concerned all the rest of the World they were by them to be attested to others Matters of Fact can only be proved by credible Witnesses and this was the great Office put upon the Apostles Acts 1.8 21 22. and Acts 2.32 Acts 3.15 Acts 10.39 40 41. 2. As it is matter of Faith or the Doctrine built upon this Matter of Fact We cannot propeâ—ly be said to believe a thing but upon a report and testimony I may know a thing by sense or reason but I cannot believe it but as it is affirmed or brought to me by credible Testimony As we are said to see those things which we perceive by the Eye or the sense of Seeing and to know those things which we receive by Reason or sure Demonstration so we are said to believe those things which are brought to us by valuable Testimony Tradition and Report As for Instance if any one ask you Do you believe the Sun shineth at noon Day You will answer I do not believe it but see it So if any one ask you Do you believe that twice two make four and twice three make six You will say I do not believe it but know it because certain and evident Reason telleth me that two is the half of four and three of six and every whole consisteth of two halfs or moities But if he should ask you Do you believe that the Sun is bigger than the Earth You will say I believe it for though your Eye doth not discover it nor doth an ignorant Man know any certain demonstration of it yet having the authority of Learned Men who are competent Judges in the case you judg it a rash and foolish obstinacy not to believe it Apply it now to the Mysteries of Godliness revealed in the Gospel they cannot be seen with the Eye for they are invisible nor found out and comprehended by any humane understanding because they exceed the reach of Man's Reason and depend upon the Love and Arbitrary Will of God Iohn 3.16 yet you believe them because God hath revealed them to the Prophets and Apostles And God being Truth and Wisdom it self cannot deceive or be deceived and therefore you believe them with the certainty of Divine Faith and do no more doubt of them than you do of those things which you see with your Eyes and know and understand by a sure demonstration The sense of Seeing may be deceived and Humane Reason may erre but 't is impossible God should deceive or be deceived It oftentimes falleth out that Men do prefer the authority and report of a Man whom they judg to be Wise and Good before their own Sense and Reason As for Instance That Man who by his Eye judges the Sun to be less than the Earth yet doth not obstinately stand in his Opinion when he hears a knowing and skilful Philosopher assert the contrary Now If we receive the witness of Men the Witness of God is greater 1 John 5.9 And this Testimony of God is brought to us by his Authorized Messengers as the ground of Faith And what is that but Tradition We believe in God by hearing of him and we hear by a Preacher Rom. 10.14 Ordinary common Preachers give us notice but Christ and his Apostles give us assurance and by their Testimony and Tradition our Faith ultimately resolved into the veracity of God 2. That holding this Tradition is the great means of standing fast in the Faith of Chriâ—t and the Confession of his Name For in the Word of God delivered by Christ and his Apostles there is sure Direction to walk by and sure Promises to build upon For whatever they made known of Christ was not a Fable but a certain Truth for they had the Testimony of Sense 2 Pet. 1.16 17. 1 Iohn 1.2 3 4. and so could plead both the Authority of his Command and the certainty of his Promise and that with uncontroulable Evidence and without this relation there can be neither Faith nor Obedience nor sure expectation of Happiness For we cannot trust God for what he hath not Promised nor obey God in what he hath not Commanded nor in our Difficulties and Distresses expect Happiness from him without his Warrant and Assurance But by this Doctrine delivered to us we have all that belongeth to Faith Obedience and Happiness and beyond that the Creature can desiâ—e no more 1. There can be no Faith till we â—ave a sure Testimony of God's Revelation for Faith is a believing such things as God hath Revealed because he hath Revealed them 'T is not Faith but Fancy to believe such things as God hath never Revealed nâ—r is it trust and a regular confidence to thiâ—k that he will certainly give us what he hath never promised this were to lay us open to all manner of Delusion And therefore we are never upon sure and stable ground but by sticking so such a Tradition as may justly intitle it self to God 2. Nor Obedience for Obedience is a doing what God hath Commanded because he hath Commanded it The fundamental reason of Obedience is the sight of God's Will 1 Thess. 4.3 1 Thess. 5.18 1 Pet. 2.15 To do what God never Commanded or not to do it upon that account but for other reasons is not Obedience and in difficult cases the Soul can never be held to its Duty till we are perswaded that so is God's Will concerning us Now to know his Will concerning us we are often bidden to search the Scripture but never bidden to consult with the Church to know what unwritten Traditions She hath in her keeping to instruct us in our Duty 3. No certain expectation of Happiness We are never safe till we know by what Rule Christ will judg us that is reward or punish Men at the last Day Now he will judg us according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 1 Thess. 1.8 Obey the Gospel and you have a perfect Rule to guide you to Happiness but if you neglect this great Salvation or be unfaithful in the profession of it this Word condemneth you and God will ratifie the Sentence of it IV. Prop. That whilst the Apostles were in being there were two ways of delivering the Truth and that is by word of Mouth and Writing So in the Text Wâ—ether by Word or our Epistle The Apostles went up and down and preached Christ every where that needeth no Proof unless you would have me to produce the whole Book of the Acts of the Apostles But they did not Preach only but Write and both by the Instinct of the Holy Spirit who guided their Journeys and moved them to write Epistles For being often absent from Churâ—hes newly Planted and Heresies arising or some Contentions which could not be avoided among weak Christians God over-ruled these occasions for the profit of the Church in after Ages upon one occasion or another they saw a necessity to write 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jude ver 3. It was needful for me to write unto you As in
mans mouth have not I the Lord. The latter cannot be said because that is contrary to his goodness Psal. 25.8 Good and upright is the Lord therefore will he teach Sinners the way It is not to be imagined that the great and universal King should give a Law to Mankind and speak so darkly that we should have no sure direction from thence nor be able to know his mind in any of the Duties God hath required of us or expose us to great difficulties and hardships in the World And if he had not plainly expressed his will to us man would never leave writing and distinguishing himself out of his duty surely he that will venture his All for Christs sake had need of a clear warrant to bear him out for none will hazard all that is near and dear to him but for weighty Reasons 5. Besides the Illumination of the Holy Spirit doth accompany this word and make it effectual to us to shew us God as revealed in Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath sâ—ined into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ and for Heaven Eph. 1.17 18. Praying that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being inlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints He sanctifieth and healeth our Souls and prepareth us for the entertainment of the Truth that as natural things are naturally discerned so spiritual things are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 6. There are promises of direction made to humble and sincere minds Psal. 25.9 The meek shall he guide in Iudgment the meek shall he teach his way to the industrious Prov. 2. 