V E R Ephefians, Chap, z. VER S. 17. And came and preachedpeace toyou which were afar of, and to them that were near. Now he comethto the fecond thing that maketh us actually near to God, and one ro another ; there muff be nor onely the pedaling of this matter in Chrift himfelf, but the applicationin us : Therefore the fecond part of the proof, that in Chrift we are made near, is on this manner : He that bath effeétually publifhed this peace to Jewand Gentile, in him we are near. But Chrift hash cffeétually preached, and by preaching applyed this ro us. Ergo, &c. Now the fecond part of the reafon is in this verle : The conclu- fron is before. For the words, Interpreters with one confent do con_ (true this coming, of his firft coming; this preaching, bothof that he did in his own person, and that which he did, and doth by De- legates. But though thus it would afford matter profitable, his firft coming, hisperfonall executing miniffery , yet I think it is not the meaningof this place, to mention that preaching which was before the death of Chrift. The fcope will teach us, how far we may layout this circumftance, and have it correfpondent to the refs : The fcope is toPhew, how the Jew and the Gentile are made one body ; now the procuringof it in regard of Chrift, is laiddown before; the means therefore of apply- ing this , mutt be fuch a preaching of Chrift as is common to all , as doth draw all to him. Again , he fpeaketh ofa coming and preaching which followeth his croffe, now that went before: Conftrue it then thus; As he had wrought there things in himfelf, fo he applyed them in us, and came for this purpofe in fpirit and power in preaching, that is, with effort opening to us the.Gofpcl of peace in his Apoftles miniftery, not to us near onely, that is, us Jews, but to you afar off, you Gentiles. Firft then,that Chrift is faid to come to us,teacheth us, that Chriff is fo abfent frail us, that he hath norquite forfaken us; I amwithyou to the end of theworld, Mat.28.2 o. landmy Father will come in, andCup with him, Revel. 3. ao. Thereare three comings of Chriff, the one in the fitfh, called the coming in his kingdom, Mat. 16.28. lob. 2I. 22. loft- 16. 16. Thebother of judgement , called the fecond : But there n-e betwixt there two, and that is the coming in fpirit and power in- his kingdom, as the Gofpel fpeaketh; and this is one piece of his promifed coming, toh. 16. There are here whichAtli not tafleof death, till they fie the Son of man coming in hit kingdom, Mat. 16. z8. Thus Both Chriff come daily ; when the Word is effeduall in you, Jefus Chri(t by his fpirit is come royour hearts. Secondly, that he faith, [Chriflpreached to them,] that the recon- ciliation made by him might rake place in them, it Both teach thus much : That look what Chrifi bath purchafedon bis crofJe, that hedoth . I apply 3 °s VERS. 17. Argument. Whatcoming, andpreaching tips is. Doff. Chrift abfent, yet is prefene with his. Three -fold comingof Chrift.
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