who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. To suffer for the Truth ought to be the Joy and Comfort of him that has undertaken to be the Minister of Truth How much then do they forget their Vocation who upon meeting with Discouragements lose all Comfort and repent of their Labor Whom we preach warning every Man and teaching every Man in all Wisdom that we may present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. The only design of an Apostolic Teacher is to form Jesus in every one of his Flock and to make all perfect in him Say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4. 17. They who consider not well the Duties of their Charge will soon neglect them Fulfil the Duties of the Ministry of Jesus Christ What Pastor do's not tremble at this Word Your selves Brethren know our Entrance in unto you that it was not in vain But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated as ye know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much Contention For our Exhortation was not of Deceit nor of Vncleanness nor in Guile But as we were allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel even so we speak not as pleasing Men but God which trieth our Hearts For neither at any time used we flattering Words as ye know nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness Nor of Men sought we Glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome as the Apostles of Christ But we were Gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted unto you not the Gospel of God only but also our own Souls because ye were dear unto us For ye remember Brethren our Labor and Travel For laboring Night and Day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you we preached unto you the Gospel of God Ye are Witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children that ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thess 2. 1. Every Word a Lesson to Preachers What a Mercy to the World if they would study and follow this Spirit Be not thou therefore ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord nor of me his Prisoner but be thou Partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel according to the Power of God 2 Tim. 1. 8. Great Courage is necessary for standing by the Truth and the Ministers of it Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us 2 Tim. 1. 13. Great Fidelity requir'd of the Pastors of God's Church The Holy Ghost promis'd to them for this end Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this Life 2 Tim. 2. 3. I suffer trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake v. 9. To suffer with Courage all Difficulties is the Obligation of a Pastor And if he suffer as a Criminal as this is most humbling so it brings him nearer to the Resemblance of Jesus Christ They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them 1 Jo. 4. 5. Unhappy Teachers whose Character this is CHAP. XXXVI Of the Flock Q. WHat Directions do's the Gospel give to the Flock in Regard of those whom God has put over them A. It speaks very particularly to them but that I may end this last Chapter with such Instructions as the Gospel gives I will first set down some Injunctions of God in the Old Law which as it was a Figure of the New so it may lead us to such Duties as God expects from the Flock in this better Constitution which is the Church of Christ And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian Woman whom he had married And they said hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses Hath he not spoken also by us And the Lord heard it Wherefore then were not ye afraid to speak against my Servant Moses And the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them and he departed Num. 12. 1 8. God shews his displeasure against those who murmur at such as he has set over them And all the Children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron And the Lord said unto Moses How long will this People provoke me Surely they shall not see the Land which I sware unto their Fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it Num. 14. 2 11 23. Great are the Judgments of God upon those who murmur against such as are over them Now Korah and Dathan and Abiram took men and they rose up before Moses with certain of the Children of Israel two hundred and fifty Princes of the assembly famous in the Congregation Men of renown And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is among them Wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord And when Moses heard it he fell upon his Face And he spake unto the Congregation saying Depart I pray you from tbe Tents of these wicked Men and touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their Sins And the Earth opened her Mouth and swallowed them up and their Houses and all the Men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods And there came out a fire from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty Men that offered Incense Num. 16. 1 26 32 35. The Congregation being holy Exempts them not from their Obedience enjoin'd The Authority of Princes of the Congregation Men Famous and of Renown is not enough for questioning the Authority of Moses and Aaron whom God had commanded all to hear and obey Their offering Incense to God is not accepted while divided from Moses and Aaron they are under the guilt of Disobedience Thou shalt come unto the Priests the Levites and unto the Judge that shall be in those days and enquire and they shall shew thee the Sentence of Judgment And thou shalt do according to the Sentence which they of that place which the Lord shall chuse shall shew thee and thou shalt observe to do according to all that
begin to beat the Men-servants and Maidens and to eat and drink and to be drunken the Lord of that Servant will come in a Day when he looketh not for him and at an Hour when he is not aware and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his Portion with the Vnbelievers Luk. 12. 35 c. Take heed to your selves lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness and Cares of this Life and so that Day come upon you unawares For as a Snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the Face of the whole Earth Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man Luk. 21. 34. Take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is For the Son of Man is as a Man taking a far Journey who left his House and gave Authority to his Servants and to every Man his Work and commanded the Porter to watch Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the Master of the House cometh at Even or at Midnight or at the Cock-crowing or in the Morning lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping and what I say unto you I say unto all watch Mar. 13. 