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. The Messenger is an Angel. Man was too mean to carry the News of the Conception of God: Never any Business was Conceived in Heaven, that did so much concern the Earth, as the Conception of the God of Heaven in a Womb of Earth; no less therefore than an Angel was worthy to bear these Tidings; and never Angel received a greater Honour, than of this Embassage. Angels have been sent to divers; as to Gideon, Manoah, David, Daniel, Elijah, Zechariah, &c. And then the Angel honoured the Message; ⟨p. 118⟩but here's a Message that doth honour the Angel; he was highly glorious before; but this added to his glory, Indeed, the Incarnation of God could have no less a Reporter than the Angel of God: When God intended to begin his Gospel, he would first visit the World with his Angel, before he would visit the World with his Son; His Angel must come in the Form of Man, before his Son must come in the Nature of Man.
1. The Messenger is an Angel. Man was too mean to carry the News of the Conception of God: Never any Business was Conceived in Heaven, that did so much concern the Earth, as the Conception of the God of Heaven in a Womb of Earth; no less therefore than an Angel was worthy to bear these Tidings; and never Angel received a greater Honour, than of this Embassage. Angels have been sent to divers; as to Gideon, Manoah, David, Daniel, Eliah, Zechariah, &c. And then the Angel honoured the Message; ⟨p. 118⟩but here's a Message that doth honour the Angel; he was highly glorious before; but this added to his glory, Indeed, the Incarnation of God could have no less a Reporter than the Angel of God: When God intended to begin his Gospel, he would first visit the World wirh his Angel, before he would visit the World with his Son; His Angel must come in the Form of Man, before his Son must come in the Nature of Man.
Many Men and Women have been, and are the Spiritual Temples of God; but never was any the material Temple of God, but only Mary; and therefore, Blessed art thou amongst Women: and yet we cannot say that she was so Blessed in Bearing Christ, as she was in Believing in Christ; her Bearing indeed was more Miraculous, but her Believing was more Beneficial to her Soul: that was her Privilege, but this was her Happiness. Christians, If we believe in Christ, and if we obey the Word of Christ, we are the Mothers of Christ: Whosoever doth the Will of My Father which is in H•aven,
he is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother. Every renewed Heart is another Mary, a spiritual Sanctuary of the Lord Jesus. It was the Woman's Acclamation, Blessed is the Womb that bare thee, and the Paps that gave thee suck: True, said Christ; but that Blessing extends only to one: I will tell you how many are Blessed, and rather Blessed; yea,
rather Blessed are they that hear God's Word, and keep it: Blessed are they that so incarnate the written Word by doing it, as the Blessed Virgin gave Flesh to the Eternal Word by bearing it; those that hear and keep God's Word, are they that Travel in Birth again, until Christ be formed in them.
Hearing, they Receive the Immortal Seed of the Word, by a firm Purpose of doing they conceive, by a longing Desire they quicken, by an earnest. Endeavour they travel, and when the Work is wrought, then have they incarnate the Word, and Christ is formed in them. In this Respect was Mary •lessed; and I make no question, but in this Respect also the Angel calls her Blessed, and Elizabeth calls her Blessed, and Simeon calls her Blessed, and She calls her self Blessed, and all Generations call her Blessed, and God Himself calls and makes her Blessed; yea, as Paul said, Cometh this Blessedness on the Circumcision only? so, cometh this Blessedness on the Virgin only? No,
even Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, Blessed are they that mourn, & Blessed are the Meek; and Blessed are they, whose Sins are not imputed. Even these hath God blessed with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places; and these shall Christ entertain with a Come ye Blessed of My Father.