4 5. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God to the godly and well-disposed John 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self so to them that pray much James 1.5 If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him They that thus sincerely endeavour to know the will of God will come to a sound establish'd Judgment in the Truth II. A Christian that is thus established is fortified against Spirit Word or Writing or all Suggestion that may perplex his mind 1. Against pretended Revelations called here spirit 1. Because having his mind thus setled he may boldly defy all Revelations pretended to the contrary Gal. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel than we have preached let him be accursed Any Doctrine if divers or different from or besides the written word much more contrary to it a Christian may reject it and account it Cursed Doctrine Therefore neither Church nor Angel nor Spirit is to be heard against it 2. Because a Christian is upon better terms having the written word than if God dealt with him by way of Revelations 2 Pet. 1.19 We have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word of Prophecy comparing it with the voice from Heaven of which he spake before not as if there could be any uncertainty in the Lords Voice speaking from Heaven but because a transient Voice is more easily mistaken or forgotten than an authentick standing Record as Samuel thought Eli called him when it was the Lord it is quoad nos though God gave evidence of the Truth of such Revelations as he made yet we have more accommodate means Our Lord intimateth such a thing Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead This is the surest ground for Faith to rest upon of any that ever hath been or can be given to Sinners subject to forgetfulness jealousies and mistakes 3. Because it is not rational to expect new Revelation now the Canon and Rule of Faith is closed up Heb. 2.1 2. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip c. Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you John 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them which shall believe on me through their word 4. Because if any such be pretended it must be tryed by the word Is. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because they have no light in them So 1 John 4.1 Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone abroad into the World 5. Because they that despise ordinary means and pretend to Vision Revelation or Inspiration are usually such as are given up by God to a vertiginous Spirit and cast into the Dungeon of error for the punishment of other sins Mic. 2.11 If a man walking in the Spirit of falshood do lie he shall be the Prophet of this people God will permit those that are both deceivers and deceived themselves to come amongst them for a Plague to them Sleidan giveth sad instances of some given up to this phantastical frenzy that killed their own relations on pretence of inspiration and of others that murdered 50000. in one day 2. By word or unwritten Tradition this also should not shake the mind of a setled Christian for this hath no constat no evidence of its certainty and would lay us open to the deceits of men blinded by their own Interest and Passions and if such tradition could be produced as hath unquestionable Authority it must be tryed by the Scripture which is every where commended as the publick Standard and true measure and rule both of Faith and Manners 3. Not by Epistle as from us 1. Supposititious writings which the Church in all Ages hath exploded and received only those which are unquestionably theirs whose names they bear 2. False Expositions these are confuted by inspection of the Context scope of the Writer comparing of obscure places with plain and clear Thus you see what certainty God hath provided for us guide us in the way to Eternal Life SERMON III. 2 Thess. 2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first And that man of sin be revealed the Son of perdition IN these words we have these two things 1. A Caution against the errour set a-foot at that
owned as Apostolical Tradition but what is delivered as such by their Authority which is to leave the Church to the tyranny and usurpation of a corrupt Faction to declare for Apostolicaâ— Tradition any thing which serveth their end and Interest and for which no true historical Evidence is produced Now the unjust and fraudulent practices which they have used to promote this usurpation over the Churches of Christ render them false Men most unfit to be trusted in this kind Partly with respect to the Manner they will have these things to be received pari reverentia pietatis affectu with the same reverence and pious affection with which we receive the Holy Scriptures and so Man's Post is set by God's and unproved Traditions equall'd with Doctrines of Faith Their Opinion is bad enough but their Practice is worse for there they shew they value these things more than the Scriptures As Superstition always aboundeth in its own things Did ever any of their Doctors say the same things of Traditions which they take the boldness to say of Scripture Did they ever call them Pen and Inkhorn or Parchment Divinity a nose of Wax a dumb Rule an obscure and ambiguous Doctrine These Blasphemies they vent boldly against the Scriptures but did they ever spake these of Traditions And again common People are a thousand times better instructed in their Tradition than in the Doctrine of Salvation They skill more of Lent and Ember-weeks c. than they truly understand the Doctrine of Man's Misery and Remedy And call you this Reverence and pious Affection to the Scriptures and Traditions Partly because they would never give us a Catalogue of unwritten Traditions necessary to be observed by all Christians It may be lest they should amaze the People with the multitude of them or else that the People may not know how many of their Doctrines are destitute of Scripture proof and so they plainly be discovered to be Imposers on the belief of the Christian World 6. Though we blame this in Papists yet we reject not all Traditions 1. Because Scripture it self is a Tradition as we proved before and is conveyed to us by the most credible means which we have no reason to doubt of The Scriptures of the Old Testament were preserved by the Jews to whom were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 Protestants received all the Books which they admitted into their Canon And for the Books of the New Testament the Christian Church hath received them as the Writings of those whose names they â—ear And by the constant Universal Tradition of the Church they are transmitted to us and we have no more reason to doubt of them than we do of Statutes and Laws made by Kings and Parliaments who lived long before we had a being Yea we may be much more confident as the Matter is of greater weight and consequence and these Writings have the signature and stamp of God's Spirit on them and have bin blessed by God to the converting and sanctifying of many Souls And have bin delivered down to us by a succession of Believers unto this very day And by them Christianity hath bin preserved in the World notwithstanding the wickedness of it and hath held up head against all the encounter of Time The persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the profession of it but still from Age to Age God's Truth is received and transmitted to Posterity 2. Because the truth of Christianity depending upon Matter of Fact chiefly Christ's rising from the Dead it can only be proved by a Testimony which in so extraordinary a case must be made valuable and authorized to the World by the Miracles accompanying it Now the notice of these things is brought to us by Tradition which being unquestionable giveth us as good ground of Faith as it did to them that lived in the Apostles Time and heard their Doctrine and saw their Miracles God's wonderful Works were never intended for the