The Mystery and Marrow of the Bible
(3) The Consequents and effects of this writing of God's Laws upon the Mind and heart, are divers, and very considerable. As, 1. The universal Answerableness of the Heart within, to God's Law without. 2. The Renovation of the whole Soul. 3. True knowledge of the will and all the ways of God, and Unfeigned Love to God and man. 4. Sincerity of Obedience from right Principles. 5. A cheerful delight in the Law of God. 6. Legibleness of the writing. 7. Firmness and durableness of the Impression. Let me open these Particulars a little. I. An universal answerableness of the Mind and Heart within, to God's Laws without. Mark, he doth not say, I will write this Law, or that Law, this Table, or that Table: but indefinitely, I will give and write my Laws: that is, All my Laws, heres none excepted. Again, he doth not say, I will write them in their Minds alone, or Wills alone, or Affections alone: but in their Mind and Hearts: that is, in their whole Souls and all the Powers or Faculties thereof. As under the Old Covenant, when God's Laws were written on Tables of stone, The Tables were written on both their Sides, on the one side and on the other were they written: The Tables were written all over▪ they were all full of the Law, there was no vacant space: So here under the New Covenant, the Spiritual Tables shall be written on every side, on every faculty and affection, the whole Law shall be written all over them, the mind and heart shall be full of the Law. Before this writing, there was an universal Contrariety: but since, theres an universal Correspondency, betwixt God's Laws and their Hearts. Now theres a Spiritual Law within, called The Law of the Mind, answering in every point to the Literal Law without: As the Counterpain answers to the Original Deed, as the Print answers to the Stamps, As the impression in the wax answers to the Seal, as the Image in the glass answers to the Face, eye for eye, part for part, proportion for proportion, color for color. There is such a general conformity, compliancy, and tendency of the mind and heart to and with the Laws of God, that they have a sweet aptness and disposedness to have respect to them all. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy Commandments. II. The Renovation of the Mind and heart, even of the whole Soul by the Holy Ghost, according to the image of God in knowledge, righteousness, and true Holiness. This is another consequent or concomitant of God's writing his Law in the Heart. Whilst Adam had the Law of God in his heart, he retained the Image of God in his heart wherein he was created: and when man receives the Law of God supernaturally written in his heart, he Receives the image of God also into his heart, wherein he is New-created. There cannot be a supernatural writing of the Law in the Heart, and conformity of the Heart to the Law, but withal there must needs be the Image of God renewed there, wherein this Conformity consists. Holiness conforms the Heart to the whole First Table, Righteousness conforms it to the whole Second Table, and Knowledge completes this conformity to both. This Renewing of the whole Soul, Mind and heart after the Image of God, is (as I said) another Consequent following, or a concomitant accompanying God's writing of his Law in the mind and heart. It may be accounted a Consequent following upon it, forasmuch as this Inscription of God's Laws in the heart leaves this renewed state behind it upon the heart, the Image of God remains there, and abides there ever after: It may also be counted a Concomitant accompanying it, forasmuch as God's writing his Law in the Heart and Mind, and his Renewing the whole Soul, are effects of divine Grace wrought both at once in the Soul; yea for substance they are both one, This Renewing of the Holy Ghost being the hearts Conformity to the Law of God. By this its evident, that this promised Blessing of writing God's Laws in their Minds and Hearts, is very comprehensive, It compriseth in it, 1. God's giving of his Spirit into their hearts, whereby this writing of the Law shall be delineated there: 2. The Supernatural Principles and Habits of saving Grace infused into the Soul: which are called The Image of God, Ephes. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. The New man, Eph. 4. 24. The Law of their mind, Rom. 7. 23. The Life of God, Eph. 4. 18. The Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ, Rom. 8. 2. 3. As also the original and fundamental actings of the Spirit to the Infusion of these Principles, which acts are styled, Renovation, Tit. 3. 5. Regeneration, Tit. 3. 5. John 3. 3, 5. & 1. 12. New-Creation, 2 Cor. 5. 17. Vocation, viz. Effectual vocation, Rom. 8. 30. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Sanctification, 1 Pet. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 6. 11. All these and such like particulars are comprehended in this sweet Promise of God's writing his Laws in his people's Minds and hearts. So that this is a very pregnant, full and rich Promise. III. True knowledge of God's will and all his ways, in Christ: and Unfeigned love to God and man. 1. God's Laws are given into their Mind: Hence, the Mind must needs have a true knowledge of God's will and all his ways, in Christ. For, God's Laws do summarily comprize in them the will and ways of God wherein we should walk; viz. All his ways of Religion towards God, in the First Table; and all his ways of Righteousness towards man, in the Second Table; When the Laws of God are within the mind, theres a true, inward, radical and infallible principle of Knowledge there: and this a Knowledge in Christ; forasmuch as, when men have the Laws of God thus written in their Minds and hearts, they are the Epistle of Christ, this writing there is the special work of Christ by his Spirit, this is part of Christ's New Covenant-work. This knowledge is an excellent inlet into Obedience, and consequently unto happiness. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 2. God's Laws are written in their hearts: Hence, Unfeigned love to God and man (which is the very Summ and abstract of all God's Laws) must needs be deeply engraven in their hearts also. For Love is the life of the Law, the end of the Law, The fulfilling of the Law, The Substance and abridgement of the whole Law: Love to God with all the heart, soul, mind and might, is the First and great Commandment, viz. The Summ of the First Table; And love to our neighbor as to ourselves is the second like unto it, viz. The Summ of the Second Table. So that the Law of God cannot be written in any heart: but consequently the Love of God and Man must needs be deeply engraven upon that heart. Now this twofold love must be Unfeigned: for what is written in the mind and heart, is real, cordial, unfeigned, without dissimulation, formality or hypocrisy. By the sincerity of this Love in the heart, we may notably discover that the Laws of God are written there also. IV. Sincerity of Obedience from right principles of true knowledge and unfeigned Love. This is another excellent effect of God's writing his Law in the mind and heart: It makes him sincerely obedient from right Principles. Before God's Law be written in the heart, a man may perform many acts of Obedience to the Law; As, Herod did many things; So the Pharisees performed many things; and Paul before his Conversion, was touching the Law a Pharisee, touching the righteousness of the Law blameless, but all that they did was from wrong principles, from fear of men, hope of popular applause, carnal expectation of justification by the work done, &c. these are but odd accidental and carnal principles to act upon; and all such actions are but forced and violent Motions, as of a stone cast upwards, which is contrary to its Natural Motion and inward principle, they are unsound & hypocritical, therefore God disregards and abhors them. But after the Law of God is written in a man's heart, then he obeys sincerely from a right inward and cordial Principle which is in his heart. The Law of God is within, therefore he cordially, inwardly, connaturally obeys this Law. His motion is not a violent and forced, but a Natural Motion. His obedience springs out of his heart, He obeys in knowledge, He knows, and then does: He obeys in love, out of a pure heart and a good Conscience, and faith unfeigned, here are right principles: such obedience is sincere, the heart and the act, the inward principle and the outward Practice do agree, heres no hypocrisy, no counterfeit deportment in such Obedience. That's the purest honey that drops from the comb freely without squeezing, thats the purest and most generous wine that flows from the grape freely with the least pressing, thats the purest and most genuine Motion that comes from an innate inward principle of Nature, without external forcing: So thats the most sincere pure obedience to God, that naturally flows from the Principle of the Law within, from the image of God, true Grace, and love within the heart and Soul: These principles breed an aptness, a proneness, a familiar, habitual, connatural disposedness in the Soul to obey, and it cannot choose but incline to such obedience from this supernatural Byas that is set upon the Heart. V. A cheerful delight in the Law of God, and in the Obedience thereof. This is another effect of God's Law in the Heart: it makes a man delight exceedingly in it, delight to know it, delight to Meditate in it, delight to be conform to it, delight to do it, and perform the will of God in it. Paul said: I delight in the Law of God after the inward man. The truly Godly and blessed man hath this Property: His delight is in the Law of the LORD, and in that Law will he miditate day and night. David also acknowledged that from God's Law written within, he had a delight to do God's will; I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea thy Law is in the midst of my bowels, or within my heart. Herein David was a special Type of Jesus Christ, whose meat was to do the will of him that sent him, and to finish his work. When God's Law is in the heart, Then the very bent, disposition, inclination, tendency, and whole Stream of the heart and affections is towards this Law of God, and the observance of it, and that cheerfully, pleasantly, delightfully. Whatsoever a man doth from this inward Principle of God's Law and engraffed Propensity of the heart, he doth not only in uprightness, but also with great alacrity and delightfulness: Its his meat and drink to be doing it, and beyond his appointed food: He delights in it, as the fish in the water, as the foul in the air, which is their proper Element: So the Law of God is his Element, he would still be and live in this Element: He delights to know God, to believe in him, to love him, to observe him, to worship him according to his will, to honor his name, to sanctify his Sabbaths, to be doing all good to his brother: He is never well, but when he is dutifully walking with God, and using Means to further his Obedience. If there were no heaven to reward obedience, no hell to punish disobedience, yet he would Fear the LORD, and delight greatly in his Commandments. Oh what high esteem had David of the Laws of God, beyond honey and honey-comb, beyond rich spoils, beyond thousands of gold and silver, beyond all riches; he counted them his Counselors, his heritage forever, and the rejoicing of his heart; His spirit was endeared to them, and ravished with them exceedingly, I love them exceedingly.—Oh how love I thy Law, it is my Meditation all the day,—My Soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. But now on the contrary when God's Law is not written in the heart, there is an extreme antipathy, averseness and enmity to it, a man counts it an hard rigorous Law, an intolerable yoke, could wish there never had been any such Law to chain him up, and restrain him from his lusts and corruptions; he hates it, and the obedience thereof, it is very bitter, burden some and gravaminous to his Spirit. VI. The Legibleness of this writing. When God writes his Laws in men's hearts, he makes them Legible and discernible there; they may be seen and read there: As when he wrote the Law upon the two Tables of stone, it was Legible there, Moses was able to read it. Now this Law written in their Hearts is Legible, of God, of Themselves, and of Others. 1. Legible of God. The Lord exactly discerns and reads his own writings in the Heart. He fully knows what is in man, he searcheth the reigns and hearts of all men, but he specially beholds with favorable acceptation such persons hearts as have his Law in them, his image, his graces, his sanctifying endowments, &c. to such will he look; such are men after his own heart, (as David was) to fulfill all his will. 2. Legible of themselves. They that have the Law of God written in their hearts, can Read it and discern it there. As David did: Thy Law is within my heart: Hebr. Thy Law is in the midst of my bowels, There is a white stone given by Christ to some, and in the stone a New name written, which no man knoweth (viz. certainly and infallibly) but he that receiveth it. Now a man may discover the Law of God thats written in his Heart, Partly, by the Apprehensiveness of his own Spirit and Conscience. What man knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of man which is in him? Partly, by the Evidence and Discoveries thereof by the Spirit of God. Now we have Received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Partly, By the light of the Law written in the heart. The Law put in the heart brings a spiritual light with it, whereby it may be discovered: as a Diamond set in gold brings an orient sparkling with it, whereby it may be discerned. The Commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. — The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple. When the Sun or a star ariseth, they bring their natural light with them, and thereby discover themselves to the world: so when the day-star of grace and Law of God arise in a man's heart, they bring their spiritual light with them, and so manifest themselves unto the Soul. Partly, By the great and wonderful alteration which is made in the he art and Soul by the writing of the Law therein. It was stony, it is fleshly: It was rebellious, it is obsequious: It was full of hatred and enmity against God, it is full of Amity and love to God, &c. Theres a mighty change. Now great Alterations of State, are great Demonstrations: A passage from one contrary State to another is very conspicuous. 3. Legible also to others. Though others cannot infallibly read the Law of God written in their hearts, yet charitatively and probably they may read it, by the Preparatives, Properties and Consequents of such writing. Hence said Paul to his Corinthians: — Ye are our Epistle, written in our hearts, seen and read of all men; forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministered by us, &c. Thus the Law of God written in the heart is Legible. And yet its true, It is not always alike Legible to ourselves and others: Sometimes, as in infancy of Grace, the characters are very small: Sometimes, they are so blured and rubbed off by lapses and Infirmities, that its much ado to discover the writing, although there be a true writing there. VII. Finally, The Firmness and durableness of the Laws impression upon the Mind and Heart. God gives it, God writes it in mind and heart. By these two expressions he intimates how firmly and strongly he conveys his Laws into the Mind and heart, that they may never be oblitered or worn out. Writings in the dust may be blown out with a puff of wind, writings in Paper may be fetched out by art, yea writings in Marble or dead Materials may wear away: but God will write his Laws in lasting Tables, in Mind and heart, there they shall be engraven deeply and indelibly, more deeply then any acquired Habits; they shall become connatural to the heart, they shall be incorporated into the very frame of the Soul, they shall make such impression as shall never out, nay death itself shall not be able to deface this Record, but the Laws of God once written by God upon the Mind and heart, shall remain as long as those spiritual Tables shall remain, that is, for evermore. These are the excellent fruits, effects or Consequents of God's writing his Laws in his Federates minds and hearts.
IV. Question. Whether God's Laws were not written in his Peoples Minds and Hearts before the time of this New Covenant?
The Reason of this Question is, because this New Covenant is here said to be not according to the Covenant made with the Fathers, &c. and this is laid down as the first particular point wherein the New Covenant should differ from the Old, viz. That now God would give his Laws into their Mind, and write them in their hearts, which seems to import that his Laws were never so written in the heart before. Which to assert, seems very strange; especially seeing the New Covenant is substantially one and the same with former Covenants: And God's Federates of Old were Partakers of Renonation in and after the image of God, as well as since the New Covenant.