This Angel salutes the Virgin; Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among Women. 1Many Men and Women have been, and are the Spiritual Temples of God; but never was any the material Temple of God, but only Mary; and therefore, Blessed art thou amongst Women: and yet we cannot say that she was so Blessed in Bearing Christ, as she was in Believing in Christ; her Bearing indeed was more Miraculous, but her Believing was more Beneficial to her Soul: that was her Priviledge, but this was her Happiness. Christians, If we believe in Christ, and if we obey the Word of Christ, we are the Mothers of Christ: Whosoever doth the Will of My Father which is in H•aven, 2he is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother. Every renewed Heart is another Mary, a spiritual Sanctuary of the Lord Jesus. It was the Woman's Acclamation, Blessed is the Womb that bare thee, and the Paps that gave thee suck: True, said Christ; but that Blessing extends only to one: I will tell you how many are Blessed, and rather Blessed; yea, 3rather Blessed are they that hear God's Word, and keep it: Blessed are they that so incarnate the written Word by doing it, as the Blessed Virgin gave Flesh to the Eternal Word by bearing it; those that hear and keep God's Word, are they that Travel in Birth again, until Christ be formed in them. 4Hearing, they Receive the Immortal Seed of the Word, by a firm Purpose of doing they conceive, by a longing Desire they quicken, by an earnest. Endeavourr they travel, and when the Work is wrought, then have they incarnate the Word, and Christ is formed in them. In this Respect was Mary •lessed; and I make no question, but in this Respect also the Angel calls her Blessed, and Elizabeth calls her Blessed, and Simeon calls her Blessed, and She calls her self Blessed, and all Generations call her Blessed, and God Himself calls and makes her Blessed; yea, as Paul said, Cometh this Blessedness on the Circumcision only? so, cometh this Blessedness on the Virgin only? No,5 even Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, Blessed are they that mourn, & Blessed are the Meek; and Blessed are they, whose Sins are not imputed. Even these hath God blessed with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places; and these shall Christ entertain with a Come ye Blessed of My Father.
13. This Virgin is Troubled at this Salute. She might well be troubled; For, 1. If it had been but a Man that had come in so suddenly, when she expected none; or so secretly, when she had no other Company; or so strangely, the Doors being probably shut; she had cause to be troubled: How much more, when the shining Glory of the Angel so heightened the Astonishment? 2. Her Sex was more subject to fear: If Zechariah were amazed with the sight of this Angel, How much more the Virgin? We flatter our selves how well we could endure such Visions; but there is a difference betwixt our Faith, and our Senses; to apprehend here the Presence of God by Faith, this goes down sweetly: But should a Glorious Angel appear among us, it would amaze us all. But for this, the Angel comforts her;2 Fear not Mary, for thou hast found Favour with God. The Troubles of Holy Minds ever end in Peace or Comfort; Joy was the Errand of the Angel, and not Terror; and therefore, suddenly he revives her Spirit with a cheerful Excitation: Fear not; q. d. Let those fear who know they are in Displeasure, or know not they are gracious: Thine happy Estate calls for Confidence, and that Confidence calls for Joy: What should they fear, that are favoured of Him at whom the Devil's Tremble? O Mary! How should Joy but enter into thy Heart, out of whose Womb shall come Salvation? I question, not but these very words revived the Virgin: What remote Corner of her Soul was there, into which these Beams of Consolation did not shi•e?
13. This Virgin is Troubled at this Salute. She might well be troubled; For, 1. If it had been but a Man that had come in so suddenly, when she expected none; or so secretly, when she had no other Company; or so strangely, the Doors being probably shut; she had cause to be troubled: How much more, when the shining Glory of the Angel so heightned the Astonishment? 2. Her Sex was more subject to fear: If Zachary were amazed with the sight of this Angel, How much more the Virgin? We flatter our selves how well we could endure such Visions; but there is a difference betwixt our Faith, and our Senses; to apprehend here the Presence of God by Faith, this goes down sweetly: But should a Glorious Angel appear among us, it would amaze us all. But for this, the Angel comforts her;2 Fear not Mary, for thou hast found Favour with God. The Troubles of Holy Minds ever end in Peace or Comfort; Joy was the Errand of the Angel, and not Terrour; and therefore, suddenly he revives her Spirit with a chearful Excitation: Fear not; q. d. Let those fear who know they are in Displeasure, or know not they are gracious: Thine happy Estate calls for Confidence, and that Confidence calls for Joy: What should they fear, that are favoured of Him at whom the Devil's Tremble? O Mary! How should Joy but enter into thy Heart, out of whose Womb shall come Salvation? I question, not but these very words revived the Virgin: What remote Corner of her Soul was there, into which these Beams of Consolation did not shi•e?
14. Here is the Foundation of her Comfort, and our Happiness; Behold, thou shalt Conceive in thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name Jesus. Never was Mortal Creature thus honoured, that her Womb should yield that Flesh, which was personally united to the Godhead; that she should bear Him that upholds the World. There's one Wonder in the Conception, another in the Fruit; both are marvellous: but the latter, I take it, is more Mysterious, and fuller of Admiration; the Fruit of the Womb is Jesus, a Saviour, the Son of the Highest; a King, God shall give Him a Throne, and He shall Reign for ever; for of His Kingdom there shall be no End Here was a Son, and such a Son as the World never had before; and here was the Ground of Mary's Joy: How could she but rejoice, to hear what her Son should be before He was? Surely, never was any Mother ⟨p. 119⟩so glad of her Son Born, as this Virgin was of her Son before He was Conceived.
