EMMANVEL , OR THE LOVE of CHRIST Explicated and Applied in his INCARNATION , Being made under the LAW , AND HIS SATISFACTION . IN XXX Sermons .

Preached by JOHN ROW , Minister of God's Word : AND Published by SAMUEL LEE .

LONDON , Printed for Francis Tyton Book-seller at the Three Daggers near the Inner Temple-Gate in Fleetstreet . 1680.

THIS Treatise here presented to thine eyes first sounded in the ears of a gracious Society by that Gospel-Trumpet , Mr. John Row . It was a Darling-child brought forth from a judicious head and a sanctified heart . The Ancients compared John to the Eagle in the Vision of Cherubims , because soaring high in the contemplation of our Lords Divinity . Our John , as if he had lain in the bosom of that John , who lay in the bosom of our Saviour , hath sweetly attempted to descant upon the Song of Angels about the Vnion of Heaven and Earth , God and man together . Luk. 2.10 . The heavenly Host answered in a heavenly Anthem to that single Angel , who brought the good Tydings of great joy for all people to the Shepherds of Bethlehem , and behold here one of the Shepherds of Zion sings his Epiphonema to theirs , Glory to God in the highest . Indeed the union of two Natures in one Person , and of three Persons in one Essence are Mysteries unaccountable by Angels : but the joy of its influence shall never forsake the Harps of Angels or Saints to all Eternity . None but who is assumed into that glorious Vnion can exhaust the Treasury of Divine Wisdom . Rev. 5.5 . John the beloved Disciple could not unloose the seven Seals of these Mysteries , but must weep at the foot of the Lamb to do it . Yet what is to be believed , admired , adored , may and ought to be the subject of our most profound Meditations and delight . What God hath revealed let none presume to count impertinent to dive into , though they can feel no bottom : they will find more amiable Gemms than Pearl and Coral adhering to the sides of the adamantine Rocks in this unfathomable Abyss . True , none can fully explain this Vnion but he that injoys it . To delineate some glittering rays that stream from it , requires deep communion with the person in union . We are not able to conjecture what pleasures flow in upon the palates of Angels , as they stand drinking of the beams of the Divine Essence , neither can they transfuse or pour out those Paradise-rivers into our broken cisterns . How far this holy man hath added to the point , I rather leave to the Candidates of these Mysteries , than determine . Each may see deeper into their own Notions than others , and it is far easier to conceive than express ; and yet there is infinitely more left for all Ages in the remainder of the Spirit , than ever was uttered , or can be thought of . Yet I think , with respect had to others , he hath rendred some things more intelligible , and many things more applicable and useful to common capacities .

The Cherubims that stood looking down upon the crowned Mercy-seat might 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Exod. 25.11 . 1 Pet. 1.12 . but could not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they might gaze upon it , but not through it . It was not transparent Gold like the streets of Jerusalem ; Rev. 21.21 . but too thick a plate of Ophir for an Angels eye to pierce . They may pry into the state of Saints in Glory , but not the contrivance of Grace to bring Saints thither . Much less can man , and man fallen , receive or sustain wings strong enough to fly into the depth of this amazing Firmament . What God bath made on the back-side of the exteriour Heavens hath a terminating bound , because a Creature : though it pose Astronomy it self to measure and square the Circle of the Heavens : so what God hath written is infinitely true , though our finite and crooked thoughts can never unfold or draw a parallel what Scripture reveals ; though it do not fully unveil , it is our duty both to study and embrace . Divine love , say the Platonists , made the Vniverse , and therefore more capacious ; and were it not more comprehensive than all created love , it would never take a Saint . He finds a bottom in all created joy , and not like the Sea , the fresher at the bottom , but sometimes more salt and bitter : but uncreated love hath no shoars nor centre , but the bosom of God and the depth is upward , still higher and sweeter . These things are reserved for such as pass Kidron and Olivet : let us a while step into the Sanctuary , and study to grow in the Mystery of the Father and of Christ , and pray that the Spirit would reveal in us what the Son hath revealed to us from the Father , Joh. 1 . 1● and then draw spiritual and sweet consequences from above .