33 c. Watch therefore for ye know neither the Day nor the Hour wherein the Son of Man cometh For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a Man travelling into a far Country who called his own Servants and delivered unto them his Goods Then he that had received the Five Talents went and traded with the same and made them other Five Talents But he that had received one went and digged in the Earth and hid his Lord's Money After a long time the Lord of those Servants cometh and reckoneth with them And so he that had received Five Talents came and brought other five Talents saying Lord thou deliveredst unto me Five Talents behold I have gained besides them Five Talents more His Lord said unto him Well done thou good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee Ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. Then he which had received the one Talent came His Lord said unto him Thou wicked and slothful Servant Take therefore the Talent from him and give it unto him which hath Ten Talents and cast ye the unprofitable Servant into outer Darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25. 13. And now also the Ax is laid unto the Root of the Trees therefore every Tree which bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewn down and cast into the Fire Mat. 3. 10. A certain Man had a Fig-tree planted in his Vineyard and he came and sought Fruit thereon and found none Then said he unto the Dresser of his Vineyard Behold these Three Years I come seeking Fruit on this Fig-tree and find none Cut it down why cumbreth it the Ground And he answering said unto him Lord let it alone this Year also till I shall dig about it and dung it and if it bear Fruit well and if not then after that thou shalt cut it down Luk. 13. 6. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 7. 21. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13. 24. Enter ye in at the strait Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the Gate and narrow is the Way which leadeth unto Life and few there are that find it Mat. 7. 13. Seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7. 7. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Mat. 6. 33. The Kingdom af Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11. 12. If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me For whosoever will save his Life shall lose it but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake the same shall save it Luk. 9. 23. If any Man come to me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own Life also he cannot be my Disciple And whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me cannot be my Disciple Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my Disciple Luk. 14. 26 33. A certain Man made a great Supper and bade many and sent his Servant at Supper-time to say to them that were bidden Come for all things are now ready And they all with one consent began to make excuse Then the Master of the House being angry said I say unto you that none of those Men that were bidden shall taste of my Supper Luk. 13. 16 c. Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit you like Men be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. Awake to Righteousness and sin not 1 Cor. 15. 34. Be Sober be Vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in Faith 1 Pet. 5. 8. My Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the Power of his Might put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the Wills of the Devil For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against Principalities against Powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil Day and having done all to stand Stand therefore having your Loins girt about with Truth and having on the Breast-plate of Righteousness and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace above all taking the Shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery Darts of the Wicked And take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all Perseverance Eph. 6. 10. Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober 1 Thess 5. 6. If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a Thief and thou shalt not know what Hour I will come upon thee Rev. 3. 3. Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. Be not deceived God is not mocked For whatsoever a Man soweth that shall he also reap
Rom. 8. 12. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Shall tribulation or distress or persecution Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors thro' him that loved us Rom. 8. 35. If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Knowing this that our Old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him Rom. 6. 5 8. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to this world But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12. 1. Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown but we an incorruptible I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air But I keep unto my body and bring it under subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 25. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body 2 Cor. 4. 10. He died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away behold all things are become new 2 Cor. 5. 15 17. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And the life which I now live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the spirit They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5. 16 24. Henceforth let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6. 17. I do count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3. 8. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 22. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 12. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth Fornication Vncleanness inordinate Affection in the which ye also walked some time when ye lived in them But now you also put off all these and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him Col. 3. 5. Flee also youthful lusts But follow righteousness Faith Charity Peace 2 Tim. 2. 