benefit of that Age only in which they were done but for the benefit also of those that should hear of them by any credible means whatsoever Psal. 145.4 Ioel 1.3 Psal. 78.3 4 5 6 7. these things were told them that they might set their hope in God c. 3. Because there are some Doctrines drawn by just consequence from Scripture but are the more confirmed to us when they are backed with constant Church usage and practice as Baptism of Infants Lord's Day singing of Psalms in our Public Worship c. 4. Because there are certain words which are not found in Scripture indeed yet agreeable thereto and are very useful to discover the frauds of Heretics as Trinity Divine Providence consubstantial procession of the Holy Ghost Satisfaction c. 5. We reject not all Church-History or the Records of Ancient Writers concerning the Providences of God in their Days in owning the Gospel which make much for our instruction in Manners and help to incourage us to put our trust in God 6. There are certain Usages and innocent Customs or Circumstances common to Sacred and other Actions which we despise not but acknowledg and receive as far as their own variable Nature and Condition requireth not rejecting them because anciently practised nor regarding them when the general Law of Edification requireth the omission of them But that whâ—ch we detest is that the Traditions of Men should be made equal in dignity and authority with the express Revelation of God Yea that manifest Corruptions and Usurpations as making Rome the Mistress of other Churches and superinducing the Pope as the Head of the Universal Visible Church and the Vicar of Christ without his leave and appointment and such-like other Point should be obtruded upon the World as Apostolical Traditions and to be received with like religious reverence as we do Articles of Faith set down in Scripture This is that we cannot sufficiently abhor as apparently false and destructive to Christianity SERMON XIV 2 Thess. 2.16 17. Now our Lord Iesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your Hearts and stablish you in every good Word and Work The Apostle 1. Giveth thanks for their Election and Vocation Ver. 13 14. 2. Exhorteth them to stick fast to the Truths delivered by Epistles or word of Mouth Ver. 15. 3. Prayeth for them in the words now read So that is the third means of confirming their Faith in the Truth of the Gospel Prayer to God for them Now in a Prayer all things are plain we must put off our Shoes when we draw nigh to God appear before the Lord with naked and bare Feet Therefore here nothing of difficulty will occur our Prayers the more simply and plainly they are exprest the more sincere they are In this Prayer observe I. The Persons to whom this Prayer is addressed Now our Lord Iesus Christ himself and God
here for the Apostle conjureth them by all that is dear and sacred in their most holy Faith and upon this I will mainly spend the first part of this Discourse I shall prove it by these two choice pieces of Scripture which describe the Communion of the Church with Christ or the dispensations of Christ to the Church the one concerneth Gods internal the other his external Government the Canticles and Revelations The Book of Canticles is ended with this desire vote and wish Cant. 8.14 Make haste my beloved and be like a young Hart or Roe upon the Mountains of Spices the Brides last and great suit to the Bridegroom is make haste as to his coming in Glory to judge the World not that Christ is slack but the Churches affections are strong they that go a Whoring after the World neither desire his coming nor love his appearing but the Spouse would have all things hastened that he might return he cannot come soon enough to set the World to rights and compleat their Happiness it is that only that will perfect their Consolation and therefore would have the blessed and longed for meeting hastened In the other Book of the Revelations see how it is closed Rev. 22.20 Christ saith Surely I come quickly and the Church like a quick Echo saith Even so Come Lord Iesus come quickly it taketh the word out of Christs Mouth and presently improveth the Promise into a Prayer and so Christs Voice and the Churches Voice are Unisons the Acclamation of the Saints answereth to his Proclamation Christ saith I come as desiring to meet with us the Church answereth even so come as desiring his Fellowship and Company when once Faith apprehendeth the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus to Judgment Love presently desireth it as the most comfortable thing which we can ask of him that is the farewel suit of the Church to Christ if he will grant this all complaints and sorrow and sighing will be no more Now I shall give you Reasons why this is desired by all true Christians 1. In respect of him who is to come His Person that we may see him who is our great Lord and Saviour all that believed any thing of Christ desired to see him those that lived before his coming in the flesh Joâ—n 8.56 Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad and the same affection possesseth us that live after his coming in the flesh we know him by hear-say we have heard much of him he wooeth us by a Proxy as Eliezer Abrahams Servant did Rebekah Now Christians would fain see him of whom they have heard and whom they loved and in whom they have believed 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love and in whom though now you see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy â—nspeakable and full of glory they do not see Christ but they have a taste of his goodness 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious They have felt his comforts and live by his Life all that is wanting is but ocular Vision that they may see him Face to Face therefore they long for his coming 2. The Excellency of Christ their head shall then be fully revealed therefore it is comfortable to his Saints to think of his second comeing it is called the Revelation of Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 Christ is now under a Vail retired within the Curtain of the Heavens the wicked often ask where is now your God and our own unbelieving hearts are apt to question the glory of his Person and the truth of his Promises when his most faithful Servants are under disgrace Christ is a glorious King but little of his Glory is seen in the World therefore they desire that he may appear in Glory and Royalty we pray that his Kingdom may come 2. The persons desiring there is somewhat in them to move them to it 1. The Spirit of Christ Rev. 22.17 The Spirit in the Bride saith come the Holy Ghost breadeth this desire in the Church nature saith it is good to be here but this is a disposition above nature the Flesh saith Depart but the Spirit saith Come the great work of the Spirit is to bring us and Christ together he cometh from the Father and the Son to bring us to the Father by the Son his business is to marry us to Christ the promise being past the Spouse longeth to see her beloved It is the Spirit kindleth a desire in us of his second coming when the Marriage that is now contracted shall be consummated when the Queen shall be brought unto the King in rayment of Needle-work and shall enter into the Palace with him there to abide for ever Well then though guilty Sinners would have Christ stay away still and if it might go by Voices the Carnal World would never give their Voice this way Even so come Lord Iesus come quickly no they are of the Devils mind Why art thou come to torment us before the time Mat. 8.29 Thieves and Malefactors if they might have the liberty to choose they would never look nor long for the day of Assizes but the Spirit in the Bride is another thing it giveth us other inclinations the sooner Christ cometh the better they can never be soon enough taken up to him nor he come to them 2. There are Graces planted in us Faith Hope and Love to move us earnestâ—y to desire his coming 1. Faith believeth Christ will be as good as his word I will come again if it were not so I would have