it but by Christ typed out in one part of this Law and so and to this end the Letter killeth yet this killing and death that fitteth for life in Christ was not effected by a dead Letter or by Words or Sound heard only but by some gracious operation of God therein minding them of and opening their Understandings to discern their sinfulness and submitting their Hearts to say Amen to the Curse and helping them in Observance of the Rites to look to Christ to come that so having no hope in their own Observances being in that respect dead also they saw the end of the Law to lead them to Christ And this was the right use of the Letter and the Work of God by and with the Letter in this killing way to fit them for Life But this Medium and Way of killing to prepare for Life God was not minded always to use but as it was given 430 yeers after the Covenant made with Abraham Gal. 3.16 17 19 20 25. to whom the Seed and Blessing in that Seed was promised so it was to continue but till Christ that Seed came so that this Law ministred by Moses appears all the way in every place speaking of this business and in this very 2 Cor. 3. to be meant by Letter for that Law in Ministration of it was the Ministration of sin and of death or condemnation for sin to death and that to so gracious an end as is said whence said to be glorious and yet to be done away 2. By Spirit is not here meant simply and onely a supernatural shine and infusion of Divine Power and Spirit into the Hearts of Men creating a new and living Spirit even the Epistle or Minde of Christ in the Heart a living Principle springing up in living and quickening Efficacies by Spirit is not meant this only but the Gospel through which this was conveyed for they by whom this Epistle was ministred in respect whereof they were Ministers of the Spirit and their Ministration of Life That which they did Minister was the Epistle of Christ Mat. 22.20 John 14.17 18. 25.26 27. even the Gospel as come forth and witnessed by the Holy Ghost since his Ascension in Ministration whereof Christ according to his Promise is present with them by his Spirit and his Work it is in their Ministration to send forth of his Spirit so as the Ministration of the Epistle of Christ the Words of Christ which are Spirit and Life is their Work but the Supernatural Shine Infusion and Writing the Minde of Christ in the Heart is the very Work of the Holy Ghost from Christ himself though in their Ministration and in with and through the Gospel ministred by them which distinction is here given us by the Apostle himself in this 2 Cor. 3.2 3. in divers other places p 1 Cor. 3.5 6 7. Gal. 3.2 Eph. 4.21 Act. 11.21 So that by the Spirit is here meant the Gospel yet the Gospel in a peculiar sense for Moses preached the Gospel also even the same Gospel although not in the same Manner and Spirit also went forth in the Ministration of the Gospel as delivered by Moses q Rom. 10.6 7 8. Act. 3.22 26 but they to whom it was so preached were still under the Law and had the Law to convince them of sin and the Law to lead them in Observances to look to Christ so that the Gospel was also preached with and under the Law or Letter which was the first and now Old Testament But now that Christ is come and Truth fulfilled in him r Joh. 1.14 16 17 18. that Use of the Law enjoyned to the Jews is taken away and in the Gospel preaching Life is preached with Freedom s 2 Cor. 3.11 Act. 5.20 in a Word of Grace in and with which believed the Spirit operateth both to convince of Sin and to lead into Christ and so into all Truth t John 16.7 17 Heb. 8.10 and write the Minde of Christ in the Heart And this is the New Testament of which the Apostles were Ministers and according to which with Freedom and Fulness they preached the Gospel and Testimony of Christ And so of this Testimony of Christ was Paul and the residue of the Apostles and first Witnesses made Ministers u Act. 26.18 Rom. 15.16 Eph. 3.7 Col. 1.23 And this Gospel being testified and brought forth by the Holy Spirit w 1 Joh. 5.6 Act. 5.32 and being that in Ministration whereof the Holy Spirit witnesseth x Joh. 15.26 27 16.7 8 13. and so the Gospel the Power of God in every one that believeth to Salvation working in and with it in the Believer y Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 it therefore hath the Name of the Spirit z John 3.6 Rev. 19.10 and so is rightly called Spirit yea it is the Spirit of Prophecie and this Testimony of Christ is of him and that which abideth for ever and this Ministration of it to abide till his own personal coming again and so is a more glorious Ministration than that of Moses which is done away that having also a veil but this delivered without veil and this to be meant by Spirit is seen in the whole Chap. of this 2 Cor. 3. And this Testimony of Christ is one and the same whether writ printed read preached or heard and so not Letter but Gospel ministring not Sin and Death but Forgiveness and Life whether Men believe and receive it or not a John 6.32 Act. 13.37 18. And it is a kinde of Blasphemy to call this Gospel Letter much more to call it a killing Letter the Gospel in Moses Ministration was not so called but The Law much less may it now be so called it is a Word of Life and they that refuse it refuse Life and the refusal brings death though only Believers receive and meet with the spiritual Power and living Efficacies thereof b 2 Thes 1.8 10. 2 Thes 2.13 so that quite contrary to the end of the Objection we are led by this place to magnifie the Gospel and Testimony of Christ for the Truth Livingness Excellency and Plainness thereof And thus much to take away that by which these most dangerous troublers of Believers endeavour to withdraw them from believing the plain import of the plain sayings of Christ in Scripture CHAP. 5. An Assay to remove the Stumbling-blocks laid in the way by them that seek to trouble them by Word that is by pleading the Iudgement and Traditions of Fore-fathers or by Philosophy and vain Reasonings or by subtil and Rhetorical Queries and Perswasions to draw them from belief of Gospel-sayings Object 1 OUr Fathers the Holy and learned Men and chief Teachers in the Church have thus understood and interpreted these have been their Doctrines and Traditions which they have unanimously taught and the most zealous and consciencious for many Generations have so held and observed will you be so profane
to turn aside therefrom so proud to think you know more and better than all these so singular from all other Men in your Opinion and Way know you not it will be an Offence to our learned Men and Teachers and lay a blemish on them and our Fore-fathers as if they were mistaken and did erre Answ We have a plain Answer to all this in the Doctrine of Christ that all Doctrines Sayings Interpretations Glosses Sences Traditions that are not found in the Law and Testimony that have but the Doctrine and Tradition of Men to warrant them how many learned and how ancient soever they be yet they must not be taken because their Words and Sense to be therefore right but must be rectified and brought to the plain sayings of Truth and all not so rectified must be rejected And thus did our Saviour rectifie the commonly received sense of the Law and rejected the false Glosses a Mat. 5.21.22 39. Mar. 10.3 9. and so he hath likewise taught us That it is in vain and makes the Word and Sayings of God of none effect to teach and believe and worship God with and by the Doctrines Traditions and Opinions of Men that are not in the Sayings of God and so not of him but of men how many learned holy or ancient soever they appear b Isa 29.14 Mat. 15.1 9. Mar. 7.1 14. And he hath likewise taught us That every Plant which our Heavenly Father hath not planted must be plucked up and God's own Sayings Believers are to justifie whoever be thereby found a lyer letting such lyers alone not being troubled with fear of offending them because they be blinde leaders of the blinde c Mat. 15.13 14. 11.19 Rom. 3.4 The Jews of old were commended for observing the plain Words and Sayings of the Law though many right holy Men for divers Generations before had not done so exactly according to the plain saying of the Law d Neh. 8.14 15 16 17. yea the Priests and Scribes of the Jews in Herod's time when they answered a Question with a plain saying of Scripture erred not in the Answer given e Mat. 2.5 6. so victorious is the Truth in its own sayings Nor is it Pride or sinful Singularity or just cause of Offence to any to believe the Sayings of God to be true whoever be reproved as a lyer thereby but rather true Humility in laying aside our own Wisdom and desire of Repute with humane Rabbies and it is Obedience to God in justifying him in his Sayings which are never rightly understood but in believing them f 1 Cor. 3.18 19 20. Rom. 3.4 so that he that believeth the plain sayings in the Testimony of Christ to be true will not hearken to or be waved by this Objection Object 2 It is not like yea not possible yea against Reason That Moses should speak of so low a business as the Creation of this visible World with visible Heaven Earth and Creatures or That from one Man and one Woman the World should be so people'd by Noah 's time or That eight Persons with Creatures of all kindes should be preserved a whole yeer in such an Ark as is mentioned when all the World of Mankinde and other Creatures besides should be drowned or That if the World were so drowned that it should be so people'd and inhabited so fully by Abraham 's time or That there should be Three in One God and yet God but One or That God in the Person of his Son should become Man or That that Man should be God and yet die or if as Man he died that that very Body that died should be risen again and ascended into Heaven and remain so long in the Heavens or That by his Death and Righteousness other Men should be saved or That if there be such a thing as Eternal Salvation if God made all Men and Christ died and gave himself a Ransom for All that All should not be Eternally saved or That there should be a Resurrection of all the Bodies that have died since Adam 's time c. Answer These are all such plain Blasphemous and Atheistical Assertions that they are rather to be abhorred and answered with silence and departure than any parleying about such Absurdities and Infidel-like Blasphemies according to the Counsel given us not to answer but depart g Prov. 26.4 14.7 Isa 36.21 yet because many devise Allegories to make them true in an Allegorical Sense thereby to colour their Atheism and Unbelief and pretend a Fancy of higher things though they are vain Fancies and Dreams Prov. 26.5 we may give an Answer beside plain Denial which yet were enough And so it 's answered That however Types and Shadows and Parables might be Allegorized to an Agreement in a spiritual sense with the substance of Truth shadowed and typed Col. 2.17 2 Pet. 1 16. 