Ephesians

Quest. How does Christ redeem us? Resp. By his own precious blood (Ephesians 1:7): In whom we have redemption through his blood. Among the Romans he was said to redeem another, that laid down a price equivalent for the ransom of the prisoner.

After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Ephesians 1:20) He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principality, and power, and every name that is named. Question.

Christ taking our flesh, has made us nearer to himself than the angels. The angels are his friends, believers are flesh of his flesh; his members (Ephesians 5:30; Ephesians 1:23). And the same glory which is put upon Christ's human nature, shall be put upon believers.

3. Christ died that he might make good his last will and testament with his blood: There were many legacies which Christ bequeathed to believers, which had been all null and void had not he died, and by his death confirmed the will, (Hebrews 9:17) A testament is in force after m…

Verba Dei sunt opera, Luther: God puts forth infinite power in calling home a sinner to himself: He does not only put forth his voice, but his arm. The Apostle speaks of the [Greek text], the exceeding greatness of his power he exercises towards them that believe (Ephesians 1:19…

Use 3. of Comfort. As God is a Spirit, so the reward that he gives is spiritual; that is the excellency of it; as the chief blessings he gives us in this life are spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), not gold and silver; he gives Christ, his love; he fills us with grace; so the…

It was said, "Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated." We are not elected for holiness, but to holiness (Ephesians 1:3). If we are not justified for our faith, much less elected for our faith; but we are not justified for it.

It sets heaven and earth against us: While we choose this bramble to rule, fire comes out of the bramble to devour us. 2. How are all believers bound to Jesus Christ, who has freed them from that misery to which sin has exposed them (Ephesians 1:7). In whom we have redemption th…

Every gracious soul (of whatever sex) lays claim to adoption, and has an interest in God as a Father: You shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Position 3. Adoption is an act of pure grace (Ephesians 1:5): Having predestinated us to the adoption of children, ac…

2. The power of God is seen in the conversion of souls. Surely a mighty power went to raise Christ from the grave, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (Ephesians 1:20). The same power goes to draw a sinner to God, as drew Christ out of the grave to Heaven.

Quest. What is the end of our Justification? Resp. The end is, 1. That God may inherit praise (Ephesians 1:6). To the praise of the glory of his grace. Hereby God raises the everlasting trophies of his own honor: How will the justified sinner proclaim the love of God, and make h…

Two things are chiefly to be regarded in obedience, the principle and the end: a child of God, though he shoots short in his obedience, yet he takes a right aim. 5. Obedience must be in and through Christ (Ephesians 1:6). He has accepted us in the Beloved.

In the text we are kept by the power of God to salvation; every person in the Trinity has a hand in making a believer persevere. God the Father establishes (2 Corinthians 1:21), God the Son confirms (1 Corinthians 1:8), God the Holy Ghost seals (Ephesians 1:13), so that it is th…

God will see the faith, and pass by the failing: The gospel remits something of the severity of the moral law. 3. Wherein our personal obedience comes short, God will be pleased to accept us in our surety (Ephesians 1:6). He has accepted us, [reconstructed: in the Beloved], in h…

Every link in the golden chain of salvation is wrought and interwoven with free grace. Election is free (Ephesians 1:4): He has chosen us in him, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], according to the good pleasure of his will. Justification is free (Romans 3:24): Being justified freely…

So faith in every duty lays its hand upon the head of Christ. His blood does expiate the guilt, and the sweet odors of his intercession perfume our works of obedience (Ephesians 1:6). He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

Is it not with believers? And have not they coalition and union with Christ; Christ is the head, they are the body (Ephesians 1:23). This is a near union, much like that union between God the Father and Christ (John 17:21).

But there is little comfort in this; for so God is Father to the devils by creation, but he that made them will not save them. 2. God is a Father by election, having chosen a certain number to be his children, whom he will entail heaven upon; Ephesians 1:4. [in non-Latin alphabe…

7. & ult. When we read the Holy Scriptures, let us look up to God for a blessing. Beg the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that we may see the [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], the deep things of God (Ephesians 1:17). Pray to God, that the same Spirit that wrote the Scripture, would…

Every link in the chain of salvation, is wrought and interwoven with free grace. Election is free (Ephesians 1:4): He has chosen us in him [illegible], according to the good pleasure of his will. Justification is free (Romans 3:24): Being justified freely by his grace.

But why must this silver thread of faith run through the whole work of obedience? Answer. Because faith looks at Christ in every duty, it touches the hem of his garment, and through Christ both the person and the offering are accepted (Ephesians 1:6). 2. We do God's will accepta…

1. The new creature is a work of divine power; so much it imports, because it is a creation. The same power which raised Christ from the grave goes to the production of the new creature (Ephesians 1:20). It is a work of greater power to produce the new creature, than to make a w…

1. In his holy eternal purpose of providing a relief for lost sinners. He has done it, to the praise of the glory of his grace (Ephesians 1:6). 2. In the sending his Son in the pursuit and for the accomplishment of the holy purpose of his will and grace.

It is a true and bare respect which God has to his obedience, he fixes his eye upon that, when he does this, and for the sake thereof he does it: that God seals a pardon, and gives evidence of it to the souls and consciences of any of the children of men, upon their believing, f…

To the effecting of these ends, especially the increase and establishment of our faith, are they suited and appointed of God, whereon all their efficacy does depend. In their due observation, does God give out that supply of grace which he has promised (Ephesians 1:16, 17, 18, 1…

All which the Church is diligently to inquire into, as things that belong to the pattern of the house of God, the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, the forms thereof, and the ordinances thereof, with the laws thereof, promised to be shewed to it (Ezekiel 43:11), to…

Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature, as requisite to all solemn worship, and are moreover commanded in the moral law, and explications of it in the Old Testament; how do you look upon them as evangelical institutions to be observed p…

And the Lord Christ has not left that as a matter of liberty, choice or conveniency, which he has made the foundation of the due manner of the performance of all those duties whereby his disciples yield obedience to his commands, to his glory in the world. Sixthly, the principal…

Whoever has any interest herein, or right hereunto, it must be granted to him from above, by Jesus Christ, and that as Mediator and head of his Church. For as all Church power, is in an especial manner by the authority and grant of the Father vested in him alone (Matthew 28:18;…

Churches being gathered and setled according to the mind of Christ, ought to preserve a mutual holy communion among themselves, and to exercise it, in the discharge of those duties whereby their mutuall good and edification may be promoted. For whereas they are all united under…

Q. Why do you make sinne a transgression of the law by a creature? A. Because God the Creator may do things forbidden in the law, and yet not sin, as to kill and destroy; because the law is not a rule to him but to us, his own will being his rule (Ephesians 1:11; Psalms 115:3).…

Q. What is the effect and benefit of his mediatorship? A. Hereby God and man that were at enmity are reconciled together again, and made one (Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:14, 15).

Q. And how is Christ King of the elect? A. Not only by his providence, as over all creatures: nor only by his word and ordinances, as to the visible Church, but also by the special working of the grace of his holy Spirit in their hearts (Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians…

Q: Besides the Resurrection and ascension of Christ, what further degree is there of his exaltation? A. His sitting at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; and 8:1; and 10:12, 13). Q. What are we to understand by Christ…

Q. Do you say that God's decree reaches to all things whatever comes to pass in time? A. Yes, all things whatever have been, are, or that shall be hereafter, were before decreed, and determined by God (Ephesians 1:11; Acts 15:18). Q. What are some of the principal things that ar…

Q. Had this world a beginning by creation, or was it from everlasting? A. The scripture in many places, and especially in the first of Genesis does declare that the world was not from everlasting, but had a beginning by the Lord's creating of it (Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11; P…

A. What scriptures do show that there is such a providence of God? Q. Many, and namely these (John 5:17; Ephesians 1:11; Acts 17:25, 28; Lamentations 3:37; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, &c.). Q. How else may the same be proved?