Answ. For clear Resolution to this Question, these two things are to be heedfully Considered, viz.
1. That, Before the time of this New Covenant there was some kind and manner of God's writing his Laws in the Hearts of his People. As, 1. A Natural writing of the Substance of his Moral Laws in the Heart of Adam in his innocence, under the Covenant of Works. This is evident, Partly by the integrity and uprightness of man in his first Creation in the image of God: which was his conformity to God's Law. Partly, by the Work of the Law in some measure written upon the hearts of Pagans, who never had the written Law. If so much of the Law remain in man's corrupt Nature; how completely was it written in man's perfect Nature? Now this writing of the Law in Adams heart, was only Natural, and Concreated; it was such a writing as belonged and was agreeable to the pure primitive state and constitution of man in his very Creation, he had it only naturally from God as Creator, not supernaturally from God as Redeemer. 2. A Supernatural writing of God's Moral Law, for the Substance of it in the hearts of his people, after the Fall, under the Covenant of Faith. This is evident; Partly, because God's people under the Covenant of Faith, and before the time of the New Covenant, had in effect some such thing Promised to them, as God's circumcising their hearts to love him; His putting his fear into their hearts that they should not depart from him; His giving of his Spirit into their hearts, together with many excellent Influences of the Spirit, formerly explained. What were these supernatural blessings, but principles of Grace conforming them to the Law of God, and the writing of God's Laws in their Hearts. Partly, Because before the time of the New Covenant God's people experimentally received such an Inscription of God's Laws upon their hearts, as appears by their Renovation, their inward Principles, their holy Practises, and sometimes their express acknowledgements hereof. Thus ( 1 ) Under God's Covenant with Adam; Abel was a believer, and his works righteous. Enoch a believer, and walked with God. ( 2 ) Under God's Covenant with Noah; Noah was a believer, upright in his Generations, walked with God, and moved with fear, by God's warning obediently made an Ark. (3) Under God's Covenant with Abraham; Abraham believed in the Lord; walked before God, was perfect; most obedient to God's call and commands, to follow him (even ad coecam obedientiam ) although he knew not whither; and commanded his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord. So Isaac a believer, Feared God. Jacob a believer, wrestled with God in prayer and prevailed, &c. (4) Under God's Sinai-Covenant with Israel; Moses an eminent believer, and an excellent Self-denyer. Caleb and Joshua, men of another spirit, followed the Lord fully. Gideon, Barack, Jephtha, Sampson, &c. were also renowned believers. (5) Under God's Covenant with David; David himself was a man after God's own heart: and himself confesseth; I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea thy Law is within my Heart, Hebr. in the midst of my bowels. ( 6 ) Finally, Under God's Covenant with the Captives; God assured them of a New heart and a New Spirit, promising to take away their heart of stone, and to give them an heart of flesh, that they might walk in his Statutes, and keep his Ordinances, and do them. By all which its very evident, that in some sort God did supernaturally write his Laws in the Minds and Hearts of his people, before the time of this New Covenant. I say, Supernaturally; Because whatsoever writing of this sort is savingly printed upon any man's heart since the Fall under the Covenant of Faith in any Administration thereof, is wrought by Christ the Redeemer, by the supernatural efficacy of his Spirit. Every such writing is the Epistle of Christ: his Grace, his Spirit, his efficacy, his image, is illustriously evident therein. This is the first thing to be considered, by way of Concession.
2. That, Notwithstanding all this, thus granted, till the time of this New Covenant God's Laws were not so written in his people's hearts, as since they have been. This is very evident; If we take notice how far The Manner, Efficacy and Extent of this New Covenant-Administration, differed from, and transcended all Federal Administrations that went before it: Answerable unto which is God's Manner, Efficacy and Extent of writing of his Laws, especially under the Old & New Testament. 1. The Manner of God's former Covenant-Administations was more Carnal and External, and ran for the most part upon Carnal and outward blessings, as to the Letter of them. As, Bruising the Serpents Head by the Seed of the woman; Preservation in the Ark from the flood of waters that drowned all the world; The Inheritance of Canaan, long life and Prosperity there; The Continuance and Glory of David's throne and Kingdom to his Seed; The Redemption of the Captives out of Babylon and Restitution of them into their own land, &c. And proportionably God's Manner of writing his Laws, was more Carnal and External; viz. In two Tables of stone, Deut. 4. 13. 2 Cor. 3. 3, 7. But the manner of God's New Covenant Administration, is more Spiritual and Internal, mostly consisting of Inward Spiritual Blessings. Yea as to the Letter of the Covenant it wholly runs upon Spirituals altogether, Ier. 31. 31, 32, 33, 34. Heb. 8. 8. to 13. And proportionably God's manner of writing his Laws is Spiritual and Inward; not in Tables of stone, but in the soft fleshly Tables of the Mind and Heart, Jer. 31. 33. Heb. 8▪ 10 2 Cor. 3. 3. This different Form and Manner of the Old and New Covenants administration is much to be noted, which eminently holds forth such a different writing of God's Laws: That, in Literal Tables of stones, This, in spiritual Tables of the mind and heart. 2. The Efficacy of former administrations, was very weak and small, in Comparison of this New Covenant-Administration which is great and powerful. Under those The, Holy Spirit was but as it were sparingly sprinkled upon them; Their knowledge and love of God was dark, feeble childlike; Their hearts were very stony hard and inflexible, as God intimated to them in writing his Laws upon stones, &c. But under this, The Holy Spirit is plentifully poured forth as in Streams & Rivers upon them; and into them; Their knowledge and love of God is clear, strong, ripe, man like: Their Hearts very fleshy and flexible to God and his will, &c. Hence, The Old Testament-Ministration is called The Ministration of the Letter, that condemns and kills, viz. An ineffectual Ministration, showing the Letter of the Duty and Death in case of Non-performance, but affording no Ability for that Duty: But the New Testament-Ministration is called the Ministrationn of the Spirit that quickeneth, and is a Ministration of righteousness, viz. An effectual and powerful Ministration, that affords sufficiency of ability for the Duty which it requireth. Hence, The Spirit is said not to be given, till Christ was glorified: Not as if it had not been given at all; but because it was bestowed so sparingly and slenderly, in comparison to what is now, that it might seem not to be given at all. 3. The extent of former Covenant-Administrations, was but to Particular Familes, as of Adam, Noah, Abraham, David; or to some Particular Tribes, as to the Captives of Judah and Benjamen; ar to a Select Nation, as to the Jews at Mount-Sinai: Alas, how few, what a small handful were all these to the rest of the world! And yet of this small number, how few were there that had any saving inscription of God's Laws upon their hearts at all? And we say, Minimum in magne nihil, a small thing in that which is great is as nothing; a drop is as nothing in the Sea, a grain of sand is as nothing in the Earth: so the writing of God's Laws in the hearts of so few, is as nothing in the world But the extent of this New Covenant-Administration is universal, To all Nations in the whole world; and consequently God's writing of his Laws in men's hearts is proportionably extended to all God's people in all those Nations: to many thousands and ten thousands more then under all former Covenant-Expressures.
Thus the Lord under this New Covenant writes his Laws in his Peoples hearts; (1) Not Naturally, as at First in Adams heart in his state of creation, under the Covenant of Works; But Supernaturally, by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, restoring them from their State of corruption under the Covenant of Faith: And this (2) Not so imperfectly as under foregoing Covenant-Administrations, but much more perfectly and completely in Efficaciousness and Extensiveness. The chiefest of former Covenants, the Old Covenant holding forth, in the public and open Administration of it, only a writing of God's Laws in stones: This New Covenant, in the open and manifest Administration of it, revealing only a writing of God's Laws in the Minds and Hearts of God's Federates.
V. Question. Why will the Lord write his Laws in the Minds and Hearts of his Federates, Now under the New Covenant? And why doth God Covenant thus to do?
Answ. The Lord doth Covenant this, and will accordingly thus write his Laws in the Minds and hearts of his Covenant-people now under the New Covenant;
1. Because, He will. The mere good pleasure of his will, and his free Commiserating Grace, is the only original Moving Cause inclining him hereunto. I will give my Laws into their Mind, and I will write them in their hearts. God's Federates cannot deserve this blessing of themselves, more then others: but God will peculiarly confer it upon them of the riches of his mere Grace, which he now under the New Covenant displaies more eminently and gloriously then ever, Ephes. 2. 4. to 11.
2. Because God intended this New Covenant to be a far more perfect and excellent Expressure then the Ola Covenant. Behold—I will make a new Covenant—not according to the Covenant which I made with their Fathers. Why? wherein shall this New Covenant excel and be more Perfect? Herein saith God; My Old Covenant was but written in Tables of stone: but my New Covenant shall be engraven upon better Tables, upon the Mind and Heart. This better writing, these better Tables, will make this a better Covenant. God's Covenants were so ordered in their Revealing, that the later was still better then the former; and the last, this New Covenant, the best of all.
3. Because, God would more effectually provide against his Peoples breach of Covenant, then formerly. God brought all Israel into an Excellent Covenant at Mount Sinai that Old Covenant, and after he had published it to them by his own immediate voice, he wrote it upon two Tables of stone: but presently they brake this Covenant by their Idolatry in Aaron's calf, as Moses signified by breaking the Tables before their eyes. Why did they so soon break this Old Covenant? Because it was not written in their Minds and Hearts, but only upon Tables of stone: They had an Outward Rule, but they had not the inward Principle of obedience, therefore they brake it. Which my Covenant they brake, Jer. 31. 32. Because they continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord: I will give my Laws into their Mind, and write them upon their Hearts. As if he had said; I will take a more effectual Course in my New Covenant, to prevent their breach of Covenant; their inconstancy and unsteadfastness in, and their Apostasy from my Covenant is very offensive to me: therefore I will give them inward Principles and Abilities for performance of, and perseverance in my Covenant, I will not engraven my Laws anymore in Stones without them, but upon their Minds and Hearts within them, so that they shall be no more able to forget and forsake my Laws and Covenant, then they can forget and forsake their own Minds and Hearts; Thus they shall be Constant, Steady, and Stedfast in my New Covenant.
4. Because, God had reserved the most plenary and efficacious Donation of his Spirit, and all his gracious influences, till the days of Christ, and times of the New Covenant: As the Scriptures often intimate. Hence, God's most eminent, excellent, efficacious, complete and extensive writing of his Laws in the minds and hearts of his Federates, (which is the immediate and special work of his Spirit, and hath in it Complexively very many of the gracious Influences, Endowments, Effects and Operations of the Spirit of God, as I have already manifested,) is also reserved till these days of Christ and of his New Covenant. The Plenary donation of the Spirit, is the fruit of Christ's actual Exaltation and Glorification, then he himself received of the Father, the Promise of the Holy-ghost, that is, The Promised Holy-ghost, and upon that Receit shed forth the same upon his people: Answerably the Spirits most Plenary and perfect Inscription of God's Laws in his people's hearts, is the proper fruit of the Spirits plenary Donation. Both these, are the gloririous Trophies of Christ's triumphant ascension into heaven, and Exaltation at God's right hand: and by both these Christ is exceedingly extolled and magnified in his Church.
5. Finally, God will under his New Covenant write his Laws in his Peoples Minds and Hearts, that the Spiritual Consequents and Effects of such his writing of his Laws therein may rest upon them, and really make them God's Covenant-people indeed. This is eminently intimated in the Connection of those two Promises together; I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them upon their hearts: And I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. As if he had said; Hereby I will effectually declare and demonstrate myself to be their God in Covenant, and will effectually make them my Covenant people indeed: even by Giving my Laws into their Minds, and writing them upon their Hearts. Till this writing be drawn upon their Souls, I and the sons of men are at a distance, there is no saving Covenant-Relation, nor Covenant-interest between us, &c. but when this shall be once actually done upon the Minds and Hearts of any, then all this distance shall be removed from between me and them, then I will be theirs, and they shall be mine effectually and savingly, according to my New Covenant.
VI. Question. How we may know, Whether God hath Given his Laws into our Minds, and written them upon our Hearts?
Answ. We may know this, 1. By the Antecedents, 2. By the Manner, 3. By the Consequents of God's writing his Laws in our minds and hearts, as hath already been explained.
1. By the Antecedents foregoing and preparing the Mind and Heart for God's writing his Laws there. As,
(1) Hath God hewn the Tables of mind and heart by his Spirit of Bondage? Rom. 8. 15.
(2) Hath God razed and obliterated out of the mind and heart all other Laws, Writings, and Impressions which are inconsistent with these Laws of God? Hath he Circumcised thine heart, cutting off thy Natural Corruptions? Hath he taken away the Stone out of thy heart? Hath he stripped thee Naked, and emptied thee of thyself by Self-Denial?
(3) Hath God mollified and softened these Tables of thy mind and heart to receive the impression of his Laws, by the heart-melting discoveries of the Gospel, laying open the riches of divine Wisdom, Grace and Mercy in Christ for saving of Sinners?
2. By the Way and Manner of God's writing his Laws in mind and heart, viz. 1. By Christ, as his hand, his writer; 2. By his Ministers, as his Pens in the hand of Christ; 3. By the Holy Spirit, as his Ink that immediately makes the characters; 4. And in fleshly, soft, flexible Tables of Mind and Heart.
(1) Hath Christ made his supernatural draught upon Mind and Heart? Is he the writer? Is the Epistle Christ's; or another's, Sin's, The World's, Satan's? Whose Image and superscription is it, thats upon the heart? Are you New-creatures in Christ Jesus? Are you the workmanship of God created in Christ unto good works, &c? Have ye put on the Lord Jesus? Rom. 13. 14. Gal. 3. 26, 27. Christ is close at work in the Soul, when God's Laws are a writing there.