14. Here is the Foundation of her Comfort, and our Happiness; Behold, thou shalt Conceive in thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name Jesus. Never was Mortal Creature thus honoured, that her VVomb should yield that Flesh, which was personally united to the Godhead; that she should bear Him that upholds the World. There's one VVonder in the Conception, another in the Fruit; both are marvellous: but the latter, I take it, is more Mysterious, and fuller of Admiration; the Fruit of the VVomb is Jesus, a Saviour, the Son of the Highest; a King, God shall give Him a Throne, and He shall Reign for ever; for of His Kingdom there shall be no End Here was a Son, and such a Son as the World never had before; and here was the Ground of Mary's Joy: How could she but rejoyce, to hear what her Son should be before He was? Surely, never was any Mother ⟨p. 119⟩so glad of her Son Born, as this Virgin was of her Son before He was Conceived.
The Ground of this Joy lay more especially in that Name Jesus. Here Christians! Here is the Object that you are to Look unto. The first Title that the Angel gives our Saviour, it is Jesus, a Saviour. O come! let us dwell a little here: Without Jesus we had never known God our Friend; and without Jesus, God had never known us for any other than His Enemies. This Name Jesus is better to us, than all the Titles of God: Indeed there is Goodness and Greatness enough in the Name Jehovah; but we merited so little Good, and demerited so much Evil, that in it alone there had b•en small Comfort for us; but in the Name Jesus there is Comfort, and with the Name Jesus there is Comfort in the Name of God. In old times, God was known by His Names of Power, and of Majesty, and of His Nature; but His Name of Mercy was reserved till now, when God did purpose to pour out the whole Treasure of his Mercy, by the Mediation of his Son. And as this Name is exalted above all Names; so are we to exalt his Mercy above all his Works. O it is an useful Name! In all Depths, Distresses, Miseries, Perplexities, we beseech God by the Name of Jesus, to make good his own Name, not to bear it for nought; but as He is a Saviour, so to save us: And this is our Comfort, that God will never so remember our wretched Sins, as to forget His own Blessed Name; and especially this Name Jesus. O it is the Highest, the Dearest, the Sweetest Name to us of all the Names of God.
The reason of this Name was given by the Angel to Joseph: 1Thou shalt call his Name Jesus, for He shall save His People from their Sins. But why from their Sins? We seem rather willing to be saved from Poverty, Ignominy, Plague, Prison, Death, Hell, the Devil. Sin is a thing that troubles but a few: O how few! how very few be there, that break their sleep for their Sins? Alas, alas! Sin (if we understand) is the very worst of Evils: There is no Poverty but Sin, there is no Shame but Sin, there is no Plague to that of Sin; there is no Prison, but that Prison is a Paradise without Sin; there is no Death that hath any Sting in it, but for Sin; The Sting of Death is Sin, saith the Apostle; take out the Sting, 2and you may put the Serpent in your Bosom: Nay, I'll say more, there is no Hell, but for Sin; Sin first kindled the Fire of Hell, Sin fuels it; take away Sin, and that tormenting Flame goes out. And for the Devil; Sin is his Instrument, whereby he works all mischief: How comes a Man to be a slave to Satan, but by Sin? But for Sin, the Devil had no Business in the World; but for Sin he could never hurt a Soul.
The reason of this Name was given by the Angel to Joseph: 1Thou shalt call his Name Jesus, for He shall save His People from their Sins. But why from their Sins? We seem rather willing to be saved from Poverty, Ignominy, Plague, Prison, Death, Hell, the Devil. Sin is a thing that troubles but a few: O how few! how very few be there, that break their sleep for their Sins? Alas, alas! Sin (if we understand) is the very worst of Evils: There is no Poverty but Sin, there is no Shame but Sin, there is no Plague to that of Sin; there is no Prison, but that Prison is a Paradise without Sin; there is no Death that hath any Sting in it, but for Sin; The Sting of Death is Sin, saith the Apostle; take out the Sting, 2and you may put the Serpent in your Bosom: Nay, I'le say more, there is no Hell, but for Sin; Sin first kindled the Fire of Hell, Sin fuels it; take away Sin, and that tormenting Flame goes out. And for the Devil; Sin is his Instrument, whereby he works all mischief: How comes a Man to be a slave to Satan, but by Sin? But for Sin, the Devil had no Business in the World; but for Sin he could never hurt a Soul.
