Chap. r. Sed:.) n , I SECT. s: Of the fir Sf mantfeftatioru ofChrift, 4· ·FOr the firfi manifefiation ofJefus by his feferal witnetfes. now it was time that the Sun ofrighteoufoef[e foould arij; and fhiae in the view of the world : and (becaufe of unbelief ~ which had blinded the world) tliatfomeefpecial witneffes fhould - be chofen out, both to anoint our eyes, and to poi:nt to the light faying, this is he of whom cYvlofes in the law and the Prophets did, write, Jefm of N tt :>:.,areth th~fonne o{ 'fo[eph: to this purpofe we • . Jo}~ I . 45 · r() read much of the manifeftatlons of 'fefm; god 'WM manifeft in : re:~;.3;c, . theflefo . and Chrift verily WIU fore ordainedbefore the foundations cfthe world, but was manifeft in thefe !aft times foryou. ln that fir£l miracle that ever he wrought, this is written upon it he milJohn ~. I I· nifeffed fortb his glory. A~d [ohn the ~ivine in his fetting out of Jefus, he tells us that the life was manifefted; and we havefeen it ·1 ]ohn x. :. and beare witnejJe,and [hew unto you that eternal life which w.u with the;Father and was manifefted;mt8 m.· ,., And there is reafon for this manifeftation, I I. Becaufe every rnanifeflation was an approbation of his rniffion and divinity. 2. Becaufe in the rnanifeftation of Chrifr, there was a manifefta~ tion of the grace of God; and .this was the will ofGod, that he would not only aCt free grace,. ~ut he would have it known, and ·pllblifhed to all the W?rld; thts ts the glory of grace, and fets it out; and therefore fatth the Apoftle, the grace tfGo~ that bringTit.%. n. eth falvation, hath appeared to all men. At the open:ng and dif.. covery ofJefus Chrifr, the kjndnefs, and pity, and love o.fGodour Saviour towards man appear~d. J . Becaufe this rnanifefration 'Ifa. t; t. hath fomething in it of the removal of fin; it is the voyce of · Chrifl unto fuch as ar~ in ltn, behold me; ~he firft fl ep towards the remiffion of fins is the beholding of Chrifi , nowwe ca nnot behold him that will not come into view; arid therefore fai th the Apofl: e, ye k,now that he w~ manifefled to t:l~e. a_w,y _,?ur Jinnes . nJohn 3· ), 4 . Becaufe this rnanifeflatton hat_h fomethtngm tt .to the overthrowmg ofSathan; for the while that Chnfl htd himfeife, Sathan blinded the mi ndes of men, but whenonce C hrift NJe 1mage ifGodjhm f orth, then Sathan like lightning fell down from heaven, -.-
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