in the first propounding of it but in sundry accidents, which nothing hinder their substantiall unity, they are distinguished.
First on the part of the Object, 1 Joh. 1.1,2.
& 4.14.
Mal. 3.1.
Isai. 59.15.Christ exhibited in the New Covenant, is promised as to come in the Covenant of promise. For it was meete the promise should goe before the Gospell, and be fulfilled in the Gospell, that so great a good might earnestly be desired before it was bestowed, and that the expectation of them that waited for the consolation of Israel might not be frustrated.
Secondly, In the manner of administration and measure of faith. For the knowledge of Christ, and faith in him to come, was more obscure and darke, then the knowledge of him already come, and faith which doth behold him present. The manner of Christs Mediation was more sparingly and obscurely revealed: his person, the manner of execution of the office of Mediatour, and the benefits that we receive in him, more darkly unfolded, sometimes propounded in generall words, sometimes shadowed in types and figures, seldome more specially described. And the reason why these things at first were more darkely delivered, may be: first, because things present or past are Heb. 11.17seene more clearely then things to come: prophesies be obscure before the accomplishment. 2. The Church was then in her Infancy and rude, not come to her ripe age, the Lord in his infinite wisdome so disposing the matter. 3. It was meete the cleare and full revelation of this mystery should be reserved to Christ the chiefe Prophet. The Authour of life was to lay open and make manifest the way to life: Till the way into Heaven was really entred by the true high Priest, after the order of Melchisedech, it was not fully manifested: Heb. 9. 8. Under the Old Testament the way into the Holiest was not absolutely shut, but vailed, not altogether untraced, but not fully laid open: because our true and reall high Priest had not made satisfaction by the offering up of himselfe a sacrifice once for all, nor consecrated that new and living way through the vaile, that is to say, his flesh. 4. The minds of men were to be held in a longing desire and expectation of Christ: and the obscure revelation of Christ and his benefits did serve to raise their hearts to an earnest desire of his comming, in respect of the cleare revelation and great and glorious blessings they might then expect. But in this obscurity we may observe some degrees: Before the Law given by Moses the promise was more obscure: the Law being given,even
