judgment on its own evidence more vigorously promot and the proper means and assistances which the Lord hath given for this end in some other manner yet improven then seems to be this day for a more universal use The grounds to inforce the necessity hereof are these I. that its 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 no possible doubtfulnesse 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 expresse designe and tendency of this blessed revelation is no lesse to found such a rational assurance in the judgment of its truth then to ingadge their will and consent for imbracing therof 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 concredite themselves for ever and to let them see that this even here by the way is assuredly full though not yet their injoyment 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 wherin as the H. Ghost is not the objective but the efficient cause here of our faith so is not the internal worke 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 therof wherwith it is revealed to the world nor may ever be separate that which God hath himself so indissolubly joyned IV. That so convincing a necessity and use is hereof to the Church and in a special way with respect to the youth for a more firme laying of the groundwork of their Christian profession and to be as the seed-plot of a blessed and desirable grouth amonghst 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 therof and for being at some greater advantage thus for carying on such a confirming worke 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 hid and dreadful temptations to infidelity and to weaken them on 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 sure 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 then to believe that he will save us since as the one doth unspeakably more transcend all human reason then the other so doth the Apostle thus argue from the greater to the lesse Rom. 8 32. That he who gave his own son to the death will he not also with him give us all things That such a confirming worke Posit III was most specially followed in the practize 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 therof 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 firme 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 served on them by such an evidence III. That one special intent of the Evangel of Luke was for this end Luke 1 4. that men might know not only the things themselves by a naked relatation but the certainty of these things wherin 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 singulare use to the Church by that clearnesse of rational conviction and demonstrative arguments for the truth of Christ as the greatest gain sayers could not withstand V. That its sure it was then without exception expressly required of the meanest within the Church to be allways ready to render the reasons of their hope to all who ask and not only to know what they did believe but why they did so as is clear 1 Pet. 3 15. yea that this could not be by bringing forth of internal evidences for conviction of others but to give 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 H. 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 therin and their being thus diligently intent in that comparing-worke of religion to see the truth therof not singly and apart by themselves alone but in that joynt union and coherence wherin they stand each in their own room for confirming and giving light to other VII That this was the way also wherin the Gospel did come to the Gentil church is cleerly shewed 1 Thess 1 5. Not in word only but as in power and in the H. Ghost so also in much assurance of understanding upon its own evidence which was that way it did so wonderfully prevail over the world against nature and stream of flesh and blood that stood in the furthest opposition therto VIII That one of the greatest services of the Apostles in their visiting the Churches did expresly ly here Acts 14 22. to confirme the souls of the Disciples in the first place on the certainty of their faith and then in exhorting them to continue in the same so as they might follow the
are given up to under the greatest discoveries of light so as all may see their being thus bound over in chains and shut up in prison until death bring them forth to the execution and how no relief or application of the means of grace hath then any more accesse VII From such a mape shaddow of eternal vengeance in these terrible acts of divine judgment inflicted here on Apostates and persecuters of the truth and other flagitious persons which with the very first view might present an awful and immediat appearence of God in the same and that some strang and supernatural punishment is oft visible on the workers of iniquity VIII And what ever be of natural causes in such visible representations here in the earth as that sulphureous lake where once Sodom was and these burning mountains such as Haecla Etna and Vesuvius yet we may truely judge their being thus set before the world as some visible memorials of these infernal flames and as it were so many lumeheads thereof for such who will not believe the same because they doe not yet see or feal such a thing QU. VII What assistances hath our faith of that great and wonderful truth of the resurrection of the body after its dissolution in the grave unto dust ANSW I. From that visible and stupendious frame of the heavens and the earth when its sure that the same infinite power that hath not only made man but the whole creation can as easily collect and recount the dispersed ashes of the body as form the same II. From that greatest pledge hereof in the resurrection of the body of Christ III. From that tribulation and sore pain that the saints here in their outward man are exposed to since it is sure that in the holy justice of God he did not give such bodies for labour and for toyl and to his martyrs to endure unexpressible torments for Christ to perish for ever IV. From these visible resemblances and prefigurations of the resurrection which the Lord hath given to confirme our faith herein in the ordinare course and productions of nature so as all may see how every night is as the grave of the day-light and each morning a new resurrection of the same and how visible an image of death is in each season of the winter with so marvelous and beatiful a resurrection of the earth on every return of the spring in the herbs flowers and plants taking life and rising again in the leaves blossomes and fruites yea this in such a variety as may no lesse convincingly evidence an infinite divine power herein then that the same body of man should be raised at the last day V. From that continued miracle of the harvest after the seed-time with so amazing a production of the grain sowen in the earth and its first dying there before it be quickned so as to be at last brought to 30 60 yea sometimes an hundred fold out of the very same grain which to these who had never before known the same would seem incredible above all reason to conceave or bear credite therto CHAPTER III. The confirming worke of Religion improven wich respect to the times to clear the way of the Lord herein before this generation and let us see how nothing is so strang in the events of this day which should not more strenthen then shake and that the God of the Reformed Church doth still own the same interest according to his faithfulnesse which is here briefly pointed at upon some special inquiry proposed about the same SECTION I. QU. WHat can afford both light and confirmation to our faith in such a time when we see the worke of the Lord about his Church to be most remarkably now a worke of judgement with such dark and searching tryals therwith as former times have not known ANSW It is sure we have seen nothing but what might have been too evidently looked for and that we can pretend no want of light herein upon these grounds I. That the Trialls of a Church should be suited to the measure of their