The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Lastly, We are to preach Christ, not only as the foundation of our approaches to God, but of all Gods gracious actions and visitations to us. We are not only to come to God in Christs name, but to expect that God will come to us through Christ. God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, 2 Cor. 1.19. We are justified in Christ, and saved in Christ. All Gods gracious actions vouchsafed to us, are founded upon Christ as the meritorious cause of them. It's rue the indeed, predestination, though it be in Christ, for the accomplishment of all our spiritual mercies, yet it was not for Christ. This the Orthodox do well maintain by Scripture, that Gods predestinating of us in the Original of it, is wholly from the sovereign power, and good counsel of God; yea, that Christ himself is the effect of Predestination, from that good pleasure of his, he gave his Son for us. But then all the effects of Predestination, Justification, Adoption, Remission, Sanctification, Salvation, these all are bestowed for Christs sake. They cost blood, even the blood of his only Son, ere we could be partakers of them. Thus Christ joineth Heaven and Earth together; makes a Reconciliation between a provoked God and a sinful sinner. And this the Apostle considers, when •e saith, That by him all things are reconciled in Heaven and in Earth, Col▪ 1.20. Thus you see, Christ is a Fountain always running: We Ministers, and you people, may always draw out there, and yet the Fountain be never dry. He is like those waters of Ezekiel, that arise higher and higher: In these an Elephant may swim. We may still discover more excellency, more fullness in him. The Queen of Sheba had no spirit to see Solomon in all his glory; but behold a greater then Solomon here.

Lastly, We are to preach Christ, not only as the foundation of our approaches to God, but of all Gods gracious actions and visitations to us. We are not only to come to God in Christs name, but to expect that God will come to us through Christ. God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, 2 Cor. 1.19. We are justified in Christ, and saved in Christ. All Gods gracious actions vouchsafed to us, are founded upon Christ as the meritorious cause of them. It's rue the indeed, predestination, though it be in Christ, for the accomplishment of all our spiritual mercies, yet it was not for Christ. This the Orthodox do well maintain by Scripture, that Gods predestinating of us in the Original of it, is wholly from the sovereign power, and good counsel of God; yea, that Christ himself is the effect of Predestination, from that good pleasure of his, he gave his Sonne for us. But then all the effcts of Predestination, Justification, Adoption, Remission, Sanctification, Salvation, these all are bestowed for Christs sake. They cost blood, even the blood of his only Sonne, ere we could be partakers of them. Thus Christ joyneth Heaven and Earth together; makes a Reconciliation between a provoked God and a sinfull sinner. And this the Apostle considers, when e saith, That by him all things are reconciled in Heaven and in Earth, Col 1.20. Thus you see, Christ is a Fountain alwaies running: We Ministers, and you people, may alwaies draw out there, and yet the Fountain be never dry. He is like those waters of Ezekiel, that arise higher and higher: In these an Elephant may swimme. We may still discover more excellency, more fulnesse in him. The Queen of Sheba had no spirit to see Solomon in all his glory; but behold a greater then Solomon here.