Did the Son of God come down from Heaven to earth , was it not to take the sons of men from earth to Heaven ? Did not the second Person partake of the humane Nature , that we might partake of the Divine ? He took not the persons of Enoch , or Abraham , or Paul , that they only might be happy ; but the nature of the first Adam , that all who by faith are united to the second Adam in Grace , may triumph in Glory . Did not he lye in Davids Inn at Bethlehem , that we might lye in the Son of Davids mansions that are above in that Zion of Zions ? Was not he made of a woman in Canaan to restore us to a better Paradise than what was lost by the woman of Eden ? Was not he made under the Law , that we might be new born under Grace ? Was not he exalted on the Cross ; this Josephs Son , to speak with reverence , to erect a more firm and sublime Ladder into Heaven , than Jacob's ? That Patriarch saw only a Vision of Angels by star-light ; but we by this Ladder ascend up to the Angels themselves , that are singing in the Noon of Glory . Was not his most precious Blood poured out as a Ransom for many to the remission of sins , that ours might not be poured out like oyl to feed the perpetual Lamps in the flames of Hell ? Did not the Father make his love honourable ( as the Prophet speaks ) by his Son 's more honourable obedience , and justifie his Justice by his Son's Righteousness , and quench his anger in the Ocean of his Son's love ? Thus doth our blessed Author from the Son's Deity proceed to the great Doctrine of his most meritorious Sufferings and full Satisfaction for the sins of all the Elect. The Father by his Eternal love made way for his Temporal anger to his beloved Son , that he might redeem his adopted sons from eternal wrath , and made a way through the heart of his Son for them to pass into eternal love . This point he no less sweetly than substantially clears against the Socinians venom , who aim by darkning the Deity of Christ to extinguish the glory and honour of his Satisfaction . Act. 20.28 . For if it had not been the Blood of God , it could never have purchased the Church . But it is that glorious Person , Heb. 1.3 . who having by himself purged our sins , sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high . Rev. 1.5 . He who is Alpha and Omega , who is before Abraham was , the first and the last , who is , was , and is to come , hath loved us , and washed us from our sins in his own Blood , and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God , even his Father : to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever .

I shall not proceed by Arguments to evince this great Scripture-truth , which hath been so oppugned both by ancient and modern Hereticks , and so nobly vindicated by Primitive Councils and Fathers , and by nervous and learned Pens of latter days . Polyaenus in his Roman Stratagems is but a wrigling slow-worm to this old Serpent in his direful Arts , who like a Revelation-Scorpion carries death both in head and tail : to bite with the teeth of fiery lyes , and with his persecuting tail to slash the third part of the Stars out of the Heaven of the Church . This Hydra hath not only hissed , but mortally stung many a Soul in the Polonian , Hungarian , Transylvanian , and Belgick Churches : and I could hearily wish had never swum after Pelagius through the British Seas with whole folio's tyed about its neck , to lay its poisonous eggs in our Seminaries . The Lord speedily crush them in pieces , that they may never hatch into fiery flying Serpents , to provoke the Lord to vengeance . What Country in Europe hath sweltred under more tearing scourges , bitter State-confusions and convulsions , and dreadful shakings than Poland ? where it had first principal vent and patronage . And how far the Belgian Lion hath had his nails pared , and his teeth knockt out by that hammer of Gods wrath in Europe since the publication of those blasphemous Treatises , I wish both they and we did seriously lay to heart .

Blessed be God for the many Champions sent out of Israels Camp against Goliah of Gath in the Reformed Churches abroad and at home . It may prove some mitigation of Divine displeasure , and a prolonging of our tranquillity ; and I heartily pray , that godly Magistrates would stir up their strength against it , and put to their seal and sanction . I am glad to find th●● holy man bending his searches into this subject , I hope to the preservative convinction of many , and the establishment of others in that grand point of Christs Satisfaction . The Lord of the everlasting Covenant I pray to sprinkle both this Book and all the People with the precious Blood of the Cross : Heb. 9.12 . By which he is entred into the holy place , having obtained eternal redemption for us . Vers. 26. Who as he did appear to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself : so unto them that look for him , he will appear the second time without sin unto salvation . Lev. 16.4 . Like as the High-Priest of old , being cloathed only in linen , went into the holy of Holies with the expiation-blood in a golden Bason ; but came out in all his gorgeous attire to bless the people : Vers. 23. so did the glorious High-Priest of our profession enter into the Heavens , not in so conspicuous a manner , being seen but of few , when he ascended from Mount Olivet ; but when he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified by the presentment of his Blood , and Intercession to the Father , will come again in all his Royalty , and receive us to the mansions purchased and prepared for them , Zech. 6.13 . and will sit down as King and Priest upon his Throne for ever .

