Scriptures opened and sundry cases of conscience resolved, in plain and practical answers to several questions, upon the proverbs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, William Thomas ...

Qu. How comes it to he thus hid?

A. By the Lowness of Christ's Person and Condition.

1. By the unsightliness of Christ to a worldly Eye, as to his person, Isa. 52. 14. Which is applicable also to his Kingdom and concernments; for as his Person, Isa. 42. 2. so his Kingdom, is not of this World; Neither he, nor it, come with observation, Luk. 17. 20, 21. or any out∣ward pomp. Which appears in the de∣scription we have here of his coming into the world, 1, 2. for he did come and grow up before him; that is, before the Lord, (conceive it, according to his counsel and purpose in his sight, and with his sup∣port) as a Tender Plant. Look to God, and there was before him, Power enough; But look to men and the outward appea∣rance, and he grew up as a little weak plant and Rod, Isa. 11. 1. and as a Root out of a dry ground, that doth not thrive by the moisture of the ground; no more doth the Messiah and his Kingdom rise up

and flourish in an ordinary way, but by a dew frow the Lord, Mica. 5. 7. Which as it waiteth not for, so it is not exposed to, the eye of the ordinary sons of men; He came into the world when the Family of David was very low. So that this Pro∣phet, speaking of Christ's appearing doth not mention the Kingly state and royal Family of David, but saith, he shall come out of the Stem of Jesse, Isa. 11. 1. Act. 13. 22. Whose Family was (in compa∣rison) mean, whence it seems to be that when they had a mind to shake off the Government which God appointed should reside in his Family, they express themselves thus; neither have we inheritance in the Son of Jesse, 1 King. 12. 26. No marvel therefore if the world could see nothing that would take with them, in this (outwardly) hopeless Shrub, wherein the meanness was apparen•• and palpable, but the arm of heaven hid and undiscernible.

2. By the meanness of his Condition while he had his abode in the world.

1. This is here described; 1. Nega∣tively: He hath no form nor comliness; which is not to be understood of Christ's Fea∣ture and Complexion (which was no doubt, as other mens that are not defor∣med, he being not any way stained with

Sin, and, being it's like, of a more exact temper of body) but the uncomeliness is to be applied to his condition, and to his form and face also when spit on, buf∣fetted, Isa. 50. 6. He (and so his King∣dom) were both of them beautiless to a carnal eye. No marvel therefore if they that judged according to the appearance, Josh. 7. 24. were unwilling to own him, and if such be still averse from his King∣dom and ways, Psal. 2. 3. Matt. 13. 55, 56, 57. Luk. 19. 14. for only called men choose Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 22, 23, 24. O how many Learned men can see a beauty in Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and (perhaps) in great Augustine (not in his Sanctity, but in his Learning and Sufficiency.) And yet if a man preach in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit, he will be accounted by men that are graced with Learning, but not made wise by Grace, a passing poor Preacher, and his Sermon a dry Sermon.

2. This is described affirmatively: As Christ had but little (in outward shew) of that which was desirable. So he did in his Life, Course, and whole Admini∣stration of his Office, lie under that which was, to a carnal eye, horrible; For (vers. 3.) He was despised, despight∣ed,

and rejected of men, Joh. 9. 28. yea, of his own Citizens, Luk. 19. 14. and at last, a Barabbas was preferred before him; he was, a man of Sorrows, made up of them (as it were) and made (more than all o∣ther men) acquainted with grief, Heb. 4. 15. Mark. 3. 5. Matt. 26. 37. Luk. 22. 24. Heb. 5. 7, 8. We (Jews, that were his own, Joh. 1. 11.) hid our faces from him, (as from an horrid Sight, Joh. 19. 15.) Away with him, Away with him, we cannot abide the Sight of him, Mark. 14. 65. He was despised, and we esteemed him not, Matt. 27. 39. to 44. and v. 63. and Matt. 27. 20. to v. 24.

