had in the Holy of Holies He also is the great High Priest Heb. 9.7 12. 1 Tim. 2.5 Isa 53.12 Heb. 7.25 that once for all hath made the general Atonement and by vertue of it remaineth an High-Priest of good things to come interceding for Transgressors and in special manner for all that come to God by him perfuming their Prayers with his Incense and returning Answers of Blessings to them and this was figured by such-like things appointed the High-Priest to do for them Heb. 7.13 20. 5.4 5. Exod. 4.16 27. 28.1 40.12 for Christ did not naturally descend from Aaron or Levi or any of the Priests of the Aaronical or Levitical Race nor was he of that Order nor was he called by Men Ecclesiastical or Civil to his Priestly Office but was immediately made and called to be a Priest by God himself which was figured though most lively in Melchizedec yet also in God's immediate calling of Aaron to be their first High-Priest 1 Pet. 2.2 3 4 5 9. Heb. 3.1 6. 13.10 Numb 18.7 Heb. 7.12 13. 9.6 7. Jesus Christ hath for his inferiour ministring and spiritual Priests suitable to his Order those all and onely those that through the Knowledge and Belief of his graciousness are born from above and united by Faith to him and so become one in and with him And this also was figured by appointing those onely to be Priests according to the Order of Aaron which came of him and were his Sons by Birth in a natural descent any many other types and figures which I here omit onely I will minde one general Type more for 5. Act. 26.17 18. Eph. 2.3 4 5. Col. 1.12 13. 1 Pet. 2.9 1 Ioh. 5.19 2 Cor. 4.4 1 Thes 2.18 1 Pet. 5.8 1 Joh. 3.8 Mat. 10.17 Joh. 15.19 16.33 The manner and time of God's beginning to manifest the things of Christ and dispense thereof to the Souls of men namely when by the Ministery of Christ in the Gospel he calleth them out from the Power of Satan the Prince of the Air and therein out of the darkness and bondage of and Union and fellowship with the world that lieth in the power of the wicked one at and against which the Devil rageth and laboureth to oppose and the World led by him is angry and joyneth with him in oppositions by deceits pressures and persecutions yet those that follow the conduct of the Spirit in the Gospel believing in the Blood and accepting of the Cross of Christ Rom. 3.25 Gal. 6.14 Rev. 12.21 1 Pet. 3.21 2.7 Mat. 21.44 Luk. 20.17 18. Gal. 5.11 Phil. 3.18 Prov. 8.36 Isa 54.15 Exod. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14. are through the same even in shame and sufferings saved and so brought into the Wilderness as being strangers to and in this World and on the way to the heavenly rest while the Enemies and Persecuters are by the same appearance of God in the Cross of Christ tumbled back and overthrown and all this typed out by God's bringing the people out of Egypt by Moses and the rage and opposition of Pharaoh in his oppressions and cruel withstandings of Israel and the Egyptians joyning with him therein to keep them from departing out of Egyptian servitude and when they were led out pursued them to bring them back again till they were overthrown in the same Sea by which God preserved Israel and brought them to believe his word and sing his praise And this saved people that then believed his words and sang his praise some of them in minding his goodness were united by Faith to the word of the Lord and so had a Spirit of Faith Exod. 19.5 and followed the Lord and these were his Elect and Chosen some deviated from the Faith waited not for his counsel and so believed not his words but fell a lusting and so to murmuring and tempting God and provoking him with grievous sinning Psal 106.15 18. 1 Cor. 10.1 6 11. Jude 1 4 5. Heb. 3.14 19. 41. 1 Pet. 2.7 8 9. and were according to the height of their provocations overthrown and destroyed in the Wilderness And these were types and figures of the different demeanor of many brought out of the darkness of this World into the Light of the Gospel and the Faith and Profession of Christ and so of God's different proceeding with such and so who are his elect and chosen and whom he will reject and reprobate All these and much more was shadowed out by types and figures to Israel and remain in the Record instructive to us and though Types be short of Truth it self and have their dissimilitudes also yet what by similitudes they were to shadow out is really true and to be found in the Truth which is Christ and the things of Christ but they had not onely discovery by shadowing types and figures but also they had 2. A more cleer Revelation of the Gospel and that was by an immediate inspiration of it to Moses and a mediate Declaration of it by the Spirit of prophesie in Moses to the people and this with some Explication of the Gospel fore-preached concerning Christ and now also 1. Concerning his person that he should come in the flesh that he should come of one of those very Israelites Deu. 18.15 18 19. Act. 3.22 23. 7.36 Joh. 1.41 â5 that he should be very Man that he should be like unto Moses the great Prophet and the Mediator having neerest familiarity with God knowing the whole minde of God and that he should be meek patient loving merciful and faithful and declare all the counsel of God and that they should hearken to him and whosoever hearkned not to him shall perish A Prophet saith he will the Lord thy God raise up to thee from the midst of thee like unto me c. 2. Concerning all true Righteousness and Eternal Life that it is to be found in Jesus Christ that promised Messiah Deut. 30.10 11 15. Rom. 10.4 10. Deut. 17.26 Gal. 3.10 Heb. 7.19 and received by Faith in him whose work for Mankinde is so compleat his Goodness and Grace so evidenced and extended so nigh to the heart that there needs no enquiry for any other help or strength but onely believing according to the Demonstration given for that end and that the end of the Law given was in one part of it to discover the righteous Affections and Services to which men were by it obliged that seeing their sins and desert of the Curse they might be humbled and say Amen to the Curse sentenced and yet without inquiry of any other imaginary help look to Jesus that was to come and believe in him which was typed out to them in the other part of the Law that in observance thereof they might without resistance in those observances look to Christ typed out by them and believe in him and look to him and this was the
also were to be sound in the Faith and such as is aforesaid yea and proved and approved to be such 5. That for the chusing order and number of these Officers it is to be according to the fitness and necessities of the several Churches and the Liberty God-in his Providence gives them the Church among the Corinthians among whom were many divisions and many puft up for some against other were exhorted to that which should be constant even to order in their proceedings and to let such of them as had prophetical gifts 1 Cor. 14.26 29 40. have the precedence in leading but not being fit because of being puft up for one against another c. they were not yet permitted to chuse their outward Officers that so all things might be so set in order till the Apostle came and did that Believers furnish'd with Apostolical or Evangelistical gifts at least needful in such a case But the Church among the Philippians a gracious sweetly-framed people in their fellowship in the Gospel they had their Bishops and Deacons among themselves and were well approved of And the Churches among the Ephesians had also their Bishops and Deacons but still needed more and more helpfulness about them and Timothy that was an Evangelist by his Gifts 2 Tim. 4 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 1.3 8. 3 4 5 6. and to do the work of an Evangelist in his preaching was left as a Bishop or Elder there to oversee both the several Churches and the Elders or Bishops and Deacons in the several Churches to charge some that they teach no other Doctrine beside that delivered them in the Gospel and to silence and stop the Mouths of perverse erronious Ones by the Word and to help them in choise of Officers Tit. 1 2 3. and for the right ordering of all their Assemblies and Manners and for the same cause was Titus left in Crete both to ordain them Elders and oversee both them and the people and give directions to them yet were all these in Corinth Philippi and Ephesus and Crete true Churches and fought not one with another about these outward Forms it being in and to each according to their firness and necessity Now while the immediate Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers lived and thos mediate Ones that had heard and seen them and that the Officers were chosen by and of those of the true Sanctuary who were clothed with the Righteousness of Christ and gloried in the Doctrine of Christ delivered by the twelve Apostles and contemned the glory Rev. 12.1 2. riches and pleasures of this World and that the outward Court was in the Hands of the Saints and they the Ministers and these the Officers therein also the Church appeared beautiful and glorious indeed But in that time the outward Court is left into the hands of the Gentiles the true Sanctuary is trodden down and as one dwelling in a Wilderness among Briars Rev. 12.14 11.1 2 3 4 5. Thorns and wild Beasts and then cloth'd with Sackcloth and yet patiently bearing this shall carry on their Work with the rich spiritual and constant Furniture given which is shewn to be very good and great though they have not all their Priviledges in the outward Court and to encourage I will name one Help more 6. Joh. 11.25 7.38 39. 14.16 26. 16.7 15 23 26. Mat. 28.20 7.7 Mar. 11.23 24. Luk. 1.7.6 Phil. 4.4.5 7 13. To fit and furnish for and in all the former Directions and against all that comes to oppose or hinder us he hath given us his gracious promise to be with us that believing on him his strength and Spirit shall support lead and go forth with us and whatever we finde wanting ask in his Name and it shall be done for and to us that so we may be able to do all things through Christ that strengthneth us so wonderfully are these chosen Ministers fitted for the Ministration of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery And thus much of the several Revelations and so of this last Revelation of Christ CHAP. 17. A Corollary from the Testimony of Christ in the three Branches together with all these several Revelations of Christ to the fullest FRom all that hath been said in the second and third Part of this Treatise and the Scriptures alledged and so in the whole Scripture-Testimony of Christ it appears I. That there is one Faith and but one Faith that is Faith indeed real and true in its kinde and so not divers kindes of Faith each true in its kinde The whole Testimony of Christ holds forth to us one and but one kinde of Faith that is true Faith yea Eph. â 5 upon exhortation to keep the Unity of Spirit this is given as the ground of it There is one Faith as there is one God and Father one Lord and Saviour and one Spirit and so one true Church in which he is so there is one Faith and no more kindes of true Faith then of Gods c. we may see this in every sense the word Faith is used in the Testimony Rom. 1.5 10.8 16.26 Gal. 1.23 3.2 Rom. 4.19 24. Eph. 2.8 Act. 13.8 Rom. 3.20 30. 4.5 5.1 the word Faith being used sometime for the object of Faith and for the Word or Gospel in which that object is set forth and sometime for the Grace of Faith or believing in that object and sometime for both the object and believing so as the Believer is united to it and so still the Faith one and of one kinde For 1. The object of Faith is every way one and the same the Gospel that is the discovering Medium 2 Cor. n. 4. Gal. 1.7 8 9. Col. 1.5 23. the Word of Faith and of Grace though it hath many Branches and Uses yet they flow from meet in one and there is but one and the same Gospel and not another and Jesus Christ set forth and as set forth in this Gospel he is one and there is not another though he be set forth as indeed he is The Son of God and the Son of Man God-Man and what from Eternity he was and what in time he became what he hath done and what he is thereby become and what he is furnished to do 1 Cor. 8.6 Joh. 4.42 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Cor. 8.6 12.6 Gal. 3.20 1 Tim. 2.5 1 Cor. 12.4 11. 2 Cor. 11.4 1 Joh. 5.7 Mar 12.32 34. Joh. 10.29 30. 1 Joh. 5.10 11. and what he doth and will do as the mighty God and the Son of Man as the Saviour of all Men especially of those that believe and the Judge of all yet he is one and but one Lord Jesus Christ the Christ the Saviour of the World and there is not another Jesus that is the Christ and so God the Father that is in Christ and dwells in him though his
Prov. 1.22 23. 9.2 6. Isa 55.2 7. of the Promises of God in the three several Heads or Branches it appears That the Love and Free-Grace of God in all appearing hath enough in it to call and draw in the worst of Men and Unbelievers that hear it Rev. 22.17 Joh. 3.33 Rom. 3.4 1 Joh. 5.10 to repent and believe and to confirm the Faith of Believers and to lead âem to the assurance of Faith for perseverance Oh that Men would believe God more then Men and not make him a liar to justifie Men and surely the Covenants of God are suitable to the Gospel of God and his Purposes and Promises of which next An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART VI. CHAP. I. Of the Covenants of God with the two publick Men. THE Covenants of the Lord are sure and according to his terms of covenanting shall certainly be performed to every Iota but those I am now to consider be such as pertain to life and godliness and so to Salvation And therefore I shall endeavour to set them forth as upon search in and by the Scripture understood according to the Testimony of Christ I finde them either made or promised to be made beginning with those already made and so I shall begin with the two publick Men the first Adam and the second Adam I. What the Covenant made with the first Adam was is not exprest but as it may be gathered by the story and elsewhere in Scripture what such great goodness extended obligeth to and so it cannot be denied but that the Grace of God in the Creation of the Heaven and Earth and a world of Creatures for Man and Man himself in the Image and likeness of God and making him a publick Man and common Father of all Mankinde that were to proceed naturally from him and set him in a place of pleasure and appointed him a service of delight in dressing the Garden making him Lord of all the Creatures below affording him Liberty of Communion with the Creator and a Tree of Life on which eating he might be immortal and live for ever This did oblige him to believe and acknowledge the Word Wisdom Power Truth Love and Goodness of God his Creator and therein to love the Lord his God with all his Minde Heart Soul and Strength and his Neighbour even all Mankinde that was to come of him as himself and so to walk in this belief of God and love of God and his Nieghbour doing whatever God should say unto him from that natural Principle of Righteousness God had implanted in him and though this was to works yet I cannot for all this say God made with him and put him under a Covenant of works to do and live or by doing such things to live not onely because I finde no Record of any such thing imposed by such an Obligation from God on him nor engaged and promised so on the part of Adam but because God in breathing into him the breath of life and making him a living Soul Gen. 2.7 1 Cor. 15.45 Gen. 1.27 Eccles 7.29 Col. 3.10 did so frame him to the likeness of God in Righteousness and Holiness inspiring such a Disposition into his Soul and Aptitude into his Faculties Parts and Members that it was natural to Adam and he freely inclined so to love God and his Neighbour and apted with motion and strength to have walked out in that love yea as natural as for the Sun to give light or the Fire heat or the Earth to bring forth its fruits so as no outward imposed or inforced Law was needed nor was he under the power of any such either to charge or to accuse or excuse If any reply That he was under a Covenant of works because he was set to dress the Garden Gen. 2.8 15. I answer That God put the Man in the Garden to dress it and to keep it is true but That he made that as a Covenant of Works to put Adam under a Covenant of Works it being so easie and delightful it doth no more appear to me then God calling a People out of Darkness and Bondage into Light and Freedom chusing them in and building them on his Son to offer up by him spiritual Sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 9. Luk. 1.74 75. and shew forth his praises and serve him in Righteousness and Holiness should be a putting them under a Covenant of Works If it be replied That the Lord commanded the man saying Of every Tree in the Garden eating thou shalt eat or Gen. 2.16 17. thou maist freely eat but of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for c. I answer This implies that Adam knew the Nature of all the Trees and shews the great Liberty that God gave him in his delightful business of dressing the Garden to eat of them all but one and shewed him the danger of eating of that one to keep him from it and therein gave him both the Oportunity and Liberty of exercising the Freedom of his Will in shewing forth his well-pleasedness with and freeness of abiding in the way of his Creator which else he had been in a sort necessitated to and could not have shewn forth that Freedom as now he might And this is not like a Covenant of Works enjoyning Works unless any will have a ceasing from one Work to be the Works to which if any should tempt him he could not plead want fasting Mat. 4.2 hunger all which was on him that overcame to weaken or necessitate him to it and the Truth is 2 Cor. 11.3 See Part 1. ch 9. 10. Had he abode in the belief of the Word of the Lord he had not eaten of it and so fallen So that by all I can finde The first Adam was under a Covenant of Grace Grace obliging and Grace given leading and so at least a gracious Covenant and so was all Mankinde at first in him during his innocency unless one should deny any thing freely from God to be of Grace and free and undeserved Favour but onely forgiveness of sins and that which follows thereupon and so exclude not onely Adam in his innocency but the Holy Angels also from being under Grace or free Favour But Adam in the Female first and then thereby in the Male listened to the Tempter questioning the Truth and meaning of the Import of the plain Saying of the Lord and so let go his Faith or believing of God's Word and so eat and sinned and fell Gen. 3.1 7. Rom. 5.12 18. and so all Mankinde sinned and fell in him and so in this his fall he lost his righteous Disposition and aptitude to love God and his Neigbour the Law of Righteousness was now out of his heart and a contrary Disposition sprung up therein from the poysonous VVord of the Serpent received and so he and all Mankinde in him fell under the Covenant and Law
