must know Jesus, carrying on the great work of our salvation in that eternity before all time. Come, learn what this Jesus is, 1. In his relation to God, and so he is Gods Son, eternally begotten before all worlds. See above, and learn it throughly, who it is that was begotten, for the person, when it was for the time, how it was for the manner, and what was the mutual kindness and love of him that begot, and of him that was begotten: O the height and depth of this knowledge! 2. Come, learn what this Jesus is in his relation to us before all worlds, and to that purpose study close that great transaction betwixt God and Christ for our salvation. 1. Study that project of God, that he would glorifie his grace; and to this end, that he would predestinate Christ, and in Christ he would choose some of the souls of men, and amongst the rest, that he would choose thee, whom notwithstanding sin, he would make holy, and without blame before him in love. 2. Study the counsels of God concerning man before all worlds: O 'twas an hard question, how sin should be pardoned, the sinner reconciled, and yet God glorifie his justice? none but the wisdome of God could ever find out a way to have had mercy on the man, and yet to take vengeance on the sin; but herein appeared the depth of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God, he devised the way to translate this mans sin (suppose thine own sins) on anothers person, who was able to bear them; & to interest this mans person (suppose thine own self) in anothers righteousness, who was able to cover him. 3. Study the foreknowledge of God, how the Lord knew his from everlasting with a knowledge of love and approbation; after the project was laid, and the counsels of God were agreed upon it, then God fore-knew, or fore-saw whom to imbrace in his eternal love: And, O my soul, if thou art one of his, if God in Christ hath of his own free love set thee apart to life and salvation, then know it for thy self, 1it is inward experimental knowledge we speak of. 4. Study the purpose of God concerning thy salvation; this purpose of God speaks the stability, and certainty of they salvation in Christ; his purpose is in, and from himself, who is God, and not man and therefore cannot repent;2 hath he said, and shall he not do it? hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 5.
- 1J•b 5 27.
- 2Numb. 23.19