22. Thus speaks the Rule whence it is plain above all dispute that those who follow their Inclinations do not follow this Rule We have all an inheritance of Corruption which bends us to sin this is entail'd on us from Adam and is call'd the Old Man this the Gospel commands us to put off all such then as strictly examin their Inclinations Affections and Desires and resolutely stand against those which they perceive to be sinful or can suspect as leading to sin are the Persons who live by the Rule which they profess and if they study to improve those better Impressions which are the effects of Grace it cannot be question'd but they will be cloath'd with the New Man and while in the Flesh even live by the Spirit But this cannot be their Character who being subject to great variety of Worldly and Sensual Inclinations who finding no Relish in their Souls but of what is in favor of their Pride Vanity Idleness and of Self-love in all its Shapes are so far from using due means for suppressing them that their whole Life is an Obedience to their demands for certainly these have no regard to what the Gospel prescribes their Life is a Contradiction to its Rules they indulge their Corruption which God commands them to resist and therefore being found under the Subjecti of the old Man can never expect while under this Slavery to come to the Liberty of the Children of God Either do what the Gospel requires or else look for no other Portion but with Unbelievers CHAP. XIX Of Suffering Affliction or Persecution Q. WHAT Directions do's the Gospel give as to these Points A. It speaks very largely of them and shews with what Spirit a Christian ought to submit Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when Men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your Reward in Heaven For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you Mat. 5. 10. Ye have heard that it hath been said an Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth but I say unto you that ye resist not Evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right Cheek turn him the other also Mat. 5. 38. He that taketh not his Cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me He that findeth his Life shall lose it and he that loseth his Life for my sake shall find it Fear not them which kill the Body but are not able to kill the Soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell Are not two Sparrows Sold for a Farthing And one of them shall not fall on the Ground without your Father But the very Hairs of your Head are all number'd Fear ye not therefore ye are of more Value than many Sparrows Whosoever therefore shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Think not that I am come to send Peace on Earth I came not to send Peace but a Sword Mat. 10. 38 28. Behold I send you forth as Sheep
in Perils in the City in Perils in the Wilderness in Perils in the Sea in Perils among false Brethren In Damascus the Governor under Aretas the King kept the City of the Damascens with a Garison desirous to apprehend me and thro' a Window in a Basket was I let down by the Wall and escaped his Hands 2 Cor. 11. 20 23. Lest I should be exalted above Measure thro' the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above Measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee For my Strength is made perfect in Weakness Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities that the Power of Christ may rest upon me Therefore I take Pleasure in Infirmities in Reproaches in Necessities in Persecutions in Distresses for Christ's sake For when I am weak then am I strong 2 Cor. 12. 7. What things were Gain to me those I counted Loss for Christ Yea doubtless and I do count all things but Loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord For whom I have suffered the Loss of all things and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ and be found in him Phil. 3. 7. I have learned in whatever State I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need I can do all things thro' Christ which strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 11. Whereof of the Gospel I Paul am made a Minister who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23. We our selves glory in you in the Churches of God for your Patience and Faith in all your Persecutions and Tribulations that ye endure which is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us 2 Thess 1. 4. I suffer Trouble as an evil Doer even unto Bonds but the Word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the Elect's sakes that they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with Eternal Glory It is a faithful Saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him if we suffer we shall also reign with him if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 9. Thou hast fully known my Doctrine manner of Life Purpose Faith Long-suffering Charity Patience Persecutions Afflictions which came unto me at Antioch at Iconium at Lystra what Persecutions I endured but out of them all the Lord delivered me yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3. 10. We see Jesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of Death crowned with Glory and Honour that he by the Grace of God should taste Death for every Man For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto Glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect thro' Sufferings Heb. 2. 9. Tho' he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered and being made perfect he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 8. It is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the living God but call to Remembrance the former Days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of Afflictions partly whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by Reproaches and Afflictions and partly whilst ye became Companions of them that were so used For ye had Compassion of me in my Bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your Goods knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance Cast not away therefore your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward For ye have need of Patience that after ye have done the Will of God ye might receive the Promise For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Now the just shall live by Faith but if any Man draw back my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him But we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul Heb. 10. 31. By Faith Moses when he was come to Years refused to be called the Son of Pharoah's Daughter chusing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt for he had Respect unto the Recompence of the Reward What shall I more say of the Prophets who thro' Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtain'd Promises stopped the Mouths of Lions quenched the Violence of Fire Others were tortured not accepting Deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection And others had Trial of cruel Mockings and Scourgings yea moreover of Bonds and Imprisonment They were stoned they were sawn asunder were tempted were slain with the Sword they wander'd about in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the World was not worthy they wander'd in Desarts and in Mountains and in Dens and Caves of the Earth Heb. 11. 23 32. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the Sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured tbe Cross despising the Shame and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God For consider him that endured such Contradiction of Sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your Minds Ye have not yet resisted unto Blood striving against Sin And ye have forgotten the Exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto Children My Son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not But if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are Partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons Furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them Reverence shall we not much rather be in Subjection unto the
Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and minister'd unto him Mat. 4. 8. Be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Whom resist stedfast in Faith knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World But the God of all Grace who hath called us unto his eternal Glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you 1 Pet. 〈…〉 Devil and he will flee from you Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Humble your selves in the Sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up Jam. 4. 7 10. Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine Heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and keep back part of the Price of the Land Act. 5. 3. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall There hath no Temptation taken you but such as is common to Man But God is Faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the Temptation also make a Way to escape that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10. 12. Lest I should be exalted above Measure thro' the abundance of the Revelations there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above Measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me And he said unto me my Grace is sufficient for thee For my Strength is made perfect in Weakness Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities that the Power of Christ may rest upon me For when I am weak then am I strong 2 Cor. 12. 7. We glory in Tribulations also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope Rom. 5. 3. My Brethren count all Joy when ye fall into divers Temptations knowing this that the trying of your Faith work th◠Patience but let Patience have her perfect Work that ye may be Perfect and Entire wanting nothing Blessed is the Man that endureth Temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Let no Man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God For God cannot be tempted with Evil neither tempteth he any Man But every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lust and enticed Then when Lust hath conceived it bringeth forth Sin And Sin when it is finished bringeth forth Death Jam. 1. 2 12. Wherein ye greatly rejoice tho' now for a Season if need be ye are in Heaviness thro' manifold Temptations That the Trial of your Faith being much more precious than of Gold that perisheth tho' it be tried with Fire might be found unto Praise and Honor and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ whom having not seen ye love 1 Pet. 1. 6. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of Temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2. 9. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried And ye shall have Tribulation Ten Days Be thou Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. Thus speaks the Rule Whence many Particulars are made evident First That Good and Holy Persons are not exempt from Temptations but that even these may be assaulted by the worst and most abominable of all Temptations as appears in the Person of Christ and his Apostle 2dly That God tries his best Servants with many and great Difficulties which Trials are often call'd Temptations not Temptations to Sin but for the Trial of Fidelity and greater Improvement in Virtue 3dly That a Christian ought not to grieve when under such Temptations or Trials but rather rejoice because he knows this is the Effect of God's Love and that an eternal Crown is promis'd the Reward of his Patience 4thly That therefore under all such Trials he ought to have his Hope fix'd on God with an entire Confidence of being ever supported by his Grace that he will give him Strength proportion'd to his Trials and either continue or take them away as he knows to be best for him 5thly That the Devil taking the Advantage of his natural Corruption lays many Temptations before him and by these provokes him to Sin and in this Way God tempts no Man it being wholly Inconsistent with his Goodness Lastly That with great Watchfulness he is to observe these Designs of his Enemy and with Resolution stand against them and that upon so doing he cannot fail of being Conqueror thro' God's assisting Grace These being Truths deliver'd in the Christian's Rule he must carefully observe them He must receive all Trials which come from the Hand of God with great Patience Courage and Fidelity and daily endeavor in Spirit to rejoice under them He must not be dejected at the most malicious Assaults of the Devil but either despise or resist them He must bear such Temptations as are common to our Nature with Humility and never Wilfully Carlesly or Presumptuously put himself into Temptation They who do thus may confide in the Grace of God which will be sufficient for them And they who do otherwise forsake their Rule and there can be no Surprize if they are forsaken by him who has given it them for their Direction and Security CHAP. XXI Of Virgins Q. HAving seen what the Gospel directs in these General Duties which belong to all that profess the Name of Christ let me now hear what it says to the Particular States of Christians that so having this drawn under several Heads every one may have the Opportunity of seeing what is the Will of God in regard of them and what Instructions Christ has laid upon them And First What do's the Gospel say of Virgins A. It speaks very particularly of them There are some Eunuchs which were so born from their Mothers Womb And there are some Eunuchs which were made Eunuchs of Men And there be Eunuchs which have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake He that is able to receive it let him receive it Mat. 19. 12. The Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened unto Ten Virgins which took their Lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom And Five of them were Wise and Five were Foolish They that were Foolish took their Lamps and took no Oyl with them But the Wise took Oyl in their Vessels with their Lamps The Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the Door was shut Afterward came also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us But he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Watch therefore for ye know neither the Day nor the Hour Mat. 25. 1.