his fulness and our interest in him and enjoyment of him who saith Because he liveth we that believe in him shall live also and it is better and safer for us that it is in his Hands then if it were in ours we may better betrust him then our selves for keeping it And knowing all this revealed in the Revelation of Christ and so testified in the Testimony of Christ and therein the Purposes of God to be declared to be such and according thereto the Promises of God given forth and all the Promises assured by his Covenant and now Christ given us for all so as believing in him he is ours and he being ours all that is his is ours his Father Spirit Promises Covenant Inheritance and we his as is all plentifully shewn and proved before in this Treatise Who then can desire a better firmer and stronger assurance of God being ours and with us to preserve us to the Inheritance I confess I have formerly fancied some more particular and personal thing in which I now see I was mistaken And because I meet with Expressions importing the same in others I owning it as my own former mistake will endeavour to remove it from others in considering one Expression more of Mr. Owen's of whose minde in that also I conceive my self to have been CHAP. 11. An Answer to an Expression seeming to cross this last said about assurance or else to give a better THis I finde in Mr. Owen's writing Pag. 139.2 viz. God being with his People from henceforth even for ever is from his giving in that Promise Psal 125.1 c. into their souls in particular and their receiving it in their Generations according to their appointed times even for ever So far he But this saying suits not with the Gospel setting forth Christ to have come in the flesh and to be given for God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth and for a light to the Gentiles and for a Covenant to the People nor is there any place of Senpture in its own plainness and simplicity either to assert it or countenance it no not that very Text it self Let it be considered as agreeing with others 1. They that trust in Jehovah as Mount Sion is not moved Psal 125.1 2. remaineth for ever or as some read it They that put their trust in the Lord are even as the Mount Sion which may not be removed but standeth fast for ever or as we read it They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever 2. The Mountains round about it and Jehovah is round about his people from this time and for ever or as some read it The Hills stand about Jorusalem even so standeth the Lord round about his people from this time forth for evermore or as we read it As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever All comes to one sense in every reading but neither the Text it self nor any Translation of it doth thus read it That such as from God's giving in these particular words to their Souls and they receiving it they shall be as Mount Sion c. nor any such manner of saying here or elsewhere I will not press that I understand not though some of the Learned render it as the Chaldee Explanation and Exposition to be thus The just which trusteth in the word of the Lord and so Jehovah the divine presence or Majesty of the Lord is round about them I say I will not press this though it be far more agreeing with the Text then the former device being suitable to the same thing spoken by another Prophet Isa 26.3 4. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength But not to press farther the words countenance not at all such a saying as I am answering But 2. Evident it is here That the Lord by this Prophet delivereth the same Doctrine for the comfort of his People Psal 125.1 2. with Hab. 2.3.4 that he did after in discovering the Vision to and by the Prophet Habakkuk The vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lye though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry Behold his soul which is listed up is not upright in him but the just shall live by Faith And this is cleared to us by the Apostles to be Rom. 3.22 23 24 25. 4.5 5.1 2 5 6 8 10. Gal. 2.16 That sinners ungodly ones coming in through the Love of God commended in the Death of Christ for sinners to believe in his Blood and therethrough to believe in God to be saved through Christ That God justifieth these through the Blood of Christ and they receive this justification through Faith and so are justified Rom. 1.17 4.22 25. Gal. 2.20 3.11 5.5 6. or just by Faith And these are the just ones of whom Habakkuk speaks And doth not the Apostle farther declare That these just ones do live abide and receive all their strength encrease and safety by Faith in trusting or believing in the Lord and these are the Trusters in God and Livers by Faith of whom both the Prophets speak And to all such Trusters in the Lord that said Psal 125.1 2. is strong Consolation and he should do an evil work that should take them off from this confidence begot in them by the Grace of God in Christ commended through his Blood to sinners by saying Oh you may be deceived and steal this in trusting on the Lord without warrant if these words Psal 1.25.1 2. were not given in in particular to your Souls and you so received them and then it will prove Gravel to you c. But I desire to wrong none I suppose he limiteth it not to these very words But if any such-like be so given in and received as Son be of good cheer thy sins are forgiven thee or I have blotted out thy transgressions as a cloud for my own Name 's sake or I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee or any such-like But though these be great and special mercies to be spiritually streamed into the heart yet not rightly taken or used if it be for such an end as to take them for Gods making the everlasting Covenant with us in particular as with Abraham for all these but one were spoken to the Church in general and were not the making but the remembring of the Covenant made with Abraham which though made in particular and personally with him and so with Isaac and Jacob and after with David in respect of the Kingdom yet was it not made with them or any one of them for themselves in particular but for them
first thing in hearty beleeving whereof we shall surely be saved Secondly Rom. 5.8.10 4.23 24 25. In the proceeding of it uniting to and ingrafting into Christ viz. That through the beleef of this fore-said and the immense love power and propitiousness and good will of God commended here-through beleeve in God and so rest on him for preservation in this grace to the enjoyment of the inheritance and so for the eternal life promised Heb. 11.13 which beleeving is formerly described to be a discerning a being perswaded and a hearty operation c. And all so beleeving without difference are justified by faith which word or term is used to shew the way of receiving justification even by faith not to shew that justification is compleated and over and past for justification is still needed by beleevers and in beleeving daily received of them whence also God is said not onely to be the justifier of him that beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly and so to be he that hath justified the beleever Rom. 4.5 But to be the justifier of him that beleeveth and it is God that justifieth Rom. 3.26 8.33 So as it is a continued flowing business for beleevers in all needs to be receiving by faith that is the onely way of receiving and that in which God dispenseth justification Therefore being justified by faith that is by and through Christ by his bloud Rom. 5.1 2 â 3.25 5.11 John 1.12 Act. 10.43 12.38 39 the object of faith received in and through beleeving on him wee have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord by whom also wee have accesse into this grace wherein wee stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God c. And it should bee an evil work by any strange and lofty expressions to trouble any such beleevers about this faith Rom. 8.32 33-39 Speaketh of that whence the Apostles perswasion was raised and this perswasion not of and for himself alone or some special and peculiar Beleevers with him only But of the whole society and body of Beleevers 1 Joh. 3.1 2. speaketh likewise of the whole society of Beleevers Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed on us that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God Therefore the world knoweth us not owneth not us nor our faith and profession because it knew not him owned not God in that discovery of himself in his Son which hee hath set forth in the gospel Beloved now are wee the sons of God that is by faith and it doth not yet appear what wee shall bee that is 1 Cor. 13 12. Rom. 8.23 Col. 3.4 how glorious and happy we shall be we see yet but in part we are but a little like him we have yet but the first fruits of the spirit but when hee shall appear that is in glory wee shall bee like him for wee shall see him as hee is this is that which all true Beleevers do and may look and wait for Ephe. 3.15 Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 speaks of more than beleevers on the earth and shews that all that are beleevers in Christ and those that have lived and died in the faith have had their name of Sonnes from Christ the Sonne and Beleevers now by vertue of their union with him in beleeving and from him now are they called Christians and his house c. And it is confessed in a sense hee puts his Name on them though it bee not here said they are called after the name of God But let it bee considered that here is shown how the Apostle prayed for them Eph. 3 14.-19 as was in Chap. 1 18.-20 And surely for nothing but what was good and needfull for them hee doth not puff them up with thoughts of their attainments Eph. 1.13 because they had beleeved and were sealed with the holy spirit of promise And were quickned together with Christ and were raised together and made to sit together in heavenly places in him Eph. 2.5 6 8 and were saved by grace through faith of the gift of God therefore they had and injoyed these things hee prayed for and it was impossible for them to miscarry though they knew not that they had these things and so wanted only the knowledge in themselves of the assurance of their abiding Nor doth he scare or terrify them as if their faith were not of the right kind and that Christ and his holy spirit were not in them But hee acknowledging their faith right and them faithful in Christ tells them now earnestly and for what hee prayeth for them Phil. 1.9 10 11. Col 1.9 10 11 1 Thes 3.12 13. 5.23 2 Thes 1.11 12 Eph. 3.14 15 that they may abide and grow and be preserved and established in the faith and so found unblameable before him at his comming As hee did the like for the Phillipians and for the Colossians and for the Thessalonians and so likewise for the Hebrews chap. 13.20 And so here to the Ephesians hee lets them know To whom and in whose name he prayed for them even unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named In which are many things encouraging both him and them to pray to God in the name of Christ As the exceeding greatnesse of the power of God that gave and raised Christ Eph. 1.19 22 2.17 18 19 22. Heb. 3.5 6 c. The relation between the Father and the Son and his ingagement to his Son by whom the ways of our approach to have access to God was opened the fellowship corporation and body hee hath received us into and made us of even his own house and family and so his interest in us Eph 1.23 3 14 and ours in him our Lord and the owner of this house And Lastly That in putting his word in their heart and inabling them to beleeve and confesse the same hee hath put his name upon them so farre that hee is pleased to bee called their God and Father and they called his people and the declarers of his name which with the rest gives great consolation seeing hee hath promised to hear his people that are called by his name when they humble themselves and pray and seek his face and pray towards or in the house that is called by his name 2 Chron. 7 12-14 6 20-41 which as the old was a tipe signifies Christ and his people and so to pray in faith in the Name of Christ and in union with and love of the brethren Joh. 16.23 Mar. 11.24 25 Psal 65 1-4 Hee being a God hearing prayers and they blessed whom he chooseth and causeth to approach to him that they may dwell in his house for they shall bee satified And as this is great consolation for Beleevers confident praying so it hath in it also a forcible and great admonition to Beleevers to
An Explicite DECLARATION OF The Testimony OF CHRIST According to the plain Sayings of the Gospel And therein Of the PURPOSES PROMISES and COVENANTS of God as by GOSPEL declared With A Consideration of a QUESTION stated about FAITH By Thomas Moore Senior Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope Printed at London by J. C. for Livââel Chapman at the Crown in Popes head alley 1656. To such as believe the Testimony of CHRIST GOD having given to all men an object of Faith Act. 17.31 Rom. 16.26 Mar. 16.15 Jam. 1.18 Rom. 10.10 15. 4.5 22 25. and commanded it to be made known by the Scriptures preached to all Nations for the obedience of Faith and that believing it which is begot thereby and closeth therewith so as to rest thereon for that promised being therefore by him called Faith and to such Believers Faith imputed for Righteousness So as it is verily true Heb. 11.6 Eph. 2.17 18. Act. 10.43 13.38 39. Rom. 5.1 2 3 5. Heb. 11.2 Act. 18.26 9.15 Rom. 11.20 Eph. 2.8 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Thess 1.10 1 Job 5.10 By Faith we come and approach to God by Faith we receive remission of sins by Faith we are justified and approved of God by Faith we receive the vertues of the Sacrifice and Blood of Christ by Faith we are sanctified and conformed to the minde of Christ by Faith we stand and are saved by Faith we receive the Testimony of Christ and so come to have that Testimony and therein the holy Spirit testifying and Christ testified of and the Father that is in Christ dwelling in our heart by Faith Eph. 3.17 Gal. 3.26 Hab. 2.4 Rom. 1.17 Gal. 1.13 1 Joh. 5.4 5. Heb. 11. all 1 Pet. 1.5 so as by Faith we are the Sons of God and in all trials and temptations by Faith we live yea by Faith we have the victory over the flesh the world and the devil and by Faith may be enabled to do worthily in our generations and be constant in all services of love enduring through all sufferings till we die in the Faith and so in the Resurrection shall receive the kingdom for we are kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation I therefore am perswaded it is our best service and fruit of love Jude 20.3 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Eph. 4.4 5. to edifie one another in this most holy Faith yea and to contend for it also against the opposers of it and know this Faith to be one and that there is but one Faith that is Faith indeed though in time past I have conceited divers kindes of Faith and now lately meeting with a Question stated in which are asserted two kindes of Faith each true and real in its kinde by M. John Owen in his Book entituled The Doctrine of the Saints perseverance I was mov'd in my heart to consider the same and to answer some Expressions of his yet leaving the handling of the Controversie to those more fit to whom it may appertain acknowledging all for Truth in his Book that is found in the Testimony of Christ and stands with the Rule proposed by himself also and refuse the rest according to his own counsel direction wherein I have endeavored by plain Testimony and sayings of Scripture to set forth the true Faith in the object of it and Grace of believing with its efficacies and so to encourage men to believe and believers to persevere I desire the plain Testimony of Scripture may be believed and so far as any of us are by the Spirit therein brought to acknowledg Christ and desire the exaltation of his Name and winning in of others thereto and encrease and growth of grace in believers let us keep this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace that so in all our other differing apprehensions and expressions we may so contend for what the Scripture saith that whatever absurdity thereby we seem to cast upon any expressions of one another it may be without judging or despising of one another taking opposed expressions as consequences of misconception in the fancy and not fruits of the principle of grace in such as acknowledge Jesus the Lord nor judging them graceless or having no principle of grace because of such an expression that so we may do all things in charity seeking the edification of one another and so I hope if any be otherwise minded God will reveal the same to them onely whereto we have attained let us walk by the same rule of Faith and Love and believe what Scripture testifieth and not be waved from that the Scriptures being able to make us wise unto salvation through Faith that is in Jesus Christ And so committing my self and labour to the Lord 's gracious good pleasure and to Believers to be tried and received or refused as they are found to be agreeing or disagreeing with the plain sayings of the Testimony of Christ I rest Wittlesey Oct. 12. 1655. A well-willer of all that love the Lord Jesus Christ Thomas Moore The Contents of the Treatise in seven Parts PART I. An Introduction to the Testimony of Christ Chap. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error pag. 1. Chap. 2. Evidences of the Truth and plainness of the Testimony pag. 4. Chap. 3. Of the enmity of Flesh and Satan and their way of opposing pag. 9. Chap. 4. An Assay to remove the Objections of those that pretend Spirit and Inspiration Where what meant by Christ what by Scripture what by Letter and what by Spirit pag. 11. Chap. 5. An Answer to such as seek to trouble by words pag. 20. Chap. 6. Answer to such as pretend Scripture to trouble with pag. 26. Chap. 7. A Conclusion with the consent of a learned man pag. 32. Chap. 8. An Assay to direct the weak to finde the Testimony of Christ in the plain sayings thereof pag. 34. Chap. 9. Of the Creation of Mankinde in the first Adam pag. 41. Chap. 10. Of the fall and misery of him and Mankinde pag. 44. Chap. 11. Of the immutability of God notwithstanding pag. 49. Chap. 12. Of the remedilesness in Mankinde fallen to help himself and the wonderfulness of help in another pag. 55. Chap. 13. Of the similitudes and dissimilitudes between the first now old and the new Creation pag. 60. PART II. A declaration of the testimony of Christ in the branches of it Chap. 1. Of the Testimony of Christ who what a one and whence pag. 67. The first Branch Chap. 2. Of the Oblation of Christ pag. 73. Chap. 3. What that was which was offered up in Sacrifice pag. 75. Chap. 4. Who it was that offered up this Sacrifice pag. 76. Chap. 5. To whom be offered this Sacrifice pag. 83. Chap. 6. For whom and in whose behalf he offered it pag. 86. Chap. 7. For what Christ offered this Sacrifice for men viz. To make
the Testimony of CHRIST according to the plain sayings of the GOSPEL PART I. CHAP. 1. A Direction to discern Truth from Error ISa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it 's because there 's no morning or Light in them Now God hath according to his Promise given forth his Son for a Covenant to the People and a Light to the Gentiles a Isa 42.1 6 7. 49.6 with Luk. 2.31 32. Act. 13.47 and so for a Law b Isa 42.4 and for a Witness or Testimony c Isa 33.4 1 John 4.9 10. John 3.16 yea the Scripture witnesseth of Christ and Moses and all the Prophets wrote and spake of him d Joh. 5.39 40. Act. 3.22 24. and He is the Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person e Heb. 1.3 Col. 1.15 in whose Face the Knowledge of the Glory of God shineth f 2 Col. 4.6 he received the Word of the Gospel in which both Law and Testimony is from the Father and in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding g Deut. 18.18 Isa 42.1 6.1 2 3. Col. 2.3 and he spake the words the Father gave him to speak h Ioh. 3.34 â7 16 12.49 50. and his Record is true i John 8.14 and he spake of excellent things and the opening of his Mouth was right things his Mouth spake Truth and wickedness is an abomination to his Lips all the words of his Mouth in Righteousness nothing wreathed or froward or perverse in them they are all plain to him that understandeth and Right to them that finde Knowledge k Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. And this Word and Gospel which he received and preached he gave unto his Apostles and first Witnesses and gave them the Holy Spirit which gave them to understand and receive the same l John 15.16 17.6 8. By which Spirit they had the Meaning and Mystery in them so revealed to them as never was to any in any ages before m John 14.26 16.13 14 15. Col. 1.26 27. And so he put and bound and sealed the Law and Testimony in his Disciples n Isai 8.16 2 Cor. 5.19 as in some measure he still doth in them that believe o 1 John 2.8 Col. 3.16 and this Word Gospel and Testimony did the Apostles preach as they had received of the Lord according to the Revelation of the Mystery p Rom. 16.25 26 1 Cor. 11.23 and this with great plainness of Words and evidence and demonstration of Spirit and power q 1 Cor. 2.4 2 Cor. 3.12 And this they also writ and left upon Record in such plainness that they intended nothing but what we in their Writings read r Phil. 3.1 2. 2 Cor. 1.13 and in reading may understand their Knowledge in the Mystery of Christ s Ephes 3.3 4. whence Christ that by his Spirit set them on this work as he did the Prophets before and by that Holy Spirit guided them in writing saith Have not I written to thee excellent things in Counsels and Knowledge that I might make thee know the certainty of the Words of Truth that thou mightst answer the Words of Truth to them that send unto thee t Prov. 22.20 21. And so it is affirmed That that which was and is so written is upright Words of Truth acceptable Words and Words of delight to receive and declare the Minde of God in and so fit also for the Preacher u Eccles 12.10 2 Tim. 3.16 17. So that the Law and Testimony as it is manifested in the first coming of Christ and by him given to his first Witnesses and by them delivered and recorded to us is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort and so the whole Scripture as witnessing of Christ and opened by Christ to them and by them to us w John 5.39 Luk. 24.25 26 27 44 45 46 47. Rom. 15.3 4 16.25 26. 2 Pet. 3.2 for Christ spake by his Spirit in the Ministration of Noah x 1 Pet. 3.19 and it was the Spirit of Christ in the Prophets that did signifie to them when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow y 1 Pet. 1.11 the Spirit of the Son being also the Spirit of the Father and that by which God ever hath and doth testifie of his Son z 1 John 5 6. And so God at the first did immediately preach the Gospel in Paradise and after more fully to Abraham in Canaan a Gen. 3.15 15.5 17.1 8. and afterwards by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets b Luk. 1.69 70. which Prophets spake and writ as they were moved by the Holy Ghost c 2 Pet. 1.21 whence what the Spirit foresaw and preached the Scripture that was written by his Inspiration is said to foresee and preach d Gen. 12.3 with Gal. 3.8 16. And what the Scripture saith the Holy Ghost is said to say e Psal 95.7 with Heb. 3.7 And we shall finde many sayings in the Scriptures both of Moses and the following Prophets testifying of Jesus Christ his coming and sufferings and resurrection and glory setting him forth to be the great Prophet High Priest and King and God's Salvation to the end of the Earth and that whoever believeth in him shall not be ashamed calling men to look to him and be saved And this is the main thing to which the Scripture testifieth all other parts and portions of Scripture besides this plain Testimony being subservient and having their tendencie to this even to lead men to the Knowledge and Acknowledgement of this Testimony and so of Christ testified therein f John 5.39 And so The Genealogies from Adam to Abraham g Gen. 5.1 32. 11.10 26. Luk. 3. and from Abraham to David and from David to Christ h Mat. 11 18 25. Luke 3.23 32. are to demonstrate of whom Christ came according to the flesh and that he is very Man of the Seed of a Woman c. And also the Love Truth and Faithfulness of God in performing his Promise i Act. 13.32 33. Gal. 4.4 The end of the Law given to and by Moses was to be a School-Master to Christ k Gal. 3.24 and for Righteousness to have it in Christ l Rom. 10.4 the one part of the Law that of ten Words was to discover sin and sentence to death that men might die to themselves magnifie Grace and be quickened by Christ and live to him m Rom. 3.19 20. 4.15 5.20 Gal. 2.19 20. 3.19 The other part that of Types and Figures in Temple Altar Propitiatory Priests Sacrifices Washings c. To figure and shadow out the Truth that was to be found in Jesus that was to come n Heb. 8.5 9.8 9. 7.19 And so many Metaphors and
