Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…
Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of Jesus as carrying on the great work of mans salvation from first to last / by Isaac Ambrose ...
Isaac Ambrose 1604–1664London: printed for Richard Chiswel, 1680
[12], 644 [i.e. 538] p. · 484k words · Wing A2957 · ESTC R33051
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. They had the same Promise; as, I will be your God, and you shall be My People. 1And Happy art thou, O Israel, saved by the Lord. And, The Lord is our King, and He will save us. They had not only the Hopes of an Earthly Inheritance in Canaan, (as some fondly imagine) but of an Heavenly Inheritance in the Kingdom of God: And to this purpose, our Saviour speaks expressly; Many shall come from the East and West,2 and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. They had the same Promise; as, I will be your God, and you shall be My People. 1And Happy art thou, O Israel, saved by the Lord. And, The Lord is our King, and He will save us. They had not only the Hopes of an Earthly Inheritance in Canaan, (as some fondly imagine) but of an Heavenly Inheritance in the Kingdom of God: And to this purpose, our Saviour speaks expresly; Many shall come from the East and West,2 and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven.
even by Faith in Christ Jesus: Abraham saw My Day, said Christ; and, Christ is the same Yesterday, and to Day, and for Ever: He is the same not only in regard of Essence, but also in regard of the Efficacy of His Office, from the Beginning to the End of the World. We believe (said Peter) that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
we shall be saved even as they: And, Unto us was the Gospel Preached (saith Paul) as unto them. Some may think they had no Gospel, but only the Law, before Christ: But, What say you? Have we not observed a Thread of the Gospel, and of the Covenant of Grace, to run through all the Old-Testament, from First to Last? And, How plain is the Apostle? For, this cause also was the Gospel preached also to them that are Dead. Dead long since; for he speaks of them, who lived in the Days of Noah. Nay, the Apostle to the Hebrews,
Abel offered up unto God a more excellent Sacrifice, than Cain. —By Faith, Enoch was Translated, that he should not see Death. — By Faith, Noah being warned by God, prepared an Ark. —By Faith,
Abraham, when he was called to go into a Place which he should after receive for an Inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. —These all died in Faith, not having received the Promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them. Besides these, he reckons up the Faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Joseph, and Moses, and Rahab, and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah,
⟨p. 88⟩
and David, and Samuel, and of all the Prophets; who through Faith did marvellous things, as it there appears. Surely they had the same Doctrine of Grace as we have; it is the very same for Substance, without any difference.
2. As they had the same Promise, so they had it upon the same ground that we have;1 even by Faith in Christ Jesus: Abraham saw My Day, said Christ; and, Christ is the same Yesterday, and to Day, and for Ever: He is the same not only in regard of Essence, but also in regard of the Efficacy of His Office, from the Beginning to the End of the World. We believe (said Peter) that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,2 we shall be saved even as they: And, Ʋnto us was the Gospel Preached (saith Paul) as unto them. Some may think they had no Gospel, but only the Law, before Christ: But, What say you? Have we not observed a Thred of the Gospel, and of the Covenant of Grace, to run through all the Old-Testament, from First to Last? And, How plain is the Apostle? For, this cause also was the Gospel preached also to them that are Dead. Dead long since; for he speaks of them, who lived in the Dayes of Noah. Nay, the Apostle to the Hebrews, 3gives us a Catalogue of Old-Testament-Believers: By Faith, 4Abel offered up unto God a more excellent Sacrifice, than Cain. —By Faith, Enoch was Translated, that he should not see Death. — By Faith, Noah being warned by God, prepared an Ark. —By Faith, 5Abraham, when he was called to go into a Place which he should after receive for an Inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. —These all died in Faith, not having received the Promises, but having seen them afar off, and were perswaded of them, and embraced them. Besides these, he reckons up the Faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Joseph, and Moses, and Rahab, and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephtah, ⟨p. 88⟩and David, and Samuel, and of all the Prophets; who through Faith did marvellous things, as it there appears. Surely they had the same Doctrine of Grace as we have; it is the very same for Substance, without any difference.