the Husband hath not Power of his own Body but the Wife Defraud you not one the other except it be with consent for a Time that ye may give your selves to Fasting and Prayer and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your Incontinency But I speak this by Permission and not of Commandment 1 Cor. 7. 3. 4thly That they may and ought to live holily There was in the Days of Herod the King of Judea a certain Priest named Zacharias of the Course of Abia And his Wife was of the Daughters of Aaron and her Name was Elizabeth And they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless and they had no Child because that Elizabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years Luk. 1. 5. This I say Brethren the time is short It remaineth that both they that have Wives be as tho' they had none and they that weep as tho' they wept not and they that rejoice as tho' they rejoiced not and they that buy as tho' they possessed not and they that use this World as not abusing it For the fashion of this World passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 29. We beseech you Brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more For ye know what Commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus For this is the Will of God even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honor not in the Lust of Concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thess 4. 1. Marriage is honorable in all and the Bed undefiled But Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13. 4. 5thly That there are great Duties of mutual Love and Support belonging to them and that Order is to be observ'd which God has appointed between them I would have you know that the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God A Man indeed ought not to cover his Head praying for as much as he is the Image and Glory of God But the Woman is the Glory of the Man For the Man is not of the Woman but the Woman of the Man Neither was the Man created for the Woman but the Woman for the Man For this Cause ought the Woman to have Power on her Head because of the Angels Nevertheless neither is the Man without the Woman neither the Woman without the Man in the Lord. For as the Woman is of the Man even so is the Man also by the Woman but all things of God 1 Cor. 11. 3 7. Submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as unto the Lord. For the Husband is the Head of the Wife even as Christ is Head of the Church And he is the Saviour of the Body Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ so let the Wives be to their own Husbands in every thing Husbands love your Wives even as Christ loved the Church and also gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it So ought Men to love their Wives as their own Bodies He that loveth his Wife loveth himself For no Man ever yet hated his own Flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church For we are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones For this Cause shall a Man leave his Father and Mother and shall be joined unto his Wife and they two shall be one Flesh This is a great Mystery But I speak concerning Christ and the Church Nevertheless Let every one of you in particular so love his Wife even as himself and the Wife see that she reverence her Husband Eph. 5. 21 28. Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your Wives and be not bitter against them Col. 3. 18. Ye Wives be in Subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the Conversation of the Wives while they behold your chaste Conversation coupled with Fear Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the Hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of Apparel but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is not corruptible even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the Sight of God of great Price For after this manner in the Old Time the holy Women also who trusted in God adorned themselves being in Subjection unto their own Husbands even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him Lord Whose Daughters ye are as long as ye do well and are not affraid with any Amazement 1 Pet. 3. 1. Likewise ye Husbands dwell with them according to Knowledge giving Honor unto the Wife as unto the weaker Vessel and as being Heirs together of the Grace of Life that your Prayers be not hinder'd 1 Pet. 3. 7. Teach the young Women to be sober to love their Husbands to love their Children to be Discreet Chaste keepers at Home good obedient to their own Husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed Tit. 2. 4. Young Men likewise exhort to be Sober-minded Tit. 2. 6. That the aged Men be Sober Grave Temperate Sound in Faith in Charity in Patience Tit. 2. 2. The aged Women likewise that they be in Behavior as becometh Holiness not false Accusers not given to much Wine Teachers of good things Tit. 2. 3. I will that Men pray every where lifting up holy Hands without Wrath and Doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. In like manner also that Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel with Shamefacedness and Sobriety Not broider'd Hair or Gold or Pearls or costly Array but which becometh Women professing Godliness with good Works Let the Women learn in silence with all Subjection But I suffer not a Woman to teach nor to usurp Authority over the Man but to be in silence For Adam was first formed then Eve And Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression Notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing if they continue in Faith and Charity and Holiness with Sobriety 1 Tim. 2. 9. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches For it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under Obedience as also saith the Law And if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at Home For it is a Shame for Women to speak in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 34. Thus speaks the Rule and so particularly that there can be no
