Commandments blessed this absolutely affirmed and so Psal 119. 1. 6. and though they have sin dwelling in their flesh anoying them and troubling them with its Iusts yet while in beleif of the grace in Christ they do not consent to and allow the same so as to make it so their own sin is not imputed to them but they are in favour with God for Christ his sake and grace dispensed to them c. Psal 32. 1. 6. Rom. 4. 5. 8. 11. and 7. 14. 25. and 8. 1. 2. yea in doing every and each one and all these Commandments For 1. In hearty beleiving the testimony of Christ and sayings therein it will work savingly and bring unto righteousness Rom. 1. 16. and 10. 9 10. 1 Thes 2. 13. Iohn 16. 27. 2 Thes 1. 10. And 2. In turning at his reproof confessing our sinfulness and the evil of our designs and waies disowned by those sayings of his judging and condemning our selves therefore and approving the light In this doing we shall come to the light and he will pour forth his spirit to make known his words to us so as we shall know what and how to beleive and receive strength enabling thereto Psal 32. 5. 6. Prov. 1. 23. Iohn 3. 21. And 3. In beleiving on him in his name and word from love and grace in Christ discovered beleiving and crusting in him for performance of his word and promise to us though in respect of all seen and sencible hope we sit in darkness yet he will be even then a light to us Isa 50. 9. 10. Mich. 7. 8 9. And Christ and the righteousness in him is imputed to us and forgiveness Justification acceptation into favour with quickning interest in son-like priviledge and hope of glory received Rom. 4. 5. 11. 17. 22. 23. and 5. 1. 2. 3. 9. 10. so that blessed are they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. so as they shall be as Mount Zion that cannot be moved Psal 125. 1. 2. And 4. In confessing his name denying our selves and bearing his reproach among the sons of men in suffering loss of outward and natural relations and accommodations yea life for his name sake we shall therein receive suitable supports and consolations in sufferings and assurance of exceeding and more abundant reward in the resurrection of the just Mat. 10. 32. Isa 43. 2. 2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. Mat. 19. 28. 29. Rom. 8. 18. Revel 7. 14. 17. therefore blessed Mat. 5. 10. 11. 12. And 5. In loving one another as he hath loved us and so bringing forth the fruits of that love in works of mercy where we can look for no return or recompence from men we lay up treasure in Heaven and receive inward mercies and assurance of being rewarded in the resurrection of the just Mat. 5. 7. and 6. 14. 20. Luke 12. 31. Psalm 141. 1. 2. 3. and 112. 5. 6. 9. Pro 19. 17. Eccl. 11. 1. 2. so blessed are such as do this Commandment And 6. In abusing our selves and not seeking any applause to our selves or our own design but giving glory to him and his word and so aiming at and seeking to glorifie him and occasion and win in others to glorifie him he will approve us and we shall discern his goodness and in due season be will glorifie us 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6. Mat. 5. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 30. And 7. In patience possessing our souls keeping the saith and finishing our course waiting and looking for the appearance and coming of our Lord and his kingdome we are assured he will appear without sin unto salvation to us and we shall then appear with him in glory and receive the Crown of life and righteousness Luke 21. 19. 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. Heb. 10. 35. 39. and 9. 28. Iam. 1. 12. Coll. 31. 4 and it s plainly said blessed are they yea every one that doth his Commandments yea in doing them blessed for in respect of mans part the doing of his commands thus is wisdome and the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdome And they have a good understanding that do it that is that do his Commandments the praise of it endureth for ever Iob. 28. 28. Psal 111. 10. and they are even now blessed while so doing Psal 112. 1. for in keeping them there is great reward And this is seen also in the end required namely CHAP. V. * 4 Observable THe end required and to be aim'd at in doing his Commandments yea the issue of so doing them is express to be That we may have right to the tree of life and having that right may enter in through the gates into the City so that to have right to the tree of life and such a right as by it we may enter into the City is the end and issue exprest The Tree of liâ—e is known to be Jesus Christ the true wisdome of God Pro. 3. 12. yea the Prince of whom that is affirmed Psal 1. 3. and 52. 8. Hos 14. 8. And Jesus Christ in the vertue of his blood and sacrifice is one and the same for ever Heb. 13. 8. But in respect of demonstration manifestation and appearance to us-ward he is two wayes considered * First as testifyed and demonstrated and the mistery opened in a word of faith to be seen by faith in beleiving * Secondly as testified to be seen in his glory as he is and as we are seen but yet not so demonstrated as to be so seen and according to the testimony So * First behold and consâ—der him as he is demonstrated manifested and set forth in the Gospel with the vertue of his incarnation and having been made under the law for us and suffered and overcome for us the whole of that curse and death that was due for us to have suffered and so risen for our justification and offered himself a sacrifice to God for us and is accepted of God and filled with grace spirit and life to dispense to us ever living to appear before God and mediate for us and so is declared and set forth our peace the propitiation for the sins of beleivers and not for their sis only but for the sins of the whole world also the possessor and giver of spirit and grace and eternal life and so he is the soundation of repentance and faith the way and door of approach and coming in to God and so he is set forth for all men and to be preached to all men and there is a liberty and true right for them to look to and come to him in whom is life for them so far that they might repent and beleive which in his Gospel ministring he is giving to them and if they receive and so beleive he will not reprove nor put them by but receive them and they so shall have eternal life such riches the Gospel brings to men and there is blessing for them in it Iohn 3. 14. 17. Rom. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15. 20. 21. Heb.
He that beleiveth not on the Son of God hath not life but abideth under wrath 1 John 3. 18. 36. 1 John 5. 12. and 4. He that is ashamed of the name and Cross of Christ before men Christ will be ashamed of him before his father which is in Heaven yea the end of the enemy of the Cross of Christ is destruction Mar. 8. 38. Phil. 3. 18. 19. and 5. He that loveth not his brother is in darkness and abides in death and walketh in darkness and there is no eternal life in him 1 John 2. 9. 11. and 3. 14. 15. and 4. 8 and 6. Such as are set for their own glory honour and applause with men exalting themselves refusing to deny and abase themselves and their own ends and so to give glory to God and so to glorify him and bring others to glorifie him are so far from having right to the tree of life and hope of reward from God that they are hypocrites and resisted of God Matt. 6. 2. 5. 16 1 Pet. 5. 5. 7. I am 4. 4. and sure 7. Such as make hast in use of unwarrantable means and put far off the evil day and say our Lord delayeth his coming are unfaithful and wicked and a bitter portion belongs to them Isa 28. 15. 16. 21. Amos 6. 3. Mat. 24. 48. 51 yet to say all in one word or sayings such as in the means extended to them do not know God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but walk in their own waies fulfilling the affections and lusts of the flesh they have no inheritance in the kingdome of God nor are capacitated to enter it but another more terrible portion in flaming fire belongs to them Ephes 5. 3. 5. Gall. 3. 19. 20. 21. 2 Thess 1. 7. 8. such are none of Gods peculiar people none of Gods Elect and chosen and so have no right to the Tree of Life c. And yet even such he came to save and is exalted a Prince and Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins to such Acts 5. 31. 1 Tim. 1. 11. 15. so that yet while the day of his grace and patience lasteth as the voyce and call comes to them if they yet in hearing hear his voyce so as they verily beleive his sayings and so turn at his reproofs repent and beleive in his name and so to do these his Commandements before mentioned for the end here set forth they shall live John 5. 24. 25. 26. And receive washing sanctifying and justifying in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of the Lord 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10. 11. And therein begin to enjoy their right in Christ as set forth in the Gospel and so come therein to begin to have right to the Tree of life as here mentioned And so are brought out of darkness into the marvelous light and such only are his peculiar people his beloved his chosen Rom. 9. 26. 2 Thess 2. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. let none deceive themselves nor suffer others to deceive them in saying though they do not his Commandements forementioned yet they may be his elect for ought any man knoweth for that is false and all that beleive the sayings of Christ know it to be false nor that he may say it is in vain or me to hear his voyce and turn for if I have no right to the Tree of life and be reprobated it is impossible for me to be converted and come to have â—ight thereto for that is false also though all remaining such as said have no right to the Tree of life which may be a provocation to hear his voyce and turn and be doing there Commandements Rom. 11. 7. 21. and 9. 26. The second Position THat the right end of doing these Commandments forementioned or the so doing them according to his mind that we may have right to the Tree oâ— life in the midst of the Paradise of God and so enter through the Care into the City It is to do them with this aime and desire and to this very end mentioned that we may have right to the Tree of life c. Thus express here and in the Gospel plainly discovered to us That as we must become Fools in our selves and beleive his sayings true and good who ever become a Lyar thereby so our end if we would receive the blessings must be not to conclude we are and shall be saved harmless because we beleive his sayings but even therefore beleive and here them that we may be saved by that discovered in them Isa 45. 22. Ioh. 5. 39. 40 2 Thess 2. 10. Psal 50. 16. 17. And so our turning at his reproofs and confessing ouâ— iniquities and judging our selves c. Must be not to conclude our selves as therefore saved and having the because that humbled and repenting But that in so humbling our selves under the mighty hand we may receive the powering forth of his spirit and making known his words that he may lift us up and bring us to beleive in him Isa 58. 2. 3. Prov. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 3. 7 8 9 10. 1 Pet. 5. 6. And so our beleiving and â—â—â—â—ing in him for performance of his promises must be not to magnifie and trust in our beleiving trusting and confiding as for that righteousness justified and sure of all But that we may so magnifie his words and trust not in our trusting but in him that Christ himself may be our Righteousness and we justified by the Faith of him and so be strong in the power and grace that is in him and trust in him that he will perform his word and promises for his own word and names sake Psal 56. 3. 4. 10. 11. and 30. 6. 7 8. Gall. 2. 15. 16. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Ephes 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. 2 Sam. 7. 25 26 27. And so our confession of his name and bearing his reproach and suffering for his names sake must be not to lift up our selves above others thereby and to vant of our sufferings But to be baptized in to his death to imitate him and be conformed to him in suffering and death that the life and power of Christ may be manifested in us and the spirit of Glory rest upon us and we receive this salvation and consolation and the power of his resurrection now and be made like him in the resurrection of the just 2 Cor. 11. 17. 18. Rom. 6. 4. 8. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 11. and 12. 9. Phill. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 21. and 4. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 10. Rom. 5. 3. 4. Iam. 1. 3 4 12. And in loving and shewing forth the Fruits of love in good works our end must be not to gain Applause or after Riches here not to have them for a foundation to him or rest on for life and righteousness before God but to answer his love to us and imitate him therein to testifie love and thanks to him Mat. 14. 48. Ephes 5. 1 2. 2 Cor. 5.
and his tender mercies over all his works Psal 145. 8. 6. and he careth for us 1 Pet. 5. 7. and knoweth that we have need of all these things and will both feed and cloath us and add these things to us Maâ— 6. 26 â—1 and that walking uprightly he will withhold no good thing that is good for us from us Psal 84. 11. yea he will never leave us nor forsake us Heb. 13. 5. These his own sayings as also that in love he delivered up his son for us who loved us and laid down his life for us dyed for our sins and rose for our justification gave himself a sacrifice to God for us obtained eternal redemption and eternal life for us and God hath given us eternal life in him that in beleiving in him we might receive it which sayings if we beleive how much more may we beleive the other that he will give us all that is good for us Rom. 8. 32. and so if we beleive these sayings 2. In minding them we shall meet with reproofs of the foolishness and vanity of our own thoughts our own doubting fearing and caring for the things of this life and want of giving up our selves without prescribing to his dispose and casting our care on him and in turning at his reproof humbling our selves under his mighty hand to cast our care on him he will teach us out of his law lift us up and make known his caring for us Psal 94. 11. 12. 13. 14. so that he will verily feed us and ours Luke 12. 24. 31. so that we thus 3. From the beleif of this goodness we beleive in him for the performance of his gracious promises for this life and that to come 1 Tim 4. 8. we shall verily be fed Psal 37. 3. 5. be preserved in safety John 5. 11. 15. that so we may live the life we live in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God that loved us and gave himself for us Gall. 2. 20. so shall we wanâ— nothing that is good for us but even 〈◊〉 me of famine be fed Job 5. 49. 20 Psal 33. â— 9 and 37. 19. 4. Yea in this faith beleiving so as we deny our selves and confess his name and goodness yea also in this boldly confessing the Lord is my helper Heb. 13. 6. and patiently bearing his correction and enduring the reproach the Gospel is under he will assuredly be with us when we pass the fire and water and uphold and comfort us and make all works together for good to us Isa 4â— 2 2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. 6. Rom. 8 28 Yea and also 5. If we from the love and 〈◊〉 appearing in him and by us received by and from him love our brethren and be merciful as he hath been and â—â— merciful to us we shall find mercy from him yea in such like distresses Mat. 5. 7. Iames 2. 13. Psal 41. 1. 2. 3. And if in all our hearts be bent 6. So that we seek not our own applause honour or name but his honour that he may be honoured and his name praised by us and others and he will approve us and give strength and deliverance and honour to us Psal 29. 1. 2. 3. c. and 91. 14. 15. And if in all these Commandements doing 7. We patiently look and wait for his coming and the glory to be then revealed that will so frame and season us in every condition that we may alwaies rejoyce in the Lord Phil. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. and so in doing these Commandments we may with considence of being heard and answered in use of his Ordinaâ—ces as Jâ—bes did 1 Câ—on 4. 10. and Solomon P. â— 30. 8. and that Luke 21. 36. and 2 Cor. 9. 10. 11 12. and so walk in doing these Commandments and let us for preservation heare and for the inheritance and glory them follow that example and rule beleiving those promises And thus have I scribled the sum of that sent you in writing that you might have the use of it in this particular mentioned as in other particulars beside in which Commandments doing our Soul will prosper and we prosper as our souls prospereth 3 John 2. as prayeth Wittlesey Iune 11. 1670. Your unworthy Brother THO. MOORE 〈◊〉 escaped in the Press may be thus mended PAge 7. l. 10 ad in p. 16. l. 29 for shews r. serves p 23. l. 3 ad us p. 26. l. 6. for well â— will l. 13 for them r. him l. 27. for strongly r. stewards p. 29. l. 24. for scurvey r. discern p. 39. l. 17 for stay r. slay p. 40. l. 19. for Matt. r. Mal. l. 29. for thus 1. they p. 41. l. 30. for meeting r. â—eeding p. 43. l. 1. for such of r. feed on p. 44 l. 12. for afflictions r. affections p. 51. l. 9 for cleanse r. cleansing p. 55. l. 28. for let r. left p. 56 l. 27. r. from it thâ—n last r. have not p. 59. l. 10. for 0. r. of l. 20. for framed r. frame the p. 64. l 9. for tendred r. tendring p. 65. l. 14. for attributed r. attributing p. 69. l. 20. for by r. be p. 74 l. last r. for us â— has p. 77. l. 8. blot out not l. 10. for of r. is p. 78. l. 2. for would â— could p. 79. l. last r. first for the fall and then for the rising p. 80. l. 30. for beleiving r. beleivers p. 81. l. 1. and the Gospel l. 26. for fits r. fills p. 82. l. 10. for considering r confiding l. 30. for receiving r. reviewing p. 87. l. 14 for put r. puft and title p. 91. 90. 91. r. 91. 92. 93. p. 94. l. 2. for called r. are lead FINIS