Indeed, he was made, and made him∣self of no Reputation, Phil. 2. 7. Accor∣dingly, his Ministers and chief Officers, as they were, at first poor Fishermen, so still they are Earthen Vessels, 2 Cor. 4. 7. (so called, not onely with respect to mans Common, but to their own personal con∣dition, which is commonly more contemp∣tible than that of other men,) yea, and the Subjects of Christ's Kingdom are such al∣so, men of no, or of low, note and name, 2 Cor. 3. 26, 27. No wonder therefore if the men of the world be loth to join themselves to so mean a Christ and a Church and Company of men of so

small account, Joh. 7. 48, 49.

Hitherto of the Reason of the Com∣plaint. See Psal. 28.

Now 2 of the Remedy; for the Pro∣phet here doth not only complain of, but excuse and take off the Scandal of the cross, and so shews how we may help our selves against all low thoughts arising from the low things of the Kingdom of Christ.

This is done by declaring the true cause, and the singular good issue and success of our Saviour's low, sad, and suffering Condition.

1, Cause. It was not for any fault in him, which if it had, he might have been the worse thought of, but it was not, v. 9. his Judge upon a full hearing of all that could be alledged against him (when he spake very little for himself) was his wit∣ness that there was no fault in him, Mat. 27. 24. Luk. 23. 4. 14. 22. Joh. 19. 38. If any ask therefore how it came to pass that Christ had such coarse and curs'd usage: the answer and sure truth is, He hath born our grief and carried our Sorrows, v. 4. What he endured we procured, we did eat the sower grapes and his teeth were set on edge: the sorrow was his, but the sin ours; yet this is granted, that

We (Jews) did esteem him Stricken, Smit∣ten of God, and (deservedly) afflicted (as Mat. 26. 65, 66. Joh. 10. 33. and 19. 17.) But v. 5. it was Jews mis-judging to think God was an Enemy to him for that which was evil in him; the thing true and certain is, that he was wounded Joh. 20. 25. 27. for our transgressions: bruised (indeed of the Lord v. 10.) but it was for our iniquities, Chastised, Mat. 27. 26. but for our peace, and that with his stripes we might be healed: We were the wandring Sheep, v. 6. and He, the suffering and Sa∣crificed Lamb: We went our way, He bare our woe, and like David 2 Sam. 24. 17. loves to have all laid upon himself, as all was laid in the old Law, on the inno∣cent Sacrifice, Levit. 1. 4. and 16. 21. And never was any Sheep or Lamb so quiet under Shearing and Slaughter as he was, who opened not his mouth, but, even to admiration, kept it shut, Mat. 27. 14.

2. And as he took his suffering pati∣ently, v. 7. So (if we look to the Issue) he was taken from it gloriously, v. 8. He was taken from prison, that is from all the Straits wherein his Soul was shut up, Mat. 26. 37, 38, and 27. 46. as also from the grave wherein his body was laid, Psal. 16. 10. Act. 2. 24. an Angel descen∣ding,

rolling away the Stone from the door of the Sepulchre, and attending him in his coming out of prison, and from Judg∣ment; that is, as from all those pressures that he was under by the Justice of God as he was our Surety, so from all that which he was adjudged unto by the Injustice of men, God making known his innocency in his resurrection that fully justified him, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Being thus rescued and risen, his Exaltation goes on, for who shall declare his generation, that is, the eternal duration of his person? Rev. 1. 18. Isa. 53. 13. and the encrease, continuance, and perpetuity of his Kingdom, Psal. 110. 2, 3. There's a depth in these things of Saviour-exaltation, and such a multiplication of marvelous things that we cannot attain the wonders that are in them, and if we should declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbred, Psal. 40. 5. Which Christs Suf∣ferings and low estate are fo far from ma∣king an objection against, that they are the very reason of this his Advancement; for, thus it was, and therefore, 1 Pet. 1. 11. Phil. 2. 8, 9. God thus highly exal∣ted him (in these and his following Emi∣nencies) because he was cut out (as a tree cut down of the land of the living, Joh. 19. 33. Mat. 27. 63. and from the inhabitants

