be in it self eternal nor could ever produce it self since thus it must both exist and not exist at the same time which is the greatest contradiction II. That if there be such a thing now as time there can be no judging of dayes yeares and ages to be infinite or how one thing in a continued order should thus goe before another without coming to some first beginning III. If there be a gradual advance of human learning on the earth and a further discovery of arts and sciences and that the greatest experiments and inventions there have been but of a late rise and date then can there not possibly be an eternal succession of mankind with a continued progresse and experiency this way nor that but of late one part of the world is known and discovered to another IV. That so short an history as we have in the most ancient records of time were wholly inconsistent with such an eternal duration or that infinite ages preceeding should leave no rememberance to posterity when so small a measure of time as a few thousand years have left so much V. Nor could men beget other eternally without going back to some first man who could not beget himself VI. That if eternity be preferable to time then should not the excellentest being in the earth man be thus corruptible and only this inanimate masse of the earth eternal VII That infinite ages past though they should have but multiplyed the race of man in an age to two or three more should have come at last that the whole precinct of the earth could not possibly bear the product of such an infinite increase and no wears or extraordinary judgments were ever yet known to be such as to restrain such an unavoidable grouth QU. III. What infaillible evidence to reason is there of a supream Providence both in the conservation and government of the world for confirming your faith of the Scripture herein ANS I. That it is so clear the support of this great frame of the Universe with that continued regular coure of nature herein are as simply impossible without an infinite divine power as its first being and creation II. That such an extent of providence as respects so innumberable objects with such a contrariety both of qualities and passions in the same must needs be from an infinite and intelligent cause III. That all things to this day continue in that established order of second causes wherein God hath placed them by a law so visibly imprinted on the nature of things without reason that they doe as exactly answer the same in their proper course and station as if they had a rational knowledge of their duty IV. That universal respect the sun in the firmament hath to things here below though at so great a distance yet doth neither cease nor weary to emit its beams and hid influences to the meanest creatures may let us clearly see how it hath the same visible use and end to confirme an incomprehensible and infinite providence about the meanest things as wel as the greatest V. That immediate precedency of the soul in that lesser world of man bears the same evidence therwith which though we never saw with our eyes yet doth undenyably actuate the whole body in its functions as the proper spring of every act and motion there VI. It is thus further confirmed by these continued vicissitudes of Summer and Winter and of day and night that man might have both light for his labour and darknesse as a covering for his rest VII By such visible discoveries of divine judgment and execution of his laws on men here as all may see his hand therin who yet will not hear his voice in the word VIII By these extraordinare and wonderfull works of providence which have been in all ages IX By so evident a restrainct both over Devils and wicked men without which they would quickly disturbe the whole frame of this earth and make it uninhabitable for human society if their being thus bounded and chained were not as visible as the certainty of their being X. By such a natural obligation to moral duties with the sense of a difference betwixt good and evil as is founded in the very rational nature of man that none can possibly root out even where the Scripture is not known XI By that natural confidence also in God and in a recourse to him on any present extreme hazard to witnesse not only the most high beares rule in the kingdomes of men but that the sense and evidence hereof is unavoidable QU. IV. But doth this great administration of providence about human affaires as uncheangably appear in a differencing betwixt the righteous and the wicked by some recompence to the one and punishment to the other as in the established course of nature ANS It is sure such as desire a confirming of their faith herein wants it not with the furthest evidence but may ever see that exact conformity in the whole dispensation of providence to the rectitude and perfection of the divine nature and how a firm beliefe that God is and that he is a revarder of them that diligently seek him is one and the same faith when we cannot but see I. That natural sense of good and evil and essentiall difference betwixt the same which is so fimly founded in the reason of all mankind as no human laws or custome could ever take this off their conscience or make an indifference her in without extinguishing the very nature of man to shew that eternal and uncheangable difference which the holy nature of God hath put betwixt them II. That we see such constraint served on the worst of men to an awful sense and regard of truth and weal doing and to acknowledge the lovelenesse and excellency hereof as does make them seek their own repute by a false shew and counterfite of the same and gives such a being and rise to that dreadful imposture of hypocrisy