that faith and his reproofs and services required as discovered in the Gospel Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 29 30 31. and 12. 25 2. Theâ— 1. 7 8 9. Jade 1. 5 14. Heb. 3. 16. Psal 94. 12 c. 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. And these Efficacies Perswasions and awful fears produced in the heart by the discoveries of the Testimony are Salt in the Believer and good and profitable to the Believer for his more hearty recieving the Testimony with its consolations and teachings and so for suitable walking Psal 25. 9. Prov. 1. 7 8 9. and 9. 6 9. Iam. 4. 6 7. 1 Pet. 1. 6. But if any withdraw from the faith God taketh no pleasure in him and then his moisture dryes up and he looseth the saltness and savoriness that was in him Heb. 10. 38. Psal 32. 4. And so with the former discoveries these Efficacies are here meant by Salt 3. The Believer himself that hath in believing recieved the Testimony of Christ and with it the reproofs thereof so as he imbraces the Efficacies thereof framing him rightly to believe with the heart unto righteousness and to confess with the mouth unto salvation and so hold forth the Testimony of Christ unto others so as in declaring that Grace salting Efficacies are also declared by him and such Believers as in respect of their having so recieved the word of life as it worketh in them so as they hold forth the word of life to others they are called the light of the world 1 Thes 1. 8. Phil. 2. 16. Mar. 5. 14. So in respect of their having so recieved the reproofs and convincements of the Spirit with the Testimony framing them to part with their own thoughts and designs to believe in Christ in whom they have life so as they are moved and led so to declare the Gospel to others that with the convincements thereof they may draw them from their Vanities to believe in Christ whence they are called the Salt of the Earth Mar. 5. 13. And so as Christ testified of the world that the works thereof are evil John 7. 7. And he is said to be like Refiners fire and Fullers Sope Mat. 3. 2. And so himself saith he came to send fire on the Earth Luke 12. 19. that is to consume and burn up Idolatries Adulteries fleshly Confidences Desires Designs and Wayes of pursuits of such as mind â—arthly things and the things of the Flesh and so dwell upon the face of the Earth to separate them therefrom that they might come into him Rom. 8. 5 6 7 8. 1 Thes 1. 9. which fire who ever so quencheth as he refuseth to be salted with it so as he refuseth to be separate from Idols earthy filthy and vain Confidences Desires Designs and Wayes to imbrace Christ in his reproofs and teachings in this day of grace It will kindle upon him in another day and burn everlastingly on Soul and Body so as cannot be quenched iâ— being the work of his Spirit in the ministration of the Gospel to convince the World Iob 16. 8 9 10. and will be effected first or last Isa 30. 33. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. Mar. 9. 43. 49 And so the first coming of Jesus Christ was to suffer and offer Sacrifice and compleat Redemption and Salvation in himself as the publick man for men ard so to stay the enmity and make peace and atonement for men even sinners that they might be saved Isa 53. 3 7 12. 2 Cor. 5. 14 19 21. Ephes 2. 13 16. Iohn 3. 16 17. 1 Ioh. 4 9 10. 1 Tim. 1. 15. And so is the propitiation for the sins of the World Joh. 2. 2. yet for saving them by that they may partake of the blessing Gall. â— 13 14. In speaking of his ministration and preaching this peace and salvation which himself began and continues it in the ministration of his Servants till his coming again Ephes 2. 17. Heb. 2. 1. 4. He saith I came not to send Peace on the Earth but a Sword he in his ministration and extention of Peace and Grace cometh not to give the dwellers on the face of the Earth quiet and peace in their sinful thoughts desires designs courses and wayes that because of his peace made for them they should have such a liberty as to look for mercy and peace from him and be saved by him though they walk after the imaginations of their own evil hearts Deut. 29. 19 20 21. Gall. 5. 19 20. 21. but a sword to cut off from them these evil thoughts desires designes and wayes which all that refuse to depart from will be enraged and oppose and fight against him and his that go on in this ministration Matt. 10. 16. 22. 35 38. And so he senâ—s fire on the earth that men yielding to be salted thereby may come into him that came not to let sinners be such sinners still but to save them though cheif of sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. Isa 55. 7. and such as receive his words and begin to be saved by him he yet while they are in moâ—taâ— bodies sits on them as resiners fire Matt. 3. 3. Even so beleivers in him holding forth the word of life in the midsâ— of a crooked generation are even so to hold it forth that in exâ—lâ—ing Christ the Saviour of the world of sinners the propitiation for the sins of the whole world they do even thereby also so discover and witness against the wisdome of the world the Idolatries Adulteries false confidences evil designs and waies as that which God hateth and thus continuing in cannot be eternally saved but in hearing his voyce must turn at his reproofs and so for otherwise they cannot come into him in which he will verely save them Matt. 10. 16 28 Acts 14. 15 and 17. 21 25. Revel 11. 10. Prov. 1. 22. 23. 31. Isay 45. 22. And in respect of theâ—â— witâ—eâ—ing against the evil of the world in shewing the way of escape and greatness of the sin and danger of neglecting so great salvation All beleivers are rightly called the saâ—t of the earth as also salt in respect of wholesome reproofs and admonitions of one another Prov. 25. 12 Psal 141. 45. Thes 5. 14. Ind. 23. and iâ— beleivers are salt But if this salt have lost its saltness iâ— beleivers by ofâ— qâ—â—nâ—hing the spirit in his reproofs and salting efficacies to have it in themselves and accordingly shew it â—oâ—th to others come to lose their saltness in the savouring and seasoning efficacies of his reproofs in the testimony they become unsavoury and worse then other men â—nâ—ir to do good in Church or World not fit for Land or Dunghil Mar. 9. 5. Luk. 14. 35. as is said of the fruitless vinetree Ezeck 15. 2 Pet. 2. 21. And so by all said we may understand what is here meant by salt even the discovering reproofs of the spirit in and with the testimony of Christ beleived and the efficacies thereof in beleiving receiveâ—s and the beleiver himself so far as
of Christ but unto God by the vertue of it beleived And so in beleiving partakers of his grace both savouring and savouring of his oyntments Acts 20. 28. Revel 5. 9. 10. Rom. 14. 7. 8. 9. And so sits for charity that covers the multitude of infirmities as God dayly doth by us that so we may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace 1 Pet. 4. 2. Ephes 4. 1. 2. 3. 7. It seasons to climate highly and use humbly confidently and reverently all the ordinances of Christ hearing reading and meditation of his Word and declaration of it Prayer Thanksgiving Baptisme Supper and fellowship with brethren therein knowing God is not benefited by any our use of them nor we worthy to come into his presence but our libery of such approach to him in using any of his ordinances in which we may approach to the Throne of Grace in and by Christ for blessing is a great favour and priveledge purchased for us by his blood and through his mediation by vertue thereof freely given unto us with helpfulness by his spirit in the testimony Heb. 10. 19. 26. and 4. 14. 15. 16. 17. and 7. 25. Ephes 2. 17. 18. Rom. 8. 26. And so having in us this salt receiving and using the reproofs of the testimony in embraceing them with the efficacies thereof both our receiving the testimony and our approaching to God by Christ and bringing forth the services of love for his sake will be accepted of him Cant. 5. 1 2. And our services profitable to men Rom. 14. 17 18. And thus we may understand the verity of the sentence Salt is good it is very good for its ends and much profitable if it retain its saltness that is if we so retain in oâ—â— hâ—â— is the truth in our perswasions the verity of this discovering reproof of the testimony imbracing and yeilding to the effects thereof accordingly demeaning our selves and so holding forth the testimony that with it we hold forth the same discovering reproofs for such convincements that as we are in holding forth the word of life lights so by these reproofs with and by it we may be salted And so salt is good as in CHAP. V. The Caution or Condition SEcondly the caution or condition But if the salt have lost his salâ—ness wherewith will you season it Luke 14. 33. 35. wherewith shall it be seasoned it is neither fit for the Land nor yet for the dunghil but men cast it out and this also a thing of so great concernment to be heeded that our Saviour calleth us saying He that hath ears to hear let him hear so that it is a vain objection to say salt cannot lose its saltness especially that which proceeds from the testimony and is called salt where once received having its saltness the saltness cannot be lost which needs no other answer to shew the â—alseness of it but the very discourse and words of our Saviour here Mar. 9. 43. 50. and Luke 14. 26. 35. and Matt. 5. 13. yea this objection contradicteth plainly and chargeth with vanity the Doctrine of our Saviour and his sayings which objection may be soon answered in shewing what salt is Chap. 4. Salt as proceeding from that by the spirit discovered in the testimony loseth not its saltness but hath and will have its efficacy now or hereafter as hath been shewn but as in this day of Grace lightning on the heart and received by any in beleiving it may by resistance and departure from imbraceing the reproofs with its efficacies come to be lost by them And in Scripture we find 1. As Jesus Christ as witnessed of in the testimony is light life the Fountaine of Life sull of efficacies the quickning spirit and yet some that have been enlightned and enlivned by him and tasted of his gratious efficacies have after by turning aside to some other desires delight confidence or service of some proud or fleshly lust come to crucifie Christ again to themselves and make him of no effect to themselves though they cannot Crucifie Christ again in himself he being alive for evermore and can dye no more yet in respect of his living and saving efficacies they crucifie him to themselves and make him of no effect to themselves for saving Heb. 6. 