But not to prevent your progress from the threshold into the lovely Building of this Treatise , composed by a Person of great worth and approbation in the Churches of Christ , pray give me leave in the Porch to point at some material things respecting this holy Author . I confess , I am not so furnisht with sufficient and copious matter , as to digest a full description of his life , but what I had from his gracious Son Mr. Thomas Row , I shall succinctly contract , and add somewhat of my own Observation , and then recommend you to God and the Word of his Grace .

Let me cast all under these four Heads , his Personage , Qualifications , Studies , and Sayings .

His stature inclined to tallness , his visage affable and somewhat smiling : his gestures grave and decent : his behaviour meek and courteous ; and what is very observable and much to be imitated , 1 Thess. 4.11 . he medled with his own business , not interposing , much less imposing on other Churches , being averse to ostentation and publick appearance : of a quiet spirit , and replenisht with the desires of Heaven : as 't is observed by Naturalists , that the dew never falls in a stormy or cloudy night .

As to his Studies , letting pass the usual Cursus in the Arts and Sciences , which he followed in the injoyment of the Methods of both Vniversities : his skill in the copious and elegant Greek with its curious Criticisms deserves a remarkable accent . Among the various Sects of ancient Philosophers , he was most addicted to Plato and the shades of the Academick walks . From the Grecian Schools he stept into the Roman Cloisters to hear what they had to say , before the Reformation sprang . The Civilians having found the Justinian Laws as I remember at Pisa , and considered the Theodosian Codex , began to digest them into some Method . The Divines took example , and collected a Body of Sentences . Among whose numerous Gladiators , he most fancied the fencings of Aquinas , Bradwardin , Suarez , and Alvarez , being pleased with their reason , but not their subtilties , their substantial Arguments , but not their Quiddities , finding some little Pearls in great Dunghils , was wont to say , They had great heads , but little hearts . And indeed when the original Fountains of Scripture were stopt up by the Philistins , and little but rage and fury filled most places with the blood of the slain Professors of the Truth , who could expect but the Owl ( which once ) should often fly in the Lateran ?

Wherefore from the Papal Schools he went beyond Sea , and stood under the Fathers Pulpits , and delighted in hearing the African Wits , Athanasius , Cyril , and Austin . Athanasius he highly honoured for his notable Writings against the Arians , and his strenuous Vindication of the Deity of Christ , and the Doctrine of the three Persons by the holy Scriptures : and was wont to say , That he wrote so like an Apostle , that he was even ravished with him . Cyril he also greatly esteemed for his Ephesine conflicts on the same account . Austin of the Latin Communion , he passed from Alexandria to Hippo , on purpose to see and discourse with him because of his shining holiness , and especially his irresistible Defence of irresistible Grace . And indeed I may add , there 's no hearty Enemy of free Grace but such as want it , and those that feel its power in the heart , are its greatest Lovers . His Book of the Trinity , though he judged somewhat obscure , yet not without some light . He had a value also for Basil and the two Grecian Gregories , and indeed in whom he found aliquid Christi , something to the honour of Christ , he would crown them with praises . For Christ was the chief scope of his meditations and studies , as it is of all faithful Ministers to turn Souls to him , and enamour them with him , delighting to dig in that Rock of Zion more than in a Rock of Diamonds .