2.1 2 18. Jude 12. yet the Truth it self is no Type or Shadow no Fable nor can there be any higher Business so as it admits not of Allegorizing and such as fancy Allegories to shew something more high and spiritual their Allegories are vain Dreams Fancies meer Winde and Vanity As for others not so far departed from the Faith that yet not believing the extent of God's own Sayings about his own Works of Creation Redemption and Extention of means that men might partake of Redemption c. who to colour their Unbelief bring in Forrain Senses and limiting Interpretations as if the words of a Man concerning the work of a Man and not the Words of God concerning the Works of God and so where he faith All men every man they gloss it Some of all sorts if he say The world and The whole world they will gloss it The world of the Elect. Whereas in a saying that is of God and his works if general and large and no saying of his contradicting it at any time there can be no limitation let not mortal Man presume to be wiser than his Maker But our Saviour's Answer may serve for all these who tells us That Unbelief and Ignorance of the Scripture and of the Power of God is the cause of all such Errors g Mat. 22.29 Mat. 12.24 and disables to give any right Interpretation Allegorical or Logical Object 3 You have the Scripture but in a Translation and have not sufficient Words to import the full sense of many Words in your Language which the Hebrew and Greek the Original in which the Scriptures were writ do import therefore the sayings are not plain to you that understand not the original Tongues Answer This is a meer gull to deceive the ignorant that their Rabbies might be Lords of their Faith for against this Objection we may finde in the Scripture it self many things viz. 1. That all words are not in every sentence to be taken according to the full extent of the Etymologie of the word as where it is said Our Saviour will
it is called The Faith of the common Salvation being The Vision of All. And this Doctrine of the Oblation of Christ is rightly called The Vision of All because that Jesus Christ Rom. 1.1 2 3 4 5. so to be preached for the Obedience of Faith to all Nations for offering this Oblation First he did take the Nature of all Mankinde he was made under the Law for all he bare the sins of all he died for all gave himself a Ransom for all calleth all enlightneth all is God's Salvation for all and being all this God will have him so to be preached to all and set forth as an Object of Faith for all yea as he is The Saviour of the World The Propitiation for the sins of the whole World All which are before shewn in treating of the Oblation by plain sayings of Scripture and yet this is still farther to be noted about this Vision or Doctrine Joh. 20.31 Luk. 1.1 2 3 4. Eph. 3.3 4. Ioh. 3.14 15. Heb. 2.2 Col. 1.28 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 1.16 17. That God will have it plainly written and declared yea it is so written and in Ministration to be held forth to all yea so explained and elevated that all and every Man may behold and read it for his healing yea see himself perfect in Christ that is perfectly satisfied for and redeemed from the Curse of the Law by Christ and in him fulness of Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption yea fulness of Spirit and Life so as beholding him he may believe and in believing receive it all And Isa 55.4 1 Joh. 4.9 10 14. Eph. 2 13-18 2 Tim. 1.10 as this is set forth as a common Salvation to all so likewise the preciousness and efficacy of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ the immensness of the Love of God to Mankinde in the Gift of his Son and commended through his Blood the open way of approach here-through to God and so bringing Immortality and Life to Light by the Gospel And so the Ground Isa 55 1-4 Mat. 11.27 28. Rev. 22.17 Isa 45.22 Heb. 2.2 Freedom Motives and Helps for all and every or any one to come in and believe and the certainty of enjoyment in believing and sure hope of Glory these to be declared that he that heareth beholdeth and readeth the same may be saved and run to the enjoyment of all in Christ These things being all in plain sayings of Scripture before cited often sheweth That such is the beginning of his Word and that it is the Vision of all in which such Testimony of Christ and good News for Mankinde and so the Key of Knowledge opening the Door to the Knowledge of the Kingdom Oh loving and glorious Christ Oh excellent Oblation Oh blessed Gospel Of which Gospel-Testimony concerning the Oblation of Christ I will say yet one thing more about its Usefulness in Ministration CHAP. 11. The Vse Ministers of the Gospel are to make of this Doctrine THe Oblation of Christ for us all Tit. 2.14 3.4 and the Love of God to Mankinde therein appearing as before declared is that with which by the appointment of God and Christ and the Teachings of the Holy Spirit the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel are to do their whole Work for convincing Men of Unbelief and drawing Men to Repentance from dead Works Heb. 5.12 6.1 2. and Faith towards God and instructing them in the Doctrine of Baptisms and laying on of Hands and Use of all the Ordinances of God and for confirming their Faith in the Resurrection of the Dead and of Eternal Judgement This being the Foundation of all these yea 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19.20 21. 6.1 2. Isa 28.12 26. Rom. 5.1 2.5 8 9 10 11. 8 32-35 Heb. 9.28 Tit. 2.11 14. 3.4 by and with this Doctrine of the Oblation of Christ for us all to extend press Reproofs Exhortations Beseechings Instructions and Consolations yea with this and by this to direct to Peace with God and Confidence in him and Hope of the fruits of the Mediation and Intercession of Christ and so to a comfortable waiting for his coming again yea in that before said and places alleadged it plainly appears That this Oblation of Christ and the Love of God to Mankinde appearing there-through is that Grace of God saving to all Men and that which in the appearance in the evidences of it specially in the Gospel-Declaration saveth and teacheth Tit. 2.14 3.4 5 6 7. it saveth the Beholders of it by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which here-through he richly sheds on them that being justified by his Grace they should be made Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life And this to be affirmed to stir up Men to good Works also Tit. 3.8 3.11 12 13 14. For this Grace of God saving to all men in its appearing teacheth us That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem c. So precious a Stone is he that so set forth effecteth such things and so precious an Oyntment in the Spirit 's going forth in this Doctrine is this 1 Joh. 2.19 20 21 27 28. That it teacheth Believers all things and is Truth and is no Lye yea and so fully teacheth them that they need not that any Man teach them other Doctrine or in other Manner but as this Anoynting teacheth them of all things yea no otherwise then by and with this and according to this were they to be taught So that all that the Ministers of the Gospel have to do in their Ministration they are as they desire approbation of 1 Cor. 1.17 18 21 23 24. and blessing in their Ministration from God so to do all their Ministration by and with this Oh that they would all be perswaded to this But this having always been rarely found Isa 28.12 14. 29.10 11. Psal 118.22 Mat. 21.42 Act. 4.11 That the profess'd Teachers and Builders in the Church would hearken to but rather slight this as a mean way of teaching yea and in these dayes it being rarely found either in practice or approbation among many professed and admired Ministers of the Gospel I shall hint a little more to evidence That with this Doctrine of the Oblation of Christ for us all they are to do their whole Business in their Ministration 1. This is that set forth and appointed to be set forth by God even the Father for this end Rom. 3.25 26. 1 Joh. 2.2 Him hath God set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins c. And to the Ministers he hath said Isa 28.12 16. This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest
a whoring after their Gods and God delivered them often into the hands of their Oppressors yet in mercy ever and anon in their distresses be raised them up Saviours or Judges So after the time of the Apostles and first Witnesses and the time of the Churches next succeeding them according as the Apostles had foretold wolves did enter in among them and men speaking perverse things rose up among them and something now they inclined to adorn them with the Wisdom and Learning of the Gentiles in Philosophy and other such-like Arts and excellency of Speech as the Gentiles gloried in and likewise with such worldly Excellencies and Superiorities and Dignities for Church-Order and Offices as might suit the same and so humane Traditions and Superstitions begun to spring up and God deeply chastned them and suffered the Enemies to load them with many Persecutions yet in their cries he still gave them some Deliverances and preserved to them many good and faithful Teachers 4. After those troublous times of Israel God gave them more peaceable times with the enjoyment of the purity of his worship in the days of Samuel Saul David Solomon his worshipping right to Judah in following Kings Raigns for a time so God was pleased after terrible Persecutions to give to the Christian Churches rest and peace in the time of Constantine and some other Emperours and Kings after him so as the Churches began for to encrease and flourish both East and West for a time 5. After Israel had long enjoyed these flourishing times they grew full and fell into Divisions and then ten Tribes rent from the House of David and fell to superstition in worshipping Jeroboam's Calves and after to more gross Idolatry in worshipping Baal till they were carried away into Captivity and are not yet returned but Iudah still worshipped the true God though polluted with many defilements of Israel's Superstition so the Christian Churches after a while