(2) Are the Ministers of Christ, his Pens to delineate God's Laws in your minds and Hearts? Do you prize, love, obey, and submit to them in the Lord in their Ministrations, as Instruments in the hand of Christ? 1 Thes. 5. 12, 13. Heb. 13. 17. 1 Thes. 1. 5, 6. Gal. 4. 14, 15. 1 Cor. 4. 1. The Corinthians overvalued their Ministers, 1 Cor. 1. 12, 13. & 3. 4, 5, 6. The Galatians removed from theirs, and undervalued them, Gal. 1. 6, &c. Those, by accounting them above Instruments: these by debasing them below Instruments, and rejecting them for false Teachers; (The Epidemical disease of these our times,) But then we shall rightly value them, when we shall account them as Ministers, as Instruments, as Pens in the hand of Christ. Are they Ministers of the Spirit, or only of the Letter, to you? Hath their Gospel come unto you, not in word only; but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance?
(3) Hath the Holy Ghost been the blessed Ink that hath immediately written God's Laws upon your Minds and Hearts? Hath this Ink been put by Christ into his Pens, hath this Spirit co-operated with his Ministers, hath he left his marks, his characters behind him upon your Souls, or no?
(4) Have your minds and hearts been found Fleshly, not Stony Tables, when Christ by his Spirit and Ministers was going to write God's Laws upon them? Have they rejected, or received his impressions? Have they yielded to, or rebelled against his Inscriptions? Have they been like melted metal, ready to run into the mould of God's Laws, and to receive any impression thereof?
3. By the Consequents and Effects, resulting from, and remaining after God's writing his Laws in the Mind and Heart. After writing, there are Characters and Words remaining, wherein the Mind, Meaning, and Will of the Writer is represented: So after God's writing his Laws in the heart, God's Mind and Will remain upon the heart, in many particulars. As, In
(1) An Universal Answerableness of the Heart, to God's Laws. Have you a Law within, fully answering to God's Laws without? Is there an universal Counterpain of God's Laws delineated in your hearts? Is there an Entire Conformity to all his Laws? where God savingly writes one, he writes all his Laws in the heart: His Laws of Religion, his Laws of Righteousness. Theres nothing God Prescribes, but the heart is disposed to do it: nothing God Prohibits, but the heart is careful to decline it. Herod, Pharisees, Hypocrites, Pagans, may have some partial Conformity to God's Laws in some things: but because it is only in some things, or in many things, and not in all things, God's Laws are not savingly written there.
(2) A Renovation of the whole Soul according to God's image. There cannot be in the Mind and Heart an Entire Conformity to the Law of God, but by a Transformed Renovation of the whole Soul according to the Image of God in Knowledge, Righteousness, and true Holiness. The Old frame is so full of Pravity, Malignity and Enmity against God and his Laws: That there must be a Renovation, Regeneration, New-creation, Conversion, Sanctification, &c. or else there can be no Conformity to God's Laws. Are you thus Renewed, Regenerated, &c? where is this image of God in the Soul?
(3) True Knowledge of the will and all the ways of God, and unfeigned Love both to God and man. Gross ignorance cannot remain in the Soul, when the Law of God comes to be written there: no more then gross midnight-darkness can remain in the hemisphear when the sun appears in the sky. Nor can true Love to God and man be absent from the heart, wherein the Law is present: because such Love is the Law of God, and the Law of God is Love. What light now of true knowledge of all God's will and ways shines in your Minds? what life and holy flames of true Love to God and man burn in your hearts?
(4) Sincere, Cordial and Entire Obedience to God's Laws from right Principles of Knowledge and Love. Where God's Laws are in the heart, the Soul is strongly bowed, inclined, disposed and persuaded to all cordial, sincere, entire Obebience: because it knows what is to be done; because it loves to do what it knows. Dost thou obey knowingly, understandingly? Dost thou obey lovingly? then thou canst not choose but obey Cordially, sincerely, entirely. For, Knowledge saith, Every thing is to be done that God requires: and Love saith, I am heartily willing to do everything that is to be done.
(5) Chearful delight in the Law of God. Such as is the Inscription in the heart, whether of the Law of sin, or Law of God, &c. such is the Disposition and genuine temper of the Heart: Now such as is the temper and Disposition of the heart, such is the delight of the Heart. The heart delights most in that which is most homogeneal and connatural to it: So when the Law of God is made homogeneal and connatural to the Heart, by being written therein, the heart cannot choose but delight therein exceedingly. What delight now hath thine inner man in the Law of God, to meditate therein and do it? are the Commandments of God joyous, or grievous? Read David's affections to, and delights in God's Law, Psal. 119. and see if thine be parallel.
(6) The Legibleness of this writing, not only by God, but also by themselves, and others. Is God's Law so written in thy mind and heart, That thyself canst read it within, in thy Constitution; That both thyself and others can read it, without, in thy Conversation; That both thyself and others can see and read a General Conformity and Answerableness of thine Heart and Life to God's whole Law? If there be nothing, or Nothing to the purpose, to be read of God's Law in thine inward Principles and outward Practises; but rather the Laws of Sin and Satan, heaps of unmortified Corruptions, Scandals, and abominable Offences; how can it be imagined that God's Law is written in thy mind or heart? If thine own Conscience and others observation can behold, No saving Knowledge, but gross ignorance; No faith, but infidelity; No Repentance, but impenitency; No Fear of God, but audacious impiety; No Love to God, but utter enmity; No true Obedience, but notorious rebellion; No Spiritualness at all, but mere carnality; No Regeneration, Renovation and Sanctification, &c. but an old, unregenerate, sinful state: The Law of God hath as yet made no saving impression at all upon thy Soul.
(7) Finally, The Permanency and durableness of this Impression. What's written by God in mind and heart will never out. No Time, No Temptation, No Tribulation, No Persecution, no not Natures dissolution, can utterly obliterate or expunge the same. The writing may be slurred, dimmed, defaced, and obscured by these things: but can never be totally razed and blotted out. Is the impression of God's Law upon thy heart vanishing, or Continuing; fading or flourishing: dying, or living? Is the tincture of thine heart in grain? Doth thy Soul break for the longing that it hath unto God's judgments at all times? Is thy delight in the Law of the LORD, and dost thou meditate therein day and night?
Inferences, Will the LORD thus give his Laws into their Minds, and write them upon their Hearts; as hath been explained and evidenced? Then, Hence these things follow: viz.
I. That, God's Moral Law is the Law of Christ. How doth this appear from what hath been spoken? Thus; The Law which God promiseth here to write in their hearts, is God's Moral Law formerly written upon Tables of stone, as I have already proved. Now God writes this Moral Law in their Hearts by Christ and his Spirit, as I have also manifested: whereupon they that have God's Laws written in their hearts, are called The Epistle of Christ, written not with Ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God. Forasmuch then as it is Christ, who by his Spirit writes God's Moral Laws in his people's hearts, These Moral Laws may justly be denominated the Laws of Christ. Christ is the Author, and effectual writer of them in their hearts by his Spirit: therefore they are his. If the Moral Law be called The Law of Moses, because Moses was the Instrument by whom God gave and revealed it: How much more may it be called The Law of God, because God gave it, published it on Mount Sinai, and wrote it with his own finger on Tables of stone: and The Law of Christ and of his Spirit, because by them its written upon the fleshly Tables of the Mind and Heart. So that Jesus Christ, and the Moral Law are not (as some weakly imagine) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , inconsistent, incompatible and irreconcilable: but most consistent, suitable and sweetly agreeable one to another. Since Mans Fall, God never gave his Moral Law but in his Covenant of Faith in Christ: In Christ typified and promised under the Old Covenant, it was given in Tables of stone; In Christ Performed and Exhibited under the New Covenant, it is given in fleshly Tables of Mind and Heart; but in both there's much of Christ, much of his Wisdom, much of his Merit, much of his Justice, much of his Goodness, Mercy, Free-grace, and Love, much of his Power, much of his Spirit, &c. Christ in both predominates. Hence, 1. The more of God's Moral Law is supernaturally engraven in the Mind and Heart, the more of Christ is in the Mind and Heart. When Christ comes into the soul, he brings this Law with him thither. If this Law be effectually there, Christ is actually there also. 2. Christ came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it. To fulfil it in his own Person, Actively doing for his elect all the Duty required in it, which they could not do; Passively enduring for them all the Curse and Penalty threatened in it to the transgressors thereof, which otherwise they could not avoid nor endure. To fulfil it also in his Members, by writing it in their hearts, that they might be able in sincerity a •… d integrity to observe it. 3. They that set Christ and the Moral Law at odds irreconcilably, do neither understand the mystery of Jesus Christ, nor of the Moral Law solidly.
II. That, God's Moral Law is not abolished, but established by his New Covenant. Why? Because God's writing of his Laws in the hearts of his Federates, is a primary Promise, yea the very First Article of his New Covenant; — I will give my Laws into their Mind, and write them in their hearts. Had God intended by his New Covenant to have abolished his Moral Law, he would not have New written it, but utterly have expunged it. But in that God undertakes to write his Laws again, and to write them more durably and indelibly then they were written before, Not in the long-lasting Tables of stone, but in the Everlasting Tables of Mind and Heart: Hereby he eminently confirms and establishes the Moral Law, as that which shall never be reversed or repealed till the end of this world, yea the Substance and Soul thereof in lov •… to God and man shall continue forever in the world to come. Hence,
1. That grand Antinomian Error touching the utter abrogation of the Moral Law, (That the Law given by Moses at Mount Sinai is of no use at all for Matter or Form to Christians now under the New Testament:) is to be abhorred and abandoned, as repugnant and destructive to the very substance and Nature of this New Covenant. But I have already spoken at large to this effect, 1. In handling that intricate Question, Whether the Law of God, given by Moses on Mount Sinai to Israel, be abrogated to us now under the New Testament or no? And how far it concerns or obligeth us, if not abrogated? 2. In unfolding In General, How useful it is to all sorts: In Particular, of what use it is to Carnal persons. Of what use it is to the Regenerate. 3. In answering such Material Objections from Scriptures wrested and misunderstood, as Antinomians make against the establishment and use of the Moral Law now under the New Covenant. And therefore for satisfaction in all these Particulars, I refer the Reader to the places here alleged in the Margin, that I may not go over the same things again.
2. All Detractive and reproachful speeches derogatory from the continued obligation Force and use of the Moral Law to Believers and regenerate persons now under the New Covenant, ought by all intelligent and conscientious Christians, especially Ministers, to he utterly forborne and avoided. As those ignorant and unsavory expressions of some:— Legal Preachers, Legal Christians;—Literal-Duty-men—Old Testament Spirits;—Mosaical Iustitiaries, &c. For by such rotten, railing and reviling language as this, they not only discover their gross ignorance in the mysteries of Old and New Covenant, and of the Moral Law; but also blasphemously traduce and Calumniate both Jesus Christ and his New Covanant, and the infinite wisdom of God, who in them both hath contrived to establish and perpetuate the use of his most perfect Moral Law to all his Old and New Covenant people.
III. That, The New Covenant agrees with the Old in Matter and Substance, although they differ in Manner and Circumstance. For, 1. The Matter and Substance of them both, is God's Moral Law, and that Moral Law written, and that writing made only by the Lord himself: Herein these two Covenants do plainly agree, and are Materially one. 2. The Manner and Circumstance of writing this Moral Law by God is very different under these two Covenants. In the Old Covenant God wrote it in Tables of Stone: In the New Covenant he writes in the fleshly Tables of Mind and Heart. In the Old Covenant it was written, without: In the New, within. In the Old Covenant it was written more imperfectly, weakly, Literally, ineffectually: though the people's hearts had some impression thereof upon them, yet they remained very stony, stubborn, intractable notwithstanding: but in the New Covenant it is written more perfectly, strongly, spiritually, effectually; the Peoples hearts are more Mollified, Flexible, Tractable and transformed into the image of the Law of God.
IV. That, The Moral Law is a most excellent Law. This is evident, by the singular Care that God hath taken in this his most excellent Covenant, the New Covenant, to hide, treasure up, and fixedly engrave his Moral Law upon the Minds and Hearts of his People. These are Holy, Heavenly, Spiritual, Lasting, Everlasting Treasuries: Consequently God's Moral Laws written and laid up there, are choice, rich and precious jewels, and so to be accounted by us. Oh what an invaluable estimate did Holy David (that man after God's own heart, who had the Law of God in his heart ) set upon them! and most deservedly. Read, and mark, and imitate his affections and estimations of the Laws of God.
It is very observable; That the Lord hath taken care to write his Moral Law, for the Perpetuating thereof, three several ways, viz. 1. Naturally, in the heart of Adam before his fall, under the Covenant of Nature, or of Works. 2. Literally, upon Tables of stone, and that twice under the Old Covenant given at Mount Sinai. 3. Spiritually and most efficaciously, upon the Spiritual fleshly Tables of his Peoples Minds and Hearts, under the New Covenant. The First writing was perfect, but not durable: The Second was complete, but ineffectual: The Third is entire, efficacious, and permanent. Now how high and excellent is this Moral Law of the Lord, which God hath so often written with his own finger upon so many Tables, before and Since the Fall, before and after Christ!