talent of light when this hath been in some more then ordinare way dispensed that some remarkably searching times might be expected to follow nor can it be now strang to us that such things fall in with this day which did not meet the Churches of Christ at the first entry of the Reformation who then had not so clear discoveries of the truth and that measure of confirmation therein which hath been since II. That some unusual tryals and conflicts in the Lords usuall method of providence should be suited also to the greatnesse of that worke which he is bringing forth may be no strang thing and to see a time of such sore wrestlings as this when all things seem to cry be in pain as Micah 4 20. Yea when some great event of the Scripture is to be revealed to the world and near to its full hight and period of accomplishment as we have safe ground for assurance of this â—ay III. Nor hath this sad and dismal hower on the Church been more obvious then the provoking cause hereof in which the holy righteousnesse of God may be no lesse clear then the cloud now is dark when such a visible falling of hath been from that love tendernes and power of religion that did formerly attend its profession as for these many years past we might have seen that some sore and remarkable judgment was coming and that if we had not been in such a maner undone we were under some sadder strock of spiritual judgment ready to be undone IV. Yea it hath been too visible that such evils followed the Reformed Churches as in no time it was ever known that the holy God did passe such by without some signal evidence of his wrath against the same before the world V. We know that carnal confidence hath a curse ever waiting upon it in the Scripture which none can take of 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 strenth by such eager seeking human props support as we have forâ—ot the guide of our youth and convenant of our God and what great things he hath formerly done in the greatest straits of his Church when there was much humble trusting with little sence as though the spirit of the Lord had not done more to recover his truth then all human might or power ever could doe SECTION II. QU. WHat 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 unusual a tyde now is against the same ANSW If men shut not their eyes and hide this great talent of the workes of
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
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
assistence to your faith doth the certainty of these powers of darknesse bring therewith ANSW I. That such a party both in their nature and continued actings are in a stated opposition to the Kingdome of Christ II. That it is so visible the prey which these mighty hunters do follow is not our body or the things of this life but is with respect to ane immortal soul and ane after state and that thus man might be made sharer of the same misery under which they are concluded III. That all may see their being under restraint of a supream power above them under such chaines as do irresistibly bound their rage and enmity against man by ane invisiâ—le guard and hedge which they cannot breake over IV. How 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 clearely move for their rescue then these doe to crosse that blessed design of the Gospel V. That there are none serious in the truth and life of religion but finde themselves pursued by such ane adversary and to have as discernably another party then 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 is so discernably a greater restraint of Satans dominion and power then in all the earth besides yea that the advantage of being within the external covenant of Baptisme is so demonstrable as the least yeelding 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 then others VII Thus also is a most undeniable confirmation given of ane invisible world and of such intellectual beings there as are far above man yea that there is so undoubted ane intercourse betwixt men and spirits as may clearely shew that interest mens soul hath in another state and world then this QU. III. Is that great truth of the immortality of the soull 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 beleeve ane immortal soull and eternal state wherein it must shortly enter as by few seemes 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 ane immaterial and active substance as the soull which can admit 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 soull of man is therein II. Though we cannot see this rare and wonderful being yet it is here we both see and feel it to be something distinct from the body and to have a distinct interest both in its griefs and comforts III. How 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 cleare in its exercise not only when most separat and abstract from sensible things but when the flesh is under the greatest decay and neare its dissolution to shew the soull lyeth not a dying with the body but hath its distinct subsistence to live in a separat state when it dyes IV. It s being peculiarly framed for converse and intercourse with spiritual beings yea is only of the visible creation admit to fellowship with the invisible God and to have reflex acts upon it self V. How it is a being of a higher nature and value then the sun moon and starrs which not only can know and conceive of things above the evidence and impressions of sense but to make a rational choise of good though crosse to any sensual pleasure yea to rejoyce and have its proper delights when the body is afflicted and in pain nor can be defiled from the most loathsome sores and defilements of the flesh so as I must needs see both its dominion and preheminence over the body and to have assuredlie a subsistence without the same VI. That it is such a being as is capable of a happinesse beyond the whole extent of the world hath these intellectual facultyes which cannot possibly want both objects suitable thereto and injoyments above the senses VII That the most choise and excellent are usually most afflicted and crushed under the feet of their oppressours whilst these flourish in the earth and have no bands in their death so as such were of all men the most miserable if in this life both their being and blessednesse were founded VIII That there is so universal a sense of immortality as these who both feare and hate the evidences hereof yet under some constraint of reason hath 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 happinesse then such if it were not from respect to ane 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 wife God moves herein according to the nature of second causes and that it hath various wayes of approach unto men yet may all see with the furthest conviction of rational evidence as well as certainty of faith I. How 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 thus no natural accident and result of our primitive and original frames II. That its death as a penalty which keepes the feare and dread thereof so much on all living as that last period when the eternal state of men is then cast III. That the sting and bitternesse of sin is so manifest in innumerable diseases and stroakes of death which many feel an 100. times ere they dye once beyond other of the creatures IV. Though the sentence of dying is on all yet so great a difference is betwixt the saints and residue of men here that its penal execution on the ungodly is such as nature can give no support herein V. That supernatural presages and warnings hereof ere it come are in all times so known and sure yea such extraordinare evidences sometimes of the precise time as could have no possible rise from any natural cause VI. That its immediat commission from a supream and invisible power is so evident in such executions oft of this sentence by sword famine and pestilence as the visible finger of God in a just retribution unto men for sin may be no lesse seen and a supernatural
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