of the world, Isa. 38. 11. not for any fault of his, Psal. 59. 3. 15. Joh. 25. but for the trans∣gressions of God's people, and v. 9. for this rea∣son also, that is, because we were wicked, and had procured to our selves that wa∣ges of Sin which is death. He, that is God, made his grave with the wicked; that is, God permitted and determined (Act. 4. 28.) that he should die and be prepared for the Grave by his being numbred amongst transgressours, v. 12. but withal, he took or∣der in and at his deaths (for his death con∣tained many deaths in it) that he should be honourably and remarkably buried in a new Sepulchre purposely provided by Jo∣seph of Arimathaea a rich man, Mat. 27. 57. that by that act of Providence (as we may say) he might be distinguished, and in some sort, exempted from the number of common Malefactors, as there was great reason why he should, because (to resume that mentioned in the latter end of v. 8.) He had done no violence, nor was any deceit found in his mouth, 1 Pet. 2. 22. yet v. 10. it pleased the (gracious) Lord (upon our account) to bruise him and put him to grief; but for glorious ends in respect both of him and us.

3. Success And so followeth the Success of our Saviour's humiliation and passion, and resurrection.

Ʋse 1. A numerous posterity; when thou shalt make his Soul, that is, himself (wherein his Soul had a great part, Mat. 26. 38. and travelled much, v. 11.) an of∣fering for Sin, he shall see his seed, Psal. 27. 30. Joh. 12. 32. 1 Pet. 1. 3. Act. 2. 41.

2. Perpetuity: He shall prolong his days, and live after death in his person and con∣served Church, Rom. 6. 9, 10.

3. Prosperity: the pleasure of the Lord, that is, the gathering of the Church out of all Nations (a work arising from Gods will and pleasure, and wherein he takes pleasure) shall prosper in his hand, by his hand or power in Heaven and from Hea∣ven, 1 Cor. 3. 5, 6, 7. & 14. 24, 25. Gal. 2. 8. Col. 1. 29. and in the hand of the Mini∣ster here on earth, 2 Cor. 4. 7. Act. 19. 20. Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13. Mark. 16. 20. Heb. 2. 4. Of this Prosperity there is set down,

1. The measure, v. 11. He shall see the travel of his Soul, that is, the fruit of the travel of his Soul, and of the pains of Death he sustained, (like the pains of a travelling Woman, especially if they he refer'd to his Soul-sence of the wrath of God) This fruit of what he hath born for man's Salvation, He shall see in so great measure (not only in his own glory in heaven, but in the glorious

fruit thereof in all the world Col. 1. 6.) that he shall be satisfied, and receive full content in it.

2. The means by which the Kingdom of Christ is so prosperous, and that is, by the word of the Gospel spread abroad in the world and received by Faith: By his knowledg, that is, by the Gospel-Mani∣festation of Jesus Christ, as the Lord our righteousness, Jer. 23. 6. shall my righteous, (1. Joh. 2. 1. a righteous-making, 2 Cor. 5. 21. Rom. 5. 19) Servant justifie many, that is, all that believe, Act. 13. 39. for he shall bear their iniquities, and in that way (the just suffering for the unjust, 1 Pet. 3. 18.) they shall be made just, Rom. 3. 25, 26. for justice must be satisfied by a propitiatory sacrifice before sinners can be justified, 2 Cor. 5. 21 None made Righteous but by Christ, made sin for them, Luk. 18. 13, 14. Joh. 33. 24. Behold then what Christ hath gained by his Suffering, when he sees thereby so many begotten to him; So many justified and saved by him, yea by him as a Servant; for Christ justifies not only as God but as man (that is, as Mediator in which regard he is a Servant and at command, Isa. 52. 13. John. 14. 31.) and by working perfect righteousness for us in our flesh: So that we are saved not

by works (Tit. 3. 5.) but by words, Act. 11. 14. and are justified, not by any thing we can do, but by what he hath done and suffered for us, laid hold on by Faith, Joh. 17. 20. as it is made known to us in the doctrin of the Gospel, 2 Pet. 1. 2, 3

