any of these Laws be broken if they may not be broken then they are perpetual Ans. The reason why they may not be broken is not because that the dispensation of them is still in force but because the dispensation of the law of the spirit comprehends all the righteousness of Moses his law and the end of Christs dissolving that Covenant was not that any man might have liberty to do any thing which is there manifested to be unrighteous but that the righteousness of it might be fulfilled in them who receive his law in the spirit which never could be fulfilled by receiving of Moses his law in the letter Rom 8.4 And mark this diligently ye that have been exercised in spirit towards God The law of sin is nearer to us then any law of the letter can come the covenant of Death and Hell with the laws thereof are written within by the finger of Satan and that which blots them out must be as near even an inward covenant an inward writing from the Eternal Word in the heart by the law of his Eternal Spirit of life This then is my Answer Moses his law in substance remains as it is taken in by Christ and administred by him in spirit but not as it was given in the letter to the Jews for so it was a shadow making nothing perfect but making way for the better hope for the Covenant established upon better promises for the inward law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus which effects that in the spirits of his people which Moses his law could by no means do Quest But what is the substance of the law which abides Ans. The substance of the law is Love To love God above all above all without above all within and to love one's Neighbor as ones self To receive this love from God and to bring it forth in his spirit this is the substance of the law this is the thing which the law drove at in a shadow The law is fulfilled in this one word Love but that love must be received from God which fulfils the law A man may strive to love abundantly and strive to obey in love and yet fall short of the covenant but the Lord must circumcise the heart afore that love can spring up which fulfils the law Deuter. 30 6. Obj. But doth not the Apostle Paul say That by the law is the knowledge of sin and that he had not known lust except the law had said Thou shalt not covet plainly referring to the tenth Commandment which saith Thou shalt not covet Ans. By the law outwardly was the knowledge of sin outwardly to the people of the Jews by the law inwardly is the knowledge of sin inwardly to the spirits of Disciples Now a little consider and wait on the Lord to know what administration of the law it was that Paul knew sin by whether it was by Moses his administration of the law in the letter or by Christ's Ministration of his law to him in the spirit It is rendred in our last Translation Thou shalt not covet but it might more properly be rendred Thou shalt not lust For if {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} be properly rendered Lust then {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} may as properly be rendred Thou shalt not lust And he that hath received the administration of the law in the Spirit knoweth it thus to issue forth from the Word of life into his Spirit It discovers the lusts and affections of the flesh which draw from the yoke and subjection to the spirit and then by a command from the living spirit it hedgeth up the way after the other lovers saying Thou shalt not lust And as the law of the flesh ariseth kindling desires after vanity and after fleshly ease and delight so the law of the spirit arises in the inner man forbidding pricking stopping and limiting that which would be at liberty out of the life and purity of the holy law And here begin the bitter fights and terrible battels and conflicts between the two Seeds wherein all the powers of heaven earth and hell are engaged Now because this interpretation of Paul's words may seem strange and uncouth to persons who have drunk in another apprehension and have taken it for granted that Paul there refers to the tenth commandment consider the place yet further and perhaps the Lord may please to open it to you from the very Letter even as he hath opened it to others immediately by his Spirit by causing them to feel the thing which Paul felt and to receive the Law as he received it Paul in that seventh of the Romans speakes of three states vvhich he had known First a state of life before the law I was alive without the law once v. 9. Secondly a state of death after the commandment came Then sin revived and he dyed When the Word of Life came with its living commandment to set upon sin indeed then sinne would dally no longer it would no longer lye as dead and let Paul live in his Zeal and Worship as he had done before but it slew him it shewed its power in him sometimes deceiving him and sometimes forcing him from that which was holy spiritual just and good and to that which was unholy insomuch as he did do what he hated and could not do what he loved and found himself a wretched man and in miserable captivity because of the body of death and the law of sin in his members v. 23 24. 