III. That its the truths priviledge ever to outlive falshood and prevail over the same yea to have the greater triumph after its sorest conflicts and how this is of as foundamental a constitution in the course of providence as the most firm establishment of nature IV. That in no time since man was formed in the earth doth true joy and serenity of mind cease to be the native result of weal-doing or the fruit of righteousnesse to be peace and assurence of mind nor hath ever wanted a witnesse even before the world of the Lords taking pleasure herein V. That its so evident in the most dismal times what a publick blessing such are who by more extraordinare tryals have been put to the highest exercise of their grace and patience yea how visibly such have been promot to the most honourable service for God and to advance the credite of religion before men who on the first sight and view have been accounted the most miserable of any VI. Whilst on the other hand
and judgment to the same III. To admit no gratification to the most predominant desires and inclinations of men upon any darling sin which according to human wisdome would be judged of an absolute necessity for gaining any acceptance with such yea to give no partial respect to the greatest Princes more then to the meanest IV. To pursue its interest by so plain a discovery of the death and sufferings of our blessed Lord with the whole ignominy thereof when nothing could more evidently control such an end by any rules of human wisdome and policy if there had been a possible accesse to consult flesh and blood herein V. And its sure there could be no designe without an immediate divine power in such a manner to plead the interest of Christianity with men by inserting affliction and the crosse in the first entry as essential to the profession thereof and holding forth the necessity of taking on the yoke of Christ without which none can be his Disciples QU. IV. But wherein doth the evidence of that great demonstration of the Gospel most clearly appear in the love and unity of Christians amonghst themselves which we find Christ doth so specially presse for this end that the world might know and have such a visible seal of his divine mission Joh. 17 21. ANSW The greatnesse of this demonstration may be thus evident to all I. That its so clearly demonstrative of the purity of our Religion which can admitt of no bitternesse strife recrimination or such indecencies of heat and passion which are these fatal effects of discord in the Church and thus lets us see the excellency of the spirit and rule of the Gospel II. That thus also we may know the power and efficacy of the truth thereof which is according to godlinesse upon mens heart in subduing these distempers of the mind and judgment III. That this doth so specially tend to make religion lovely and to draw forth matter of praise and blessing to God from the world when they see such a native effect of Christianity as this to make those who professe the same in that manner shine forth in tendernesse humility and brotherly love so that they become as a publick good and blessing to mankind in the place they are in IV. This appears also from the nature of that union in the Church of Christ and amongst his followers which only a divine power could both frame and make effectual and its sure no human society or constitution could ever claim such an unity therein as this is where not only persons of all nations and languages and of all conditions both high and low but of the most different interests humours and dividing circumstances in other things doe yet in so marvelous an harmony meet in the body of Christ which is his Church here in the earth V. Because herein also doth the glory and honour of our blessed head more eminently appear in securing this unity of his Church under a diversity of light and judgement otherwayes by a spirit of love meeknesse and condescendence amongst his people then by imposing the most severe and absolute uniformity in all things to be the alone condition of Christian communion QU. V. But what strength and evidence doth this demonstration of the Gospel now bear in so divided a state of religion and when the wounds and breaches of the Church this day are like to blood unto death ANSW Whatever just cause be of griefe yet is there none for darkening the truth of this demonstration on these grounds I. That none can deny the perfection of the rule of the Gospel for the most firm and intire unity amonghst all the followers of Christ on the earth II. That no opposition which is made therto but what hath been fortold as one of the greatest tryals of the Church under the New Testament and the Spirit of God doth most expresly point at in these latter times III. Because the furthest opposition thereto can be no more cause for any to stumble or question the truth of this demonstration then that there is a Devil whose greatest designe hath ever been to divide and break Christians amongst themselves IV. Because this union which is chiefly mistical and invisible is much greater oft then what this way may appear to the world and of that kind as is not interrupted by distance of place or any want of local communion V. That such a guard is set by the Lord unto this piece of his glory and to oppose any invasion thereon that there stands an Angel with a flaming sword upon every hand in the commands and threatings of the Gospel to secure this blessed unity of the Saints amonghst themselves so as none can invade the same but on their highest peril of opposing that which is as the apple of Christs eye VI. That its ever found how this demonstration hath some clear evidence amonghst such who are indeed the Disciples