upon the face of the earth It is not of your selves that you are not industriously disturbing your own soules and others with this or that entrenchment upon the doctrine of the Gospel and the free Grace of God in Jesus Christ which not a few pride themselves in with the contempt of all otherwise minded And doth not the present state of things require the full disbursing of all that you have freely received for the glory of him from whom you have received it You are persons who not only as Doctours Teachers in an Vniversity have a large distinct disciplinary knowledge of Divinity but also such as to whom the Son of God is come and hath given an understanding to know him that is true into whose hearts God hath shined to give the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ therefore may say what shall we render to the Lord how shall we serve him in any way answerable to the grace we have received I speak not this the Lord knowes it before whom I stand with Reflection on any as though I judged them neglecters of the duty incumbent on them Every one of us must give an account of himselfe to the Lord. The dayly paines labour and travaile of many of you in the work of the Gospel the dilegence and codeavours of others in promoting other useful literature is known unto all Only the considerations of my own present undertaking joyn'd with a sense of mine own insufficiency for this or any other labour of this kind and of your larger furnishments with abilities of all sorts press me to this stirring up of your remembrance to contend for the faith so much opposed and perverted Not that I would press for the needless multiplying of bookes whose plenty is the general customary complaint of all men versed in them unless necessity call thereto Scribimus indocti doctique But that serious thoughts may be continually dwelling in you to lay out your selves to obviate the spreading of any errour what ever or the destruction of any already propagated by such waies and meanes as the providence of God and the circumstances of the matter it selfe shall call you out unto is in the desire of my soule Something you will find in this kind attempted by the weakest of your number in this ensuing Treatise The matter of it I know will have your Approbation and that because it hath his whom you serve For the manner of handling it it is humbly given up to his grace and mercy and freely left to your Christian Judgments The general concernments of this business are so known to all that I shall by no meanes burden you with a repetition of them The attempt made by Mr Goodwin against the truth here asserted was by all men judged so considerable especially the truth opposed having a more practical influence into the walking of the Saints with God then any Other by him assaulted and the defending of it giving more advantage into an inquiry after the mind of God as delivered in innumerable places of Scripture then any of the rest opposed as that a removal of his Exceptions to our Arguments and an Answer to his Objections was judged necessary by all Other reasons manifesting this endeavour to be in order and in season I have further communicated in the entrance of the Treatise it selfe In my addresses to the work I could by no meanes content my selfe with a mere discussing of what was produced by my Adversary For he having kept himselfe for the most part within the compass of the Synodal writings of the Remonstrâ—â—ts which are already most clearly and solidly answered by one especially renowned 〈◊〉 to have tyed my selfe unto a contest with him had been merely actum agere without promoting the cause I had undertaken in the least As I account it by no meanes an ingenuous proceeding for men to beare up their own names by standing upon the shoulders of others to deport themselves Authours when indeed they are 〈◊〉 Collectours and Translatours So I am very remote from being so far in love with this way of handling controversies in Divinity as to think it necessary to multiply books of the same matter without some considerable addition of Light and strength to the Cause whose protection and promotion is undertaken On this consideration besides incident discourses which I hope through the Grace of him that supplyed seed to the sower may be of use and have an encrease amongst the Saints of God I have made it my aime and what therein I have attained is with all submission of mind and judgment cast before the thoughts of men whose senses are exercised to discerne good and evill to place each Argument insisted on upon it's own proper basis and foundation to Resolve every Reason and Medium whereby I have proceeded into it's own principles discovering the fountaine and well-head of all the streames that run in the field of this contest as also to give some clearings and evidence to our Conclusions from the several Texts of Scripture discussed by discovering the Reason of them and intent of God in