to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honor to whom Honor Rom. 13. 1. I exhort therefore that first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all Men For Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty for this is good and acceptable in the Sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2. 1. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good Work to speak evil of no Man to be no Brawlers but Gentle shewing all Meekness unto all Men Tit. 3. 1. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake Whether it be to the King as Supreme or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well For so is the Will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men As free and not using your Liberty for a Cloak of Maliciousness but as the Servants of God Honor all Men. Love the Brotherhood Fear God Honor the King 1 Pet. 2. 13. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished But chiefly them that walk after the Flesh in the Lust of Vncleanness and despise Government Presumptuous are they self-willed they are not affraid to speak Evil of Dignities whereas Angels which are greater in Power and Might bring not railing Accusation against them before the Lord 2 Pet. 2. 9. Likewise also these filthy Dreamers defile the Flesh despise Dominion and speak evil of Dignities Jude 8. Something may be here not unseasonably added out of the Old Testament They answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy Commandment and will not hearken unto thy Words in all that thou commandest him he shall be put to Death Josh 1. 16. Then Samuel told the People the manner of the Kingdom and wrote it in a Book and laid it up before the Lord And Samuel sent all the People away every Man to his House And Saul also went Home to Gibeah and there went with him a Band of Men whose Hearts God had touched But the Children of Belial said how shall this Man save us And they despised him and brought him no Presents But he held his peace 1 Sam. 10. 25. The Men of David said unto him behold the Day of which the Lord said unto thee Behold I will deliver thine Enemy into thine Hand that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee And he said unto his Men the Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lord 's Anointed to stretch forth mine Hand against him seeing he is the Anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his Servants with these Words and suffered them not to rise against Saul 1 Sam. 24. 4 6. Then said Abishai to David God hath delivered thine Enemy into thine Hand this Day Now therefore let me smite him I pray thee with the Spear even to the Earth at once and David said to Abishai destroy him not For who can stretch forth his Hand against the Lord 's Anointed and be guiltless David said furthermore as the Lord liveth the Lord shall smite him or his Day shall come to Die or he shall descend into Battle and perish The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine Hand against the Lord 's Anointed 1 Sam. 26. 8. David said unto him the Amalekite How wast thou not affraid to stretch forth thine Hand to destroy the Lord 's Anointed And David called one of the young Men and said go near and fall upon him And he smote him that he died 2 Sam. 1. 14. In those Days while Mordecai sat in the King's Gate two of the King's Chamberlains Bigthan and Teresh of those which kept the Door were wroth and sought to lay Hand on the King Ahasuerus And the thing was known to Mordecai who told it unto Esther the Queen and Esther certified the King thereof in Mordecai's Name Esth 2. 21. The fear of a King is as the roaring of a Lion whoso provoketh him to Anger sinneth against his own Soul Prov. 20. 2. My Son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change For their Calamity shall rise suddenly and who knoweth the Ruin of them both Prov. 24. 21. Curse not the King no not in thy Thought Eccl. 10. 20. The Nation and Kingdom which will not serve the same Nebechadnezzar the King of Babylon and that will not put their Neck under the Yoke of the King of Babylon that Nation will I punish saith the Lord with the Sword and with the Famine and with the Pestilence until I have consumed them by his Hand Therefore hearken not ye to your Prophets nor to your Diviners nor to your Dreamers nor to your Enchanters nor to your Sorcerers which speak unto you saying ye shall not serve the King of Babylon For they prophesie a Lie unto you to remove you far from your Land and that I should drive you out and ye should perish I spake also to Zedekiah King of Judah according to all these Words saying bring your Necks under the Yoke of the King of Babylon and serve him and his People and live why will ye die thou and thy People by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence as the Lord hath spoken against the Nation that will not serve the King of Babylon Jer. 27. 8 12. The Duty of Subjects is publish'd by the Spirit of God First That they are to acknowledge the Power that is over them to be of God 2dly That they who are vested with Soveraign Power acting by the Authority of God and being therefore his Ministers Honor Obedience and Tribute is due to them 3dly That there may be an Exception in the Obedience that is when they enjoin what is contrary to the known Will of God since it cannot be reasonable to obey in such things when they command contrary to his Orders whose Ministers they are 4thly That as the Orders of those in Power are to be receiv'd with Obedience so their Punishment with a peaceable Submission And this so far that whether they prosecute justly or unjustly yet no Resistance can be made against them all that Subjects can do in this case is either to suffer with patience or peaceably to withdraw but as for lifting up hand against Power it is resisting the Ordinance of God and the fruit of this as the Apostle has declar'd is Damnation CHAP. XXXII Of Persons of Quality Q. ARE there any