3dly A state of life after the commandment had done its Work in throughly slaying of him When that was removed which the law came against then then he was marryed to another husband then he could bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7.4 then he could walk freely with God not after the flesh but after the spirit ch. 8.4 and rejoice in the life and the peace instead of roaring out because of the death which came from the carnal mind v. 5. Now when was the time when Paul was alive without the Law Was it not when he was righteous when he was whole then he had no need of the Phisician then he had not received the Wound even the terrible Wound which Christ then gives the soul when he calleth to it by his spirit and giveth forth the commandment Thou shalt not lust When he had confidence in the flesh being circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel of the Tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew of the Hebrews as touching the Law a Pharisee concerning Zeal persecuting the Church touching the righteousness which is in the Law blameless Phil. 3.4 5 6. Here was a living man and his exact receiving the Ministration of the Law in the letter was part of his life yea but he had not received the commandment yet that slew him Paul was alive yet and could flourish in the freshness of his life zeal and abundant knowledge under this administration of the Law But when
unsatisfied concerning it and even drowned in fleshly imaginations and contentions about it They seek to have that satisfied which is not to be satisfied They seek to have that know which is not to know they offer to God the service faith and obedience of that which he will not accept keep that from him which he calls for They seek for the Spirit in the Letter according to the manner of the Law but wait not to feel it in the Seed quickening the Seed raising up the Seed and dwelling in the Seed whither Christ and his Apostles directed to wait for it They looke for that knowledge that faith that life that spirit from words written which the Apostle preached was to be waited for from the word in the heart And by this means they raise up several buildings and get various kinds of knowledge each according to his understanding and apprehensions of the Letter every sort being very confident concerning their own apprehensions that they are the right And thus they wander from the City of the living God and from the living knowledge building up Images some outwardly some in their minds some more gross some more refined but all more or less who are not acquainted with the living knowledge and truths of God but have gathered apprehensions with the wrong tool from the Letter have set up somewhat else instead of the true Life and Power The knowledge of the true God which is life eternal the knowledge of the true Christ whom no man can indeed call Lord but by the spirit the knowledge of the everlasting Gospel which alone is read in the spirit the knowledge of the spirit which alone is read in the Seed these are strange things to the several generations of the Christians of this age who commonly know no more of them then according to the apprehensions they have taken in concerning them even from that wisdom and understanding which hath not a capacity in it to receive them but must be destroyed before these things can be understood aright 1 Cor. 1.19 O that ye could read in the eternal light of life O Christians Christians O that ye could see how your understandings and knowledge from the Letter stand as much in your way as ever the Jews did in theirs and must be broken down as flat as ever theirs was before the foundation of the Kingdom can be laid and the building of eternal life reared up in your hearts Be not offended at my zeal for the Lord my God and for your souls It hath cost me very dear what I testifie to you in the simplicity and integrity of my heart and this I know to be most certainly true that that spirit of man which without the leadings of the eternal Light hath nestled it self in the letter got a seat of wisdom and knowledge there raised up a building from thence either of inward or outward Worship will be dissetled driven thence even by that very spirit which gave forth the Letter And when this is done and God's spirit again openeth the Letter O how sweet how profitable how clear how refreshing will it be being read in the light of the spirit in the faith which is in Christ Jesus which is begotten in the heart by the word of Faith which is nigh there From that light from that spring as the Lord pleased to open enlarge and fill the Vessel all the words of the holy men of God came and in that alone they have their sweetness freshness vertue and fulness but how to read the words outwardly written keeping to that and understanding them in that and how to keep out the natural man with his natural understanding which knoweth not the things of the Spirit nor can know or receive them 1 Cor. 2.14 is a mystery to them who have not been turned inwards to this word nor have known or heard his voice The Lord is recovering the Mysterie of Life and as that appears the Mysterie of Death under all its paint under all its painted Faith painted Love painted Knowledge painted Obedience painted Duties Ordinances and Worship will be made manifest Happy is he whose inward Building will stand whose Gold will abide the fire and everlasting Burnings of the jealous God whose Eye-salve was bought of the true spirit whose raiment is right spun but exceeding hard wil it go with that man whom the Lord when he cometh to search him shall not find a right inward Jew as he took himself to be nor truly circumcised by the Lords eternal Spirit with the light thereof but onely by such a circumcising knife as he himself had formed out of the letter of the Scriptures This is the great misery of Christians the vail lies over their hearts even the same vail which covered the Letter of Moses from the Jews and they are groping after the mind of God