They are one for Substance; but in regard of the manner of Dispensation, and revealing in the several Times, Ages, States, and Conditions of the Church, there is a difference. I shall reduce all to these Particulars: They are distinguished, —
1. In the Object: In the Old Administration Christ was promised; but in the New-Covenant Christ is exhibited: It was meet, the Promise should go before the Gospel, and be fulfilled in the Gospel, that so great a Good might earnestly be desired before it was bestowed.
2. In the Federates: Under the Old Dispensation they are compared to an Heir under Age, needing a Guardian, Tutor, or School-master; little differing from a Servant: But in the New-Testament they are compared to an Heir come to ripe Years; see Gal. 4.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
2. In the Federates: Under the Old Dispensation they are compared to an Heir under Age, needing a Gardian, Tutor, or School-master; little differing from a Servant: But in the New-Testament they are compared to an Heir come to ripe Years; see Gal. 4.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
3. In the Manner of their Worship: In the Old-Testament they were held under the Ceremonial Law; and Oh, What an heap of Ceremonies, Rites, Figures, & Shadows did they use in their Worship! Certainly these declared the Infancy and Non-age of the Jews, who being not capable of the high Mysteries of the Gospel, they were taught by their Eyes, as well as their Ears. These Ceremonies were as Rudiments, & Introductions fitted to the gross and weak Senses of that Church, who were to be brought on by little and little, through such Shadows and Figures, to the true Image, and thing signified: But in the New-Covenant or Testament, our Worship is more spiritual: Our Saviour hath told us,1 That as God is a Spirit; so, They that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit & Truth. The Hour cometh, and now is (saith Christ) when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit, and in Truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.
14. In the Burden of Ceremonies: Peter calls the Ceremonies of old, A Yoke, which neither our Fathers nor we (saith he) were able to bear. And no wonder, if we consider. 1. The burden of their costly Sacrifices; if any had but touched an unclean Thing, he must come and offer a Sacrifice; as sometimes a Bullock, and sometimes a Lamb: You that think every thing too much for a Minister of Christ, if for every Offence you were to offer such Sacrifices now, you would count it an heavy Burden indeed. 2. They had long and tedious Journeys to Jerusalem; the Land lay more in length than breadth, and Jerusalem stood almost at one End of it;2 and thither Thrice a Year all the Males were to go and appear before God. 3. They were tied to the Observation of many Days, the New Moons, and many Ceremonial Sabbaths; and they were restrained from many Liberties, as in Meats, and the like: Oh, What Burdens were upon them! But in the New-Covenant, or Testament, the Yoke is made more easy: We are bound indeed to the Duties of the moral Law, as well as they, yet a great Yoke is taken off from us; and therefore Christ, inviting us to the Gospel, He gives it out thus; Take My Yoke upon you, (saith He) for My Yoke is easy, 3and My Burden light.
14. In the Burthen of Ceremonies: Peter calls the Ceremonies of old, A Yoak, which niether our Fathers nor we (saith he) were able to bear. And no wonder, if we consider. 1. The burthen of their costly Sacrifices; if any had but touched an unclean Thing, he must come and offer a Sacrifice; as sometimes a Bullock, and sometimes a Lamb: You that think every thing too much for a Minister of Christ, if for every Offence you were to offer such Sacrifices now, you would count it an heavy Burthen indeed. 2. They had long and tedious Journeys to Jerusalem; the Land lay more in length than bredth, and Jerusalem stood almost at one End of it;2 and thither Thrice a Year all the Males were to go and appear before God. 3. They were tyed to the Observation of many Dayes, the New Moons, and many Ceremonial Sabbaths; and they were restrained from many Liberties, as in Meats, and the like: Oh, What Burthens were upon them! But in the New-Covenant, or Testament, the Yoak is made more easie: We are bound indeed to the Duties of the moral Law, as well as they, yet a great Yoak is taken off from us; and therefore Christ, inviting us to the Gospel, He gives it out thus; Take My Yoak upon you, (saith He) for My Yoak is easie, 3and My Burthen light.