to turn aside therefrom so proud to think you know more and better than all these so singular from all other Men in your Opinion and Way know you not it will be an Offence to our learned Men and Teachers and lay a blemish on them and our Fore-fathers as if they were mistaken and did erre Answ We have a plain Answer to all this in the Doctrine of Christ that all Doctrines Sayings Interpretations Glosses Sences Traditions that are not found in the Law and Testimony that have but the Doctrine and Tradition of Men to warrant them how many learned and how ancient soever they be yet they must not be taken because their Words and Sense to be therefore right but must be rectified and brought to the plain sayings of Truth and all not so rectified must be rejected And thus did our Saviour rectifie the commonly received sense of the Law and rejected the false Glosses a Mat. 5.21.22 39. Mar. 10.3 9. and so he hath likewise taught us That it is in vain and makes the Word and Sayings of God of none effect to teach and believe and worship God with and by the Doctrines Traditions and Opinions of Men that are not in the Sayings of God and so not of him but of men how many learned holy or ancient soever they appear b Isa 29.14 Mat. 15.1 9. Mar. 7.1 14. And he hath likewise taught us That every Plant which our Heavenly Father hath not planted must be plucked up and God's own Sayings Believers are to justifie whoever be thereby found a lyer letting such lyers alone not being troubled with fear of offending them because they be blinde leaders of the blinde c Mat. 15.13 14. 11.19 Rom. 3.4 The Jews of old were commended for observing the plain Words and Sayings of the Law though many right holy Men for divers Generations before had not done so exactly according to the plain saying of the Law d Neh. 8.14 15 16 17. yea the Priests and Scribes of the Jews in Herod's time when they answered a Question with a plain saying of Scripture erred not in the Answer given e Mat. 2.5 6. so victorious is the Truth in its own sayings Nor is it Pride or sinful Singularity or just cause of Offence to any to believe the Sayings of God to be true whoever be reproved as a lyer thereby but rather true Humility in laying aside our own Wisdom and desire of Repute with humane Rabbies and it is Obedience to God in justifying him in his Sayings which are never rightly understood but in believing them f 1 Cor. 3.18 19 20. Rom. 3.4 so that he that believeth the plain sayings in the Testimony of Christ to be true will not hearken to or be waved by this Objection Object 2 It is not like yea not possible yea against Reason That Moses should speak of so low a business as the Creation of this visible World with visible Heaven Earth and Creatures or That from one Man and one Woman the World should be so people'd by Noah 's time or That eight Persons with Creatures of all kindes should be preserved a whole yeer in such an Ark as is mentioned when all the World of Mankinde and other Creatures besides should be drowned or That if the World were so drowned that it should be so people'd and inhabited so fully by Abraham 's time or That there should be Three in One God and yet God but One or That God in the Person of his Son should become Man or That that Man should be God and yet die or if as Man he died that that very Body that died should be risen again and ascended into Heaven and remain so long in the Heavens or That by his Death and Righteousness other Men should be saved or That if there be such a thing as Eternal Salvation if God made all Men and Christ died and gave himself a Ransom for All that All should not be Eternally saved or That there should be a Resurrection of all the Bodies that have died since Adam 's time c. Answer These are all such plain Blasphemous and Atheistical Assertions that they are rather to be abhorred and answered with silence and departure than any parleying about such Absurdities and Infidel-like Blasphemies according to the Counsel given us not to answer but depart g Prov. 26.4 14.7 Isa 36.21 yet because many devise Allegories to make them true in an Allegorical Sense thereby to colour their Atheism and Unbelief and pretend a Fancy of higher things though they are vain Fancies and Dreams Prov. 26.5 we may give an Answer beside plain Denial which yet were enough And so it 's answered That however Types and Shadows and Parables might be Allegorized to an Agreement in a spiritual sense with the substance of Truth shadowed and typed Col. 2.17 2 Pet. 1 16. 2.1 2 18. Jude 12. yet the Truth it self is no Type or Shadow no Fable nor can there be any higher Business so as it admits not of Allegorizing and such as fancy Allegories to shew something more high and spiritual their Allegories are vain Dreams Fancies meer Winde and Vanity As for others not so far departed from the Faith that yet not believing the extent of God's own Sayings about his own Works of Creation Redemption and Extention of means that men might partake of Redemption c. who to colour their Unbelief bring in Forrain Senses and limiting Interpretations as if the words of a Man concerning the work of a Man and not the Words of God concerning the Works of God and so where he faith All men every man they gloss it Some of all sorts if he say The world and The whole world they will gloss it The world of the Elect. Whereas in a saying that is of God and his works if general and large and no saying of his contradicting it at any time there can be no limitation let not mortal Man presume to be wiser than his Maker But our Saviour's Answer may serve for all these who tells us That Unbelief and Ignorance of the Scripture and of the Power of God is the cause of all such Errors g Mat. 22.29 Mat. 12.24 and disables to give any right Interpretation Allegorical or Logical Object 3 You have the Scripture but in a Translation and have not sufficient Words to import the full sense of many Words in your Language which the Hebrew and Greek the Original in which the Scriptures were writ do import therefore the sayings are not plain to you that understand not the original Tongues Answer This is a meer gull to deceive the ignorant that their Rabbies might be Lords of their Faith for against this Objection we may finde in the Scripture it self many things viz. 1. That all words are not in every sentence to be taken according to the full extent of the Etymologie of the word as where it is said Our Saviour will
2 Cor. 4.5 6 7. Isa 42 1-10 Act. 5.31 was from hearing and beholding Christ the Son and so as the Lord gave to every man by his Spirit writ his Epistle in their heart If any desire farther honour to himself Iohn disowns it Christ forbids it the Apostles disclaim it so no wrong done in the quotation yet for giving this Honour to Christ as that glorious Object by vertue of his Oblation and by vertue of his Intercession also thereby such a full flowing Fountain of Life and Prince giving Repentance and Remission of sins that through him discovered and by him the Beholders of him are brought to believe I am not onely blamed but charged to learn this of the old Serpent 2. I answer I have learned to give this Honour to Christ from God the Father that saith Isa 42.1 2 7. 49.7 9. 55.4 5. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. Joh. 5.19 20 25 27. Eph. 2.8 Col. 2.12 Act. 5.31 Isa 55.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 3.4 5 6. He hath put his Spirit on Christ for that end That he should call and open the eyes of the blinde and cause such as foreknew him not to come in to him I have learned from Jesus Christ That he was anointed and filled with Spirit to that end and That the Father and he are one and That the Father doth nothing but the Son doth the same And this honour the Father hath given to the Son That all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father and Faith being the Gife of God and the Operation of God it is verily The Gift of Christ and the Operation of Christ yea He is Author and finisher Alpha and Omega in this work also yea I have learned it from the Holy Spirit both in the Testimony born by the Prophets and Apostles and for a plain express Answer 3. I am learned by the Spirit in the Gospel not only Tobelieve in Christ and on Christ as Mr. Owen saith but also as the Medium of both In the Name and on the Name of Christ yea and also in express words That all that rightly believe it is by Christ 1 Pet. 1.20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for you Vers 21. Who by him do believe in God that raised him from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God So that to give this Honour to Christ and his Oblation and Intercession That it is by him that men believe in God 1 Cor. 12.2 and so to confess him Lord is by the Holy Ghost though many dare say It 's from the Serpent because it exalts not them in the place of Christ as Rabbies But enough of this nor will I take notice here to answer any more such stuff in that Book of Mr. Owen's it having been fairly answered by a learned and godly Brother But in his pretended Answer to Mr. Iohn Goodwin the Book I minded that occasioned this Discourse he saith Pag. 217. Sect. 3. That Christ interceded for his Elect for whom he died that they may believe which he saith is denied by those he opposeth which both Saying and Aspersion he might have forborn for those he opposeth do hold as firmly as himself and more cleerly according to the Scriptures That Christ intercedeth in a peculiar and special manner for his Elect and chosen Ones that approach to God by him yea even for Believing and Faith in that sense that Believing is taken for abiding Believing and more firmly Believing and for Faith as Faith is taken for Confirmation and Perseverance in the Faith 1 Joh. 5.13 as is shewn in this fore-written Yea more than Mr. Owen can yet be brought to confess even That Christ in act or undertaking died for them before they were elect and That there was not any in him to lay aside the Heavenly Glory and die and rise and offer the Oblation in him and so to be the Mediator in and with him for then there would not have been that room for Imputation or Application to them nor could deserved Grace have been so freely bestowed But he did all this alone and in that respect is the Root and Fountain of Election also so that the Elect are beholding to the Oblation and Intercession of Christ for Election as well as for Faith yea and they believe That Christ interceded for these men also that they might believe but that was before they were personally Elect and so then not for them as they were Elect which then was not nor were they such but as they were Men of the World and Transgressors that means might be extended to them and they so brought to believe 2 Thes 2.13 and in this believing of the Truth chosen through the Sanctification of the Spirit which is God's Way And so Election in some sense a Fruit of Faith but Faith in the beginning of it and first coming into it is not in a proper sense a Fruit of Election yea furely we believe That all the Elect are a holy and peculiar people 2 Pet. 2.5 9. called out of Darkness into his marvelous Light and all of them that yet live on this Earth to shew forth his Praises now as those for whom he especially intercedeth That they may be kept Psa 102.17 23. that when all the Just shall be raised we may all more fully shew forth his Praises together but we dare not entertain vain fancies and dreams to vent them among the Rebellious as if some of them might even now while Rebellious be God's Elect for ought any man knoweth because the plain Sayings of Scripture are against this as hath been plentifully shewn and for that which we believe also and so for the Mediation of Christ in general for all men and more especially for Believers already shewed The third Branch of the Testimony of Christ CHAP. 16 Of the coming again of Christ and the manner thereof FOr the coming again of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ it being one part of the Testimony of Christ it is needful also to be known and believed it being also of the very Object of Faith set forth in the Gospel to be believed so as without believing it no Man's Faith is compleat and entire in respect of the Object of Faith or Doctrine of the Gospel to be believed yet before I proceed in treating of it it is good to consider what manner of coming it is that is here spoken of because divers comings are spoken of in the Scripture though never but of two personal and bodily comings The first called His coming in the Flesh in Abasements to suffer and overcome in sufferings and so to offer the acceptable Sacrifice and so to make the Atonement obtain Redemption receive Spirit in the Man and sit on the right hand of God as the Mediator and great High-Priest and Prophet and King to send forth Spirit to Men
died and rose again and so that on his Ascension he received in that personal Body of his the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost to send forth and then and not till then but even then he did send forth the Holy Ghost upon his first Witnesses with all these his spiritual gifts Eph. 4.7 8 11 12. and this is evident in the Apostles fore-inference and in the Prophesie of it and in the testified performance of it and in this express Affirmation As for outward Offices for Order in Churches for teaching and leading in the Administration of Outward Ordinances they were before according to God's Direction both for Temples Synagogues and Families as well as those that follow for their time among these as Elders or Bishops and Deacons which are to be chosen by the Church which is to follow Christ in cnusing whom he hath fitted and not enjoyning him to follow them in fitting whom they have chosen or else to allow him no Ministers in his Church but of these after in fit place 2. That these gifts Luk. 24.48 bear not the names of ordinary Officers in the outward polity of the Church but the names of the Offices and Business of the first Witnesses of Christ Act. 26.18 which were to preach him to bring in such as were no Church that they might be a Church and of the Church Act. 24.21 22 23. and then to edifie the Church and so a true Church in being which was before and while as yet there was no such outward ordinary Officers for the outward polity thereof ordained therein they being ordained in the Churches some time after the Churches were congregated and in being And so we finde Luk. 6.13 That of the Disciples immediately called by Jesus Christ himself that after they were come to and followed him as Disciples he then called them to him and first of them he chose twelve whom he named Apostles Luk. 10.1 17. whom he sent forth to witness of him and preach him and also that after that he appointed other seventy and sent them to go before his face which could be no less then to evangelize yea Mat. 5.14 15 16. all his Disciples he appointed to be a Light to the World and to let their Light shine forth in Word and Conversation so preaching him yet with these gifts fitting for the great business that was to be done were they not yet endued nor could be Joh. 16.7 Luk. 24.49 Act. 1.4 5. 2.1 33. till Christ had suffered and ascended and so were to go forth where Christ was not named c. till after Christ his Ascension they were by his pouring forth the Holy Ghost on them indued with power from on high and by this and their exercise and allegations of Scripture in their Ministery it appeareth that the first primary and choice gift was the gift of Apostle 1 Cor. 12.28 put in this his first and by himself immediately gathered Church and this appeareth to be such a spiritual Manifestation Isa 52.15 Rom 15.18 19 20 21. Light Knowledge and Gift for teaching Christ with such spiritual power and efficacy as apted and enabled them to preach Christ where and to those he was not before known to be The Christ 2 Cor. 3.10 11. 2 Cor. 9.2 2 Cor. 3.1 2 3. 13.3 4 5. or else where he was not so much as named and so known at all and so not to be the first instrumental layers of the Foundation and such brought in by them were the seal of their Apostleship And in this gift of Apostle this is also to be farther noted That in it all the rest were included so as such as had the gift of Apostle had therein all the other following gifts as of Prophet Evangelist Pastor and Teacher though others that had these had not all that was in the gift of an Apostle The next gifts here mentioned are Prophets and Evangelists first here naming Prophet and then Evangelist because of the double efficacy for convincement and drawing on to believe else they may be called by one or either of the Names and so the Apostle elsewhere includes Evangelest in that Phrase of Prophet 1 Cor. 12.28 saying secondarily Prophets by which with the phrase Evangelist used here and by their Ministration and the effects we may discern what these gifts or this double gift is Prophesie here not to be limited to that gift of fore-telling some events to come which was more before then since the Ascension of Christ Act. 21.10 11. such as that of Agabus but it was such a spiritual Manifestation Light Knowledge and Gift for teaching Christ with such power and efficacy as apted and enabled them so to preach Christ as might tend to the convincement of unbelievers Joh. 16.7 8 9 10 11. 1 Cor. 14.24 25. and the throwing down all their strong holds convincing them of the fulness of all Foundation for trusting in or doors of approach to God besides Christ that he is the onely Foundation door of approach to God which was done in prophesying and in this respect the gift for this called the gift of Prophet Rom. 10.15 Act. 11.20 21. and then the drawing in the convinced to believe in Christ and so turn to the Lord which is the proper effect of evangelizing and so the Apostle saith The Word was evangelized 1 Pet. 1.21 2 25. to those that were brought in to believe whence the gift is called Evangelist most frequently though also both are called Prophet And this is also to be here noted That Evangelist includeth Pastor and Teacher so as those that had the gift of Evangelist had therein also the gift of Pastor and Teacher though all that had the gift of Pastor and Teacher had not also all that was in the gift of Prophet and Evangelist And so The next gift here mentioned is And some Pastors Teachers he saith not as before of the other And some Pastors and some Teachers as if these were several and distinct and different gifts as the other though in this as in the former there may be a various distribution in the measure to some more than to others 1 Cor. 12.4 5 8. yet feeding and teaching is in them all yea feeding is by teaching and right teaching the way of right ruling and feeding and so as the Apostle includes both these Pastor and Teacher in one word saying thirdly Teachers yea Pastors are in and with these gifts so as Apostles are Pastors and Prophets and Evangelists are Pastors and Teachers are Pastors and all of them are Teachers 1 Cor. 12.28 yet all according to their several gifts and the measure of Faith given unto them and so all of them together Stewards and Shepherds and in this is seen something of the spiritual Kingdom of Christ in this World as was also typed in the temporal Kingdom of David in which was King Priest Prophets and