told you John 14.2 And if Christ saith in a way of Promise I come the Church saith Amen in a way of Faith even so Comâ— If Christ had gone away in discontent and with a threat in his mouth Ye shall never see my face more we should altogether despair of seeing him again but he parted in Love and left a Promise with us which upholdeth the Hearts of Believers during his absence Would Christ deceive us and flatter us into a Fools Paradise What need that He can strike us dead in an instant if we do not please him and we have hitherto found him true in all things and will he fail us at last 2. Hope which is Faiths Handmaid it looketh for that which we do believe it is the immediate effect of the new Creature 1 Pet. 1.3 Begotten to a lively hope as soon as Grace is infused it discovereth it self by its tendency to its end and rest it came from Heaven and carrieth the Soul thither 3. Love is an affection of Union it desireth to be with the party loved Phil. 1.23 I desire to depart and to be with Christ therefore its Voice is Come Come he hath Communion with us in our Houses of Clay therefore we desire presence with him in his Palace of Glory his Voice now is very sweet when he saith Come unto me ye that are weary and heavy laden but much more will
3. An Aggregation They are all intended but principally the last A Congregation Mat. 25.32 Before him shall be gathered all Nations And not only all Nations but all Persons 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all collectivè appear before the Iudgment-seat of Christ that every one distributivè may receive according to the things done in his body c. All that have lived from the beginning of the World unto that day shall without exception of any one single person from the least unto the greatest appear before the Tribunal of Christ no Age no Sex or Nation or Dignity or Greatness can excuse us In the World some are too high to be questioned others too low to be taken notice of but there all are brought forth to undergo their Tryal there is no shifting or avoiding this day of appearance Adam will there meet with all his Posterity at once Take all the distinctions of Mankind Infants and grown Persons I mean Infants who die before they are in an ordinary way capable of the Doctrine of Life the Scriptures are written for grown persons the Case of Infants is more obscure those of them who are born within the Church God is their God Gen. 17.7 I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee Good and bad is the next distinction both forts come to receive their Sentence only the one come to the Judgment of Condemnation the other to the Judgment of Absolution John 5.28 29. Those that have done good to the resurrection of life and those that have done evil to the resurrection of Condemnation Acts 24.15 There shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust The next distinction is men of all Callings Apostles Ministers private Christians Apostles Paul expected to be judged 1 Cor. 4.4 I know nothing of my self yet am I not thereby justified but he that judgeth me is the Lord he speaketh with respect to the execution of the Apostolical Office Ordinary Ministers Heb. 13.17 They watch for your souls as those that must give an account If Souls miscarry through their negligence they are answerable to God for it Ordinary Christians Rom. 14.12 Every one must give an account of himself to God Men of all conditions poor or rich weak or powerful high and low Rev. 20.12 I saw the dead small and great stand before God I mean those that are so distinguished now these distinctions do not out-live time there all stand on the same level the rufling men of the World shall then be afraid and call upon the Mountains to cover them from the wrath of him that sitteth upon the Throne Rev. 6.16 The poor are not forgotten they are Gods Creatures and must undergo his Judgment Thus shall all people that live scattered up and down in the World how much soever they differ from one another in Rites Tongues Customs of living be brought together in one place 2. There is a Segregation Mat. 25.32 33. He shall separate the one from the other as a Shepherd divideth the Sheep from the Goats and he shall set the Sheep on his right hand and the Goats on his left There may be now a confusion and mixture of the godly and the wicked as Sheep and Goats feed in the same pasture and they may be all raised together according to the places where they lived and died but then a perfect separation good and bad are first gathered together but the good are drawn into a Company by themselves but no pure Company till the great Shepherd will judge between Cattle and Cattle Ezek. 34.17 He will gather his Saints together Psal. 50.5 Psal. 1.5 The ungodly shall not stand in the Iudgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the righteous So Mat. 13.44 At the end of the World the Angels shall come and sever the wicked from among the just 3. An Aggregation Believers are gathered together to him for several ends 1. To make up the number of Christs Train and Attendants to wait on him Iude 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with his holy ten thousands Zech. 14.5 And the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with him 1 Thes. 4.17 The dead in Christ shall rise first and we which are alive shall be caught up together in the Clouds with them to meet the Lord in the air 2. That after Judgment we may be solemnly presented to God by head and Poll we were given to Christ to be preserved unto the Glory we were designed for John 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the World thine they were and thou gavest them me not by way of Alienation but Oppignoration recompence and charge Christ is to give an account John 6. 40. And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day The Form of Presentation is Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which God hath given me 3. That in one Troop we may be brought into his Heavenly Kingdom John 14.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am there ye may be also The whole Flock shall then follow the great Shepherd of the Sheep into the Everlasting Fold Vse 1. Believe this gathering together to him we are joined to the Church of Gods Elect now by Faith only Heb. 12.22 23. Ye are come to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in Heaven c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a meeting made up of many different Persons gathered together from several Countries into one body and one place as the meeting of all sorts of persons from all the Corners of Greece to see the Olympick Games was called the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 People of all Countries came to behold their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the mystical state of the Church of the Gospel is a general Assembly because it is not consined to one Nation but extended to Believers of all Nations and Ages they are drawn into a Body or Heavenly Society into one Fold under one Shepherd but they never meet in an actual Assembly until the last day which is the great Congregation or Rendezvouz of the Saints so that now it is matter of Faith 2. See you be of the number when some are admitted others are thrust out Luke 13.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and ye your selves thrust out The wicked shall not stand in this Congregation Oh it is a blessed and a comfortable thing when we are made Members of the mystical body of Christ and have hopes that we shall be in the number of
