Three heavenly treatises, concerning Christ [brace] 1. His genealogie, 2. His baptisme, 3. His combat with Sathan : together vvith deuout meditations, for Christian consolation and instruction / by Mr. William Cowper ...

That the heauens were opened.

HItherto wee haue heard the first point of Christ his con∣secration to the office of the Me∣diator:* 1.1 Wherein wee haue seene how by receiuing the Sacrament of baptisme, he did willingly take our debt vpon him, and binde himselfe to make satisfaction to his fathers iustice for it. Now fol∣lowes the second, how the Father not onely accepts the Sonne, be∣comming debtor for vs: but also ordaines him to doe the worke of a Redeemer vnto vs, and to this same effect annoints him, and

publikely proclaimes and declares him in this great assembly at Ior∣daine, to be that only high Priest, and peace-maker, by whom at∣tonement is made betweene God, and Man. Let vs ioyne these grounds of comfort togither, and we shall see what a strong fortresse of faith, they make vp vnto vs. Since the Father hath giuen vs Christ for a Redeemer:* 1.2 Since the Sonne hath voluntarily aboliged himselfe, to doe the worke of our Redemption.* 1.3 Since the holie Ghost hath annointed him to this same effect: may wee not now say GOD is with vs, who can be against vs? Let Sathan calumni∣ate; let infidelitie, call in questi∣on: we see whom we haue belee∣ued. Our saluation is more sure, then that the powers of hell are able to disanull it.

But here wee haue to consider,* 1.4 how by three sundry strong testi∣monies, God the father witnesseth the willing acceptation of his Son, to this great office of the Messiah, which now is committed vnto him. First, by the opening of the heauens: Secondly, by the sending downe of the holy Ghost, in a visi∣ble shape vpon him: Thirdly, by an audible voice from heauen, proclaiming him to be that belo∣ued Sonne of God, in whom the Father is well pleased.

The first then is the opening of the heauens,* 1.5 by which visible signe is plainely declared, that Ie∣sus Christ is hee, by whom man hath accesse to the Throne of grace: the first Adam for his trans∣gression, was cast out of earthly paradice, but by the humble obe∣dience of the second Adam, the

heauens are opened vnto vs, & we are aduanced to an estate, as far ex¦ceeding Adams best estate in para∣dise, as the second Adam is more excellent then the first: what was figured by the Ladder of Iacob,* 1.6 is now performed by Iesus: for by him, things which are in heauen and in earth, are now gathered to∣gither into one: by him, Angels come down and doe seruice vnto men; by him, men goe vp to the Father, to worship him. Whereof God willing, we shal speake more at large hereafter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Followes how the Father not onely ac∣cepts his Sonne in our roome, but or∣daines him to doe the worke of a Redeemer vnto vs.
• * 1.2

  See what a strong bul∣warke of consolati∣on is here.
• * 1.3

  ☜
• * 1.4

  Three waies doth the father beare wit∣nesse to his Sonne.
• * 1.5

  First, by the ope∣ning of the hea∣uens.
• * 1.6

  Ephe. 1. 10.