Thes 5.12 13. 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Heb. 3.7 17. Col. 4.17 and submit to them in all lawful outward Order for Church-Affairs and as they labour in the Word and Doctrine to count them worthy double honor for their Works sake that so they may more cheerfully and fully perform their Ministery and to reprove and warn them if they neglect their Ministration so that these Officers are for the help commodity and service of the Church and so not for bondage but enlargement 3. 1 Tim. 3.2 3 5 8 12. Tit. 1.7 8 9. Act. 6.3 That the Men that are to be chosen into these Offices must be of their Brethren of the holy place such as are known to be faithful and spiritually gifted holding the Mystery of Faith even the faithful Word as it hath been taught from the Apostles in a pure Conscience That they be not double-tongued not self-willed not soon angry not covetous not greedy of filthy lucre not given to Wine no fighters or brawlers but sound in the Faith and also sober vigilant holy temperate and apt to teach each Man having but one Wife and ruling well his own House that they also be not accused of Riot c. These even such of the true Sanctuary are by them of the true Sanctuary to be chosen for this Ministration that the Church may be edified well ordered and governed as is at large shewn in the Epistles to Timothy and to Titus 4. That for the Officers to be chosen and set in Office they are of two sorts called by several Names 1. Elders or Bishops 2. Deacons 1. The first is Elder or Bishop for both these signifie one and the same Office as is beforesaid and he is to be such a one as aforesaid as for his skill in divers Tongues and Philosophy and Liberal Sciences and Arts so much extolled in the Wisdom of the Gentiles or his Collegiate Education in the Worlds Universities nothing is mentioned or required in that but onely that he be not a Novice or one newly come to the Faith that is not spiritually learned and established in the Faith lest he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil not content with his place to abide speaking according to the proportion of the Faith dealt out to him 1 Tim. 3.6 Jude 6. Col. 2.18 2 Pet. 3.16 1 Pet. 5.1 2 c. 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 7. Tit. 1.6 7 8.9 but puft up with his Function and Office or with that humane Learning if he have it intrude into things he hath not seen and pervert the Scriptures to maintain it and Lord it over his Brethren But that he be one that is found in the Faith and endued with spitual Gifts in fore-exercise whereof he is known to hold fast the faithful Word and to be apt to teach and so also to be such a one as is foresaid and his Office is especially to oversee and watch over the Souls 1 Tim. 3.15 16. 2 Tim. 2.15 3.14 17. Heb. 13.17 1 Tim. 4.6 12. and spiritual state of his Brethren and so to divide in his Doctrine to every one sutably that they may grow in Faith and Love the Fruits thereof as one that is to give account of the same to God In all which also they are with their Doctrine in their Life to be a pattern and example to their Brethren and they also are to counsel Act. 6.2 7. 8.12 1 Cor. 1.14 17. 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.9 Jam. 5.5 14. direct and help in the order of the Assemblies and sometime also themselves to baptize and to order the times of Assemblings and manner of proceedings in the Assemblies and to lead in the Administration of the Supper and give counsel in ordering distribution of Church-Almes and to be sent for to pray when any is sick And in respect of Church-Officers by an outward Ecclesiastical choice Act. 15.4 6. 1 Pet. 5.1 2 Cor. 4.5 Heb. 13.7 these may be said to be the first-born of the strength of the Church the first chosen the first that we read of by their Names yea the Apostles were also Elders and being such and so demeaning themselves as the Servants of the Church in their Ministration as the Apostles and prime Christian Elders did They are blessedly useful and profitable and meet to be highly esteemed submitted to and followed But if any of these under the pretence of this Office should assume to themselves to be the onely Pastors and Teachers and so to be the Church and God's Clergy or Inheritance the onely Priests and Levites and that none is to presume to preach the Word and to be Pastors and Teachers but such as have the Authority from them and come into their Order And that Believers must understand the Word according to their Interpretation submit themselves to their Injunctions and Traditions and so Lord it over their Brethren and become Lords of their Faith and Lords of their Gifts so assuming the place or bed of Christ himself Then the Church may say of them Gen. 49.3 4. as Jacob of his Son Reuben Reuben thou art my first-born my might and the beginning of my strength the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power unstable as water thoushalt not excel because thou wentest up to thy Father's bed c. yea this would come neer to and make way for that sin of the Man of sin 2 Thes 2.4 and so be the in-let and way-making for the outward Court to be left into the hands of the Gentiles Rev. 9.1 2 3. 11.2 2 Cor. 1.24 4.5 12. 10.18 11.2 1 Pet. 5.3 and to have the Holy City trodden under foot Whence the Apostles abhorred all such lording it over their Brethren and so did all the prime Elders and warned following Elders to beware of the same and when such an evil time comes the witnesses in the true Sanctuary Rev. 11.1 3 4. may go on in the strength of the Lord without measuring or fighting for the outward Court and letting it be where it is and chuse and take as neââ is such of themselves and in such manner as they may safely and lawfully have and so prosper though in disgrace and persecution 2 The second sort are called Deacons Act. 6. 7 8.5 2. 1 Tim. 3.13 Act. 13.15 15.4 1 Cor. 1.14 whose Office is especially to oversee the necessities of the poor and exhort their Brethren to a merciful relieving of them and these to receive and faithfully and wisely to dispense the benevolence of the Church And these were first ordained upon a necessity of the prime Elders lest they who before had done it should by continuing that business be hindred from attending the Ministration of the Word and Prayer and these Deacons were also to help the Elders in Ministration and to assist in preaching and baptizing 1 Tim. 3.9 10. and also in breaking bread as is seen in the Acts and Timothy and these
works be manifold yet he is but one God he is one and so the Holy Spirit that proceedeth from the Father and the Son and discovereth Christ and God in Christ and beareth forth the Testimony though his Gifts and Operations be manifold yet the Spirit is one in the same yea the Father and Son and Holy Spirit are one and the same God one in Essence Will Design Testimony and Power and God in Christ propitious to Men and having prepared Eternal Life in Christ for Men this is the Object of Faith to be preached and believed and if this were not there could be no such thing as the Gospel calls Faith to be preached obeyed or enjoyed And this is one 2. The Grace of Faith or that believing in the Gospel that is called Faith it is that believing which is begot in the heart by the Discovery and Testimony Heb. 11.13 Joh. 6.40 Act. 6.7 Rom 3.25 10.8 9 10. the Spirit in the means he useth hath given of Christ in which a Man discerneth the Truth and Goodness testified is perswaded of it in his heart And this is one one way and manner of believing that Object of Faith and from thence it is called Faith and so truely still one Faith the Object discovered having drawn to it self a believing 3. So when through the Operation of Grace believed the Heart imbraceth the Object believed Heb. 11.13 Rom. 10.10 and so by Faith is united to it in trust and well-pleasedness c. it is still but one and the same Faith the same Object uniting to it self whence indeed it hath the name of Faith so as still Faith is one and but one II. That as Faith is used for the prevalency of the Object of Faith drawing the Hearer and Beholder to believe and so for the Grace of Faith or Believing though the Faith be one yet there are divers Degrees in and of it and divers Acts and Operarations of it 1. One Degree of Believing which in respect of the Testimony by which it is begot and which it believeth Joh. 2.23 12.42 and which if abiden in it will unite to may be called faith is yet short of a real new-birth it is such a belief of the Gospel-Testimony as according to light seen one believeth Jesus to be the Christ so far as to count his saying true and yet not so overcome by that believed to see and acknowledge his own vileness and the vanity of all his own best righteousness and his sin in not sooner believing by evidences foregiven and so see not yet the fulness and liberty in Christ for them and so are not by the knowledge of the Truth made single to Christ they are sprinkled with water and moved with Spirit but not yet born of VVater and Spirit they believe Righteousness but not yet with the heart unto Righteousness they are by the hearing of Faith so far born of God as to believe Jesus to be the Christ and confess him to be the Lord but not so far born of God as to be emptied of themselves and united to Christ and so are not yet inwardly renewed and regenerated and so though in the outward Court not yet really translated out of the Power of Darkness into the Kingdom of God's dear Son and yet even these Believers if they abide in this Faith of the Testimony of the Gospel and give heed to the plain sayings thereof Rom. 10.9 Joh. 8.30 31. and abide therein they shall be saved shall know the Truth and the Truth will make them free To say these did but pretend or seem and profess to believe and so are said to believe in respect of their seeming and prosession to believe in the judgement of Charity is too much presumption and sawciness and derogation from the Holy Ghost for the Evangelists writ this after Christ was ascended and they indued with the Holy Ghost and so writ by his inspiration so that those sayings such did believe were not the sayings of Men imperfect in knowledge and judging according to the judgement of Charity by conjecture but the sayings of the Holy Ghost that knoweth all things the Spirit of Truth that cannot erre or be deceived And he saith they believed on his Name they believed on him and who will be so proud of his VVisdom and Knowledge as to direct the Spirit of the Lord and undertake to counsel him and teach him to speak more rightly and safely and say they seemed to believe they professed to believe in the judgement of Charity they ought to be counted Believers though in the issue it appears they did not believe That which some bring to help this conceit helps it not Joh. 2.24 25. namely that Christ did not commit himself to them because he knew all Men c. for it is not said Jesus knew they believed not Gen. 6.5 8.21 or that he knew there was no truth in their believing but he knew what was in Man an evil and unfaithful disposition c. and he knew that his Words or Miracles that brought these to believe on him were not so submitted to as that their evil disposition was yet mortified and they made faithful to him and so they might have served him as he did Joh. 5.14 15. but believe the Spirit saith they did And so in the other place the Holy Ghost affirmeth That as Christ spake many believed on him Joh. 8.30 31. and that our Saviour then spake to those Jews that believed on him And again the Holy Ghost faith Among the chief Rulers many believed on him Joh. 12.42 but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him So that these were Believers and therefore so called and not called Believers because they seemed or professed to believe which the Holy Ghost saith they did not nay the praise of Men had that prevalency with them that it kept them from profession of believing though it had not so great prevalency with these as with those Joh. 5.44 whom it kept from believing or yet put them in an incapacity of it so that these pointed to did believe is evident that it was not a feigned but true believing is evident for else in continuance in it they could not be saved that they were yet short of the knowledge of the Truth c. is express that if they continued in his words received by this Faith they were even then his Disciples and they should know the Truth and the Truth should make them free is express so that here is one Degree of Faith yet short of a real New-Birth which yet abiden in is certain to be effected and was after in many of these as appears in comparing John 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 18. and John 7.50 51. with John 19.38 39 40. 2. The other Degree of believing in which by the prevalency of the Light seen Col. 1 12 13. 1 Pet. 2.3 5 9. Phil. 3.7 8 9. and Grace believed the Heart
is convinced and brought off all things to accept of and confide in Jesus and so brought out of the power of Darkness into the Kingdom of his dear Son and so by his Love believed framed to love him and that this is true Faith indeed none that I know but the deniers of Jesus to be the Christ gainsay yet is this but the farther Efficacies of the same Object of Faith beheld and so one and the same Faith still though in this degree united and made one with the Object so as it was not in the former Degree yet even in this Degree also there are divers Degrees and so some weak Joh. 2.13 14. 2 Thes 1.1 3. Rom. 3.21 22 25 26 27. Act. 6.7 2 Pet. 1.1 some stronger some stablish'd some Babes some young or strong Men some Fathers yea and in every of these Degrees some may be more grown then others and be before others yet all still in one and the same Faith and still also in this one Faith 3. There be divers Acts and Operations of this Faith 1 Thes 2.13 Act. 10.43 Gal. 2.3 5. 2 Tim. 1.7 Joh. 7.38 39. Gal. 5.22 23. Gal. 5.6 Rom. 10.10 Psal â6 1 10. as to say a receiving Act in which is received the Word or Testimony and therein Remission of sins Justification Sanctification Liberty of access to God the Spirit of Faith Love Power and a sound Minde a springing act raising up prizings of Christ Love of God and Brethren bowels of Mercy c. a streaming Act Faith working through Love and so bringing forth the services of Love in Confession Prayers Praises Works of Mercy and Righteousness yet the Faith it self is still one and the same and so called the same the same Spirit of Faith yea when it produced Miracles 2 Cor. 4.13 Act. 4.10 11 12. the Faith was still the same though the Act extraordinary The belief of the History Rom. 10.8 9. is the belief of the Testimony of Christ which whoso believeth with his heart shall be saved and when through the Grace believed one is brought upon Christ he is justified from all sins past and in that believing receiveth continual justification Rom. 3.25 26 27. Gal. 5.7 Mat. 24.13 and if any depart from the Faith that proves temporary but he that endureth to the end shall be eternally saved the Faith it self being one still and but one Faith III. As Faith is used to express the Object of Faith Heb. 1.1 so it hath been reyealed for the full and cleer Demonstration of it at divers times and by divers parcels and degrees and at last fully and cleerly by Jesus Christ and yet that Object of Faith still one and the same each Revelation agreeing with and opening the former and so still one as hath been shewn in this whole third Part of the Treatise And because there is no Faith by the Holy Spirit called Faith but that which by his Discovery of this Object is drawn towards it in believing that the Believer might so be united to it Therefore the Faith is one yea and this Demonstration to lead us into unity because as it unites Believers in one Foundation to one Head so it makes them of one Heart and Fellowship Eph. 4.4 For there is one Body that is one Mystical Body or Corporation Fellowship and Society though the Members of this Corporation and their Offices be many yet the Corporation and Society in Faith Love and Fellowship of their Priviledges is one and all bear one Name 1 Cor. 12.12 20. Eph. 2.19 22. 1 Joh. 1.3 Cant. 6.9 Gal. 3.16 29. Hos 11.1 Rom. 8.17 Gal. 3.36 Eph. 4.4 1 Joh. 5.6 Joh. 15.26 Eph. 2.17 18. 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 2.16 Eph. 4.4 sa 45.22 Joh. 3.14 16. 2 Thes 2.14 Eph. 1.18 Eph. 4.5 Rom. 10.6 15. 1 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 Thes 1.10 Joh. 1.12 13. Eph. 4.5 the Name of Christ being called Christians And so there is but one true Church and Sanctuary that is united to Christ and shall be in and with him for ever and by vertue of their Union with Christ they are all in respect of kinde one Seed and one Son though in respect of their several particular Persons Heirs Children and Sons of God by Faith And as there is One Body so there is in it One Spirit even the Spirit of the Father and the Son that beareth forth the Testimony of Christ and enables to believe in Christ and brings to God by Christ and into this Fellowship working the Minde of Christ and so called the Spirit of Faith by whom all he calleth and so all Believers are called in One Hope of their calling The same Grace proclaimed The same looking and believing required and for the same end To be saved and to the same Hope in believing even the obtaining Eternal Life and Glory and so One Lord even the Lord Jesus Christ in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily and so One Faith as one Object so one Manner of believing which is Faith indeed that is produced by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel and closeth with Christ the Object of Faith and so also One Baptism one kinde and end of the gracious Operation of the Holy Spirit in Baptizing into Christ and through his Name by all the Mediums of baptizing 1 Cor. 12.12 13. Rom. 6.3 6. Gal. 3.26 27 28. called also Baptisms into conformity to Christ in his Death that they may partake of the vertue of his Resurrection and so into the Fellowship of his body drinking into one Spirit and so becoming of one minde and that the minne of Christ the Son of God even as also there is 1 Cor. 6.11 Phil. 2.1 2 5. Eph. 4.6 Eph. 1.3 17. 1 Cor. 2.6 Mat. 10.40 Rom. 16.20 25 26. 1 Pet. 5.10 â Psa 138.8 One God and Father of all who is above all and through al and in them all that are Believers he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and in him and shmes forth his Glory through him that Men might believe and so in and through him he is the Father of all that believe in Christ and above all able to overthrow all their Enemies and Opposers and to perfect all that concerneth them all so as all flows from and leads into Union and this Union of the Spirit bringing into the Union of the acknowledgement of the Son of God is that which the Spirit teacheth and to which all the Degrees and Operations tendeth whence we are exhorted to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace 2 Cor 114. Gal. 1.6 7 8. and so but one Faith which the Gospel calleth Faith and he that would finde out another Faith really true and holy in its kinde must first finde out another true Body that is the Church another Spirit another Jesus to be the Christ another Gospel and another Hope to call to and another God all real true and holy in their
1.22 23. 9.6 Mar. 1.15 Act. 3.26 26 18. Joh. 2.8 Pro. 1.24 Joh. 3.19 Psal 85.8 Heb. 3.7 Jam. 1.21 1 Pet. 2.1 2.3 Jam. 1.25 Act. 15.9 and according to the Purpose in Election For first this saving Grace of God in Christ in its appearance teacheth and requireth every one to whom it is tendered in the Call To submit to his convincements and turn at his reproofs and so turn from iniquity And if any stubbornly refuse they lose their own mercies their own souls and those that begin to hearken and in believing to taste somthing of the graciousness of the Lord it warns also to turn no more to folly but to be still casting off all superfluity of naughtiness and to receive with meekness the ingrafted word that so they may come more upon him and be built on him And such as thus receive his gracious words in believing on him he will purifie from all their iniquities Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 18. Tit. 2.11 12 13 14. 3.3 4 5 6 7. and unite and conform them to himself And so this last sentence shews That this whole Verse agrees with our Saviour's Description of the Will of God and the Foundation he hath set forth and owned and with the Affirmation of the Oblation of Christ and the end thereof and the Teachings and the Efficacies thereof and so with all those holy Cautions and Warnings to take heed of refusing and of back-sliding or of liftning to seducing Spirits And all runs even with the scope of the Apostle and all the precedent and following Verses and the whole current of the Scripture affirming Christ the onely and sure Foundation whereas the affirming of an eternal Purpose and Election of some certain persons of fallen Mankinde to be eternally saved is cross to this Text and all Scripture to be laid as the Foundation though some sometime leave out the words having this Seal that the other following words might be taken for the Foundation Mr. O. p. 77. and then call it The Foundation of God's unchangeable Purpose and Love yet if a Man would say By purpose is meant that purposed I would take it in the most favourable sense Suppose some honest and learned Jew before Christ came in the Flesh should have affirmed God's Purpose of sending forth his Son Christ to die and rise and offer the acceptable Sacrifice and so to be the Saviour of the World that whoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life Suppose I say he should have taught this Purpose of God to be the Foundation he had something miscarried in Expression for the Foundation purposed and promised was the Seed of the Woman to break the Serpent's Head the Seed of Abraham in whom is blessing for all Nations a Man to be the Rock and God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth and though he was not then come forth and so not laid as now he is yet he was held forth though afar off in the Promise to be looked to and by reason of the agreement between the Father and him and in his undertaking he was so vertuous and efficacious that he was a sure Foundation so as in beholding him and resting on him as yet to come Heb. 11.13 14 40. such Believers were safe And so they seeing it afar off were perswaded and embraced and lived and died in the Faith and shall receive the Promise of the Inheritance together with us and so the Foundation was the thing purposed and waited for then So that here were a little mistake in this honest Jews Expression yet this mistake might have been tolerable because the Foundation was as then no farther laid but as held forth in the Promise and Revelation of the Purpose of God And so to take the Promise and Purpose therein revealed including the belief of him promised for the Foundation had not been dangerous but safe where farther Light was not come forth But now the Purpose is manifest to be come forth into act Act. 2. 13.32 33. 10.11 Rom. 1.1 5. 1 Cor. 3.11 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. and the Foundation according to Purpose laid the promise fulfilled and Christ that took Man's Nature and died for their sins is risen and manifestly declared to be the Foundation Now to slight over this open and manifest laid and sealed Foundation and to cloke it with making the Purpose of God the Foundation to be built on as if the Foundation purposed were not laid or not manifest is not less then an intimate denial of Christ being come in the Flesh 1 Joh. 4.3 and too neer the Spirit of Antichrist Therefore it is to be desired That Men would acknowledge and call him The Foundation that is so and not avoid it by calling the Purpose the Foundation and yet to call that the Purpose of God which is not and make it the Foundation also is much worse consider that also CHAP. 11. Of a devised Purpose by some called The Purpose of God and counted The Foundation SOme have conceived and are ready to affirm this for the Purpose of God namely That from Eternity before the Foundation of the World God did decree and purpose eternall to save a certain number of persons of fallen Mankinde and eternally to damne all the rest of Mankinde and in this Purpose to elect as a peculiar people to himself all and onely those he so purposed to save and to reprobate all the rest And also That in this Purpose he purposed to give his own Son to take Man's Nature therein to die and rise and offer Sacrifice for all these elect and no other and to purchase for them Repentance Faith and Eternal Life and for no other so that these elect shall infallibly have it all and none but they And That the residue of Men by the Soveraignty and Power of God shall have their lives given them and preserved for a time that living they may by sin deserve this Damnation they were fore-purposed and ordained to before it be executed that so whatever the Purpose was the Execution may be just yea Gospel preached to many of them and some lower works of the Spirit vouchsafed them yea Faith attained by many of them and holiness true in its kinde yea profession and doing worthily from which if they fall the greater their condemnation if they abide and die in that Faith yet they must be damned the Death of Christ and his Gospel and all means extended to call and lead them to Repentance and Faith had nothing really in Truth for their Salvation but to leave them without excuse and aggravate their condemnation All belonging to eternal Salvation is onely for those Sons of Adam that were eternally purposed and elected to be eternally saved and in that Purpose Christ given to die for them that they might be saved through him And this eternal Purpose of God some make the foundation on which whosoever is built shall not miscarry and no