of enjoyment of these flourishing times grew full and through pride and covetousness of their Bishops aspiring for pre-eminence fell into many Sects and Divisions and what Divisions in Churches and between the Churches East and West is by many recorded till many Churches that were famous in the first times had their Candlesticks removed and Mahometans now possess their place and they are not to this day restored The other Churches specially Westward still retained the Faith though defiled with many humane inventions and superstitions 6. After Israel's Captivity yet Iudah repented not of the defilements among them but though for a while continuing with God yet by degrees they fell to provoke him so with their Idolatries that he caused them also to be carried away Captive to Babylon for threescore and ten yeers so also after the removal of so many Churches Eastward the remaining Churches VVestward did not repent of their defilements with humane inventions and superstitions nor of the pride and covetousness of their Bishops and though for a time they held the Faith yet by degrees they fell to more superstitions so as they provoked God and made way for the Man of sin till he got his Seat in the Temple of God and therewith a worldly power also and so exaited himself above all that hath Imperial Majesty and so God being provoked left the outward Court into the hands of the Gentiles and being filled with Idolatry and Superstition the Holy City is by them trodden under foot 1260 yeers all which time the VVitnesses prophesie in Sack-cloth and all the upright are as Captives in Babylon mysterious Babylon 7. The Jews after their first coming out of Babylon they set on building the Temple and worshipped God according to the express and plain import of the Letter or VVords of the Law and were commended for it and encouraged by the Prophets and so they prospered for a time so the Christians after the first coming forth from the gross darkness delusions and Tyranny of the Man of sin endeavoured collection and reformation of Churches and held forth the Gospel according to the express and plain import of the Letter or words of the Scripture and for a time though in persecution they prospered and the word of the Lord grew and encreased 8. After this the Jews fell no more to the Idolatry of Jeroboam or of Baal nor to any willing or openly professed Idolatry of the Heathen yea they were zealous against it but in their zeal they ran into many over-strict Interpretations of some part of the Law and over-loose in some other parts of it and found out many Inventions and Devices pretending to Humility Devotion and Holiness which they took on them to observe and so by Tradition kept them appearing herein very holy and all that did not know and yield up to the same they counted as sinners publicans and prophane And thus they continued though under the Roman power till the coming of Jesus Christ So after the coming forth from the Man of sin these reformed Churches fall no more to such gross Idolatries but testifie against it yet with their humane Learning and Wisdom they content not themselves with the plain sayings of the Gospel but study and strain for Interpretations and so have framed by their School-Arts such appearing-exquisite Opinions and Rules also for Church-Government and certain Observations pretending to great strictness zeal devotion and holiness which taken up as a Tradition from one to another must be maintained and observed and they that do not observe the same are counted either factious or prophane And thus they continue till neer the coming of Christ 9. After the Jews had some Generations walked thus God sent among them John the Baptist in the Spirit and power of Elias the immediate fore-runner of the Lord's first coming by whom the way of the Lord was prepared and many discipled for the acknowledgement of him but those zealous ones received him not but rejected him though divers Sects among themselves Pharisees Sadduces and Herodians c. So after the reformed Churches have some Generations continued thus God stirs up some of his Servants to declare the Testimony of Christ plainly in the three forementioned Branches and therein the Love of God to Mankinde with the Priviledges of Believers and so to call to Repentance of the Doctrines and precepts of Men and to receive the Testimony of Christ and look for his coming and some here and there do imbrace it but very few of the wise and zealous Observers of the Doctrines and Traditions of their Fathers will receive it but oppose it earnestly though many divisions among them 10. When the Jews had had their time and God dealt thus with them and their sin ripened in opposing John c. then came Jesus Christ among them but these great Ones opposed him also so when the Gentiles have had their time and God hath dealt thus with them and their sin is grown ripe in such opposition of light then comes Jesus Christ personally with all his
also were to be sound in the Faith and such as is aforesaid yea and proved and approved to be such 5. That for the chusing order and number of these Officers it is to be according to the fitness and necessities of the several Churches and the Liberty God-in his Providence gives them the Church among the Corinthians among whom were many divisions and many puft up for some against other were exhorted to that which should be constant even to order in their proceedings and to let such of them as had prophetical gifts 1 Cor. 14.26 29 40. have the precedence in leading but not being fit because of being puft up for one against another c. they were not yet permitted to chuse their outward Officers that so all things might be so set in order till the Apostle came and did that Believers furnish'd with Apostolical or Evangelistical gifts at least needful in such a case But the Church among the Philippians a gracious sweetly-framed people in their fellowship in the Gospel they had their Bishops and Deacons among themselves and were well approved of And the Churches among the Ephesians had also their Bishops and Deacons but still needed more and more helpfulness about them and Timothy that was an Evangelist by his Gifts 2 Tim. 4 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 1.3 8. 3 4 5 6. and to do the work of an Evangelist in his preaching was left as a Bishop or Elder there to oversee both the several Churches and the Elders or Bishops and Deacons in the several Churches to charge some that they teach no other Doctrine beside that delivered them in the Gospel and to silence and stop the Mouths of perverse erronious Ones by the Word and to help them in choise of Officers Tit. 1 2 3. and for the right ordering of all their Assemblies and Manners and for the same cause was Titus left in Crete both to ordain them Elders and oversee both them and the people and give directions to them yet were all these in Corinth Philippi and Ephesus and Crete true Churches and fought not one with another about these outward Forms it being in and to each according to their firness and necessity Now while the immediate Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers lived and thos mediate Ones that had heard and seen them and that the Officers were chosen by and of those of the true Sanctuary who were clothed with the Righteousness of Christ and gloried in the Doctrine of Christ delivered by the twelve Apostles and contemned the glory Rev. 12.1 2. riches and pleasures of this World and that the outward Court was in the Hands of the Saints and they the Ministers and these the Officers therein also the Church appeared beautiful and glorious indeed But in that time the outward Court is left into the hands of the Gentiles the true Sanctuary is trodden down and as one dwelling in a Wilderness among Briars Rev. 12.14 11.1 2 3 4 5. Thorns and wild Beasts and then cloth'd with Sackcloth and yet patiently bearing this shall carry on their Work with the rich spiritual and constant Furniture given which is shewn to be very good and great though they have not all their Priviledges in the outward Court and to encourage I will name one Help more 6. Joh. 11.25 7.38 39. 14.16 26. 16.7 15 23 26. Mat. 28.20 7.7 Mar. 11.23 24. Luk. 1.7.6 Phil. 4.4.5 7 13. To fit and furnish for and in all the former Directions and against all that comes to oppose or hinder us he hath given us his gracious promise to be with us that believing on him his strength and Spirit shall support lead and go forth with us and whatever we finde wanting ask in his Name and it shall be done for and to us that so we may be able to do all things through Christ that strengthneth us so wonderfully are these chosen Ministers fitted for the Ministration of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery And thus much of the several Revelations and so of this last Revelation of Christ CHAP. 17. A Corollary from the Testimony of Christ in the three Branches together with all these several Revelations of Christ to the fullest FRom all that hath been said in the second and third Part of this Treatise and the Scriptures alledged and so in the whole Scripture-Testimony of Christ it appears I. That there is one Faith and but one Faith that is Faith indeed real and true in its kinde and so not divers kindes of Faith each true in its kinde The whole Testimony of Christ holds forth to us one and but one kinde of Faith that is true Faith yea Eph. â— 5 upon exhortation to keep the Unity of Spirit this is given as the ground of it There is one Faith as there is one God and Father one Lord and Saviour and one Spirit and so one true Church in which he is so there is one Faith and no more kindes of true Faith then of Gods c. we may see this in every sense the word Faith is used in the Testimony Rom. 1.5 10.8 16.26 Gal. 1.23 3.2 Rom. 4.19 24. Eph. 2.8 Act. 13.8 Rom. 3.20 30. 4.5 5.1 the word Faith being used sometime for the object of Faith and for the Word or Gospel in which that object is set forth and sometime for the Grace of Faith or believing in that object and sometime for both the object and believing so as the Believer is united to it and so still the Faith one and of one kinde For 1. The object of Faith is every way one and the same the Gospel that is the discovering Medium 2 Cor. n. 4. Gal. 1.7 8 9. Col. 1.5 23. the Word of Faith and of Grace though it hath many Branches and Uses yet they flow from meet in one and there is but one and the same Gospel and not another and Jesus Christ set forth and as set forth in this Gospel he is one and there is not another though he be set forth as indeed he is The Son of God and the Son of Man God-Man and what from Eternity he was and what in time he became what he hath done and what he is thereby become and what he is furnished to do 1 Cor. 8.6 Joh. 4.42 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Cor. 8.6 12.6 Gal. 3.20 1 Tim. 2.5 1 Cor. 12.4 11. 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Joh. 5.7 Mar 12.32 34. Joh. 10.29 30. 1 Joh. 5.10 11. and what he doth and will do as the mighty God and the Son of Man as the Saviour of all Men especially of those that believe and the Judge of all yet he is one and but one Lord Jesus Christ the Christ the Saviour of the World and there is not another Jesus that is the Christ and so God the Father that is in Christ and dwells in him though his