them Some Arguments there are and sundry Texts of Scripture that are usually produced and urged in the defence of the cause under consideration that I have not insisted on nor vindicated from the exceptions of the Adversaries Not that I judge them indefensible against their most cunning or most furious assaults and so slighted what I could not hold for indeed I know not any one Text of scripture commonly used for this end nor any Argument by any sober man framed to the same purpose that is not capable of an easy and faire vindication but meerly because they fell not in regularly in the method I had proposed to my selfe nor would so do unless I had gone forth to the issue of my first intendment and had handled the abode of Believers with God at large from it's principles and causes as I had done that part of our doctrine which concernes the Continuance of the love of God with and unto them which the growth of the Treatise under my hand would not give me leave to do What hath been or may yet further be done by others who have made or shall make it their business to draw the saw of this Controversy to and fro which Mr. Goodwin I hope will give satisfaction as in other things so in the particulars by me omitted As to what I have to speak or at least think it convenient to speak concerning him with whom in this discourse I have much to do and the manner of my dealing with him being a thing of personal Concernment not having any influencing Aspect on the merit of the cause I shall in not many words absolve you of your trouble in the Consideration thereof My Adversary is a person whom his worth paines diligence and opinions and the contests wherein on their account he hath publikely engaged have delivered from
Object or Truth revealed in the word This is common to all that are made partakers of the good Word of God that is to whom 't is Preached and delivered as it is to many whom it doth not profit being not mixt with Faith Heb 4. 2. 3. The way and meanes of Communicating the truth so revealed to their minds or understandings which is the Litterall Grammaticall Logicall delivery of the things contained in the Scriptures as held out to their Minds and Apprehensions in their meditation on them and this meanes of convayance of the sence of the Scripture is plaine obvious and cleare in all necessary Truths A Concurrence of these three will afford and yeild them that have it upon their diligence and enquiry a Disciplinary knowledge of the Litterall sence of Scripture as they have of other things By this meanes the Light shines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sends out some beames of light into their darke minds but the darknesse comprehends it not John 1. 5. receives not the Light in a spirituall manner there is notwithstanding all this still wanting the work of the Spirit before mentioned creating and implanting in and upon their understandings and minds that Light and power of discerning spirituall things which before we insisted on This the Scripture sometimes calls the opening of the understanding Luk 24. 45. sometimes the giving an understanding it selfe 2 Tim 2. 7. 1 John 5. 20 sometimes light in the Lord Ephes. 5. 8. Notwithstanding all the Advantages formerly spoken of without this men are still naturall men and darknesse not comprehending not receiving the things of God that is not spiritually for so the Apostle adds because they Spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Receiving Spirituall things by meere naturall mediums they become foolishnesse unto them This is the first thing that the Spirit dwelling in us doth towards Guidance and Direction he gives a new Light and Understanding whereby in generall we are inabled to discerne comprehend and receive Spirituall things 2. In particular he Guides and leades men to the embracing particular Truthes and to the walking in and up §. 20. unto them Christ promised to give him to us for this end namely to lead us into all Truth John 16. 13. He will guide us into all Truth There is more required to the receiving entertaining embracing a particular Truth rejecting of what is cōtrary unto it then an habituall Illumination This also is the work of the Spirit that dwells in us he works this also in our minds hearts therefore the Apostle secures his little Children that they shall be lead into Truth preserved frō seduction on this account 1 John 2. 20. You have au Vnction from the holy one or ye have received the Spirit from the Lord Jesus and you shall know all things why so because it is his worke to Guide and Lead you into all the things whereof I am a speaking And more fully v 27. You have received an Vnction from him that abideth in you and you have no need that any teach you but as the Vnction teacheth you of all things and is true and is no lye and as he hath taught you abide in him It is received as promised it doth abide as the Spirit is said to do and it teacheth which is the proper worke of the Spirit in an eminent manner Now this Guidance of Believers by the Spirit §. 