6. So as though the grace of God in Christ and as flowing from him is not in vain yet such as recive it not rightly to be saved by it their receiving is in vain in respect of saving to them 2 Cor. 6. 2. Yea they may so pervert that which is right and turn the grace of God in the doctrine of it into lasciviousness Job 33. 27. Deut. 29. 19. Jude 4. though it will one day have its effect on them to their just judgement and perdition as hath been shewn even so also Jesus Christ is as refiners fire and Fullers sope and in his ministration sends fire on the earth by the spirits convincements in the demonstration of them Matt. 3. 2. Luke 12. 49. as is foreshewn which convincements are salt that loseth not its saltness as it proceeds from him but doth convince where it lights and is not rejected and in every receiver hath its saltness in its efficacies in some measure in them and such as reâ—use now it will have it in another day to their shame and perdition and those that begin to receive it and are made base and vile in their own eyes to loath and deny themselves and prize and desire after Christ there is of the saltness in them But if after they look on so as to long after some other things as the Glory Riches and pleasures of this world or any imaginary excellencies so as they refuse turning at his reproofs and so to lay aside their pride and vain desires and designs they therein harden themselves and so lose the saltness that was in them Ier. 2. 17. 22. and 34. 10. 11. 15. 16. 17. Hosea 13. 1. 2. 3. and 6. 4. Rom. 2. 4. 5. Prov. 28. 13. 14. And such may yet for a time retain that in which the saltness was the profession of the Doctrine though the saltness in them be lost And so though in notion and profession they hold the truth yet it is in unrightousness Isai 48. 1. Rom. 1. 18. And though they hold and profess the Faith in all the Fundamental Articles of the Doctrine of it yet in and to them in respect of the living efficacies in them It is but a dead faith a carcass of faith without spirit Jam. 2. 20. 26. professing to know God and by works denying him Tit. 1. 16. And in this respect of the testimonies reproofs begun to be received and therein having its saltness in the receiver by such receivers after departed from what ever any say to the contrary the salt such have received may come to lose its saltness in them 2 In respect of those efficacies mentioned Chap. 4. working in the believing Recievers if such Recievers withdraw from their
might and if beleivingly minded would move us readily to extend mercy according to our ability yet if their proofs of instructions be not so received as thereby we be made base and vile in our own eyes as unworthy to be made his stewards of any thing and for our abuse of that committed to our stewardship he may justly deprive us of all and how long it shall continue with us and what evil may be on earth soon and we deprived of power to do good we know not and refusing a present oppeâ—tunity when ability given as we have too often done deserves to be denyed and deprived of it when we would nor can that we retain help us without his blessing and we shall have iudgement merciless that sheweth no mercy c if we be not thus salted and seasoned we shall not so mind his mercy to us as to be found merciful as he is merciful but if we shew any meâ—cy it will be either out of necessity or constraint or sparingly with scantness oâ— with grudging and murmering or as if we gave of our own absolutely and with desire to be seen of men and have praise of men and boasting and lifting up our selves or upbraiding and defaming such as need it 2 Cor. 8. 9 10 11 12 and 9. 5. 6 7. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Matt. 26. 35. 45. Pro. 3. 27. 28. and 27. 1. Eccles 11. 1. 2. 1 Iohn 3. 17. Iam. 2. 13. 8. If the sore judgements of God be in the nation we live in though the testimony of Gods displeasure thereby and the sins that have provoked such a loving merciful patient and long suffering God to smite and the misery of men if according to his word minded might move and cause our heart to tremble at his woâ—d and judgements and fill us with mourning for the sins that have provoked him and for the calamities and distresses of the people and with pity and compassion toward the afflicted and so to receive corrections humbling our selves under his mighty hand and drawing nigh to him in confessing and bewailing our sins and praying earnestly for us mercy in forgiveness and healing and so trusting in his mercy to turn from our evil wayes and to walk in his way and so give him no â—est till he he al the nation yet if the reproofs of instruction be not so received as thereby we see the corrupt disposition in our own natural heart and our own having two much yielded to it and so see the plague of oue own heart our own sore and how by neglect of so great salvation and unkind requitals of his love and gâ—ievances of his spiâ—it and conforming in many things to the fashions of the world since light and mercy given us and so aâ—e the chief of sinners and deserve even the so arest judgements iâ— not thus we shall not be so affected in our own thoughts of Gods displeasure testified nor in the sins of men that have provoked it nor with the misery as to be filled with godly sorrow and child like and bâ—otherly gâ—ief for the dishonour done to God the bâ—eaches of his Law our own and breathrens sins and the sins of the nation nor with compassion and pity towards men and such dread of Gods Judgements as to be lead â—ightly to receive correction and draw near to God in confessing our sins and the sins of others and seeking his face for our selves and the nation and so to turn from our evil designs and wayes and trust in his mercy according to his word but rather be laying the greatest blame on others as the greatest sinners and cause of the judgements And think it more needful for them to be afflicted and fast and to pray for removeals then for our selves and so they to turn from their evil wayes of which we not so guilty 1 Kings 8. 37. 40. 2 Corn. 6. 28. 31. and 7. 14. Iam. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. Lam. 3. 1. 2 3. Hab. 3. 5. 16. 2 Sam. 24. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 12. 21. But I will proceed no farther in particulars seeing there is that in us for which we need the reproofs of instruction in all our wayes and without receiving them to be framed by them we cannot have peace one with another so that our Saviours saying and order in giving this commandement is needful admonitory and instructive and the one observed fits to observe the other which else will not be observed therefore let us have salt in our selves and peace one with another And therefore have I been so large in this and plain to instruct and move us To have salt in our selves Though c. CHAP. VII A clearing this discourse from some supposed harshness I cannot be ignorant that some conceive this harsh and not Gospel-like for some have plainly vented so much as to instance and answer * 1. Some think it is a putting beleivers under the Law which will gender to bondage Gail 4. 21. 31. Answ There is great differences between being under the Law to the law which gendreth to bondage and without law to God which genders to filth and profaness and being not without law to God but under the Law to Christ which is profitable for us 1 Cor 9. 21. and we being yet not wholly spiritual but partly carnal and though in spirit not made free from the power dominion and charges of the law and the spirit of life for righteousness sake yet the body dead because of sin and to be kept in subjection and no farther to be made free by us then by the spirits operation made free in and for services spiritually performed Rom. 7. 14. 25. 1 Cor. 9. 27. And the law is holy just and good and there is good usefulness of it if lawfully used 1 Tim. 1. 8. For it is good to discover our sins against it and short coming of it to slay us of all hopes in our selves of life or in our own doings and shew us our desert of curse and need of Christ its end being for righteousness to drive to Christ Gall. 2. 19. Rom. 10. 2. 3. 4. so as we may acknowledge the law good holy and just and confess our carnality and sin and desert of curse it discovereth and fly to Christ that was once under the law and dyed and suffered the curse for sinners and so redeemed us from the curse of the Law and so beleiving in the blood of Christ beleive in him for pardon righteousness and life in which the law of the spirit of life in Christ not our reasonings will make us free from the law of sin and death and the spirit also will afford us that righteousness which the Law required and would not work in us Rom. 7. 14. 25. and 8. 1. 2 3 4. and 3. 25. Gall. 3. 14. 2 Cor 5. 21. so as even these commands also are a good role for the exercise of Charity 1 Tim. 1. 5. 6 8 Rom. 13. 8. 9. 10. Ephes 6.
