486 SUMMARY OF DOCTRINAL AND [cHAP. VII. 1.
rity of the church doth depend, as to the trials and storms which it undergoes in the world. 29. What will he not do for us, who, in the height of his glory, is not ashamed to be esteemed our fore- runner? 30. When our hope and trust enter within the veil, it is Christ as our forerunner that in a peculiar manner they are to fix and fasten themselves upon.
Cuap. VII. Ver. 1-3.—1. When truths in themselves mysterious, and of great importance unto the church, are asserted or declared, it is very necessary that clear evidence and demonstration be given unto them, that the minds of men be left neither in the dark about their meaning, nor in suspense about their truth. 2. God can raise the great- est light in the midst of the greatest darkness, as Matt.iv.16. 3. He can raise up instruments for his service and unto his glory, when, where, and how he pleaseth. 4, The signal prefiguration of Christ in the nations of the world, at the same time when Abraham re- ceived the promises for himself and his posterity, gave a pledge and assurance of the certain future call of the Gentiles. 5. The Lord Christ, as king of the church, is plentifully stored with all spiritual provisions, for the relief, support, and refreshment of all believers in and under their duties, and will give it out unto them as their occa- sions do require. 6. Those who go to Christ merely on the account of his priestly office and the benefits thereof, shall also receive the blessings of his kingly power, in abundant supplies of merey and grace. 7. God in his sovereign pleasure gives various intervals unto places, as to the enjoyment of his worship and ordinances. 8. Acts of munificence and bounty are memorable and praiseworthy, though they no way belong unto things sacred by virtue of divine institution. 9 It is acceptable with God, that those who have la- boured in any work or service of his should receive refreshments and encouragements from men. 10. Every one is that in the church, and nothing else, which God is pleased to make him so to be. 11. Where God calleth any one unto a singular honour and office in his church, it is in him a mere act of his sovereign grace. 12. A divine call is a sufficient warrant for the acting of them according unto it who are so called, and for the obedience of others unto them in their work or office. 13. The first personal instituted type of Christ was a priest. 14, To keep up and preserve a due reverence of God in our minds and words, we should think of and use those holy titles which are given to him and whereby he is described in the Scripture. 15. It is good at all times to fix our faith on that in God which is meet to encourage our obedience and dependence upon him in our
“present circumstances. 16. It is a matter of inestimable satisfaction that he whom we serve is the most high God, the sovereign pos- sessor of heaven and earth. 17. Public profession in all ages is te
CHAP. VII. 5.] PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 437
be suited and pointed against the opposition that is made unto the truth, or apostasy from it. 18. All the commotions and concus- sions that are among the nations of the world do lie in, or shall be brought into, a subserviency unto the interest of Christ and his chureh. 19: Whatever be the interest, duty, and office of any to act in the name of others toward God, in any sacred administrations, the same proportionably is’ their interest, power, and duty to act towards them in the name of God in the blessing of them. 20. He who hath received the greatest mercies and privileges in this world may yet need their ministerial confirmation. 21. In the blessing of Abraham by Melchisedee, all believers are virtually blessed by Jesus Christ. 22. It is God’s institution that makes all our administra- tions effectual. 23. Whatsoever we receive signally from God in a way of mercy, we ought to return a portion of it unto him in a way of duty. 24, The church never did in any age, nor ever shall, want that instruction by divine revelation which is needful to its edifica- tion in faith and obedience. 25. It is a great honour to serve in the church, by doing or suffering, for the use and service of future generations. 26. The Scripture is so absolutely the rule, measure, and boundary of our faith and knowledge in spiritual things, as that what it conceals is instructive, as well as what it expresseth. 27. When any were of old designed to be types of Christ, there was a necessity that things more excellent and glorious should be spoken of them than did properly belong unto them. 28., All that might be spoken, so-as to have any probable application in any sense unto things and persons typically, coming short of what was to be ful- filled in Christ, the Holy Ghost in his infinite wisdom supplied that ‘defect, by ordering the account which he gives of them so as more might be apprehended and learned from them than could be ex- pressed. 29. That Christ abiding a priest for ever, hath no more a vicar, or successor, or substitute in his office, or any deriving a real priesthood from him, than had Melchisedec. 30. The whole mystery of divine wisdom, expressing all inconceivable perfections, centred in the person of Christ, to make him a meet, glorious, and most excellent priest unto God in the behalf of the church.