V. That, Naturally, since and by the Fall of Adam, The Laws of God are ob •… terated or blotted out of men's minds and hearts. God's new writing his Laws in the Mind and Heart supernaturally, shows that his old writing of his Laws is blotted out of all men's hearts naturally. God's Laws were once in man's heart before the Fall so perfectly, that he was able fully in every point to keep it, and by his own actual keeping of it, completely to have wrought out and completed his own righteousness and life eternal in the sight of God: but by man's Fall and sin (which makes havoc of all blessings and mercies) God's Law was so extremely wiped out of the Heart of Adam and of all his posterity, that nothing at all thereof remains sufficient for man's Justification, but only so much as to leave him without excuse and aggravate his condemnation. Hereupon God provides for lapsed man a Savior, a Surety Jesus Christ, (in whose heart God's Laws should be perfectly written, and in whose Death the penalty of the Law broken by man's Sin should be perfectly Satisfied,) by and in whom The obliterated Law should, First be revived and recorded in Tables of stone under the Old Covenant, that hereby man might behold, ( 1 ) What integrity he once had before he Fell, ( 2 ) What Sin and misery he was now naturally enwrapped in by his Fall (3) What exact righteousness and satisfaction according to this Law is required in and from man's Surety Jesus Christ for lapsed Sinners Restauration to Life and Righteousness, ( 4 ) As also What entire, sincere and cordial Conformity of heart and life to the Law of God is expected from those that accept Jesus Christ for their Surety and Savior. Secondly, be given and written in spiritual Tables of mind and heart under the New Covenant, That by this supernatural Efficacy, The heart might be furnished with Ability, for the performance of all Duty which the Law requires. So then, Sin hath expunged God's Law out of all men's hearts and minds by Nature, till God again inscribe and engrave it there. Hence flows all the impiety and irreligion of man's heart and life against God, all his unrighteousness ageinst man, all his intemperance and insob •… iety against himself; even from this, That God's Law is razed and expunged out of his mind and heart by nature. Whereupon carnal man is naturally become the most savage, wild, brutish, unruly, rebellions, malicious, mischievous, and miserable creature that is on Earth. Ah! how cursed and abominable is the Nature of Sin, that so woefully robs and despoyles the hearts of the sons of Adam of this blessed and perfect Law of God!
VI. That, The Renewing of the Mind and Heart, even of of the whole soul, according to God's image, by effectual Uocation, Conversion, Regeneration, New creation and Sanctification, is not a Natural, but a mere Supernatural work, is not at all from man himself, but wholly from God alone. Why? Because, Its not man, but God alone that gives his Laws into their Midns; not man, but God alone that writes his Laws in their hearts: Now this Effectual Vocation, Conversion, Regeneration, New-creation, Sanctification, &c. is that wherein this his writing his Laws in their Minds and Hearts according to the image of God, especially consists. The carnal mind is nothing but darkness, blindness, ignorance and sottishness; The carnal heart is hardness, stoniness, impenitency, unbelief, deadness, senselessness; and both of them, even the whole Soul is Enmity and Malignity against God and his Laws: So that there remains nothing at all in mere carnal man that may contribute the least saving influence, efficacy or assistance to the writing of God's Laws in Mind or Heart. This must be let alone, and wholly left to God forever. He alone prepared the first Tables of Stone, and he alone wrote thereon, the whole Workmanship was his: So here, He alone Prepares the Mind and Hearts, He alone in Christ by his Spirit makes the Inscription of his Laws on the Heart so prepared, and he alone leaves the effectual fruits and consequents of this Inscription upon the Soul: The Preparatives, Acts, and Effects of this writing are all his. Man could obliterate God's Laws out of his heart, but its the peculiar and proper work of God only to write them again in the Heart. This thing in effect I have formerly cleared, in Answernig that Question; Whether God alone can give A New Heart, and put a New Spirit into us? There See.
VII. That, God First gives his Laws into the Mind, and then writes them in the Heart. In this New Covenant-Promise, the Mind is still put before the Heart. Naturally the Mind must first be informed with the light of Truth, and knowledge of Duty, before the Heart can be conformed to the love of truth and performance of Duty. Natural light was the first particular distinct creature which God made, when he created the world: And Supernatural light is the first particular Grace which God infuseth into the soul, when he New-creates the Heart. — To turn them from darkness to light, theres God's first work upon the Mind, viz. illumination: And from the power of Satan unto God, theres his next work upon the Heart, will and affections, viz. effectual Liberation, or Actual Restitution out of bondage into spiritual Liberty: In both their Conversion, Effectual-vocation, Regeneration, &c. Sanctification. Though God's Acts of Grace be supernatural, yet are they not contranatural, or unnatural: they excel Nature, but do not destroy Nature. The Mind must still precede, to direct and guide the Heart: and then the Heart, the will and affections, will orderly follow and obey. The Will doth Naturally follow the ultimate Direction and command of the Understanding: as the rest of the body follows the Guidance of the Eye. If God have illuminated thy Mind: theres good hopes he will bend and bow thine heart. But if thy mind be darkness, thy will and affections can be nothing but crookedness.
VIII. That, God's giving his Laws into our Minds, and writing them in our hearts, is an Eminent and manifold Privilege. Forasmuch as every Article of the New Covenant (and consequently this First ) contains an eniment and manifold Privilege for God's New Covenant-people above all other people in the world: viz. Not only above all Pagans and Heathens whatsoever, that are mere strangers to this, and to all God's Covenants of Faith; but also above all God's Covenant-people under all former Covenant-Expressures whatsoever, this New Covenant in many regards far excelling and transcending them all, as hereafter in the General Inferences will appear. Now the Eminency and multiplicity of this Privilege, of God's giving his Laws into our Minds, and writing them upon our hearts, herein particularly appears: viz.
1. In the Eminent Preparation of Mind and heart to be fit spiritual Tables for the writing of God's Laws therein. The very preparing of the Heart hereunto is an eminent and Manifold Privilege. For,
- (1) Hereby, The stony Mind and heart are Hewed away by the Spirit of Bondage, filling them with fear and terror, because of Sin, the wrath and Curse of God.
- (2) Hereby, The contrary Laws and writings of sin, world and Satan are obliterated and razed out of the Mind and Heart, to make way for the better inscription of the Laws of God therein.
- (3) Hereby, The mind and Heart are sweetly Mollified and softened, at the Evangelical discovery of God's rich Grace, Mercy, Loving-kindness, Compassions, Goodness, wisdom and Justice whereby the Sinners Salvation by Jesus Christ through Faith is so admirably and all-sufficiently contrived and tendered. Now these spiritual Tables of Mind and heart are prepared.
2. In the Eminent and joint operation of Father, Son and Holy Ghost to this Inscription of his Laws in the Mind and Heart by the Instrumental subserviency of his New Testament Ministers thereunto. This is his ordinary way. So Infinite, Glorious and excellent an Agent, as God blessed forever, denominates this Act most excellent. What manner of Privilege also is this, that the everliving God should stoop so low as to write his Laws in the Minds and Hearts of poor sinful dust and ashes! what Familiar Condescention to our Frailty: That God should make use of the ministration of weak mortal men as instruments in this writing?
3. In the Eminency and transcendent excellency of God's Laws, viz. his Moral Laws, which he writes in mind and heart. No Laws in the world can compare with God's Laws: And no Laws of God can compare with his Moral Laws, for all manner of excellency. How high an advantage then must it needs be to have so choice, rich, and precious a treasure as these Laws put so effectually into these mean and despised Cabinets!
4. In the Eminent and intensive efficacy of God's Giving his Laws into our Minds, and writing them in our hearts. The Divine efficacy of this operation shines forth most illustriously in all those Perfective alterations, which thereby are wrought upon the Minds and hearts of God's sincere New Covenant-people, viz.
- (1) An universal Answerableness of the Mind and Heart within, to God's Laws without.
- (2) The Renovation of the whole Soul according to the image of God in Knowledge, Righteousness and true holiness.
- (3) True Knowledge of the will and all the ways of God, and unfeigned Love to God and man.
- (4) Sincerity of Obedience from right inward Principles.
- (5) A cheerful delight and pleasure of Soul in the Laws of God.
- (6) The Legibleness of this writing, and the impressions thereof; Not only to the Omniscient eye of God, and charitative eye of man, but also to the experimental and discerning eye of every particular Soul in some good measure, upon whose mind and heart God's Laws shall be effectually and supernaturally written.
- (7) The Firmness and Durableness of this Sacred Impression of God's Laws upon the Soul: against all danger of its backsliding from God, or from his ways.
5. In the sweet and comfortable Provision which hereby God lays in, for bruised Sinners and distressed Saints, against Sundry of their puzzling and perplexing Doubts and Scruples, especially about the Blindness of their Minds, vileness of their Hearts, and extreme Inability to do anything in Spirituals as God requires. His Law given into their Mind, removes the Blindness and gross ignorance of their Mind: His Law written in their Hearts, cures the abominable vileness, badness and viciousness of their Hearts: His Laws engraven in both, supplies them with a sufficiency of Ability sincerely to act what God expects.
6. Finally, In the extensiveness of this Promise, which is exceeding large and broad; even of God's writing, 1. His whole Law, not only some part of it; 2. In the whole Soul, Mind and Heart, not Mind, or Heart alone; 3. And that of all his true Federates in all Nations of the world, and not only (as under the Old Covenant ) in the Jewish Nation.
Thus, God's giving his Laws into our Minds, and writing them in our hearts, is a very eminent and Manifold Privilege.
IX. That, All such as would know, whether they be God's New Covenant-people indeed, inwardly as well as outwardly, in power as well as in profession: should diligently examine, whether God hath given his Laws into their Minds, and written them upon their hearts, or no? For all those, and those only, that have God's Laws thus effectually planted within them by the Spirit of the living God, are savingly partakers of an inward New Covenant-state and interest in God through Jesus Christ. But how may we know this, That God hath given his Laws into our minds, and written them in our Hearts? Answ. This I have discovered already, in Answering the VI th . Question: There See.
X. Finally, That God's sincere New Covenant-People have above all other people in the world greatest cause to live and walk according to the Laws, the Moral Laws of God: in that the LORD hath more excellently and obligatorily given and written his Laws for them, then for any other.
For, 1. His Moral Law was written in Adams heart under the Covenant of works, Naturally: but now it is written in his Peoples hearts, under the New Covenant, Supernaturally. 2. The work of his Moral Laws, remains written upon the very hearts of Pagans and Heathens that have not the Law by other writing or Preaching revealed to them, brokenly, maimedly, confusedly; those characters of the Law being only some dark, dim, shattered, broken, confused, maimed relics and remains of the Law which was naturally written in Adams heart at his first creation: But now it is written upon the minds and hearts of God's people under the New Covenant, distinctly, clearly, integrally, in all the Parts and integral perfections thereof, so that they have an universal answerableness to all, and an entire respect to all the Commandments of God. 3. The Moral Law, under the Old Covenant, as to the Apparant visible Administration thereof, was written only in dead Tables of stone Literally; and as to the inward application and operation thereof, it was written in the hearts of the truly believing Jews more obscurely, weakly and imperfectly, according to the Minority of the Church in those times: But now under the New Testament, as to the very administration thereof, its Promised to be written in the living Tables of Mind and heart, Spiritually; and as to the application and operation thereof, it is written in the hearts of all believers Jews and Gentiles much more clearly, powerfully, efficaciously and perfectly, according to the Maturity of the Church in those times. Thus God's Laws are given and written for his People now under this New Covenant, every way more excellently, then ever they were before for any other: Not Naturally, but Supernaturally; Not maimedly, but integrally; Not Literally, but Spiritually; Not more weakly and imperfectly, but more powerfully and perfectly.
Now the more excellently God hath given and written his Laws for his sincere New Covenant people, the more strongly hath he thereby laid his Obligations upon them to live and walk according to those Laws. The Greater the Mercy is, received from God: the greater and stronger is the tie for all answerable Duty to God. Pagans are bound much, Jews much more, but Christians most of all, to the observance of God's Laws: for Christians have, not only the Natural relics of the Law in them, which Pagans have; not only the very Letter of the Law, which the Jews had; but also the Spirit of the Law more then either of them had. If therefore the Christian walk contrary to God's Laws, his sins will of all other be most heinous, and his condemnation will of all other deserve to be most grievous. Certainly their Error is very gross, that think their Christianity absolves them from the observance of the Moral Law of God: for true Christianity, in the power of it, most forcibly obligeth, and even compels them above anything else to the observance of God's moral Laws. Therefore O thou regenerate Soul, thou Israelite indeed, thou sincere Christian, think seriously; How strong an Obligation God hath laid upon thy Soul and Conscience to live and walk uprightly according to all his Moral Laws, by giving them effectually into thy mind, and writing them powerfully upon thine heart. Thou, of all other oughtest to be a Law to thyself: Thou of all other oughtest to delight in the Law of God in thine inward man, and meditate therein day and night: Thou, of all other, shouldst forbare what God forbids, and perform what God prescribes in his holy Laws, &c. For furtherance and encouragement of every true hearted Nathaniel herein, let these two things be heedfully considered: viz.
1. Gospel-Directions for Christians right Observing, Performing and walking according to the Moral Law. These I have at large heretofore Proposed.
2. Gospel-grounds or Motives inciting to this Evangelical observance of the Moral Law. These also I have already abundantly urged. And if Antinomians themselves, whether in Opinion or in Practice, will but lay aside Prejudice against the Law of God so far, as deliberately, advisedly and seriously to read, consider and weigh (as in the presence of the living God, and great Law giver of Israel) Those Gospel-Directions for walking according to the Moral Law; And those Gospel Motives inciting thereunto: I hope through the blessing of the Heart-Ruling God, who alone can effectually give and write his Laws in his people's hearts, they may be a convincing, persuading and prevailing Means, to reduce the one from the Error of his opinion, unto Truth; and to reclaim the other from the error of his Way, unto Godliness and righteousness.
Article 2. Of God's Federate people's more excellent and more universal Knowledge of the Lord, then under the Old Covenant.