and Love of God hath so set them forth even to Believers for their good were it not sinful Jer. 23.16 17 27 32 33 34. by any dreams or colourable pretext to steal away the Word of the Lord in this respect from his People counting this part of his Word a burthen Surely it was not well done of Mr. Owen to alter the Words of the Apostle Heb. 3.14 in stead of For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginnings of our confidence stedfast unto the end Pag. 429. to put in Those onely are made partakers of Christ c. and then to add words of his own viz. And for the rest they are not c. The Apostle not using that Language it is not well done of any to use it to take away the word in the force of the Spirits caution joyned with his consolation from Believers and that is something worse to give out as if that said 1 Sam. 12.22 were not the consolation given to all the people to whom Samuel spake to encourage them to obey his exhortation 1 Sam. 12.20 21. and the threat vers 25. a warning not to them all to deter them from disobedience but the consolation to one part of them as godly and the threatning to another part of them as wicked and that Men might believe this to make the one part of them like those spoke of Jer. 31. which speaks neither to nor of such a peculiar people as was then in being though Mr. Owen would have Men conceive so but of a Generation of that Nation that shall be left of the Sword Jer. 31.1 2 3 4 5 31 32 33 34. and found surviving when the judgements of God have been executed on that Nation that then after those dayes shall be made such a peculiar people so it was wrongfully concluded hence by him that the threatnings such as in that 1 Sam. 12.25 are onely to the wicked and not to the Saints but to acquaint them with the terror of the Lord how he hateth wickedness and the Promises onely to the Saints and not to the residue of the people that the wicked may know his love of goodness how this will stand with his two Sayings before twice mentioned of the Promises made to sinners as sinners c. I need say nothing but of that he saith elsewhere viz. That the Saints are only wrought on and perswaded by the love promises of God but not by the terror of the Lord and that is it they hold forth only to the wicked affirming the same of Paul 2 Cor. 5.11 This is not right neither for the very word in that Text with that went before 2 Cor. 5.8 9 10 11. includes the judgement also in which the terror is as that which was also in the motive of his own and other Believers being perswaded to diligence yea intimates it also to have had some prevalency with the Corinthians And plain it is there also 13 14 15 19 20. That he held forth chiefly and mostly the love of God in Christ even to perswade unbelievers and not the terror without it nor but for the contempt and refusal thereof but no need to strive about that is so cleer who can read that profession of Job so oft expressing it and concluding For destruction from God was a terror to me Iob. 31.1 23. and by reason of his highness I could not endure Psal 119.120 And of David My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements And of Levi that not onely feared the Lord Mal. 2.5 but also was afraid before his Name And of Habakkuk Hab. 3.16 who when he heard the voice of the judgements his belly trembled his lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into his bones and he trembled in himself that he might finde rest in the day of trouble Yea hath not God promised to look to him Isa 66.2 5. 28.13 and appear to his joy that trembleth at his word when shame shall befal those that by devices labour to put it from themselves as not having any thing to do with them yet the Spirit saith expresly Prov. 28.14 Happy is the man that feareth alway but he that hardneth his heart shall fall into mischief yea was not Moses thus led for Israel Num. 22.6 15. Iosh 22.15 22. 1 Cor. 9.27 10.1 6 11. and Phinehas yea Paul in respect of himself and also directing all Believers to the same So that this fear in such as believe the Promises is no desperate but a hopeful fear as well standing with confidence as godly sorrow and mourning doth with rejoycing in the Lord as is seen in Job David c. So that this was rashly affirmed and yet worst of all that Affirmation of this Saying Pag. 221. God to be with us while we are with him is a cursed liberty left Men of departing wickedly from God it had not been well so to affirm of that saying of David to Abiathar 1 Sam. 22.2 â Abide thou with me fear not for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life but with me thou shalt be in safety But when God in Christ Jesus hath called people to himself spoken peace to them in the Blood of his Son free'd them from the charges of the Law from the Accusations of sin and the tyranny of the Devil and terrors of death and filled them with the consolations of his goodness and promised them eternal life and also told them of the malice of Satan and the World and how they seek to devour them giving them this counsel and comfort saying I am with you and for you abide you in me and with me and I will be with you for ever and with me you shall be in safety but if you abide not in me you will be forsaken and lie open to all danger Shall any call this a cursed liberty c Surely Methinks if they could not see the goodness of it yet they should forbear reviling it knowing it to be the very Saying of the Holy Spirit in the Prophet 2 Chron. 15.2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. to a good King and good People The Lord is with you while you be with him and if ye seek him he will be found of you but if you forsake him he will forsake you And this they counted not a cursed but a blessed liberty and it had as good a fruit in them Ioh. 15.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. And such-like Language used by our Saviour to his chosen Disciples who surely would have shunned it as blasphemy to call it a cursed liberty left Men of departing wickedly from God they knew it tended and the fruit of it in Believers was to keep Men both humbly and confidently to God If the saying startled and enraged him because it could not be answered yet so odious a censure trenching on God's own words might
was thus held forth the Jews that had fore-despised this held forth to themselves did now much more despise and reject it also when held forth not onely to them but to the Gentiles also even all that came to hear But the Gentiles were glad and accepted the Message and Call and counted it good and they glorified the Word of the Lord that is they prized it highly praised it received it yielded to and turned and these so glorifying the Word of the Lord even that Word which the wrested sense crosseth were ordained ordered and fitted to receive eternal life and they believed Whereas the Despisers not so ordered and fitted believed not And it is not said That every particular Jew though probable the most of them did reject nor that every particular Gentile though many of them did believe but as many as did like the Doctrine were glad of it and glorified it so many as were so ordered and fitted to shew the efficacy of the Word in such ordained Ones believed And this sense agrees with the Testimony of the Gospel and the Purposes and Promises therein ãâ¦ã with the Words and scope of the Text. 4. If we take ordained ãâ¦ã epâred ordered and fitted as some do it agrees well with the place and other Scriptures and all foresaid this being the most usual and ordinary way of God's proceedings that according as he gives some evidences of his goodness to all and calleth all so they that as his Grace in any measure openeth their eyes and giveth them to discern that he is and that he is gracious and moveth them so far to believe him gracious as to seek after the knowledge of him and life from him they that then hold the Truth in unrighteousness and are disobedient c. he leaves to farther stumbling Rom. 1.18 19 21. 2.4 6 11. Mat. 13.12 Luk. 16.10 Joh. 10.41 Luk. 17.29 30 Act. 10.3 4 34. c. Act. 16.9 10 13 14. and they are under wrath and great danger of perishing and so oppose farther light when it comes But they that when his Grace is so far extended do by it abide in it and are making out in seeking farther to know him and receive life from him these shall have more and are accepted of him and ordered or fitted to receive readily farther Light when it cometh and such in all places were first Receivers of the Gospel so such as received John's Ministration were prepared and readily received the Ministration of Christ following and such as rejected John's Ministration received not Christ when he came and among the Gentiles those that by lesses light and means were yet according to it fearing God more was given to them and they readily received it And some such very like were in Macedonia For Come over and help us might be a voice suited not onely to the needs but to some kinde of desires in the hearts of many and though by purchase all are his yet it 's most probable of such prepared ones he speaks when he told Paul He had much people in Corinth and such appears to be here in this place Act. 18.9 10. for it is said The Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath Act. 13.42 44. And then came almost the whole City together to hear the Word of the Lord very like that of Cornelius and his Company and such when they heard being so graciously prepared did readily receive and believe And this a true sense agreeing in one with all the former so that every way in belief of the Gospel the sense is cleer and in every acceptation of the Word meeteth in one true and full sense 5. Yet if we shall as some do take ordained for election or implying election though there be nothing in the Word or in the text or in precedent or consequent words to lead us so to do Isa 42.1 1 Pet. 1.20 21. Act. 10.42 Heb. 10.5 Eph. 2.10 Joh. 15.15 Col. 1.12 13. 1 Cor. 2.9 1 Ioh. 5.11 12. or justifie us so doing yet if we so do and take Election in the sense the Scripture useth it then Ordaining as implying Election signifieth something more then meerly elected even Ordination Constitution Preparation Furniture and Consecration of the Elected and so the word is sometime used concerning Jesus Christ and all those chosen in and by him to eternal life and the same thing meant by such ordaining is also exprest in other terms as making meet c. And surely in some respect and of some this sense may be so taken here as it will well agree with those formerly mentioned and include them also But the Spirit of the wisdom of this world opposes this sense with Rhetorical flourishes and lashes calling it non-sense saying It is all one as to say as many as believed believed To which it might be replied Many of them speak more directly non-sense when they cannot deny but it is written God will have all men to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 yet to keep men from believing it they gloss it thus All that are saved are saved by the will of God and knowing it is written That Christ enlightneth every man that cometh into the World Ioh. 1.9 yet to invade the belief of it they gloss it thus Every one that is enlightned is enlightned by him yet these Sayings of God himself and so they in both bring one line of Truth to oppose another and yet would not be charged with non-sense But we in speaking of Men that are imperfect are charged with non-sense for bringing one line of Truth not to oppose but as it consenteth with another and openeth and justifieth another as there is Truth in and Degrees of believing I hope none will say He spake non-sense that said They seeing see not and hearing they hear not Mat. 13.13 Ioh. 8.30 31 32 33 36. neither do they understand And so may we say Some believe something of the Truth of the Doctrine and Testimony of Christ and have so seen and heard that if they did abide in and minde that they have seen and believed they should know the Truth and be made free by it and so be ordained and fitted to eternal life 1 Thes 1.3 4 5. 2.12 13. 2 Thes 2.13 14. Act. 14.2 3. 16.23 31. 2 Cor. â 9 12. and believe on him which yet they did not But these mentioned Act. 13.48 did which was not ordinary with all at other times at the very first hearing the Gospel given to them even so to believe on Christ which appears to be more then ordinary even a wonderful and special Grace affording Instruction and Encouragement to plain Gospel-preaching when it is most fiercely opposed as here it was seeing in such seasons the Lord does more abundantly pour out of his Spirit in giving Testimony to the word of his Grace And so taking believing here in this sense of such a degree of believing as in which
ascended to Heaven and offered the acceptable Sacrifice and obtained eternal Redemption and so is the Propitiation for our sins and Grace is onely by him And Truth that is fulfilling of the Promises he being immeasurably filled with the Holy Ghost in our Nature and the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily he is The Temple of God the High-Priest The Laver of Regeneration the Altar the Sacrifice The Propitiatory The Oracle c. the Truth of all figured by those is in him and so by him and had in having him and this vertuous from the beginning and so even then though in a more hidden way Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. But now he hath come and done his first Work this mystery is manifested and the Spirit hath testified of him and this Testimony is Spirit and Life by which such as are led to believe in Christ do meet with Truth and so are said to worship him in Spirit this gracious Law opposed to that of Works and Types and in Truth acknowledging the Truth in Christ and meeting with him in believing on him as having done his first work for them Job 4.21 22 24. 1 Joh. 5.19 20. and now about the other in them and so they worship God in and through him and that they might thus do God hath done and provided all this in his Son and so made him known And so upon this account of Christ his being so full of Grace and Truth and having been so manifested also in the Nature of Man John Baptist in respect of himself and the first witnesses renders it in these words Joh. 1.14 16 17 vers 17. as the ground of that he affirmed vers 16. For of his fulness have we all received Grace for Grace other profitable senses of this noted before I onely now note this That as Moses received a Law of works and shadows to nurture the people Par. 3. ch 4. that in judging themselves for their sins by one part of the Law and looking to Christ that was to come in their use of the Types the other part of the Law they might through Christ receive Grace as all that so looked did but he having come hath abounded farther to us and we have of him received Grace a Gospel of Grace with a Law of Grace and a Spirit of Grace discovering the Atonement made and forgiveness in the Blood of Christ and Truth fulfilled in him so by the Grace of God in that Cross of Christ he suffered to shew Men the vileness of their sins the vanity of their Righteousness and yet through the same Cross to shew them the great Love Righteousness and Propitiousness of God the pardon of their sins in the Blood of Christ and the fulness of Love and Spirit in Christ to draw them in to believe assuring them in believing they shall receive forgiveness c. and so we have Grace that we may receive and declare Grace and God hath engaged himself that he will so witness of Christ Isa 42.1 8. 55.5 Joh. 3.15 16. Rom. 10.9 10 13 15. Act. 15.9 10 11. Gal. 5.6 1 Joh. 3.23 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 1 Ioh 1.7 9. and he shall so far proceed with Men where the Gospel comes that they shall have their eyes opened that they may see and believe and hath also engaged himself to all that where the Gospel comes do according to the Light and Power he giveth believe on him he will save pardon and enlive them and write his Law in their Hearts And this Faith working Love he putteth no farther burden or yoke on any but to believe him and love one another and he will preserve them through Faith to the Inheritance and if they fail confess their failing and through the Mediator they shall be forgiven and cleansed And thus far the New Testament is and is to be held forth to all that live under the Gospel and all the baptized in the Name of the Lord have set their Hands to this Engagement and may live in hope of having it personally made with them but yet the personal making of this New Testament with Believers is yet a farther business see how that is exprest in Scripture also 2 Cor. 3.3 Tea are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of Stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart It is express throughout this Chapter That the Apostle speaks here of the New Testament opposed to the Old Testament and so likewise it is evident here That in preaching the Gospel as now come forth they did also therein minister the New Testament 1 Cor. 1.6 7. and so it is here also evident That when Men in believing the Testimony of Christ in the Gospel come to believe on Christ then they receive the New Testament and how they receive it and what it is see here 1. Phil. 3.3 7 8 9 In believing on Christ the Grace believed breaketh the stoniness of the Heart and taketh down the pride and stoutness of it and humbleth and melteth it and enamoreth it with Christ and so makes the Heart fleshy tender flexible fit to receive his Sayings Teachings and Impressions And then 2. His making the New Covenant with them is begun by writing his Minde Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 4.13 2 Tim. 1.7 his Design his Epistle by his own Spirit in their so prepared Heart giving into their Heart the Spirit of Faith of Love of Power and of a sound Minde so that they have in them a new Heart a new Spirit a new Man an inward living Principle derived from the Fountain in which they believe inclining them to love God and their Brother and to live by Faith and walk in Love and so to seek the farthering of his design in seeking the Honour of God in the Salvation of Men and the Prosperity of his Church so looking and waiting for the coming of the Lord the Spirit herein springing up Love Rom. 8.28 Joy Peace c. And this is a Dispensation of a spiritual first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob and no otherwise made with any since excepting David about the Kingdom but in such a begun-performance But then minding the words and the Apostles scope in this place with other places speaking of the same business and we shall see That 3. In this Dispensation of Grace by his Spirit there is made a double Engagement on the part of Christ and on the part of the Believers in which respect it is rightly called a New Testament in opposition to the Old Testament given by Moses which also in this Dispensation is written not with Ink as the Old Testament was nor in Tables of Stone as one part of that was nor in Leaves of Parchment or any such thing as another part of that was but even in their Heart that is That Jesus Christ will