5. In the Weakness of the Law of old: The Law then was unable to give Life, to purge the Conscience,1 to pacify God's Wrath; and therefore, saith the Apostle, There is verily a dis-annulling of the Commandment going before, for the Weakness & Unprofitableness thereof. Hence they are called weak and beggarly Rudiments; 2in comparison of the New-Testament, there was then a less forcible Influence of the Spirit accompanying that Dispensation of the Covenant:3 The Spirit was not then given in that large Measure as now; Because Christ was not then glorified. It appears in these Particulars:
5. In the Weakness of the Law of old: The Law then was unable to give Life, to purge the Conscience,1 to pacifie God's Wrath; and therefore, saith the Apostle, There is verily a dis-annulling of the Commandment going before, for the Weakness & Ʋnprofitableness thereof. Hence they are called weak and beggarly Rudiments; 2in comparison of the New-Testament, there was then a less forcible Influence of the Spirit accompanying that Dispensation of the Covenant:3 The Spirit was not then given in that large Measure as now; Because Christ was not then glorified. It appears in these Particulars:
1. There was less Power of Faith in the Saints, before Christ; when the Doctrine of Faith was more fully revealed, then was Faith it self more fully revealed in the hearts and lives of God's People.1 Before Faith came (saith the Apostle) we were kept under the Law, shut up unto the Faith, which should afterwards be revealed. Surely this implies there was a Time, when there was less Faith in God's People; and that was the Time of the Law.
2. There was less Power of Love in the Saints before Christ; according to the measure of our Faith, so is our Love: The less they knew the Loving-kindness of God towards them in Christ, the less they loved. It may be, they were more drawn by the Terrors of the Law, than by the Promises of Grace; and therefore, they had less Love in them.
2. There was less Power of Love in the Saints before Christ; according to the measure of our Faith, so is our Love: The less they knew the Loving-kindness of God towards them in Christ, the less they loved. It may be, they were more drawn by the Terrours of the Law, than by the Promises of Grace; and therefore, they had less Love in them.
3. They had a less Measure of Comfort to carry them on in all their Troubles. Christ ⟨p. 89⟩exhibited, is called the Consolation of Israel: and therefore the more Christ is imparted,1 the more means of Comfort: Hence the Primitive Saints after Christ, are said to walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Certainly the Spirit was poured in less plenty on the faithful in the Old Testament, because that benefit was reserved to the times of Christ, who was first to receive the Spirit above measure in his humane Nature, and thence to derive Grace to his Saints.
3. They had a less Measure of Comfort to carry them on in all their Troubles. Christ ⟨p. 89⟩exibited, is called the Consolation of Israel: and therefore the more Christ is imparted,1 the more means of Comfort: Hence the Primitive Saints after Christ, are said to walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Certainly the Spirit was poured in less plenty on the faithful in the Old Testament, because that benefit was reserved to the times of Christ, who was first to receive the Spirit above measure in his humane Nature, and thence to derive Grace to his Saints.
