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
we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end Their Hope is slight and fluid the Temporary loseth his Joy and Comfort which he conceived in the offers of the Gospel and so either casts off the profession of Godliness or neglecteth the Power and Practice of it But the true Christian is Serious Patient Heavenly and Holy because he is alway looking to his End and sweetneth his Work by his great Hope keepeth up his Taste or lively expectation of the Mercy of Christ to everlasting Life Nay this differenceth the Children of God those that are in their Conflict from those that are in their Triumph the Sanctified and Glorified those that are in their Way and those that are at Home They that are at Home are enjoying what we expect and in posseâ—â—ion of that Supreme Good that we yet hope for they have neither Miseries to fear nor Blessings to desire beyond what they do enjoy they see what they love and possess what they see But the time of our Advancement is not yet come and therefore we can only look and long for it this is our Work and present Happiness 2. Now the Covenant of God is contrived to raise Hope in us The Iachin and Boaz the two Pillars that support it are Mercy and Truth Micah 7.20 Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob and tâ—e Mercy to Abraham Psal. 25.10 All the Paths of the Lord â—re Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his Testimonies And Psal. 138.2 I will praise the Name for thy loving Kindness and Truth For thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name And in many other Scriptures 1. The Mercy and Grace of the Covenant 1. In the frame of it where excellent Benefits are dispensed upon free Terms that our Faith and Hope may be in God the Lord would not leave the sinful Creature under Despair but hath provided a way how we may be Râ—conciled and Glorified Psal. 130.4 There is forgiveness with thee that thou mayst be feared Mercy opens the Door for us the very offer speaks much Mercy the terms are Mercy So much Duty is required as is necessary and doth arise from the nature of the thing Violence would be offered to the Reason of a serious Creature if such things were not required 2. In the dispensations of thâ— Blessings of the Covenant Now Gal. 6.16 To as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy and on the Israel of God There are many Infirmities and Fraâ—lties but God passeth them by when there is Sincerity Our Faith is weak and mingled with Doubtings our Love to God clogged with much inordinate Self-love our Obedience often interrupted Too much deadness and coldness in holy Things yet these do not cast us out of the favour of God nor make void our Interest in the Covenant where the Heart for the main is set to serve him and please him Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a Man spareth his own Son that â—erveth him 3. At the very close of all it is Grace Hope unto the end for the Grace that is brought unto you at the Revelation of Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 Then there will be the fullest and largest Manifestation of God's Love and free Grace There is Grace brought to us now by the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the Gospel but when his Person shall be revealed Grace shall be seen in all its Graciousness We see his Grace in the pardon of Sins and that measure of Sanctification which now we attain unto that he is pleased to pass by our Offences and take us into his Family and give us right to his Heavenly Kingdom and some taste of his Love and remote Service But when Pardon shall be pronounced by the Judge's Mouth when he shall take us not only into his Family but into his Palace and Father's House and give us not Right only but Possession and we shall be admitted to the immediate Vision and Fruition of God and be everlastingly imployed in Heavenly Praising and delighting in him then Grace will be Grace indeed 2. His Truth and Mercy openeth the Door for us Truth keepeth it open Mercy is the Pipe Truth is the conveyance Now God bindeth himself by Promise and hath ever been tender of his Word We may see for the present that a Covenant-Interest is no fruitless thing he hath confirmed this Hope to the World by Miracles to us within the Church by the Seal and earnest of his Spirit or the impression of his Image preparing the Hearts of the Faithful for this blessed Estate Ephes. 4.30 Grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption 2 Cor. 5.5 Who hath given us the earnest of his Spirit He hath appointed Ordinances to revive our Hopes 1 Cor. 11.26 For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lord's Death till he come By daily experience we see many of God's Children have gone out of the World chearfully professing this Hope we have the same Father of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named Ephes. 