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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33929	A compendious discourse about some of the greatest matters of Christian faith propounded and explained between a minister and an enquiring Christian ... : and also may serve for an answer to two books, one called The practical discourse of the sovereignty of God, the other called The death of death, by the death of Christ, written by J.O. : whereunto is annexed a very brief appendix / written by T. Collier.	Collier, Thomas, fl. 1691.	1682 (1682)	Wing C5274; ESTC R20632	146,911	256

themselves to do to others as they would they should do to them and the Gospel teaches the same Mat. 22. 37. to 40. and 7. 12. and this is written in all men by nature and is true rational and moral Philosophy and true Gospel Divinity and where it 's not effected it 's by the souls captivation by irrational immoral and sensual lusts and how would the Divine Law of Christ and in the Gospel united to our understandings and reason effect it if taken heed unto A sin and shame it is and dreadful will be the issue thereof that many Learned men who account themselves above others both in Philosophy and Divinity and yet are more immoral than many moral Heathens And as both moral Philosophy and Gospel Divinity unites in teaching the abhorrency of all ungodliness with the practice of all the contrary vertues and duties so would it teach us to abhor all persecution for Conscience sake if attended to it would teach us in this matter to do to others as we would they should do to us the contrary being not only unchristian but irrational No man in his right reason would be content to be forced to believe and worship God as others do contrary to his own light and conscience such in Justice reason it self and light of nature abhors and it 's likewise contrary to the Protestant Doctrine and Faith which is to make the Scriptures our rule in all matters of Faith and practice and not to be compelled to believe as the Church believeth which is condemned by Protestants to be the Popish Faith and not the Faith of Christ And strange it seems to be that Learned men who profess themselves to have most both of Philosophy and Divinity should be so great miscarriers herein I think it may be said without all just occasion of offence that throughout all ages of Christianity Learned men has lien at the bottom of most of the persecutions for Conscience sake surely it came not from their Philosophy or Divinity but from their enmity pride and prophaneness Ps 10. 2. or from some carnal and corrupt ends within themselves must be irrational and irreligious or at best from blind and ignorant zeal Joh. 16. 2. Phi. 3. 6. It 's true the Scripture warns us to take heed of being spoiled by Philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men and the rudiments of the World and not after Christ Col. 2. 8 i. e. When our reason turns us aside from the Gospel either in matters of Faith or practice being corruptly exercised and so becomes vain and deceitful and is not pure reason that submits it self to the Divine Law of Christ in all things so far as it understands it And although Rational and Moral Philosophy was and yet is excellent in its time and place and in itself in its degree spiritual being of and from God yet the Gospel is more spiritual and by it men formerly arrived to much of the knowledge of God and themselves and so to a good life in moral virtues and yet might arrive to the same and doubtless were then accepted of God and may yet be so where the Gospel is not known yet where the Gospel comes it will not serve or avail us without the true faith and life of the Gospel but if it being captivated by sensual lusts reject or neglect the Grace of life it renders such the more liable to the Judgment and damnation threatned therein Learned Sirs The Reasons of my dedicating the ensuing Christian discourse unto you are 1. Because the things discoursed on are matters of great if not of greatest concern to the name of God and Christ the glorious Gospel of the blessed God and the spiritual and eternal good of men and therefore of weighttest concern to have the precedency in your meditations 2. Because most of the things discoursed on are not Novel but the controverted things of the past and present times the Doctrine of the Sovereignty of God as exercised towards men the Doctrine of Election and reprobation the general and special grace of God c. being the substance of the discourse and that on which all depends The eighth chapter may at first probably with some seem most difficult yet I doubt not but is founded in and fully comports with the universal design of God and undertaking of Christ in the general grace to the World in the restitution and world to come in times to be effected and seems to be of very great weight to be understood and to have room in our Christian Faith as the top-stone and glory thereof and without