desire whereof and confidence in God for his gracious Answer they lift up their hands to God g 1 Tim. 2.8 whence Prayer is so named lifting up the hands to God h Psal 141.2 and in Testimony of their desire and confidence in God for his gracious answering they laid on hand on the parties prayed for i Act. 8.17 28.8 Such and in such manner their laying on of hands 2. The Doctrine of laying on of hands it is that Doctrine or teaching of the Gospel of Christ and him crucified in which Believers are directed and encouraged to pray for good things to God with Promises of a gracious hearing that so they may pray and lift up hearts and hands in confidence in God and lay on hands in Testimony thereof And this being one of those Principles that by the Oracles of God were taught to all Believers of the Oblation of Christ it must needs be as common to all Saints as the Faith of the Oblation of Christ and the Oracles proceeding from it known and believed and so it cannot be meant of the act of laying on of hands for giving and receiving the visible Gifts of the Holy Ghost for speaking with other Tongues for such laying on of hands appears to be peculiar to the Apostles and was not common to all the first Witnesses Act. 8.5.15 17 19.6 1 Cor. 14.22 12.29 30. Eph. 4.7 8 13. Eph. 1.17 3.14 17. Col. 3.9 10. 1 Thes 3.12 Eph. 6.19 2 Thes 3.1 2 Tim. 1.6 Act. 6.6 1 Tim. 5.22 Rom. 15.30 31. Act. 13.3 Jam. 5.14 15 16 20. Philip though an Evangelist and had the gift of working Miracles and did many yet for this the Church sent two Apostles Peter and John and so it was an Apostle that laid on hands for this gift another time and not this onely but the gift of Miracles and miraculcus healing though given to more then the Apostles yet not to all Saints even in those first times when Miracles were most needful till Christ had been fully taught and Jesus proved to be he nor are these gifts affirmed to be of like continuation with other spiritual gifts so that that which the Gospel in the Doctrine of laying on of hands teacheth that is of continual use for all Believers is that here meant and that is for venting our desires by Prayer to God in the Name of Christ for his mercy and free-favour through Christ to be given in blessing with encrease of and establishment in the Faith to Believers and for fitting and furnishing such as have the word of Grace in their heart to preach the Gospel and to bless their Ministration and for Believers approbation fitness faithfulness and blessing that are chosen into Church-Offices and for ability faithfulness preservation and blessing for such as are sent and imployed in Message or business for the Church and Church-Affairs and for gracious support and helpfulness in and seasonable deliverance out of any temptation sickness affliction or distress that any Believer is in and such-like as for that anointing with oyle in the Name of the Lord mentioned it appears to be taken in a metaphorical and spiritual sense because oyle and anoynting used of old was a type of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost Psa 45.7 Isa 61.1 with which Christ was anoynted immeasurably and with which he in the Gospel anointeth Believers which in Scripture is called oyle and anointing and anointing with material oyle is neither commanded nor anywhere in Scripture mentioned to be done much less set forth as an Ordinance since Christ's ascension into Heaven and pouring forth the Holy Ghost in which Truth being come Types and Shadows cease nor is it but once mentioned that I finde while he lived on earth Mar. 6.13 Cant. 1.3 1 Joh. 2.20 27 28. and that was when bodily cures by Miracles were most in use but this is a constant Truth His Name is as an Oyntment poured forth and so those that believe in him are said to have received an unction from him yea an anointing that teacheth and so to anoynt those we pray over with oyle in the Name of the Lord Phil. 1.8 9 10 11. is in Faith and Charity fervently streaming both in Prayers and speaking so to declare that Name in the Vertues of the Blood and Sacrifice of him and the Love of God appearing therein with the reviving Instructions and Consolations it affordeth that the savour of his Oyntments may refresh the heart And this to be the Apostles meaning Jam. 5.16 20. appears in his own after-Explanation So that the Prayer of Faith and of the Faithful is the chief Ordinance meant here with lifting up the hands in confidence to God or also with laying on of hands in Testimony of confidence in God Mat. 7.7 11. Mar. 10.24 Joh. 16.23 24. he being a God hearing Prayers which is the Doctrine of laying on of hands or that which the Gospel teacheth concerning it namely the gracious Minde of God that in all our needs we should by the Prayer of Faith and of the Faithful seek help of him and that he will hear and help us graciously according to his word Psal 64.5 And yet to cleer it 3. This is farther to be noted That in Scripture Language 1 Cor. 11.20 23 24 28. a whole Ordinance in which are many particular Acts is sometime called by the name of one particular Act in it as The Supper of the Lord in which is Blessing Prayer Instruction Praise taking and breaking Bread and distributing Wine eating drinking and comemmorating the Death of Christ Act. 20.7 Act. 2.46 c. is called by the name of one particular Act in it even Breaking Bread When the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul preached c. Yea sometime that one Act is named so as to imply all the Ordinances Believers had in Fellowship among themselves and so the Temple of God Isa 56.7 his House where Sacrifices Offerings and burnt-Offerings and all Temple-worship was rightly used and so there Accepted is even therefore called The House of Prayer And so this Ordinance of Prayer in performance of which is Confession Petition Praise with bowing the knee lifting up the eyes the voyce the hands and sometime laying on of hands as it is sometime called Prayer sometime pouring out the heart c. so it is sometime named by one particular Act in it sometime by one Eph. 3.14 1 King 8.54 Psal 123. Judg. 21.2 2 Chron. 5.17 Act. 4.24 Joh. 7.27 32 33 34. 8.27 sometime by another sometime bowing the knees somtime lifting up the eyes sometime lifting up the voice but most frequently is the Ordinance of Prayer called by that Act in it of lifting up the hands Psal 8.2 When I lift up my hands c. and Psal 63.4 While I live I will lift up my hands in thy Name Yea the whole great suffering and so the Oblation and Sacrifice of Jesus
the Gospel having that also to testifie withal And so that none go beyond the proportion of Faith dealt to him even that which he is without taking it on trust from others Rom. 12.3 4 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 12.4 5 6 12. enabled to see and understand in the Gospel so as verily thereby to believe and that his venting be not in imitation of other Men's Gifts and Administrations but according to the Manifestation of the Spirit and Grace given him freely operating and leading him forth and not straining beyond that 3. For giving this honour to no Man on Earth how learned soever or in what Office soever or of what parts excellency Mat. 23.9 10. Isa 8.20 2 Thes 5.20 21. Col. 2.8 18. Gal. 1.6 7 8. Rom. 3.4 1 Cor. 7.23 Gal. 1.10 2 Cor. 4.5 6. 1 Joh. 4.6 or appearing godliness soever as to make count or call him our Rabbi Master or Teacher so as to take any matter of Faith on trust from him for Truth or to be waved from the belief of or holding forth the Truth of the plain-sayings of Christ in the Gospel out of fear to make such a one a liar or to temper our Doctrine and delivery so as it may suit with any cross sayings of his yea to give this honour of taking this upon trust to none but God and Christ Mat. 23.8 and so to him for his sake taking it from his Prophets and Apostles by whom in the Record left by them he speaks to us still And that none desire or take this honour to himself but let God and Christ by his Spirit in the Gospel delivered and recorded by his first Witnesses be our Father Rabbi and Master for Faith and Love and all holy walking and we as Brethren 4. For keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4.2 3. 1 Cor. 4.6 7. 12.4 11. Phil. 2.3 4 5. that we be not any of us puft up with the excellency of our own Gifts or Administrations nor discontent at the meanness thereof in respect of others nor despise or discountenance others for their meanness therein but acknowledging God and Christ in all and in love preferring one another Rom. 14.32 21. 15.1 4. that we judge not despise not one another for difference in some outward things through the knowledge or want of the knowledge of our Liberty in Christ nor trouble the weak Brethren with doubtful disputations But with all lowliness and meekness with all long-suffering forbearing one another in love Eph. 4.2 3 4. 1 Cor. 1.6 10 Phil. 3.14 1â— endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Gospel-Love and design forementioned in the bond of peace that we may all speak the same thing in the Testimony of Christ confirmed among us and if in any thing any of us be otherwise minded to wait for God in the Ministration to reveal the same to him nevertheless to walk by the same Rule of faith and love according to that we have attained and so minde the same thing that there be no divisions among us so shall all men know us to be Christ's Disciples Joh. 13.35 5. For keeping cleer and fair the Name and Truth that is written upon us 1 Tim. 6.11 12 13 14. Tit. 2.10 Phil. 2.27 Col. 3.17 1 Cor. 10.31 that we follow after Righteousness Holiness Purity Mercy good Works and flie all Pride Wrath Malice Coverousness Fraud Lying Uncleanness Intemperancy c. that we do not blur or deface the Name and Writing that is upon us but adorning the Gospel we profess doing all things heartily as to the Lord in the Name of Christ to the glory of God and good of Men. 6. 