of Christ and according to their advance in the life and power of Christianity doth the more brightly shine forth so that the nearer the lines are to the center the nearer also are they amonghst themselves VII That in all times there hath been some tremenduous marke â—f the judgment of God made visible on such who are contentious and have made it their worke to cause division in the Church and sow discord among brethren QU. VI. But what hath the Church now in these latter dayes to compense the want of that great demonstration by miracles and such extraordinare confirmations of the Christian faith as were in the first times ANSW I. That we may see how far that seal of martyrdome which came in the roome of miracles to the Church hath exceeded that which was in the first times of the Gospel II. That there hath been since such innumberable shining examples of holinesse yea these continued to this day whom the world might see did walk in the light and power of Christianity as sure as men walks under the power and vertue of a living soul III. That we now see what a length the course of the Gospel and of the Church militant is come and how far thus the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled which once was so contrare to all human appearence IV. That so sure and exact a performance of the Scripture is now undenyable in the event and of such great and marvelous things which were fortold under the New Testament that in an ordinare way none could have believed what we see with our eyes and now have these things which were in former ages the object of the Churches faith made the object of our sense and its sure this is such a seal and confirmation to our faith in these last times as doth much exceed the greatest miracles which were with the first planting of the Gospel V. Though we may not resolve our faith on any extraordinare providences or lay the least weight hereon to support the authority of the doctrine
and was and shall be because thou hast judged tâ—us for they have shed the blood of thy saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink in great measure XV. Yea have we not seen how four Kings of France successively were in lesse then 30. years taken away in the same continued pursuit how to destroy the Church there in whom that whole race of the Valois was thus extinct yea in the manner of their death were most remarkable monuments of divine judgement as the most famous writers of that time does attest XVI We have seen what marvelous effects did follow these bloody years of Queen Mary's reign in England to promot and commend the Protestant doctrine to mens consciences there with so great a triumph it had in the sufferings of such choise and excellent witnesses for Christ as hath brought in more rent to the praise and glory of their blessed head then may to the furthest compense all that blood of the Saints there though highly precious in the eyes of the Lord. XVII We have seen likewayes the blood and cruelty of late against the Protestants in Bohemia in a short time most observably returned on the authors thereof and how the immediate finger of God might be seen in calling forth the Swedes to avenge the same and in that desolating strock which followed on Germany XVIII We have seen in these late times the issue of that horrid massacre on the Protestants in Ireland to the utter ruine in a very few years after of that barbarous party who had thus acted herein XIX We have seen what wonderful providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of Protestants in the Valleys of Piemont since the Reformation upon the account of that bloody massacre which was set on foot there against them which was so astonishing as all might see an extraordinare appearence of the Lord herein as is clearly attested by the most faithful Histories of that time XX. And can it be forgot unto this day how visibly a divine hand did appear in breaking that great Spanish Armado in the year 1588. which had been for some years in contriving against England XXI As it was astonishing and specially demonstrative of the immediate power and presence of God it should be matter of wonder and praise also for after ages that solemne time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland for planting the reformed Religion there with that zeal and onnesse of spirit as did then appear in all ranks to imbrace and adhere to the profession thereof amidst the greatest threatnings of their adversaries so as a few years did bring forth that which would have seemed strang for an age to accomplish yea that we find betwixt the last Martyr for the truth there who was burnt at St. Andrews 1558. and the establishment of the Protestant Religion and full abolishment of Popery with the full concurrence of civil authority herein in July 1560. was but little above two years to shew what great things the Lord can doe above all human councel or confidence XXII It s sure we have seen in what remarkable degrees these last vials of the holy judgment of God hath taken place on the Kingdome of Antichrist and how conspicuous the event hath been of that prophecy 2 Thessal 2 8. in these great effects and consumption thereof by the ministry of the Gospel as an assured pledge of the full accomplishment of what remains herein XXIII And as every step of the Churches rise hath been still advanced in a continued conflict betwixt the truth and Antichrist so have we still seen when the assault and opposition hath been greatest it s most remarkable tendancy to a greater victory which were it rightly considered upon clear and solid grounds from the Scripture the most formidable appearences of trouble from this adversary should with more