3.15 are reconciled to him by the same Christ. Col. 1.20 Having made peace through the Blood of the Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven If he be so good to that part of the Family that is now in Heaven he will be good to them also that are working out their Salvation with fear and trembling 3. What an advantage is it to the Spiritual Life to have good Hope wrought in us through Grace 1. It maketh us diligent and Serious Christianity implieth a serious application of our Heart and Mind to do what Christ requireth that we may obtain what he hath offered to do it as our first work and chief business Phil. 2.12 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling Heb. 4.1 Let us labour to enter into that rest That is imply our utmost care and diligence Now all the Executive Powers are fortified and strengthened in their Operation by Hope 2. To be Patient and Mortified that we subdue our Lusts and bear the loss of our Interests with an humble and quiet Mind Rom. 12.12 Patient in Tribulation rejoycing in Hope And for Lusts 1 John 3.3 He that hath this Hope purifieth himself even as he is Pure 3. To be Heavenly and Holy the one respects our End the other our Race For it is not a few dead lifeless Thoughts now and then but the continual and delightful fore-sight of Eternal Bliss What is the way to Heaven but Hope And who more pure and holy than they that look for such things 2 Pet. 3.14 Wherefore Belâ—ved seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye be found of him in peace without spot and blameless Vse 2. Well then get this Hope But what must we do You will say It is God's Gift Yet
holiness and reconciliation with a God the Terminus à quo men are carnal ungodly 1. Carnal when man fell from God he fell to himself self interposed as the next Heir and that self was not the Soul but the Flesh many wrong their Souls but no man ever yet hated his own Flesh and therefore men would rule themselves and please themselves according to their fleshly appetite and fancy John 3.6 That which is born of the flesh is â—lesh and therefore love the Pleasures Honours and Profits of the World as the necessary provision to satisfy the desires of the Flesh And whosoever live thus they live in a carnal state as all do till grace renew them Rom. 8.5 but this carnal estate doth breâ—k forth and bewray it self in various ways of sinning Titus 3.3 For we our selves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another All are not Fornicators Drunkards Persecutors nor live in the same way of sinnng but all are turned from God to the World and have a carnal mind which is emnity to God Rom. 8. 7. 2. The next word is ungodly men thus constituted live either in a denial of God Psalm 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God or a neglect of God Ephes. 2.12 Without God in the world without any acknowledgment or worship of him Psalm 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God or if not deprived of all sense of a Deity they worship false Gods as those Acts 14.12 13. the men of Lycaonia that called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius because he was the chief Speaker and would have sacrificed to them and the Apostle saith to the Galatians Gal. 4. 8. When ye knew not God ye did service to them which by nature are no Gods they worshipped plurality of false Gods And though the wise men of the Gentiles had some confused knowledge of the true God Rom. 1.19 20 21. yet they glorified him not as God but committed Idolatry by setting up a false medium of worship an Idol which begot a bruitish Conception of God in their mind so that a false Religion is so far from shewing a remedy of corrupt nature that it is a great part of the Disease it self 2. The Terminus ad quem into a state of Holiness and Reconciliation with God in whom alone man can be happy 1. For Holiness and Obedience to God the great design of the Christian Religion is to bring us back to God again 1. As we are carnal by the denial of fleshly and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts c. 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul and Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts 2. As we are Ungodly to bring us to the Knowledge Love Worship and Obedience of the true God Acts 14.15 We pray you that ye should turn from these vanities to the living God that hath made Heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things therein and to seek after the Lord from whom we have life breath and all things Acts 17.25 26 28.1 Thess. 1.9 How ye turned from Idols to serve the living and true God 2. Reconciliation with God that we might have commerce with him for the present and live for ever with him hereafter 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their Trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 1 Pet. 1.18 Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversations c. Heb. 7.25 He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him That whereas before they were alienated from the life of God they might live in his love and in the expectation of being admitted into his blessed presence that they may see him as he is and be like him 1 Iohn 3.2 2. The way it took to obtain these ends how God may be satisfied man renewed and changed God pacified by the Sacrifice Merit and Intercession of Christ Jesus who came in our