1 Cor. 16.14 2 Cor. 5.14 1 Cor. 13. 1 Cor. 8.1 2 3. 14.1 2 5 12. For the profiting in speaking and walking that it may take place with and be edifying to others to see that all our speakings and doings be done in charity with the love and bowels of Christ moving us with desire of the good of others without which all Knowledge Faith Gifts Works or Sufferings will not avail us in this profiting and so in desire of spiritual gifts that we desire them not for our own applause or exaltation but for the edifying of the Church and that in this desire also we do more earnestly desire and follow after charity And these with such-like are the constant and abiding helps given in the Gospel for Believers which in living by Faith they may alwayes have and use and so be preserved from erring in Doctrine Ministration or Manners so that here is a sufficient gracious helpfulness and Furniture always needful and always at hand for all times till Christ come again yet in respect of some occasions there is yet needful to them some other helps as order and helps in Government with which they are also furnished in this Revelation of Christ in the Gospel CHAP. 16. Of the helps in respect of occasions which are given these witnesses FOr the encrease and multitudes of Believers and Professors of the Faith brought in by this Ministration because their Societies and Assemblies may come to be both many and many of them great and numerous and because their employments in this World be many and various and because many brought in to believe the Report of the Gospel to be a Truth are not yet by it convinced of their own unbelievingness vileness and the emptiness of their own righteousness Joh. 2.23 24. 8.31 36. vileness and the emptiness of their own righteousness and some though convinced yet not prevailingly wrought upon to be through-hearted in cleaving and submitting to Christ to have all their life in him and live to him though in abiding in this belief of the Truth and attending this Ministery of it it will save them and work them up to the Truth that will make them free both which though Attenders and of the outward Society yet not the true Sanctuary and so to be Learners and not the Teachers yea it may be also some in some measure unfeignedly believing and yet Novices newly come to the Faith 1 Tim. 3.6 may be ready to speak beyond the proportion of Faith given them yea and it may so be that some feigned and dissembling ones yea and disorderly ones also may creep into the outward profession and so be of this Society in profession and so the outward Court though while such not in nor of the Sanctuary and holy Place of which hath before been spoken and by reason of this if help be not had disorder and confusion will be found in and blemishes besal the whole Society but for remedy hereof there are helps afforded One for Constancy and that is order in speaking in the Assembly that but one speak at once and the rest be silent and so two or three may speak one after another so it be in order and after while time and silence is may
Branches of his Purpose compared with that said in the second Chapter of this fourth part in the Cautions there given But now because we read of many that depart from the Faith some may desire to know what his Purposes are concerning such as are once brought to believe who of them shall be eternally saved and who not To which a short answer might serve Joh. 3.16 Heb. 11.13 2 Pet. 2.20.21 That no unfeigned Believer shall perish but have everlasting life and so all that live and die in the Faith shall be eternally saved only those that fall from their Faith and die in unbelief shall be eternally damned which is a true full answer but it will not satisfie all that enquire I shall therefore endeavour to set forth the Purpose of God concerning these as set forth and explicated in Scripture concerning these who are once brought to believe and in that sense called Believers and so let the term be understood CHAP. 5. Of the Purposes of God concerning Believers BY Believers I mean not such as onely feign pretend and profess themselves to believe and do not nor doth the Scripture anywhere call any upon that account Believers but Hypocrites But as in Scripture-account so by Believers I mean such as do indeed in some measure believe the word or Testimony of Christ and so though that Testimony be but one and Faith one and but one true believing yet of those that do indeed believe the same Testimony confess the same Faith I finde two sorts of Believers as is before shewn at large First See Part 3. ch 17. such as in hearing and minding the Testimony of Christ do indeed believe it to be true and good but are not yet prevailed with and overcome by that believed as to part with all other designs and confidences for life and to believe on Christ for all promised c. as foreshewn Now the Purpose of God concerning these is That they continuing in his Word that is in belief and minding his word they have heard and believed Joh. 8.30 31 attending it and beholding him as discovered therein in which they are his Disciples indeed that is such as he teacheth and do begin to learn of him Joh. 10.26 27 Joh. 8.32 33 36 and so are the Sheep of his Ministration they shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make them free which as yet appears in the following Verses was wanting to them This said Jesus that was in the bosome of the Father and spake nothing but what the Father gave him to speak and so declared nothing about this but what was in Truth the real Minde and Purpose of his Father and himself yea this suits with that declared by the Prophet and this is affirmed to be the End and so the Purpose of God in sending forth his Son the Saviour of the world Isa 45.22 Luk. â— 60 69 70 71 76 77 Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 5.34 Mar. 1 â— 15 16 Act. 10.43 and declaring him in the Ministration of the Gospel And thus hath Christ spoken since concerning every one that believeth the Testimony of the Gospel He shall be saved and by his Spirit in all his Prophets and Apostles Such shall receive Remission of sins they shall be saved he doth not so express it as affirming of them all that which may be affirmed of some even as many as believe with the Heart unto Righteousness Rom. 10.9 Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 1.18 2 Cor. 2.15 Eph. 2.5 2 Tim. 1.9 and confess with the Mouth unto Salvation that they are saved Neither doth this hinder this understanding of this phrase That there is for these saved Ones a continued saving in preserving them from error in Judgement and Life in the believing remembrance of this Testimony in which they shall be so saved 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4 and a compleat Salvation with which they shall be saved after they have endured to the end inasmuch as in respect of the begun Salvation they are already saved and so affirmed to be which our Saviour saith Mat. 24.13 1 Cor. 6.11 Col. 1.12 13 was yet wanting to these Believers he spake to Joh. 8 30-36 Nor can this said of this Purpose be waved off with this That here is no more said to these Believers then to all unbelievers and mis-believers of whom also it is said his sending forth of Christ in the Ministration of the Gospel is That they might be saved and that also in looking to him Joh. 2.14 17 5.34 Act. 26.18 Isa 45.22 and believing on him they shall be saved All which is true and yet not all said to these Believers for unbelievers and mis-believers are not entring the way of Salvation nor anywhere said to believe in his Name or believe in him so far as to believe the Testimony of him true and good and so it 's never said to them If you continue in your minde or way that is in your unbelief or mis-belief ye shall be saved but the very contrary Nor is it said Joh. 3.36 8.24 If they continue in his words for if they have not rejected them yet they have not received them in believing though it may be in memory to abuse and make ill use of But these spoke of Joh. 12.47 48 15.20 Mat. 26.61 believed his Words and in believing had so received them that our Saviour saith If ye continue in my words ye are my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free and elsewhere shall be saved which yet they were not and if the Word of Faith they believed though yet they saw not all that was in it were not true and saving or if their believing were not true and of a saving Nature such as though yet it had not would in continuance drink in more saving efficacies then by cotinuance therein they could no more be saved then by continuance in unbelief or mis-belief but our Saviour affirms of these Believers If they continue in his words they believed they should be saved In which saying he hath plainly asserted the Minde and Purpose of God concerning such and that there are many Believers in the outward Court of the Church that yet are no farther wrought on then these is evident enough probable also such were in the outward Court in the first and choice times by that phrase Act. 2.47 The Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved it 's neither said Such as were saved nor such as against all contradiction shall infallibly be eternally saved but such as should be saved that is according to our Saviour's Doctrine continuing in his words they had believed and of these added Ones we read of two notable Ones among them Act. 5.1 10 that miscarried for want of heeding the Word testified by the Holy Ghost and for this cause because the Devil knows That when the Word is come into the Heart
