VER. 5. Epf1ICtothe HE13REws. . prefent we content our felves with the Teflimonies above reported) it is certain, that there is nothing under Heaven can yield them in this cafe the leaf( relief Again, This is the only way for that End.which is faired unto the Wifdom ofGod: TheWijdom of God is an infinite abyf e, which asit lyes in his own Eternal brealt, we cannot at all look into. We can only adore it, as it breaks forth and difcovers it felt in the Works that outwardly are of him, or the Effects of it. Thus David in the conlderation of theWorks of God, falls into an admiration ofthe Wifdomwhere- by they were made, Pp. 5 04. 24. andPp/. 136. 5. The,Wifom of God opens and ntanifefts its felf in its Effeéls ; and thence according unto our meafure, do we learn what doth become it, and is fuitable unto ir. But when the Holy Ghoft cometh to fpeak of this Work of orir Redemption by Chriff, he doth not only call us to confider Tingly the Wi domofGod, but hisVarious and manifold Wifdom, Ephef. 3. to: and affirms that all the Treafures ofWifdom arehid in it, Col. z. 3. plainly intimating that it is a work fo fuited unto, fo anfwering theInfinite Wifdom of God in all things throughout, that it could--no otherwife have been difpofed and effeóed. And this as well upon the account of the Wifdom ofGaits. fell abfolutely confidered, as alfo as it is that Property wherebyGod defignr and cffeeis the glorifyingof allother Excel- lencies of his Nature; whence it is called various, or manifold; fo that we maywell conclude that no other way ofDeliveranceof finners was fuited unto the Irrifeloni of God. Secondly,This way alone anfwered the Holineßand Righteoufneßof God. He is an holyGod, who will not fuffer theguilty to gofree , ofpurer eyes than to behold iniqui- ty, and his judgement is that they who commit fin are worthy of death. Sin iscon- trary to his Nature; and his Jufticerequireth that itgo not unpunifhed. Befides he is the great and fupreamGovernour ofall ; and whereas fin breaketh and diffolveth the dependance of the creature uponhim, fhould he not avenge that dcfeetion, his whole Rule andGovernment would be difannulled. But now if this Vengeance and Pu- nifhment fhould fall on the flutters themfelves, they mull perìth under it eternally not one of them could efcape, or everbe freed or purgedfrom their fins. A commu- tation then there muff be ; that thePunifhment due to fin, which the Holinefs and Righteoufisefs of God exac eth may be inflidted, and Mercy and Grace (hewed unto the firmer. That none was able, fit, or worthy to undergo this penalty, fo as to make a compenfation for all the fins ofall the EIed, thatnone was able to bear it, and break through it, fo as that the End of the undertaking might be happy blelfed and glori- òus on all hands, but only the Son ofGod, we (hall farther manifèff in our peogrefs and it bath been elfewhere declared. And this, Fielt fhould teach us to live in an lIiy Admiration of thit mighty and wonderful producîof the Wifdom, Righteoufnefs, Grace. and GoodnetSof God, which had found out, and appointed this Wayof delivering fiinners, and have glori- oufly accomplithed it in the felf-frcrificeof the Son of God. The Holy Gáofi everjr where propufeth this untous, as a Mylierie, a great and hidden Myfferie,which none of theGreat, or Wife, or Difputers of the World, ever did or could come to the leati acquaintance withall. And three things he afferts concerningit. Firft, That it is re- vealad in theGoffrel, and is thence alone to be learned and attained, whence we are invited again and again, to fearcb and enquire diligently into it ; unto this very End, that we may become wife in the Knowledgeand Acknowledgement of this deepand hidden Myflerie. Secondly, That we cannot in our ownf}rength, and by our own moll diligent Endeavours, come to an holy Acquaintance witli it, notwithftandingthat Revelation that is madeof it, in the letter of the Word ; unlels moreover we receive fromGod, the Spirit of Wifdom Knowledge and Revelation,opening 6úr eyes , make- ing our minds firitual, and enabling us todifcover thefe depths of the Holy Ghófi in a fpiritual manner: Thirdly, That we cannot by theft helps attain in this life unto aperte&ion in the knowledge of this deep and unfathomable My¡lerie ; but mull ulili labour togrow inGrace, and in the Knowledge of it. Our thriving in all Grace and Obe- dience depending thereon. All thefe things the Scripture abounds in the Repetition of. And betides, it every where fees forth theblefidncßand Happinefs of them, who byGrace obtain a fpiritual inlightinto this leiyflerie; and themfelves alto find by experience the fatisfying Excellency of it, with theApoftle, Phil. 3.g. all which Con- fiderations are powertul.motives unto this Duty of enquiring into, and admiring this wonderfulMyfferie, wherein we have the Angels, themfelves foe our Affociates and Companions. E e e z. Confider
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