comfort then fear this day be looked on so that whatever be the nearest and most immediate events yet is it sure as the Lord is true whose word is passed hereon that whosoever gives their power and strength to support that interest of Antichrist shall lose the day and find their cause desperate for the party with whom they contend herein is the Son of God against whom no human power shall ever be able to stand These are but a few which are here mentioned of the great acts of our God in behalf of his Truth to be still as present in our sight in a time when the spirits of many are ready to stagger and faint and here mentioned to lay no stresse or weight of the authority of the truth and doctrine of our profession thereon but on the alone revelation of the Scripture but that they are such an undenyable seal for confirming our faith and of so known publick and famous evidence as should be no lesse considered and taken to heart now then in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein SECTION III. QU. WHat present judgment are we called to have of this time upon clear and assured grounds from the Scripture that we may know under what aspect therof the present state of Religion and of the reformed Churches is under when so great a crisis is this day as would seem to be in the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of its conflict whither as to life or death ANSW It is no present appearences of the time must direct our faith nor should we either streath our fears or expectations of things and events beyond what the God of truth doth warrand in his word but its clear if we credite the same and admitt the divinity of the New Testament there is no just cause of hesitation or darknesse as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in these latter dayes nor can there be any pretence to seek an other light either from the stars above or the diviners of this time when so woful a trade hath got up in the world that men will thus goe to the God of Ekron as though there were not a God in Israel or such a thing as his written Oracles to inquire at when its sure these ly open and with a clear and distinct sound speaks to all who have a serious and unprejudged spirit I. That the Church under the New Testament hath now passed and gone through that most dismal and continued tryal herein which was to goe over her head under Antichrists reigne and hight and whatever appearence he now hath in great wrath yet is it sure and evident that the winter is past and the Churches spring begun and a few steps further of that judgment which is now hastning on will at lenth end the quarrel so that by a near converse with the word we may clearly see from what point the Churches course and motion this day lyes and how exactly it keeps in the certainty thereof by that clear conduct of the Scriptures of truth where a full map of her whole course and passage through
rule and principles of their profession that can never give the least latitude or connivance therto but is clear as the sun when on the other hand I could know no other way to imbrace such a profession as Popery but by turning Atheist in the first place and quite both religion and reason at once but may say in a resolute adherence to the doctrine of the Reformed Church I fear not to adventure my soul and enter into an eternal state The CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The primitive confirmation held forth and cleared in seven Positions POSIT I. That sad aspect which the implicit and traditional profession of this day hath upon the present state of religion Pag. 1 POSIT II. The greatnesse of that service for the Church to have a clear founding of the faith of assent upon known and solid grounds herein more universally promott Pag. 3 POSIT III. The true primitive confirmation as it was in the times of the Apostles hold forth and cleared from the Scripture Pag. 6 POSIT IV. The continued necessity therof no lesse convincing now for the Churches use then in these Primitive times Pag. 9 POSIT V. That such a confirmatory worke respects not only the more knowing and inquisitive part of men but the meanest within the Church Pag. 11 POSIT VI. VVhat is specially called for in the practicall use of this primitive confirmation held forth in some serious proposals for this end Pag. 14 POSIT VII VVhat special excitment we are under for promotting the same in so remarkable a period of time as this and from that hope of a greater reviving yet of such a Catholick spirit to advance the highest ends of religion amonghst men Pag. 19 CHAPTER II. For giving some clear view of these primary evidences and demonstrations of our faith that the meanest Christian should know and vvith the least expense of time may improve for their dayly use on these greatest principles SECTION I. I. Of the glorious being of God which is the first foundation of all religion Pag. 22 II. Of the original of the world and it s not being eternal Pag. 25 III. Of a supreme providence in the conservation and goverment of the world Pag. 26 IV. Of that special providence which in its continued administration about human affaires doth unchangably difference betwixt the righteus and the wicked Pag. 29 V. How such a wonderful record as that of an immediat revelation of God unto men is so demonstrably extant in the world Pag. 31 VI. Of these special evidences of the Scriptures divinity which men must needs see to be infallible Pag. 33 VII Of the secure convoyance of the Scripture through all the changes of times past Pag. 35 VIII Of the fall of man and entry of sin into the world as it is fully demonstrable to reason as well as by the certainty of faith Pag. 37 SECTION II. I. Holding