2. From hence we may understand the incomparable Happiness of Christians, not only above the ⟨p. 500⟩Heathens, who by Divine Desertion were wholly Strangers to the Covenants of Mercy, but above God's peculiar People. The Messiah was the expectation and desire of Heaven and Earth. Before his coming the Saints had some glimmerings of Light, which made them inwardly languish after the blessed Manifestation of it: But that was reserved for Believers in the last Ages of the World. That ancient Promise (the Morning Blush of the Gospel-Day) That the Seed of the Woman should break the head of the Serpent, and the Serpent bruise his heel, signified the bloody Victory the Messiah should obtain over Satan, but how little of it was understood? One may as well from the sight of the Root foretell the dimensions of a Tree, the colour, figure, and taste of its Fruits, as from that Prediction have discovered all the parts of our Mediator's Office, and the excellent benefits resulting from it. The Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ are in the Types and Prophecies of the Old Testament, as Corporeal beings are in the darkness of the Night; they have a real existence, but no Eye is so clear as to enlighten the obscurity. The most sharp-sighted Seer might say, I shall see him, but not now. The Ministry of the Law is compared to the Light of a Candle;1 that is shadowy, and confined to a small place. That of the Gospel is like the Sun in its strength, that enlightens the World. The Prophets who were nearer the coming of Christ had clearer Revelations, but did not bring perfect Day. As some new Stars appearing in the Firmament increase, but do not change the nature of the Light. Isaiah who is so exact in describing all the Circumstances of our Saviours Death, and his Innocence, Humility, ⟨p. 501⟩and Patience; that he seems to be an Evangelist rather than a Prophet, •et the Ethiopian Proselyte, who certainly was a proficient in the Jewish Religion, understood not of whom the Prophet spake. We see what they were ignorant of, not that our sight is stronger, but our light is more clear. The full discovery of these Mysteries was reserved as an honour to our Saviours Coming. He is the Sun of Righteousness, and the Light that He hath shed abroad excels that of all the Prophets in brightness, as well as his Person transcends theirs in dignity.
2. From hence we may understand the incomparable Happiness of Christians, not only above the ⟨p. 500⟩Heathens, who by Divine Desertion were wholly Strangers to the Covenants of Mercy, but above God's peculiar People. The Messiah was the expectation and desire of Heaven and Earth. Before his coming the Saints had some glimmerings of Light, which made them inwardly languish after the blessed Manifestation of it: But that was reserved for Believers in the last Ages of the World. That antient Promise (the Morning Blush of the Gospel-Day) That the Seed of the Woman should break the head of the Serpent, and the Serpent bruise his heel, signified the bloody Victory the Messiah should obtain over Satan, but how little of it was understood? One may as well from the sight of the Root foretel the dimensions of a Tree, the colour, figure, and taste of its Fruits, as from that Prediction have discover'd all the parts of our Mediator's Office, and the excellent benefits resulting from it. The Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ are in the Types and Prophecies of the Old Testament, as Corporeal beings are in the darkness of the Night; they have a real existence, but no Eye is so clear as to enlighten the obscurity. The most sharp-sighted Seer might say, I shall see him, but not now. The Ministry of the Law is compar'd to the Light of a Candle;1 that is shadowy, and confin'd to a small place. That of the Gospel is like the Sun in its strength, that enlightens the World. The Prophets who were nearer the coming of Christ had clearer Revelations, but did not bring perfect Day. As some new Stars appearing in the Firmament increase, but do not change the nature of the Light. Isaiah who is so exact in describing all the Circumstances of our Saviours Death, and his Innocence, Humility, ⟨p. 501⟩and Patience; that he seems to be an Evangelist rather than a Prophet, •et the Ethiopian Proselyte, who certainly was a proficient in the Jewish Religion, understood not of whom the Prophet spake. We see what they were ignorant of, not that our sight is stronger, but our light is more clear. The full discovery of these Mysteries was reserved as an honour to our Saviours Coming. He is the Sun of Righteousness, and the Light that He hath shed abroad excels that of all the Prophets in brightness, as well as his Person transcends theirs in dignity.
- 12 Pet. 1.12.