their Fathers and so a performance to these for their Fathers sakes To all which Answers I add this 4. Act. 3.19 20 21. Rom. 8.23 24 25. 1 Cor. 13.12 1 Joh. 3.2 That Faith and Hope is to be exercised by them till all these things be done and that the Lord Jesus do visibly appear and come to them and restore all things and then this Covenant made which once so made in performance they live no longer by Faith and Hope but by Sight and Enjoyment And thus it is every way cleer for the Time when this Covenant is to be so made it is After those dayes II. The Persons with whom this Covenant is to be made Jer. 31.31 33. Ezek. 37.19 20. is also as cleer and express to be all the spiritual Seed that by Ministration have been so made from the beginning of Gospel-preaching till Christ appear personally in Glory and give the new Heaven Iso 13.1 2 3. 19.24 60.1 11. Psal 105.8 11. Hag. 2.23 Dan. 12.2 13. Heb. 11.14 16 29 40. Gal. 3.8 29. 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. Rev. 11.18 and new Earth with them all and with them all together at once not with one or two or some few or now with one or some and after with other but with all the whole spiritual Seed together for the whole House of Israel and the House of Judah it is express And so likewise for the People of other Nations that shall be joyned with them yea Abraham Isaac and Jacob must then receive the performance of this Covenant so made yea Zerubbabel and Daniel must be there to receive their part with many that shall rise out of the dust of the Earth yea all the whole spiritual Seed of Abraham even we that are of the Gentiles yea as the Covenant was first made with Christ and through him a Covenant for Mankinde so all his Seed by Ministration thereof and so Adam Abel Seth Enoch c. In a word None shall prevent another but all that are in the dust and sleep in Jesus shall arise living Saints be changed all together meet the Lord and be and come with him for then is the time in which he will give rewards to his Servants the Prophets and to the Saints and to them that fear his Name both small and great And so this Covenant will be at once made in performance to all the Seed together and indeed this Covenant was never fore made to be received by Faith to any one person for himself alone but to the Fathers for them and their Seed and to them and their spiritual Seed it shall be at once made in performance to them all together These the persons But to this it may be some be replied That then after this Covenant so made there must be no more conversion no encrease of the Seed for then the Covenant must be made again or else it will not be made with all the Seed and if so then not with all at once To this I answer That some whose labors I reverence and esteem and them for their works sake do so conceive That as that Kingdom shall be sinless and sorrowless so it shall be conversionless there shall be no more converted after that Kingdom is set up but the Reason given thereof is not this I am to answer but another namely That all that have part in the first Resurrection even all the Saints that live and raign with Christ shall raign with him a thousand yeers the whole time of his raign as Man till he deliver up the Kingdom to the Father that God may be all in all Whence this Supposition If any should after the beginning and some time of the Kingdom run out be converted they could not raign the full thousand yeers One Answer will serve both these Reasons which is this That it is nowhere said That all the Inhabitants of this new Earth or all the Members of this Commonwealth shall sit upon Thrones and raign nor is it said That all the natural Seed of Abraham that are then living in unbelief and the unbelieving Gentiles with them that shall be converted at and by the personal and visible appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ and all his Saints with him and so made of the Seed that they shall all be Kings and raign with him they come in after the time of those to whom that Promise is And surely for such as never suffered never waited for him but are so suddenly and with so mighty a Hand brought in it may be counted happiness enough to live in such a Commonwealth and be free Denizens therein and enjoy the pleasures of such a Kingdom till they be swallowed up with the unconceivable joy of the Father and Son when God shall be all in all which alone will satisfie all that are received into it and the Promise of raigning is to such as here in this suffering time live and die in the Faith or are found so believing on him at his appearing that they may be changed while the other are raised and so come together with the Lord which the after-conterted do not And so those that are the Children of the Resurrection that are raised or changed in one and the same moment at his coming be all that I and I suppose that any other can finde the Promise of raigning appertain unto And if I should say These are the whole of Abraham's spititual Seed I should not erre whether Men receive it or no for all the spiritual Seed from Abraham's time so called and if I shall add the Seed of Christ the Seed of the Woman from Adam to Abraham though a spiritual Seed yet not immediately so but mediately through a spiritual operation Rom. 4.11 12 16 17 18 23 24. Gal. 3.6 7 8 9 16 26 29. in the Ministration of some means extended as is cleer all the Scripture through and they that are of the Faith and live by Faith and walk in the steps of the Faith of our Father Abraham and so are the Sons of God by Faith these are the Seed the Children of Abraham and his Seed for which cause Abraham had the Gospel to preach and Circumcision to administer as a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith he had to preach That he might be a Father And the Apostles had the Gospel to preach and Baptisme to administer as a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith preached that they might disciple into Abraham's Family Mat. 29.19 20. Rom. 4.11 12. and so Abraham still be a Father of such as believe But now when this time cometh That Christ with all his spiritual Seed do personally appear and the Everlasting Covenant made in performance with them all then all such Ministration ceaseth yea such Ministration as Moses had in earthly Rites and Shadows were shaken and made unprofitable by the Death Sacrifice and Ascension of Christ pouring forth the Holy Ghost though in force till then but
and all the spiritual Seed that were to follow of which they were to be Fathers and for that one which was spoken in particular of one particular it was vocally spoken and audibly heard by him to whom spoken and many others that were with him and for their sakes also this Man to whom it was spoken being before this speaking a Son So that all these and the like sayings shew what sure confidence Believers may have in remembring the Covenants made with their Fathers and the spiritual streaming in of such Sayings into their hearts a good relief in their fainting and help to enlarge their use of confidence in God that ever remembreth his Covanant made with the Fathers And this leads to a farther consideration of this Psal 125.1 2. viz. 3. That these words were not directly spoken to and for such as did not trust in the Lord Psal 125.1 2. to beget them to trust in the Lord though such an use may be and come of the hearing and minding them in convincement but they were and are directly spoken to and for such as are already Trusters in the Lord being first begot to trust in the Lord that they might not fear or depart through fainting or go aside in lifting up their Souls to any other strength wisdom righteousness policy or confidence for so he tells them in the same Psalm Such as in any straight or for any pretence turn aside namely Vers 5. from this way of trusting in the Lord unto their crooked wayes the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace upon Israel opened by the Apostle directing as the rule to wait through the Spirit for the Righteousness of God by Faith c. saith Gal. 5 5 6 6.15 16. As many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy upon the Israel of God And this the same with that in Habakkuk He whose Soul is lifted up is not upright in him but the just shall live by Faith And in this very sense doth the Apostle render that saying to the Hebrews Heb. 10.38 to which the whole 125 Psalm fully agreeth 4. This foresaid saying taketh away the strength of the Apostles consolation given to the believing Hebrews and so to all Believers thereby Heb. 13 5 6. viz. For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake theee so that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear c. which Consolation the Apostle gives to the whole Church of the Hebrews to withdraw them from coverousness and firm them in confidence and not from a particular in-giving of these words to their Souls nor is there any likelihood they were so to all every or many of them nor is any such Caution put in But he layes it down as it was given when God was about the first literal fulfilling his Covenant made with Abraham and giving Joshua to be their Captain to encourage them to go on in his way he gives this Promise first to all Israel Deut. 31.6 the whole hurch Be strong and of good courage fear not nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee he will not fail thee nor forsake thee And this Promise as a part of the Covenant made with their Fathers given to them Vers 7 8. was together with them again given to Joshua their Captain Now as our Joshua even Jesus that is the Captain and Finisher of our Faith the Fore-runner in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen Heb. 12.2 Gal. 3.26 29. so it appertains to all that believe in him as his spiritual Seed and Heirs The Seed of Abraham The whole Church spoken of and to as one Thee and every one having right as being of the Seed of Abraham claiming their interest We. So the Apostle directs these believing Hebrews yea it being recorded and written he directs them to take what the Scripture saith as the Holy Ghost speaking to them Heb. 3.7 Gal. 3.7 8 9 29. Rom. 15.3 4 5. yea and so he directs all Believers even of the Gentile affirming them written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope in believing So that though this place I will be with thee c. have no otherwise been inspired to them then as it is written in the Scripture they believing in Christ in whom all the Promises are certain they are Heirs and the Promises pertain to them Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.6 7. 3.26 29. and they in believing may have the comfort of them and yet for some particular difficult extraordinary business it may sometime be needful and very profitable for leading to farther trusting in the Lord to go through so great a business to have it particularly streamed into the heart of some chief Officer as this was to Joshua after the ministerial giving of it Josh 1.5 from whence I marvel learned Men should take that saying there as for every Saint rather then from its former ministerial giving to the whole Church and after with them to Joshua Deut. 31.6 7 8 And if we take not this saying thus as appertaining to Christ and in him to all Believers but onely to such into whose Souls it is particularly given in What force hath the Apostles Exhortation to these Hebrews and so to all the Church of Believers or who shall be the Thee and the We here spoken to and speaking if those and all those Gal. 3.7 8 9 16 29 Heb. 3.6 14. and onely those mentioned by the Apostle to be they be not they and he expresseth it to Believers in Christ in believing in whom is Mens entrance into Sonship and special favour and interest in promises as is witnessed in the Testimony of Christ and Declaration of the Purposes Promises and Covenants of God and such particular in-givings are great mercies and sweet enlargements and most to babes and at beginnings till Men have learned to live by Faith but to live on sense and particular visits to make them our Foundation to lift up our selves above our Brethren that have them not is a great abuse of them But I will in this proceed no farther nor yet in farther usefulness of all that written knowing such as read and believe what the Scripture affirms will meet with usefulness but onely in considering that which occasioned me to the writing of this Treatise namely Mr. Owen's stating of the Question pretended to be in dispute or controversie between him and Mr. John Goodwin about Perseverance in or falling from Faith or rather the Faith that may and that which cannot be fallen from An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART VII CHAP. 1. Of the Question as stated AS for his mentioning the many sorts of holiness and holy Ones and such as seem so and are not about which the contest is not I let pass and look
these Hebrews had The second Principle is Principle 2. Act. 20.21 Rom. 9.5 Joh. 14.6 Eph. 2.17 2 Cor. 4.6 Rom. 1.5 16.26 Prov. 14.15 Jam. 2.19 Rom. 10.17 Col. 1.4 Faith towards God This is the same with that called Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ who is God over all blessed for ever and the only Medium of approaching to God and he in whom the Face of God shineth so that it is in Scripture-Language evident That the Principle here called Faith towards God is the Grace or Gift of Faith to and in a man which closeth with the Object of Faith and so is Obedience to the Faith for as is foreshewn every believing is not Faith the Fool believeth every thing and the Devils believe who yet are nowhere said to have Faith but that Belief which is of the Faith and closeth with the Faith is in Scripture called Faith and so this affirmed here as one of the first Principles taught and begot by the Oracles of God building it on the Foundation is said to be the Faith that cometh by hearing the Word of the Lord and so the Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ And so it is An inward under standing Joh. 6.40 Rom. 10.8 9 10. Gal. 5.6 discerning and minding the gracious Mind of God testified and appearing in Jesus Christ by which one is inwardly perswaded believeth the Truth and Goodness of the same and so with the heart in love desires and confidence imbraceth it whence the Grace believed worketh renewed disposition and that welleth out confession and this exprest in Scripture to be that believing which is called Faith Heb. 11.13 14 15. So that this Faith having imbraced the Word is a Principle within him that believeth for he that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness or Testimony or Record in himself And so likewise 1 Joh. 5.10 we have three things to note in this Faith as it is a Principle 1. Act. 1.20 Rom. 1.5 10.8 9 17. 16.26 1 Cor. 3.5 2 Cor. 3.3 That it is begotten and produced by the Declaration and Ministration of Christ crucified c. and the Love of God commended through him set forth in the Gospel the Word of Faith and the Oracle of God 2. That it is wrought in the truning of the heart unto the Lord whence it here fitly both follows Act. 11.21 15.9 11 15. 26.18 20. 2 Cor. 3.16 and is joyned with Repentance from dead Works according to that promised Prov. 1.23 3. That it is founded and bottomed upon the very Blood and Sacrifice of Christ Rom. 3.25 5.6 8 9 10 11. as the Love of God is commended therethrough And this is the Faith begot by the Oracles of God as one of the first Principles thereof yea this with the Repentance mentioned are oft included both in one or either of the names being ever together and neither of them being where either of them is wanting and so the Faith of and in such turned ones is that Faith by which the Believer standeth and liveth And all the following Principles here named are for the quickning strengthening encreasing exercising and making fruitful this Faith in which the Spirit dwelleth and worketh and so it worketh through Love CHAP. 6. Of Hebrews 6.2 HEb 6.2 Of the Doctrine of Baptisms c. Note well the words he speaks not here of Baptism or Baptisms as before he did of Repentance and Faith and so he speaks not here directly and properly of the Act or Work of Baptizing Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.26 27. Mat. 28.19 20. either inwardly which is into the death of Christ and conformity with him therein which is done in this Repentance and Faith formentioned nor yet of that outward act of Baptizing with Water in the Name of c. which is a witness of that done in and by Christ and a Medium having its tendency to that forementioned which is the Baptism indeed Eph. 4.4 5. 1 Pet. 3.21 which for the substance of it and that which is spiritual and saving indeed is one and but one for as there is one Body one Spirit one Lord and one Faith so there is one Baptism and so that he here speaks directly of is not the Work but the Doctrine of Baptisms that is the Teaching and instruction given by the Oracles about and concerning Baptismes which by the term in the Plural Number can be no other but the several wayes and mediums appointed and having their tendency towards Baptizing or for preparing for and effecting that which is Baptism indeed which because of their tendency and use to it are called by that Name each of them Baptism and all together Baptisms And about this Doctrine of Baptisms I shall note three things in the Doctrine I. That these wayes and mediums of Baptizing are four each of them bearing the Name of Baptism as an Instrument used to that end 1. The prime and chief ministerial way of Baptizing is the word of the Gospel opened and applied in preaching Mar. 1.4 Luk. 3.3 Joh. 1.29 Act. 10.25 so John besides his baptizing with Water did preach the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins and this was that Apollos knew and taught being called Baptism 2. Baptizing with Water in the Name of c. is that which was first 1 Cor. 1.14 Rom. 2.28 29. Rom. 6.4 5. Gal. 3.25 26. 1 Cor. 10.1 2. and is most frequently called Baptism and as the spiritual Work of Grace in the Heart was never called Circumcision till the outward Ordinance of Circumcision was given from Heaven and then frequently so called as that which is indeed The approved Circumcision so the Work of Grace in the Heart was never called Baptism till the outward Ordinance of Baptism was given from Heaven but since so called so likewise the other mediums that have their tendency to that gracious work are also since upon the same account called Baptisms as follows 3. Afflictions Sufferings for the Name of Christ are also called Baptism Luk. 12.50 Mat. 20.22 23 Mar. 10.38 39. I saith Christ speaking of his Sufferings Have a Baptism to be baptized with and of sufferings also he saith to his Disciples Ye shall be baptized with the Baptism that I am baptized with 4. The inward Inlightnings Breathings and Operations of the Holy Ghost in and with all the former mediums Mat. 3.11 Mar. 1.8 Luk. 3.16 Joh. 1.33 7.38 14.26 is also called Baptism this being the proper work of Christ himself in his promised presence in the Ministration of the Gospel and according to it in all the means he useth for effecting this one gracious and spiritual Baptism Act. 1.5 Mat. 28.20 II. The Gospel in the Doctrine of Baptisms farther teacheth of these mediums 1. That God hath a gracious end in all these in visiting us with his Word in having admitted us into his Family in afflicting us and in extending motions of his Spirit