to Saints and Angels and turned into a theatrical Pomp and the Pageantry of empty Ceremonies which eclipse the Majesty and splendour of it and the Discipline of the Church into a temporal domination and all is carried in the World by sides and interests that Christianity looketh like another thing a design Calculated for the present World rather than a serious preparation for the World to come Then certainly there is an Apostasy and a defection from Christ however the corrupt manners of the Church be varnished over with the name of Christianity There is a degeneration questionless and that is Apostasy in a Mystery such as this is though not an open revolt from the Christ. But to make this more evident to you let us consider what the Kingdom of Christ is The Gospel Kingdom is a Kingdom of Light Life and Love Opposite to Light is ignorance and errour to Life a Religion that consists of shews dead rites and empty Ceremonies to Love uncharitableness malice and especially hatred of the power of Godliness now where these prevail eminently there is an opposite Kingdom set up to the Kingdom of Christ certainly a falling off from his Kingdom That is to say where in opposition to Light errour is taught and ignorance is counted the Mother of Devotion and people are restrained from the means of Knowledge as if the height of Christian Faith and Obedience did consist in an implicite believing what the Church believeth and where instead of Life men place their whole Religion on superficial Rites and Ceremonies and some trifling acts of seeming Devotion and exteriour Mortifications and instead of love to God and Souls all things are sacrificed to private Ambition and forcing Consciences with the highest penalties and persecutions to submit to their corruptions There is a manifest subversion of the interest of Christs Kingdom In short Gods witnesses were slain in that City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt and our Lord was crucifyed Rev. 11.8 That City which answereth to Sodom for impurity to Egypt for Idolatry and to Ierusalem for persecution of the Saints there may you find the great Apostasy 5. This Apostasy from our Lords Authority and the interests of his Kingdom is some notable and discernable Apostasy and the Head and Patron thereof is Antichrist The defection is not of one or a few or many in divers Churches there have always been back-sliders from the Faith 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us and the Spirit of Antichrist wrought in the Apoâ—tles days 1 Joh. 2.18 As you have heard that Antichrist shall come even now there are many Antichrists and again 1 Ioh. 4.3 we are told of the Spirit of Antichrist and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the World Then described to be afterwards Verse 5. a Worldly Spirit They are of the World and speak of the World and the World heareth them Though they profess Christianity Carnal Worldly Hypocrites which never Conquered the fleshly mind and interest have the Spiriâ— of Antichrist These obscure the light and obstruct the life and love of the Gospel They that wholly affect a life of pomp and ease in the Church Now this hath always been in all Ages The false Christians forget their hopes are built upon a Crucified Christ and are to be derived to them from a Glorified Christ in the other World Crucified in this World and Glorified in the next which indeed are the two considerations that keep Christianity pure and lively That all was purchased by a Crucified Christ and all is dispensed by a Glorified Christ and I wish you would oftner think of it But the great Apostasy is eminently found in some external visible Church where these corruptions are generally received and defended For the head of that Church is Antichrist where Doctrine is corrupted and the worship mingled with Idolatry and the Government an Usurpation and bent against the Holy Seed that desire to worship God in Spirit and in Truth there is this manifest revolt from and a Rebellion against God and Christ though they push with the Horns of the Lamb. That the Papists are a corrupt Sect of Christians is beyond dispute to any that will try their Religion by the Scriptures and that they are far more corrupt than the Protestants 〈◊〉 Reformed Churches will also soon appear by the comparison or a view of both Churches But whether they are so corrupt as to become the Seat of Antichrist is the matter under debate Therefore let any one consideâ— where the eminent Apostasy is to be found Who are they that invade Christs Authority by setting up an Universal Head over all Câ—ristians Who are they that establish the Doctrine of Daemons or revive the worship of a middle sort of Powers between God and mortal men 1 Tim. 4.1 who through Hypocrisy â—nvent so many lies to maintain it and when Christians should keep themselves from Idols 1 Ioh. 5.21 yet in defiance of this worship Angels and other Creatures Col. 2.18 Let nâ— man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels c. and erect the Images of Saints commanding and compelling men to adore them and pray to them who are they that are not contented with the one only Mediatour 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the man Christ Iesus 1 Cor. 8.5 For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods mâ—ny and Lords many But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him but set up other Mediâ—tours of Intercession Who are they that plead for Indulgences and the supererogatory saâ—â—sfactioâ—â— of the Saints as gathered into the Treasure of the Church and so profitable for the remission of sins and condemn them who think the contrary Who are they that keep Beliâ—vers from reading the Scriptures when they are so expresly injoined to do it Joh. 5.39 and Psal. 1.2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night That deny one part of the Lorâ—s Supper to his Disciples notwithstanding his Institution to the contrary 1 Cor. 11.25 26. After the same manner also he took the Cup wheâ— he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood This do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me for as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come It were endless to instance in all I shall speak more of it in the following Verses 6. This Apostasy is not only forbidden but foretold as a thing that would certainly come to pass This consideration is necessary for divers reasons 1. Because the Papists
moved David against them to say go number Israel and Iudah How shall we reconcile these two places God gave him over to be tempted by Sathan By God as a Judge by Sathan as an Executioner Temptations to sin come immediately from the Devil but they are governed by God for holy and righteous ends So again 1 King 22.22 The evil Spirit had leave and Commission to be a lying Spirit in Ahabs Prophets Go forth and do so and thou shalt prevail with him There is a permissive intention not an effective when they grieve his Spirit God withdraweth and leaveth them to the evil Spirit who works by their fleshly and worldly lusts and then they are easily seduced who prefer Worldly things before Heavenly 3. There is an active providence which raiseth such instruments and propoundeth such objects as meeting with a naughty heart do sore blind it 1. For instruments Iob 22.16 The deceived and the deceiver are hiâ— Take it in Worldly or take it in Religious matters mans deceiving others or being deceived by others it is of God for it is said both are his not only his Creatures but subject to the government and disposal of providence how and whom they shall deceive and how far they shall deceive So Ezech. 14.9 If the Prophet be deceived that hath spoken a thing I the Lord have deceived him This is a great transaction in the World a sad judgment not to be cavilled but trembled at For mans ingratitude God raiseth up false Prophets to seduce them that delight in lies rather than in the truths of God 2. For objects wicked instruments varnish and dress up this cause with all the art they can to make it a powerful deceit and then it is befriended and countenanced by the powers of the World and so easily prevaileth with them who are moved either with worldly hopes or fears and have debauched their Conscience by worldly respects God saith Jer. 6.21 I will lay stumbling blocks before this people If we will find the sin God will find the occasion If Iudas hath a mind to buy his Master he shall not want Chapmen to bargain with him the Priests were consulting to destroy Christ at the same time that the Devil put it into his heart Matth. 