To understand this, we must know that God, to help our faith (which, as I said before, is distinguished from sight as we now speak of it), grants a threefold light to his people, to add assurance and joy to their faith, which is to faith as a backing of steel to a bow to strengt…

For first of all, the very will is a rule to itself, and the divine counsels. Ephesians 1:5, 11: We were predestinated according to his purpose, who works all things after the counsel of his own will. Secondly, God's election is the rule of faith that is to be given or not given.

And: who are called of his purpose. Hence adoption (Ephesians 1): predestinated to adoption. And sanctification (Ephesians 1): He has chosen us that we should be holy and blameless.

Again it is objected: He that says that the decree of God is the energetical operative beginning of all things, necessarily makes the decree of God, the beginning also of sin. Whereunto I answer, That the holy Ghost himself says that the decree of God is the beginning of all thi…

and this, man does by praising God, and giving thanks unto him, who is the Author of all blessings. So Paul says, Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ: Ephesians 1:3: beginning his…

He is Antichrist (an enemy and an adversary to Jesus the Christ) that denies the Father and the Son. For he that denies the Son's authority, to be the eternal King and Prophet of the Church of the New Testament, to the end of the world, according to the royal commission he recei…

For the Jews at this day believe (as John and his Disciples then taught, that they should believe on him that should come, Acts 19:4) even in that Messiah whom they wait for. And we believe (as Peter and Paul then taught) that Christ indeed is come, and crucified, dead, and rise…

Such a faith as a practical syllogism can make, is not a faith wrought by the Lord's almighty power: for though a syllogism makes faith; yet such a faith is but a human faith; because the conclusion follows but from the strength of reasonings, or reason; not from the power of Go…

First, we do believe, that in our effectual calling, God draws us to union with Christ (John 6:44), shedding abroad his Spirit in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and working faith in us to receive Christ (John 1:12, 13), and to live by faith upon him (Galatians 2:20). Secondly, we are…

Thirdly, the means is, faith apprehending it (Philippians 3:9). Fourthly, the Spirit of Christ sealing of it (Ephesians 1:13). This truth revealed for the comfort of poor drooping saints found great opposition; but the good Lord, stirred up your gracious spirit, to countenance,…

Therefore the will of God here intended (as was intimated before) is nothing but the eternal, gracious, free act, or purpose of his will, whereby he determined or purposed in himself, to recover a Church out of lost mankind, to sanctify them to himself, and to bring them to the…

And the first act of angelical obedience we read of, was their keeping man from a return into Eden, and eating of the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24), and men could look on them only as flaming swords, ready to execute the wrath of God and the curse upon him. And this state would ha…

(2) The Lord Christ intercedes that this faith may never fail, or be utterly lost (John 17:8, 11, 15, &c.). (3) The power of God is engaged in the preservation of it (2 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 1:19, 20). (4) The promises of the covenant are expressly multiplied to this…

If God in conversion should only morally persuade, that is, set good and evil before men, then God does not put forth so much power in saving men, as the Devil does in destroying them. Satan does not only propound tempting objects to men, but does concur with his temptations, th…

If we are not justified for our faith, much less elected for our faith; but we are not justified for it. We are said to be justified [Greek text], through faith as an instrument (Ephesians 2:8), but not for faith as a cause; and if not justified for faith, then much less elected…

All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. (Ephesians 2:3) And were by nature the children of wrath. Adam left an unhappy portion to his pos…

They proceed from evil to evil, and know not me, says the Lord. Unbelievers are dead in trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). God has no dead children; and not being children, they have no right to inherit.

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and if we do not please him by believing, he will not please us in saving of us. Faith is the condition of the Covenant of Grace, without faith without covenant, and without covenant without hope (Ephesians 2:12). 2. U…

The Papists say we are justified by works. But the Apostle confutes it, Not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:9). But the Papists say, The works done by an unregenerate man indeed cannot justify him, but works done by a regenerate man may justify.

God visits iniquity only to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20:5), but he shows mercy to a thousand generations. The Lord has treasures of mercy lying by, therefore he is said to be plenteous in mercy (Psalm 86:5), and rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). The vial of God's wra…

3. If you would enter into the bond of the covenant, get faith in the blood of the covenant. Christ's blood is the blood of atonement; believe in this blood and you are safely arked in God's mercy (Ephesians 2:13). You are made near to the blood of Christ.

The king's proclamation is fixed on the pillar, the pillar holds it out that all may read, but the proclamation does not receive its authority from the pillar but from the king: so the Church holds forth the Scriptures, but they do not receive their authority from the Church, bu…

He has his throne (Revelation 2:13): "You dwell where Satan's throne is"; and his throne is set up in the hearts of men. He does not care for their purses but their hearts (Ephesians 2:2). Satan is served upon the knee (Revelation 13:4): "They worshipped the dragon" — that is, t…

Sanctification is the evidence of God's love; we cannot guess at God's love by giving us health, riches, success, but by drawing his image of sanctification on us by the pencil of the Holy Ghost. Branch 2. It shows the misery of such as are destitute of a principle of sanctifica…

A person unregenerate cannot act spiritually, he cannot pray in the Holy Spirit, he cannot live by faith, he cannot do duty out of love to duty; and if he cannot do duty spiritually, then much less perfectly. Now that a natural man cannot yield perfect obedience to the moral law…

2. God's mercy is an overflowing mercy, it is infinite (Psalm 86:5): Plenteous in mercy. (Ephesians 2:4): Rich in mercy. (Psalm 51:1): Multitude of mercies.

There is no going to heaven per saltum, one cannot leap out of Delilah's lap into Abraham's bosom. The sinner is dead in trespasses, (Ephesians 2:1) is it easy for a dead man to restore himself to life? Is regeneration easy?

Know that we are not to go by God's secret will, but by his revealed will; look into God's revealed will, and there we shall find enough to cherish hope, and encourage us to go to God for the pardon of our sins. God has revealed in his word, that he is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2…

For conversion is a new creation (Ephesians 4:24). The Pelagians talk much of free will; they say the will of man is by nature asleep, and conversion is nothing but the awakening a sinner out of sleep, which is done by a moral persuasion: But man is by nature dead in sin (Ephesi…

(Ephesians 4:18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13) Thirdly, that in this state all men continue in sin against God, nor of thems…

There was also another time, namely, at Christ's Resurrection, when there was a solemn act of justification past for, or in the behalf of all these when our great High Priest had, on the day of Atonement, born the names of his Israel upon his shoulders, and breast plate before G…

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

But it would be somewhat strange, that if what the Lord Christ has appointed in his Church to be observed in particular, in an especial manner, for especial ends of his own, has in the general nature of it an agreement with what in like cases the light of nature seems to direct…

Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel? A society of persons, called out of the world, or their natural worldly state, by the administration of the Word and Spirit, to the obedience of the faith, or the knowledge and worship of God in Christ, joined together in an…

Being converted by the word, and making profession of that conversion in their Baptism, they gave up themselves to a stedfast continuance in the observation of all other ordinances of the Gospel. Besides the Church is an house, a Temple, the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15), the ho…

(1) Matthew 10:2; Luke 10:1; Galatians 1:1; Acts 1:26; Acts 6:3; Acts 14:23. (2) John 20:21, 22, 23; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5, 7. (3) Matthew 28:18, 19, 20; 2 Corinthians 11:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:2; Colossians 4:17.

And therefore they are all to be at his disposal, to confirm or remove, as he saw reason and occasion. And this he did virtually in the sacrifice of himself, or the blood of his Cross, fulfilling and finishing of them all (John 19:30), breaking down the middle wall of partition,…

Q. Having spoken of the state of man by creation, and his estate of corruption, let us now come to the third estate, the state of grace in this life; and first tell me whether there be any ability in man to deliver himself from his sinful and miserable estate? A. None at all; be…

Q. What is the effect and benefit of his mediatorship? A. Hereby God and man that were at enmity are reconciled together again, and made one (Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:14, 15).

Q. What is another difference? A. The one belongs to Adam, and all his posterity; the other belongs only to the elect, or at the most only to such as have the Gospel preached to them (Ephesians 2:12). Q. Is there not some difference in regard of the blessings promised to either…

Q. What ought to be the life of them that are in Christ? A. A course of holy obedience, and service to God all the days of their life (Luke 1:74, 75; 1 Peter 1:14, 15, 16, 17; Titus 3:8; Ephesians 2:10). Q. What is the general rule of obedience?