which we shall lose the understanding of and Faith in the greatest if not the most glorious part of Scripture and Gospel truth In the discourse I sometimes mention what some others have said about some of the things discoursed on and especially two Books viz. The Practical Discourse of the Sovereignty of God and The Death of Death by the Death of Christ Not designing a particular answer to them nor had I at all mentioned them had they not been sent in by some designedly to lead us aside from that which we believe to be the truth of the Gospel but have stated the truth about these matters to the best of mine understanding from Scripture light which if true the substance of both are answered and must fall to the ground And let none count it strange or tautologies that I so often go over the same things in the discourse it is to shew the incongruity of those invented principles and practices with Scripture light and right reason in all the ways mentioned it likewise being the method of God in Scripture frequently to mention the same things over and over again designedly thereby to inculcate it on the memory and heart that it might not be forgotten 3. Because I think we have ground enough at least to suppose that the Apostasie from the Primitive faith as it was then delivered to the Saints has been too much ushered in by learned ●●●en I suppose that it will easily appear that in all the parts thereof whether the Papabor others some learned man or men lieth at the bottom thereof And likewise has been chief actors in its propagation and therefore it greatly concerns you now at last to be at work for God Christ the Gospel and good of men in good earnest for discovery thereof and reformation therein O that you might have your share in this matter how might you honour God and season the Nation with the truth of the Gospel both in faith and life having the greatest opportunities and advantages in order thereunto in the sincere endeavours of which you may expect Divine direction assistance and blessing and O that this little Essay may tend to encourage herein it being the common advantage and good of all I really design I hope I have not I am sure I would not follow cunning devised Fables for the world and if I am in any

9. Joh. 6. 51. to reign over almost all his Subjects in Wrath under eternal torments And how would this render the fifth Kingdom and Monarchy so much spoken of in Scripture and talked of ● men but little understood to be far worse much ●●e merciless and miserable except to a very few fa●●ites only than any of the four that went before it ● figures thereof whereas it shall in times as far ex●●d them all as the new World shall exceed the old ●● as the Lord thereof exceeds all that ever went be●●e him and further If it were not so how should ●●ey then sing unto him and glorifie his Name as it 's ●●d they shall Psal 66. 4. 96. 7 13. 98. 4. ●v 5. 13. If the Lord by his blood redeemed them ●●m death to a new life for no other end but to tor●●nt them for ever how shall they then sing his praise ●●d glorifie his Name The sum of all I say about this matter is 1. That God made all good yea very good and man ● his own Image 2. That man by sin lost himself and all came under the ●●se and death with him 3. That the great design of God made manifest is ●y the second Nan the Lord from heaven to recover ●●an and all with him that fell by his sin out of that ●●ate of curse and death to a new life and world eter●ally 4. That all must come to Judgment for the things ●one in the body which Judgment shall be just and ●ighteous according to the various dispensations under which they have lived and against which they have transgressed Rom. 2. 12. Joh. 12. 48. Jam. 2. 12. ●● 1. 25. Rev. 20. 12. Which Judgment as it will be very great and terrible suitable to the greatness of the Majesty against whom all sin has been so in the true Analogy and sense of Scripture it will be Eternal ●nto all and will be wonderful dreadful and amazing to all that meets with the least portion of penal punishment therein yet in this matter God will not proceed contrary to all rules of Justice he has given to men nor contrary to the method of his own dealings with men in like cases he always having kept and will keep to measure and times in the Judgment which is most righteous Psal 80. 5. Isa 27. 8. Jer. 30. 11. 46. 28. Nor contrary to his Name Nature and Promises at that day Jer. 12. 15. Ezek. 16 61 62 63. Luke 12. 47. 48. And so that mentioned before from Sovereignty will undoubtedly stand true He will not punish without a cause nor more than is deserved but rather less Ezra 9 13. To this righteous proceeding of God See Gen. 18. 25. Deut. 32. 4. Psal 116. 5. 145. 17. Rom. 3. 5 6. It 's true God saith to his people of old That he would punish their iniquity and sin double Jer. 16. 