in the Letter but the life is hid from them even as it was from the Jews because they also say they see that they have the life the spirit therefore the vail remains the caul of iniquity surrounds them so that they cannot see into that which makes free from it but remain yet in captivity and bondage to the Enemy Some Queries of W Salters tending to inforce upon Christians the observation of the Jewish Sabbath ANSWERED Query 1. WHether the Fourth Commandement exprest Exod. 20. be not morall and perpetuall as well as the other nine be yea or no Answer That Covenant which God made with the Jews at mount Horeb when they came out of the Land of Egypt was not to be perpetuall but to make way for that Covenant Priesthood Law-giver and Law which was to be perpetuall That Law so given forth made nothing perfect but was a continuall hand-writing of Ordinances against the Jews and the very Salvation of the Jews was by another Covenant and by the Laws thereof Deut. 30 11. By which Covenant and by which Law they might be made perfect and come to the better hope Which other Covenant is the Covenant of Grace or the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus or the Word which is nigh in the mouth and in the heart and speaks Life to them that can hear and believe the joyfull sound of it Now that this former Covenant was not to abide but to give place to the other see Heb. 8. Which treateth of the New Covenant For God's speaking of a New Covenant importeth that he himself hath made the first Old ver. 13. It had had a long continuance among that people of the Jews but now against the coming of Christ who was to be Mediator of a better Covenant v. 6. even of a New Covenant v. 8. as it had been long decaying and waxing Old So now it was ready to vanish away as v. 13. And indeed it was necessary it should pass away for it was not faultless How not faultless was there any sin in the Holy Law Ministration
God who caused the light to shine out of darkness shined in his heart when God begun the Work of the new Creation in him by his living light when the commandment came fresh from the Spirit the commandment which was ordained to life Rom. 7.10 which the Ministration of the Law in the letter was not no not to the Jews but another Deut. 30.14 15. then Paul began to feel the sting of death and the Power of sin which now arose up in its strength to retain one of its subjects and to keep the stronger man then he from dispossessing him if he could And now how was poor Paul rent and torn and harrased by the Enemy and made to see and feel his miserable captivity until he had passed through the death and was redeemed from under sin and consequently from under this bitter Ministration of the Spirit by his holy pure and severe Law against sin for the man being dead the law hath no force against the Seed nor against that which is one with and lives in the Seed And this is it he speaks to the Romans concerning who also were acquainted with this Ministration of the law as v. 1. of this seventh chap. Now is it not very manifest that Paul knew not sin spiritually by the Ministration of the law in the letter but was alive without it until he felt the Ministry of it from Christ in the Spirit and that soon struck at his life and by degrees slew it killing the body of sin in him with its members and so preparing him for the marriage to another Husband Object But by this then a man is not only freed from the Law of the letter but also from the law of the spirit for if this law be ministred to him til death pass upon him til he be married to Christ then after death is passed upon him and he is baptized into death and risen with Christ and married to him then this Law passeth away likewise Answ. There is a double ministration of the Law of the Spirit a sharp ministration against sin and a sweet ministration in the renewed spirit The ministration against sin passeth away as the sin is wrought out but then the sweet Spirituall current and law of its holy and pure life in the renewed Spirit is more vigorous and full So that the law of the Spirit remaineth for ever but its convictions its reproofs its chastisements towards the worldly part diminish and pass away as the worldly part is wasted and its sweet comforting presence pure peace fresh joy and life increase as the new man grows and flourishes Quer. 2 Whether the scope and drifâ— of that fourth precept be not to perswade us to lay by the works of our calling one day in seven that we may on that day wholly give up our selves to wait on the Lord in the performance of duties of piety and mercy for our attaining of and growing in sanctificaion and holiness Answ. The scope and drift of the fourth Commandement was to injoin the Jews to keep the Sabbath strictly as a sign by forbearing all works and sanctifying it as a day of rest to the Lord according to the law Ezek. 20.12 But the substance being come Christ who is the body Col. 2.17 the day and rest of the Spirit being known the sign is at an end and the thing signifyed taketh place So that the rest is now in Christ through the Faith by his Spirit where the worship is And this in the Gospel comprehends the time of worship the place of worship and the worship it self which are Spiritual where in substance all is known injoyed and solemnized which was figured out in shadows under the law The sanctification being come the rest being come the Lord of the Sabbath being come shall not the sign of the sanctification the sign of the rest which rest the Lord of the Sabbath was to give lead the Spirits of his people