The Second Paiticular (but more distinct) New Covenant-Blessing here promised, wherein this New Covenant differs from, and excels the Old Covenant, is; His Federate people's more excellent, and more universal Knowledge of the LORD, then under the Old Covenant. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying; Know the Lord: For all shall know me from the least to the greatest. This is a Second Particular, wherein the New Covenant shall not be according to the Old Covenant which God made with the Fathers, &c. but shall much differ from it, shall far surpass and transcend it: viz. In The Federates more excellent and more Extensive Knowledge of the LORD then was under the Old Covenant. This is evidently the Scope and intent of the Holy Ghost in his Promise of this Mercy: as is unquestionably clear by the tenor and current of the New Covenant laid down both by Jeremiah and Paul. And unless this be heedfully and judiciously marked, This promised Blessing of the Federates Knowledge of the Lord cannot be rightly expounded and understood: Nor the Abusive wrestings of this Promise by the unlearned and unstable, so clearly and convincingly refelled. Therefore I advertise again and again, That the direct and plain scope of the Holy Ghost, here may be diligently marked: Which that judicious Calvin hath excellently observed, saying; And they shall teach no more, &c.] Here is laid down another difference betwixt the Old and New Testament: viz. That God, who had more obscurely manifested himself under the Law, will send forth his full brightness, that the knowledge of him shall become familiar. But he Hyperbolically extolls this Grace when he saith None shall need Teacher or Master, because everyone shall be taught enough. Therefore we have in Sum the Purpose of the Prophet, viz. That the light of the Gospel should by so great, that it may sufficiently appear God would deal more liberally with his people because his truth should shine as the Sun at Noon-day, This same thing Isaiah promiseth, when he saith; They shall all be taught of God, Isa. 54. 13. That was true even under the Law, but then God afforded only a slender taste of celestial Doctrine: but at the coming of Christ he opened the Treasures of wisdom and understanding; So that in the Gospel, there's the Perfection of the beginning, because we know the old people were like to children and therefore God kept them under Rudiments: Now because we are become ripe, he vouchsafes us fuller Doctrine, as it were and comes near to us. So he; very pertinently.
The words of the New Covenant, containing this promised blessing; I have Analytically explained already in brief; there see. But now for the fuller and clearer understanding of them, I shall further open these Particulars, with all possible Brevity: viz. 1. Wherein the Nature of this New Covenant-Knowledge of God more specially consists. 2. How and in what way God furnisheth his New Covenant-people with such a Knowledge of Himself. 3. Whether all God's New Covenant-people attain to this Promised Knowledge of God; Seeing experience testifies that very many under the New Covenant within the visible Church remain most grossly ignorant of God and all his ways. 4. Whether God by this Promise intended to take away, vacuate and ann •… ll all Human Teaching, Private and Public, as altogether useless and needless now under the New Covenant. 5. Why God hath Promised this Blessing in his New Covenant. 6. How we may discover That we so know the Lord, as God here intends in this his New Covenant-Promise. 7. Inferences.
I. Question. Wherein the Nature of this New Covenant-Knowledge more specially Consists?
Answ. This New Covenant Promise in Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. And they shall not teach every man his brother, and every man his neighbor, saying; Know the LORD: For All shall Know me, &c. doth evidently state this New Covenant-Knowledge of God in these two Particulars especially, viz. 1. In the Excellency of the Knowledge. 2. In the extensiveness and universality thereof.
1. In the Excellency of the New Covenant-Knowledge of the LORD, beyond that which was vouchsafed under the Old Covenant. This I collect thus, viz. 1. Partly, From the Nature of this New Covenant laid down more Generally, by way of Negation; I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah: Not according to the Covenant which I made with their Fathers, &c. that is, I will make a New Covenant, but very unlike to, and different from, and excelling above my Old Covenant. 2. Partly, From the Nature of this New Covenant laid down more Particularly, by way of Affirmation and Explication; But this shall be the Covenant which I will make with the House of Israel, after those days, saith the LORD; I will give my Law, &c. And they shall teach no more every man his brother, and every man his neighbor, saying; Know the LORD: for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the LORD. That is, My People, under the Old Covenant made with their Fathers, had many of them, some sort, some measure, of the Knowledge of the Lord; they did teach one another every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, to know the Lord, according to their Capacity: But my People under the New Covenant shall all of them Generally have a far other and more excellent Knowledge of the Lord, a knowledge far surpassing and transcending man's Teaching, for I myself will instruct them, I will teach them to know the Lord. Thus, there shall be An excellency in the New-Covenant-Knowledge of the Lord, beyond the Old Covenant-Knowledge. 3. Partly, From such Scriptures, as Explicating the nature of that Knowledge of God and his ways, which God vouchsafes his Covenant-people under the New Covenant, declare: That, in many regards, it is a knowledge far excelling and out-stripping the Knowledge which his people formerly had of him under the Old Covenant. As is evident, ( 1 ) In the Old Testament-Promises. As, in Joel And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy; your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants, and upon the handmaids in those days, will I pour out my Spirit, &c. In that Evangelical Isaiah, — I will pour out water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring, &c. And elsewhere, And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD. (2) In the New Testament-Performances, witnessed by the Apostles. As, By John; But ye have an Unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. — But the Anointing (viz. The Holy Ghost; compare Acts 10. 38. with 2 Cor. 1. 21, 22. John. 16. 13.) which ye have received of him, abideth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you: But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is Truth, and is no Lye: and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. By Paul; The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have Received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. And elsewhere he prefers the New Covenant-Ministration far before the Old, upon this very point, Of the excellency of the New Covenant-knowledge beyond that of the Old, saying; — We use great plainness of speech. And not as Moses which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. But their minds were blinded: For until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away, in the reading of the Old Testament: which veil is done away in Christ.—But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. In these and like passages, The excellencies and extensiveness of New Covenant-Knowledge, above that of the Old, is highly magnified, and particularly expounded: which may give much light to this New Covenant-Promise, touching the Federates Knowledge of the Lord.
Particularly, The Excellency of this New Covenant-knowledge of the Lord, beyond that under the Old Covenant, doth many ways appear and manifest itself. And especially in that the Federates Knowledge of God, under the New Covenant is, 1. More Divine; 2. More Spiritual; 3. More Clear; 4. More Evidential; 5. More Compleat; 6. More Efficacious; 7. More Glorious.
(1) More Divine. The Knowledge which the Federates had of God under the Old Covenant, was More Human; there was more of man appeared in it when it was taught them: The Parents taught their children, and their children taught the succeeding Generation; Moses and the Prophets taught them in extraordinary, The Priests and Levites in ordinary; The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth, for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts. They had very much of this Teaching which was more Outward and Human, as this New Covenant Promise intimateth, And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying; Know the LORD: for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them, Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8 11. Hereby God intimates; That under his Old Covenant, His people were taught to know him, by Human Instruction for the most part, they had comparatively very little of his immediate Divine Instruction, because his Spirit was very sparingly given till Christ's glorification: But under his New Covenant, the Knowledge which his Federates should have of God should be more Divine, God himself would more immediately Teach them, All their children should be taught of God. Not, that God ever intended by this Promise to lay aside all Human teaching, Public or Private, under his New Covenant; For God commands & calls for such teaching frequently & vehemently now under his New Covenant-administration; Ministers must teach the Church and people of God, Publikely, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13. 1 Tim. 5. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Parents must teach their children, and Christians must teach one another, Privately, Ephes 6. 4. Col. 3. 16. Heb. 3. 13. But under the New Covenant his People should have more of the Spirit of God poured forth upon them, and more teaching immediately from God, then under the Old Covenant: Under the New Covenant God's own immediate Teaching should so predominate and bear sway, that all Human Teaching should comparatively be eclipsed and become as nothing. To this effect that of the Apostle is very observable, God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In these words Paul sets forth the Light of the Knowledge of God under that New Covenant-Ministration, as far surpassing that of the old: 1. By the Author of it, God. God that at first commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, in his Ministers dark hearts. 2. By the Instrumental means which God makes use of for imparting the knowledge of God to men, viz. his Ministers, to give the light, &c. that is, God hath illuminated his Ministers, that they may give light to others that they may teach others to know God in Christ: Not in his own immediate essence, that they cannot endure; not only in the Creature, that is not salvifical; but in the face of Christ, thats most saving and comfortable. Christ's face is open, unveiled: Moses face was veiled.
(2) More Spiritual. Under the Old Covenant the Knowledge which God's people had of God and of the things of God, was more Literal and Carnal. God, Christ, and Divine Mysteries were made known to them in the Letter of the Ten Commandments written in two Table of stone, in the Letter of the Ceremonial Law, &c. Thus God was revealed to them as a God, that made Heaven and Earth in six days, resting the seventh; That brought them out of a Literal Egypt; That Promised them a Literal and Earthly Canaan; That sat between the Earthly Cherubims, &c. And so Christ was represented Literally, under the Tabernacle, Altar, Table of show-bread, Ark, Mercy-seat, manifold Sacrifices, and such like Carnal Ordinances: So Spiritual Mysteries were taught that People by weak and Carnal Elements; As, Redemption, by Deliverance out of Egypt; Justification, by the sprinkling of blood: Sanctification, by many Ceremonial washings: Communion with God in Christ, by the Shew-bread on the Holy Table before the Lord continually: Pardon of sin, by the Mercy-seat covering the Tables in the Ark: The Eternal Rest in Heaven, by Canaan's Rest, and the Holy of Holies, &c. All this was a kind of Literal and Carnal Teaching, and for the most part raised up that people to a kind of Carnal apprehension and Literal knowledge of God, Christ, and Spirituals, they generally resting in the Letter and Carnality of the Ordinances. But under the New Covenant, The Knowledge which God's People have of God, Christ, and the things of God, is more Spiritual and Heavenly. 1. They have the Spiritual Mysteries themselves, which were dimly represented in those Earthly and Carnal Ordinances: they have not only the Patterns of the things in the Heavens, but the Heavenly things themselves. 2. They have not a Ministration of the Letter, but of the Spirit: abundance of Spirit being now poured forth, which was but sprinkled heretofore under the Law. 3. Hereby, Their knowledge and apprehensions of God, Christ, and things Spiritual are elevated unto an high pitch of Spirituality. They rest not in the Letter, the Shell, the Carnality of Manifestations: but they penetrate and dive into the Spirit, Life, Kernel, and Mystery of things. He that is Spiritual discerneth all things.—The Spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of God.
(3) More clear. Under the Old Testament, though the Federates had a true and saving Knowledge of God, &c. yet it was very dim, dark, obscure; They were taught by Types and shadows of good things to come, by Prophecies and Promises which were to have a future accomplishment. All things were very remote and at a great distance from them. Now Prophecies and promises of future blessings, are usually very dim and dark, in Comparison of Performances: And Types are very obscure in comparison of the Truth and Substance of those shadows: And all things at a great distance are beheld darkly, in comparison of things at hand. Hence, Moses spake to the People with a veil upon his face: which denoted, Partly The darkness of the Old Covenants Ministration; Partly The darkness and blindness of the Peoples hearts, the veil of ignorance and unbelief predominating exceedingly there. The Ministration was veiled: And their Apprehensions veiled: All was under a dark veil. But now under the New Covenant, Prophecies and Promises are accomplished: Types and Shadows are fulfilled; The veil is done away in Christ: All that remote distance is removed: And we all with (unveiled) open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Now the shadows of the night are over, and the day is at hand, and the Sun of Righteousness is risen with healing in his wings, as Malachi prophesied; Jews (as Calvin notes) had some light, but we have the Sun himself. They had Sky-light, Star-light, Moon-light as it were, but we have Sun-light. They had the Morning, we the Noon-tide of Light. Notable is that of our Savior's; Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many Prophets and Kings have desired to see those things that ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them, Luke 10. 23, 24. Hereby (as Calvin observes) Christ intimates, That God hath shined out more fully by the Doctrine of the Gospel then formerly. In like sort Christ saith, He thats least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater then John the Baptist, Mat. 11. 11. who yet excelled all the Prophets. John the Baptist in his Office was more excellent then all the Prophets, and surpassed them in understanding, and yet saith Christ, the least Professor and witness of the Gospel is greater then he. This is not only referred to their Persons, nor ought only to be restrained to them, but rather to the clear and plain manner of teaching, which is found in the Gospel. Now he that's least among the faithful, much more clearly understands whatsoever belongs to the Summ of Salvation, then those which were not vulgar among the Jews: as Calvin expresseth himself.
(4) More Evidential and Ensuring, both in regard of itself, of Spirituals, and consequently of our State towards God. This Evidentialness of New Testament-Knowledge, beyond that of the old, necessarily follows from the former surpassing Clearness thereof. That which is most clear, resplendent and perspicuous, is most Evidential, and best discovers both itself and other things unto us. Whatsoever maketh manifest, is Light. As in the coelestial bodies, the more light any of them have in themselves, the more clear they are, the more do they discover, evidence and manifest themselves and all visibles to us; The Moon more then the Stars, and the Sun far more then the Moon: Thus, the New Covenant-knowledge of God, having in it much more shining brightness and clearness in the Open face of Christ, then the Old Covenant-knowledge had in the veiled face of Moses, must needs proportionably Evidence itself and Spirituals much more to us, then the former could do unto the Jews. Now this New Covenant-knowledge of God doth not only behold God more Clearly and Conspicuously in the face of Jesus Christ, But also doth more Evidently discover to us, and assure us of three things: viz. 1. That, It self, even this knowledge of God which we have, is a right knowledge of him. Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments, He that saith, I know him, and keep. eth not his Commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is not in him. We by our knowledge of God, do know that we know God: Partly by the fruits and right effects of the true knowledge of God, as here by Obedience, &c. Partly by the reflect act of knowledge looking back upon itself, and perceiving itself knowing. 2. What Spirituals we have from God. God hath given us such a Spirit of Knowledge in Christ, that we thereby assuredly know what things the Lord hath done for us by Christ. Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. We know, that Christ is in us, 2 Cor. 13. 5. That we are of the Truth, 1 John 3. 19. That we love the children of God, 1 John 5. 2. That we are regenerate, converted, quickened, 1 John 3. 14, &c. 3. That, Consequently our Spiritual estate towards God is good. This we may discern by an assurance of knowledge. As, that we are passed from Death to Life, 1 John 3. 14. That we have eternal life, 1 John 5. 13. That when God in Christ shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is, 1 John 3. 2. Hereupon Full-assurance of Spirituals is ascribed, not only to Faith and Hope, but also to knowledge or understanding.