18. But that I ta●● to relate to times and not to measure it not standing with the Justice of a righteous God to punish sin double for measure but double may relate to times 1. Then by destruction temporal by their enemies And 2. At the day of Judgment and then will he be pacified towards them Ezek. 16. 63. And afterwards shall they inherit the promises Jer. 16. 14 15. But first he will punish them double Isa 40. 1. 3 Hence you may learn two good Lessons further 1. To be preparing for this great and glorious day O it will be a great and terrible day and it 's your great concern now to be preparing and making ready for it to get right in the saith and life of the Gospel in order thereunto it 's called the great and terrible day of the Lord Joel 2. 31. because the Judgment will be great and very terrible Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth The terribleness of the Judgment then to be executed ● described under varieties of dreadful Expressions ●ereby to discover the dreadfulness thereof it 's called ●●ll utter darkness a lake of fire the second death ●erlasting shame and contempt c. attended with ●●ping and wailing and gnashing of teeth whoever ●●ets with the least Portion therein both for measure ●●d time will find it to be of sinking and dreadful ●oncern and therefore deceive not your self with a ●●in conceit from self-confidence as I fear many do ●●e those Isa 28. 15. who said they had made a cove●●nt with death and were at agreement with hell ●●ey feared not the judgment it should not come n●gh ●hem v. 18. All their confidence was disannulled and ●●t to stand it 's true some men talk much of the ●edgment but expect not to come to it themselves tho ●●e Scripture tells us 2 Cor. 5. 10. That we must all ●ppear before the Judgment-seat of Christ and receive ●●cording to the things done in our bodies whether it be ●udor bad v. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the ●ord we persuade men yea believers and the Apostle ● Pet. 3. having declared the Conflagration of the ●orld by fire being reserved thereunto against the day ●f Judgment and perdition of ungodly men v. 7. Which is enough to amaze men in the thoughts there●f were there no other or further Judgment but to ●e burnt up with the World at that day Mal. 4. 1. when ●e lake of fire must be eternal from whence the A●ostle draws this result or conclusion v. 11. Seeing ●hen all these things shall be dissolved what manner of ●rsons ought we to be in all manner of holy conversa● and godliness that so we may escape the fire of that ●ay and v. 13 14. from the expectation of the new ●●eavens and new Earth that shall succeed exhorteth saying Wherefore beloved seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And it 's the Exhortation of the Lord and Judge himself Luke 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape al●●●ose things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man And chap. 12. 40. Be ye also ready for the Son of man cometh at an he● that ye think not Mat. 25. 10. And they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut O! therefore I say be preparing every day for your Lord 's appearing lest it come upon you as a snare as it will upon all the World and all that are unprepared for it read and ponder well Luke 12. 35 36 37. 2. Being ready look and wait for him love and long for his appearing to such he will appear a second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. 28. It is to those that love him and look for his appearing that the crown of righteousness shall be given 2 Tim. 4. 8. And none can really and rightly look for and love his appearing and say

A Compendious DISCOURSE About some of the greatest matters of Christian Faith propounded and explained between a MINISTER and an enquiring CHRISTIAN designed for clearing the truths of the Gospel the honour of Christ and advantage of men And also may serve for an answer to two books one called The practical Discourse of the Sovereignty of God the other called The Death of Death by the Death of Christ written by J. O. Whereunto is annexed a very brief Appendix Written by T. Collier Gal. 〈…〉 To whom we gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel might 〈…〉 tinue with you 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to godliness he i● proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strife of words whereof cometh envie strife railings evil surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds destitu●● of the truth c. Zec. 8. 