into pass away Ex 31.13 Quer. 3. Whether the fourth precept do not as strictly bind us to keep holy the seventh day of or from the creation as it bindeth us to the observation of a seventh Day Answ The fourth Commandement did not require the observation of a seventh Day in general but of the seventh day in particular of those of whom it required it for what the law required it required of those who were under the law and not of others Rom. 3.19 Quer. 4. If the seventh days Sabbath be not morall and perpetuall then how comes it to pass that it was instituted or appointed from the first Creation when man by guilt stood in no need of a Saviour nor yet of such a ceremony Gen. 2.3 Answ. That it was instituted or appointed from the first Creation or that God intended to require of man the observation of it had he abided in innocency is not manifest in the Scriptures but that God did then bless and sanctifie it in relation to the service he had for it that is expressed in Scripture Gen. 2.2 3. And that this was one end for which he did sanctifie it namely that it might be for a sign unto that people of the Jews which was the people he chose to set up his signs and figures of the invisible things among the Scripture also testifies Exod. 20 11. But what further meaning there is in it and what relation it hath to all the redeemed of the Lord in whom God brings about the New Creation with the rest thereof as he did the old it is better to wait to know and feel in the Spirit then to be prying into with the curious searching fleshly understanding Quer. 5. If the seventh days Sabbath be not morall and belonging both to Jews and Gentiles then how comes it to pass that it was given to all men in Adam when there was no difference between Jew and Gentile and was observed by command from the beginning as appears by comparing together Gen. 2.3 and Exod. 16.18 to 31. Answ. That it was given to Adam in innocency or to all men in Adam I do not find nor do these places quoted make it manifest But its being practised before the giving of the law doth not prove its perpetuity or that it was not given for a sign for circumcision was instituted and observed long before the giving of the law Gen. 17. sacrificing long before that Gen. 4. both which were signs of the inward and not perpetuall as to the outward observation of them Quer. 6. If when our Lord Jesus saith Mat. 5.18 that till heaven and earth pass one jot or tittle should in no wise pass from the law If he there meant not the law of the ten Commandements expressed in Exod. 20. then what law did he mean Answ. By the law is meant the whole ministration of Moses as by the Prophets ver. 17. the whole ministration of the Prophets and that it is not to be restrained to the ten Commandements is manifest by
this Jerusalem was a type of an inward building in the Spirits of Gods people both in its rearing up in its scituation in its standing in Gods dealing with it all the time of its standing and lastly in its downfall and utter desolation There is an appearance and building of God in the Spirits of his People which is to give way to and be swallowed up in a fuller and higher appearance But the fleshly spirit getting into this building will not give way to the further and more inward spirituall appearance of the Spirit but will have the first building stand as the building and will entertain no further appearance of God then as it can comprehend it subject it and afford it a place in the first building Hereupon God distresseth Ariel even the City which David built saying within his heart surely that which I have built will I break down and that which I have planted will I pluck up even this whole land So he causeth the overflowing scourge to pass even over Thy whole land O Immanuel Now when the enemy enters within the holy City and within the holy Temple it is time to fly and exceeding great distress will befall that Disciple whose flight is either on the Winter or on the Sabbath day Do not imagine at this but if the Lord open it not at present wait his season for the thing is true and sealed both by the openings of the Light eternall and by sensible exercises and experiences from that Light Thus I have answered such of the Queries as concern the seventh days Sabbath Such as seem to argue the unwarrantableness of observing the first day of the week for a Sabbath I leave to those to whom they are tendred and of whom an Answer seems so conscienciously zealously desired as I do not see how it can be reasonably neglected or denied that by weighty evidence of Scripture he may be reduced if he hath erred but if not but it be truth vvhich he hath therein held forth the Lord may be honored in mens bovving and subjecting to every truth of his by vvhat instruments soever it pleaseth him to make it manifest Some Queries sent in writing upon occasion of an Epistle directed to all such as observe the Seventh Day of the week for a Sabbath Answered Query 1. IF the whole Law of Moses the Law of the ten Commandments as well as the Law of Sacrifices were both added upon one and the same account for transgressions Then why doth the holy Spirit in the Scriptures lay forth such an antiphitical use of them I suppose he means anti-tipical the one that sin might abound Rom. 5.20 the other sacrificing for sin Heb. 9.7 8 9. Ans. That the Lavv of Moses vvas added because of transgression is manifest from that Scripture quoted by me in my Epistle as vvel as from other Scriptures and one end vvhy it vvas added in relation to transgression vvas that the offence might abound