(5) More Compleat, full and Perfect. Under the Old Covenant the Federates were as children under age, brought up and instructed in Rudiments and first Elements of Divine Doctrine, in the A B C or Alphabet of Religion; they had but an imperfect and childlike understanding of God and Divine things, they understood as children, they were but Alphabetarians in Knowledge: There were many Mysteries which they knew not at all; and what they knew was very darkly, weakly, imperfectly. There was much darkness and ignorance upon them. Their knowledge was extremely imperfect; both Extensively in regard of Spiritual mysteries known, which were but few Comparatively: and intensively, in regard of the degree and measure of their knowledge, which comparatively was but very small. Touching Christ and his Priestly office, the Hebrews were dull of hearing, needed milk, not strong meat, were as babes that had need of instruction in first principles, &c. Touching Regeneration, what a Mystery and Paradox was it to Nicodemus a Master and Teacher among them? &c. But under the New Covenant the Federates are as grown men come to maturity, put up to an higher form and harder lesson, having a more ripe and complete knowledge of God, and the things of God; both Extensively for sorts of things known: and Intensively for measure and degree of knowing them. They have more Compleat Revelations in the word, touching God and Divine things to be known: They have more perfect, Donations and Operations of the Spirit of God, illuminating them unto all gradual excellencies in knowledge: And consequently their knowledge is full, ripe, and much more perfect; They are Men in understanding; They know more then the Kings and Prophets of old: They are greater then even John the Baptist in knowledge; They have by reason of use their senses exercised to discern both good and evil; They have such an Annoynting as teacheth them all things, viz. All things necessary to their Salvation, to their present New Testament-state, to their Spiritual being and well-being: They penetrate into the most abstruse and hidden mysteries of Religion, with acute, well-exercised senses: They have not weak glimmerings, but the full Sun-shine of light without clouds and shadows, wherein they are still increasing: They look not upon the veiled face of Moses, but the unveiled face of Christ.
(6) More Efficacious and powerful. Under the Old Testament, as the Federates knowledge of God was less clear and less perfect, so it was less efficacious: The power and efficacy thereof was proportionable. They rested much in a Literal and Notional knowledge: few of them had a Spiritualized knowledge: consequently the efficacy of their knowledge upon them was either none at all, or very slender. Literals and mere Notionals have no efficacy: weak Spirituals have but weak efficacy upon the hearts and lives. But under the New Covenant the Federates knowledge of God, &c. is much more powerful, strong, and efficacious. The Apostle signifies this excellently, saying: But we all with open face, beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. The intent of the Apostle in this Chapter, is principally to demonstrate the surpassing excellency of the New Testament-Ministration beyond that of Moses in many Particulars, as I have elsewhere shown: and at last in regard of the Perspicuity thereof. The efficacy of this Perspicuity of Ministration and Knowledge of God, is most notably set forth in this ver. 18. wherein note: The Perspicuity, Efficacy, Progress and Universality of our New Covenant-knowledge of God. (1) The Perspicuity of it: in that, we with open face behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord. Here note The Object beheld, viz. The Glory of the Lord. viz. The glorious Excellencies and Perfections of God in himself, as also his Glorious Manifestations of his grace, mercy, wisdom, &c. in the Gospel towards his people under the New Covenant. The Mean whereby we behold this Object, the glory of the Lord; viz. As in a Class: Christ Jesus is this glass, thinks Beza, in whom as in a most pure Crystal glass the glorious image of God shines forth to us most illustriously and sweetly unto salvation. In Christ, in the face of Christ, it is that God offers himself to be seen savingly, 2 Cor. 4. 6. and not elsewhere. The manner of beholding God's glory in this Glass; viz. with open face, without any dark veil or covering: this is elegantly opposed to the veil on Moses face. (2) The efficacy of it: In that this beholding the Lord's glory in this glass, doth not fright us away from it, as Moses shining face frighted away the Israelites, but rather attracts and allures us to it through the intensive beauty of it; yea, transforms •… s into the same image, as it were by the reflection of its rays upon us. Here's the efficacy and virtue of the New Covenant-knowledge of God, its a transforming knowledge, the more we behold God and know God, the more we become like God, the shine and glory of God beheld, makes us shine and become divinely glorious. This is a powerful change indeed. The glory of Moses his face had no such efficacy in it: Israel were not, could not be transformed into the same image by beholding it, because this efficacy is wholly from the Spirit of the Lord. (3) The Progress of this efficacy by degrees. Its not put forth all at once, but from glory to glory. We are still increasing in knowledge and the image of God, from one glorious measure and degree to another. (4) The universality of it: In that we all behold this glory of God in Christ, and are thus transformed: that is, all we that are inwardly and effectually his Federates indeed; but more eminently this belongs to his faithful New Covenant-Ministers, of whom he is here especially discoursing.
Now this efficacy of the New Covenant knowledge of God is such, and so great upon God's true Federates: that, 1. It makes them come to Christ by Faith; Every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 2. It is the beginning of life eternal in Christ. This is life Eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 3. It is of eminent note in the sacred List or Catalogue of sanctifying Graces, that make the Saints spiritually fruitful, 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8. 4. It powerfully puts upon universal Obedience to God's Commands. Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. 5. It mightily incites unto b •… tter lamentings, and penetential mournings for sin, especially as acted against Christ, Zach. 12. 10. to the end. 6. It is such an universal and well-rooted Knowledge, that it makes men Persevere in Truth and Godliness, against all erroneous and ungodly defections. But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie: and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 7. It transforms them that rightly thereby behold God in Christ, into the same image of God, gradually day by day. The reflection of the divine rays as it were upon us, do make like perfective alterations and impressions in us. It is so efficacious, that it Transforms the whole soul, and Conforms the whole conversation unto God.
7. More glorious. The Old Testament-Ministration had some kind of Glory, but it was Glory under a veil, 2 Cor. 3. 13, &c. proportionably the Old Covenant-knowledge of God had some sparkles of glory in it. But the New Covenant-Ministration excels in glory; and that not an Outward literal and vanishing glory to be done away, but an inward spiritual and lasting glory that shall remain, 2 Cor. 3. 6. to the end. Proportionably the New Covenant-knowledge of God is a far more glorious knowledge, more inwardly, spiritually and permanently glorious; yea the glory, splendor and luster of this knowledge is continually increasing, from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord, till it be swallowed up in immediate vision of God face to face, when we shall see him as he is, and know as we are known, and then it shall be completely glorious.
Thus of the surpassing Excellency of the New Covenant-knowledge of God and divine things, being More Divine, Spiritual, Clear, Evidential, Compleat, Efficacious and Glorious, then the Old Covenant-knowledge of him. This is the first thing wherein this promise placeeth this New Covenant-knowledge, &c. viz. In the singular excellency of it, beyond that of the Old Covenant.
2. In the extensiveness and universality of it. And therefore this knowledge of God under the New Covenant, is promised not only to some few, or to some chief and great ones, or to many; but to all. For, they shall All know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the LORD. This knowledge, none, no not the greatest, can have, but from God and his promise: and God Communicates it to small, as well as great, without respect of Persons. In like extent and generality, both the Promise and Performance of this knowledge of God, &c. is elsewhere mentioned. 1. The Promise; And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD. They all shall be the Lord's Disciples or Scholars. — I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall Prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit; that is, under the times of the New Covenant, God will so plentifully pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, upon all sorts of persons, male and female, old and young, free and bond, that they shall be furnished with such knowledge of the mysteries of salvation, that they shall equalize the very Prophets themselves in knowledge, yea they all shall be as so many Prophets, as so many Doctors, &c. as Calvin hath observed. 2. The Performance also of this Promise is expressed very Generally; — But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Note here the extent of this New Covenant-knowledge: we all, &c. This hath General reference to the whole body of the Church, but specially to the Ministers of the New Covenant.
Now, this Promise of New Covenant-knowledge, is propounded in such General and large Terms, All flesh,—All thy children,—All we, &c. To let us see how far it shall go beyond the Old Testamentknowledge, not only in the Degree and Measure of it, but also in the Extent and Compass of it. Not only some sorts, but all sorts of persons, great and small, young and old, bond and free, male and female, shall be endued with it: And those not only in that one Nation of the Jews, but in all Nations of the world. Nevertheless; This universal extensiveness necessarily admits of sundry limitations. As, 1. It is to be limited, to God's Federates, to the Church of God. For all these New Covenant-Promises are peculiarly directed to the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah. They then, that are out of the Church, have actually no part in this Promise of Knowing the Lord. 2. It is to be limited to all sorts of Persons in Covenant, great and small, young and old, bond and free, male and female, as both the words of this Promise, and the express terms in Joel do evince: and is not to be extended to every individual person of any of those sorts. It is evidently to be understood ( de generibus singulorum, non de singulis generum ) of the kinds of all, not of all those kinds. 3. It is to be limited, To all sorts of sincere believing Federates, as touching that sort and measure of New Covenant-knowledge which is salvifical: False hypocritical Federates may have such Notional knowledge, beyond what was under the Old Covenant, but not any saving knowledge. Thus our blessed Savior limiteth it; It is written in the Prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me Therefore all they, and they only, that come to Christ by believing in him, are taught of God, have heard and learned of the Father. That is, all they, and they alone are under the New Covenant taught of God savingly, who come unto Christ believingly. Hypocritical Professors may obtain the bark, the shell, the carcass of Knowledge, may go as far in Notionals as the sincere: But only sincere Believers gain the substance, the kernel, the soul of Knowledge, which is experimental and efficacious to salvation.
II. Question. How, and in what way God furnisheth his New Covenant-people with such a knowledge of himself.
Answ. This may be resolved very briefly. God furnisheth his New Covenant-people with such a knowledge of God, &c. as hath been described, in this way: viz. 1. In Jesus Christ. 2. By his Spirit, and New Covenant-Ministry; 3. In a continual Progress and Gradation, from their Gracious Conversion, till their Glorious Consummation.
1. In and through Jesus Christ. God— hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. So that in the face of Jesus Christ, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God is communicated to us under the New Covenant. We know God in Christ actually exhibited and performed, clearly revealed: In the face of Christ, the open, evident, unveiled face of Christ; Whereas the Jews under the Old Testament knew God only in the veiled face of Moses, or in the shadowed veiled face of Christ. Hence, Christ is said to be The brightness of his Fathers glory, and the express character or image of his person; The image of the invisible God; The glass wherein we behold the glory of the Lord, which (though by some it be interpreted, The glass of the Gospel, yet) seems peculiarly to be intended of Jesus Christ, because in the beginning of the next Chapter that phrase is used, of giving the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And God hath so notably revealed, manifested and made known himself in Jesus Christ: His Properties, his Purposes and Counsel, His riches of free grace, mercy, love, &c. His Will and Ordinances, &c. That Christ saith, He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father; And, Believe me, that I am in the Father, & the Father in me. The knowledge of God immediately in his Essence, is so high, that we cannot reach it, but be swallowed up with it: The knowledge of God remotely in his Creatures, is so low, that we cannot be saved by it: But the knowledge of God in the face of Christ, (that is, as he hath made himself plainly, clearly, and familiarly known to us in and by Christ, as one man is exactly known to another by his face, ) is of all other the most safe, suitable, profitable and comfortable way of knowing God. In Christ, the invisible God hath rendered himself visible to us: In Christ, the most majestical and glorious God hath rendered himself familiar and near unto us: In Christ, the most holy and infinitely offended God hath represented himself most sweetly and comfortably appeased towards us. Oh! to know God effectually, in Christ already revealed, and exhibited actually, is a knowledge next unto the beatifical vision, wherein we shall see God gloriously.