1. 2 3. Gall. 5. 13. 14. And such good use of the Law puts not beleivers under the Law nor genders to bondage but is profitablâ— for them but o the reproofs of the law which boâ—ed under and not answeâ—ing the end in flying to Christ which genders to bondage I speak not of in this discoâ—â—e but of the reproofs of instruction and turning thereat which is the way to reâ—eive spirit and life and so blessed freedome Pro. 1. 23. and 6. 23. * 2. Some have thought this pressing wisdomes repâ—oofs is not Gospel like because the Gospel is good news and glad tidings of peace and salvation an opening the door to life and immortality A pâ—eaching forgiveness peace and life and all to be received in beleiving and so cause of joy to all people as indeed it is Isa 52. 7. Rom. 10. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Acts 13. 38. 39. Ioh. 3. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 36. Luke 2. 10. and this agrees well with all said in this discourse For Answ The asserting the reproofs of instruction to be received is Gospel language not ungospel like nor at all eclipseth any thing said of the gospel in these like places for glad tidings of salvation pardon peace life c. implyes loss danger misery sins and deserts of curse in those to whom such tidings come and to be acknowledged and confessed by such as beleive and receive those tidings Isa 53. 67. and 3. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 12. 13 14 15. Tit. 3. 3. 4. And indeed the affording and receiving such reproofs is very gospel-like every way For 2. Jesus Christ our Saviour the object discovered to us in the Gospel in his working redeâ—ption and salvation in himself for us he was fiâ—st abaâ—ed and sâ—ffered and made sin and dyed for us and then â—ose from the deâ—d ascended righâ—eous and offered himself a sacrifice for us and received all fulness of spiâ—it to send forth and â—o in his ministration of gospel he suffered and dyed and so through sufferings entred his glory leaving us an example and as by his suffering and death he made peace for us so by his reâ—uâ—rection it was compleated that it might be communicable to us for though he dyed to make peace yet had he not â—isen we could not have been justified by his blood and suitable to this it is that we be abased in our selves that by him we may be exalted as hath been shewn 2. Jesus Christ exalted and filled with the spirit the great Prophet in making known his Fathers name and the redemption wrought and salvation procured in and by himself for men and so having been crucified for us and discovering of himself the pardon peace righteousness and life in him he is therein set forth first for the raising again of many and so both killing and making alive Luke 23. 4. Deut. 32. 39. 1 Sam. 2. 6. 7. 8. and he sits upon unfeigned beleivers as resiners fire and a purifier and so is in them by his word A spring of living waters John 7. 38. and his spirit in the word breaths on the flesh and withereth the flesh and so quickens and enlivens the spirit Isa 40. 1. 8. Rom. 8. 10. suitable to which is that said in this Discourse 3 In his gratious call to behold and credit him in the demonstrations of his goodness it is to be saved by him and that is from goodness it is to be saved by him and that is from sin and evil as well as to enjoy quickning and life by him c. Isa 45. 22. And so from that salvation seen first to turn at his reproofs and then receive the pouring out his spirit and making known his words and so to repent and beleive the gospel Prov. 1. 23. Mar. 4. 15. And when so beleiving yet still to be denying themselves and receiving the reproofs of instruction that they may be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and so receive more abundance of life to live and walk in the spirit Pro. 6. 23. and 9. 8. 9. and 15. 5. 31. and 17. 10. and 29. 75. and 25. 12. Tit. 2. 11 12. Gal. 5. 25. 26. so that receiving the reproofs of instruction is both gospel teaching and gospel like and the way rightly to receive the Gospel * 3. Some are ready to think this is a hinderance to the beleiving rejoycing in Christ and so to his chearful walking in faith and love and his drinking in spiritual consolations and so makes his life sad dumpish and unbeseeming But the Gospel it self doth answer this For Answ This hath before been proved false Chap. 3. and 4. and it is directly contrary to the plain testimony of this spirit that saith the reproofs of instruction are the way to life Prov. 6. 23. for right knowledge of Christ and spiritual things The rod and reproof give wisdome Prov. 29. 15. and the ear that heareth the reproof of life and abideth among the wise and getteth understanding Pro. 15. 31. 32. And the humble shall see his gratiousness and be glad Psal 69 32. â—he poor in spirit the mourners the meek blessed c. Matt. 5. 3 4 5. For God giveth grace to the humble and in due season exalteth them that humble themselves under his mighty hand Iam. 4 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6. And makes darkness light before them Isa 42. 16. And so the eyes of the blind to see out of obseurity and darkness Isa 29. 18. Yea so satisfieth the afflicted soul that their light shall rise in obscurity and their darkness â—e as the noon day Isa 58. 10. yea to purge their beleif and confidence from mixtures he brings them to receive the sentence of death in themselves that they may trust only in him that raiseth the dead and so fits them with consolations suitable to their afflications 2 Cor. 1. 4 9 10. Sa as in patience possessing their souls they rejoyce in afflictions temptations and tribulations Rom. 5. 2. 3. 4. Jams 1. 2 3 4. True it is their heaâ—â— knoweth its own bitterness such as are strangers thereto intermeddle not with their joy Prov. 14. 10. and to such they may well appear as unknown while yet well known as dying while behold they live as chastned and not killed as sorrowful while yet alwayes rejoycing as poor while yet making many rich as having nothing while possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 9. 10. Not did Pauls perswasion of the Terror of the Lord in minding the first branch of the testimony hinder his rejoycing and hope in Christ but salt oâ— season him for â—ight considering and hoping 2. Cor. 5. 11. Nor did the darkness Micha sitting in respect of Gods ordering providence and dispensation according to the second branch of the testimony hinder his rejoycing hope but season him for right considing and waiting Mich. 7. 7. 10. nor in looking to the third branch of the testimony did Habakkuks belly trembling lips quivering rottenness entring into his bones and trembling in himself at the voyce
Christ whence all the Oracles And it is the first thing propounded and so in order as truth first to be beheld and received in all our learning of him as hath been hinted through the discourse 2. In beholding and beleif of this heed and beleive the discovering reproofs of it of the filth in us and the need we stand in of the salvation it discovers and so of the hainousness of the sin of neglect of disesteem and ill requital of so great salvation and the equity justness and terribleness of the second death for contemners of so great salvation and so receive these reproofs that our hearâ—s may be perswaded and alwaies retain those perswasions as true Of the odiousnesness of sin and its abominableness to God Of the wretchedness mysery and vileness of man as of himself and from Adam Of the helplesness in our selves to come in to receive this salvation Of the heinousness of the sin of neglect and ill requital of so great salvation Of the equity and justness of the terribleness of the lake of fire for such as rebel against so great grace as is shewn Chap. 4. 3. In receiving these reproofs effecting such perswasions let them abide and have their efficacy in us retaining the same in our selves so as we be thereby framed and continually kept in that frame Of loathing our selves as of our selves and from Adam Of sencibleness of our need of the salvation in Christ Of a base estimate of our selves of our own wisdome strength righteousness deeds and designs and of abhorrency of them Of an awful fear and jealousie of our selves least we should mix any thing with the grace and promise of Christ in our beleiving and confidence for life as foreshewn 4 and 5. and 3. And 4. In all and awful fear and dread of the great name of the Lord so as our hearts may tremble at his word and judgements and at the truth righteousness equity and severity of the terror against rebellious contemners of his saving word as shewn chap. 4. that so having the true testimony in these reproofs with their efficacies in us we may be seasoned therewith as shewn at large Chap. 4. 11. 5. Let us receive all his fatherly corrections as in love to us to sit us for receiving and right usefulness of his reproofs with their efficacies that we may gain by them and take sufferings for his name as a favour as foreshewn chap. 3 And so let us have salt in our selves as shewn at large chap. 6. And iâ— we thus heed and receive the reproof of wisdome so as we be thus humbled and kept low in our selves having salt in our selves light will shine forth to us from the testimonies and he will be a light to us when we sit in darkness And so humbling our selves under his mighty hand he will exalt us in due time wherefore let every of us know and confess his own sore and so humble our selves and looking up to his mercy and so receive correction and draw nigh to God and trust in him and so let us pray for his people for our governors for our selves and the nation yea be afflicted and mourn and weep for out sins and provoking him to lay miseâ—y on us and so draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to us and hear and heal us But I will proceed no farther in this comfort is to be extended to the afflicted which I assayed in the antidote but in this discourse to move to such a frame and path as in which we may in beleiving receive all the promises and our gracious God will comfort us And so I desire we may alwaies have salt in our selves with its saltness seasoning us to receive his consolations and to walk in his teachings and edify one another And the God of mercy and father of all consolations fill us with consolations and afford us helpfulness according to all our needs Amen Wittlesey June 8. 