Book it. C H R I S T A 'r E S T A T d R, Bm for Comfort: If by the Power of Temptation thou haft fallen and bacldliden from God, he can heal thee again. I will heal their Backj/idings, and love them freely. If any Man fin, we have an Advocate with therather, J efus Chrijf the righteous, Hof. Xi V. 4• I John ii, I, 2• C H R t 8 T A T E 8 T A T 0 R. , For where a 'l'ejfament is, there muft alfo ofnecej}ity be theDeath of tbe'l'ejfator, Heb. ix. t6; THOUGH this Term is thought by fome not to be a Metaphor, (Chrifl: being really a 'l'ejfator) yet it may not be unprofitable tO run the P arallel with Human 'Tejfators. The Word in the Greek is J,.::J-'1""'' of ;..,~"'""' which fignifies a Teftamenr, which is of the fame import with the Hebrew 1'"l'i'J. Berith. A Tcftament is the Sentence and Declaration of our juft Will, of what we would have done after Death, and is fo called, becaufe it is a 'Iejfimony of our Mind, which is not in force (becaufe revocable) till the Teftator dies. Thus the New Teftament, or Law of the Gofpel, is ratified and confirmed by the Death of Chrifl:. The Parallel is as fotlows, T :E: S TAT 0 R. 1. A Teftator fignifits aDifpofer, · one that makes a Will and Teftament, who bath Goods to beflow, andRelationsorFriends to give them to. PARALLEL I. CHRIST, our fpiritual Tefbtor, hath ftofe of Bldlings and good Things, Col. ii. 3· In his Hand are all the Riches ofGrace and Glory; and at the Lend he wtll be!l:ow them on his fpiritual Relations, viz. his Children, his EleB:, who are called his Friends: Ye are my Frimds, &c. John XV. 14. li. A Teftator is one that is uilII. J efus Chrift, by taking his People into der a natural Tie or Obligation, Covenant-Relation and Union, bath laid himfelf and full of Thoughts, Cares, and under ftrong Bon·ds and Obligations to them, and Good- Will to his Friends, and from hence rakes care of them, and is filled witli hence provides for them when he Thoug hts of Ktndnefs to them, and provides for is gone. their future Good in his Abfence. · Ill. A Teftator imports a PerIll. J efus Chrin, knowing his Hour was coni• fon dying, or under the Appreing, that he muft go out of the World ro the Fa• henGon of approaching Death, ther, he being appointed to Death, made his latt and from hence makes a Tefta. Will and Teftament, anJ left Legacies to all his ment, and bequeaths Legacies. Saints, and faithful Followers, John xiii. r. IV. ATeftator hath full power IV. Jefus Chrift the Teftator of the New Cove• to difpofe of whatfoever he poJTefnant, hath not only full Power and Authority to feth, or hath a Right unto, and convey all Gofpel-Bleffings; but all Grace here; accordmg to hts foie Wrll and Pleaand Glory hereafter, is folely djfpofeci of at his fure bequeaths unto others. Will and Pleafure, in which way and to whom he pleafes. He gives Power to become the Sons of God, John i. 12. He bath given him Power over all Flejh, that bejhouldgive eternal Life to as many as thou haft given him. Father, I will that thofe which thou haft givm me; be with me, wbere I am, John xvii. 24. ~Peace I gi-ve unto you, John xiv. '7· V. A Teftotor fets down the V. Jefus Chrift, as Teftaror, hath fer down iri Perfon in his Will, to whom he his Teftament, who the Perfons are to whom he doth bequeath or give Legacies. hath bequeathed the Bleffir.gs of the Covenant, both Grace and Glory, viz. all that are his Sheep, all that the Father bath given him, all that are regenerated, who truly repent and be– lieve in -him, and keep his Word, 'John x. 23. iii. 36. xiv. 27. and xvii. 20. Heb. v. 9· VI. A Teftator, to make his VI. J efus Chrift, to efLtblifh and ma_ke firm )aft Will and Teftamenr firm and his !aft Will, called fuflicient Teftimony ro wit· amhentic, calls others to witnefs it; as firft, the Father; fecondly, his Mi– nefs it. racles; thirdly, J'ohn Baptijf; fourthly, the Scrip·- tures; and then fifthly, hts ApoftleS> We are hii Witne.Jfes of all Things that he did, John v. 32, 36, 37· Atls x. 39· 40 VII. JeCus
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