26.3 being Alarmed by the Miracle of raising Lazarus Birds and Fishes are easily deceived with such baits as they greedily catch at so God by his just vengeance ordereth such occurences and occasions as take with a naughty and carnal heart 2. The degree or kind of the punishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we render it strong delusion or the efficacy of error that is such delusion as shall have a most efficacious force to deceive them The prevalency and strength of the delusion is seen in two things 1. The absurdity of the errors 2. The obstinacy wherewith they cleave to them 1. The absurdity of the errors I will instance in three things False Image worship and Bread worship Invocation of Saints and supererogation of works 1. Adoration of Images Idolaters are usually represented as sottish as Psal. 115.8 They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them He had described the senselesness of the Idols before They have mouths but they speak not Eyes have they but they see not they have ears but they hear not Noses have they but they smell not c. Now as Idols are senseless so the Idolaters are bruitish That is the makers Worshippers and Servers of them as void of true Wisdom as the Images are of sense and motion Isa. 44.18 They have not known nor understood for he hath shut their eyes that they câ—nnot see and their hearts that they cannot understand There is a fatal obduration upon them all along there their senselesness is set forth from ver 9. to ver 20. they that worship the work of their own hands are themselves but stocks and stones being blinâ—ed by the just Judgment of God If it be said this is meant of the Idols of the Gentiles not of the Images of God and Christ and Virgin Mary and Saints But God will not be worshipped by an Idol and there is no difference between the Images of the Papists and the Heathens but only in the name 2. The other thing that I will instance in is the Invocation of Saints a sottish error and respect payed to them that are so far out of the reach of our Commerce and a thing not only without precept promise or president in Scripture but also against Scripture which always directeth to God by one Mediator the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture saith Go to God if you lack any thing and they say Go to the Saints if they say not as Authors of Grace or any Divine Blessing yet as Intercessors though that be not true yet that derogateth from Christ whose Office it is to intercede with the Father So that this is to put the Creature in the place of God But it is not only contrary to Scripture but the very motion and inclination of the Spirit when he stirreth us or moveth us to pray Rom. 8.15 Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father he inclineth us to come to God and yet this they will leave 3. A third Error that I shall instance in is that man may supererogate not only merit for himself but lay in an overplus to encrease the treasure of the Church when the Scripture telleth us that our best works are imperfect yea polluted and our Lord himself hath told us that when we have done all say ye we are unprofitable Servants Luke 17.10 But what will not men believe that can believe these things There are other absurdities as gross as these but this sufficeth for a tast 2. The obstinacy wherewith they cleave to them Nothing will reclaim them not Scripture nor reason nor evidence of truth but they still cry the opinion of the Church and the Faith of their Forefathers and will invent any paltry shift and distinction rather recede from any thing than once admit that the Church hath erred Like the obstinate Jews in Christs time that denied apparent matter of fact Joh. 8.33 We were never in bondage to any man though they were in Egypt and Babylon and were now under servitude and the power of the Romans Though we prove they have erred and do err still the Church cannot err or rather like the Elder Jews in the Prophet Ieremiahs time Ier. 44.16 17 18 19. As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord we will not hearken to thee but we will certainly do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth To burn incense unto the Queen of Heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to her as we have done we and our Fathers and our Kings and our Princes for then
we had plenty of Victuals and were well and saw no evil But since we have left off burning incense to the Queen of Heaven we have wanted all things and have been consumed by the Sword and the Famine Such sottish obstinacy is there in men that doat upon their own invented Superstitious and Idolatrous Services Custom Antiquity practice of their Ancestors the Authority and usage of their great ones their Rulers the generality of observance This is their knot of Arguments by which they confirm themselves just as the Papists plead for their Superstitions at this day and to make the Mess more compleat they add the plenty and prosperity they enjoyed what a merry World it was before the new Gospel came in when they had nothing but Mass and Mattins And all the Calamities that have faln out they impute not to their own sins but to the Gospel Now when a people are thus obstinate and measure Religion not by reasons of Conscience but the interests of the Belly it is a sign that they are under the power of delusion and error hath more efficacy with such corrupt minds than the truth 3. The Causes of it shew the efficacy of error 1. The sinning of their learned to keep out all instructions allowing the vulgar only Prayers in a strange tongue and the Scriptures in no tongue and teaching them implicitely to believe as the Church believeth When the Lord permitteth such guides to order the affairs of his Church his great Judgment of occecation and obduration is upon them Jer. 5.31 The Prophets prophesie falsely and the Priests bear rule by their means and my people love to have it so 2. When gain interests and ambition move them thereunto As those Masters in the Acts exclaim against Paul and Silas when they saw their hope of gain was gone Acts 16.19 20 21. These men do exceedingly trouble the City And Demetrius Acts 18.25 Ye know by this craft we have our wealth This is a tender point to touch interest and when once it cometh to this they will proceed in their foâ—ly and defend one falshood with another for the great Idol of the World is gain or love of money 1 Tim. 6.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith It were an happiness if such kind of Arguments did only prevail with us to embrace a Religion that might convince others that it was Religion it self that we loved That our interest did not keep others from their duty and that we could embrace a Religion for the goodness of it even to our own loss 3. Another cause is pride of themselves and prejudice against others lest they should seem to be in an error and wrong and to learn of a few Novellists shall they teach them No rather they will remain ignorant still Alas it is not easy to strike Saâ—â— and submit to the teaching of those whom they hate Therefore men continue those first prejudices they have imbibed and will rather live and die in their errors than give God glory by a submission to truth Such a proud opinion and conceit have they of their own Learning and Knowledge This cause also conduceth to make the resolution more strong pre-ingagement in a contrary way It is disgraceful to change men think it is taken notice of as a great wonder Acts 6.7 That a great Company of the Priests were obedient to the Faith But such wonder are not wrought every day they of all men are most pertinacious but God can of stones raise up Children to Abraham Now would to God these causes of error were only found in the Antichristian Estate They are every where buâ— these cause strong delusion 3. The issue and effect that they should believe a lie two things must be explained 1. The object 2. The Act. 1. The object a lie that is either 1. false Doctrines 1 Tim. 4.2 Speaking