right faith but that which springs from this eternal Purpose and that is also built on it This framed Purpose affirmed both to be the eternal Purpose of God and the foundation first laid for such as shall be saved to be built on is an inhumane device and a very fable having no Scripture to express it yea it is a Wolf barking against the Testimony of the Gospel and yet so of many will not be owned till some better coat be put upon it But if any can clothe it with and make it bear the Name of Election and Reprobation used in the Scripture and cover it with a pretence to glorifie the Soveraignty Omnisciency and Immutability of God and of abasing Man and magnifying Grace if by Wit Eloquence and Rhetorick and wresting Scripture it be covered with these pretences it may be entertained as a Truth and a harmless Lamb by some zealous humble and learned Men and so it may come to be deposited into the keeping of some Graduates in some University that can charm its voice stop its violence in devouring and set it forth in more orderly form so that though the thing it self be a Wolf yet it having on it a Sheep's-Skin and being charmed from its barking and violence of devouring demeaning it self as by Art it hath been taught It may so long go for a Sheep and be cherished in the Bosomes and commended in the Declarations of wise learned and godly Men and be entertained applauded and pleaded for as a Sheep by many zealous conscientious Professors and have certain brands of antiquity and consent of many learned and godly put upon it and they that so do till the Sheep's-Skin be taken off it may remain godly still and yet much hurt be done for the Wolf as it groweth up cannot but sometime shew its Nature yet subtilly so as if he bark it is so out of the hearing of the judicious that it will be denied to be he that did it and if he devour any Sheep it is so secretly in the Night that when Light comes he is gone and in another place and so not known till by the Watchers he be spied among some of his Fellows and heard barking and seen devouring and yet though they declare it it will be hard to convince many of it till themselves be bitten he hath been so long taken and applauded for a Sheep among them And yet that this Wolf may be known to be so even while the Sheep's-Skin is on him if we as we are taught 1 Joh. 4.1 take Doctrines or Spirits that are false in the same sense with false Prophets we have a good direction given us by our Saviour Christ that saith Mat. 7.15 Ye shall know them by their fruits Now then they being not open and professed Wolves but appearing in Sheep's-clothing Act. 20.29.30 and inwardly Wolves and in Society not with the Wolves of the VVorld but among the Sheep in the profest Church what can fruits be to know them by but onely these that in stead of bleating like a Sheep they bark and instead of feeding with the Sheep they are biting if not devouring Now then confider this Doctrine or devised Fable of such a Purpose as last related and held forth for the Foundation of God's unchangeable Purpose and Election of which and no other I now speak That it is a devised Fable such as the Apostles shunned 2 Pet. 1.16 2 Tim. 4.4 Isa 8.20 and charged others so to do is evident because there is no one saying nor divers to be coupled in the Law and Testimony in its own plainness and simplicity to affirm it with That it is a Wolf the general Affirmation of our true Prophet and Shepherd assures us that saith All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers Joh. 10.4 All that ever came before me and so whatever is presentend to Men before Christ as the Father's Minde and Purpose or any other thing for Men to stay and rest on as a foundation for Faith and Hope a Guide and safe Keeper he saith not onely Were but are Thieves and Robbers and so Devourers He The first purposed The first promised Moses and all the Prophets yea the whole Scripture testifies of him yea they all in those times directed to look to him as then to come that Men might receive the knowledg of God's Minde and behold his grace and receive his Salvation in minding and believing on him as the foundation to be laid in Sion and though the Purpose and Promise was plainly declared yet not before nor farther or otherwise then he was declared nor did it come forth till he came nor did any of the Servants of God teach any to judge it come till he came but in his coming it did come forth into act and he is now laid in Sion and held forth by Sion and by the Anostles plainly declared to be The onely true Prophet Rabbi Teacher Shepherd and Foundation therefore whatever Purpose or Election be feigned to be before him and so to be the foundation to be known and built upon for comfort or hope or assurance of our interest in him and Salvation through him and so before faith in him or any otherwise known then in knowing him or any other then is first compleat in him and flowing through him so as he himself as discovered in the Gospel be the first Opener of the Father's Minde Allurer of and Peace-speaker to the Heart and Door of approach to God and all saving Truth and into fellowship with the Church that same that is not thus is a Thief and a Robber yea his being laid called and sealed for the foundation doth plainly demonstrate this for the foundation is that which is first brought forth to view and so first said and then all that is to be built laid on that foundation and then the foundation beareth and upholdeth all the building And Christ being affirmed to be this foundation yea he onely and no other therefore though the revealed Purpose of God concerning him and of saving and communicating all saving-Grace with and through him and his sealing-Approbation and Election of him for all this and of all for his that are brought in to and upon him be known in knowing him and then and so heavenly cords to draw upon and unite and fasten more to him yet they are by good Men very improperly called the Foundation which Christ himself onely is as is foreshewn But for this foresaid devised Purpose and Election of a certain number of fallen Mankinde to eternal salvation and of Christ to be given to die onely for them to purchase it for them onely c. This is not onely a fable but a Thief and Devourer and so a Wolf and being grown and often with his fellows his fruits do now discover him both in his barking and devouring yea even while some plead for him for it barks and snaps directly against the Purpose of God set
they were chosen and filled with the joy of the Holy Ghost it gives us cleerly to understand and minde I. The abundance and power of Spirit that went forth in this Word Act. 10.43 â—â— 19 21. when so despised by great Ones and preached by traduced Ministers to the hearts of all such as attentively heard it II. The unfeignedness and effectualness of the Faith in the very beginning 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 2.13 14. and at once wrought in such as received the word when it was so despised and opposed III. The evidencing the effectualness of their Calling and Election in the beginning 2 Thes 2.13 14. and so in this season such abundance of Grace given and received at the first and not only so but at the first also so shewing forth it self as was not at all times nor to all usual now no feigned Believer now none that believed and were not yet made upright and free nay none here that staggered but all so believing as ordinarily others came to by degrees but such a Blessing as might encourage Ministers of the Gospel to hold forth the Word of Life in all times of opposition Now I leave the sense of the place to every one that believeth the Gospel to understand as he is helped to conceive knowing that all will meet in one and preserve from stumbling and wresting if Gospel-Purposes and Promises be heeded yet I shall mention a little farther use of them CHAP. 7. Of some usefulness concerning those to whom Promises belong THe knowledge of the Purposes of God and so of the Promises which are Revealers of the Purposes in the three several Heads forementioned will lead us to see to whom the Promises belong and to whom and in what order they may be proclaimed preached and applied without any doubt or equivocation or cloak for an evasion as the Promises under the first Head declared as fulfilled to be held forth to all Men for good yea though they believe not yet to affirm them true and good and done for them that they might believe and the Promises under the second Head held forth to all Men as true and good Act. 13.32 39 47 48. even for them so as they have yet an Interest in them and he will perform if in performance of them their eyes are opened c. they do in seeing see c. they shall be saved brought out of darkness into light and so enabled to believe and in believing receive Remission of sins Life Justification and so these of both sorts may be thus affirmed as Truth to all Men to every Man to sinners yea to sinners as sinners and they hereby beseeched to repent 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 20 21. 6.1 2. believe and be reconciled to God with assurance of Blessing in their believing Acceptance of and yielding up to this Grace praying them to receive it on that Ground But the Promises as under the third Head though to be preached to sinners and in the hearing of sinners to allure them to become Believers yet not to be applied to any unbelievers as that in which they have an Interest though in believing they might come to have an Interest But these Promises are in respect of having Interest to be applied onely to Believers and though to them as yet also in some sense sinners yet not to them as sinners onely but as also Believers and in Christ and Heirs of which enough hath been said and more needs not but onely a word to shew the mistakes of some that would cut off all the Promises of God from appertaining to any but The Elect The spiritual Seed alleadging there is an Israel and an Israel a People and a People and all that are of Israel are not Israel that 's not the spiritual Seed but the Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed All which is very true but the inference is very false That all the Promises pertaining to life pertain to are made and belong onely to this choise Israel and spiritual Seed and not to the residue of Israel and people for Paul speaking of Israel including them that stood out for whom he was in great sorrow Rom. 9.2 9. saith That to them were committed the Oracles of God That they are Israeclites to whom pertaineth the Adoption and the Glory and the giving of the Law and the Covenants and the Promises nor doth he say That those to whom the Promises are made are counted for the Seed for then there needed no being born by or of the Promises to make them so And Isaac the Son of the Promise was conceived and born of a Promise yea a Promise made to Abraham before he had any being and believed by Abraham and Sarah so the Promise is surely confirmed in Christ and believed by the Church and held forth in the Gospel even for and to sinners and when in performance of the Promises under the second Head the eyes and ears of Men are opened some in seeing see not c. and so are not born of the Promise yet those that