vvhich vvould make the Sacrifice or propitiation for sin appear more necessary and more acceptable And the sacrifices also relate to the sinner some referring to the sin committed others to the thankfulness and acknovvledgement due for the peace mercy and blessings of God tovvards his poor sinful erring creatures both vvhich vvere to last till the time of reformation from the sin Heb. 9.10 Gal. 3.19 But that they vvere both added upon one and the same account that I did not affirm that is vvrongfully put upon me Now though both these were added because of transgression yet they had not both the same use and service in relation to transgression but the one was added to discover sin and to make it appear exceeding sinful Rom. 5.20 the other to blot it out to take it away to make atonement for it which the sacrifices did making the sinner upright and perfect as relating to that outward state and capacity though they could not as pertaining to the conscience Heb. 9.9 Qu. 2. If the whole Law the ten Commandments as well as the Sacrifices were representations figures or shadows of somewhat relating to Christ the Seed Then what did they in general or either of them in particular represent figure or shadow forth before they were written in Tables of stone or since they were written in Tables of stone more of Christ then then now Answ. That the ten Words were some of the Precepts of Moses and appertaining to the first Testament or Covenant all which Precepts were sprinkled with blood cannot be denied And the Apostle distinguisheth the Precepts of Moses under the Law which were sprinkled with the blood of the Sacrifices under the Law Heb. 7.19 from the Precepts of Christ which he writes in other Tables ch. 10.16 which also are sprinkled with blood but not with the blood of Bulls and Goats but with his own blood and he that receives any of these Precepts out of the blood of Christ cannot truly and spiritually obey them though he may strive much to form his spirit into the obedience thereof Now the time and season of their signification was the time which God allotted them under the Law wherein was the use of signs but the Gospel is a state of substance of bringing the life and immortality into the heart and into the possession of believers which the state of the Law shadowed So that they are not signs since the Gospel since Christ put an end to the Law-signs shadows and figures not yet before the Law to Believers so far as they were in the New Covenant For as the thing signified cometh so that which signifieth it passeth away though that was a mixed state wherein God gave a taste of both Covenants before his perfect dispensing or bringing forth of either Qu. 3. If the whole dispensation of the Law was given to the Jews and not to the Gentiles and so the Gentiles not bound to that Law but another way for them to know the mind of God Then whether that Law cited Rom 2 15. which the Gentiles shewed the work of in their hearts be another Law contrary to that Law that was given to the Jews even the ten Commandments Ans. The Law which is the substance is not contrary to the Law which is the shadow but is the comprehending and fulfilling of it The Law in the Spirit written by God's power and presence in the heart and mind is not contrary to the Law in the letter but is an higher and more glorious Ministration of it The one commandment which God gave by Moses to the Jews Deut. 30.11 which was the commandment of life and death as relating to their inward and eternal state ver. 15. was not contrary to the ten commandments which God had commanded them before by another covenant which he had made vvith them as an outward people and which was to be their Rule as to their outward state for they were chosen by God to be an holy people outwardly and so an outward Rule
and the full course of his Pilgrimage be finished Yet if it were possible for man after he is come to Christ to abide perfectly with him to cease from lust to keep within the faith to draw naturally in the yoke to bow in the Spirit continually to the Father of Spirits there would be a continuall Sabbath kept in the passage even before the great full and perfect Sabbath in the end The hardness and unease of the labour is because of a part contrary to the life which when it is worn out there will be no more labour but the yoke will become the rest and all the motions and operations of life will flow forth naturally in the rest And here is the Patience and Faith of the Saints to wait under the yoke under the daily cross to that Part which is to be brought and kept under till all the bonds of Captivity be broke through by the life and the vail of flesh rent from the to the bottome the remaining of which is that which stops the free current of life and then shall the soul enter into the holy of holâ—es obtaining the full possession of the everlasting inheritance and of the eternall redemption and know sorrovv tears bonds sickness death captivity no nor so much as grapling with them or travelling out of them no more but the enjoyment of the plenty and fulness of the life reaping all the pleasant fruits of life in the rich land of life for evermore SOME CONSIDERATIONS Propounded to the JEWES That they may hear and consider and their Hearts at length may be Turned towards that which alone is able to Convert Them to God that they may once more become his People and enter into an Everlasting Covenant with him that may not be broken that so they may abide in his Love and Covenant of Life and remain his People for ever Consideration I. WHat