Christ is sometime called and expressed by that one Act in it of his being lifted up from the Earth upon the Cross yea likewise the whole preaching of the Gospel in which Christ 1 Cor. 1.17 18. Gal. 3.1 Joh. 3.14 15. and him crucified is set forth the Propitiation for our sins is exprest by that very term of lifting up so our approach to God being through that Blood and Sacrifice of his Heb. 10.19 20. is for that exercise of Prayer often called lifting up of hands as Psal 134.2 and 141.2 Lam. 3.41 1 Tim. 2.8 and even so likewise because when they prayed over any or for any special mercies for any Act. 15.17 28.8 they often did point out the parties and testifie their desires and confidence for them by touching them with or laying their hands on them therefore their so praying and blessing is sometime exprest in that term onely of laying on of hands as is cleerly seen in comparing Mar. 10.16 with Mat. 19.13 15. and so here laying on of hands chiefly and mainly implieth and signifieth The-Prayers of Believers assembled and met together in the Name of Christ to desire some special favour and blessing of him Mat. 19.18 20. Joh. 10.23 24. to which he hath promised both his presence in the middest of them and his gracious Answers to them in which Prayers of Believers there is most commonly a lifting up not onely of the heart but also âf the hands towards God and sometime as confidence ââgiven a laying on of hands on parties prayed for if present And so when Believers have assembled together and prayed in the Name of Christ for any though some particular outward Act were omitted at some time yet it being such an Act as is sometimes done and by which the Ordinance of Prayer in naming that act is known yea oft named by it and known by that Expression to be done it may be then so called and expressed in either of those terms either lifting up or laying on of hands either and both importing praying for or over those prayed for as appears in Jam. 5.14 20. where the same business is mentioned and not laying on of hands but Prayer with instruction in a metaphorical term And so much for Scripture-Use of the words lifting up or laying on of hands in all that is said minding this That the Principle here is not exprest barely in laying on of hands but in the Doctrine of laying on of hands 4. For the Principle it self that is taught to Principle 4. and received of Believers in this Doctrine of laying on of hands it appears by Scripture to be A right perswasion of God concerning his infinite Love Mercy Truth and Faithfulness in and through Christ to hear and answer the Prayers of such as approach to him through Christ and call upon him in his Name in and with this perswasion to have the heart suitably inclined not onely ones self so to pray to God and wait for his answer but to desire and expect a blessing in the prayers of such as believe in Christ Such the perswasion of the Prophet by the Spirit That God is a hearer of Prayers and that they that by his gracious chusing are led to approach to him and dwell in his Courts are blessed and shall be satisfied a Psal 65.2 4. And thus the Apostle that used to lay on hands was perswaded of blessing through the Prayers of Believers and the supply of the Spirit c. b Phil. 1.19 Whence also he so earnestly desired the Prayer of Believers for himself c Rom. 15.30 31. Eph. 6.19 and both for himself and his Fellow-Labourers with him d Col. 4.2 3. Heb. 13.18 Satans ordinary way in beginning to withdraw Believers from Christ being to steal this perswasion or Principle out of their heart and so drawing them to forsaking the assemblings of the Saints together for that end e Heb. 10.22 25 26. Jude 19 20. And in this Principle or perswasion in the heart of a Believer note 1. That it is begotten by the Oracles of the Propitiatory or mercy-Seat Eph. 2.1 618. Heb. 9.24 10.19 20. 13.15 18. 1 Joh. 2.1 2. and founded upon the foundation of the Oblation and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ by vertue whereof he now appeareth in heaven for us This the ground of all our boldness to pray for our selves or others and so of all our hope in God for hearing believers for us 2. That this Principle Phil. 116.2 4 5 6 10. Rom. 5.2 10.14 1 Ioh. 2.1 2. 5.13 14 15 19 20. as it flows from the foundation and springs up with Repentance and Faith so it is found in them that through believing in Christ crucified have repented of dead works and do believe in Christ and are in some measure conformed to him in being baptized into his death Isa 1.13.14 15. Psal 50.15.16 3. That this Principle in the heart of a Believer Phil. 4.6 7. 1 Thes 5.17 18. Heb. 13.18 Phil. 1.19 Eph. 6.19 Act. 6.6 13.1 2 3. 15.40 Psa 26.8 27.4 Heb. 10.25 frames him to begin with God in seeking his blessing by Prayer in all distresses and enterptizes and so to desire the Prayers of such as believe in Christ with expectation of a blessing therein and so in oppressing distresse and for special Offices and Services in and for the Church so far to desire this laying on of hands as to desire their Prayers Blessing and Approbation in seeking the Lord for him and commending him to the Lord and the word of his Grace for help and blessing in the same and likewise to desire and delight to be much in the assembly of Believers met in his Name And this the Principle begot in the Hearts of Believers by the Oracles of God in the Doctrine of laying on of hands CHAP. 8. Of Hebrews 6.2 HEb 6.2 And of Resurrection of the dead This appears by the connexion of the words and as the Principle taught to be the Doctrine of Resurrection of the dead for understanding whereof we have three things to consider viz. 1. What the Resurrection of the dead is that is here meant Heb. 9.27 Joh. 5.28 29. and that appears in the very words to be a Resurrection of those that once before lived and are now dead but shall be raised and made alive again to receive the eternal Judgement which is after death and this Resurrection which minded this Resurrection appears not to be a metaphorical Resurrection Psa 18. 31.32 116.1 12. 2 Tim. 2.7 10. Act. 17.26 Gen. 4.1 2 3. Joh 10.9 12. Joh. 5.23 in bringing such as were once in a healthful rich honourable and comfortable condition in this life and now in deep poverty and distress unto their former healthful and comfortable estate and condition again in this life which is sometimes though the hope of such a thing so far as is for good is raised
Adoption And I finde that such as did unfainedly beleeve in Christ did receive the Spirit of Adoption into their hearts crying Abba Father But this I also finde That this Adoption is not yet compleated but only begun and a first first fruits and that of the Spirit onely received and those that have this do yet wait for the Adoption injoying yet only by hope even the redemption of the body Rom. 8.12 23 24 25. when Adoption will be compleated in the resurrection of the Just And so I finde not this said That beleevers are compleatly adopted Nor is the Adopted the usual or any expression by which beleevers are now called that I finde 3 Here are some expressions which in the meaning of them are true of all beleevers in this life as things truly and perfectly done though for the measure not come to its height and yet not as expressed the usual expressions of beleevers Ioh. 15.2 4 7 Heb. 4.1 2 3. Psal 86.11 as united to Christ which is a gracious work and in some measure spiritually effected through beleeving in the beleevers that being united by faith to the object of faith the word and so Christ in the word is in their heart and thus by faith love and desires in Christ So also tasting of the heavenly gift c. And so one And yet a farther uniting prayed for yea that they might be one in will Ioh. 17.20 21. purpose design and way And this union of Spirit we are exhorted to keep and to grow up in it till we come to the fulness of it Eph. 4.12 16. but it is not yet fully compleated And so though in a sense beleevers are united to Christ and so truly said to be yet the compleatment is but a working and growing towards Beleevers are not very often and usually set forth by this expression The united to Christ And the term Made the Sons of God is that which in a spiritual sense may be affirmed of true beleevers for to all that receive Christ by beleeving on him by beleeving on his name he gives the power to bee the Sons of God and so the favour to be called his Sons and his Sons they now are by faith and not otherwise yet And shall more fully and compleatly be made the Sons of God in the resurrection of the just Joh. 1.12 13. 1 Joh. 3.1 Gal. 3.26 Luke 20.35 36 1 Joh. 3.2 whence though Sons of God be often and usual expressions of beleevers yet made Sons of God is not so usual an expression as some other 4 Here is one expression that is once or twice used with some other expressions joyned with it and explain it who they be To express beleevers that are cordial with the manner of their calling and the operation of their faith viz. The called according to purpose Rom. 8 28. 2 Tim. 1.9 Heb. 10.32 but as a single expression it is not so usual And illumination is once used as a single expression to express beleevers besides This place Tasting that the Lord is gracious 1 Pet. 2.3 may be taken as so used in another place And what can be less in tasting of the heavenly gift and of the good word of God c. Besides as illumination tasting of the heavenly gift c. are works of the Spirit here mentioned Act. 11.18 20 21. 26 18. Col. 1.4 5. as suited to repentance from dead works and faith toward God they are expressions by which beleevers are usually set forth so as no cause to except against them as not so usual c. 5 Here are some terms in the substance of them though not so usual or not more usual than the terms in the Text here by him rejected as he expresseth them usual terms to express Beleevers viz. Quickned Born again Justified Sanctified by the Spirit Usual indeed Eph. 2.4 Col. 2.13 But minde well Quickned is sometime used as an expression of that enlivening wrought at first in beleevers expressed by Yee and Us. But the word is also used to express the efficacy of the word in beleevers Psal 119.50 93 21.20 119 88. 1 Pet. 3.18 Rom. 8.11 And sometime the word is used for a beleever fallen into some afflicted and drooping condition being raised again sometime for strengthning to walk in the wayes of righteousness and sometime for the resurrection of the body after death And so although this be in some respect a right and good expression of beleevers as thus sometime have been now are and after death in the resurrection shall fully bee yet the expression Heb. 6.4 5. compared with vers 1 2. import the same and are every way as suitable to express beleevers according to their attainments in this life both in principles and spiritual efficacies as is at large shewn The other expression Born again Joh. 3.3.5 1.13 1 Pet. 1.3 Jam. 1.18 if understood or from above and so as explicated of water and the Spirit and so of God by the word of God A good and fit expression of beleevers oft used yet this must be granted That there are degrees and measures of the work of God in this work also that is expressed by this term For whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ 1 Joh. 5.1 1 Cor. 12.3 Luke 20.36 Rom. 8.23 Act. 13.39 Rom. 5.1 1 Cor. 6.11 is born of God And no man can say in preaching Gospel That Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost And none are fully and compleatly born of God till the resurrection from the dead so that for explicating the state and present frame of a beleever The expressions used Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. are every way as suitable yea explicating that expression And so also Justified is a good expression to set forth a Beleever And so is Sanctified by the Spirit but mostly used rather to set forth what is received in beleeving than the beleeving it self And the expressions in Heb. 6.1 2 4 5. as much set forth beleeving and so may as well express the beleever as either of them So that all these expressions brought in though they are all very good yet the bringing them in to discountenance and eject other expressions used in this business by the Holy Ghost also 2 Tim. 2.14 Job 15.3 38.2 is not good but contrary to the Commandment to enter strife about words to no profit but the subversion of the hearers or readers and a darkning of counsel by multiplying words without knowledge For was not the laying of Christ for the foundation the purpose and according to the purpose of God And was not the lifting up Jesus in Gospel-preaching and glorifying him by Spirit to the hearts of men that they might see and beleeve the purpose and according to the purpose of God And whereas some when light comes would yet be wise in their own eyes and so come in to claim by a righteousness of their own not
in him the Man Jesus Christ he is therefore likewise called God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ our hope And so the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the world as he hath taken the nature of man and dyed for our sins and rose for our justification offered the acceptable sacrifice sitteth at the right hand of God filled with Spirit c. So as who ever beleeveth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins c. This the object of faith and the testimony of Christ in the Gospel holding forth this being that in which he is discovered and discerned in beleeving of which beleeved and received that is the mediate object of faith and Christ thus set forth in and by the Gospel is called The faith even the same faith that Paul did once persecute and after preach And this faith is one and but one But I suppose the controversie is not about this though the evil managing the controversie hath strengthned many in denying this But here the business controverted is about the grace of beleeving Now every beleeving is not faith but that which is begotten by the declaration of the object of faith and in beleeving it closeth with it And so faith is still one as hath been shewn at large Part 3. Chap. 17. and elsewhere And so if answer bee given That by faith is meant such a beleeving as is begotten by the testimony of Christ and closeth with Christ in that testimony then sure the Question is stated in the Answer given but if it be urged it need to be better opened I answer it hath been often shewn how the Scripture doth it in many places plainly and so far to yeeld to all that is right even in tradition of Fathers also It s known what some of them have said and others from them have preached who have said the right beleef is this A beleeving God to Bee and beleeving of God in that which he saith and beleeving in God for all he hath promised This all this nothing less than this is said to bee a right beleef True it is He that beleeveth not God to bee and Jehovah to be that very true God is as an Atheist and hath no true beleef at all But he that beleeveth God to be and Jehovah to bee that very God doth so far beleeve a right yet if he beleeve him not true in his sayings and demonstrations of his goodness he is yet wanting of a right beleef yea his beleeving is not saving without this If he beleeveth both these his beleeving is right and saving and if he abide in it and minde what he beleeveth it will save him so as to bring him to beleeve in God for what he promiseth which when he attaineth he beginneth to bee saved so far as he is a true beleever and hath faith even true faith And as I conceive the Scripture it self also holds forth this in Heb 11.6 For he that cometh to God must beleeve that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Here is the beleef of his being express and the beleef of his sayings in his demonstrated goodness express beleeving in him intimated in coming to him And this to prove faith in Henoch and in his time when though all the goodness of God to man-ward was through a Mediator yet the Mediator and his work was not then so clearly revealed as since Jesus Christ carried our nature into heaven and the fulnes of the God-head dwels in him bodily of which his first witnesses have testified saying We know that the Son of God is come 2 Joh. 5.20 and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life So then we have not another faith or an other manner of beleeving but the same object of faith brought nigher and set forth more cleerly to be in the same manner more firmly beleeved in even God in Christ and so Christ and God in him 1 To beleeve this publick man to be even the second man the Lord from heaven the spiritual man that hath in himself as the publick man suffered for the sins of mankinde that came in by the first publick mans transgression and restored the nature of man and presented it spotless in himself before the Father and the Father hath taken his wel pleasedness and dwelling in him and set him forth the propitiation for the sins of the world the Savior of the world That whoever beleeve in him may have everlasting life And that Jesus is this Christ the Son of the living God 2 To beleeve his sayings by his Spirit in the Gospel all true and good the very sayings of the God of truth in and by him 3 To beleeve in him in Christ Jesus in his blood and so in God in him for all that he hath promised and so for the Kingdome to come this according to the description of the Ancient is Evangelical faith not another kinde but the same more bright and fully appearing and enjoyed all which hath been shewn in first second third and fourth parts of this Treatise yea in the residue also at large And though as at first mentioned it is accepted where this glorious Gospel is not given yet where it is displayed if the first be wanting there is no right Gospel-beleeving but that beleeved with the heart will effect the other two which being in any measure effected such do not onely beleeve truly but are true beleevers and have right faith that is saving and justifying And as for Scripture-stating and explicating the question it is oft shewn already and all agreeing with that here said to set it forth by a definition I will not presume onely the nearest that I finde of that nature I will mention it is in Heb. 1.2 Now faith is the substance ground or confidence of things hoped for the evidence of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen By faith here it is cleer is meant such a beleef of Gods evidenced goodness as is begotten by his own declaration evidence or testimony and closeth with the same in beleeving according to his evidence given And that he speaks of the object of faith evidenced by divine testimony received and closed with in beleeving is evident throughout the whole Epistle of which evidences through mediums in the rumor of that report in Paradise the evidences in works of Creation and Providence were the first and then more fully by word and oracles and then most full and clear by his Son the standing testimony of whom is in the Gospel as now come forth and this is plain Chap. 1.1 2 3 2.1 2 3 4. 12.25 of faith begot by evidences through the first mediums Examples in this 11. Chapter from vers 4. to vers 7. of more fulness added in more clear discovery by word
the second and new Creation Secondly Yet notwithstanding there is also a true resemblance in many similitudes between them and that not only in this 1. That they both are the work of one and the same God but also in this 1. Gen. 1.1 2. Psa 33.6 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3 4. Col. 1.15 16-19 That as the first was made by the Word and Spirit of the Lord breathed forth by the Father through the Word that is the Son even so was the second and new Creation also begun and shall be finished 2. Gen. 1.1 26. That as in the first the Heavenly and Earthy Matter was first made and framed before any other particular Creatures and they after by the command and word of the Lord formed and made in and out of them even so the second and new Creation in the counsels and purpose of God and actual consent and Agreement of the Word the Son of God and now also in act by the Word made Flesh the original and first being and that which gives being to all and in and out of which and through which all particulars are formed and made new was first prepared made and formed in the Man Christ in whom the Restauration being made God and Man united in one Person through whom the Holy Spirit proceedeth from the Father and so by the word and command of the Lord the particulars in their order are formed and made new and so Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Son of Man even he himself is called the beginning of the Creation of God a Rev. 3.14 the first-born of every Creature b Col. 1.15 the first-begotten first-born from the dead c Rev. 1.5 Col. 1.18 before Abraham was he is d Joh. 8.56 58. the Root of David e Rev. 22 16. the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end f Rev. 21 6. yea he that worketh with the Father and whatsoever the Father doth he doth the same John 5.19 23 26 27. he is the beginning and by him are all things 3. That as in the first Creation in respect of particulars to be formed Gen. 1.3 John 1.4 5. 2 Cor. 4.6 God first commanded and formed the Light for his Creatures even so in the new Creation in bringing in particulars the first thing commanded to come forth is Light and this shining in the Face of Christ into the Heart of those he makes new Creatures 4. That as in the first Creation the first publick Man was first made a perfect Man fit for multiplication Gen. 1.28 4.1 2. 5.3 Rom. 5.19 1 Cor. 15.48 and his seed and posterity after to come forth of him one after one by degrees and all in his likeness such as he was when they come forth of him even so in the new Creation the second publick Man is first made perfect and his Seed in a spiritual way and supernaturally to be after brought in to him and that also one after another by degrees h Rom. 16.7 Act. 2.41 47. and all by degrees framed into the likeness of Christ into whom they are brought i Rem 5.17 1 Cor. 15.48 2 Cor. 5.17 Eph. 2.10 5. That as in the first Creation the Man and Woman fell and lost the benefit of all by questioning and letting go the Word of the Lord Gen. 3.16 in hearing and pondering the voice of the Serpent and so in believing the same looked on and beheld the forbidden Fruit and desired it and so took and eat of it even so in the new Creation Men and Women are drawn in to Christ and participation of the benefit thereof by letting go and turning from the delusions of Satan in hearing and minding the voice of Christ in the Gospel and so believing the same that they behold him as discovered therein and so desire him and accept and feed on him k Act. 3.26 26.18 with Iob. 5.26 Isa 53.3 Iob. 11.25 26. 6.54 55 56 57. 6. In the first Creation the deed and offence of the first Man and condemnation of him for it did reach to all Mankinde and was the offence and condemnation of all in him as the publick Man and that so verily and efficaciously that in coming forth Naturally from him they should verily partake of the same and bear his likeness though yet none of the sons of Men could in their own individual persons so partake of and feel the same until and but as and when in a Natural way they come to have their personal beings of him and so come forth from him even so in the new Creation the deed and righteousness of the second Man and his justification as he was the publick Man did reach unto all Men and was so far in that sense on them all to justification of life from the first sentence and escape out of the first death in through him as the second publick Man Rom. 5.12 18 9. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 17 18 19. Phil. 1.10 11. Gal. 3.26 29. and though all shall one day be freed from that first sentence and raised out of that first death by him to acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God yet do or can none of the sons of Men in their own individual persons partake of or enjoy the benefit of that freedom righteousness and justification but as they are brought in to believe that done by him nor of Eternal Life but as they are in that believing spiritually united unto him and so in such a being in him are made new Creatures In which respects as there is such similitude between the first and second Creation and the first and second Man and interests of their seeds in them and what they receive from them Rom. 5.14 so the first Adam was a Type or figure of the second that was to come and so we may say of the natural Tree of Life and so of divers things in the first Creation there was something typical in them the Truth whereof in a superabounding manner is in Christ whence he is called Adam and The Tree of Life The green Olive-Tree The Tree by the Rivers of Waters The true Vine The Fountain of living Waters The Door Heb. 10.1 Col. 2.17 Rom. 16.25 26. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. The Way The Rock The Foundation c. not that there were or are no such things naturally in being as appertaining to the old Creation but because the Truth Excellency and Life shadowed out by all these things is found in Christ and enjoyed in enjoying him in the new Creation and we know there is more in the Truth than any shadows could type out and the Gospel hath now more cleerly revealed the same And I hope these things considered that are writ from the beginning of this first part of this Treatise till now and understood and believed as far as they are plainly affirmed in the Scripture here and there in many places written and in