in seeing see the Promise becomes effectual in them and they are born of it and being born they see their benefit in it Compare Rom. 9.1 9. with Gal. 4.23 26 28 31 and Interest in that Promise to the hope whereof they are born as Isaac also did and were there no Promise made for and to sinners as sinners even such as are not yet Children of the Promise that by the Promise believed and held forth by the Church they might be won in conceived and born of the Promise how should the free-Woman come to have any more Children which certainly she shall True it is Men may be said to be Children of the Prophets and so of the Apostles and so of Abraham and so of the Church and so of the Covenant and Promises God hath made with the Fathers and the Church Act. 2.39 3.19 25 13.26 38 39 46 Rom. 10.1 2 3. while they are nurtured and brought up under the Doctrine Law and Ordinances given by them and continue in that Profession but then so was all the Israel or Jews that yet were unbelievers when Paul wrote yea cleerly distinct from true Proselytes and Fearers of God and charged with putting away eternal life from themselves and in this sense as all Israel under that Tuition so all Christians under Gospel-Ministration and Ordinances are such Children and Promises belong to them and are to be preached to them and yet still those that are born of the Promise are the Children of the Promise that are the spiritual Seed and counted for the Seed and have the Promises to preach to others which known what they are will direct in the preaching them And by that hath been said of the Testimony of Christ in his Oblation Mediation and coming again and of the Purposes of God concerning Christ and concerning Mankinde fallen and concerning Believers and lastly
elect Surely the faith so set forth Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. is even so in respect of any other gifts upon any account by men called Faith Eph. 4.4 5. 2.8 For in Scripture we finde but one true faith and that is the gift of God The object held forth for faith one the Gospel discovering it one and the Spirit witnessing and calling in that Gospel to that object one his light and motion Pages 217 218 from the free grace of God discovered drawing to beleeve in Christ draws into one and worketh one faith and there is not another as is shewn before As for that in Tit. 1.1 the Apostie was setting forth to Titus the Grace of his Apostleship And in and according to what it was to be exercised Ro. 1.1 2 3 4 5. 16.25.26 Eph. 1.3 12. Gal. 1.11 12. Tit. 1.1 Isa 43 1. Mat. 12.18 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 1.5 16 26. uttering in few words that he did to the Romans in more words and to the Ephesians and to the Galatians and other Churches And so here by Gods elect is primely meant Jesus Christ who is Gods elect and his beloved Son And so the faith of Gods elect and the faith of the Son of God is all one and the same faith And by faith is here meant primely The doctrine of Faith in which Jesus Christ is set forth and this preached for the obedience of faith that men might beleeve it and so come in to the acknowledgement of the truth which is after godliness in the hope of eternal life which is set forth in this Gospel 2 Thes 2.14 Gal. 1.23 This the same faith which Paul when Saul sometimes persecuted and after his conversion preached so that we have here plainly set forth to us 1. The testimony of Christ who is Gods elect his Son The Word our Saviour and the medium and Doctrine setting him forth in these words The faith of Gods elect And 2. Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 18. The repentance from dead works and faith towards God which it calleth to teacheth requireth and worketh 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21. Rom. 1 1-3 16 25 26. in these words The acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness And 3. The blessing and hope in such repenting and beleeving to be met and enjoyed in these words In hope of eternal life c. Is not this the same with that in other places And is not this that which God promised before the world began before there was any beginning of increase or society for multiplication only creatures made and man fallen God then promised the sending of his Son and this manifestation of him and eternal life in him and so by him to call and give eternal life in him 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Pet. 1.20 21. 1 Joh. 1.2 3 5.10 11 12. Col. 1.26 27 28. Eph 3 3-9 Rom. 16.26 and through him to all that beleeve in him And now God hath manifested this in sending forth his Son and through Gospet-preaching declared and made it known that men might beleeve and in beleeving have eternal life And this the very same so set forth and exprest in many other places so that here is the compleat object and foundation of faith Gods elect the medium of declaring the word manifested through preaching The true beleeving The acknowledgement of the truth which is after godliness And the blessed hope given and received in such beleeving The hope of eternal life and the ground of the certainty of this hope The Almighty that is All-sufficient God that cannot lye that is Truth it self he hath promised it even when mankind was fallen in enmity and weakness before the beginning of any increase or rising and hath since confirmed it by oath to Abraham Gen. 3.15 22.17 18. Isa 55 14 5. And he hath given a testimony of his love truth and righteousness in beginning to fulfil his word in that he hath sent forth his Son and delivered him up for us all and according to his will and command causeth the same to be preached Now when any through this testimony of God concerning his Son what he laid aside what he became and suffered for us what he is and is become and hath to bestow on us And so the love of God to mankinde appearing through him Rom. 4.23 24 25. 5.1 2 3. 2 Thes 2.13 14 1 Pet. 1.2 2 3 5 9. is thereby convinced and brought in to beleeve in Jesus Christ the elect of God so as he is therein broken off from all other confidences and delights to confide in God that raised Christ from the dead through him to save renue and preserve them in and by his grace to eternal life through this beleef of the truth and sanctification of the Spirit they are chosen into union and fellowship with Christ and conformity to him These are in 2 Pet. 1.1 Tit. 1.4 Jude 3. Tit. 1.9 2.2 11 12 13.14 3.4 5 6 7. and through Christ the elect of God and have the like precious faith with the Apostles And thus was Titus Pauls son after the common faith which is also called The common salvation and the faith which was once delivered to the Saints The faithful word to be holden fast The faith that beleevers are to be sound in explicated to Titus in the foundation and teachings of it And in the manner and gracious ends of its operation where the fountain streams effects and hope are exprest and opened so as we may be sure This is that common salvation common faith The faith once delivered to the Saints called also The faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 Rom. 3.3 Act. 14.24 Jam 2.1 Rev. 14.12 Phil. 1.27 The faith of Gods elect yea the faith of God and the faith of Christ the faith of our Lord Jesus And the faith of the Gospel And I hope none will say This is Gods peculiar manner of beleeving or Christ his beleeving or the Gospels beleeving nor that the faith of Gods elect was the peculiar manner of beleeving in Christ distinct from others beleeving in Christ which Paul sometime persecuted and now preached and yet no record of it so that this of Tit. 1.1 2 3 9. agrees in one and the same faith set forth Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. And for this that God did from eternity elect a certain number of men that were to come of Adam from the rest of mankinde to Son-ship and eternal life and that he gave these to Christ to dye for them and that these shall in due time be invested with a peculiar faith and holiness and that by his Spirit witnessing of Christ he will work a faith and holiness really true in its kinde in others of the sons of men for whom Christ dyed not when such as have it cannot be eternally saved by it but are capacitated thereby to sin against the Holy Ghost which in falling away they do and though they abide in this
all anointed and called Shepherds to rule order lead teach and minister Jer. 3.15 23.4 5 6. and so suitable to that prophesie by Jeremiah and a spiritual first Fruits of it for here is Jesus Christ the anointed of God into whose Lips Grace is poured the great and mighty King the Prophet and great High-Priest over the House of God the good Shepherd of his Flock sitting in his Body in the Heavens at the right Hand of God till he come again and take to him his great Power and Raign that is also the Anoynter and in sending forth of Spirit hath given gifts unto Men to get him a spiritual Kingdom amongst Men and to order it till he come to take them to raign with him 1 Joh. 2.20 And so he by his Spirit is present with them and anoynteth them and maketh them a spiritual House an holy and royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.5 9. to shew forth his vertues and offer spiritual Sacrifices to God by him suitable to and a spiritual first Fruits of that prophecied by Isaiah and so as he hath put his Word Isa 66.20 and therein laid the Foundation in them so he hath filled and fitted them in his anointing with spiritual gifts to hold forth teach and so lay the same Foundation for others and to convince them of the falseness of all other Foundations and to draw and build them up on this Foundation and to help them to growth and feeding thereon and for direction for walking therein till they come to the fulness of possession Eph. 2.17 22. so richly were these first VVitnesses furnished in the Faith having both the Gospel in such full and clear knowledge and all these spiritual gifts immediately from Jesus Christ himself whose personal body they both saw and heard even after his Resurrection And whereas Paul seemed to be born out of due time for this yet it was vouchsafeth him and he did and was the last that did both hear and see him in his personal Body and receive the Gospel and these spiritual gifts immediately from him 1 Cor. 15.8 9. 