And yet the Scripture phrases go far in ascribing to Satan herein, when it says of those that believed not the gospel, that 'the god of this world has blinded their minds that believe not' (2 Corinthians 4), which notes a superadded working of blindness to their own natural blin…

Or else 3. when this ordinance is not in the case of such sins administered, then God himself (who works without an ordinance sometimes the same effects that with it) does excommunicate men's spirits from his presence and gives them up to Satan by terrors to whip them home to hi…

Colossians 1:26-27. Which is the mystery hid since the world began and from all ages, but now is made manifest to his saints, to whom God would make known what is the riches of this glorious mystery among the Gentiles. Ephesians 2:12. You were at that time without Christ, and ha…

And sanctification (Ephesians 1): He has chosen us that we should be holy and blameless. Hence good works (Ephesians 2): Which he has prepared, that we should walk in them. And perseverance (John 6): All that the Father gives me, shall come to me, and him that comes to me I cast…

This first resurrection is spiritual, wrought in the soul by the Holy Ghost; causing him that is by nature dead in sin, to rise to newness of life: whereof whosoever is truly partaker, shall undoubtedly rise to glory. For, they that are quickened in Christ from the death of sin,…

All things are yours: whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's (1 Corinthians 3:21, 22, 23). Hence the unbelieving wife is sanctified to the use of the bel…

Doctor Amesius in Medullam Theologiae, lib. 1. Cap. 26. Recepti Christi. Paul Banes on the Ephesians 2. Vivificant. He quickened us, since he acknowledges a passive receiving of Christ, he must acknowledge a passive faith: for there is no receiving of Christ, but by faith.

So that with the Prophet Habakkuk they can glory in Christ, in their greatest extremities (Habakkuk 3:17, 18): Though the vine does not yield her fruit, and the fatness of the olive fail, and the herd perish from the stall; yet will I joy in the Lord, and rejoice in the God of m…

First, to take a man's sanctification, for an evident cause or ground of his justification, is flat Popery. Secondly, to take a man's sanctification, for an evident cause or ground of that faith whereby he is justified, is utterly unsafe; for faith is built upon Jesus, the Chris…

And the other, thus; (1 John 2:22) Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is not the Christ, He is Antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. And when I thought to understand the difference, it was too hard for me, until I went into the Sanctuary of God; where the F…

(2.) In that the whole Church of the Elect was dedicated to God, which privilege they are called into the actual participation of, through faith in the blood of Christ. (3.) In that thereby all the old legal sacrifices, and all that yoke, and burden, and bondage wherewith they w…

The Kingdom of God is peace (Romans 14:17). To lay the foundation of this Kingdom, the Lord Christ both made peace, and preached peace, or declared the nature of the peace he had made, tendering and communicating of it to us (Ephesians 2:14, 17). And this peace of Evangelical Co…

So the ⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩ of the Law is its abrogation, in taking away all its power of obliging to obedience or punishment. The Apostle elsewhere expresseth the same act by ⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩ (Ephesians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:10). It is therefore plainly declared, that the…

They now all of them draw nigh to God. And in all their worship, especially in their prayers and supplications, they have by him an access to God (Ephesians 2:18). There is a similitude in these things, and an allusion in the one to the other; yet so as that the one does far exc…

From henceforward the Old Covenant, and all its administrations, having received their full accomplishment, did abide only in the patience of God, to be taken down and removed out of the way in his own time and manner. For really and in themselves, their force and authority did…

With the instruments, with the fire, with the incense that belonged to the Tabernacle, were they to be offered and no otherwise. And it is now by Christ alone that we have an access in one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). He is the only way of going to him (John 14:6).

The being and essence of a divine covenant lies in the promise. Hence are they called the Covenants of Promise (Ephesians 2:12), such as are founded on and consist in promises. And it is necessary that so it should be.

Of this nature was the Atonement and Reconciliation which he made by his blood, and peace with God for sinners thereon. See (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20; Ephesians 2:14, 15, 16). The benefits which hereon are actually collated on the Church, whereby it is brought into its consummate…

He was the Lord from Heaven; who is in Heaven, who speaks from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:49; John 3:13). (2) All spiritual and eternal grace, mercy, blessings, whereof the souls of men are made partakers by the mediation and sacrifice of Christ, are heavenly things, and are const…

This state of things is now changed under the Gospel. It is one of the principal priviledges of Believers, that, being made Kings and Priests to God by Jesus Christ, this distinction as to especial gracious access to God is taken away (Revelation 1:5; Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:2)…

It is no where used but in this place, and Chap. 9:14. And he uses it in answer to what he elsewhere declares, concerning men being dead in sin by nature (Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13). That which he there ascribes to their persons, here he attributes to their works.

As, (1) Because they proceed from a principle of spiritual death, or are the works of them who have no vital principle of holiness in them (Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13). (2) Because they are useless and fruitless, as all dead things are.

To be sunning ourselves in the light of God's countenance. Then the saints shall know that love of Christ which passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). From this glorious manifestation of God's love, will flow infinite joy into the souls of the blessed.

4. It is the holy seed of which grace is formed: it is semen fidei, the seed of faith (Psalm 9:10). It is Radix Amoris, the root of love (Ephesians 3:17). Being rooted and grounded in love.

If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us. Behold love that passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). Branch 2. See here the wonderful humility of Christ: Christ was made flesh.

Christ had hard travail upon the Cross, yet he does not repent of it, but thinks his sweat and blood well bestowed, because he sees redemption brought forth to the world. O infinite amazing love of Christ! a love that passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:19), that neither man or angel…

His fullness is an infinite fullness; and he is infinitely sweet as well as infinitely full: if a conduit be filled with wine, here is a sweet fullness, but still it is finite; but God's is a sweet fullness, and it is an infinite. He is infinitely full of beauty, of love, his ri…

Saint Paul had assurance; is he proud of this jewel? No. (Ephesians 3:8) To me who am less than the least of all saints. The more love a Christian receives from God, the more he sees himself a debtor to free grace, and the sense of his debt keeps his heart humble, but presumptio…

So God having put his sanction, the stamp of his authority and institution upon faith, this makes it to be justifying and saving. 2. Because faith makes us one with Christ (Ephesians 3:17). It is the espousing incorporating grace, it gives us coalition and union with Christ's pe…

God can with a word unpin the wheels, and break the axletree of the creation. He can do [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], more than we can think (Ephesians 3:20). He can suspend natural agents: he sealed up the lion's mouth, made the fire not burn; he made the waters stand upon a hea…

6. Our love to God must be constant, like the fire the vestal virgins kept in Rome, which did not go out. Love must be like the motion of the pulse, it beats as long as there is life (Song of Solomon 8:7): Many waters cannot quench love, not the waters of persecution (Ephesians…

So God sometimes makes a deliverance fly swiftly upon the wing, and on a sudden he turns the shadow of death into the light of the morning. As God gives us mercies above what we can think (Ephesians 3:20), so sometimes before we can think of them (Psalm 126:1). When the Lord tur…

The bee may suck a little honey from the leaf; but put it in a barrel of honey, and it is drowned. The wicked are thus characterized (Ephesians 3:19). They mind earthly things.

He who causes bowels of affection in others, must needs have more bowels himself; quod efficit tale: The affections in parents are but marble and adamant in comparison of God's love to his children, he gives them the cream of his love, electing love, saving love; (Zephaniah 3:17…

8. That Christ should love us with such an entire transcendent love. The apostle calls it a love which passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). That he should love us more than the angels: he loves them as his friends, believers as his spouse.

First, God is to dwell with you here. God takes up the soul for his own lodgings (Ephesians 3:17): "That Christ may dwell in your heart." Therefore the soul must be consecrated.

