The manifestation of Grace and pardoning Mercy, which is §. 5 the only door of entrance into any such communion, is not committed unto any but unto him alone, in whom it is, by 1whom that Grace and mercy was purchased, through whom it is dispensed, who reveals it from the Bosom of the Father. Hence this communion and fellowship with God is not in express terms 2mentioned in the old Testament. The thing it self is found there; but the clear light of it, & the boldness of Faith in it, is discovered in the Gospel, and by the spirit administered therein. By that Spirit, we have this Liberty: 2 Cor. 3. 17, 18. Abraham was ⟨p. 3⟩the friend of God: Isa. 41. 8. David a man after his own heart. Enoch walked with him Gen. 5. 24. All enjoying this communion and fellowship for the substance of it: But the way into the Holyest was not yet made manifest, whilst the first tabernacle was standing Heb. 9. 8. Though they had communion with God, yet they had not [Greek or Hebrew], a boldness and confidence in that communion. This follows the entrance of our High Priest into the most holy place: Heb. 4. 16. chap. 10. 9. The veil also was upon them, that they had not [Greek or Hebrew], freedom and liberty in their access to God, 2 Cor. 3. 15, 16. &c. But now in Christ, 3we have boldness and access with confidence, to God. Ephes. 3. 12. This boldness and access with confidence, the Saints of old were not acquainted with. By Jesus Christ alone then on all considerations as to being, and full manifestation, is this distance taken away; He hath consecrated for us a new and living way (the old being quite shut up) through the veil, that is to say his flesh, Heb. 10. 20. and through him we have an access by one spirit unto the 4Father, Ephes. 2. 18. We who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for he is our peace &c. verse. 13, 14. Of this foundation of all our communion with God, more afterwards and at large. Upon this new bottom and Foundation, by this new and living way, are sinners admitted unto Communion with God, and have Fellowship with him. And truly for sinners to have fellowship with God, the infinitely holy God, is an astonishing dispensation. To speak a little of it in General; Communion relates to things and persons.
The manifestation of Grace and pardoning Mercy, which is §. 5 the only doore of entrance into any such communion, is not committed unto any but unto him alone, in whom it is, by 1whom that Grace and mercy was purchased, through whom it is dispensed, who reveales it from the Bosome of the Father. Hence this communion and fellowship with God is not in expresse termes 2mentioned in the old Testament. The thing it selfe is found there; but the cleare light of it, & the boldnesse of Faith in it, is discovered in the Gospell, and by the spirit administred therein. By that Spirit, we have this Liberty: 2 Cor. 3. 17, 18. Abraham was ⟨p. 3⟩the friend of God: Isa. 41. 8. David a man after his own heart. Enoch walked with him Gen. 5. 24. All enjoying this communion and fellowship for the substance of it: But the way into the Holyest was not yet made manifest, whilst the first tabernacle was standing Heb. 9. 8. Though they had communion with God, yet they had not 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a boldnesse and confidence in that communion. This follows the entrance of our High Priest into the most holy place: Heb. 4. 16. chap. 10. 9. The vaile also was upon them, that they had not 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, freedome and libertie in their accesse to God, 2 Cor. 3. 15, 16. &c. But now in Christ, 3we have boldnesse and accesse with confidence, to God. Ephes. 3. 12. This boldnesse and accesse with confidence, the Saints of old were not acquainted with. By Jesus Christ alone then on all considerations as to being, and full manifestation, is this distance taken away; He hath consecrated for us a new and living way (the old being quite shut up) through the vaile, that is to say his flesh,
- 1John 1. 18. Heb. 10. 19, 20, 21.
- 2Unus verusque Mediator per Sacrificium pacis reconcilians nos Deo, unum cum illo manebat cui offerebat, unum in se secit, pro quibus offerebat, unus Ipse fuit, qui offerebat & quod offerebat: August. de Trinit. 4.
- 3[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 41 John 3. 1. [Greek or Hebrew]. Arist. Eth. lib. 8. cap. 1.1 John 3. 1. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Arist. Eth. lib. 8. cap. 1.