What abundance of Benefits are here in one word; He shall save His People from their Sins? There is no Evil incident to Man, but it ceaseth to be Evil when Sin is gone. If Jesus take away Sin, he doth bless our very Blessings, and sanctify our very Afflictions: He fetcheth Peace out of Trouble, Riches out of Poverty, Honour out of Contempt, Liberty out of Bondage; He pulls out the Sting of Death, puts out the Fire of Hell: As all Evils are wrapped up in Sin; so he that saves us from Sin, he saves us from all Evils whatsoever.
What abundance of Benefits are here in one word; He shall save His People from their Sins? There is no Evil incident to Man, but it ceaseth to be Evil when Sin is gone. If Jesus take away Sin, he doth bless our very Blessings, and sanctifie our very Afflictions: He fetcheth Peace out of Trouble, Riches out of Poverty, Honour out of Contempt, Liberty out of Bondage; He pulls out the Sting of Death, puts out the Fire of Hell: As all Evils are wrapt up in Sin; so he that saves us from Sin, he saves us from all Evils whatsoever.
But, Is not Christ as precious a Name as Jesus is? I answer, No, For, 1. Christ is not the Name of God: God as he is God, cannot be anointed; but Jesus is the Name of God, and that wherein He more especially delights. 2. Christ is Communicated to others; Princes are called Christs; but Jesus is proper to Himself: There is no Saviour but He. 3. Christ is anointed; To what End, but to be a Saviour? Jesus is therefore the End, and the End is always above the Means. — Why? this is that Jesus, the Son of God's Love, the Author of our Salvation, In whom alone God is well pleased; and whom the Angel published afore He was Conceived: Thou shalt Conceive, and bring Forth a Son, and shalt call His Name Jesus.
But, Is not Christ as precious a Name as Jesus is? I answer, No, For, 1. Christ is not the Name of God: God as he is God, cannot be anointed; but Jesus is the Name of God, and that wherein He more especially delights. 2. Christ is Communicated to others; Princes are called Christs; but Jesus is proper to Himself: There is no Saviour but He. 3. Christ is anointed; To what End, but to be a Saviour? Jesus is therefore the End, and the End is alwayes above the Means. — Why? this is that Jesus, the Son of God's Love, the Author of our Salvation, In whom alone God is well pleased; and whom the Angel published afore He was Conceived: Thou shalt Conceive, and bring Forth a Son, and shalt call His Name Jesus.
2. The Conception of Christ, was the Conclusion of the Angel's Message: No sooner had the Virgin said, Be it to me according to Thy Word; but according to that Word it was: immediately the Holy Ghost over-shadowed her, and Forms our Saviour in her Womb. Now Christians! Now was the Time of Love; especially, if we relate to His Conception and Birth: Well may we say, Now was it that the Day brake up, that the Sun arose, that Darkness vanished, that Wrath and Anger gave place to Favour and Salvation: ⟨p. 120⟩Now was it, that Free-Grace came down from Heaven, Thousands of Angels waiting on her; the very Clouds part (as it were) to give her way; the Earth springs to welcome her; the Floods clap their Hands for Joy; the Heavenly Hosts sing as she goes along, Glory to God in the Highest, Peace upon Earth, Good Will towards Men: Truth and Righteousness go before her, Peace and Prosperity follow after her, Pity and Mercy waits on either Hand; and when she first sets Foot on the Earth, she cries a Jesus, a Saviour! Hear ye Sons of Men! The Lord hath sent me down to bring you News of a Jesus! Grace and Peace be unto you: I will live with you in this World, and you shall live with me in the World to come. O here was Blessed News! Why, this is Gospel, pure Gospel; this is the Glad Tidings: Free Grace proclaims a Jesus; and a Jesus is made up (as it were) all of Free-Grace. O what Eternal Thanks do we owe to the Eternal God! If there had not been a Jesus (to borrow that Expression) made all of Grace, of Grace it self, we could never have had Dealing with God. O how may we say with the Angels; Glory to God: Blessed be God, for Jesus Christ!