ought to be deliver'd in such a manner as to be understood by the Hearers Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the Savour of his Knowledge by us in every Place For we are unto God a sweet Savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish To the one we are the Savour of Death unto Death and to the other the Savour of Life unto Life For we are not as many which corrupt the Word of God But as of Sincerity but as of God in the Sight of God speak we in Christ 2 Cor. 2. 14 17. The Gospel ought to be preach'd by Word and by good Example To Falsifie or Change the Word of God is Sacrilegious Where there is not true Sincerity there is not the Spirit of the Gospel Seeing we have this Ministry as we have received Mercy we faint not But have renounced the hidden things of Dishonesty not walking in Craftiness nor handling the Word of God Deceitfully but by Manifestation of the Truth commending our selves to every Man's Conscience in the Sight of God But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 4. 1. To such Abuses are the most holy Things subject but how many Wo's to them that incurr this Guilt We preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your Servants for Jesus sake 2 Cor. 4. 5. What Prophanation What Prostitution of the Gospel in those who undertake to preach Jesus Christ and under this Cover seek themselves We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroy'd always bearing about in the Body the Dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body 2 Cor. 4. 7. The Glory of Preachers is to be in God from whom is every good Gift In all Troubles their Confidence is to be in him whom they preach They ought every Way to be so Religious that the Life of Christ may be manifested in all they suffer and in all they do God hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation and hath committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation Now then we are Embassadors for Christ as tho' God did beseech you by us We pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 18. We then as Workers together with him beseech you also that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain Giving no Offence in any thing that the Ministry be not blamed But in all things approving our selves as the Ministers of God in much Patience in Afflictions in Necessities in Distresses in Stripes in Imprisonments in Tumults in Labors in Watchings in Fastings by Pureness by Knowledge by Long-suffering by Kindness by the Holy Ghost by Love Vnfeigned by the Word of Truth by the Power of God by the Armor of Righteousness on the right Hand and on the left by Honor and Dishonor by evil Report and good Report As Deceivers and yet True as Vnknown and yet well Known as Dying and behold we Live as Chastened and not Killed as Sorrowful yet always Rejoicing as Poor yet making many Rich as having Nothing and yet possessing all Things 2 Cor. 6. 1. How great is the Dignity of those who succeed in the Apostolic Function And what ought to be their Sanctity who are no others than Vicars of Christ Their Model is here describ'd by the Apostle and ought to be seriously consider'd in every Point Behold the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be Burdensome to you for I seek not yours but you For the Children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the Children And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you tho' the more abundantly I love you the lâ—ss I be loved But be it so 2 Cor. 12. 14. The Character of true Zeal to seek nothing but the good of the Flock An Hypocrite may pretend this for a time but none but the true Shepherds can persevere in this Practice To do otherwise is to be a Trader and not a Pastor Do I seek to please Men For if I yet pleased Men I should not be the Servant of Christ Gal. 1. 10. Hence is the Corruption of the Gospel they who should seek nothing but Jesus endeavour to please the World and to gain Esteem Preferment weighs more with them than Truth When it pleased God who separated me from my Mother's Womb and called me by his Grace To reveal his Son in me that I might preach him among the Heathen immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood Gal. 1. 15. Flesh and Blood are not to be Counsellors in the Cause of the Gospel and the Delivery of its Truths He gave some Apostles And some Prophets And some Evangelists And some Pastors and Teachers for the Perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the Body of Christ 'Till we all come in the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a Perfect Man unto the Measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ That we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every Wind of Doctrin by the slight of Men and cunning Craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive But speaking the Truth in Love may grow up into him in all things which is the Head even Christ Eph. 4. 11. The Ministers of the Divine Institution Their Charge is not a State of Idleness but of Work The end of this Ordinance was for establishing the Flock in the Unity of Truth And in all Holiness in this they ought to labor Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication for all the Saints and for me that Vtterance may be given unto me that I may open my Mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel For which I am an Embassador in Bonds that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak Eph. 6. 18. They are to desire the Prayers of the Flock they are to use a holy Liberty in preaching the Truth of the Gospel without being aw'd by Shame Fear or Expectation They are to do nothing unworthy of him whose Person they represent Some indeed preach Christ even of Envy and Strife and some also of good Will The one preach Christ of Contention not sincerely supposing to add Affliction to my Bonds Phil. 1. 15. Strange Motives for preaching Christ Unhappy they whose Passions serve them for Steps whereby to ascend to the Chair of Truth which ought to have no Entrance but by the Love of Jesus If ye continue in the Faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the Hope of the Gospel whereof I Paul am made a Minister