1670. Your weak unworthy brother Tho. Moore FINIS A Consideration of Revel 22. 14. TO THE READER I pray in Reading mind the Scripture and take all here written as no withdrawing from living by faith but as a Directory to exercise Faith it being a contracted some that spoken to a plain Auditory not so much to fill the notion as to stir up to motion not to please speculation but to stir up to spiritual Action so as I may say what you read to do in beleiving the testimony you will find motions in the testimony unto and I pray yeild up to do them Remember the sons of God called by the spirit of God And surely you will find that in this way he leadeth in whose leadings the Lord help us alwayes to walk as prayeth Your Unworthy Brother THO. MOORE Revel 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter through the Gates into the City CHAPTER I. THe Apostle had in the former Chapter declared what in vision he saw concerning the Holy City in verse 2. 3. 4. 5. and how the City was shewn him verse 10. 10 23. having on every of the four squares three gates ver 13. and that the saved nations should walk in the light of it and the Kings of the earth should bring their glory and honour to it ver 24. but no unclean thing shall enter into it ver 27. and that the nations far remote might be cleansed and healed and so come in to it he tels us in this Chapter of a River of water of Life and of a tree baring fruit whose leaves were for the healing of the nations c. and affirming the truth of these things and both certainly and speedily to be done in and at his coming the Apostle is commanded to publish and declare the same though some take offence thereat and so being filthy become more filthy yet that such as willingly hear and so are holy may become more holy and so this declaration is for our present usefulness For as the glory and manner of entring the Gates in that time which is yet to come it is though told yet not manifested 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. 1 Iohn 3. 2 50. I will not presume to speak of the glory of those Gates and the manner of entring in thereat but as this 14. ver is not a part of the vision but in it a direction and encouragement to us for such demeanour now in the way appointed as that then we may have our part in that City like that said Chap. 20. 6. so it is recorded as all other Scriptures were for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. I shall therefore consider this verse in such sence as is for our present usefulness that we may enjoy that future hope And so I shall consider these five observable in it viz. * 1. What true blessedness indeed is in having whereof the haver is
in beleif of his love to us and for his love sake We love one another as he hath loved us 6. That we intend and seek the glorifying him in all these forementioned and not applause or satisfying to our selves in any self designs nor humoring men but this glory and the good of men seek in all we do 7. That in all we in patience possess our souls waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1. That we beleive his testimony and the sayings therein in their own plain import true good and concerning us as that by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all for that all have sinned And as by the offence of one unto all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one unto all men to justification of life Rom. 5. 12. 18. So that Iesus Christ by the grace of God hath tasted death for every man Heb. 2. 9. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. dyed for our fins and rose for our justification Rom. 4. 25 1 Cor. 15. 34. And so gave himself a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2. 6. and is the Saviour of the world the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 4. 14. and 2. 2. And yet that such as know not God and obey not the Gospel of Christ shall perish c. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. and such as do the works of the flesh Adultery Fornication Uncleaness Wantonness Idolatry Heresy Blasphemy Witchcrast Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Seditions Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revelling c. That they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Gall. 5. 19. 20. 21. Ephe. 5. 4. 5. 6 1 Cor. 6. 9. 19. And that Christ is exalted with and on Gods right hand a Prince and Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins Acts 5. 31. The true light that lighteneth every man that cometh into the world The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world the Saviour of all men of sinners Iohn 1. 9. 29. 1 Tim. 4. 10. and 1. 9. 15. being filled with spirit to send forth to the rebellious that God might dwell among them Psal 68. 18. and in sending forth his spirit in the testimony he convinceth men of sin of righteousness and of judgement Iohn 16. 7. 8. 9. 10. And such as turn at his reproof he will pour forth his spirit and make known his words to them and such as wilfully refuse he will reject c. Pro. 1. 23. to 29. and many like sayings all tending to one and the same end which if beleived with the heart it would be unto righteousness and it is his Commandment we should beleive them yea Christ himself saith Beleive me Iohn 4. 21. and 14. 1. 11. beleive the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. And by his spirit in the Prophets saith beleive God beleive his Prophets so shall yea prosper 2 Cron. 20. 20. Pro. 4. 10. Iohn 12. 36. yea unless we beleive we shall not be established Isa 7. 9. yea the not beleiving these sayings in the testimony is a giving God the lye 1 Iohn 5. 10. and this is the very work of the Devil to keep men from beleiving this Luke 8. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 4. for to this beleiving is the blessing promised Iohn 7. 38. and in it the saving and powerful efficacy of the spirit met with Rom. 1. 16. 1 Thes 2 13. That in this beleiving we may beleive in him according to his name which is the very end of the declaration of the Gospel Iohn 20 21 and for such as beleiving his sayings do beleive on him for his promises they are still to hold fast the minding and beleiving of the testimony and sayings therein that they may still beleive in him for his promises 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3 4. 1 Iohn 2. 24 25. so that it is cleer to beleive his sayings true and good and concerning us is one of his Commandements 2. hat we receive his convincements and turn at his reproofs which in discovery of his grace he affordeth Pro. 1. 23. and 9. 4. 6. Isa 55. 1. 2. and so his commands report and beleive the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. true it is in discovery of his great love in suffering so great and cursed a death for us and in making it known to us in the Gospel extending them it grace to us that in beleiving we might receive it and so have peace and life in him he therein discovers the vileness of our sins needing such a ransome the vanity and emptiness of all wisdome righteousness and strength in us to help us our being so verily dead by desert and sentence of the Law And Gods hatred of and severity of Justice against our sinfulness that his own son the Holy one having undertaken for us he would not spare nor abate him one jot of all the curse done to us but judged him in the flesh for it all and inflicted it all on him and he suffered it for us without which we could not have had no escape Heb. 9. 22. Rom. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Rom. 8. 3. Matt. 26. 38 39. Isa 53. 4. 5. 6. which is to be owned by us if we beleive in him Rom. 4. 25. and 3. 10. 21. besides in discovering this that we might live to him who hath power to take away our after sin he â—iscovereth the more abundant vileness of our sinnings against the light and grace extended by such a Redeemer and its desert of a greater curse then the former Iohn 1. 9. 9. 10. 11. 29. and 3. 19. 20. and 12. 48. And such manner sinning with our Pride and self considences and designs to be confessed and turned from owning our selves as ungodly if we will receive the pouring forth his spirit and making known his words to us and to beleive in him that justifieth the ungodly Pro. 1. 23. Mar. 1. 15. Rom. 4. 5. in which blessedness is received and for this end is Christ in the Gospel set forth unto us to bless us in turning every of us from our iniquities Acts 3 26. and 26. 18. and 20. 21. and so Christ is in the Gospel set forth for the fall and rising again of many which fall whoever refuseth he proves to such through their offence taking at his reproofs a stone of stumbling Luke 2. 14. Ier. 6. 15. Iohn 3. 19 20. 1 Pet. 2. 7 8. and so the Apostle renders it Rom. 9. 3. 32. 33. and 10. 3. compared with Iohn 10. 38. 39. and 6. 41. 42 60. 66. and in this owning receiving and turning at his repâ—oofs the blessing is met with Pro. 1. 23. and 9. 6. and those that have in beleif of his sayings turned at his reproofs and met with the blessing in beleiving on him there is something needing reproof still found in them and in their wayes Rom. 7. 14. 24. Iam. 3. 2. Pro. 20. 9. Eccles 7. 20. so as it becomes them to be still receiving of and turning