The soul cannot be lovely to God, till it has Christ's image stamped upon it, which image consists in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). The soul must especially be kept pure, because it is the chief place of God's residence (Ephesians 3:17). A king's palace must…

The body of the sun is in the firmament, but the light of the sun is in the eye. Christ's essence is in heaven, but he is in a believer's heart by his light and influence (Ephesians 3:17). That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith.

7. If God keeps us to a spare diet, if he give us less temporals, he has made it up in spirituals; he has given us the Pearl of Price, and the holy anointing. 1. The Pearl of Price, the Lord Jesus, he is the quintessence of all good things; to give us Christ is more than if God…

Nor will, or does, or can, flesh and blood reveal or understand Jesus Christ to be the Son of the living God, unless the Father reveal him, and instruct us in the truth of it (Matthew 16:18). The way to come to the acknowledgement of these things, is that described by the Apostl…

The next and principal ends of all instituted worship in respect of believers, are the increase of the grace of God in them, their edification in their most holy faith, and the testification of the good will of God to them (Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13, 14, 15): "And he gave some Apos…

The principles of mutual, spiritual love among believers, arise from their relation to one Father (Matthew 23:9): "One is your Father which is in Heaven," who gives to all them that believe in Christ, power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). And their being all children of t…

(4) Revelation 8:3, 4; Hebrews 4:14, 15, 16; Chap. 6:20; Chap. 10:20, 21, 22. (5) John 14:13; Chap. 15:16, 22, 26; Ephesians 3:14, 15. Qu. 36. May not the Church in the solemn worship of God, and celebration of the ordinances of the Gospel, make use of, and content itself in the…

Q. You have spoken of the person, offices and actions of Christ; you are now to shew the benefits that come by Christ, and how we are made partakers of Christ and of his benefits? A. We are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith alone (John 1:12 and 3:16, 18, 36…

They learn daily. This the good angels are said to learn by the church what they never knew before of the mysteries of the gospel (Ephesians 3:10). And though these species in them and their manner of knowing corporeal things differs from ours, yet they are analogical with ours.

Ephesians 2:12. You were at that time without Christ, and had no hope, and were atheists or without God in the world. Ephesians 3:5. The mystery of Christ in other ages was not opened to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy Apostles. Psalm 147:19-20. He shows his w…

The second fruit of their faith is noted in these words; And believed them: where, by believing, we must understand not so much the act of faith, for that was noted before, as the growth and increase of their faith; for the word imports a confirmation of their hearts, and a reso…

Truth was stored up in the prophecies, promises, and institutions of the Old Testament; but so stored up, as it was in a great measure hidden also; but was brought forth to light, and made manifest in the Gospel. For whereas it is said, that the great mystery of the manifold wis…

And this Love to the Saints is towards the name of God on three accounts: (1) Objectively: Because the name of God is upon them; They are the Family that is called after his name. Of him the whole Family of them in Heaven and Earth is named (Ephesians 3:15). They are the Family…

The work that he wrought in offering himself a sacrifice and making atonement for sin, has the highest unconceivable impression of divine wisdom upon it (John 3:16; Acts 20:28; Revelation 5:8; Ephesians 5:2). And so also has the grace that is from there administered by him and f…

For God designed not the erecting of his Kingdom among one party or sort of mankind. That it should be otherwise, that the Gentiles should become the children of Abraham, and be made heirs of the promise, was a great mystery under the Old Testament (Ephesians 3:4, 5, 6). And we…

Therefore God will now secure all the good things of this Covenant, both as to grace and glory, in a third hand, in the hand of a Mediator. Hereon the Promises are made to him, and the fulness of grace is laid up in him (John 1:14; Colossians 1:17; Chapter 2:2; Ephesians 3:8; 2…

By the spiritual light which is given to believers into the mystery of God in Christ. This the Apostle affirms to have been hid in God from the beginning of the world (Ephesians 3:9). It was contrived and prepared in the counsel and wisdom of God from all eternity.

This was the whole mystery of the wisdom of God for the redemption and salvation of the Church by Jesus Christ. This is that which is declared in the Gospel, being before hid in God from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 3:8, 9, 10). Of these things did God grant a typical…

So are they here represented in a posture of admiration and adoration. And in their overshadowing of the mercy-seat with their wings, they declared how this mystery in the fullness of it was hid from the eyes of all men (see Ephesians 3:8, 9, 10, 11, 12). The ground was original…

And in the same spirit he complains of his Corinthians, for their want of proficiency in spiritual things, so that he was forced in his dealing with them to dwell still on the rudiments of religion (1 Corinthians 3:1, 2). In all his epistles he is continually as it were pressing…

The whole work is therefore expressly called the wisdom of God, because of those characters and impressions thereof that are upon it, and because it is a peculiar effect thereof. So our Apostle tells us, that Christ crucified is the power of God and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians…

Therefore as God engages his omnipotency or all-sufficiency as the foundation of all his covenant actings towards us (Genesis 17:1), so he often pleads the same power to assure us of the accomplishment of his promises (Isaiah 40:28, 29). And it is expressly asserted as the princ…

The grant hereof is called God's gift. So is the gift of Christ used also (Ephesians 4:7): according to the measure of the gift of Christ, that is, according as he is pleased to give and grant of the fruits of the Spirit to men; see (Romans 5:15, 17; Ephesians 3:7). Sometimes it…

This he had purposed from eternity, to the praise of the glory of his grace. How this might be effected and accomplished, God had hid in his own bosom from the beginning of the world (Ephesians 3:8, 9), so as that it was beyond the wisdom and investigation of all angels and men…

There are some such; but persons do never come to be such, until they come to see themselves. See what Paul says of himself (Ephesians 3:8): he calls himself, less than the least of all saints: and it was no complement; he speaks his heart in those words; and every one that sees…

And in a Christian's ordinary course, wonted assistance may now and then be withdrawn, on the same account. 2. An abasement of soul: a person is brought to be poor in spirit: he has a low esteem of himself (Ephesians 3:8), is exceeding vile in his own eyes (Job 40:4). Faith inde…

We fear that to say this, would be to the dishonor of God's holiness and glory. And plain it is, that it is the same kingdom of God, that is, the same church-estate for substance and kind, which is taken from the Jews, and given to the Gentiles (Matthew 21:43), and therefore the…

Experimental knowledge, is that which they get by observing the dealings of God in the whole world, but specially in the church. And thus Paul says, that to principalities and powers in heavenly places is known the manifold wisdom of God by the church (Ephesians 3:10). 4. And as…

By espousing godliness, we are better than others (Ecclesiastes 7:8). And richer, being possessed of a golden mine; that is, The unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). We have from Christ the riches of justification, and consolation, and glorification; we are as rich as…

As Zeba and Zalmunna said of Gideon's brethren, "They each one resembled the children of a king": so all these are spiritual kings, that live the noblest and freest life in the world. And as we have a glorious Master, so consider your fellow-servants; the glorified saints and we…

Their looking downward figured their desire to see into the mystery of Christ's incarnation and our redemption by him — as Peter, alluding no doubt to this type in the Old Testament, says in 1 Peter 1:12: Which things the angels desired to behold. And Paul says in Ephesians 3:10…

For they complete their understandings by the sight of the methods of infinite wisdom in the perfecting his gracious designs. And it is God's intent that they should grow in the knowledge of his great mystery by their employment (Ephesians 3:10): To the intent that now to the pr…

To be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Yes, to be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). So it is expected of the Saints, that they should be filled with all the fullness of God: Oh! how contrary is this to emptying?

This heavenly doctrine, moreover, requires such a nature, state, and condition in all those who would receive it or make use of it toward its proper end. But what innate knowledge of God and of His will those angels who kept their own principality and habitation possessed, and w…

But whether this is always the case, or only sometimes — I do not think the learned men will say it is always so, since they are able to produce but a single example where "thus" seems capable of being taken in that way; concerning "if perhaps" they are silent. "If perhaps" perh…

3. By this you may know who thrives and profits best under the gospel, even those that learn most of Christ, which consists not in telling over words. But first in actual improving of Him, as it is (Ephesians 3:20): you have not so learned Christ, but so as to improve what is in…

It argues lightness; feathers will be blown any way; so will feathery Christians: Triticum non rapit ventus, inanes paleae jactantur, Cyprian. Therefore such are compared to children (Ephesians 4:14). That we be no more children tossed to and fro. Children are fickle, sometimes…

God has given them up to strong delusions, to believe a lie, that they may be damned (2 Thessalonians 2:11). 2. If there be but one God, then there can be but one true religion in the World (Ephesians 4:5). [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], one Lord, one Faith.