2. By his Spirit, and New Covenant-Ministry. In ordinary God brings his people to the saving knowledge of himself only this way. 1. Efficiently, By his Spirit; more plentifully poured forth under the New Covenant then ever. God's Spirit is the principal and immediate efficient cause of this New Covenant-knowledge of God, I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, &c. — We all beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. If God's Spirit act not, move not, to the producing of this effect, it cannot be wrought at all. Now God's plentiful and powerful Spirit becomes the Author of this knowledge of God, &c. under the New Covenant, especially these three ways. Viz. ( 1 ) Partly, By his Revelation. He Reveals God and the things of God, more clearly and fully now under the New Covenant, then ever formerly under the Old: He makes the Object of knowledge more plain and Conspicuous, and that mightily furnisheth knowledge itself. The Mystery of the Trinity, of Christ of Freegrace, of Faith, of Justification, of the Gentiles calling, &c. were never before so manifested as now they are in the New Testament by the Spirit, Eph. 3. 4, 5. Christ hath now brought life and immortality to light, through the Gospel. Why? had he never done it before? Yes, but never so fully and clearly. ( 2 ) Partly, By his illumination. Having revealed more perfectly the Object to the understanding, in the next place he more completely in lightens and opens the eye of the understanding to discern that Object, 2 Cor. 3. 18. Heb. 6. 4. 2 Tim. 1. 7. The brightest Sun affords no light to us, till our eyes be opened and cured. Now the Spirit is that Annointing, which teacheth us all things. He creates a light within, receptive of the light without: and then we see clearly. ( 3 ) Partly, By his▪ Attestation. God's Spirit attests, witnesseth, and evidenceth to us whatsoever we have from God, and so our true knowledge of him, 1 Cor. 2. 12. Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by his Spirit that he hath given us. 1. John. 3. 24. The Spirit witnesseth with our spirits, that we are the sons of God, Rom. 8. 16. Thus God works this true and saving knowledge of himself, &c. in us by his Spirit. Efficiently, Revealing the Object, Illuminating the eye of the mind, and Attesting to us what we have of God. 2. Instrumentally, By his New Covenant Ministry. God hath appointed all his New Testament Ministry To disciple all Nations,—teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ hath commanded; To turn them from darkness to light; For the Perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the •… difying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, &c. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed too and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine. Hence Christ calls his Ministers The light of the world, and The stars in Christ's right hand, shining forth unto the Church. But that they may shine forth Instrumentally in their Doctrine, and Exemplarily in their life, to others; God first shines into their hearts, and dispels their natural darkness, shines away their darkness and ignorance; that, making use of such frail earthy instruments, all the efficacy of their Ministry may palpably appear to be of God, and not of them. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, ( viz. this Treasure of divine light in us as earthen vessels, as Gideon and his men had their Lamps in earthen pitchers, Judge. 7.) that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. God could have given his Federates under the New Covenant this knowledge of God immediately by his Spirit only, without the Ministry of man, but he would not: he gains to himself the more glory, upon occasion of the weakness of his instruments. They then that cast off the Ministry and their Teaching now under this New Covenant; do cast off God and his Ordinance, for breeding New Covenant-knowledge, and put themselves quite out of the way of the Spirits operation: remaining still in gross darkness and blindness under a spirit of delusion, through God's just judgment: Witness the many horrid, prodigious and blasphemous errors against Jesus Christ, and almost all the fundamentals of Christianity, published in print, and otherwise by such as have in these days forsaken the Scriptures and way of Truth, and separated from the true Churches and Ministry of Christ, unto Popery, pretended Revelations, Enthusiasms, fabulous Dreams, and damnable Heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction. Many following their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of Truth is evil spoken of, 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2.
3. In a continual Progress in the knowledge of God, &c. by degrees, from their gracious Conversion, till their glorious Consummation. Under this New Covenant, The promised knowledge of God is not given all at once in a moment to any of his Federates, but gradually, and step by step, according to his people's capacities. We know but in part, and prophecy in part; we see now through a glass darkly. Knowledge, as well as the grace of Christ in us, is not in complete maturity, but only in their growth thereunto. For the completing and perfecting of which knowledge, Christ hath given all his New Testament-Ministry till the worlds end. Hence it is said, that, We all beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, viz. From one glorious measure and degree of knowledge and the image of God, to another. And to this effect some understand those expressions in Joel, of Prophecying, Dreams and Visions, because so distinctly applied to sons and daughters, old men, and young men, to imply the gradual increase of Knowledge in God's Federates under the New Covenant. This New Covenant-knowledge of God, &c. is, Radically and Initially planted in us at our conversion, Acts 26. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 8, 9. Gradually increased in us day by day, whilst we are in our progress of grace in this life, 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Compleatly Perfected and Consummated in us, when we come to be perfected in heaven by full and immediate vision of God face to face, 1 Cor. 13. 10, 11, 12. 1 John. 3. 2. Heb. 13. 23. God's Federates therefore are not to be discouraged because their knowledge of God, and of the things of God in them, is very weak and small: but rather they are to make it clear and sure to themselves, that the little knowledge which they have is true saving Knowledge, and then they may conclude it will be daily increasing to more and more Perfection, and at last become complete in glory.
III. Question. Whether All God's New Covenant-people attain to this Promised Knowledge of God? &c. Seeing sad Experience seems to speak the contrary, That very many in the visible Church remain most grossly ignorant of God, and of all his ways now under the New Covenant.
Answ. This Question may be resolved by way of Concession, Explication, and Limitation.
1. By way of Concession. Its granted, That even under this brightest Noon-tide and glorious Sun-shine of New Covenant-light, many, alas very many, within the visible Church of Christ, do still remain in gross darkness and ignorance of God and divine things. Which comes to Pass, 1. Partly, From Natural stupidity, incapacity and unteacheableness in some: who are so dull, blockish and unapprehensive of divine mysteries, that though they •… e ever learning, yet (like those silly women) they are never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth. 2. Partly, From the sinful Pravity and Corruption in many. Who, ( 1 ) Either like Swine basely neglect and contemn the Pearls of Instruction, Admonition, Reproof, &c. trampling them under their feet: contenting themselves in an affected ignorance, and despising all endeavors and means of knowledge. ( 2 ) Or like Dogs, bark, revile, turn again and rent those that would inform, teach and admonish them. Not enduring, but utterly hating the light, because their deeds are evil. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather then light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doth evil, hateth the light; neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved, &c. 3. Partly, From the carnal state and unregenerate condition of most, even in the visible Church, who have no more Christianity then a blade, or lamp, or form of Profession, or some common gifts of the Spirit: whereby they reach only to some N •… tional Knowledge and Speculations about God and Spirituals, but, know nothing as they ought to know, experimentally, affectively, savingly, &c. Carnal professors, though of the highest rank, wanting true spiritual senses, cannot perceive or discern the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned. 4. Partly, From the just Judgment of God upon some, even reprobates and lost persons, whom God hath smitten with judicial-blindness, because they loved not, nor obeyed the Truth of God tendered to them. That forasmuch as, Seeing, they would not see; therefore they shall never see, John. 12. 40. Act. 28. 26, 27. 5. Partly, From the defect of Christian instruction, nurture and admonition in their first education, want of Family-Duties. This is a grand and general sin of Parents, that they bring up their children like Pagans, not diligently catechizing, principling and teaching them in the fundamentals of Christianity; as the Lord requireth, and as the godly use to do, Gen. 18. 19. 1 Chron. 28. 9. 2▪ Tim. 3. 14, 15. 6. Partly, From the great Neglect or Insufficiency of Church-Government and Discipline: when Church-Government is not at all established, or if established, not duly managed for the Healing of this evil, by Catechizing and other ways. 7. Partly, From people's casting off the Churches, Ministry, and Ordinances of Christ, wherein and whereby Christ ordinarily conveys to his New Covenant -people the solid and saving knowledge of himself, and of all his ways, Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13, 14. Mat. 28. 19, 20. 2 Cor. 4. 6, 7. I have diligently observed, That as ignorance in fundamentals is the mother of Separation, causing it: so a further ignorance therein is the daughter of Separation, being caused and increased by it; whilst such do usually lay out all their thoughts and studies, not about the substantials of Christianity, but about such odd new fangle conceits and opinions as they have entertain̄d. From these bitter Fountains the great ignorance of people now under the New Covenant flows: Oh that there were some Effectual Remedy, some speedy Healing of these great evils in England! When shall it once be?
2. By way of Explication. Although in the visible Church there remains much gross ignorance in many now under the New Covenant, so that they attain not to this Promised Knowledge: yet notwithstanding, this Promise, that, All shall know the Lord, hath its due and intended accomplishment. For clearing of this; 1. We must distinguish of God's Federates under the New Covenant. ( 1 ) Some are his Federates or Covenant-people only Outwardly, by visible Profession, &c. As, Simon Magus, who upon his Profession of Faith was Baptized; So Ananias and Sapphira; So all Hypocrites and Formalists. And a great part of the visible Church is only of such: of the four sorts of hearers there were three naught. ( 2 ) Some are his Federates Inwardly, as well as outwordly, Really, as well as Formally; By invisible power of Faith and Grace, as well at by visible Profession. As, Paul, some of the Corinthians, some of the Thessalonians, and as all sincere Converts effectually called from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. 2. We must distinguish of the term [ All ], which may be taken; ( 1 ) Sometimes, more Restrainedly, for All sorts of persons, great and small, All shall know me from the greatest to the least, Heb. 8. 11. Ier. 31. 34.— I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh, viz. All sorts, Male and Female, young and old, bond and free, Joel 2. 28, 29, 30. ( 2 ) Sometimes, more largely and universally, for every individual person of all sorts; — We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin: that is, All and Singular, All and every individual person of Jews and Gentiles are by nature under sin. 3. We must distinguish of the Knowledge of God. The knowledge which men may have of God is twofold, viz. ( 1 ) Notional only and ineffectual, consisting in the mere swimming Notion and Speculation touching God and things of God, without any powerful sanctifying efficacy upon heart and life, They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, &c. All the knowledge which mere carnal unregenerate men have of God, is merely Notional, and in the Head. ( 2 ) Real, Effectual, Cordial, and Experimental also; when the heart and affections know God as well as the Head; when they so know God as to believe in him, love, desire, esteem, delight in him, obey him, &c. I know my sheep, and am known of mine. When they have experimental sense, and spiritual feeling of things; — I pray that your love may abound more and more, in knowledge, and in all sense, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . It intends, spiritual sense and experience. God's people have spiritual senses, and those senses exercised unto experimental discernings. 4. We must also distinguish betwixt the public Administration of God's New Covenant; and the Private Condition and Constitution of some particular persons in the visible Church under the New Covenant.
These Distinctions premised, we may briefly thus Resolve touching the Extent of this Promise; All shall know me from the least to the greatest, viz. 1. That, In this Promise, God doth not intend only A Notional and ineffectual knowledge of himself under the New Covenant, but also and most especially, A Real, Effectual, Cordial and Experimental knowledge of God, and the things of God. For all the rest of these New Covenant-promises, and so consequently this of knowing God, are so laid down, as evidently and chiefly to intend true effectual and saving Mercies to the Federates, such as are proper and peculiar to the Elect only. 2. That, Therefore the Federates, to whom this knowledge of God under the New Covenant is specially and peculiarly promised, are not the Federates Outwardly by mere visible Profession, but the Federates Inwardly by invisible Power of Faith and other Graces, as well as by Outward Profession. The Outward Federates may know God Notionally, far more under the New Covenant, then ever the like Federates knew God notionally under the Old Covenant: But its only the Inward Federates also that now know God Really, Effectually, Cordially, Experimentally; And herein they shall far excel the Inward Federates of the Old Covenant. 3. That, Under this New Covenant, All, that is, All God's Inward Federates, living till years of Discretion, even all and everyone of them individually and numerically; and those of all sorts of People, Jews, or Gentiles, Male or Female, young or Old, Bond or Free, Great or Small; shall know the Lord, not only with a Notional, but also with a Real, Cordial, Experimental saving kaowledge, much more Generally Universally, and Perfectly then God's people knew him under the Old Covenant. Even the least of God's true New Covenant-people shall have so much spirit, and knowledge, &c. that they shall so far excel God's Old Covenant -people therein, that (as Calvin notes) they shall comparatively be ( Doctors & Magistri, ) even Doctors and Masters, and as it were, all Prophets. Hitherto that of Joel 2. 28, 29. and that of our Savior, He that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven, is greater then John the Baptist, Mat. 11. 11. are specially to be referred. Yea (as one hath well noted) Believers under the New Covenant shall not only equalize, but in some sense excel all the Prophets of old. 4. That, Finally, In this Promise we are not so much to consider the Private Condition and Constitution of some Particular persons, visible Federates under the New Covenant; As the Public O •… conomie and Administration of the New Covenant. The Private Condition of many Particular persons may possibly be very dark and ignorant, having little knowledge of God or his ways, by reason of the occasions of their ignorance forementioned: and yet the Public Administration and current of the New Covenant is for an universal Knowledge of God, All shall know him, &c. as hath been explained: In Comparison of which Knowledge, that under the Old Testament (being very imperfect in degree, very dark and obscure for manner, and very much restrained to the Jews only and some few Proselytes for extent, ) was as nothing; was gross ignorance rather then knowledge, Comparatively. Et semper Comparative haec intellegi debent: These things ought still to be understood comparatively, as Calvin notes, Comment. in Jer. 31. 34.
3. By way of Limitation. Though God in this New Covenant Promise; All shall know me, from the least even to the greatest of them: and though this Promise is Performed upon God's New Covenant people, as hath been explained; Yet all this is to be understood with some Caution and Limitation. As, 1. That, Under the New Covenant All those that thus know God come not to this knowledge of him in one and the same way. For, In the Primitive Churches, whose state and Condition was somewhat Extraordinary, God gave unto his Apostles and to many others a knowledge of him and his affairs in an Extraordinary way, viz. By Prophecy, 1 Tim. 1. 18. & 4. 14. Acts 21. 9. By Visions, as to Peter, Acts 10. 10, 11. to Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 1, 2, &c. By Dreams, as to Joseph, Mat. 1. 20. By immediate infallible inspiration, as to the Penmen of the Books of New Testament, 2 Tim. 3 16. By peculiar Revelation, Gal. 1. 11, 12. & 2. 2. Eph. 3. 5. Acts 27. 23, 24, 25. But in the Successive Churches; whose state and condition is more Ordinary, God gives unto his Ministers and people a knowledge of himself in an Ordinary way: As, By illumination of the Spirit, Heb 6. 4. 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. By preaching the Gospel, Acts 26. 18. 2 Cor. 4 6. By searching the Scriptures, John. 5. 39. 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. By Study, Meditation, Reading, &c. 1 Tim. 4. 13, 15. 2. That All God's sincere New-Covenant-people have not the same equal measure of Knowledge, but everyone according to the measure of the gift of Christ, and as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith. Some are Babes, and children in understanding, needing milk: Some are more ripe, grown men in understanding, able to digest strong meat, &c. But yet even the Knowledge of the weakest and meanest, surpasseth the knowledge of those under the Old Testament, in distinctness, integrality, and perspicuity.
IV. Question. Whether God by this Promise intended to take away, vacate, Annull and make void all Human Teaching, Private and Public, as altogether useless and needless now under the New Covenant: Seeing he saith; And they shall not teach, every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord? And John saith elsewhere: ye need not that any man teach you?