2. THe Conception of Christ, was the Conclusion of the Angel's Message: No sooner had the Virgin said, Be it to me according to Thy Word; but according to that Word it was: immediately the Holy Ghost over-shadowed her, and Forms our Saviour in her Womb. Now Christians! Now was the Time of Love; especially, if we relate to His Conception and Birth: Well may we say, Now was it that the Day brake up, that the Sun arose, that Darkness vanished, that Wrath and Anger gave place to Favour and Salvation: ⟨p. 120⟩Now was it, that Free-Grace came down from Heaven, Thousands of Angels waiting on her; the very Clouds part (as it were) to give her way; the Earth springs to welcom her; the Flouds clap their Hands for Joy; the Heavenly Hosts sing as she goes along, Glory to God in the Highest, Peace upon Earth, Good Will towards Men: Truth and Righteousness go before her, Peace and Prosperity follow after her, Pity and Mercy waits on either Hand; and when she first sets Foot on the Earth, she cryes a Jesus, a Saviour! Hear ye Sons of Men! The Lord hath sent me down to bring you News of a Jesus! Grace and Peace be unto you: I will live with you in this World, and you shall live with me in the World to come. O here was Blessed News! Why, this is Gospel, pure Gospel; this is the Glad Tidings: Free Grace proclaims a Jesus; and a Jesus is made up (as it were) all of Free-Grace. O what Eternal Thanks do we owe to the Eternal God! If there had not been a Jesus (to borrow that Expression) made all of Grace, of Grace it self, we could never have had Dealing with God. O how may we say with the Angels; Glory to God: Blessed be God, for Jesus Christ!
But in this Conception of Christ are so many Wonders, that ere we begin to speak them,1 we may stand amazed: Without Controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness; God manifested in the Flesh. Say, Is it not a Wonder, a Mystery, a great Mystery, a great Mystery without all Controversy, that the Son of God should be made of a Woman, even made of that Woman which was made by Himself? Is it not a Wonder, that her Womb then, and that the Heavens now, should contain Him, whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain? Concerning this Conception of Christ, I shall speak a little, and but a little: What Man can conceive much of this Conception, which was a Conception without Help of Man?2 Our greatest Light we borrow from the Angel, who describes it thus; The Holy-Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee.
But in this Conception of Christ are so many Wonders, that e're we begin to speak them,1 we may stand amazed: Without Controversie, great is the Mystery of Godliness; God manifested in the Flesh. Say, Is it not a Wonder, a Mystery, a great Mystery, a great Mystery without all Controversie, that the Son of God should be made of a Woman, even made of that Woman which was made by Himself? Is it not a Wonder, that her Womb then, and that the Heavens now, should contain Him, whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain? Concerning this Conception of Christ, I shall speak a little, and but a little: What Man can conceive much of this Conception, which was a Conception without Help of Man?2 Our greatest Light we borrow from the Angel, who describes it thus; The Holy-Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee.
1. The Agent or Efficient Cause of Christ's Conception, is the Holy-Ghost. This agrees with that Speech of the Angel to Joseph; 1That which is Conceived in her, is of the Holy-Ghost. Here it may be demanded, why the Conception of Christ should be ascribed to the Holy-Ghost, which is common to all the Actions in the Trinity? I answer, Not to exclude the rest; but first, to show it was the free Grace of God, which is often termed the Holy-Ghost. 2. Because the Father and the Son effected it by the Holy-Ghost, so was it his Work immediately, and in a special manner: Good reason have we to be thankful to all the Three Persons; to the Father, for ordaining this Garment; to the Holy-Ghost, for weaving it; to the Son, for wearing it; to the whole Deity, for clothing us with it, and making us Righteous by it —Neither yet is the Holy-Ghost Christ's Father; he did not beget Him, he did not form Him, he did not minister Matter from his own Substance whereof Christ was made; but took a part of Humane Nature from the Virgin, and of that he made the Body of Christ within her. Away with all gross Opinions, and old Heresies! This Conception of Christ was not by any Carnal Effusion of Seminal Humour; but by way of Manufacture, (i.) by Handy-work, or Operation, or Virtue of the Holy-Ghost; or else by the Energetical Command and Ordination of the Holy-Ghost, whereby that part of the Virgin's Blood, or Seed, whereof the Body of Christ was to be framed, was so cleansed and sanctified, that in it there should be neither Spot nor Stain of Original Pollution.
