516 THE WORD oF GOD coMPARED TO LIGHT. Book IIL Secondly, Should we fpeak of warlike Atchievements, what Hi!lory in this refpeel: -can compare With the H1llory of the G ofpel, was there ever fuc h a Champion a. Jefus ChnO:, or luch ternble Battles fought as were fought by him? As .witnefs that glorious Battle of his with Satan the mighty King of the bortomlefs P it ; alfo thofe ·Conflicts he had with Sin and Wrarh in the Garden; and lall of all with Death the King of Terrors, over all which he obtained a perfect Conquefi, Matt. iv. 2, 3• 4· Thirdly, As touching great Rarities and wonderful Thinas, which fome 1-Iiitories .abound withal; none afford fuch Wonders as doth the Gofpel, is it not marvellous that a Woman thoulcl compafs a Man? That he that made the World thould be born of a Woman? That the Ancient of Days thould become a Child? That Death thould be deO:royed by Death ? And many other like M ylteries the Gofpel abounds with. Secondly, As the Word and Gofpel of God is glorious in refpect of the hifiorical Part thereof, fo its Glory appears in refpect of thofe Titles or Epithets given to it. I. It is called ·the Word of Reconciliation. I. Becaufe it thews how Peace and R econciliation is made between an offended God and offending Creatures. 2. Becaufe by it Terms of Reconciliation are offered to poor Sinners. 3· Becaule it is the Medium or Means God offe-red to remove the Enmity that is in .Sinners Hearts. II. It is called the Gofpel of the Grace ofGod, and 'may well be fo termed, Afls xx. 24I. In refpeCI: of the Te!limony that is borne therein of God's great Grace and Favor 'tO Men in giving J efus ChriO: for them. 2. In refpect of its being the cleareO: Difcovery of God's :Grace that ever was afford– ·ed to the Children of"Men. q. Becaufe it js the lnflrument or Means by which God works G race, or makes the ·Souls of Men gracious, who were once void thereof and ungodly, fo that Faith comes by hearing, and heari~g by the Word of God, Rom. x. 17. · 4 . Becaufe it is the Way by which God increafeth, ftrengthens, and perfeCts his bleffed Grace in the Souls of his_ Elect, Eph. iv. 12. Ill. The Gofpel .is called the Gofpel of Peace, Eph. vi. 1 5· I . It is a M effage of Peace; Peace, Peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near. .And came and preached Peace to you which were .afar off, and to them that were nigh, .lfa. lvi_i. 19. Eph._ ii. '7: . . . 2 . Becaule It ts that, winch bemg 'ece1ved, alone -pac1fies the ConfCience of a wounded Sinner, He fent his Word and healed them, Pflll. cvii. 20. 3· Becaufe as an Infhument it brings the Soul into a State of P eace and Friend!hip with God, and reconciles Men one to another. IV. 'It is called the Golpel of the Kingdom, Matt. xxiv. 14. 1. Becaufe it difcovers the Gofpd Church which is called often in the holy Scripture the Kin<>dom of God, Luke x. 11. 2. Ir"'fhews the Way into the Kingdom of God, Mark xv. 41. . 3· It fits and prepares Men and Women for ChriO:'s fpiriwal Kingdom, Matt. XI. 12. -1-· It contains all the Laws, Ordinances and CuO:oms of the Kingdom. 5· It enriches all the true and fin cere Subject> of the Kingdom.. 6. I.n it are contained all the Pnv!leges and Immumtles of the Kmgdom. 7 . It !hews Men the ready Way to the Kingdom of Glory, and from hence may ,fit!y be called the Gofpel of the Kingdom. V. The G :fpel is called the Word of Life~ Phi!. ii. 16. 'I. Becaufe it fhews who is our L1fe, Col. 111. 4· z. It !hews the Way how we come to be made alive~ viz. by Chrifi receivin?; the Spirit of Life for us as Mediator, a~d laym~ down the Pnce of hts own Blood, he d1ed •that we might Jive. I am com~ that Jhey .mtght have L ife, and tbat they tmght have ·tt ntore abundantb•, John x. IO. 3 3· The
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