Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

2. Christ carried on the great work of our salvation in that dark time, not by himself exhibited (as when he was Incarnate) but only promised. The great King would first have his Harbingers to lead the way, before he himself would come in person. As the Lord had observed this method in creating the World, that first he would have darkness, and then light, and as still he observes this method in upholding the world, that first he will have dawning, and then clear day; so in the framing and upholding of his Church, he will first have Christ held forth in Ceremonies, Rites, Figures, Types, Promises, Covenants; and then like a glorious Sun, or like the day-spring from on high he would visit the world, to give light to them that sit in darkness. To this purpose we read, that as Christ, so the Covenant of grace (which applies Christ to us) was first promised, and then promulgated: the Covenant of promise was that Covenant, which God made with Adam, and Abraham, and Moses, and David, and all Israel in Jesus Christ; to be Incarnate, crucified, and risen from the dead; and it was meet that the promise should go before the Gospel, and be fulfilled in the Gospel, that so a great good might earnestly be desired, before it was bestowed. In a time of darkness men desire light; as the morning-watch watcheth and longeth for the morning, so the obscure revelation of Christ in a promise, raised the hearts of the Patriarchs to an earnest desire of Christ his coming in the flesh. But in this obscurity we may observe some degrees; before the Law given by Moses the promise was more obscure; the Law being given, even to the time of the Prophets, the promise was a little more clear; in the time of the Prophets, even to John the Baptist, it was clearer yet; as the coming of the messias did approach nearer and nearer, so was the promise clearer and clearer still: Just as the approach of the Sun is nearer or further off, so is the light that goes before it greater or lesser. In like manner was the Revelation that went before Christ more dim or clear, as the rising of the Sun of righteousness was more remote, or nigh at hand. It was the good pleasure of God to manifest the riches of his grace by degrees, and not all at once; we see to this very day, that God in his several approaches of mercy and goodness draws nearer and nearer to his Church:

2. Christ carried on the great work of our salvation in that dark time, not by himself exhibited (as when he was Incarnate) but onely promised. The great King would first have his Harbingers to lead the way, before he himself would come in person. As the Lord had observed this method in creating the World, that first he would have darkness, and then light, and as still he observes this method in upholding the world, that first he will have dawning, and then clear day; so in the framing and upholding of his Church, he will first have Christ held forth in Ceremonies, Rites, Figures, Types, Promises, Covenants; and then like a glorious Sun, or like the day-spring from on high he would visit the world, to give light to them that sit in darkness. To this purpose we read, that as Christ, so the Covenant of grace (which applies Christ to us) was first promised, and then promulgated: the Covenant of promise was that Covenant, which God made with Adam, and Abraham, and Moses, and David, and all Israel in Jesus Christ; to be Incarnate, crucified, and risen from the dead; and it was meet that the promise should go before the Gospel, and be fulfilled in the Gospel, that so a great good might earnestly be desired, before it was bestowed. In a time of darkness men desire light; as the morning-watch watcheth and longeth for the morning, so the obscure revelation of Christ in a promise, raised the hearts of the Patriarchs to an earnest desire of Christ his coming in the flesh. But in this obscurity we may observe some degrees; before the Law given by Moses the promise was more obscure; the Law being given, even to the time of the Prophets, the promise was a little more clear; in the time of the Prophets, even to John the Baptist, it was clearer yet; as the coming of the messias did approach nearer and nearer, so was the promise clearer and clearer still: Just as the approach of the Sun is nearer or further off, so is the light that goes before it greater or lesser. In like manner was the Revelation that went before Christ more dim or clear, as the rising of the Sun of righteousness was more remote, or nigh at hand. It was the good pleasure of God to manifest the riches of his grace by degrees, and not all at once; we see to this very day, that God in his several approaches of mercy and goodness draws nearer and nearer to his Church: