Visible Professours are destitute of any defence from internal motives and solid conviction of the truth they profess upon its own evidence and there was never more cause to fear some unusual apostacy from the very visible profession of Christ upon any violent tryal and assault this way When such find it more easy to render up their Religion than to adhere to the same under strong temptations who yet never knew that substance advantage or certainty herein as could preponderate with the want of all external motives for such a profession Posit II. That thus one of the highest services of these times for the publick good of the Church does convincingly lye here to have the faith of assent to the truth and doctrine of Christ in a clear and firm certainty of the judgment on its own evidence more vigorously promoted and the proper means and assistances which the Lord hath given for this end in some other manner yet improved than seems to be at this day for a more universal use The grounds to inforce the necessity hereof are these I. That it 's sure wherever the Gospel is revealed to men it comes with so full an assurance of understanding and sufficiency of objective evidence as can admit of no possible doubtfulness herein Which is the credit and glory of our religion that in no other way it doth require acceptance but with the furthest conviction of evidence II. Because the express design and tendency of this blessed revelation is no less to found such a rational assurance in the judgment of its truth than to ingage the will and consent for imbracing thereof and though such great demonstrations for this end can only in suo genere have a convincing influence to perswade the understanding yet are they of such weight here as next to the demonstration of the Spirit of God they are the greatest means to bring up mens assent to a full and quieting rest on that security to which they must trust themselves for ever and to let them see that this even here by the way is assuredly full though not yet their enjoyment III. Because this faith of assent should be first followed in the order of nature as being the very first principle of conversion to know and be sure that God hath sent his son into the world to save sinners wherein as the Holy Ghost is not the Objâ—ctive but the Efficient Cause of our Faith so is not the internal work and Testimony he gives on the Soul the first Testimony but must still have respect to the revelation of the Word without and such demonstrative evidences thereof wherewith it is revealed to the world Nor may any ever separate that which God hath himself so indissolubly joyned IV. That there is so convincing a necessity and use hereof to the Church and in a special way with respect to the youth for a more firm laying of the groundwork of their Christian profession and for the seed-plot of a blessed and desirable growth amongst such in this day that they might thus know early something of these primary grounds and demonstrations of their faith so also is it a study of that high importance as I humbly judge should be of notable use for a Manuduction in the first place to Students of Divinity before they launch forth in that vast and immense Ocean of the speculative part thereof and for being at some greater advantage thus for carrying on such a confirming work in the Church in their future service V. Yea of what use might this be with respect to many who may be sore haunted with hidden and dreadful temptations to infidelity and to weaken them in the very foundations of their faith who are wholly unfurnished of any such grounds and arguments in their judgment to repel the same and it is certain that to believe firmly the History of the Gospel that God was manifested in our nature to save man is with respect to the object a much higher act of faith than to believe that he will save us since as the one doth unspeakably more transcend all human reason than the other so doth the Apostle thus argue from the greater to the less Rom. 8.32 that he who gave his own son to the death will he not also with him give us all things Posit III. That such a Confirming Work was most specially followed in the Practice of the Primitive Times and one of the great Ends of the Ministry of the Apostles and Evangelists to have this Faith of Assent and Doctrinal Certainty thereof on its proper Grounds and Evidences deeply founded in Mens Judgment is so clear as cannot come under Debate I. That this way did the great Author of our Profession himself take not only by the Authority of his Word and the Power and Energy of Grace but with that Convincing Evidence and Demonstration of his Truth to Mens Understanding as might found also a firm and rational Assurance hereof II. That for this End he did pray the Father Joh. 17.21 and was so much pressed herein that so great an external Demonstration of the Truth of the Gospel in the Concord and Unity of his People might be kept clear that the World might thus believe that he was sent of God and have a deeper Conviction hereof wrought in them by such an Evidence III. That one special Intent of the Gospel of Luke was for this end Luke 1.4 That men might know not only the things themselves by a naked Relation but the Certainty of these things wherein they had been formerly Instructed IV. That herein did the Ministry of Apollos so brightly shine forth Act. 18.28 And was then of most singular use to the Church by that clearness of rational Conviction and demonstrative Arguments for the Truth of Christ as the greatest gainsayers could not withstand V. That it 's sure it was then without Exception expresly required of the meanest within the Church to be always ready to render the Reasons of their Hope to all who asked and not only to know what they did Believe but why they did so as is clear 1 Pet. 3.15 This could not be by bringing forth of internal Evidences for Conviction of others but by giving them an account of the most cogent grounds and demonstrations of the Gospel as might be most prevalent and confirming to the weak and leave others inexcusable and seems to have been then specially pressed in these Primitive Times as a proper Test of their Christian Profession VI. And we see herein also how much these excellent Bereans were taken up and were so highly commended of the Holy Ghost Act. 17.11 To know the demonstrative part of Christianity and by its own evidence with that intire harmony and consent of the Scripture therein and their being thus diligently intent in that comparing-work of Religion to see the truth thereof not singly and apart by themselves alone but in that joynt-union coherence wherein they stand each in their own room for
off or make that thrive which God hath himself cursed and it is too visible how far we have gone thus out of the way of our Strength by such eager seeking Humane Props and support that we have forgot the Guide of our Youth and Covenant of our God and what great things he hath formerly done in the greatest straits of his Church when there was much humble trusting that the Spirit of the Lord would do more to recover his Truth than all Humane Might or Power could do SECTION II. Qu. VVHat Talent are we still accountable for to support our Faith against the greatest Fears of this time from these immediate Appearances of God and of the Glory of his Power for the same Truth and Cause of the Reformed Church we are now called to contend for which hath been since the Reformation when so strong and unusual a Tide now is against the same Ans If men shut not their eyes and hide this great Talent of the Works of God under the Ground it 's sure none can Question such a Seal which before the Sun to the Amazement and Conviction of the World hath been put to the Truth of the Reformed Religion that we are now brought under such a Call as the Church of Israel was Deut. 4.34 To ask of the Times that are past since Israels coming out of Egypt and since the first planting of the Gentile Church by the Gospel whether there hath been so great a thing as this in the Earth that God hath essayed to take to himself a People from the midst of other Nations by Temptations by Signs and by Wonders and by War and by a Mighty Hand and by an out-stretched Arm and by great Terrours according to all that the Lord our God hath done for the rescue of his People in these last Times from Antichristian Bondage and Darkness and settling them in a Church-state but unto us was this shewed that we might know that the Lord he is God and there is none else beside him Ye are still called to see and be as Eye Witnesses to these things I. How Bright a Day of the Gospel of Christ did go before this great Darkness on the Church and what a solemn Triumph in these late Ages the Truth hath had over Antichrist so as the full stroak and ruine of his Kingdom which is sure and established in the Promise of God seems not now more marvellous and above humane appearance than what we have seen in the begun degrees of its accomplishment II. In how few years also there was as a new Christian World brought forth in that swift Course and Progress which the ingathering of the Reformed Churches had so as between the Year 1560 and 1621. such famous Plantations of the Gospel were setled in a Church-state which all may see was the immediate Work and Power of God to shew that none should fear or stagger at his Promise though the waters yet swell and come to the flowings of Jordan and difficulties appear unsuperable to humane Sence after these great things which the Lord hath done III. How extraordinary a Calling and excitement of Instruments was then evident for the Service of that time and Reapers thus eminently prepared for so great an Harvest of the Gospel as might put the World to inquire whence these were in so numerous a Concurrence when a few of such a Spirit were so rarely to be found in many Ages before IV. Yea such an Accession also of Spiritual Gifts and Endowments was then for Building of the Church â—s had not been formerly known since the first coming of the Gospel to the Gentiles wherein it may be said the Glory of these last Times hath even in some degree exceeded that of the first V. And can the most dismal things of this time countervail the Confirmations of our Faith who have so clearly seen with the first breaking up of the Purer Doctrine of Christ the Power and Life of Christianity came therewith to the World as a Seal and Attestation thereto beyond any Miracles yea how innumerable a Company in these last Ages of different Tongues and Languages and these so remote from one another did not only receive the same Truth but with such Resolution Adventure their Souls thereon as might fully witness they had another prospect of Christianity and to be in some other manner ravished with the Glory and Beauty of the same than is now in these times VI. Such high Spring tides of the Power and Efficacy of the Gospel might be evident to all after so sad a restraint had been for so many Ages before under Antichristian darkness for whatever was then as a Private Seal on the Spirit of Christians whilst the Witnesses did Prophesie in Sack-cloth yet was there no such Evidence and Demonstration of the Holy Ghost or a Publick Confirmatory Seal to the Truth as was after the Reformation VII Yea was it not the most Sober Serious and Inquisitive Part of Men upon a sure Trial of the Grounds of their Faith who did most firmly imbrace the same and how many of these also were of the greatest Parts and Abilities whom none could Judge to Adventure so far herein without the highest Assurances that this was their undoubted interest and Salvation VIII We have seen not only men of mean and low Estate but such of the Highest Place and Quality most chearfully adventuring whatever Interest could be dearest to them in the Earth for the Truths sake yea it was ever found that such as were most acquainted with the Reformed Religion in its Power and lived up in their Practice to what they professed thereof were those who with the greatest Assurance most resolutely still adhered thereto IX We have seen also it s most remarkable spreading in the World when there could be no possible pretence of a Worldly Interest or External Motives for the same X We have seen something not only extraordinary but even Miraculous in the Joy and Resolution of innumerable Martyrs since the Reformation who did bear out with a more than humane strength against a cruelty so visibly Inhumane and Savage yea which did in some degrees exceed that measure of the Heathens in the Primitive Times as being against a greater Light than theirs XI And have we not seen of what Spirit such still have been since the Reformation who were the most notorious Instruments in the Churches Persecution and how visibly such did act herein under so impetuous an incitement of the Devil that as Tertullian in his Apology speaks of Nero the Truth might boast in having such Adversaries XII It is sure we have seen that no humane Power could yet ever undo this blessed Inteterest of the Reformed Religion tho' no way or change of Weapons hath been left untried but we have thus seen whither so strong and united a Confederacy as the Catholick League in France did at last resolve and not only in the ruine of the greatest Actors and Contrivers therein but
to a further establishing of the Reformed Churches there as though such had Intentionally acted for the same when if second Causes had brought forth their Ordinary effects it might have been judged impossible to fail XIII We have seen that issue of all the Councels Expence and Cruelty of Philip the II. of Spain to bear down the Truth of the Gospel in the Netherlands which was to the furthest setling of this Illustrious State and the Church of Christ there yea how their Conspicuous Rise and Flourishing even in the Externals and their resolute adherence to the Truth of Christ did most visibly keep together XIV We know that deluge of Blood which so quickly followed the French Massacre and the most dismal time which ever that Nation knew did then visibly Contemporate with such a time of their greatest Rage and Persecution against the Truth and that Event of the Third Vial most clearly fulfilled herein Rev. 16.5 6. Thou art Righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus 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 less than thirty 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 Judgment as the most famous Writers of that time do attest XVI We have seen what marvellous effects did follow those Bloody Years of Queen Mary's Reign in England to promote and commend the Protestant Doctrine to Mens Consciences there with so great a Triumph as it had in the Sufferings of such choice and excellent witnesses for Christ and hath brought in more Rent to the Praise and Glory of their Blessed Head than 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 likewise the Blood and Cruelty of late against the Protestants in Bohemia in a short time most Visibly 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 stroak which followed in 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 Piedmont 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 extraordinary Appearance 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 Astonishing and specially Demonstrative of the immediate Power and Presence of God and matter of Wonder and Praise also for after Ages was that solemn time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland for planting the Reformed Religion there with that zeal and oneness 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 strange 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 do above all Humane Council or Confidence XXII It 's sure we have seen in what remarkable degrees these last Vials of the Holy Judgment of God have taken place on the Kingdom of Antichrist and how Conspicuous the Event hath been of that Prophecy 2 Thes 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 tendency to a greater Victory which were it rightly considered upon clear and solid grounds from the Scripture the most formidable appearances of Trouble from this Adversary would with more Comfort than 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 humane 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 stress or weight of the Authority of the Truth and Doctrine of our Profession thereon but on the alone Revelation of the Scripture but they are such an undeniable Seal for Confirming our Faith and of so known Publick and famous Evidence as should be no less considered and taken to Heart now than in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein SECTION III. Qu. VVHat 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 thereof 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 Height of its Conflict whether as to Life or Death Ans It is no present Appearance of the time that must Direct our Faith nor should we either stretch our Fears or Expectations of Things and Events beyond what the God of Truth doth warrand in his Word but it 's clear if we credit the same and admit the Divinity of the New Testament there is no just Cause of Hesitation or Darkness as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in these latter days nor can there be any pretence to seek another 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 wtll thus go to the God of Ekron as though there were not a
quam necesse est hunc esse quem impossibile est non esse X. How plain is it that men cannot but see these effects of his Power on the Conscience in the Certainty of a Prophetick Light and Discovery as hath been oft given of Future things and in the undeniable Truth of Miracles so as such a Prodigy as a profest Atheist can have no claim to humane Race as a rational Being more than the greatest monster in Nature to be a true man Qu. II. Whâ—t doth witness the Worlds not being Eternal and its first Original and Beginning from God to Confirm your Faith herein by rational Demonstration Ans I. That Eternity is an Incommunicable Perfection of the first Cause and that which is made up of corruptible and perishing things as this Visible World cannot possibly be in it self Eternal nor could ever produce it self since thus it must both be and not be 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 Days Years and Ages to be Infinite or how one thing in a continued order should thus go before another without coming to some first beginning III. If there be a gradual Increase of human Learning on the Earth and a further discovery of Arts and Sciences and the greatest Experiments and Inventions have been but of a late Rise and Date then can there not possibly be an Eternal Succession of Mankind with a continued Progress and Experience this way nor can it be 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 preceding should leave no remembrance to Posterity when so small a measure of time as a few thousand years have left so much V. Nor could men beget men 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 Mass of the Earth Eternal VII That infinite Ages past though they should have but multiplied the race of man in an Age to two or three more should have come to that at last that the whole Precinct of the Earth could not possibly bear the product of such an infinite Increase and no Wars or extraordinary Judgments were ever yet known to be such as to restrain such an unavoidable growth Qu. III. What infallible 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 clear the support of this great frame of the Universe with that continued and regular course of nature herein is as simply impossible without an infinite Divine Power as its first Being and Creation II. That such an extent of Providence as respects so innumerable 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 do as exactly answer the same in their proper Course and Station as if they had a rational Knowledg of their Duty IV. That Universal respect the Sun in the Firmament hath to things here below though at so great a distance which doth neither cease or grow weary to send forth its beams and hidden influences to the meanest Creatures may let us clearly see how it hath the same Visible Use and End to Confirm an Incomprehensible and Infinite Providence about the meanest things as well as the greatest V. That immediate Precedency of the Soul in that lesser World of Man bears the same Evidence therewith which though we never saw with our eyes yet doth undeniably 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 and turns of Summer and Winter and of day and night that man might have both Light for his Labour and Darkness 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 therein who yet will not hear his Voice in the Word VIII By these extraordinary and wonderful Works of Providence which have been in all Ages IX By so evident a restraint both over Devils and wicked Men without which they would quickly disturb 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 Sence 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 which all Men have and recourse to him on any present extream hazard to Witness not only that the most High bears Rule in the Kingdoms of men but that the Sence and Evidence hereof is unavoidable Qu. IV. But doth this great Administration of Providence about human Affairs as unchangeably appear in a diffâ—rencing 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 certain that such as desire a Confirming of their Faith herein want 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 belief that God is and that he is a Rewarder 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 essential difference betwixt the same which is so firmly founded in the Reason of all Mankind as no human Laws or Custom could ever take this off their Conscience or make an indifference herein without extinguishing the very Nature of Man to shew that Eternal and Unchangeable difference which the Holy Nature of God hath put betwixt them II. That we see the worst of Men so constrain'd to an awful Sense and Regard of Truth and weldoing and to acknowledge the Loveliness and Excellency hereof as does make them seek their own repute by a false shew and counterfeit of the same and gives such a Being and Rise to that dreadful Imposture of Hypocrisie III. That it's 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