lies in Hypocrisie When palpable errors are taken for truths A man given over by God to delusion will swallow the grossest errors and fâ—ctions and that in matters dangerous and destructive to Salvation False Doctrines are often called a lie in Scripture as opposite to the truth And yet such things are received by those from whose parts the World would expect better things 2. False Miracles in their Legends a man would wonder any should have the face to obtrude such ridiculous stories and scandalous to Religion upon the World 3. False Calumnies against those Instruments whom God employed in the reformation Popery is a Religion supported by lies as that Calvin was a Sodomite and burnt in the shoulder at Noyon for that crime and the Popish Deaâ— and Chapter of that place have published his Vindicate That Luther was an Incarnate Devil begotten by an Incubus I should weary you to rake in this Dunghil but I must close it with the general observation that Antichristians will lie some among them call them pious frauds but they are Diabolical Forgeries 2. The Act is that they are given up to believe a lie This must be applied to their erroneous Doctrines as common to them all To their false Miracles and Calumnies not to the Inventers but to the seduced who swallow these things All that oppose the truth do not go apparently against Conscience but being given up to the efficacy of error they may believe that false Religion wherein they live Let us open the Term believe What is it to believe a thing you may know â—y the opposites Now opposite to Faith there is first doubtfulness when men halt between two opinions 1 Kings 18.21 If the Lord bâ— God follow him but if Baal then follow him This doubtfulness proceedeth from want of bringing the Case to a Tryal and thorow Hearing 2. Conjecture Acts 26.28 Almost perswaded Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian. 3. Opinion Matth. 13.14 Hath not root in himself but dureth for a while c. 4. Firm perswasion They will censure nothing for if of truth Joh. 6.69 We believe and are sure c. if of error Acts 26.9 I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Iesus of Nazareth 5. Resolved adherence if to the truth that is called receiving the truth in the love of it If to error it is seen in mens obstinacy and zeal suffering in it 1 Kings 18.28 Cutting themselves with Knives and Lances till blood gushed out Suffering for it For a man may give his body to be burned for an error a man may sacrifice a strong body to a stubborn mind 1 Cor. 13.3 Though I give my body to be burned and have not Charity it profiteth nothing And persecuting the contrary Joh. 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service To apply this Marry that live within the Kingdom of Antichrist some are doubtful some almost perswaded soâ—e
it is a matter of sad consequence for this is living in a known sin Some may be blinded for a time out of terror and compassion and their case is sad till they express solemn repentance but when there is a reluctation against clear light and an obstinacy in that reluctation this man is condemned in himself Titus 3.11 Such a man is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself There cannot be a greater argument of a will unsubdued to God than to stand out against conviction out of secular respects This is to love darkness more than light and argueth such pravity of heart as is inconsistent with Faith and Salvation Some ignorant Souls may hold dangerous errors and which to others would be damnabâ—e yet they may not actually damn them because they do not rebel against the light and may be retracted by a general repentance or seeking of pardon for all their known or unknown sins Psal. 19.12 13. Who can understand his errors Cleanse thou me from secret faults Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins Let them not have dominion over me then shall I be upright and I shall be innnocent from the great transgression 2. When they are vented by some Professor of Christianity to the seducing of others and rending of the Câ—â—â—ch and drawing Disciples after them this aâ—deth a new guilt to their errors and maketh them the more damnable Actâ— 20.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them There are properly Hereticks and Ring-leaders of Sects therefore Heresies are reckoned among the works of the flesh Gal. 5.20 Emulation wrath strife seditions Heresies increasing their own doom and Judgment these under a Christian name seduce and lead away the Church from Christ they pervert the holy ways of God and draw his people from serving him in Spirit and Truth 3. When though they should not err fundamentally they so far debauch Christianity as that God giveth them up to believe a lie and to take pleasure in unrighteousness that is to defend and maintain apparent corruptions of Christian Doctrine and Worship Of Doctrine for it is here said they believe a lie and they believe not the truth Of worship for it is said they take pleasure in unrighteousness A party thus given up by God we should shun as we would shun a Plague or come out of Bedlam for these men have lost their spiritual wits and â—ee not that which the common light of Christianity doth disprove however they retain the name of Christians and make a cry of the Church the Church as the Jews did of the Temple of the Lord and retain some truth among them for such a party is here described 4. When there is gross negligence or not taking pains to know better It is equivalent to reluctation or standing out against light Crassa negligentia dolus est there is a deceit in laziness or affected ignorance Joh. 3.20 They will not come to the light lest their deeds should be reproved 2 Pet. 3.5 They are willingly ignorant Those that please themselves in the ignorance of any truth err not only in their minds but their hearts It is the duty of Gods people to understand what is his will Eph. 5.7 Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is And it is their practice Rom. 12.2 That ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God Psal. 1.2 His delight is in the law of the Lord and therein doth he meditate day and night We should be searching still But when men will not know what they have a mind to hate it argueth a secret sore and suspicion of the truth and are loth to follow it too close lest it cross their lusts and interests 3. That the way and errors of Popery are damnable and it is very unsafe living in that Society and Combination I prove it 1. Because they live in wilful disobedience to God They violate the manifest Commandments of God while they hold it lawful to worship Pictures and Images to make Pictures of the Trinity to invocate Saints and Angels to deny Lay-men the Cup in the Sacrament to adore the Sacrament to prohibit certain Orders of Men and Women to marry to Celebrate the publick service in a language which ordinarily men and women that assist understand not In all these things they offer apparent violence to Gods Precepts And that their whole worship is polluted with a gross Superstition as for instance to worship Images is expresly against Gods word Psal. 97.7 Confounded be all they that worship graven Images that boast themselves of Idols Worship him all ye Gods The Scripture you see denounceth confusion to all Worshippers of Images and they are reckoned as Enemies of Christs Kingdom for it is applied to Christ Heb. 1.6 And let all the Angels of God worship him That would set up the worship and service of them in his Church in the exercise of their Religion especially those who glory in them and boast of them and set them forth as the glory of their way and worship No he disdaineth all this relative worship at or before Images which men would give unto him and sheweth that all the Powers of this World and the other Angels and Potentates should immediately worship Christ. For the second point picturing the Trinity God hath not only forbidden it but argued against it Deut. 4.15 16. Take therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no similitude when the Lord spake to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image the similitude of any thing Male or Female See how cautelous God is to prevent this abuse and yet how boldly men practise it For the third instance the Invocation of Saints and Angels Our Lord hath taught us how to repel that temptation Matth. 