N00342:95
The mystery of Christ opened and applied. In several sermons, concerning the person, office,…The mystery of Christ opened and applyed. In several sermons, concerning the person, office,…
The mystery of Christ opened and applied. In several sermons, concerning the person, office, and glory of Jesus Christ. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in N. England. ; [Twelve lines of quotations]The mystery of Christ opened and applyed. In several sermons, concerning the person, office, and glory of Jesus Christ. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in N. England. ; [Twelve lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by Richard Pierce for Joseph Browning, 1686
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Consid. 2. The surpassing Excellency of this Knowledge. Hence the Apostle saith, Yea doubtless I count all things but loss, for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Phil. 3. 8. Knowledge is an excellent and desirable thing. Knowledge of the Creature is so; which caused Solomon to say, that Wisdom excels Folly, as far as Light excels Darkness. Much more is the Knowledge of Christ excellent and desirable, whereby all other Knowledge is sanctified, and without which all other Knowledge will never save a man's soul. Hence the holy Prophets of old were very diligent in endeavouring after this Knowledge; as we see 1. Pet. 1. 10, 11. of which salvation the prophets have enquired, and ⟨p. 39⟩searched diligently, searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified before hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should be revealed. Nay the blessed Angels admire and seek after this Knowledge. The things of Christ are things which the Angels desire to •ook into. And if Prophets, if Angels have desired to search into the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, much more into that of His eternal Generation. The truth is, that this Knowledge is not had but by Divine Revelation. Christ is not known by the Light of Nature, but by the special Revelation of the Holy Ghost, held forth in the Gospel. Wherefore the Apostle saith, It pleased God to reveal his son in me. Gal. 1. 15. And when Peter made that glorious Confe••ion, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living GOD, it was said unto him, Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven. Mat. 16. 16, 17. Hence the whole Doctrine concerning Christ is called a Mystery, Eph. 3. 4. Ye may understand my knowledge in the Mystery of Christ. A M•stery is a Divine Secret which is not known but by Revelation: So is the Truth concerning Christ. And as all Truths which reveal Christ