flesh and nature not only to acquaint us with the Will of God and the unseen things of another World but to suffer an accursed death for our sins therefore the mystery of Godliness is chiefly seen in God manifested in our flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 and man must be renewed and changed for our misery sheweth what is needful to our remedy and recovery that we be not only pardoned but sanctified if ever we will be saved and glorified for till men have new and holy hearts they can never see God Hob. 12.14 Without holiness it is impossible to see God Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God c. nor for the present love him and delight in him nor take him for their chief happiness As none but Christ can satisfie Justice and reconcile such a Rebel to God so none but Christs Spirit can sanctifie and renew our Souls that we may live in obedience to him 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God This is the Mystery of Godliness 2. Now for the mystery of ungodliness or iniquity that is a quite opposite state but carried on plausibly and with seeming respect to the mystery which it opposeth To know it take these considerations 1. Where the â—â—rnal life is had in request and honour there certainly is the mystery of Iniquity to be found whatever pretences be put upon it Now the carnal life is there had in request and honour 1. Where all is referred to Worldly gain and profit and the whole frame of the Religion tendeth that way for certainly they are Enemies to the Cross of Christ whose God is their belly and who mind earthly things Phil. 3.19 Now Pardons Indulgences Purgatory Shrines of Saints what do they all tend unto but to make a merchandize of Religion It was an old by-word Omnia Romae venalia all things may be bought at Rome even Heaven and God himself c. And these things are used not only to open the peoples mouths in Prayer but their hands in Oblations and Offerings The Complexion of their Religion is but a gainful Trade But the Papal exactions and traffickings have been so much and so loudly insisted upon and the evil runneth out into so many branches that I shall forbear 2. Where temporal greatness is looked upon as the main prop of their Religion The Kings Daughter is glorious within rich in Gifts and Graces Psal. 45.13 and Psalm 93.5 Holiness becometh thy house O Lord for ever
espouse the common prevailing opinions others adhere to them with much false zeal and superstition These are those who are given up to believe a lie Vses 1. Information 1. To shew us the reason why so many learned men are Captivated by Antichrist and live yet in the Popish Religion for this is a great scruple to many The answer is ready The Lord hath suffered them to be deluded by him whose coming is after the working of Sathan in all power c. Rev. 17.2 The inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication It is an intoxication the errors of that State are plausibly defended and supported by Worldly Interests There is the Witchery of Worldly allurements and the intoxicating Wine of errors defended and owned within their bounds and places of their education and abode So that men have seemed to lose their understandings and not have that advisedness which well becomes a man possibly they may have doubts and checks of Conscience but the name of the Church charmeth them and Worldly magnificence strangely inveagleth them They may know that the Religion professed by Protestants is sincere holy and saving but being allured by Licentiousness or intangled by Covetousness or puffed up with Pride are loth to change or are vanquished and astonished with fear of death and other inconveniencies or it may be do not use that advised and serious deliberation which a matter of Salvation requireth Four causes may be given 1. Self-Confidence God will shew the folly of those that depend on the strength of their own wit Pro. 3. 5 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understandings In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths And therefore will bring to nought the wisdom of the wise and destroy the understanding of the prudent when it is lifted up against the Interests of Christs Kingdom 1 Cor. 1.19 2. Prejudice The Priests and Scribes could readily tell that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem when Herod sent to consult them Matth. 2.4 5 6. yet who more obstinate against him that was born there They expected a temporal Messias and therefore could not see what they saw What was apparent to Children was a riddle to the Rabbies So they expect some open Enemy of the Church to attacque it by power and force little dreaming of a Bishop c. 3. Pride many of the Jewish Church believed in Christ but they did not profess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue Ioh. 11.42 43. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God They loved not an hated opinion Many may fear the Pope to be Antichrist but Pride and Interest will not let them submit to a change 4. The Judgment of God is the great cause that men do not or will not know Antichrist God hath not given them eyes to see as Christ was not received in Ierusalem the things of their peace were hid from their Eyes Luk. 19.42 He beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes 2. It sheweth us that the prevalency of this wicked one should be no blemish to providence for the permission of him is one of Gods dreadful providentiaâ— dispensations That it should have such success it raiseth Atheistical thoughts in weak spirits yea it is an offence to the Godly as it is a prejudice to the Truth but God hereby will shew us 1. That there are deceits and errors as well as truth in the World much of choice not chance and lest we should think this an antiquated dispensation to try the professors of the Gospel who lived in the midst of Pagans it cometh nearer to us But he that condemneth all Religion on this account judgeth one â—an for anothers crime which is unjust doth as foolishly as he that thinketh there is no trâ—e money because there are some counterfeit pieces 2. That God in concomitancy with the Gospel will discover his dreadful Justice as well as his wonderful mercy by it that we may tremble whilst we admire grace 3. That it is a great evil to be deceivers or active promoters of delusions and it will not wholly excuse us that we are deceived Matth. 15.14 4. What need all serious Christians have to pray to God not to be led into temptation Alas what would become of us if left to our selves in an hour of temptation 5. Let us fear to sleight the grace offered Among other threatnings God threatneth to smite his people with blindness Deut. 18.28 The Lord shall smite thee with madness and blindness and astonishment of heart 6. What a ready way to destruction it is to measure Religion by Worldly Interests This bred Antichrist kept him up in the World and blindeth hiâ— seduced Proselytes to this day 2. Vse Is caution to take heed of spiritual blindness and infatuation that this Judgment fall not upon us That God leave us not to our own lusts hearts and Counsels without check and restraint It may in part befal Gods people what shall we do to avoid it 1. Take heed of sinning against light either by sins of omission or commission Jam. 4.17 To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin They will find it to be sin in the sad effects 2. Take heed of Hypocrisie in the profession of the truth God oweth the Hypocrites an ill turn and seemeth to be ingaged to discover him before the Congregation Pro. 26.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole Congregation and usually it is by giving him up to some licentious practice or strong delusion by which he breaketh the neck of his profession 3. Take heed of Pride and carnal Self-sufficiency God may leave his people to dangerous falls when they make their bosom their Oracle and think to carry all by the strength of their own understanding 2 Chro. 32.31 God left him to try him that hâ— might know all that was in his heart It is good to consult with God continually 4. Take heed of following the rabble Joh. 4.20 Our father 's worshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Ierusalem is the place where men ought to worship c. But learn to see by your own eyes That you may have sure evidence you are in Gods way Pro. 24.13 14. SERMON X. 2 Thess. 2.12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2. THeir punishment in the other World Where first the terribleness of it 2. The righteousness and Justice of it 1. The terribleness that they all might be damned That is filling up the measure of their obduration they may at length fall into just condemnation 2. The Justice and Equity of it which is two ways expressed 1.
our Duty to God in all things And the Shield of Faith or a stedfast adhering to the Truths of the Gospel whether delivered in a way of Command Promise or Threatning The Helmet of Hope or a certain and desirous expectation of the promised Glory The Shoe of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace which is a readiness to endure all encounters for Christ's sake who hath made our Peace with God And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Now if we take this Armour and use it in our Conflicts what doth it serve for to withstand and stand The first is the Act of a Souldier the second is the posture of a Conqueror Here is withstanding till the Field be won and then standing when the Day of Evil is over Here we make our way to Heaven by Conflict and Conquest and hereafter we triumph 2. A treacherous Revolt or yielding to the Enemy by complying with those things which are against the Interest of Christ and his Kingdom for advantage-sake 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us and loved the present World Back-sliders in Heart are the worst sort of Apostates such as lose their afâ—ection to God and delight in his ways and esteem not of his glorious Recompences for a little Pleasure Profit or Pomp of Living sell their Birth-right for one morsel of Meat Heb. 12.15 16. Some fail in their Understandings but most miscarry by the perverse inclination of their Wills they are carnal worldly Hypocrites that never throughly mortified the fleshly Mind price things as they