men yea how visibly many are transformed into his Image by such prodigious and desperate acts of wickedness as we should think humane nature could not but tremble at IV. That none can question the certainty both of Sense and Reason which is in the truth of Apparitions and Bodily Possessions of Men in all Ages and in all places of the Earth and can need no demonstration for this that in many places of the Earth the Devil is both visibly and audibly known V. That he is so manifest in his appearance as a Spirit of Blasphemy which impetuously acts Men to War against Heaven with their Tongue in such Oaths and Cursing as have no sensual pleasure or gain herein yea as a Spirit of Delusion in so visible an excitement of others to such extravagancies under a shew of Religion as are inconsistent with any use of Judgment or Reason VI. That so innumerable a company of humane Race hath in all Ages been in a formal and express Covenant with these powers of darkness is undeniable upon the most severe and impartial inquiry herein Qu. II. What special assistance to your Faith doth the certainty of these Powers of Darkness bring therewith Answ I. It is plain that such a Party both in their Nature and continued Actings are in a stared opposition to the Kingdom of Christ II. It is visible that the Prey which these Mighty Hunters do follow after is not our Body or the things of this Life but it is the Immortal Soul and Future State that Man might be made sharer of the same Misery under which they are concluded III. All may see their being under restraint of a Supream Power above them and under such Chains as do irresistibly bound their rage and enmity against Man by an invisible Guard and Hedge which they cannot break over IV. Their greatest rage and strugling is against the Conversion of sinners to God and to hold fast his possession in such as the Spirit of God doth not more clearly move for their rescue than these do to cross that blessed design of the Gospel V. There are none that are serious in the Truth and Life of Religion but find themselves pursued by such an Adversary and have as discernably another Party than themselves or the World to conflict with as if they saw them in a visible shape VI. That by the Gospel and within the Precinct of the Church there is discernably a much greater restraint of Satans Dominion and Power than in all the Earth besides yea that the advantage of being within the external covenant of Baptism is so demonstrable that the least yielding or tendency to a renouncing of the same or any Acts of Homage for making use of his help hath ever made way for some more extraordinary Power of the Devil over such than others VII Thus is a most undeniable Confirmation given of an Invisible World and of such intellectual Beings there as are far above man yea and it is plain that there is an intercourse betwixt Men and Spirits such may clearly shew the interest that Man's Soul hath in another State and World than this Qu. III. Is that great truth of the Immortality of the Soul and its never dying state after Death as fully demonstrable to Reason as it is by the furthest certainty of Faith Answ Though it be so amazing a thing to believe an Immortal Soul and Eternal State wherein it must shortly enter as by few seems to be apprehended yet are its demonstrative evidences such that except men lose all sence and use of reason it is not possible to deny I. That there is such an Immaterial and Active Substance as the Soul which can admit of no cause either of its decay or dissolution from the Body yea that the greatest excellency of this visible Creation is here that such a vital Beam of Life Light and Immortality as the Soul of Man is therein II. Though we cannot see this rare and wonderful Being yet we fully perceive it to be something distinct from the Body and to have a distinct interest both in its griefs and comforts III. That it can have no dependance on the Body in its Being which doth no way depend thereon in its Actings and Exercise but is oft most vigorous and clear in its exercise not only when most separate and abstract from sensible things but when the flesh is under the greatest decay and near its dissolution to shew the Soul lieth not a dying with the Body but hath its distinct subsistence to live in a separate state when it dies IV. It s being peculiarly framed for converse and intercourse with spiritual Beings yea its being the only part of the visible Creation admitted to fellowship with the invisible God and to have reflex acts upon it self V. It is a Being of a higher nature and value than the Sun Moon and Stars which not only can know and conceive of things above the evidence and impressions of sense but make a rational choice of good though cross to any sensual pleasure yea to rejoice and have its proper delights when the body is afflicted and in pain nor can it be defiled from the most loathsome sores and defilements of the Flesh so as we must needs see both its Dominion and Preheminence over the Body and have assuredly a subsistence without the same VI. It is such a Being as is capable of a happiness beyond the whole extent of the World and hath these intellectual Faculties which cannot possibly want both objects suitable thereto and injoyments above the Senses VII The most choice and excellent are usually most afflicted and crushed under the feet of their oppressours whilst the vilest flourish in the Earth and have no bands in their death so that such were of all men the most miserable if in this life both their being and blessedness were terminated VIII That there is so universal a sense of Immortality that they who both fear and hate the evidences hereof yet under some constraint of Reason have the same for a continued terrour IX That it is sure the certainty of death makes it simply impossible for things only suited to this Life of Sense to be the ultimate good or fruition of Man since else the Beasts should have a greater happiness than such if it were not for respect to an after and Immortal State Qu. IV. What confirmation to your Faith does that great and amazing change by Death offer when it would seem to be something meerly natural Answ Though the only wise God moves herein according to the nature of second causes and it hath various ways of approach unto men yet may all see with the furthest conviction of rational evidence as well as certainty of Faith I. That Death in its first constitution is Penal and comes by a Divine appointment unto all not meerly as men but as sinners and to be no natural accident and result of our Primitive and Original Frame II. That it's