464 > SUMMARY OF DOCTRINAL AND [CHAP. I. 13.
the disposal of Jesus Christ. 6. Whatever our changes may be, in- ward or outward, yet, Christ changing not, our eternal condition is secured, and relief provided against all present troubles and miseries. 7. Such is the frailty of the nature of man, and such the perishing nature of all created things, that none can ever obtain the least stable consolation but what ariseth from an interest in the omnipo- tency, sovereignty, and eternity of the Lord Christ.
Ver. 13.—1. The authority of God the Father in the exaltation of Jesus Christ as the head and mediator of the church, is greatly to be regarded by believers. 2. The exaltation of Christ is the great pledge of the acceptance of the work of mediation performed in the behalf of the church. 3. Christ hath many enemies to his kingdom. 4. The kingdom and rule of Christ is perpetual and abiding, not- withstanding all the opposition that is made against it. 5. The end whereunto the Lord Jesus Christ will assuredly bring all his ene- mies, let them bluster whilst they please, shall be unto them miser- able and shameful, to the saints joyful, to himself victorious and triumphant.
Ver. 14.—1. The highest honour of the most glorious spirits in heaven, is to minister unto the Lord in the service whereunto he appoints them. 2. Unto what ends and purposes doth God make use of the ministry of angels, for the good of them that do believe. 3. The Socratical fancy of one single guardian angel attending every one, as it is, if admitted, a real impeachment of the consolation of believers, so a great inducement unto superstition and idolatry. 4. Believers obtain heaven by inheritance and free gift of their Father, and not by any merit of their own.
Cuap. II. Ver. 1.—1. Diligent attendance unto the word of the gospel is indispensably necessary unto perseverance in the profession of it. 2. There are sundry times and seasons wherein, and several ways and means whereby, men are in danger to lose the word that they have heard, if they attend not diligently unto its preservation. 3.
The word heard is not lost without the great sin as well as the in- —
evitable ruin of the souls of men. 4. It is the nature of the word of the gospel to water barren hearts, and to make them fruitful unto God. 5. The consideration of the revelation of the gospel by the Son of God is a powerful motive unto diligent attendance unto it. 6. The true and only way of honouring the Lord Christ as the Son of God, is by diligent attendance and obedience unto his word.
Ver. 2-4.—1. Motives unto a due valuation of the gospel, and perseverance in the profession of it, taken from the penalties an- nexed unto the neglect of it, are evangelical, and of singular use in the preaching of the word. 2. All punishments annexed unto the
CHAP. IL. 10.] PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, 465
transgression either of the law or gospel are effects of God’s vin- dictive justice, and consequently just and equal. 38. Every concern of the law and gospel, both as to their nature and promulgation, is to be weighed and considered by believers, to beget in their hearts a right and due valuation of them. 4. What means soever God is pleased to use in the revelation of his will, he gives it a certainty, steadfastness, assurance, and evidence, which our faith may rest in, and which cannot be neglected without the greatest sin. 5. Every transaction between God and man is always confirmed and ratified by promises and threatenings, rewards and punishments: “Every trespass.” 6. The most glorious administrators of the law do stoop to look into the mysteries of the gospel. 7. Covenant transgressions are attended with unavoidable penalties. 8. The gospel is a word of salvation to them that do believe. 9. The salvation tendered in the gospel is great salvation. 10. Men are apt to entertain thoughts of escaping the wrath of God, though they live in a neglect of the gospel. 11. The neglecters of the gospel shall unavoidably perish under the wrath of God.
Ver. 5. This is the great privilege of the church of the gospel, that, in the things of the worship of God, it is made subject unto and immediately depends upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and not any other, angels or men. 1. That the Lord Christ is our head. 2. That he is our only head.
Ver. 6-9. The consideration of the infinitely glorious excel- lencies of the nature of God, manifesting themselves in his works, doth greatly set out his condescension and grace in his regard and respect to mankind. 1. The respect, care, love, and grace of God unto mankind, expressed in the person and mediation of Jesus Christ, is a matter of singular and eternal admiration. 2. That such was the inconceivable love of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto the souls of men, that he was free and willing to condescend unto any condition for their good and salvation. 3. The blessed issue of the abasement of Jesus Christ, in his exaltation unto glory and honour, is an assured pledge of the final glory and blessedness of all that believe in him, whatever difficulties and dangers they may be exer- cised withal in the way. 4. Jesus Christ, as the mediator of the new covenant, hath absolute’and supreme authority given unto him over all the works of God in heaven and earth, 5. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Lord of the gospel state of the church, called under the old testament “The world to come.” 6. The Lord Jesus Christ in his death did undergo the penal sentence of the law, in the room and stead of them for whom he died.