These illustrious Truths about the Trinity and the Incarnation of our Lord he stiled Stars of the first magnitude , and indeed it may be justly added , they are the Sun of the Gospel heavens , wherein he said , he could meditate night and day : and sometimes thought he was carried out too long ; insomuch that being in his Country-recess , and upon the wing , as bath been observed , his nobler spirits towred up so high , as to leave his animal spirits bird-limed in a maze below , and having found sweeter food above the Firmament , did soon forget the refreshment of his deserted body , drawing nigh the flight of some of the Ancients , of whom 't is storied , they forsook the earth , and found their Souls embalmed in the bosom of eternal Love . The sweetness of these dainties nourished his conceptions , that Aristotle hit right when he placed happiness in the contemplation of Truth . Nevertheless he became through Grace the more humble , verifying the excellency of sanctified knowledge , that it grows most luxuriant in the sat vallies of humility . It was said of one , That he sailed so long upon the Ocean of Knowledge , that at last he was tossed into the Haven of Ignorance ; and when arrived to the knowledge of more than most of Mortals , determined to grave upon Minerva's Pillars , Ne plus ultrà , or , Nihil scitur : or to use Scripture-phrase , That there is no finding out the Almighty to perfection in any of his ways or works . But our Contemplator , though he found new Regions of Light and Science above the Heavens , was humbled by searches , and exalted by humility , and did much condemn such as dared to determine any thing of God without book ; not only when against , but besides the sacred Oracles . When any did irrationally and irreverently apply the term of Extension to an infinite Being , or were so bold as to state peremptory Conclusions about the Decrees and Prescience of God , undertaking to unlade the deep waters above the Heavens with their Brain-sick pan , he used that of Bradwardin [ Si non possis minimum , quomodo maximum . ] If no Anatomist can unwinde the texture of the Brain of an Ant , or discover the wisdom of that minute Insect , how much less can any wade into , or feel the bottom of those holy , precious , unfathomable depths of the Eternal God , whom the Heaven of heavens cannot contain ? Or as that annexed at the bottom of Bernard [ Quomodo te si non meipsum . ] The World is not yet come to an issue about the humane Soul , and why will they burn their wings at the rays of the inaccessible Light ? He then put his experimental seal to that of the holy Burgundian Abbot [ Scrutator Majestatis opprimetur à gloria . ] He who charges the Seraphims of folly in comparison with his infinite Wisdom , might upon their crying , Holy , Holy , Holy , cause his Sinai-voice to sound with imputations of grand Vnholiness and Vncircumcision to their lips and hearts .

This holy man found the eye of his Soul more dazled by prying into these radiant Mysteries , than that of his body by gazing on the fiery Lamp of the material Heavens ; affirming , that nothing did so effectually humble him , no not his sharpest afflictions , nor the bitterest cups make him so stagger into the dust , as some glittering reflections of the Divine Majesty upon his Soul : and cry out with Agur , I am more brutish than any ; or with that other Saint , I am like a Behemoth , a great beast before thee . But for points revealed in Scripture , he took more peculiar pains , and suckt more satisfying delight from the breasts of the Incarnation . He endeavoured to open that Mystery of Godliness [ God manifest in the flesh ] in so plain and familiar a way , as the truth might bear , that weak capacities might gather strength , and those of greater light might find greater afflux of spiritual oyl to their Lamps from this Olive-tree in the Courts of God . And I hope the Lord will raise up some other that hath walked from the Passiongarden in Gethsemane along with our Thorn-crowned Lord through the dolorous way to the Passion-mount of Golgotha , and have found the Sympathy , Nails , and Spear in their own hearts , that will lament his sorrows with so bitter a cry , as to pierce the souls of many to entertain a bleeding Saviour within the chambers of their hearts . It was his saying whose Treatise follows , He knew no other bottom whereon to lay the stress of his Salvation , than the Son of God incarnate : most certainly true of all , who spend their joys on his Incarnation , and breathe out their believing sighs upon his Passion . So that this having been his great study , he said a little before his departure : That though most were apt to look upon these as speculative Subjects , yet he esteemed them as the most practical , and the very heart and kernel of our Salvation involved in them .

In the delivery of these and other great Doctrines of the Gospel , that he gave in Precept to his Son , he gave in President to others in imitation of Christ , who taught his Disciples as they were able to bear both as to gradual matter , and as to a pleasant form in apt similitudes in his occasional walkings , and constant heavenly teachings . Thus our Author esteemed that character of an Orator to be no less useful than ancient [ To teach , perswade , and delight ] to teach by cogent Arguments , to perswade by insinuating Motives , and to delight with elegant Metaphors . As the Lord himself speaks , Eccles. 12.10 . I have used similitudes by my Servants the Prophets ; and that the wise Preacher sought to find out acceptable words as well as words of truth , such as might be like Apples of gold in Pictures of silver , as well as goads and nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies : such as may not so much please the ears as prick the heart , as Jerom glosses , Non placentia , sed pungentia ; adding further , Lachrymae auditorum , &c. The tears of Auditors are the Pearls of Preachers . Such did our grave Author use , not jingling Bells , but deep Peals of repentance ; not bald and slovenly , but apt and significant terms , that the Lamb might wade , and the Elephant swim in the fluency of his expressions .

