IN TIIE NEW CREATION. 11S cause- they are all effects of the essential properties of the same divine nature; which is in them all, or rather which is the one nature of them all. But yet as they have one nature, so there is an order of subsistence in that nature, and the distinct persons work in the order of their subsistence; John v. 19, 20. " Verily I say " unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but u what he seed] the Father do; for whatsoever things o he doth, those also doth the Son likewise." The Father doth not first work in order of time, and then the Son seeing of it, work another work like unto it. But the Son doth the same work that the Father doth. This is absolutely necessary, because of their union in nature. But yet, in the order of their subsistence, the person of the Father is the original of all divine works, in the principle and beginning of them, and that in order ofnature, antecedently unto the operation of the Son. Hence he is said to see what the Father doth, which, according unto our former rule in the exposi- tion of such expressions, when ascribed unto the divine nature, is the sign and evidence, and not the means of his knowledge. He sees, what the Father doth, as he is his eternal wisdom. The like must be said of the Holy Spirit, with, respect both unto, the Father and Son. And this order of operation inthe Holy Trinity is not voluntary, but natural and necessary, from the one essence and distinct subsistences thereof. Second- ly; There are those operations, which, with respect unto our salvation, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, do graciously condescend unto, which are those treated of . in this place. Now, though the designing of this work was absolutely voluntary, yet, upon a supposition thereof, the order of its accomplishment was made ne. cessary from the order of the subsistence of the distinct persons in the Deity; and that is here declared: Thus (1.) The things to be declared unto us, and bestowed . on us, are originally the Father's things. He is the peculiar fountain of them all. His love, his grace, his wisdom, his goodness, his counsel, his will is their su- preme cause and, spring. I-Ience are they said to be the things that the Father bath. (2.) They are made the things of the Son; that is, they are given and granted in and unto his disposal, on the account of his mediation: for thereby they were to be prepared for us, and given out unto us, to the glory of God. An- swerable hereunto, as the LordChrist is Mediator, all the things of grace are originally the Father's, and then given unto him. (3.) They are actually communicated unto us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, said I, he shall, take of mine, and shall chew it unto you. He doth not communicate them unto us immediately from the Father. We do not so receive any grace from God, that is, the Father; nor do we so make any return of praise or obedience unto God. We have nothing to do with the person of the Father immediately. It is by the Son alone, by whom we have an access unto him, and by the Son alone, that he gives out of his grace and bounty unto us. He that path not the Son, bath not the Father. With him, as the great treasurer of heavenly things, are all grace and mercy entrusted. The Holy Spirit therefore shews them unto us, works them in us, bestows them on us, as they are the fruits of the mediation of Christ, and not merely as effects of the divine love and bounty of the Father; and this is required from the order of subsistence before mention- ed. Thus the Holy Spirit supplies the bodily absence of Jesus Christ, and effects what he bath to do and ac- complish towards his in the world; so that whatever is done by him, it is the same as if it were wrought imme- diately by the Lord Christ himself in his own person;. whereby all his holy promises are fully accomplished towards them that believe. Sect. 6. And this instructs us in the way and man- ner of that communion which we have with God by the gospel: for herein the life, power, and freedom of our evangelicalstate doth consist, and an acquaintance here- with gives us our translation out of darkness into the marvellous light of God: (I.) The person of the Fa- ther, in his wisdom, will, and love, is the original of all grace and glory. But nothing hereof is communi- cated immediately unto us from him. It is the Son whom he loves, and bath given all things into his hand. He bath made way for the communication of these things unto us, unto the glory of God; and he doth it immediately by the Spirit, asbath beendeclared. Here- by are all our returns unto God to be regulated. The Father, who is the original of all grace and glory, is ultimately intended by us in our faith, thankfulness, and obedience; yet not so, but that the Son and Spirit are considered as one God with him. But we cannot ad- dress ourselves to anyof them immediately as unto him. There is no going to the Father, saith Christ, but by
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