19 Therefore love the Truth and Peace London Printed by H. H. for Tho. Fabian at the Sign of the Bible in St. Paul's Church-Yard a Corner sho● 〈◊〉 Ch●●●●●d● 168● The Authors desire and end in the ensuing Discourse GO forth my Muse take Wings and flee Speak plain and true that all may see For none can see without a light Nor can they see without some sight All have some sight within them so As to discern what light do shew And when discerned to make choice Of what is spoke by the Lights voice But without Light no man can see Nor can in Truth instructed be Most true it is that God is Light The Fountain clear in whom 't is bright And from that Fountain it doth shine In ways of his that are Divine The Eye within in the true sence Has had three Books to learn from thence The Works the Law the Gospel pure The Book of Life that shall endure To turn away from this clear Sun Is the right way to be undone This is the Light discoursed on And calleth for reception It calls aloud and cries to men Let it not be rejected then And if that some do thee traduce That thou returnest with abuse Be not afraid what e're do come Nor yet dismaid for any doom 'T is Gospel Light does in thee shine Therefore none can thee undermine Thy Dress is plain thy Language sharp 'T is that thou mayst speak to the heart If the good end design'd by thee Shall in some part effected be Which is the common good of men Let God have all the glory then And then again my heart shalt sing With joy the praise of Sion's King And this also thy work shall be And that unto Eternity The Epistle DEDICATORY To the Learned Doctors Masters and Students of the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and to all the Learned in the Nation Learned SIRS IT 's the saying of the Wise man Prov. 4. 5. Get wisdom get understanding forget it not v. 7. Wisdom is the principle thing therefore get wisdom with all thy gettings get understanding v. 8. Exalt her and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her and chap. 16. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold And to understanding rather to be chosen than silver Then surely it is not wisdom to get gold and silver but that which is far above it Which will give to thine head not a Crown of gold and silver but an Ornament of grace a Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee They are the great things of Divine wisdom as revealed in the Scriptures of truth that I have been exercised about and of which it 's said 2 Tim. 3. 15. They are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus And therefore I have no reason to suppose you 'le count it strange or presumption that I present the Dedication of the ensuing discourse to your learned and serious consideration 'T is true it 's a plain English Christian Discourse yet the things discoursed on are the great and high things of God and the Gospel and therefore am not willing to doubt but you will readily grant are such things as concern your most scrious Studies Though with some their Studies may be much if not too much about things of a lower and terrene concern as indeed all things are beneath the glorious Gospel of the blessed God yet I doubt not the lawfulness of endeavours for attainments in human learning and that both as to the Languages ●● Philosophy both in the rational natural and moral parts thereof though my self have little or none of either in its artificial parts Yet it 's radically in all rational men though it has been and is too much debauched and defaced in most by sensual lusts Your learned and Philosophical studies may tend to make you men of parts and of use among men in things of torrene concern if not abused and if kept subject in its place may prove no hindrance to you but a help in your Divine studies though I acknowledge not Philosophy to be the Mother of Theology as some say Gal. 4. 26. yet this I dare say that without rational Philosophy in its root we could not be rational men and then we could not be Christian men without a miracle indeed as some say it being to the rational understanding part in man that the Gospel comes and by which it 's understood and believed Learned Sirs Whatever ends you design in your studies it concerns you all to take in Theology and the glory of God as the chief and glory of all things of Gospel concern being of highest of best and eternal concern and this I am sure your learning simply considered in it self will not hinder but help you in while you keep humble and improve your acquired Talents for God The blessed Gospel of his grace by Jesus being very much suted to the rational capacities of men or else it were in vain to publish it unto them Though the Gospel in it self being the Ministration of Peace by Jesus properly relating to the general restitution new world new state and life with all its Ordinances of divine worship faith and holy life in order to preparing us for and obtaining of the glory and as so is above the reach of reason and all the human Philosophy in the world without the Divine revelation thereof Rom. 10. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 21. 2. 7 8. but being by the Gospel revealed and brought down and opened 〈◊〉 Rom. 10. 6 7 8 9. to those who believe the Scripture to be the Divine Revelation it 's rational as well as divine to believe God in his word and love and cleave to him therein which is the great and saving Faith of the Gospel though over and above our rational capacities He has of his own grace ordered the Gospel which is the Divine Revelation thereof to be