21. as to the particular Truthes and actings consists in his putting forth of a twofold Act of Light and Power First Of Light and that also is twofold 1. Of Beauty as to the things to be received or done he represents them to the soule as Excellent Comely Desirable and Glorious leading us on in the receiving of truth from Glory to Glory 2 Cor. 2. 18. He puts upon every Truth a new Glory making and rendring it desirable to the soule without which it cannot be closed withall as not discovering either suitablenesse or proportion unto the minds and hearts of men And 2. By some actuall elevation of the minde and understanding to goe forth unto and receive into it selfe the Truth as represented to it by both of them sending forth Light and Truth Psal. 43. 3. blowing of the Cloudes and raising up the day Starre that rises in our hearts Secondly 2 Pet. 2. 19. Of Power Isa. 35. 6. The breaking forth of Streames makes not only the blind to see but the lame to leape Strength comes as well as Light by the powring out of the Spirit on us Strength for the receiving and practice of all his Gracious discoveries to us He leades us not only in Generall implanting a saving Light in the minde whereby it is disposed and enabled to discerne Spirituall things in a Spirituall manner but also as to Particular Truths rendring them Glorious and Desirable opening the mind and Understanding by new beames of Light he leades the soule irresistably into the receiving of the truths revealed which is the second thing we have by him I shall only observe for a close of this §. 22. one or two Consequences of the weight of this twofold Operation of the indwelling of Christ. 1. From the want of the first or his creating a new light in the minds of men it is that so many Labour in the fire for an acquaintance with the things of God It is I say a consequence of it as darknesse is of absence of the Sunne Many we see after sundry years spent in considerable labours and diligence reading of many bookes with a contribution of assistance from other usefull Arts and Sciences Rom. 1. 21 22 in the issue of all their indeavours do wax vaine in their imaginations having their foolish hearts darkned professing themselves wise they become fooles being so farre from any Sappe and savour that they have not the leaves of ability in things Divine Others indeed make some progresse in a disciplinary knowledge of Doctrines of the Scriptures and can accurately reason and distinguish about them according to the formes wherein they have been exercised and that to a great height of conviction in their owne spirits and permanency in the profession they have taken up But yet all this while they abide without any effectuall power of the Truth Rom. 6. 17. conforming and framing their spirits unto the likenesse and mould thereof They doe but see men walking like trees some shines of the light breake in upon them which rather amaze then guides them they comprehend it not They see Spirituall things in a Naturall Light and presently forget what manner of things they were and in the species wherein they are retained 1 Cor. 2. 12 13 14. they are foolishnesse 2. From the want of the latter it is that we our selves are so slow in receiving some partes of Truth and do find it so difficult to convince others of some other parts of it which to us are written with the beames of the Sunne Unlesse the
actings are from habits though to the actuall exercise of any Grace within new helpe and assistance is necessary in that continuall dependance are we upon the fountaine Whether it consists in that which is called habituall Grace or the gracious suitablenesse and disposition of the soule unto Spirituall Operations may be doubted The Apostle tells us Christ is our Life Gol. 3 4. When Christ who is our Life shall appeare and Col. 2. 22. Christ Liveth in me Christ liveth in Believers by his Spirit as hath been declared Christ dwelleth in you and his Spirit dwelleth in you are expressions of the same import and signification But 2. God by his Spirit worketh in us both to will and to do of his owne good pleasure All vitall actions are from him it may be said of Graces and Gratious Operations as well as Guifts all these worketh in us that one and selfe same Spirit dividing to every one as he will But this is not now to be insisted on 3. The Spirit as indwelling gives guidance and direction to them in whom he is as to the way wherein they ought to walke Rom 8 14. As many as are lead by the Spirit of God The Spirit leades them in whom it is and v 1. They are said to walke after the Spirit Now there is a twofold Leading Guidance or direction 1. Morall and Extrinsecall the leading of a Rule 2. Internall and Efficient the leading of a Principle Of these the one layes forth the way the other directs and carryes along in it The first is the Word giving us the Direction of a way of a Rule the latter is the Spirit effectually guiding and leading us in all the paths thereof Without this the other direction will be of no saving use It may be line upon line precept upon precept yet men goe backward and are insnared David notwithstanding the Rule of the Word yea the Spirit of Prophecy for the inditing of more of the mind of God for the use of the Church when moved thereunto yet in one Psalme cryes out four times Oh! give me understanding to keepe thy Commandements concluding that hence would be his life that therein it lay Oh give me saith he understanding and I shall live Psal. 119. 