1. The things which God proposeth unto our Faith through Christ, are exceeding great and glorious, and such as being most remote from our innate Apprehensions, do need the highest confirmation. Things they are, which Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have they entered into the Heart of Man, 1 Cor. 2. 9. Things unexpected, great and glorious are apt to surprise, amaze and overwhelm our Spirits, until they are uncontrollably testified unto. So when Jacobs sons told their Father that Joseph was alive, and made Governor over all the Land of Egypt, Gen. 45. 26. The Tidings were too great and good for him to receive. But it is added, that when they gave Evidence unto their report by the Waggons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the Spirit of Jacob revived; ver. 27, 28. The things of the Gospel, pardon of Sin, Peace with God, Participation of the Spirit, Grace and Glory, are great and marvellous. Men at the hearing of them are like them that dream, the words concerning them seem like the Report of the Woman unto the Apostles, concerning the Resurrection of Christ, they seemed as idle Tales, and they believed them not, Luke 24. 11. Wherefore God discovers the Fountains of these things that we may apprehend the Truth and Reality of them. His Eternal Covenant with his Son about them, his Oath that he hath made unto him, whereby he was established in his office, and the like glorious Transactions of his Wisdom and Grace, are revealed unto this very end, that we might not be faithless in these things but believe. For can any thing that is proposed unto us be supposed to exceed the Duty of Faith, when we see it either in it self, or in its springs and foundation solemnly confirmed by the Oath of God? They are glorious things which we are to expect from the Priesthood of Christ, and the Discharge of that Office. And is it not an unspeakable encouragement thereunto, that God hath confirmed him in that office by his solemn Oath unto him? For two things evidently present themselves unto our minds thereon. First, that this is a thing which the infinitely holy wise God lays great weight and stress upon. And what is he not able to effect when he doth so, and consequently lays out the Treasures of his Wisdom, and engageth the greatness of his Power in the pursuit of it?
1. The things which God proposeth unto our Faith through Christ, are exceeding great and glorious, and such as being most remote from our innate Apprehensions, do need the highest confirmation. Things they are, which Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have they entred into the Heart of Man, 1 Cor. 2. 9. Things unexpected, great and glorious are apt to surprize, amaze and overwhelm our Spirits, until they are uncontrollably testified unto. So when Jacobs sons told their Father that Joseph was alive, and made Governour over all the Land of Egypt, Gen. 45. 26. The Tidings were too great and good for him to receive. But it is added, that when they gave Evidence unto their report by the Waggons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the Spirit of Jacob revived; ver. 27, 28. The things of the Gospel, pardon of Sin, Peace with God, Participation of the Spirit, Grace and Glory, are great and marvellous. Men at the hearing of them are like them that dream, the words concerning them seem like the Report of the Woman unto the Apostles, concerning the Resurrection of Christ, they seemed as idle Tales, and they believed them not, Luke 24. 11. Wherefore God discovers the Fountains of these things that we may apprehend the Truth and Reality of them. His Eternal Covenant with his Son about them, his Oath that he hath made unto him, whereby he was established in his office, and the like glorious Transactions of his Wisdom and Grace, are revealed unto this very end, that we might not be faithless in these things but believe. For can any thing that is proposed unto us be supposed to exceed the Duty of Faith, when we see it either in it self, or in its springs and foundation solemnly confirmed by the Oath of God? They are glorious things which we are to expect from the Priesthood of Christ, and the Discharge of that Office. And is it not an unspeakable encouragement thereunto, that God hath confirmed him in that office by his solemn Oath unto him? For two things evidently present themselves unto our minds thereon. First, that this is a thing which the infinitely holy wise God lays great weight and stress upon. And what is he not able to effect when he doth so, and consequently lays out the Treasures of his Wisdome, and ingageth the greatness of his Power in the pursuit of it?