9.1 2. Gal. 2.11 12 21. Luk. 16.29 2 Pet. 1.15 3.2 and by that he proves his Apostleship and in this immediateness of receit and commission they have no Successors but do continue with us in all their knowledge and gifts by and in the Gospel recorded by them 3. That the end for which all these gifts were given them was for perfecting the Saints that is Eph. 4.12 all that are prevailingly called by his Grace and so united to him and sanctified by and to him and for his service not limiting this to outward Officers nor engaging it to all them some of them it may be not being such Saints but limiting it to such Saints and enlarging it to all them for perfecting them for the work of the Ministery the Ministery of the Saints of the whole Body whereof no Member is Officeless or useless but each hath some Service or Ministration and fitness for it and spirit of life running therein and so a Ministration for the edifying of the Body of Christ and this such an edification as is for the growth of the Body both in multitude of converts and their growth in Union Fellowship and Conformity every Member in this sense growing by the influence that proceedeth from the Head but yet not immediately into every particular Member nor through some outward Officers onely but as from the Head of the mystical Body so through every living Member making increase to it self in love And so the growth of the Body by that which every joynt supplieth for so gracious an end were these gifts given 4. The time of the continuance of these gifts and that is express Till we all come in the unity of the Faith c. that is Eph. 4.13 till the last Man be called that is to be called before the personal appearance of Christ till we all that is the whole company that is to meet with him and to come and raign with him meet in the unity of the Faith and of the knowledge and so the acknowledgement of the Son of God unto a perfect Man Gal. 4.3 7. Jer. 31.34 1 Cor. 13.8 9 10 11 12. 1 Joh. 3.2 a full and compleat Company a fit and suitable Corporation or Body for such an Head the measure of the stature or age of the fulness of Christ which as the knowledge of the Freedom of Sons was by his first coming so this will be at his next coming and appearing in Glory when this manner of Ministration will cease but till then they to continue in this Ministration of the Gospel True it is The Gospel that is the Faith to be taught and received Jude 3. 1 Tim. 6.13 14. 2 Tim. 1.13 2.2 2 Pet. 1.13 14 15. 3.2 Gal. 1.6 7. it was once and but once immediately given unto the Saints in these first VVitnesses but that very same Gospel is mediately continued and so to be received and held forth and no other Gospel nor another immediate giving of that unless to some Jews but that kept and held forth by the Saints till Christ come again even so these spiritual gifts to minister the Gospel with were once given and that was when Christ ascended up in our Nature to Heaven Act. 2. and then he sent them down to his Saints at once and in this immediateness and fulness as then but once but these gifts even all of them as mediately received through belief of the Gospel delivered by them which Gospel whoever unfeignedly believeth is become of them and so of Christ and so of the same seed the seed of them who are the seed of Christ and the seed of Christ his seed and his seed's seed And so this VVord and Gospel given them and the spiritual gifts given them therein and therewith and so put in them shall not depart out of them nor out of their seed Isa 59.20 21. nor out of their seed's seed from henceforth for ever and so will he make good his promise to them of being with them to the end of the VVorld Mat. 28.20 and that to this gracious end That having such a standing and enduring Gospel recorded and in that record revealed and in minding and believing thereof receiving such known spiritual gifts as all lead to exalt Christ and draw to and build on him VVe may no more be as Children tossed to and fro Eph. 4.14 15. and carried about with every winde of Doctrine by the slight of Men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love we may grow up into him in all things which is the Head c. And so much for their blessed Furniture that is of continuance and abideth in the Church believing and professing this Gospel in some good measure throughout all ages But with this they had some other Furniture
tending to confirm their Doctrine and Ministration peculiar to the first times CHAP. 14. Of the peculiar confirming Furniture of the first Witnesses and the Churches brought in by their personal Ministration THese first VVitnesses had also some other gifts that were for confirmation which were chiefly to them yet neither personal to every one nor peculiar to the first VVitnesses but peculiar to the first age of the Church the gifts mentioned that are for continuance were to some more to some less yet to all some and these were for edifying the body of Christ but these other gifts are not personally to every Believer and though they were given to the Church yet their principal end was for unbelievers That such as had not heard and been taught and so did not know That the Messiah the Saviour of the world was come and had offered up the acceptable Sacrifice and that this very Jesus was he this Jesus whom they preached is the Christ and that God will be worshipped and approached to in and through him and that such as do believe in him and approach to God by him shall be saved Till this was proclaimed rumoured and taught through the world and had been sufficiently confirmed for truth so as it was received and professed by many witnesses signes and miracles were necessary to convince the unbelievers of the truth of it and to confirm the weak and unstable in the belief of the same And indeed for these ends were such signs wonders and miracles granted to be done a 1 Cor. 14.20 21 22. and so it 's evident such effects they had b Act. 8.13 13.12 14.3 16.29 32. and such use the Apostles made of them c Act. 2.33 36. 3.12 4.10 9.42 11.18 and these gifts of speaking with divers Tongues and of working Miracles and healing Diseases were given abundantly in the first age of the Church but not to every Believer yea primely and most abundantly to the Apostles that had the Power or Gift of giving the Holy Ghost in such-like Gifts of speaking with Tongues by Prayer with laying on of Hands Philip was an Evangelist and God did by him shew many Signs and Wonders yet the giving of the Holy Ghost in such Gifts of speaking with new Tongues was not given by him but onely in Ministery on the Prayers and laying on of Hands by two of the prime and immediate Apostles d Act. 8.14 15 16 17. and so in the Preaching of Peter e Act. 10.44 and so by the laying on of Paul's Hands f Act. 19.6 though many had the Gift of speaking with Tongues yet by any thing recorded it 's not like they received it but in the Ministery of some of the Apostles though the Holy Ghost for comforting renewing and filling the Heart with joy and some spiritual Gifts was given in the Ministery of the Gospel by other Disciples g Act. 8.39 9.17 18 19. yea the Promise of the Holy Ghost in this sort is to all that God calls by the Gospel that in believing they may receive it h Act. 2.38 39. But this Gift of giving the Holy Ghost for speaking with Tongues appears to be peculiar to the immedately called Apostles and for their times but the Gifts of healings and doing other Wonders and Miracles was given to divers others not onely Evangelists but other Disciples yet not to every Disciple nor all to one i 1 Cor. 12.28 29. and this to multitudes of the first Witnesses and to divers others brought in by their Ministration during their times but not to continue for the times to come as the Doctrine with the fore-mentioned Gifts were But to confirm the Doctrine of the Gospel and the Grace and spiritual Gifts to be received in the belief thereof which was to continue till Jesus Christ come again as appears 1. By our Saviours manner of promising them And these signs shall follow them that believe c. he saith not Mar. 16.17 That he or every one that believeth shall do these signs as he had fore-said He that believeth shall be saved but And these signs shall follow them that believe in my Name they shall c. where by the order of the words according to Scripture-Language They signifieth the unity and community of the whole Society of Believers from first to last all of them participating in that which but some of them have actually done and so such as are of that Number Body and Society are verily said in respect of the unity and community of the whole Society to do the same that any of them do while they do not oppose or disallow it yea more fully if they like and be glad of it as the whole Body may be said to do that which with its living force and likement any one living Member doth and so They Exod. 16.20 27 28. even whole Israel are said not to have hearkened but transgressed when but some did personally so transgress and so They Numb 20.14 with Iudg. 11.17 even Israel are said to have sent Messengers to the King of Edom and the King of Moab when it was but Moses and the chief of the Rulers that sent and so They Israel Josh 7.11 are said to have sinned and transgressed God's Covenant when it was but one Man that personally did it And this sense the Apostle counts it a shame for Christians to be ignorant of 1 Cor. 5.6 And to come neerer this very business that God did by Moses Aaron and Joshua to those of Israel personally in their times is yet counted as done to the whole Society of Israel Isa 63.11 16. and the Generations of them and that after them many Generations and many hundreds of yeers and so looked on and spoke of because of their oneness and interest as Them and because of oneness Him for and to whom God by Moses did these things and the People of Israel Jer. 12.6 7 19 20. Act. 16.18 28.3 5. 12.5 19. 2.4 6. 10.46 1 Cor. 14.18 Act. 9.33 34 41. 28.8 8.17 18. in after-times and Generations reproved for not acknowledging the same And though all the Apostles did be not writ yet so much is writ that we may know they and many of the first Witnesses and many that believed through their Ministration in the first times did all these Signs mentioned by our Saviour and now those that believe in Christ through their word are one with them of this they of the same Society we theirs and they ours of the same unity and community Ephes 2.17 22. 1 Cor. 3.22 23. 12.26 and so Psal 66.6 as they of old are said to rejoyce in God in their Father's rejoycing when they went through the Sea and to be spoken to by God when he spake to Jacob or in that speaking so and in that sense may they Hos 12.4 the whole Society of Believers both