1. The Agent or Efficient Cause of Christ's Conception, is the Holy-Ghost. This agrees with that Speech of the Angel to Joseph; 1That which is Conceived in her, is of the Holy-Ghost. Here it may be demanded, why the Conception of Christ should be ascribed to the Holy-Ghost, which is common to all the Actions in the Trinity? I answer, Not to exclude the rest; but first, to shew it was the free Grace of God, which is often termed the Holy-Ghost. 2. Because the Father and the Son effected it by the Holy-Ghost, so was it his Work immediately, and in a special manner: Good reason have we to be thankful to all the Three Persons; to the Father, for ordaining this Garment; to the Holy-Ghost, for weaving it; to the Son, for wearing it; to the whole Deity, for cloathing us with it, and making us Righteous by it —Neither yet is the Holy-Ghost Christ's Father; he did not beget Him, he did not form Him, he did not minister Matter from his own Substance whereof Christ was made; but took a part of Humane Nature from the Virgin, and of that he made the Body of Christ within her. Away with all gross Opinions, and old Heresies! This Conception of Christ was not by any Carnal Effusion of Seminal Humour; but by way of Manufacture, (i.) by Handy-work, or Operation, or Virtue of the Holy-Ghost; or else by the Energetical Command and Ordination of the Holy-Ghost, whereby that part of the Virgin's Blood, or Seed, whereof the Body of Christ was to be framed, was so cleansed and sanctified, that in it there should be neither Spot nor Stain of Original Pollution.
2. The Fruit or Effect was the Framing of Christ's Manhood, in which we may observe the Matter and Manner. 1. For the Matter: Observe we the Matter of the Body, and of the Soul of Christ. 1. The Matter of the Body of Christ, it was the very Flesh and Blood of the Virgin: He was made of Woman, saith the Apostle, (i.) of the Flesh and Blood,1 & Substance of the Woman: And He was made of the Seed of David (saith the Apostle) according to the Flesh, otherwise He could not have been the Son of David, according to the Flesh: And, if it be true which the Philosophers say, That the Seed of the Man doth not fall into the Substance of the Child, but only doth dispose the Seed of the Woman, (as a Workman frameth and disposeth his Work) to make the same into the Form of a Man: Why then, I know not wherein the Conception of Christ should differ in the Matter at all from our Conception; save only in the Agent, or Worker of his Substance, who was the Holy-Ghost. 2. The Matter or Substance of the Soul of Christ, was not derived from the Soul of the Virgin, as a part thereof; but it was made as the Souls of other Men be, (i.) of nothing, by the Power of God; and so infused into the Body by the Hand of God: But of these Things (of His Body and Soul, and Humane Nature) we shall speak more largely in the next Section.
2. For the manner of forming Christs humane Nature, it was miraculous. The Angel ascribes two actions to the Holy Ghost in this great work; the one to come upon the Virgin, the other to overshadow her; by the first is signified the extraordinary work of the Holy Ghost in fashioning the humane Nature of Christ; as it was said of Sampson, 1The spirit of the Lord came upon him, (i.e.) the Holy Ghost inspired him with an extraordinary strength; so the Spirit of the Lord came upon her (i.e.) the holy Ghost wrought in her in an extraordinary way. As for instance; in ordinary generation our substance and parts are framed successively by degrees, as first, the seminal humour becomes an Embryo, then a body in organical; then are fashioned the Liver, Heart, and Brain, and then the rest one after another? and it is at least forty days before the body of a Child be fully formed: now it was otherwise with the Body of Christ; for in the very instant of his conception, he was made perfect in Body and Soul, void of Sin, and full of Grace; in the very instant of his Conception he was perfectly framed, and instantly united unto the eternal Word, perfect God and perfect Man. Surely this was extraordinary, and this is the property of the Holy Ghost subito operari, to work instantly and perfectly; as soon as ever the flesh was conceived, it was presently united, 2and made the flesh of the Son of God; it was suddenly made, perfectly made, holily made.
The second action ascribed to the holy Ghost, is adumbration, or overshadowing of the Virgin; this teacheth us that we should not search overmuch into this great Mystery. Alas it is to high for us; if the course of ordinary generation be a secret, how past all comprehension, is this extraordinary operation? the holy Ghost did cast a shadow over the Virgin, and withal a shadow over this Mystery? why should we seek a clear light where God himself will have a shadow?1 I know the Word was made flesh (saith Chrysostom) but how he was made I know not.
The second action ascribed to the holy Ghost, is adumbration, or overshadowing of the Virgin; this teacheth us that we should not search overmuch into this great Mystery. Alas it is to high for us; if the course of ordinary generation be a secret, how past all comprehension, is this extraordinary operation? the holy Ghost did cast a shadow over the Virgin, and withall a shadow over this Mystery? why should we seek a clear light where God himself will have a shadow?1 I know the Word was made flesh (saith Chrysostome) but how he was made I know not.