great Love Mercy and Kindness God shewed to that People above all Nations and Peoples under Heaven Of his own free love he set his heart upon them chusing them to be a People to himself He brought them out of Egypt by a mighty hand and outstretched Arm he mightily preserved them in and led them through the Wilderness He entred into a Covenant with them to become their God and betrothed them unto himself for his own Lot and Inheritance He gave them righteous Laws Judgments Statutes and Ordinances both of Worship towards him and of an upright Demeanour and Conversation among themselves and towards all men He drove out the Heathen from before them and gave them a pleasant Land to possess even the glory of all Lands a Land flowing with Milk and Honey He built an habitation for himself among them first a moving Sanctuary or Tabernacle afterwards a more setled abiding place or Temple which Solomon built wherein was the Ark of his presence where he was to be sought unto and enquired of by them and towards which their Prayers were to be directed and there was a Mercy-seat whereof they had large experience and he ever and anon sent Prophets among them to reprove their errors and blackslidings and to set them to rights again He raised up Judges likewise to defend them and although they were weary of his Government desiring a King after the manner of the Nations so vehemently that they even forced a King from him yet he took him away from them and after him chose a man after his own heart to feed Jacob his People and Israel his Inheritance who fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands What should I say more what was wanting of Love of Care of Goodness of Kindness of Mercy of Gentleness of any thing that a People could desire of their God I say what was wanting of all this on Gods part What could he have done more for his Vineyard than he did do Nay he emptied upon them all the Goodness all the Mercy Love Favour c. that that Covenant would hold to the full yea and more too for he bare with them more than that Covenant required him to bear and redeemed them oftner than that Covenant engaged him yea many time turned he his anger away and did not stir up all his wrath as he might often have done according to the tenour of that Covenant Yea in all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them And he was still ready to say in his heart Surely they are my People Children that will not lie at length they will see their error repent and be true to me insomuch as he was never weary of saving them of trying them again and again of stirring up his Bowels of Love and Pitty to Redeem them of sending his Servants and Prophets among them to warn and reclaim them even till at last it was manifest that there was no remedy but he must cast them off and provoke them to jealousie by a foolish Nation Deut. 32.20 21. drawing them nigh to him who had been Worshipping Stocks and Stones making them become a People who had long been no People and casting these out of his sight making them become no People who had so long been his chosen peculiar People in Covenant with him and nigh unto him above all the Families of the Earth Consid. II. What constant Rebellion and stiffness of Spirit that People all along expressed towards the Lord what wild sowre Grapes they still brought forth to him sowre Love sowre Obedience sowre Worship and Sacrifices such as the pure pallate of the Lord could find no relish nor savour in but as Moses had told them that it was not for their Righteousness God chose them to give them the good Land to possess for they were a Rebellious and stiff-necked People Deut. 9.6 7. So it was not for their Goodness that God continued his love to them for they were all along provoking him Jer. 44.4 When God came to shew that great Mercy to them of Redeeming them out of Egypt and bid them cast away their Idols they would not cast away their Idols Ezek. 20.7 8. neither did they regard that Mercy of Redemption from the House of Bondage and from the Iron Furnace but said to Moses it was better for them to stay in Egypt and to serve the Egyptians Exod. 14.12 Again in the Wilderness how did they provoke him all that forty years of Mercy how did they err in their hearts from his pure fear and from Love to him and from Faith and Confidence in him how did they murmur against him and against Moses and Aaron their Leaders how did they forget his Works and his Wonders continually When they came near the Land and should have gone in to possess it then they would not but repined and rebelled because of the talness and strength of the Enemy and of their Cities and when they were forbid to go then they would go and fight with
them What should I mention the time of the Judges and of the Kings how often the Lord made them smart by their Enemies in their own Land how often he gave them up to Captivity out of their Land even till at length that great Captivity of Babylon befel them and since that a greater Captivity and Desolation than that of Babylon Consid. III. Whether God having tryed this People even to the utmost by that Covenant which he made with them by Moses in Mount Sinai may ever please to try them so any more Or if there yet remain any Mercy or Love from God towards them whether it is not to be expected another way and upon another account This is very necessary and profitatble for them to consider that they may not be looking that way for Mercy and Favour from God in which it is never to come and so have their eyes and hearts diverted from that way according to which it is