for t these great assistances to the Christian faith and of the Messias being surely promised to the Church before his coming Pag. 38 II. Of the truth and accomplishment of this great promise of the Messias and how it is now as sure in the event as its clear he was promised Pag. 39 III. Of that special advantage for confirmation of our faith herein that for 4000. years the promised coming of the Messias was deferred Pag. 41 42 IV. Of the nature and internal excellency of Christianity to bear furthest evidence to the truth therof Pag. 43 V. That this is the same Gospel we now receive and injoy which from the first promulgation therof hath had so great effects on the world Pag. 45 VI. That the sufferings of the saints in times past was so demonstrably above the assistance of nature Pag. 46 SECTION III. I. For holding forth on what grounds the faith of a deity must determine men to be Christians Pag. 48 II. What confirmations the Christian Religion hath from that visible state of the Jews Pag. 49 III. That way and manner of its prevailing on the world as no profession else could ever pretend to Pag. 51 IV. The nature of that great evidence which Christ hath himself given to the world of his divine mission in the love and unity of his people Joh. 17 21. Pag. 53 V. How the strenth of such a demonstration stands still clear and evident in these dividing times of the Church Pag. 54 VI. What in these last times is under our hand to compense such a confirmation by miracles which was in the first times of the Gospel Pag. 56 SECTION IV. I. For holding forth with the furthest rational certainty and evidence the truth and doctrine of Christ to be a soul-quicking and experimental religion Pag. 58 II. The truth also of conversion of men from a state of nature to a new state of grace Pag. 60 III. Of so great an experiment of religion as Communion betwixt God and men here in the earth Pag. 62 IV. Of so great a demonstration of religion in the power and workings of the Conscience Pag. 64 V. Of that special confirmation to our faith which doth result from such a demonstration of this power of the Conscience over men Pag. 65 SECTION V. I. For holding forth the truth of a Kingdom of darknesse in the world in opposition to the Kingdom of Christ Pag. 66 67 II. What confirmation to our faith the certainty hereof and of these powers of darknesse doth clearly afford Pag. 68 III. That great truth of the immortality of the soul with the clearest evidence to reason as well as by the certainty of faith Pag. 69 70 IV. How confirming a seal to the Scripture that great change which passeth on all men by death is and how it s no natural accident Pag. 72 V. Some special assistances to the Christians faith of an eternal glory in heaven and to serve an unavoidable conviction thus on the greatest Atheists Pag. 74 VI. Some thing of a visible Hell in some near approach hereof even to mens senses held forth to awake and convince the world of such a state of horrour and torment in another world Pag. 77 VII Some assistances to our faith of that great truth of the Resurrection of the body Pag. 79 CHAPTER III. The Confirming vvorke of religion further improven vvith respect to this dismal and amazing time vve are novv fallen in SECTION I. To hold forth what may be both for light and confirmation upon this great distresse the Churches of Christ are now under Pag. 81 82 SECTION II. How great a talent we stand accountable for in this day of such immediate and extraordinare appearences of the Lord for confirming the same publick cause of the Reformed Church since the Reformation which we are now called to adhere to Pag. 84 SECTION III. What manner of time is the present lot of the Church now fallen in and what judgment we ought to have hereof from the Scripture for our furthest confirming in such a day Pag. 93 SECTION IV. Some special service that we
are now called to and accountable for in behalf of the truth and for sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of others who are under so great a talent of light and confirmation in the same Pag. 99 FINIS AN IDEA Of the confirm'd state of a Christian in dismall and shaking times THo the same measure of Christians establishment in the truth be not alike to all but must have respect to the different trialls talent improvements of such for this end yet may it be cause of astonishment how rare any study of this kinde is now to be sound when it s not only one of the highest concerns of Christianity but in a more then ordinary way called for as the work of this day yea that this is a part of religion which seemes lest improven of any for the more generall state of professours within the Church under some conviction hereof was this essay designed where with humble confidence I may say the truth hath been sought with that serious enquiry into the nature of these things held forth as I judged needfull for such who have so great ane interest venture not only through time but for all eternity to support upon the alone certainty hereof er these dayes of triall which we now see passe over this generation it may be found this was not unseasonable or without cause directed to such a time if the Lord graciously blesse the same nor will it I hope be found incongruous without use to present yet further in such a method way of example some cleare prospect of a confirmed state in religion what these ought to be who with light assurance of minde would follow the Lord fully in such a day as is here offered in a 7 fold Character under which a truly confirmed Christian in the truth of his profession may be stated CHARACTER I. That he is one who hath ane other sence impression of this great study for attaining