BOOK 2. FROM ETERNITY.
CHAPTER 2.
2.2.1. Of Knowing Jesus as carrying on the Great Work of our Salvation in that Eternity.
Of Knowing Jesus as carrying on the Great Work of our Salvation in that Eternity.
Looking comprehends knowing, considering, desiring, hoping, believing, loving, joying, calling upon Jesus, and conforming to Jesus. If then we will have an inward experimental look upon Jesus, we must act and exercise all these particulars.
We must know Jesus carrying on the great work of our salvation in that eternity before all time. Come, learn what this Jesus is:-- In his relation to God, and so he is God's Son, eternally begotten before all worlds. See above and learn it thoroughly, who it is that was begotten, for the person, when it was, for the time, how it was, for the manner, and what was the mutual kindness, and love of him that begot, and of him that was begotten; O the heighth and depth of this knowledge! Come, learn what this Jesus is in his relation to us before all worlds; and to that purpose study close that great transaction betwixt God and Christ for our salvation.
1. Study that project of God, that he would glorify his grace; and to this end that he would predestinate Christ, and in Christ he would choose some of the sons of men, and amongst the rest that he would choose thee, whom notwithstanding sin, he will make holy, and without blame before him in love.
2. Study the counsels of God concerning man before all worlds; O it was an hard question, how sin should be pardoned, the sinner reconciled, and yet God glorify his justice. None but the wisdom of God could ever find out a way to have had mercy on the man, and yet to take vengeance on the sin; "But herein appeared the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; he devised a way to translate this man's sin (suppose thine own sins) on another's person who was able to bear them, and to interest this man's person (suppose thine own self) in another's righteousness, who was able to cover him.
3. Study the foreknowledge of God, how the Lord knew his from everlasting with a knowledge of love and approbation; after the project was laid, and the counsels of Gcd was agreed upon it, then God foreknew, or foresaw whom to embrace in his eternal love; and, O my soul, if thou art one of his, if God in Christ hath of his own free love set thee apart to life and salvation, then know it for thyself, Job v. 27. It is inward experimental knowledge we speak of.
4. Study the purpose of God concerning thy salvation; this purpose of God speaks the stability and certainty of thy salvation in Christ; his purpose is in, and from himself, who is God and not man, and therefore cannot repent; "hath he said, and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numb, xxiii. 19.
5. Study the decrees of God, they are all one with predestination, the book of life, the seal of God, What hath the Lord decreed, predestinated, booked, sealed thee for salvation? "O how blessed are the people that know the joyful sound? They shall walk in the light of thy countenance, O Lord," Psal. lxxxix. 15.
6. Study the covenant of grace: remember how the business of eternity says thus; "Here is every man lost, (said God to his Son) but thou shall in fulness of time go, and be born of flesh and blood, and die for some of them, and satisfy my justice, and they shall be thine for a portion, and they shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord." To whom the Son answered, "Be it so. Lord, I will go and fulfil thy pleasure, and they shall be mine forever. Observe and be acquainted with this covenant in that very dialogue, first, God demands of his Son that he lay down his life, and for his labour he promiseth he shall see his seed, Isa. liii. 10. And God shall give him many children. And secondly, the Son consents to lay down his life, and saith, "Here I am to do the will of God, thou hast given me a body," Heb. x. 5, 9. What, O my soul, that the Father and Christ should transact a bargain from eternity concerning thee? that there should be any communing betwixt the Father and the Son concerning thy happiness and salvation? Surely this is worthy thy pains and study; "O hear it, and know thou it for thy good," Job v. 27.