Though Christ teaches by his Spirit, yet he teaches in the use of ordinances. Wait at the gates of wisdom's door; ministers are teachers under Christ (Ephesians 4:11). We read of pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers (Judges 7:16).

So the Hermians. But the Scripture is plain he ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51), and (Ephesians 4:10) far above all heavens: Therefore, above the firmament. He is ascended into the highest part of the Empyrean heaven, which Paul calls the third heaven.

It turns a man into a devil (John 6:20): Have not I chosen twelve, and one of you is a devil? 2. Sin is a grieving of God's Spirit (Ephesians 4:30): Grieve not the holy Spirit of God. To grieve is more than to anger.

Such as are patterns of mercy, should be trumpets of praise: Thus Saint Paul being called of God, and seeing what a debtor he was to free grace, breaks forth into admiration and gratulation (1 Timothy 1:13). Use 4. To the called, walk worthy of your high calling (Ephesians 4:1).…

1. Because God accepts no man but where he sees his image. The new creature is called the renewing of God's image (Ephesians 4:24). When they [reconstructed: brought] Tamerlane a pot of gold, he asked what stamp it had on it: and when he saw the Roman stamp on it, he refused it:…

So that to bring Scripture to uphold you in your sin, is a high profaning of Scripture, and a taking of God's name in vain. Second Instance, if we tell a man of his inordinate passions, that he may be drunk as well with rash anger as wine; he will bring Scripture to justify it:…

God lives forever, and as long as God lives, he will be punishing the damned — this, one would think, should be as that handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:5), it should make their joints to be loosed, etc. The sinner takes liberty to sin, he breaks God's laws, like a wild beast t…

7. The evil tongue is the unclean tongue, that vents itself in filthy and scurrilous words. Men's language is such as if they came out of hell: this is forbidden (Ephesians 4:29): "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth." Better be born dumb than to have the devi…

This is our holiness, when we are suitable to God's nature, and submissive to his will; this should be our great care to be like God in holiness. Our holiness should be so qualified as God's; God's is a real holiness, such should ours be (Ephesians 4:24), righteousness and true…

He speaks the truth from his heart. Truth in words is opposed, 1. to lying (Ephesians 4:25). Putting away lying, speak every one truth to his neighbor.

Hebrews 5:4: No man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called of God. Christ gave not only the Apostles and Prophets a call to their office (who were extraordinary ministers), but even pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). Question: But if one has gifts, is not this suf…

This original concupiscence is called, 1. The Old Man (Ephesians 4:22). It is said to be the Old Man, not that it is weak, as old men are, but for its long standing, and because of its deformity.

God the Son, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace: it is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). The more peaceable the more like God.

These are lamps without oil, whited sepulchers, like the Egyptian temples, which had fair outsides, but within spiders and apes. The Apostle speaks of true holiness (Ephesians 4:24), implying, there is a holiness which is spurious and feigned (Revelation 3:1). You have a name to…

Such wilfully go about to murder their souls, who have no sense of God, or the other world. They are past feeling (Ephesians 4:19). Tell them of God's holiness and justice, they are not at all affected.

(1 Peter 1:16) Be you holy, for I am holy. The soul cannot be lovely to God, till it has Christ's image stamped upon it, which image consists in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). The soul must especially be kept pure, because it is the chief place of God's reside…

Response 1. Live in a calling. Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands, etc. Such as stand idle, the Devil hires them, and puts them into the pilfering trade.

A sinner has the symptoms of death upon him. First, he has no sense; a dead man has no sense: he has no sense of the evil of sin, of God's holiness and veracity; therefore he is said to be without feeling (Ephesians 4:19). Second, he has no strength (Romans 5:6).

God imputes not iniquity to him in whose spirit is no guile. 9. He whose sins are forgiven, is willing to forgive others who have offended him (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

2 Position. When God converts a sinner he does more than use a moral persuasion. For conversion is a new creation (Ephesians 4:24). The Pelagians talk much of free will; they say the will of man is by nature asleep, and conversion is nothing but the awakening a sinner out of sle…

(Romans 8:7) The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Ephesians 4:18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their h…

Psalm 45:6, "Your throne O God is for ever and ever," applied to Christ (Hebrews 1:8): "But to your Son he says, your throne O God is for ever and ever." Psalm 68:17, 18, 19, "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels, the Lord is among them as in Sinai i…

2. The infused righteousness of believers [illegible] not in this life perfect. That believers have infused righteousness is not denied: they have the renewing of the image of God upon them, which is in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). There is the grace of sanc…

Explication. The next and principal ends of all instituted worship in respect of believers, are the increase of the grace of God in them, their edification in their most holy faith, and the testification of the good will of God to them (Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13, 14, 15): "And he g…

Qu. 11. How are mutual love and communion among believers testified and confirmed in their observation? Answ. In that they are appointed by the Lord Christ for that end, and in their own nature as attended to in their assemblies, are in an especial manner suited to that purpose…

And (3) By their celebration is he glorified in the world: And therefore, (4) As he has made blessed promises to his people, to grant them his presence and to bless them in their use: So (5) Being the tokens of the marriage relation that is between him and them, with respect to…

Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God? Answ. (1.) The calling, gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers, as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship. (2.) Prayer with thanksgiving. (3.)…

But it would be somewhat strange, that if what the Lord Christ has appointed in his Church to be observed in particular, in an especial manner, for especial ends of his own, has in the general nature of it an agreement with what in like cases the light of nature seems to direct…

Titus 1:5: for this cause left I you in Crete that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you. 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11, 12. Fifthly, they do every where in the name and authority of Christ, give to the…

Quest. 20. By what means do persons so called become a Church of Christ? Answ. They are constituted a Church, and interested in the rights, power, and priviledges of a Gospel-Church, by the will, promise, authority, and law of Jesus Christ, upon their own voluntary consent and e…

Qu. 22. Who are the extraordinary officers or rulers or ministers of the Church appointed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ therein for a season only? An. (1) The Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, with (2) the Evangelists and Prophets endowed with extraordinary gifts of the Holy G…

Quest. 23. Who are the ordinary officers or ministers of Christ in the Church to be always continued therein? Answ. Those whom the Scripture calls, pastors and teachers, bishops, elders, and guides (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Philippians 1:1…

(5) That he be solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer and imposition of hands to his Work and Ministry. (1) Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12, 13. (2) Titus 1:7, 8, 9; 2 Timothy 3:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

What is not received from him, is mere usurpation. And whoever takes upon himself the exercise of any rule, or authority, or power in the Church, not granted to them by him, or not rightly derived from him, is an oppressor, a thief, and a robber; this necessarily follows upon th…

And there are many names that are equally accommodated to all that are partakers of it, as Elders, Bishops, Guides; they are all alike Elders, alike Bishops, alike Guides, have the one office in common among them, and every one the whole intire to himself. But there are names al…

(1) Luke 18:1; Chap. 21:36; Romans 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2. (2) Ephesians 4:8, 12, 13; Romans 8:15, 16; Galatians 4:6. (3) Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:5.

Quest. 42. To whom is the power and administration of this Discipline committed by Jesus Christ? Answ. As to the authority to be exerted in it in the things wherein the whole Church is concerned, to the Elders; as to trial, judgment and consent in, and to its exercise to the who…

(3) 1 Timothy 1:19, 20; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Titus 1:13; Jude 3. (4) Ephesians 4:20, 21, 22, 23, 24. (5) 2 Corinthians 8:5.

