A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

1. Knowledge, let us be no longer babes, 1 Cor 14.20. the times require it, Heb. 5.12. Isa. 11.9. 2 Faith, let us strengthen it,

First, For Promises past, we have not now received them.

Secondly, For Promises to come of the resurrection he so long foretold, was at last seen, and then belongs to us, that

Use 2. To Stir us up to pity the Estates of such poor people, as sit still in darkness and in the shadow of death, having no means of Knowledge, of Faith, of Peace, John 7.49.

Ʋse 2. To Stir us up to pity the Estates of such poor people, as sit still in darknesse and in the shadow of death, having no means of Knowledge, of Faith, of Peace, John 7.49.

Use 3. How great then is that blessedness prepared for us in Heaven? where we shall see Christ as he is, and then

Ʋse 3. How great then is that blessednesse prepared for us in Heaven? where we shall see Christ as he is, and then

1. Our Knowledge shall be perfect, 1 Cor. 13.12. 2. Our Faith shall be joined with Fruition, yea we shall see what we believe, 1 Cor. 12.12. 3. Our Peace shall be passing understanding, Phil. 4.7. unspeakable and glorious, 1 Pet. 1.8. (á fortiori.)

1. Our Knowledge shall be perfect, 1 Cor. 13.12. 2. Our Faith shall be joyned with Fruition, yea we shall see what we believe, 1 Cor. 12.12. 3. Our Peace shall be passing understanding, Phil. 4.7. unspeakable and glorious, 1 Pet. 1.8. (á fortiori.)

It is good to feed on these spiritual joys, and then these carnal delights will soon grow out of taste and relish.

It is good to feed on these spirituall joyes, and then these carnall delights will soon grow out of tast and relish.

Doct. Christ in himself, and to us, is the word of life.

Doct. Christ in himselfe, and to us, is the word of life.

Here is to be showed in what respects he is called

Here is to be shewed in what respects he is called

1 A word, 2 A word of life.

[Greek or Hebrew] Here is a metaphor, and every metaphor is a short similitude, and it must not be expected that any similitude should agree in all points.

〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Here is a metaphor, and every metaphor is a short similitude, and it must not be expected that any similitude should agree in all poynts.

But Christ is called the word of God in four respects, as he is the wisdom, image, interpreter, and promise of the Father.

But Christ is called the word of God in four respects, as he is the wisdome, image, interpreter, and promise of the Father.

First, The wisdom of the Father; as reason floweth from the soul, or mind of man, and is not any accident to it, but of the same nature with it, (though there is an accidental wisdom in us, which is habitual, yet there is also an essential wisdom in us, namely, our Reason which is natural) so Christ (who is the reason and wisdom of the Father) flowed from the Father, was begotten of him, and is of the same nature with him, hence he is called the wisdom that dwelleth with God, Prov. 8.1, 22, 24, 25. 1 Cor. 1.24. and the Holy Ghost may seem to have reference to this place, John 1.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. because the description which he maketh of the world, it seemeth he took from that description of wisdom, if you compare these places. Prov. 8.1. with John 1.1. Prov. 8.3. with John 1.2. Prov. 24. to 30. with John 1.3. Pro. 8.34. with John 1.4. Prov. 8.35. with John 1.5. and chap. 1.22, 24, &c.

First, The wisedome of the Father; as reason floweth from the soul, or minde of man, and is not any accident to it, but of the same nature with it, (though there is an accidentall wisdome in us, which is habituall, yet there is also an essentiall wisdome in us, namely, our Reason which is naturall) so Christ (who is the reason and wisdome of the Father) flowed from the Father, was begotten of him, and is of the same nature with him, hence he is called the wisdome that dwelleth with God,

Secondly, As the words or speech of the man, is a character of his mind, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, a rotten heart begetteth and streameth forth unsavoury speeches, an holy heart breatheth ⟨p. 9⟩out gracious words, so is Christ the character, or engraven form of the Fathers person, Heb. 1.3.

Secondly, As the words or speech of the man, is a character of his minde, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, a rotten heart begetteth and streameth forth unsavoury speeches, an holy heart breatheth ⟨p. 9⟩out gracious words, so is Christ the character, or engraven forme of the Fathers person, Heb. 1.3.

Thirdly, As the speech or word of a man doth declare the will and meaning, and Counsel of the speaker, so doth Christ of the Father, John 1.18. Mat. 11.27.

Thirdly, As the speech or word of a man doth declare the will and meaning, and Counsell of the speaker, so doth Christ of the Father, John 1.18. Mat. 11.27.