to a confirmed state in religion is on higher grounds pressed to follow the same then what most of the visible Church seemes to apprehend should be thus considred 1. As one to whom the glory of the Christian profession is in the highest degree deare to have the world see that such as embrace the same does most fully adventure on the testimony of God in his word are these also who walks on the highest principles of true enlightned reason yea who takes deeply to heart that obligation which is on all who desires to advance the repute honor of the truth to be in such tearmes therewith upon its own evidence as they may know how to serve a rationall conviction both on Atheists insidels if called thereunto 2. Who sees also how such is the state of fallen man as stands in need of all the contributions that can be not only to strengthen the Christians faith and beare out against the strong assaults of infidelity but to gain also more credit and veneration to the truth with these who are not easily delt with but by such meanes as beares some congruity to their naturall light and reason for which end the Lord hath affoorded these ministeriall helpes to render the misbeleefe of the world or any pretense of hesitation about his truth more fully inexcusable 3. He thus sees how the most important and fundamentall truths of Christianity needs the greatest confirmation of his faith for these who enter in so high discriminating a profession from the residue of the world to know in what manner they embrace the same yea that the naturall order of things does absolutly require to have the foundation sure laid on which so great a superstructure must rest so as he judgeth it a work by its selfe and to need some peculiar retiring his soul in the most serious recesse and composure thereof to attain a stedfastnes of his own in the truth and to know the strong and firm convoyances of that greatest mystery of the gospell in such a manner as needes no paund of a miracle to confirm the same But he knowes here that no sharpness of mens naturall understanding about the truth can ever attain a true rest and settlement of minde therein without a humble and serious spirit stooping doune before the wisedome of God and to enter as little Children into his Schoole yea that by humble practice and obedience of the gospell there is ane undoubted comming up to the greatest assurance and clearest demonstrations of the same as Joh. 7 17. 4. He knowes that as nothing tends more to shake mens spirits and stagger them about the truth then a light and transient view hereof so does the greatest establishment follow on the nearest approach by a deep and serious enquiry about the same and thus clearely sees that if such who look but at a distance on the way of religion did but once come that length of triall as to have their spirits separat by a more serious reflection thereon the first view they should have could not but be matter of wonder and amazement to think what can determine and support in so marvellous a way as the life and practice of Christianity which is so visibly above nature and wherein they must do violence to the same where they must part with the multitude and oppose themselves to the strongest tyde of exemple and must endure also in hope and believe for things not seen which were never the object of humane sence to any in this earth and are oft called to part with the most desireable things of sence upon the alone credit of their faith yea where they must enter in that profession on no other tearmes then to be martyrs for the same and seall it with their blood so that he must needs see a Christian according to the rule and institution of the gospell to be the greatest riddle and wonder of any sight within time but when such come more closse and neare upon this triall and have once understood the nature and greatnesse of that security which these have to adventure on yea what is the glory of their hope and the sure spring of their supplyes for their work and trialls within time then will this second wonder unspeakably exceed the first how its possible that such are not of a more raised and enlarged spirit in the service of the Gospell in that short season they have here for it on the earth and how their triall should not be more to beare the joy of so great a prospect and expectation then any present griefes and troubles yea how mens life who indeed makes earnest of the Christian profession is not in some more continued transport of ravishment and wondering to know that they are surely made for an eternall state in another world and are among these on whom the glorious God hath choised to have the exceeding riches of his grace shewed forth in these regions of blessedness above for
of this kind might tend more to promote the Kingdom of Christ in this day I shal but add this further on the present subject Posit VII that as there are some more signal periods of time to which a greater brightnesse and increase of light hath respect under the New Testament so doth there now seem to be some remarkable call and excitment to such a confirming work in this day about the Christian faith when we may hope that a more solemne and restoring time of religion in the world is on a near approach though all sensible evidence would seem to control this and may be now more looked after then prepared for under any suitable impression of these grounds for the same I. That the promised time of the conversion of the Jewes doth assuredly draw near and whatever be judged by some of the Lords immediate appearence herein by a miracle yet is it unquestionable that nothing in the way of means could be more promising and hopeful to promot this great end