Churches being gathered and setled according to the mind of Christ, ought to preserve a mutual holy communion among themselves, and to exercise it, in the discharge of those duties whereby their mutuall good and edification may be promoted. For whereas they are all united under…

Quest. 53. What are the ends of all this dispensation and order of things in the Church? Answ. The glory of God, the honor of Jesus Christ the Mediator, the furtherance of the Gospel, the edification and consolation of believers here; with their eternal salvation hereafter (Reve…

(2.) Deuteronomy 26:17; Joshua 24:22; 2 Corinthians 8:5. (3.) Ephesians 4:12, 13, 14, 15, 16; Jude 20. (4.) 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17.

Q What was the place to which he did ascend? A. The third heaven, far above this earth, and all these inferior and visible heavens (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11; John 14:1-2; Ephesians 4:10). Q. Was this ascension of Christ a true and real mutation and change of place, or o…

Q. How do they differ in respect of their formal causes? A. The formal cause of justification is the pronouncing of the sentence of absolution, and accepting a man's person for righteous: the formal cause of Sanctification is the restoring of God's image into the soul, by puttin…

Q. And what is the Church Triumphant? A. It is that part of the catholic Church which are now in heaven, gloriously triumphing over all those enemies which in this world they did conflict and combat withal (Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 12:23; Ephesians 5:27).

Q. How many Gods are there? A. No more but one (Deuteronomy 4:39 & 6:4; Isaiah 44:6, 8 & 45:5, 18; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Ephesians 4:6). Q. Why may there not be more Gods than one?

Q. What is the sum of the ninth commandment? A. Truth in speeches, promises, and our dealings among men; and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9, 10; Psalms 15:2; Micah 6:12; Psalms 12:2). Q. What is the sum of the tenth command…

Q. What was that image of God? A. Principally it stood in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24; Ecclesiastes 7:29). Q. What was the knowledge that man was endued withal in that estate?

Neither, secondly, is it to be meant of walking in ignorance, as John 12:36 it is taken. For one that has no light in that sense can never truly fear God nor obey him; the heart that lacks knowledge is not good, says Solomon; and so to walk in darkness is accompanied with walkin…

God does love his people on earth, when they are black as well as comely; they have their [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] imperfections. O how entirely will he love them, when they are without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). 1. This is the felicity of heaven, to be in the sweet em…

At death the souls of believers recover their virgin purity. O what a blessed privilege is this, to be sine macula and ruga, without spot and wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). To be purer than the sunbeams, to be as free from sin as the angels.

2. Others make money their god. The covetous man worships the image of gold, therefore is called an idolater (Ephesians 5:5); that which a man trusts to, he makes his god, but he makes the wedge of gold his hope. He makes money his Creator, Redeemer, Comforter.

Christ taking our flesh, has made us nearer to himself than the angels. The angels are his friends, believers are flesh of his flesh; his members (Ephesians 5:30; Ephesians 1:23). And the same glory which is put upon Christ's human nature, shall be put upon believers.

Resp. 1. From sin; he calls them from their ignorance and unbelief (1 Peter 1:14). By nature the understanding is enveloped with darkness, God calls men from darkness to light (Ephesians 5:8), as if one should be called out of a dungeon to behold the light of the sun. 2. From da…

God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in Spirit: it is not pomp of worship but purity which God accepts. Repentance is not in the outward severities used to the body — penance, fasting, and chastising the body — but it consists in the sacrifice of a broken heart; thanksgiving…

4. The fourth argument is taken, Ab Unione cum Christo, from believers' union with Christ. They are knit to Christ, as the members to the head by the nerve and ligament of faith, so that they cannot be broken off (Ephesians 5:23). What was once said of Christ's natural body, is…

Fulgens hoc aurum praestringit oculos, Var. Hence it is the covetous man is called an idolater (Ephesians 5:5). Why so?

10. Serpents are great lovers of wine. Pliny, who writes of Natural History, says, if serpents come where wine is, they drink insatiably: In this be not like the serpent; though the Scripture allows the use of wine (1 Timothy 5:23), yet it forbids the excess (Ephesians 5:18): Be…

2. If God be our Father let us imitate him: The child does not only bear his Father's image, but does imitate him in his speech, gesture, behavior; if God be our Father let us imitate him; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Gr. Nyssen. Be followers of God as dear children (Ephesians 5…

As original corruption has depraved all the faculties, the whole head is sick, the whole heart faint, no part sound, as if the whole mass of blood were corrupted; so Sanctification goes over the whole soul. After the Fall there was ignorance in the mind; now in Sanctification we…

The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. They are your own flesh; and as the apostle says, No man yet ever hated his own flesh (Ephesians 5:29). The parent's bountifulness will cause dutifulness in the child.

It is not enough that we cease to do evil (which is all the evidence some have to show) — this is to lose heaven by short shooting; but we must be inwardly sanctified. Not only the unclean spirit must go out, but we must be filled with the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 5:18). This holin…

The first miracle he wrought was at a marriage, when he turned the water into wine. Marriage is a type and resemblance of the mystical union between Christ and his Church (Ephesians 5:32). Concerning marriage,

2. Covetousness precipitates men to ruin: it shuts them out of heaven. (Ephesians 5:5) This you know, that no covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. What should a covetous man do in heaven?

No question a Christian may make such a vow, because the ground of it is morally good, he vows nothing but what he is bound to do by virtue of his baptismal vow, namely to walk with God more closely, and to pursue heaven more vigorously. 7. If you would obtain the kingdom embrac…

At that day it will be true indeed, that God sees no sin in his children. They shall be as pure as the angels, then the church shall be presented without wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). She shall be as free from stain as guilt, then Satan shall no more accuse, Christ will show the deb…

As, 1. That he offered himself a sacrifice to God, to make atonement for our sins, and that in his death and sufferings (Isaiah 53:10): "When you shall make his soul an offering for sin" (John 1:29): "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (Ephesians 5:2):…

Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God? Answ. (1.) The calling, gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers, as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship. (2.) Prayer with thanksgiving. (3.)…

Q. Who then were redeemed by Christ? A. He gave himself for none others but only for his Church (Ephesians 5:25; Acts 20:28; John 10:15; 11:52). Q. What is meant by the Church in the holy Scriptures?

First, he is said to have no light. Light, says the apostle (Ephesians 5:13), is that whereby things are made manifest — that is, to the sense of sight, to which light properly belongs. And as light and faith are here severed, as you see; so sight also is in 2 Corinthians 5:7 di…

Time is so good a thing, it cannot be spent well enough. But have you misspent time (that is to abuse it) Take Saint Paul's counsel, Ephesians 5:16. Redeem the time: that is, seeing what is past cannot be recalled; then recompense the loss of it, by the well bestowing of time to…

Here we may see a notable resemblance of God's manner of blessing us: When we look for a blessing at God's hand, we must not come in our own garments, in the rotten rags of our own righteousness; but we must put on Christ's garment, the long white robe of his righteousness. And…

1. The first is prayer, which the Spirit of Christ forms in the heart of a believer, whereby he lays open all his spiritual and temporal wants to God his Father, in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, through whom he has received a promise to be heard, and to have his reques…

Nor can any thing be more mysteriously glorious, than the furniture of his person as Mediator, with all fullness of power, wisdom and grace for the accomplishment of his work (John 1:16; Colossians 1:18, 19; Chapter 2:9; Philippians 2:5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The work that he wrought in…

And such an High Priest became us. For whereas it was his design and work to sanctify and cleanse his Church, until it have neither spot nor wrinkle, but be holy and without blemish, as it was (Ephesians 5:25, 26): how had he been meet to attempt or effect this work, had not he…

1. The unspeakable love of Christ in offering himself and his own blood for us. See (Galatians 2:20; Revelation 1:5; 1 John 3:16; Ephesians 5:26, 27). There being no other way whereby our sins might be purged and expiated (chap. 10:5, 6, 7), out of his infinite love and grace he…

(2) All spiritual and eternal grace, mercy, blessings, whereof the souls of men are made partakers by the mediation and sacrifice of Christ, are heavenly things, and are constantly so called (Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 1:3; John 3:12; Ephesians 2:6). (3) The Church itself and its wo…

He will at the end of all present his whole Church to God, with the whole work of his love and grace accomplished towards them. He first so presents it to himself and then to God (Ephesians 5:26, 27). Now he presents them as the portion given to him of God out of fallen mankind…

Most frequently it is expressed by his offering of himself; the sacrifice he offered of himself. For as the virtue of his offering depends principally on the dignity of his Person, so his humane soul, his mind, will and affections, with the fullness of the graces of the Spirit r…

They proceed from death spiritual, and end in death eternal. On the same account are they called unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). They proceed from a principle of spiritual darkness, and end in darkness everlasting.