6. In the darkness of that administration of Old, Christ was but shadowed out to the Fathers in Types and Figures, and dark Prophesies, but now we see him with open Face. 1Observe the difference in reference to the person of Christ, and to the Offices of Christ, and to the benefits that come by Christ. 1. Concerning the Person of Christ; it was revealed to them that he should be God, Isa. 9, 6. And that he should be man, Isa. 9.6.2 The same verse speaks of a Child that is born, and of a mighty God. But how he should be God and man in one person, it was very darkly Revealed. 2. Concerning the Offices of Christ; his Mediatorship was Typed out by Moses; his Priesthood was Typed out by Melchizedek among the Canaanites, and Aaron among the Jews; his Prophetical Office was typed out by Noah, a Preacher of Righteousness; his Kingly Office was typed out by David: but how dark these things were unto them, we may guess by the Apostles, who knew not he should Die, who dreamed of an earthly Kingdom; and till the Holy Ghost came, were ignorant of many things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 3. Concerning the Benefits that come by Christ; Justification was signified by the sprinkling of Blood, and Sanctification by the water of Purification, Heaven and glorification by their Land flowing with Oil, Olive, and, Honey: Thus the Lord showed the Jews these principal Mysteries, not in themselves, but in Types and Shadows, as they were able to see them from day to day: But in the new Covenant Christ is offered to be seen in a fuller view: the Truth, and Substance, and body of the things themselves is now exhibited; Christ is clearly Revealed without any Type at all to be our Wisdom, 3Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption.
6. In the darkness of that administration of Old, Christ was but shadowed out to the Fathers in Types and Figures, and dark Prophesies, but now we see him with open Face. 1Observe the difference in reference to the person of Christ, and to the Offices of Christ, and to the benefits that come by Christ. 1. Concerning the Person of Christ; it was revealed to them that he should be God, Isa. 9, 6. And that he should be man, Isa. 9.6.2 The same verse speaks of a Child that is born, and of a mighty God. But how he should be God and man in one person, it was very darkly Revealed. 2. Concerning the Offices of Christ; his Mediatorship was Typed out by Moses; his Priesthood was Typed out by Melchizedeck among the Canaanites, and Aaron among the Jews; his Prophetical Office was typed out by Noah, a Preacher of Righteousness; his Kingly Office was typed out by David: but how dark these things were unto them, we may guess by the Apostles, who knew not he should Die, who dreamed of an earthly Kingdom; and till the Holy Ghost came, were ignorant of many things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 3. Concerning the Benefits that come by Christ; Justification was signified by the sprinkling of Blood, and Sanctification by the water of Purification, Heaven and glorification by their Land flowing with Oyl, Olive, and, Honey: Thus the Lord shewed the Jews these principal Mysteries, not in themselves, but in Types and Shadows, as they were able to see them from day to day: But in the new Covenant Christ is offered to be seen in a fuller view: the Truth, and Substance, and body of the things themselves is now exhibited; Christ is clearly Revealed without any Type at all to be our Wisdom, 3Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption.
7. In the number of them that partake of the Covenant; at first the Covenant was included in the Families of the Patriarchs, and then within the Confines of Judea, but now is the partition Wall betwixt Jew and Gentile broken down,1 and the Covenant of Grace is made with all Nations, He is the God of the Gentiles also, and not of the Jews only. Christians! here comes in our happiness; Oh how thankful should we be? that our Fathers for many Hundreds and Thousands of years together should sit in darkness, and that we should partake of this Grace! What? that we that were Dogs before, should now be set at the Children's Table?2 The very Jews themselves hearing of this, are said to glorify God. When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life. If they praised God for it, how much more should we do it our selves? But of that hereafter.
7. In the number of them that partake of the Covenant; at first the Covenant was included in the Families of the Patriarchs, and then within the Confines of Judea, but now is the partition Wall betwixt Jew and Gentile broken down,1 and the Covenant of Grace is made with all Nations, He is the God of the Gentiles also, and not of the Jews only. Christians! here comes in our happiness; Oh how thankful should we be? that our Fathers for many Hundreds and Thousands of years together should sit in darkness, and that we should partake of this Grace! What? that we that were Dogs before, should now be set at the Childrens Table?2 The very Jews themselves hearing of this, are said to glorify God. When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life. If they praised God for it, how much more should we do it our selves? But of that hereafter.
I have now propounded the Object we are to look unto; it is Jesus, as held forth in a way of Promise or Covenant; in that dark time from the Creation, till his first coming in the Flesh: Our next Business is to direct you in the Art or Mystery of Grace, how you are to look to Him in this respect.