at his reproofs and confessing their sinfulness and the defilements of their own wrought righteousness blessing therein is still to be met with Isa 64. 6 7. Pro. 28. 13. 14. and 15. 31. 32. 33. Iohn 1. 9. That so we may still be found beleiving in him that justifieth the ungodly Rom. 1. 4. 5. which otherwise we cannot be for though a man beleive his sayings that Christ dyed for our sins and rose for our justification and is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and that whoever beleiveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life yet if this be not so with the heart embraced that he humbled himself to turn at his reproof he will either in his severity by his consequences turn the grace of God into laciviousness Iud. 4. Deut. 29. 19. 20. or in his fleshly zeal set upon some deeds of righteousness of his own to get or claim this grace of God by Rom. 9. 32. 33. and 10. 3. Luke 18. 11. and so deprive themselves of the blessing for refusing reproof is bruitishness Pro. 12. 1 and 13. 1. and causeth to err Pro. 10. 17. for the reproofs of instruction are the way of life Pro. 6. 23. so that its evident and cleer this is one of his Commandments to turn at his reproof and the doing it to be ever joyned with the former therefore let us so to do both the first and so this 3. That from his pouring forth his spirit and making known his words to us we beleive in him in his name 2 Cron. 20. 20 Iohn 14. 1. surely this is the work of God even his end and that for which he displayeth his name in his Son he hath sent forth the Saviour of the world that for which he convinceth and abaseth men to turn at his reproofs that for which he causeth his great love in giving Christ to dye for us when we were sinners and ungodly to appear that we beleive in him whom he hath sent Iohn 6. 29. and to this end is the Gospel declared and recorded that we might so beleive on his name Iohn 20. 31. which is when in beleiving his love in that he suffered and died for us when enemies we owning our own vileness so mind his love and that he is now ever living and filled with power and spirit in Heaven to do further for us that we beleive in him for performing to us the goodness promised Rom 5. 6 10. and 8 32. 34. such beleiving the testimony of Christ and his sayings therein as owning our own weakness we beleive in God for that promised is that beleiving that so receiveth the faith that it is imputed to the beleiver for righteousness Rom. 4. 17. 24 25. And this is his Commandment that we beleive on the name of his Son Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 3. 23. yea in and through beleiving that he hath suffered and done and compleated for us in his own body to beleive in him for all he hath promised to us this the beleiving in him in which the Faith is so received that it is imputed to the beleiver for righteousness And so it is his Faith Rom. 4. 5. 9. 11. 17. 24. 25. that as it is the faith of the Son of God and so Christ and this faith of him being his faith he may in all conditions live by it Heb. 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Gall. 2. 20. and 3. 11. that so from the spirits testimony beleiving his love in giving himself for us and thence his truth power and faithfulness to perform all he hath promised we through the spirit do waite for the righteousness of God in his performing his promise by faith according to the faith and declared in the faith beleived by us Gall. 5. 5. and this beleiving in him beleiving in his name and so confiding trusting in him in his word Psal 56. 4 3 10 11. is his Commandment Psal 37. 3. 4. 5. 7. Pro. 3. 5. Isa 26. 4. and 50. 10. and such trusters pronounce blessed Psal 2. 12. and 34. 8. and 37. 6. and 84. 12. Ier. 17. 7. and this is a needful and very profitable Commandment for us for though a man beleive the sayings of the Gospel in what Christ hath suffered and done for all men and that his love is commended there through yet if he receive not the love of the truth to be saved by it so as he turn in at his reproof and receive the pouring out of his spirit and making known his word to beleive in him for that promised he is not yet made free by Christ the Son as a Son Iohn 8. 31. 36. And so as yet lyable to turn the grace of God into wantonness or to make up a righteousness of his own to claim the righteousness of God by as hath been shewn yea and so to receive damnable delusions 2 Thes 2. 10. 11. 12. yea though sprinkled with water and moved by spirit yet if not born of water and spirit he cannot enter the kingdome 2. 3. 5. But from the beleif of the testimony and its sayings turning at his reproof and so receiving the spirit making known his word that he beleiveth on him for that he kath promised he begins to be born of water and spirit and to be made free and is a Son of God by faith indeed Gall. 4. 6. 7 and 3. 26. and being so confiding and hoping in him he is still to hold fast this confidence Heb. 3. 6. 14. and so to trust perfectly in him at all times and for the grace to be brought us in the Revelation of Christ for this is his Commandment Psal 62. 8. 1 Pe. 13. therefore in doing both the forementioned Commandments let us do this also that we may enjoy the blessing 4. That for his great free and rich love and goodness thus beleived we confess his name in the Gospel in word and conversation and in and for this confession sake that we deny our selves and take up our Cross and follow Christ in his instruction in example given us Phill. 1. 27. 29. and 2. 8. 16 17. 2 Thes 1. 4. 5. 6. 7. and as to this confession of him in self denyal and bearing his reproch before the sons of men the blessing is promised Matt. 10. 32. Luke 12. 8. Psal 31. 19. and like as he was abased dispised persecuted and persecuted all the dayes of his mortal life and in patience bearing it gave us an example 1 Pet. 2. 21. 22. 23. and as his first coming and suffering and death was not to exempt men wholly from feeling misery and death but in his fathers way and season to redeem them out of both so as it is appoynted to men once to dye Heb. 9. 27. and to all that beleive in him to bear his râ—proch and suffer tribulation for his names sake Matt. 10. 22. 24. 25. Mar. 13. 12. 13. 1 Thess 3. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 12. And so this is his Commandment whosoever will come after me if
2. 9. 1 Iohn 2. 2. and 4. 14. 1 Tim. 2 5. 6. Mat. 28. 19. 20. Mar. 16. 15. Iohn 6. 27. 32. Ephes 3. 3. 9. Though many in this respect do worse then Esau that sold his birthright for a mess of Pottage Heb. 12. 16. for they for some base Iust fell away their birthright in persisting in serving that Iust till they be given up of God and so blotted out of the book of life forsaking their own mercy in following lying vanities and so losing their own souls Psalm 69. 28. and 81. 12. Iona 2. 8. 2 Thes 2. 10. 11. 12. Mat. 16. 26. And they that have thus sold their birthright when they would have the blessing that is in this right to the tree of life here spake of though they cry and howl for it shall find no mercy nor admirtance any more then Esau did Heb. 12. 17. Pro. 1. 24. 25. c. Matt. 7. 22. 23. Luke 13. 24. 27. Now in this time while God in the means is striving with us and Christ mediating for us is the time to receive and enjoy this right with the benefit thereof Heb. 3. 7. 2 Cor. 6. 1. 2. and so the doing his Commandments forementioned is the way to receive and retain the same as hath been shewn and the receiving and retaining this right is that in which we come to have the right here mentioned to the Tree of life here mentioned and so Secondly Jesus Christ the Tree of life is confiderable as by vertue of his sacrifice once offered he in that very personal body of his is now glorified on Gods right hand inriched with all his priviledges the sulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily he having life and immortality and dwelling in the light that is inaccessible whom no man hath seen nor can see Phill. 2. 9. 10. 11. Coll. 2. 9. 10. Hebr. 11. 12. and 8. 1. and 6. 20. 1 Pet. 3. 23. 1 Tim. 6. 15. 16. only the Angels and spirits of just men made perfect that are in his presence do see him in this glory Heb. 12. 22. 23. Revel 6. 9. 2 Cor. 5. 8. Phill. 1. 23. and so in Christ and these his choice ones is Gods delight and well pleasedness these being those excellent ones above the Saints on the earth Psal 16. 3. Gal. 4. 26. whence also he is called The Tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God Revel 2. 7. who with these his Saints and the holy Angels will one day come down from Heaven when the bodies of all his Saints shall be raised and made spiritual and immortal who also shall be the inhabitants of that glorious City in the midst of the streets whereof Jesus Christ the Tree of life in which sence it is evident by all that went before in this 22. Chap. and in the former Chap. it is here ment and the very expressions of having right to the tree of life which is the utmost here attainable doth shew this to be the meaning For as Jesus Christ the tree of life is set forth in the Gospel to be known and seen by Faith in the word of saith beleived so in heeding and beleiving that word he is now by faith come to and received and in doing these Commandments his fruit by faith fed on Heb 12. 