For had it not been so, the human nature of Christ had not been immediately exalted into the highest glory that it was capable of. See (Ephesians 5:1, 2; Philippians 2:7, 8, 9). (2.) That he had by his offering perfectly expiated the sin of the world, so as that there was no nee…

Secondly, as it is sprinkled, it worketh the second part of this effect. And this sprinkling of the Blood of Christ, is the communication of its sanctifying virtue to our souls, see (Ephesians 5:26, 27; Titus 2:14); so does the Blood of Christ the Son of God cleanse us from all…

But this principally typified his prayers, when he offered himself to God through the Eternal Spirit, which he did with strong cries and supplications or intercessions (Hebrews 5:7). Hereby, and the actings of the Eternal Spirit therein, he kindled and fired in himself a sacrifi…

He made his soul an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10), which was typified by the life that was in the blood of the sacrifice. Therefore it is said, that he offered himself to God (Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 5:2), that is, his whole entire humane nature, soul and body, in their substa…

They are meet for God and tend to his glory in that they express and manifest the efficacy of the mediation of the Lord Christ in the obedience of his life, and the sacrifice of his death. These he aimed at in them (Titus 2:14; Ephesians 5:25, 26, 27). It is in Jesus Christ that…

First it brings forth, [in non-Latin alphabet], thorns and briars: see the opening of the words before. In general, I doubt not but all sorts of sins are hereby intended, all unfruitful works of righteousness (Romans 6:21; Ephesians 5:11). And the principal reason why they are h…

There is secret drunkenness, and secret uncleanness, and secret neglects of duties, and closet work: now when persons live in secret sins, they do really though not manifestly cast off the yoke and government of Christ. Ephesians 5:12: it is a shame to speak what some do in secr…

5. This word, Your God, imports yet a nearer relation, the relation between the Head and the Members. There is a Mystical union between Christ and the Saints: He is called The Head of the Church, Ephesians 5.23. Does not the Head consult for the good of the Body?

and therefore we must not undertake anything but that which may be a work of some good duty to God; to which end the apostle says, "Awake you that sleep, and stand up from the dead, and Christ shall give you life (Ephesians 5:14)." If this will not move us, yet let the judgments…

What is required in particular, that any of them may be meet to be joined to such a Church, we shall afterwards enquire. 7. It is generally said, that out of the Church there is no salvation; and the truth hereof is testified to in the Scriptures (Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 3:20, 21; Ma…

4. God calls them vessels of honor (2 Timothy 2:21). Though they are earthen vessels, yet they have heavenly treasure in them; they are filled with the wine of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Though they are scoured with affliction, yet it is to make them brighter (Daniel 12:10).

We all come into the world polluted with the stain of sin, which is purged and done away by degrees, and at death wholly, and never before. When Christ comes to bring us to God as the fruits of his purchase, then we are without spot and blemish (Ephesians 5:26). The Papists cavi…

Objection. Remission of sins, regeneration, and salvation is ascribed to the sacrament of baptism in Acts 22:16, Ephesians 5, Galatians 3:27, and Titus 3:5. Answer: Salvation and remission of sins is ascribed to baptism and the Lord's Supper as to the word, which is the power of…

This use is threefold: in respect of God, of man, and of ourselves. Works are to be done in respect of God: that his commandments may be obeyed — 1 John 5:12; that his will may be done — 1 Thessalonians 4:3; that we may show ourselves to be obedient children to God our Father —…

Thus heartily did they censure and threaten him for no other crime but this, that he did his duty, and obeyed God's command, and would have made them as happy as himself. So it is a plain command of God, that Christians should walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15) — exactly, waril…

They were therefore fit resemblances to shadow out that heavenly music, and inward melody of the joys and graces of God's Spirit in the hearts of his people. The Apostle therefore exhorts us to sing, but instead of musical instruments, he requires the melody of the heart (Ephesi…

They shall have protection from him as they are his jewels, and compassion from him as they are his sons. The Church is Christ's flesh, as dear to him as our flesh is to us; as much his as our flesh is ours (Ephesians 5:29). No man hates his own flesh, but nourishes it, as Chris…

Though others are licentious and exorbitant, (being carried to hell with wind and tyde) yet let us keep our garments pure, and preserve the Virginity of our Consciences; let us labour to reform our selves, and mourn for what we cannot reform in others. Let us walk accurately and…

Is it not those Scriptures that makes every man a pastor, or teacher, or ruler to a people, unless they call him to that office; and then in so doing they covenant and engage themselves to be subject to him in the Lord, and then those Scriptures take hold on them. One might as w…

It is the espousing incorporating grace, it gives us coalition and union with Christ's person; other graces make us like Christ, faith makes us members of Christ. 1. Use of Exhortation: Let us above all things labor for faith: Fides est sanctissimum humani pectoris bonum (Ephesi…

It commends to us whatever is just, lovely, of good report (Philippians 4:8). This sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) cuts down vice. Out of this tower of Scripture is thrown down a millstone upon the head of sin.

1. In General. Masters must remember that they have a Master in Heaven, who will call them to account (Ephesians 6:9). Knowing, that your Master is also in Heaven.

Response 1. If you would have your children honor you, 1. Be careful to bring them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord.

John 3:15. That whoever believes in him should not perish. Ephesians 6:16. 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉, Above all taking the shield of faith. Say as Queen Esther, I will go in to the King, and if I perish I perish.

You desire truth in the inward parts. Sincerity is the sauce which seasons all our actions, and makes them savory; it is the ingredient into every grace: It is called faith unfeigned (2 Timothy 1:5), and love [illegible] in sincerity (Ephesians 6:24). Coin will not go current th…

We must love our neighbors as ourselves; therefore we must pray for them as well as for ourselves. Every good Christian has a fellow-feeling of the wants and miseries of others, and he prays that God would extend his bounty to them; especially he prays for the saints (Ephesians…

What balances these persons have got, to weigh these loves in, and to conclude which is the greatest or most weighty, I know not. Although only the actual discharge of his Office be directly assigned to the love of Christ, yet his condescension in taking our nature upon him expr…

(2) Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 16:16. (3) Ephesians 6:18, 19; Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Colossians 4:17. (4) Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:14.

Quest. 52. Wherein consists the duty of any Church of Christ towards other Churches? Answ. (1) In walking circumspectly, so as to give them no offence. (2) In prayer for their peace and prosperity. (3) In communicating supplyes to their wants according to ability. (4) In receivi…

Q. What is the Church militant? A. It is that part of the catholic Church which is warring and fighting here on earth against spiritual enemies, the devil, the world and the flesh (Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:18). Q. And what is the Church T…

Q. What is the special rule according to which the life of a christian ought to be framed? A. The life of a christian ought to be framed according to the moral Law of God (Romans 13:8, 9; Ephesians 6:2, 3; James 2:8). Q. How may that be further cleared?