yet the Pastors of his Church are to teach This is the Ordinance of Christ and the Practice is confirm'd from Heaven And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the City and it shall be told thee what thou must do Act. 9. 6. Christ calls upon Saul stops him in his evil way but for his Instruction he sends him to a Disciple If this be the Will of God who can pretend to serve God and yet make exceptions against doing his Will When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small Dissension and Disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question Act. 15. 2. And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter v. 6. Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders 22. Questions of Faith are referr'd to the Pastors of the Church S. Paul and Barnabas tho' great Apostles and particularly inspir'd pronounce not in this case but help to publish what the Pastors assembled had determin'd And as they went thro' the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordain'd of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem And so were the Churches established in the Faith and increased in number daily Act. 16. 4. The Faithful receive the Decrees of their Pastors and thus was the Faith establish'd and they perserv'd from the dangers of Novelty and Error Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. It is the Ordinance of God that the Flock be under the care of the Pastors by these it is to be fed and preserv'd from Error This Charge is given them by the Holy Ghost Who dare alter the Method They that stood by said Revilest thou God's High Priest Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High Priest For it is written Thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy people Act. 23. 5. Respect is due from the Flock to their Pastor they are not to revile him And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord and as many as were ordain'd to eternal Life believed Act. 13. 48. Those who are ordain'd to Salvation hear and believe the Apostles This was the way to Life Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13. 2. Have the Pastors of the Church Power from God He gave some Apostles And some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting the Saints for the edifying of the Body of Christ That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4. 11. If thus God has declar'd the design of his Goodness in the Ordinance of Pastors then it must be the greatest duty and interest of the Flock to adhere to the Pastors of the Church For thus has God appointed for preserving it in Unity and Truth Now I beseech you Brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment 1 Cor. 1. 10. Thus is strictly enjoin'd the Flock then they must be careful in observing the Means which God has ordain'd for Unity He therefore that despiseth despiseth not Man but God who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit 1 Thes 4. 8. If the Flock despise the Doctrin of those whom God has appointed to teach it they despise not Man but God We beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 12. If these are to be esteem'd and lov'd this must be chiefly in their Instructions and Admonitions then no Contentions no setting up against them Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Gal. 6. 6. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 14. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine for the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the Ox that treadeth out the Corn and the labourer is worthy of his reward 1 Tim. 5. 17. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the Word of God Whose Faith follow considering the end of their Conversation Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves For they watch for your Souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you v. 17. What Charge given by God to the Flock Remember Submit Obey Follow the Faith of those who have the Rule over you for these must gâ—ve account of your Souls But can they be any part in this account who refuse to obey He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error 1 Jo. 4. 6. Are these thus discern'd Then the Flock must here see the necessity of hearing those whom God has appointed to feed the Flock And now having gone thro' the Principal Duties of a Christian Life as likewise the Particular States in some of which every Christian must have a part and having seen in all these what is the Will of God as it is deliver'd in holy Writ what better Conclusion can I make than earnestly to recommend to all that they would frequently read seriously consider and with exactness attend to what the Spirit of God says to them It is the effect of an infinite Mercy that God has thus left his holy Will manifested to us that in this we might have a sure Guide And there is no other Way to Salvation but this alone of doing the Will of God Thus Christ has declar'd and what greater Interest then can a Christian have than in knowing the Will of God This is the best Study this the best Learning All other without this are vain and useless Ornaments but this alone without all others will make a Man Wise to Salvation If the World sets up for other Ways if it has Number and Custom to give Authority to them yet all this makes them not warrantable to the Christian he must consult his Rule and whatever he finds not allow'd there he must renounce as Antichristian for it is Christ and not the World is his Guide to Salvation How perversly blind then are all those Christians who make it their Business to study the World and esteeming this the best Education are at a great Expence in training up their Children to an early Knowledge of whatever it admires And when this is done what is the Effect but only to be skill'd in Vanity to be learned in those things which lead them out of the Way And in the mean time the only thing Necessary is neglected and they are Strangers to that Knowledge which can be their only Guide to that Life for which they were born Whereas the great Business of all that believe is to know the Will of God and by doing it to work out their Salvation If this be the Error of such as are blind Lovers of themselves and the World instead of God then such as follow the Light of Faith must follow another Business They must make it their general Study to know the Will of God they must strictly inform themselves what he commands what he forbids what he approves and disapproves and this being most expresly deliver'd in holy Writ they ought to esteem the particular Knowledge of this their only solid Accomplishment and not think they have any thing valuable in them whatever their natural or acquir'd Abilities be as long as they are Ignorant of this By this Method Christians will soon be qualified for making a true Judgment of all Things and Circumstances of human Life they will judge the World and all its Ways and not be in danger of being deluded by its Specious and most Authentic Snares This is the true Christian Wisdom and whosoever takes another Way tho' he may come to an eminent Degree of admir'd Knowledge yet he will never be Wise to Salvation FINIS