22. 23. 24. Hos 14. 8. Cant. 2. 3. But as he now is in the Paradise of God and when he comes down from Heaven will appear in the Holy City and so be seen as he saith and known as he knoweth and his fruit enjoyed in sight and sence this no man can yet so see and enjoy 1 Cor. 13. 12. 1 Iohn 3. 2. 1 Tim. 6. 15. 16. only it is promised to abiding beleivers after they have over come Revel 2. 7. After they have been faithful to the death Revel 2. 10. I am 1. 12. 2 Tim. 4. 8. and so likewise as Jesus Christ the true bread of life the heavenly Manna is set forth in the Gospel beleivers by faith in beleiving contemplation on and complacency in him do feed on him now Iohn 6. 47. to 58. but as he is in his glory and our glorious life hid with him in God and so in his glorious and bodily appearance to satisfie and fill all out desires by open sight in beholding that which is now hidden Mannah It is yet but in promise and so as he is this living stone as set forth in the Gospel we by faith being come to the comers to him are built on him and enabled to shew forth his praises through sufferings now but as he shall appear in glory giving the total victory and altering the name of suffers into absolute victorers and triumphers it is to come and though promised yet not so enjoyed but shall be of those that overcome at his coming 1. Pet. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. Revel 2. 17. so as all that abide in the faith doing his Commandments enjoy their right in him as set forth in the Gospel Heb. â— 6. 14. and so enjoyment and retaining this right they have intrest in Christ and so right to him as he is in the Paradise of God in the midst thereof and will be in that glorious City but the sight and enjoyment of him and entring in that manner will dotâ— be till that time come Rom. â— 23. 24. 25. Rev. 21. 23. 27. and so the end and issue of keeping these Commandments is That we may have right to the Tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God and be by saith entring now so as when the Lord in the midst of that holy City and when that holy City is come down from Heaven we may fully enter through the Gates and be possessed of the same that so having now with our faith this hope in Christ we may enter through the gates into the City 1 Joh. 3. 2. 3. And in this expressed end and issue of keeping his Commandments we have for our usefulness and instruction cleerly given us to understand these four following Positions that is to say 1. Position THat no man hath right to the Tree of life as it is in the Paradise of God and will be in the glorious City so as to be an heir according to promise one of Gods elect having right to the inheritance till he do the Commandmandments forementioned and so while and as he is doing them and so brought out of darkness into his marveilous light Acts 26. 18. Ephes 8. 1 Pet. 2. 9. For 1. Except a man beleive the testimony and saying thereof that Jesus is the Christ he cannot be established but shall dye in his sins Isa 7. 7. 9. Luke 8. 24 2. Except one turn at his reproof not takeing offence at the light reproving but repent he cannot receive the pouring forth of his spirit in making known his words but is under condemnation and shall certainly perish Pro. 1. 24. 31. and 12. 1. Ioh. 3 18. 19. 20. Luke 13. 3. 5. And 3.
his by the sanctification of the Spirit and beleif of the truth choosing you out of the love and fellowship of the world into union conformity and fellowship with himself sure that is stable and certain for if you do these things which are all done in doing his Commandments as aforesaid and proved yea shall never fall for so an abundant entrance shall be ministred unto you into the everlasting Kindome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 6. 11. So that it is clear that in this manner doing his Commandments right to the Tree of life and so entrance through the Gates into the City will be verily attained and enjoyed in the first Fruits of the Spirit now and fully in Soul and Body hereafter The fourth Position THat men must first have right to the Tree of life before they can enter through the Gates into the City this is clear in the words and shâ—own in the beginning of * 4. This third observable with the first and third Position in itâ— and may be seen in that fruit of Abrahams faith that did not only beleive in God in what he had formerly discovered to be done for him but also there from beleived in him for what he had promised And so walked in the steps of that Faith Rom. 4 9. 25. Heb. 11. 8. 16. whose Sons and seed â—â— are if we be of and walk in the steps of his Faith Gall. 3 29. Rom 4. 12. and so are heirs according to promise Gall. 3. 29. Yea it is not enough to beleive that Iesus is the Christ and and hath died for our sins and risen for our justification and offered himself a Sacrifice to God for us and is therefore the propitiation for the sins of the whole World unless we there through beleive in him for his promises of those good things to come and by vertue of his mediation to be conferred on us with compleat and unfeighned Faith in unfeighned beleiving had till it come to this Rom. 4. 24. 25. and 5. 1. 2. 8 9 10. and 8. 32. 34. 1 Thess 1. 10. true if the former be beleived with the heart it will bâ—ing to this Rom 10. 8. 9. 10. 1 Cor. 14. 1. 2. 3. 4. in which we have right to the Tree of life so as to hope in him for the inheritance which hope preserveth in the Faith even to abiding 1 Cor. 15. 19. 20. 23. 1 Tim. 4. 10. supporteth and â—â—eareth in afflictions 2 Cor. 4. 17. 18. and 5. 1. Rom. 2. 17. 18. Heb. 11. 23. 26. and leadeth to persevere to death 2 Tim. 4 7. 8. Heb. 11. 9. 10. 13. c. Yea he that hath this hope in Christ purifyeth himself as he is pure 1 Ioh. 3. 3. and all this enjoyed doing his Commandments as aforesaid nor can we be doing them or entring the Gates thereby unless in beleiving we hold fast this hope Col. 1. 23. Heb. 10. 35. 36. so that without this right we cannot enter through the Gates into this City which leads to mind the last observable which is CHAP. VI. * 5 Observable THat all that desire to enter into the heavenly City and so to eat of the hidden Mannah and of the Tree of life that now is in the midst of the paradise of God and will be in that City when it is come down from Heaven they must if ever they will enter through the Gates into the City of the City when it is come down from Heaven and the Gates as then they shall be that is so glorious and beyond our apprehention only unquestionable because affirmed so it shall be that I may not presume to explain that but as this is spoken not only for our hope but also for our present usefulness and so I may consider of the Gates spiritually as in exercise of Faith to be entred and gone through And so what these Gates now are and they must needs be such as are suitable to the Commandments forementioned For the doing the Commandments to the right end is that we may have right in Christ and so to the Tree of life we may enter and so in doing them is our spiritual entring now so that without doing even these forementioned Commandments no entring nor any right doing them but so far an entring spiritually now and hope of that full entrance into that glorious City after so that in some sort the Commandments and Gates are one and though in outward things this is strange and to our sence could not be yet in Christ and the doctrine of Christ and so in spiritual oneness in many things of this nature is affirmed Ephes 1. 3 16. And whereas Gates are here mentioned in the plural number where as the Gate Door or Way to the Father is one and but one and the same By considering Christ who is one with the Father and we may come to understand both what the Gate is and what these Gates are For As the door by which Christ came and compleated righteousness for us and obtained redemption and prepares a City for us it was one love the will and appointment of the Father 1 Heb. 10. 7. 8. 9. 10. Psal 40. 8. Ioh. 7. 28. and 8. 42. and 10 2. 18. so he as having compleated that righteousness obtained the redemption and the inheritance and is in the vertue of all now mediating for us with God that we in beleiving might partake so he and he only is by the same will and appointment of the Father the one and onely Gate Door and Way for our approach to God for grace and spirit and life c. Ioh. 14. 6. and 10. 7. 9. Ephes 2. 18. Heb. 10. 19. 20. and 7. 25. and 4. 15. 16. yea and with that grace of him to enter into the Church and be profitable to others and yet Jesus Christ coming in by his Fathers will and doing it in compleating his first great work passed through many Gates without which he could not have compleated the will of his Father in that first work as to say taking our nature partaking with us of the Flesh and Blood ' and bebecoming under the Law for us Heb. 2. 14. Iohn 1. 14. Gall. 4. 4. ' And in that body lived by faith immediately on his Fathers power truth and faithfulness that set him about that work Psal 22. 9. 10. Isa 50. 7 8 9. Iohn 8. 29. and 6. 37. ' And in exercise of that faith went through manifold afflictions Isa 52. 14. and 53. 3. ' And persevered to the death even in death giving up his spirit into the hands of his Father Luke 23. 46. ' And then after buried and overcame death and rose in that very body that died and after ascended into Heaven and offered himself in that Body a Sacrifice to God and is now accepted of and glorified with the Fathers own self with the glory he had with the Father before the world was and is now alive for ever more Luke 24. 6. 7. Acts