There must be particular selected remedies to heal these wounds, because they are usually of a differing nature. For some objections Satan has devised that the most learned men never met with in books, and Satan has devised methods of tempting deserted souls (Ephesians 6) which…

Thus far our own hearts, upon the Holy Ghost's deserting, become authors to us of this darkness. But herein believers wrestle not alone with flesh and blood and the darkness thereof, but do further conflict also with those spiritual wickednesses, the princes of darkness (Ephesia…

It is his trade; therefore as men are called lawyers or divines from their calling, so he is called the tempter and the accuser from his employment. And by this his long experience and observation he has his set and composed machinations (2 Corinthians 2:11), his methods of temp…

And further, because in these accusations his scope is to misrepresent our estates to us and falsely to disquiet us, therefore he is yet more especially called 'the slanderer' — as one that falsely and lyingly calumniates and slanders all our graces, all God's dealings toward us…

Therefore (1 Thessalonians 3:5) the apostle was jealous of Satan in nothing more than in this, lest he had been dealing and tampering with and perverting their faith: 'I sent to know of your faith, lest by some means the tempter has tempted you.' For faith in God is the greatest…

And so in this place, Moses' parents feared not the King's commandment; that is, they did not fear it overmuch, or wholly, or only, or so much as others did in the like case. Here then first we may learn, how far forth we must obey superiors and magistrates; we must obey them, n…

Now when we die, we are to encounter with this hideous and fearful serpent. He is fearful every way, but especially for his sting; that sting is our sin: and this sting is not taken away, nor the force of it quenched, but by true faith, which quenches all the fiery darts of the…

Is it not a greater privilege for an infant to be born of a believer, than to be born of a Jew, a Turk, or a heathen? Yes; for the children born of believers are brought up in holy instruction, and education from their childhood (as young Timothy was taught in the Scriptures fro…

Neither will the first compleat our interest in that body without the latter. Hence are they frequently conjoyned by our Apostle, not only as those which are necessary to, but as those which essentially constitute the union of the whole mystical body and communion therein (Galat…

The great use, benefit and advantage which believers have by this grace, is the supporting of their souls under the troubles and difficulties which they meet withal upon the account of the profession of what they do believe (Romans 5:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:…

(1.) That they prepare themselves for it (1 Corinthians 9:25): self-denial, and readiness for the cross, contempt of the world, and the enjoyments of it, are this preparation; without this we shall never be able to go through with this conflict. (2.) A vigorous acting of all gra…

But the sufferings of our Apostle in this kind of bonds and imprisonment were peculiar above any other Apostles whatever. Hence he styles himself in particular (Philemon 1) the bondman for Christ, and gloried in his bonds as his peculiar honor (Acts 26:29), an Ambassador in bond…

1 Timothy 1:14: he that believes, he also loves: as soon as a man has a sight of Christ, he falls in love with him: he is altogether lovely: as soon as the grace of God that brings salvation does appear to the soul, it does unite the heart to him, by love. Ephesians 6:23: Peace…

And when the Holy Ghost says, that they must take heed to themselves and to all the flock (Acts 20:28), and that they must watch for their souls, as they that must give account (Hebrews 13:17), to say, that these souls, and this flock, are only such as are in full communion, and…

He durst not say so, his fall broke the neck of his pride. 2. The foiling by a temptation, causes more circumspection and watchfulness in a child of God: Though Satan did before decoy him into sin, yet for the future he will be the more cautious, he will have a care of coming wi…

And here all governors must be put in mind that they have a higher Lord, that they may not oppress or deal hardly with their inferiors. This is Paul's reason, Ye masters, says he, do the same things to your servants, putting away threatening: and know that even your master is al…

By it Moses stood in the breach, which God's wrath had made into the people of Israel, and stayed the same, Psalms 106:23. By this, Christian men fight as valiant champions against their own corruptions, and all other spiritual enemies, Ephesians 6:18. Infinite were it to show h…

Thirdly, the matter of the prayer stands of four most worthy points. The first is strength to bear the cross and to resist spiritual temptations, verse 16, where the strength is set out by various arguments: First, that it is the mere gift of God, that he would grant you: Second…

6. A righteous man has more excellent armor; namely, the armor of light (Romans 13:12). This is armor of God's making (Ephesians 6:16), and the Lord with his armor gives strength. Alexander might give a coward his armor, but he could not give him his courage; but God infuses a s…

2. It noteth a pious care to perform God's revealed Will; they that out of a sense of his love resign up themselves to do his Will, are called his servants; so he that is called in the Lord, whether he be bond or free, is said to be Christ's servant (1 Corinthians 7:22). So godl…

You cannot touch any extreme without being touched by that enemy, whose greatest advantages lie in assaulting you there. Satan is called the ruler of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12) — that is, his kingdom is supported by darkness. Now there is a twofold darkness whic…

Consider also, that prayer is a worthy means of defence, not only to us, but also to the Church, and them that are absent. By it Moses stood in the breach, which God's wrath had made into the people of Israel, and stayed the same (Psalm 106:23); by this Christian men fight, as v…

To prove by the Spirit, or spiritually the persons that are to be made Ministers or Bishops, is to have their names revealed to us. Stephen is said to speak [in non-Latin alphabet], Acts 6:10, and Paul purposed [in non-Latin alphabet], Acts 19:21, and we are said to serve God [i…

Againe the Scripture noteth him, to be a powerfull spirit, whose strength farre exceedeth and surpasseth the might of any man or creature, that is not of an Angelical nature, as himselfe is. For he is tearmed a Prince of the aire, and the god of this world, his power reacheth ev…

Here is forbidden the least remission or weakness (Revelation 2:4). Uprightness is, when the affection loves, desires, etc. in a single heart, only because God commands, and for that end; this is called simplicity, truth, a single heart (Deuteronomy 18:13; John 1:17; Ephesians 6…

1 Timothy 5:8: If one care not for his own, especially those of his house — which shows an especial rule of mutual duty between these two. Also the wisdom of the holy Ghost, in setting down mutual duties to them: Proverbs 31; Ephesians 6:2: Honor your father and your Mother, whi…

And therefore the exercise of faith is to be continued in the use making of this offering, in reference to these particulars, as well as in reference to the making of our peace with God at first. In which respect, faith is called a shield (Ephesians 6:16). When new guilt is cont…

The Devil, and Satan, and his Angels, were cast out (verse 7). The Dragon and his Angels fought with Michael; and he has Legions garrisoned in one poor man, he has kept the fields above these five thousand years, with a huge and mighty army, both by Sea, and Land (Ephesians 6:12…

1. That our deliverance from sin in Christ is, in a devilish and hellish spirituality (as Calvin speaks); as that wicked Priest Anto Pocquius said, was in judging neither murders, adulteries, perjury, lying, oppression, to be sins, when once the pardoned and justified person com…

Not to walk in darkness, nor hate our brother (1 John 2:8, 9), for this is the new commandment. And that the Gospel has commandments is clear (Matthew 15:3; John 15:12; Romans 16:6; Ephesians 6:2; 1 Timothy 1:1; the holy commandment, 2 Peter 2:21; 1 John 3:23; Revelation 22:14;…

Many occasions and temptations may meet with us in the world, temptations from Satan, as well as from the world (1 John 2:14). And if a man have strong enemies, he will stand in need of a strong faith, to cut asunder all the fiery darts of the Devil (Ephesians 6:16). Above all t…

Consider therefore, God marks the very bent of my soul, and desire in every petition I put up, and therefore observing what I desire, he will accordingly grant either the thing I desire according to my desire, or that which I aim at in my desire, and this is a glory to the name…

And here are two things whereby we overcome. 1. By Scripture, the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and (1 John 2:14): The Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. It is good to have the Word of God abide in our memories, but chiefly…

Indeed Paul goes higher, and calls him the god of this world, (2 Corinthians 4:4) In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them, which believe not: but this is by usurpation not just right. And the devils are called (Ephesians 6:12) the rulers of the darkness of th…

2. He cites Scripture, and thereby teaches that the word of God laid up in the heart and used pertinently will ward off the blows of every temptation. This weapon Christ used all along with success, and therefore it is well called the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). It is…

There's also Public Prayer, Family Prayer, and Closet Prayer. Now a Christian must pray with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18). The last, is here insisted on.

I will pray with understanding: For blind devotion is not pleasing to God: 2. A sensible feeling of our wants, we must come weary and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28). Pressed with the guilt of sin, pinched with want of grace: 3. Fervency of spirit (James 5:17), arising from a consid…

It is the praise of John the Baptist, that he was not as a reed shaken of the wind (Matthew 11:7). All believers are to stand fast in temptation, against their spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:13), and this they shall the better do, if they be directed by the good example of their…