The Division of the words. The Principall Heads of this Discourse set out, which are foure.
NOw for the DIVISION of the words, That will fall according to either the larger, or else the more speciall scope of the words. If we take them in that first and largest comprehensivenesse, as treating of both our reconciliation with God, and betweene our selves also, and how Christ our peace is both, so they admit of this division and Analysis:
1. That the generall theme and argument of the whole should be premised in these words, Christus Pax nostra, Christ is our peace; which is the inscription of a Proclama∣tion of him under one of his eminent Royall titles, Christ the great and perfect Peace maker. And then,
2. Proclaiming him such, in all the branches or particu∣lars thereof, that may argue him such.
1. As an Universall Peace-maker, as both, being a peace betweene all sorts of persons at variance, and also extending his mediation to the removing of all sorts of enmities. 1. Persons, as 1. Betweene us, ver. 19. that is, among our selves, abolishing 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉that enmity, ver. 15. 2. Be∣tweene God and us, slaying that enmity also, ver. 16. thus an Universall Peace-maker.
2. The establisher of a through and a perfect peace, both for time past, and time to come. 1. Who hath already made and concluded it, as in his owne person, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, he hathPage 12 made it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he hath dissolved and broke downe, and so not now to be done. And 2. the same secured for the future, even for ever; these enmities being abolisht, ver. 14, 15. that is, utterly abolisht, as never to get head; slain, ver. 16. ne∣ver to revive.
3. Our compleate peace as in respect to all parts, that con∣cur to it, and wayes of peace to accomplish it, and make it sure. 1. In respect of Parts. Both 1. Negative by remo∣ving and destroying even the very occasion of the enmity: The partition wall of ordinances, breaking that downe, and againe, ver. 16. slaying the enmity it selfe. 2. Positive, ex∣pressed in two words, Reconciling, ver. 16. making both one, ver. 14, 15.
Then 4. By all sorts of wayes accomplishing it, 1. repre∣senting us in his person, as in one body, ver. 16. personating all his people, and under that consideration reconciling them to God, and one another. 2. Meritoriously, taking on his person, (as representing their persons) all their enmities, [in his flesh] or the humane nature, sayes the 15. v. Hanging on the Crosse, ver. 16. and so offering that up as one common sacrifice to God for all; (He is said to reconcile all in one body by the Crosse, ver. 16.) 3. Efficiently by his spirit, creating both into one man, of all conjunctions the neerest, and that creation wrought in himselfe, of all foun∣dations of union the firmest: for they being both created one man, & united in and to himselfe, he is able and will be sure to hold them for ever together. And to put the more evident notice upon all he had said or should say of him in this respect, he intermingleth in the midst of his dis∣course, this Selah or note of observation, so making peace, (take notice of it sayes he) So or THUS, Universally, per∣fectly, compleately, & eternally. And this is one account of the words, and indeed of the whole and every part and particle thereof.
Page 13 But if we single forth that more speciall and principall ayme, afore mentioned, Christus Pax nostra, as in relation unto making peace among us, the elect of God: so in stead of any accurate division of them, I shall onely draw forth these four propositions, which will suck into themselves the strength of what these words have in them, as to this great point. Namely,
1. The story of the greatnesse of that enmity, (the greatest that ever was,) betweene Jew and Gentile afore Christs comming, and a while after, by reason of those Jewish rites and ordinances of the Ceremoniall Law, which the Apostle by a Metonymie termeth therefore the enmity.
2. The story of Christs transactions on the Crosse, by which he virtually slew and abolisht this enmity, and meri∣toriously made them both one, and reconciled both in one body.
3. The story of their actuall accord, and becomming one as the records of the Acts of the Apostles, and they in their Epistles have presented it unto our view: and the principles by which, and the providences whereby, that partition wall was broke downe, and the enmity allayed; chiefly by crea∣ting both one New man in himselfe.
4. That the instance of all this was intended by God as a PRE∣CEDENT, and leading cause under the New Testament, to assure us, that whatsoever should fall out in after ages, of diffe∣rence among the Saints, yet still however they both might and should in the issue be reconciled, and their differences in a like manner allayed and compounded; as also to shew the wayes and principles whereby to effect it.