4.10 It is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve That religious service and worship is due only to God no Creature can claim it without Sacriledge nor can we give it to them without Idolatry And God being so jealous of his honour every Christian should be careful that he doth not divert it from him They have many distinctions to excuse themselves to the World but I doubt how they will excuse themselves to God For the fourth particular adoring the Sacrament I shall speak to again anon that is a mean not an object of worship The Fifth prohibiting certain Orders of men and women to marry which the Apostle calleth Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 2. In the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking lies in hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with a hot Iron forbidding to marry c. For the Sixth Celebrating publick Service in an unknown Tongue it is contrary to the Apostles reasoning 1 Cor. 14.15 16 17. For
the Old Testament God himself delivered the Law with great Majesty and Terrour and afterwards caused the same to be written in Tables of Stone for the constant use of his People And the Prophets first uttered their Prophecies and then wrote unto them So the Apostles first preached Evangelical Doctrine and then consigned it to writing for the Use of all Ages And though all things delivered by them were not delivered in one Sermon or one Epistle yet by degrees the Canon of the New Testament was Constituted and made perfect by the Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles V. Prop. That now when they are long since gone to God and we cannot receive from them the Doctrine of Life by word of Mouth we must stick to the Scriptures or written Word 1. Because we are taught to do so by Christ and his Apostles Christ always appealeth to the Writings of the Old Testament both against Traditions which he condemneth Matth. 15.2 and against pretended Revelations Luke 16.31 If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will be persuaded to repent if one should come from the Dead And the Apostles still have recourse to this Proof Acts 26.22 Witnessing no other things than the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass And when they pleaded they were Eye and Ear-witnesses and so their Testimony was valuable yet they say ye have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a surer Word of Prophecy whereunto ye shall do well to take heed 2 Pet. 1.19 Now how can we do better than to imitate these great Examples 2. Because those things were written for our sakes 1 John 1.4 These things write we unto you that your Ioy may be full The Apostles being to leave the World did know the slipperiness of Man's Memory and the danger of corrupting Christian Doctrine if there were not a sure authentick Record left therefore they wrote and so fully that nothing is wanting to compleat our Joy and Happiness 3. Because the Scriptures are perfect The perfection of Scripture is known by its End and intended Use which is to give us a knowledg of those things which concern our Faith Duty and Happiness 1. Our Faith in Christ. If there be enough written for that end we need not unwritten Traditions to compleat our Rule Now St. Iohn telleth us he might have written more things But these things are written that ye might believe in the Son of God and have Life through his Name John 20.30 31. Certainly nothing is wanting to beget a Faith in Christ The Object is sufficiently propounded the Warrant or Claim is laid down in the New Covenant and the encouragements to believe it are clear and strong What would Men have more So that here is a perfect Rule perfect in its kind and for its proper use 2. For our Duty That is sufficiently provided for The Apostle telleth us that the Grace of God take it objectively for the Grace of the Gospel or subjectively for Grace in our Hearts teacheth us If you mean Objective Grace it prescribeth directeth If Subjective Grace it persuadeth and exciteth what to do To live Soberly Righteously Godly in the present World Tit. 2.12 There are all the branches of Man's Duty enumerated Sobriety relateth to self-government Righteously to our carriage towards our Neighbour Godly to our Commerce and Communion with God What is there wanting that belongeth either to Worship or Justice or Personal Holiness Therefore certainly we need no other Rule for it layeth down whatsoever Men are bound to do in all Ages and places of the World and in whatsoever Circumstances God shall put them And so it is fit to be the Law of the Universal King and Law-giver yea it is so perfect that whatever other Way is set up it presently dasheth against those Notions that we have or should have of God his Service and Worship or it iâ—â—â—â—ngeth or perverteth the Liberty and Nature of Man 3. For our Happiness Thaâ— Doctrine and Institution which is able to make us wiâ—e unto Salvation is enough for us but so the holy Scriptures are said to do 2. Tim. 3.15 And that from a Child thou hast known the holâ— Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through the Faith which is in Christ Iesus Nay afterwards Ver. 17. The Man of God is by them made perfect and throughly furnished to every good Work If the Scriptures do throughly direct Men to know God in Christ and save tâ—eir own Souls why should we look any further Now they do not only furnish every private Christian with this knowledg but the Man of God who is to Instruct others he needeth look no further but is furnished out of the Scripture with all things necessary to discharge his Office Therefore here we fix and rest we have a sufficient Rule and a full Record of all necessary Christian Doctrine Vse 1. The Use of all is Let us not seek another Rule than the Word of God Papists cry up unwritten Traditions to be received with equal respect and reverence as we receive the holy Scriptuâ—es But you Brethren stand fast holding the Apostolical Tradition You cannot have it by word of Mouth from them now therefore you must stick to what is Written or else you cannot preserve your selves from the Frauds and Impostures of Antichrist These Apostolical Writings have been received in all Ages and Times of the Church from the â—eginning and all Disputes among Christians have been tried by them None were allowed good or sincere Christians who doubted of the truth of them But because we have to do with a People that will sacrifice all to the honour and interest of their Church and knowing they are not able to stand before the Light of Scriptures have to the no little prejudice of the Christian Cause done all they can to weaken the Authority Sufficiency and Perspicuity of them that we mighâ— have no Religion without the Testimony and Recommendation of their Church therefore I shall resume the Matter and declare it afresh 1. Mankind lying in Darkness and in the shadow of Death it was necessary that one way or another God should reveal his Mind to them that we may have what belongeth to our Duty and Happiness for our chief good and last end Being altered by Sin we strangely mistake things and put Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light Good for Evil and Evil for Good weighing all things in the ballance of the Flesh which we seek to please We confound both the names and natures of Things and wander in a maze of a thousand Perplexities therefore God in pity to Mankind hath given us a sure direction in his Word which is a Lamp unto our Feet and a Light unto our Paths Psal. 119.105 Mark the words of Light and Lamps the use of a Lamp is by Night and in the Day we have the Light of the Sun whether it be Day or Night with us here we are taught how to carry our selves Mark