then in promoting so great a service as this for the Christian Church II. That a greater extent also of the profession of Christ amonghst the Gentils and renting of the vaile that is now over many dark nations seemeth clearly insured therwith and what a hopeful evidence should this be if such a publick and catholick spirit were more seen how to advance the highest ends of religion on such an accompt without respect to any partial or divided interest yea that this blest zeal of God might in that manner appear to have the dark world get a more clear and convincing prospect of the highest rational demonstrations of Christianity as might through the Lords gracious concurrence bring men once to an inquisitive and serious spirit about the same Oh that such may be thus raised up in this dismal hower with something of that ancient spirit to travel with desire for the salvation of mankind and of whom it may be said as of blest Nehemiah these are indeed come to seek the welfare of their people in their greatest interest III. And this farther excitment we are now under for this end in a time when Popery seems to be upon one of its last and greatest assaults against the Church since it s so clear what ever tends to confirm men in Christianity from their own tryal and inquiry upon the confirming evidences therof must have the same native result to make such confirmed Protestants yea nothing is more demonstrable then that the method and grounds that are taken both to ingadge and fix men in the Popish profession have the same rational tendency to promot Atheism and to give infidels the greatest advantage to reject the profession of Christ CHAPTER II. The confirming worke of Religion reduced to practical use in some clear view of these primary grounds and demonstrations of our faith which none should pretend ignorance of who enters the profession of Christ upon choise and certainty of evidence SECTION I. QU. I. WHat reasons and demonstrations can yow give for so great a faith of the glorious being of God when he is invisible to humane sense since this is the fundation of all religion ANSW Though on the sacred truth and authority of his own word this is principally founded yet I am with the furthest infallible evidence herein confirmed I. That it can be no more sure this marvellous frame of the heavens and earth hath a being and is the object of our sense then that a supreme infinite wisdome and power must be the first cause hereof and it were simply impossible it could ever otherwise have been II. That he hath thus made himself visible to our eyes by such a visible world and in so exquisite an order and correspondence there to support the same as nothing stands alone by it self but in a line of mutual respect which runs through the whole creation whom we may as clearly thus see as that there is an invisible soul in a living body III. That this harmony is amongst thinghs in their own nature so contrare and destructive to other for to hold this wonderful frame as all must abandon reason or see an infinitly wise conduct herein and no need of extraordinary miracles to confirme what the whole constitutions of nature do witnesse IV. That this rare frame of man could never have come in being but by him who could unite such different substances as a material body and an immaterial soul in so near and marvelous an union V. That such an universal consent of mankind is in all ages therto as shews religion to be founded in the very nature of man and as essential to his being as his reason is yea how the ultimate difference of man from the beast and most essential property of human nature lyes here VI. That though every one be an enemy to what torments him yet was it never possible for an Atheist to free himself from that unavoidable sense and fear of a Deity nor in a world so much lost in wickednesse could ever extinguish the awe of religion or make any rational opposition to this greatest article of the common faith of mankind VII That the reason of the whole constitution of nature and vicissitude of things here is so great as without shutting out the use of reason we cannot but see how nothing possibly could have been better and that any want hereof in the whole frame of the universe would be as the dislocation of a joynt of the body and were not conceivable to be otherwise then it is by infinite wisdome appointed VIII That it s simply impossible that God blessed for ever should not exist or that this universe which is a worke so highly becoming the greatnesse of its maker could possibly subsist for one hour or minute of time without a supreme independent power and being on which all visible beings have their dependance since they cannot depend upon nothing IX That such is the absolute necessity of the faith also of a God-head as without this the state of mankind could not morally subsist or any possible order subjection piety and justice be to support human society but as Bradwardine saith O quam necesse est hunc esse quem impossibile est non esse O that men cannot but see these effects of his power on the conscience in the certainty of a profetick light and discovery as hath been oft given of future things and in the undenyable truth of miracles so as such a prodigy as a profest Atheist can have no claime to human race as a rational being more then the greatest monster in nature to be a true man QU. II. What doth witnesse the worlds not being eternal and its first original and beginning from God to confirme your faith herein by the further rational demonstration ANS I. That as an eternity is only communicable to the first cause so that which is made up of corruptible perishing things as this visible world cannot possibly