are commodious to the Flesh and will save them from Sufferings The byass of such Mens Hearts doth easily prevail against the Light of their Understandings III. Prop. The Means of standing fast is by holding the Traditions which were taught by the Holy Apostles Here I will prove 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity taught by the Apostles is a Tradition 2. That holding this Tradition by strong hand when others wrest it from us is the means of our Perseverance 1. That the Doctrine of Christianity is a Tradition I prove it by two Arguments First Matters not evident by the Light of Nature nor immediately revealed to us by God must be either an Invention or a Tradition an Invention is something in Religion not evident by natural Light nor agreeable to sound Reason but is some cunningly devised Fable invented by one or more and obtruded by various Artifices upon the belief of the World Inventions in this kind were Man's Disease not his Remedy Eccles. 7.29 God made Man uprighâ— but they sought out many Inventions As when the Philosopâ—ers sat abrood upon Religion a goodly Chymaera it was they hatched and brought forth Rom. 1.21 22. They became vain in their Imaginations and their foolish Heart was darkned and professing themselves to be wise they became Fools The Inventions little became the Nature of God nor were they profitable to Man for still the great Sore of Nature was unhealed which is a fear of Death and the righteous Wrath of God Rom. 1.32 So that neither Man's Comfort nor Duty was well provided for Surely the Gospel is none of this fort not an Invention of Men but a Revelation of God and a Revelation not made to us in Person but brought out of the Bosom of God by Jesus Christ and by him manifested to chosen Witnesses who might publish this Mystery and Secret to others Well then since the Gospel is not an Invention it is a Tradition or a delivery of the Truth upon the Testimony of one â—hat came from God to instruct the World or reduce it to him not an Invention of Man but a Secret brought out of the Bosom of God by our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore 't is said Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation first spoken by the Lord himself and then confirmed to us by them that heard him The Lord bearing them witness c. Christ delivered it to the Apostles and the Apostles delivered it to others 2 Tim. 2.2 Those things which thou hast heard from me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also The Apostles received the Gospel from Christ and the Churches and Ministers from the Apostles and they delivered it down to others until it came to us which is the Means of our believing the Truth and confessing the Name of Christ. This Testimony delivered and conveyed to us by the most credible means and which we have no reason to doubt of is as binding as if we had heard Christ and his Apostles in Person For we have their word in writing though we did not hear them preach and publish it with the lively Voice their Authority is the same delivered either way And that these are their Writings appeareth by the constant Tradition of the Church and the acknowledgment of Friends and Enemies who still appeal to them as a public authentic Record And as they have bin attested by the Church they have bin owned by God and blessed by him to the Conversion and Sanctifying of many Souls throughout all successions of Ages And by this Tradition Christianity hath held up the Head againâ—t all encounters of Time and the persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the Profession of it but from Age to Age it hath bin received and transmitted to future Generations tho sometimes at a very dear rate And this is binding to us though we saw noâ— the Persons and Miracles by which they confirmed their Message and heard not the fâ—â—st report Yet the Universal Tradition having handed it to us is a sufficient ground of Faith and so we believe through their Word and are concerned in Christ's Prayers Iohn 17.20 For with them and their Successâ—rs as to these necessary things Christ hath promised to be to the end of the World Matth. 28. 20. 2. My next Argument is Becâ—use Christian Religion must needs be a Tradition partly because matter of Fact is the Foundation of it and it is in it self matter of Faith 1. Because it is built upon matter of Fact That the Son of God came from God to bring us to God that is to say appear'd in humanâ— Nature instructed the World by his Doctrine and Example and at length died for Sinners confirming both in Life and Death the truth of his Mission by such unquestionable Miracles as shewed hiâ— to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the World Now a Testimony Tradition or Report is necessary in matters of Fact which of necessity must be confined to some determinate time and place It was not fit that Christ should be always working Miracles always dying always rising and ascending in every place and in the view of every Man but those things were to be oâ—ce done in one place of the World in sight of some particular and competent Witnesses But because the knowledg of them