Now besides this posterity, perpetuity and prosperity, there is accrewing unto Christ from his low estate, the highest Glory, v. 12. Therefore, that is, because he hath poured out his Soul unto Death, he was numbered with transgressors, Mark. 15. 28. bare the Sin of many, Mat. 26. 28. and made intercession for the transgressors, Luk. 23. 34. In a word, because he hath fully undergon and done all that was to be don and suffered by him according to the will of God, and that with much patience and a gracious intercession, for those that took away his life; Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, that is, I will highly exalt him, Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11, 12. Psal. 89. 27. John 3. 35. make him higher than the Kings of the earth, yea give all into his hands, John. 3. 35. and he (being perfectly Victorious over all enemies) shall, as Conquerors use to do, divide the spoil with the strong; as great and strong and the most Victorious Warriors use to do: if they divide, he shall

divide also with and above the best of them; see Ephes. 2. 21. Col. 2. 15. Now all this is for our benefit also. If Joseph have all in his hand, Jacob shall not want a portion; when he divides the spoil, we shall fare the better, for he re∣ceives to give us, Psal. 68. 18. yea, they that tarry by the Stuff, and are willing but not able to do as others do, shall have a part in the Son of Davids spoil, 1 Sam. 30. 24. If he live after the pouring forth of his Soul unto death, we shall live also, John. 14. 19. 2 Cor. 13. 4. and because he was numbred among transgressors, and no intercession of Pilate (or his Wife Mat. 27. 19.) could get him off, but die he must, therefore he ever lives to make intercession for us, which without a sacra∣fice and blood he could never have done, Heb. 7. 25. & 8. 9. 24, 25.

The Review of all this will shew ful∣ly how little a reason there is to be offend∣ed at the Cross of Christ, at any meanness, shame or sorow that befel him: And that, upon the Consideration of these particu∣lars; For

1. All of it was necessary in regard of the will and love of God. It pleased the Lord thus to bruise him, v. 10. and it was also Voluntary in regard of the love of

Christ, John 3. 16. Luk. 22. 15. John. 10. 15. 17, 18. and his will to do his Fathers will, Heb. 10. 7.

2. It was necessary in regard of us, for we could be saved no other way and delivered from our lost Condition, any more than there was cure to be had in the wilderness any other way but by the brasen serpent, John. 3. 14, 15. John. 11. 50. Act. 4. 12.

3. And therefore, all that was laid upon him, was not for any fault in him, but was for our faults, by reason of our sinful and damnable Condition, that he might suffer in our place and stead, and as our Surety, what we deserved, and thereby prevent our perishing.

4. This way of God was as effectual as necessary for mans restoring and re∣demption, Heb. 9. 12. & 10. 14.

5. Albeit he lay (upon this ground) under all this shame and suffering, yet the Lord put much honour upon him in his sufferings, as many other ways, Joh. 18. 6 Matt. 27. 17. 52, 53, 54. so by Pilate's commanding his body to be de∣livered to a decent and distinguishing and choice burial, Mat. 27. 58. But af∣terwards, in and by his resurrection he was much more glorious, there being

thereby an admirable increase, Ps. 110. 3. of his seed, and after it an everlasting a∣biding in life, both in his Person and in his members.

6. After he had endured the Cross, and despised the shame, Heb. 12. 2. and out∣grown it all by his resurrection, He tri∣umphantly ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth on the right hand of God, dividing his spoils, giving gifts to men, even to the rebellious also, communica∣ting all the rich priviledges of his passion, together with the benefits of his Kingly Power, exercising also his ever-abiding Intercession in the behalf of all true Be∣lievers. Now considering thus the cause of the low estate of the Messiah, and the honour and benefit that follows there∣upon to him, and flows therefrom to us, what reason can there be of rejecting; how great reason is there of receiving the Gospel-report? especially considering further, that if any reject the report up∣on pretence that God's way to save them is not good enough, they cannot possi∣bly escape everlasting damnation, Heb. 2. 3. John. 3. 28. 36.

Notes

• Heb out •••• the shut∣ting up after 36.