to come for this must needs put them back exceedingly if their eyes be looking out one way and the Love of God hath chosen another channel to run towards them in This may make them refuse the very Mercy Love and Redemption when it comes suspecting it not to be it because it comes not in the way and after the manner that they look for it Now God hath expresly said that when he shall be pacified towards them and shall look again upon them with an eye of Favour to do them good it shall not be by their Covenant which could never last but was still broken on their parts but by his own everlasting Covenant which he would establish to them Ezek. 16.60 c It would therefore diligently be enquired by them What Covenant it is which is called their Covenant vers. 61. And what Covenant it is which is called Gods Covenant vers. 62. That they may withdraw their eyes and hopes from the one from whence their Redemption Recovery and Mercy cannot come towards the other from whence it is to come To which Query for their sakes it is in my heart to return this Answer Answ. Their Covenant is that which they entred into with God the Covenant that their hearts chose to unite with God by and that was to this effect That if God would shew them his Will they would obey it Go thou near said they to Moses and hear all that the Lord our God shall say and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee and we will hear it and do it Deut. 5.27 Thus they thought but the Lord knew otherwise for O saith the Lord that there were such an heart in them c. vers. 29. and Moses knew otherwise he knew that they would corrupt themselves and that evil would befal them in the latter dayes Deut. 31.29 But Gods Covenant was the free Covenant he made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob the Covenant of his Grace the Covenant of his free Love whereby he was able to reach them in Egypt upon the cry of the Seed in them in the midst of their Idolatries and to bring them out and do them good notwithstanding their stubbornness and stiff-neckedness even before the other Covenant was made This Covenant of Love was Gods Covenant This is the Covenant God remembred to them in the days of their youth while they were young and tender and not yet grown up to be a people under the other Covenant and this is the Covenant which lasts for ever which is not founded upon their obedience but on God's free Love to them for his own Name sake and for their Fathers sake with whom he freely made it Quest What doth this Covenant contain Answ. Putting his Fear in the Heart writing his Laws in the Mind pouring of pure clear Water upon them to wash away the pollutions of their inward parts circumcising the filth of the Heart healing the backsliding Nature by creating of a right Spirit within and keeping of the created Spirit right by the presence of that Spirit which created it See Jer. 31.31 32. Ezek. 36.25 c. Hosea 14.4 This is God's Covenant this is the new Covenant which is to be made with the House of Israel and Judah when God redeems them and they can never be redeemed but by this Covenant but are to remain desolate until the Spirit be poured out from on high upon them Isai. 32.15 until their Hearts be circumcised to love the Lord their God untill his fear be placed there and they thereby caused to walk in his ways As therefore they receive the Spirit are brought into the fear have the Law written in their minds and become subject thereto so will they tast of this Covenant be brought into Redemption by it and become a glory inwardly and outwardly also upon the Earth Quest What is the way for them to have the fear of God put in their Hearts to have their Hearts circumcised to receive the Spirit and his Laws into their minds and so to come into this Covenant Answ. There is no other way but that to which Moses himself directed them after God had made the other Covenant with them and tryed them long by it together with many Temptations Signs and Wonders both before and after it and seeing by all these they had not had an Heart to perceive nor Eyes to see nor Ears to hear Moses at length directs them to another Covenant the Word whereof would give them Eyes to see and Ears to hear and an Heart to understand Which Covenant was a Covenant besides the former Deut. 29.1 And was indeed the Covenant concerning Life or Death eternal chap. 30.15 the other being but a Covenant of their outward state made with them after their coming out of Aegypt upon their deliverance there from and according to their choise to become a People to God according to it This Word Moses tells them was near them nearer then that which was spoken by God on the Mount and afterwards written in Tables of Stone The voyce of this Word and the Commandment thereof was nearer that they need not seek anywhere abroad for it but only listen at home to hear its speech obey it in the faith and live for ever Deut. 30.11 c. This is the way for them and all Men to come into this Covenant and there is no other There is a Light shining in the Darkness of Mans heart which Springs up in him and casts forth it's rayes to discover and draw him out of the Darkness Now as this Light is felt loved understood in Spirit hearkned and cleaved to in the pure Faith which it begets that which cleaves to it is drawn out of the darkness by it into the Covenant of the pure eternal Light where God is and whither all they are translated who are drawn to him in and by this Covenant as they are kept preserved and continue in the Faith Love and Obedience of it Now I would yet put these few