144. so Paul bidding Timothy consider the Word of the Scripture that he might know whence it is that this will be of use unto him he addes I pray the Lord give thee understanding in all things 2 Tim 2. 7. How this Understanding is given the same Apostles informes us Eph. 1. 17 18. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory give unto us the Spirit of Wisdome Revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of our understandings being thereby inlightned It is the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation the Holy Spirit of God from whom is all Spirituall Wisdome and all Revelation of the will of God 1 Cor. 2. 11. who being given unto us by the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and our God in him inlightens our understandings that we may know c. And on this account is the Sonne of God said to come and give us an Vnderstanding to know him that is true that is himselfe by his Spirit 2 Joh. 5. 20. Now there be two wayes §. 18. whereby the Spirit gives us Guidance to walke according to the Rule of the Word 1. By giving us the knowledge of the will of God in all Wisdome and Spirituall Vnderstanding Col. 1. 9. carrying us on unto all Riches of the full assurance of Vnderstanding to the acknowledgment of God and of the Father and of Christ Cap. 2. 2. This is that Spirituall Habituall Saving Illumination which he gives to the Soules of them to whom he is given He who commanded light to shine out of darkenesse by him shining into their minds to give them the knowledge of his Glory in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. This is else where termed translating from darknesse to light opening blind eyes Col. 1. 13. giving light to them that are in darknesse 1 Pet. 2. 9. freeing us from the Condition of naturall men who discerne not the things that are of God Eph. 5. 8. This the Apostle makes his designe to cleare up and manifest 1 Cor. 1. He tells you Luk. 4. 18. the things of the Gospell are the Wisdome of God in a mystery 1 Cor. 2. 14. even the hidden Wisdome which God ordained before the world unto our glory v. 7. And then proves that an acquaintance herewith is not to be attained by any naturall meanes or abilityes whatsoever v 9. Eye hath not seene eare hath not heard nor hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for those that Love him And thence unto the end of the Chapter variously manifests how this is given to Believers and wrought in them by the Spirit alone from whom it is that they know the mind of Christ But saith he God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things even the deepe things of God for who knoweth the things of a man but the spirit of a man who knoweth the things of God but the Spirit of God and we have received the Spirit not of this world but the Spirit which is of God that we may know the things which are freely given us of God The word is as the way whereby we goe yea an externall Light Ps. 119. 119. as a light to our feet and as a Lanthorne to our paths yea as the Sunne in the firmament sending forth its beames of light abundantly But what will this profit if a man have no Eyes in his head There must not only be light in the object and in the medium but in the subject in our Hearts and Minds And this is of the operation of the Spirit of Light and Truth given to us as the Apostle tells us 2 Cor. 3. 18. we all with open face beholding the Glory of God as in a glasse are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord This is the first way whereby the Holy Spirit dwelling in us gives Guidance and direction fundamentally habitually he enlightens our mindes gives us eyes understandings shines into us translates us from darknesse into marvelous Light whereby alone we are able to see our way to know our paths and to discerne the things of God without this men are blind and see nothing a farre off 2 Pet 2. 9. There are three things §. 19. which men either have or may be made partakers of without this this communication of Light by the Indwelling Spirit 1. They have the Subject of knowledge a naturall faculty of understanding their mindes remaine though depraved destroyed perverted yea so farre that their eye Math. 6. 23. and the light that is in them is darknesse yet the faculty remaine still 2. They may have the