Answ. For Resolution to this Question I shall offer divers things, 1. By way of Concession, That thus some have thought; 2. By way of Negation, That God never intended this by these or any other like Scriptures; 3. By way of Vindication of those Scriptures particularly objected.
1. By way of Concession. I grant, That in these our times some of unsound judgments, (who decry the New Covenant Ministry and Ordinances of Christ, would lay all things in the Church in a level, cry up the absolute gradual perfection of the Saints in this life, are for Enthusiasms, Infallibilities, immediate Revelations, and for A Christ within them as their only Savior, &c. ) have ignorantly perverted and wrested these Scriptures, Isa. 54. 13. Ier. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. 1 John 2. 27. Joel 2. 28, 29. to the voiding of all Human Teaching as to the Saints; but especially to the abolishing of the Public Ministry now under the New Testament, as useless and needless, yea as abrogated by God. Knowing well that the public Ministry of Christ, set for the defense of the Gospel, is the Hammer of their Heresies to break them, and stands most in their way. And thus they revive the old rotten errors of former times. For, as Calvin observes upon this text; they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and everyman his Brother, &c. ] •… have said, Here the Prophet amplifies the Grace of God. And hence we collect that certain fanatic persons have ignorantly abused this Testimony, when they would take away all use of Doctrine, As in our time some of the Anabaptists have rejected all Doctrine: and when they pleased themselves in their ignorance, yet they proudly boasted they were endued with the Spirit; and that it was an injury done to Christ if we should yet be disciples, because its written among the Encomium's and Praises of the Gospel, They shall teach no more every man his brother. Hence also it came to pass that they became drunk with horrid Dotages. For the Devil, when they did swell with so great pride, could bewitch them at his pleasure. Then every ones pride did move him, to feign dreams to himself. And many knaves have drawn this place to private profit. For when they boasted themselves to be Prophets, and persuaded this to the simple ones, they obliged many to themselves, and made a gain of that Boasting, &c.
2. By way of Negation. God never intended, by these or any other like Scriptures to destroy Human Teaching, Private or Public, or the Office of the Public Ministry in the Church of God. God's New Covenant-promises do not at all tend to lay aside any such Human Teaching▪ For,
(1) Under the New Covenant God's Federates have but at best an imperfect knowledge of God and the things of God. They know but in part,—they see through a glass (as it were a prospective) darkly. Their Knowledge is but growing, 2 Pet. 2. 18. not fully grown up to exact perfection. Therefore in order to their edification and salvation they have still need of teaching, even of all kind of Teaching both Divine and Human, for removing of the remains of ignorance in them: now God will not deprive them of such Necessaries for their Edification and Salvation.
(2) Under the New Covenant, 1. God doth often Command Private Teaching one of another; As, That Husbands teach their Wives, 1 Cor▪ 14. 35. Parents their children, Ephes. 6. 4. And Christians one another, 1 Thes. 5. 11. 2 Thes. 3. 15. Colos. 3. 16. 2. God doth also Promise in reference to the Kingdom of Christ under his New Covenant; That it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the Mountains, and shall be exalted above the Hills: and all Nations shall slow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the LORD, to the House of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Here note, 1. The Glorious exaltation and enlargement of the Church of God under the New Testament. 2. The great Zeal of many, not only themselves to repair to the house of the Lord, but to incite and instruct others also to go with them to be taught of God. 3. The way how they shall be taught, by God's Law and word going out of Zion and Jerusalem, viz. By the Apostles preaching the Gospel first at Jerusalem, and then all over the world. Thus God's New Covenant-people should privately provoke and instruct one another to repair to the Gospel ordinances, especially to the word preached, that they may thereby be taught. This is a teaching both Divine and Human.
(3) Under the New Covenant Jesus Christ having dedicated the New Covenant in his own blood, hath taken most effectual Order for establishing the Public Ministry, and Teaching of his Church thereby in all the Nations of the world, from his own Resurrection and Ascension, till the very end of the world. For. 1. When he Ascended up on high, he gave gifts to men, viz. All his New Testament Ministry; Extraordinary, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists; Ordinary, Pastors and Teachers: For what end? For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: For how long? Till we all (even all the elect of God) come in the Unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man▪ unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. And that will not be till the worlds end, when all the Elect of Christ shall be called, and the mystical body of Christ fully completed. 2. Jesus Christ immediately before his Ascension gave Commission to his Ministers for Discipling, Baptizing and Teaching all Nations, Promising to be with his Ministers in this their Ministerial work all days, even till the end of the world; Therefore the Ministerial office must continue till the worlds end; and the Ministerial work of Teaching all Nations, ( viz. both the Primitive and fundamental work of teaching them, that they may be Disciples of Christ, which is here called Discipling them; And the Successive superstructive work of teaching them after they are Discipled and Baptized, how to walk as Christ's disciples, observing all his commands ) is to coutinue till the end of the world. By these two full and clear Scriptures it is palpably evident beyond all Contradiction, That Jesus Christ himself under his New Covenant hath ordained, Instituted and Commanded his Pubike Ministry and their public Ministerial Teaching of the Church and people of God, still to continue and remain from his Resurrection and Ascension till the very end of the world. And therefore neither this Passage in the New Covenant, nor any other in all the Scripture, can rationally and solidly be urged for vacating, voiding, or laying aside the office of Christ's public Ministers, or their Duty of public teaching the Church of God. 3. Jesus Christ under his New Covenant hath so fixedly settled this way of Ministerial Preaching and Teaching for gaining Sinners to himself by believing, that ordinarily none can come to him by believing but through his Ministers instrumental Teaching and Preaching, The Spirit of God ordinarily working to the Conversion of Sinners, only by the Preaching of the word. Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord, shall be saved: How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear. without a Preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As intimating to us, That in God's ordinary course these things are impossible.
3. By way of Vindication of those Particular Scriptures, which usually are wrested, perverted, and ignorantly objected against all Human Teaching Public and Private, and against the very Ministerial office, now under the New Covenant.
(1) The First objected Scripture. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD, Isa. 54. 13. Then, what need is there of any Human Teaching, Public or Private, anymore?
Answ. What need? Great Need of Human teaching, even to all the Churches children that shall be taught of the LORD. For, 1. Human Teaching both Public and Private is necessary, necessitate medii, by necessity of Instrumental Mean, This being God's ordinary way and mean whereby he teacheth, viz. by the Ministry of men. God teacheth Immediately, primarily and efficiently by his Spirit, John 16. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11, 12, 13. 1 John 2. 20, 27. Mediately, Secondarily and Instrumentally by Men, by Christians Privately, Col. 3. 16. 2 Thes. 3. 15. By Christ's Ministers Publikely and privately, Mat. 28. 19, 20. Eph. 4. 8. to 14. Rom. 10. 13, 14, 15. 2 Tim. 2. 2. Acts 20. 20. The Position of the Principal cause, and of the end, takes not away the less principal and instrumental causes of our Teaching, but rather infers them and implies them, as means appointed by God to that end. God will judge the People righteously, and govern the Nations upon Earth, Psal. 95. 4. Is there therefore no more need of Judges, Governors and Magistrates▪ God will bless his people so, that the earth shall yield her increase, Psal. 95. 6, 7. Is there therefore no more need or use of Sun, Rain, Husbandry, Tillage, &c▪ So here, The LOKD will teach all the children of the Church: Is there therefore no more use of Ministers, Preaching, or Public and private Teaching? How absurd such inferences! When men teach by God's appointment, The Lord himself teaches by those men. Yea, Because God hath promised All the children shall be taught of the LORD; Therefore there is necessity and utility of Human Teaching, that being one special way of the LORD'S Teaching. 2. Human Teaching is also necessary, necessitate Praecepti, by necessity of Command: Christ having commanded both Ministers to teach ex officio, publicly: and Christians to teach one another ex charitate, Privately: as hath been proved. Now God's Promises do not overthrow his Precepts, nor ought they to be made to fight one against another. Scripture reveals both: and both have their use in their place.
(2) The Second Objected Scripture.— I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons your and daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: &c. Joel 2. 28, 29. Therefore under the New Covenant, all shall be so taught by the Spirit, that they shall be Prophets, not needing any further human Teaching.
Answ. 1. The Substance of the Answer to the former objected Scripture is also applicable here, and enervates utterly this inference, from that of Joel. 2. This passage in Joel hath special reference to the times of the New Covenant; The Scope whereof is, to show, That God will more plentifully for measure, and more Generally for extent, bestow his Spirit and the effects thereof upon his people under the New Covenant, then he did under the Old. For Measure, They should have his Spirit in Prophecy, Visions and Dreams: that is, they should have all sorts of the Manifestations of the Spirit upon them, and this should not be as formerly an extraordinary, but an Ordinary and common thing. For Extent, All flesh, that is, all sorts of God's people, male, female, young and old, bond and free (as here Joel expounds himself) should partake of this Spirit of God. So that they shall equalize, yea in some sort excel the ancient Old Covenant-Prophets themselves, much more the ordinary sort of people, in knowledge; in regard of the Ordinariness, Distinctness, Clearness and Perfectness thereof. This Promise was most Signally and eminently fulfilled by God's miraculous pouring forth his spirit upon the Apostles on the Feast of Pentecost, And afterwards by his extraordinary and ordinary shedding forth of his Spirit upon others. 3. This Promise of the spirit was never intended to make everyone a Prophet to himself, and to exclude all teaching by men; ( 1 ) Partly, because the Spirit was usually performed to people at the Hearing of the word preached by men. As to Peters hearers at his Sermon; To Cornelius and his company at Peters Sermon: To the Gentiles, at the Preaching of Paul and Barnabas: To the Galatians▪ by the Ministry and preaching of Paul; This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? that is, by the hearing of the Doctrine of Faith preached. ( 2 ) Partly, because divers having received the Spirit▪ did presently fall upon▪ Preaching the word to others. As the Apostles at Pentecost, having received the Holy Ghost began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, the wonderful works of God, and Peter so preached at that t •… me as to convert three thousand souls. So Saul converted and having received the Holy-Ghost, straight-way preached Christ in the Synagogues, that he is the Son of God. So that the receiving of the Promised Holy-Ghost, is so far from rendering Human teaching useless and needless, that it contrariwise greatly confirms and establisheth the same.
(3) The third Objected Scripture. And they shall teach no more (Gr. And they shall not teach ) every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying; Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, Jer. 31 34. Heb. 8. 11. Therefore its most plain that under the New Covenant, all shall so know the LORD, that all man's teaching shall cease and be laid aside as needless. After Christ's coming none ought to teach his neighbor: away therefore with the External Ministry, and let it give place to God's internal Inspiration. As Calvin recites the Objection.
Answ. Much hath been already spoken in this Article of the New Covenant, whereby this Objection may be refelled. But yet for clearness sake note,
First, That the intent and purpose of the Holy Ghost is here specially to be observed for the removing of this Objection. His Scope and intent herein is, To show in Particular, what a different Covenant this New Covenant should be from the Old, and how far the New should excel the Old. That this is his Scope is plain from the Series of the Context: I will make a New Covenant—not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers, &c. Here in General he shows that the New Covenant should be different from, and excel the Old Covenant. Then he descends in Particular to show wherein this difference and excellency of the New Covenant from, and above the Old shall consist▪ But this shall be the Covenant, &c. As if he had said; In these three points especially the New Covenant shall differ from, and far excel the Old, viz. 1. In the Inscription of God's Laws in the Spiritual Tables of their Mind and Heart. 2. In the Federates more excellent and more universal knowledge of the LORD. 3. In the utter forgiving and forgetting of all their sins forever. Whereas, 1. The Old Covenant was written in Tables of stone: 2 The Federates knowledge of God under it was very sparing, small, dark and veiled: And, 3. In their Sacrifices there was still a renewed Remembrance of sin every year, every day. Now we have the clear intent and purpose of the Holy-ghost in this Scripture. And this gives us a notable ground and light for discovering the vanity and impertinency of the Objection. For,
Secondly, Hence it is plain, That those words [ They shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, &c.] are not to be understood Negatively; That under the New Covenant there shall be no more Human Teaching, public or private at all, but that all such teaching should absolutely and utterly cease forever, and give way to immediate Inspirations, Revelations, &c. But are to be understood only Comparatively; That they shall not so teach everyone his neighbor and brother under the New Covenant, as they did under the Old; there shall be such a surpassing, excellent, perfect, clear and general knowledge among all sorts of the Federates small and great. And its usual in Scripture in divers places to take the word [ Not, ] Comparatively rather then Negatively: As, If ye were blind ye should have no sin: Gr. ye should not have sin. It cannot be taken Negatively, that they should not absolutely have any sin at all: but Comparatively, that they should not have so much sin, they should have no sin in comparison. For ignorance excuseth sometimes a tanto from the greatness of the Sin: and Knowledge adds always an aggravation to sin. So Paul said; Christ sent me not to Baptize, but to preach the Gospel. [ Not ] cannot here be an Absolute and simple Negative, as if Christ did not at all send him to Baptize; for this is contrary to Christ's Commission, authorizing his Apostles and Ministers both to Preach and Baptize; nor did Paul himself so understand it; for he did Baptize divers; and did he do it unsent, or without a Call? But it must needs be here only a Comparative particle. Not, that is, Christ sent me not so much to baptize, as to preach; he sent me principally and especially to preach, rather then to Baptize. To this effect, the Old Covenant -Ministration, though glorious, is said to have no glory: Not none absolutely, but none comparatively, in regard of the exceling glory of the New Covenant▪ For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. So here; They shall not teach, &c. that is, They shall not so teach, so slenderly, so weakly, so sparingly, so darkly, so literally, so imperfectly, &c. under the New Covenant, as they did under the old. Our godly and learned Interpreters do very generally understand this phrase, not in the