When near the time of taking his flight to Glory , having been versed in the Divine Methods of the Holy Spirit in the communications of Grace , and the sensible instillations of it into the souls of men , he treated of the Deity of the Spirit , his procession from the Father and the Son , and his powerful operations on the heart , and being ravished with the effusions of the Spirit here , went up to injoy his more plentiful infusions in the celestial Mansions . Being nearer his time of recess into the Country of Canaan above , he dived into the meditation of that Text of Paul [ The time is short ] having prepared some heavenly Notions about the shortness of time , and the uncertainty of life , concluded thus : We should not desire to continue longer in this world , than to glorifie God , and finish our given work , and be ready to say , Farewel Time , welcome blest Eternity : even so come Lord Jesus , come quickly .

Thus this Evening-Star set in an Ocean of Joy , to arise a Morning-Star in the Eastern Ocean of Glory . But before his disappearance , the frame of his Spirit being much agitated with sollicitude about the Church of God , and particularly in this Land and Nation , uttered a Swan-like Song , testifying somewhat of a prophetick Spirit [ If God begin to deliver his Church in an October , remember me ] which how far began to be fulfilled in October 1678. the Saints surviving may give in evidence , and I humbly pray it may never end , though it may mix with some overshadowings , till we see Zions full deliverance past .

Thus much of that holy Soul , I shall now conclude with a Direction and a Prayer . A Direction as to the Faith and Holiness of former Saints and Ambassadours of Christ , and as to such as survive .

To such as are gone up to Injoyment , I might apply what 's said of Astraea , that when ascending to Heaven , left a train of light all the way , like the Via lactea , to illuminate the Followers of Justice in the same illustrious path to Happiness . Lee's hear the Apostle : Remember them which have the rule over you , Heb. 13.7 . who have spoken to you the word of God , whose faith follow , considering the end of their conversation , Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever . As to infirmities ( for who is without them ) imitate the Spirit of God in the New Testament , who never relates or remembers the infirmities of Saints in the Old . They are at rest in the bosom of Christ , let them be at rest in your bosom as in a bed of Spices . As 't is said of Josiah , his name was like precious Oyntment composed by the Art of the Apothecary .

For such as survive , learn of the same Apostle , To obey them that have the rule over you , Heb. 13.17 . and submit your selves ; for they watch for your souls , as they that must give account , that they may do it with joy , and not with grief , for that 's unprofitable for you . We beseech you , brethren , 1 Thess. 5.12 . to know them which labour among you , and are over you in the Lord , and admonish you , and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake , and be at peace among your selves .

Forget not , that when Moses and Aaron were gone to Heaven from two distinct Mountains , God set apart Joshua and Eleazar in two distinct Vallies to lead their surviving children into the Land of Promise : and withal told Joshua , Josh. 1.5 . There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life : as I was with Moses , I will be with thee ; I will not fail thee , nor forsake thee . Nay what 's doubly remarkable : Moses could only lead them through the Wilderness , but Joshua must bring them into Canaan . The Law can only school us to Christ , Heb. 4. but 't is our heavenly Jesus or Joshua that can safely bring us to the Eternal rest : and besides its observable , we read of no murmurings under Joshua , as formerly under Moses . Thus God provides for his Church . When Elijah was rid into Heaven , Elisha must follow in the power and spirit of Elias . When one stream is slid and shed into the Ocean , another circulates from the same Ocean through the bowels of the earth into the springs under the mountains , and refreshes the scorched Plains . When one Star sets , another rises to guide the wandring traveller , and at length the bright Morning-lamp glitters in the East , and then the glorious Sun of Righteousness . While the Church sits fainting under a Juniper-tree in the Wilderness , there shall fly Prophets to feed her till the blessed resurrection of the Witnesses . It 's our high duty to study present work , and prize present help , and greatly rejoyce when the Lord sends forth ( as once ) both Boanerges and Barnabas together . Pray for the mantle , girdle , and blessing of Elijah , for the love of John , and the zeal of Paul , to twine hands together to draw Souls to Heaven : till the Beloved comes like a Roe or a young Hart upon the mountains of spices : till the shadows flee away : till the day dawn , and the Day-star arise in your hearts .

My prayer shall end with the same Apostle : Heb. 13.20 . Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus , that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant , make you perfect in every good work to do his will , working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ , to whom be glory for ever and ever . Amen .