OF Instruction.1 1. Hence we may see the glory of the Gospel, in that it is the Ministry of the Spirit of God; this the Apostle professeth it exceeds in glory; glorious light it scatters, that which hath been hid from the wise, nay, from Prophets, and Abraham who desired to see this day, and saw it but •• far off; hence it is called marvellous light, which brings the foul to the light of that blessed face of Jesus, and his glorious love, which never shall be sounded to the bottom of it, which damps the glory of all other things; and although many great and wise despise it, yet if they did know they would not despise the Lord of glory, nor crucify him; but their eyes shall never see those glorious consolations and comforts promised to the people of God; I will send the […], saith Christ, which […] can be taken […] from Believers, which in midst of all misery comforts; it is a great mercy when a man sees his sin, else he would never seek for remedy; but the Law cannot do any thing but arrest, and imprison; it cannot get sin removed; yet the Gospel can set at liberty, which […] prisoners; Joh 8. 32. You shall know the truth, and ⟨p. 99⟩that shall make you free. I can through Christ, &c. Phil. 4. 13. It is a marvellous mercy to tremble before God, and see, and know, and be affected with Gods wrath; but yet if this be all, the heart will sink and fly from God; now the Gospel reveals Christ, and so Joh. 10. 16. his sheep he hear and follow him; and the Gospel comes to hell with the Spirit, to a poor sinner when he is blind, captive, broken, mourning, never so miserable; now the Gospel penetrates thus low, and brings the Spirit with it; it makes the soul not only to see Christ, but gives it him, and now it is safe. Oh (beloved!) if the Spirit be glorious, then is the Gospel glorious; if the Ministry of men could bring in, and draw with them the Princes of this world, and all their wealth to serve you, Angels and their Ministry, nay, bring Christ himself bodily to you, how glorious were this? but what is this to bring the Spirit into a Sty, into thy Soul! Oh therefore take heed of a light esteem of the Gospel, as those Matth. 22. 3. which were shut out: Men must speak something; take heed you that have once esteemed it, of accounting it a common thing (it is next to the unpardonable sin) of accounting the Gospel, Ministers, Truths, Justification by Faith, &c. common things;
OF Instruction.1 1. Hence we may see the glory of the Gospel, in that it is the Ministry of the Spirit of God; this the Apostle professeth it exceeds in glory; glorious light it scatters, that which hath been hid from the wise, nay, from Prophets, and Abraham who desired to see this day, and saw it but •• far off; hence it is called marvellous light, which brings the foul to the light of that blessed face of Jesus, and his glorious love, which never shal be sounded to the bottom of it, which damps the glory of all other things; and although many great and wise despise it, yet if they did know they would not despise the Lord of glory, nor crucifie him; but their eyes shall never see those glorious consolations and comforts promised to the people of God; I will send the 〈…〉, saith Christ, which 〈…〉 can be taken 〈…〉 from Beleivers, which in midst of all miserie comforts; it is a great mercy when a man sees his sin, else he would never seek for remedy; but the Law canot do any thing but arrest, and imprison; it cannot get sin removed; yet the Gospel can set at liberty, which 〈…〉 prisoners; Ioh 8. 32. You shall know the truth, and ⟨p. 99⟩that shall make you free. I can through Christ, &c. Phil. 4. 13. It is a marvellous mercy to tremble before God, and see, and know, and be affected with Gods wrath; but yet if this be all, the heart will sink and flye from God; now the Gospel reveals Christ, and so Ioh. 10. 16. his sheep he ar and follow him; and the Gospel comes to hell with the Spirit, to a poor sinner when he is blind, captive, broken, mourning, never so miserable; now the Gospel penetrates thus low, and brings the Spirit with it; it makes the soul not only to see Christ, but gives it him, and now it is safe. Oh (beloved!) if the Spirit be glorious, then is the Gospel glorious; if the Ministry of men could bring in, and draw with them the Princes of this world, and all their wealth to serve you, Angels and their Ministry, nay, bring Christ himself bodily to you, how glorious were this? but what is this to bring the Spirit into a Sty, into thy Soul! Oh therefore take heed of a light esteem of the Gospel, as those Matth. 22. 3. which were shut out: Men must speak something; take heed you that have once esteemed it, of accounting it a common thing (it is next to the unpardonable sin) of accounting the Gospel, Ministers, Truths, Justification by Faith, &c. common things;
- 1Use.