Witnesses and remaineth in the Heavens till the time of the restitution of all things this is that Jesus and this Jesus is the Christiand all that the four Evangelists writ Luk. 1.4 John 20.31 Act. 2.36 3.13 16. 4.11 12 c. 17.2 3. 1 Joh. 5 1. Joh. 1.12 13. was to certifie us of this that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that in believing we might have life through his Name And so the Apostles preached that he is the Christ and proved by the Scripture that this very Jesus whom they preached is the Christ he that believeth that this Jesus is the Christ is born of God and he that denieth it is a lyer Antichrist 1 Ioh. 2.22 More of this is shewn part 1. ch 1. 2. Joh. 1.1 Rom. 9.5 Tit. 3.13 Heb. 1. 2 Tim 2.5 Joh. 3.16 17. Isa 53. Joh. 5. Luk. 1 31. Joh. 1.14 Rom. 1 1-4 Mat. 16.16 Joh. 14 14 18. Rom. 5.17 18. 1 Cor. 86. 1 Pet. 3.18 4.1 1 Joh. 3.16 Act. 20.28 Heb. 2.14 What a one he is is also in the Testimony shewn namely that he is God the great God God over all blessed for e-ever that he is Man a true and very Man of the Seed of David c. that he is the Son of God the onely proper and natural Son of God the Son of God by Divine and unconceivable Generation according to the Divine Nature and by a supernatural conception and by the Resurrection from the Dead and by union in person with the Word and wel-pleasedness with the Father according to the humane Nature as he is Man and God-Man the Son of God the Son of Man in one person being one and the onely proper Son of God the Christ one Lord Jesus Christ in respect of the union of two Natures in one person that is one Son of God that which is done by or in either Nature may in respect of person be said of both so though he was put death in the flesh and God cannot die yet God is said to have laid down his Life for us and his Blood called God's own Blood and so though not Man but God could overcome Death yet this Man is said by Death to overcome Death so with respect to each Nature he is diversly spoken of in respect of the Divine Nature Joh. 10.30 even when he was on earth yet the Father and he were one even in Greatness and Power and yet as he was man John 14.28 to suffer and offer Sacrifice the Father was greater than he and having offered the Sacrifice he is exalted above all Principality and Power 1 Pet 3.22 Heb. 8.1 Col. 2.9 and set down on the right Hand of God Angels Powers and Authorities made subject to him and the fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily Col. 1. Heb. 1.3 so as all compleatness is in him he is the Brightness of the Glory of God and the express Image of his Person the Image of the invisible God he is one with God Heb. 5. Isa 4.2 Cent. 5.10 God is in him as is said He is God he is one with Mankinde the Nature of Man is in him as is said He is Man a fit able loving and wonderful perfect Saviour Beauty and Glory Comely and Excellent White and Ruddy the Standard-Bearer and chiefest of ten thousand the Saviour of sinners whose Work and Office is to save sinners the Lover of the Righteous whose Office is to preserve the Righteous such a one he is even the Christ 1 Tim. 1.15 Psa 11.7 Rev. 15.3 Heb. 7. Act. 3.22 Isa 42.1 8. 61.1 4. Heb. 4.14 15 16 5.2 7.15 4.12 the King of Saints the King of Kings the Lord of Hosts and Rules the Great High Priest that orders the whole Worship of God by whom Men may approach to God the High Priest over the House of God the great Prophet that revealeth the Father and teacheth the things of God in a word he is full of Spirit full of love and compassion knowing all things and able to do all things such a one he is 3. Whence he is and that is even from Heaven It was the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God that found out this Ransom 2 Sam. 14.14 Job 33.24 Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Joh. 4.9 10 14. Rom. 5.6 8 10. Tit. 3.4 Joh. 1.1 14. 17.5 16.28 Act. 3. Joh. 1.4 5 9. Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 Isa 45.22 it was the infinite Pity and Love of God to Mankinde that moved him to give and send forth this his Son to become Man and by his Death and Sacrifice to be the Saviour of the World He was with God in the bosome of God glorified with God's own self he came forth from the Father and came into the world again he left the world and went to the Father and now there in his glorified boby remaineth in the Heavens and from thence by his Spirit beholding discerning all things he sends forth of the beams of his light and goodness and so the Father through him in Testimonies of his goodness in mercies and means to draw Men to Repentance and looking to him that they may be saved by him and so Righteousness flows down from Heaven l Psal 85.11 but especially and more abundantly in the Ministration of the Gospel in which God sendeth and giveth his Son to open the eyes of the blinde and turn them c. m Act. 3.26 26.18 and is giving to men the bread of life to feed on n Joh. 6.32 Jesus Christ in that Ministration is coming down spiritually from Heaven the bread of God the bread of life giving life that Men may feed on him and live o Joh. 6.27 33 48. and so is God the Father of lights from whom comes every good and perfect gift and giving p Jam. 1.17 and Jesus Christ is the Lord from Heaven heavenly q 1 Cor. 15.47 and so Jesus Christ by his Spirit the wisdom of God in its Teachings and saving Operations doth not first ascend or spring from within out of the wisdom heart and frame in Men the wisdom that so doth ascend is earthy sensual devilish but this wisdom is above and descendeth from above and so is pure c. r Jam. 3.15 17.18 and entreth into the heart and so springeth up into sutable fruits so that Christ and Faith in Christ and the things of Christ are from above from the grace favour and free-gift of God even as his next personal coming will be of Gods sending him from Heaven s Act. 3.20 4. For what remains to be said viz. what he became what he hath done what he is become what he doth and for whom and what he will do for some and who they be and what he will do against others and who they be this being the Subject of this following Discourse in this part of this
of them being in him or he any way so obliged to them as it should deserve or engage him to take their Nature and offer Sacrifice for them or that by vertue of being any ways in him they should be so interested in his Death Sacrifice and Righteousness that it should in any sort be theirs yea or counted theirs and they interested in it before by vertue of the compleating of it in and by himself alone he be interested in them and so by Grace bring them in to have interest in him And I hope it will be granted by all that believe in Christ and I am sure it is in Scripture affirmed That by vertue of his Oblation once offered God hath released and given over all Men to him to be disposed by him and hath released over to him the sentence of the first Judgement and Death Joh. 5.22 27. Rom. 14.8 9 10 12. Joh. 17.1 2 5. 1 Joh. 5.11 by and according to the Law as Mankinde at first fell under it so as God will never so judge them by that Law nor cause them to perish for ever in that Death but hath given them over unto the dispose of Jesus Christ and given him to be their Lord and Judge and hath given him power over all flesh and given for Mankinde eternal Life in Christ in whom in the Nature of Man it is put and he hath exalted him and filled him with Spirit to make it known and dispence it in his way and though it was free and undeserved Grace to give him for Mankinde and freeness of Grace to unite the Body given him in union of person with the Son of God yet all this given him by vertue of his death sufferings and sacrifice may in respect of himself be said to be merited and deserved and so called the wages of that one Righteousness of his in his Oblation offered by himself Isa 53.11 12. Phil. 2.10 11. whence it is said Even therefore I will divide him a portion c. and therefore God hath highly exalted him c. yea as rightly thus called in respect of himself only as Death is called the wages of sin in respect of the first Adam and his posterity but now in respect of Mankinde for whom he offered the Oblation or any of them it cannot be said so that their receiving mercies through this Oblation or any of the benefit of it that either it or the benefit of it interest in it or life through it is merited or deserved by them or the wages of any righteous affections or works of theirs or any wayes due to them and descending upon them by vertue of any fore-being in Christ preceding his Oblation but only it comes to Men by the freeness of the Grace of God that freely gave Christ for them and the freeness of the same Grace in Christ that freely gave himself for them and God's gracious acceptance of the gift and sacrifice of Christ for them and so imputing it to them graciously accepting it for them and them for and through it as if they had died and risen and offered the sacrifice and as any in his discovery of this great Grace are found believing in Christ freely giving to them eternal Life through Christ and for his sake Rom. 6.23 5.15 and so it is said The gift of God is eternal Life he saith not unto Christ but through Jesus Christ our Lord and so Rom. 5.15 Much more the grace of God which comprehends his love in the gift of Christ and the whole preparation made in him for Men before any gift through it is extended and the gift by grace and explicating it have by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded to many that is in respect of release from perishing in the first Judgement and mercies extended unto all men Joh. 1.4.5.9 Rom. 5.17 vers 18. and in respect of the abundance of Grace and eternal Life to all those that in believing receive the same vers 17. so that all the whole offering of the Oblation by Christ and the benefit procured for Men thereby is by the free Grace of Christ and freely done by him and not by debt or fore-engagement unto any there was none in him for him by vertue thereof to be engaged to or in such a sense joyned with him to die suffer and offer with him but he he only he himself Heb. 7.17 9.14 10.12 offered this Oblation and Sacrifice here treated of Oh infinite and unspeakable free and gracious goodness who would entertain any Doctrine that should gain-say or darken this CHAP. 5. 3. To whom it was that he offered this Oblation or Sacrifice TO whom Jesus Christ gave himself is though not expressed plainly yet cleerly and strongly intimated in Tit. 2.14 in that it is not in this place said to us but for us and to whom should it be offered for us but to him against whom we had sinned even God that gave him forth to that end whence it 's also called the grace of God c. vers 11. a like strong intimation we have 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. That gave himself a Ransom for all Men to God that would have all saved therefore found out the Ransom by vertue whereof with God to whom he offered it he mediateth for men But this is seen cleerly in both the former Points also expresly affirmed Eph. 5.2 Christ also hath loved us and given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 And so it is said of Jesus Joh. 13.1 3. 16.28 That he knowing all things knew that he was come from God and went to God and that he came forth from the Father into the world and left the world and departed out of the world unto the Father yea all the former typical Priests did offer their Sacrifices to God though they were on Earth Heb. 7.26 27. 8.3 4. 9 9 12 14. and offered on Earth yet it was to God in the Heavens and to whom should our great High-Priest offer up his Sacrifice when he entred into Heaven but to God in the Heavens But I suppose this is not only cleer and evident Heb. 2.17 3.2 6. but also acknowleged by all that believe in Jesus Christ both that he offered his Oblation and Sacrifice to God and also that he was faithful in all his business but that I note this for is that it may be minded That Jesus Christ in the business of his Oblation and Sacrifice-offering he had to deal with God and with none but with God and though for fallen Mankinde yet not with them but with God for them True it is in his after-Mediation of which is after to be spoken as he hath to deal for Men so also both with God and with Men but in his Oblation and Sacrifice-offering though it was for Men
remember Jude 5. How that the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt afterwards destroyed them that believed not and they being both there and in other places set forth for types and ensamples to us b 1 Cor. 10 1-11.11.18 I will instance yet that which comes nigher it is said Psal 78. He establshed a testimony in Jacob c. That the generations to come might know c. That they might set their hope in God c. And might not be as their fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation c. Which yet many of them were Psa 78.5 6 7 8. and did not set their hope in God as the story shews If it be replied This was but a Ministration I might answer This was God's End expresly that they might know and hope in God c. And that he did order and appoint insufficient and ineffectual means to bring his Ends about I hope none will say neither as I hope will any deny This giving of a Testimony to be a Type of his giving Christ for a Testimony for the same End But I will come to a closer Answer Isa 55.4 in that which the Lord affirms his own doing by the Mouth of the Prophet Jer. 13.11 12. As the girdle cleaveth to the loyns of a man so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah saith the Lord that they might be unto me for a people and for a name and for a praise and for a glory but they would not hear c. And so to this very business our Saviour himself tells us God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world Job 3.17 vers 14 15 18 19 Ioh. 5.34 40 43. but that the world through him might be saved yet he doth not say or infer That the World shall all be certainly saved no not so but He that as he is displayed believeth on him shall be saved c. And so in his own personal Ministration he saith to the Jews These things I say that ye might be saved yet many of them to whom he preached to that End not would come to him nor receive his Words that they might have Life And the like may be seen in his end of sending his Gospel by his Servants so Act. 26.18 that all the way the word might used in setting forth an end aimed at implies sufficiency and effectualness in means to effect the end and good hope yea certainty if not willingly refused and resisted but not an absolute infallibility that the end in the blessed part of it shall be accomplished in fallen Men whether they attend and receive or no And all this is said not to wave one syllable in the Text but to shew what it saith not and how the word might is in such business in Scripture used when the ends of things that are to have their efficacy with and in fallen Mankinde are mentioned And so let us Secondly minde what he doth indeed say that is He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie c. This expresly his gracious End of giving himself for us and so of his Oblation That he might redeem us from all iniquity c. which is partly hinted in the former Chapter shewing for what he offered himself which comes here to be enlarged as it hath reference to this expressed End and so that he might c. is 1. That he might have power and authority in the Nature of Man and as Man also even the Son of Man to be both Mediator between God and Men and to use what means he pleaseth to redeem Men from iniquity and to be the judge of Men and is foreshewn and doth yet farther appear Joh. 5.21 22-26 27. in our Saviour's own giving this as the ground of the Father's giving to the Son to have life in himself to call and to quicken whom he will and to execute judgement because he is the Son of Man And this also by himself explicated with his gracious End affirmed Thus it is written Luk. 24.46 47. and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations c. Phil. 2.7 8 9 10 11. Mat. 27 28. mat 28.18 19. And upon the account of his Sufferings and Sacrifice this power and authority being given him he from thence groundeth his own rightfull calling of them that are weary c. to come to him and on the same ground giveth commission to his Disciples to preach the Gospel and therefore he gave himself for us in sufferingâ and offering Sacrifice that he might have this power and authority as the publick Man and in and with it use means by the vertue of his Oblation to save c. And that God hath given him this power and authority to this end Act. 5.31 32. is affirmed 2. That he might be filled in the very Nature of Man with the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost to this End that the Love Wisdom Power Mercy Truth Goodness and Face of God might appear to be seen in him and the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father through him in his Name while in the means he is displayed And this our Saviour expresly affirmed Joh. 16.7 both That unless he did go away which was by his Death and Ascension to offer Sacrifice the Comforter would not come and also That if he departed he would send him and this also upon the account of his Sufferings and Oblation Isa 50.2 3 4 5 6. Isa 61.1 2 3 4. he had not only the forementioned Power but God the Lord hath given him the tongue of the learned that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary And this explained by himself The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings c. And this affirmed also by the Father upon the account of his Sufferings and Sacrifice Phil. 2 7-10 Heb. 8. Isa 42.1 2-8 Mat. 12 18. 3.17 17.5 in which he was his Servant and still is in his Ministration as in the Father's well-pleasedness in him and Acceptance of his Sacrifice and Mediation he is his Elect yea as the publick Man Behold saith he I have put my Spirit on him and he shall shew forth judgement to the Gentiles c. 3. That he might by vertue of his Blood in this his Oblation Psa 22 12-22 40.9 10. Joh. 3.14 15 16 12.31 32. Isa 55.4 5. Isa 42.7 8. Joh. 5.25 26 Isa 52.15 Heb. 9.14 1 Pet. 18 19. Rev. 5.9 with this Furniture he hath upon the account thereof in the means he useth especially in the Ministration of the Gospel declare his Father's Name and Righteousness and be himself lift up and
and Oblation of Christ and for him to offer for and so accomplish their Salvation This stands cross to the whole Testimony of Scripture about the Oblation of Christ as foreshewn Par. 1. ch 7. and is answered in the former Answer being no Scripture-saying nor agreeing with the Rule there given and by him approved 3. That the Fruits of the purchase of Christ shall certainly be bestowed on all those for whom he died c In Epist to his Higness p. 2. And again That all the effects and fruits of the Death of Christ antecedent to our believing are deposited in the hand or righteousness and faithfulness of God to whom as a ransom it was payed c. to be made out effectually to them for whom he died in the appointed time and season to which he quotes 1 Tim. 2.5 6. Heb. 2.17 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 1 Cor. 6.19 20. d Pag. 168. None of these places countenancing either of these expressions and some contradicting them cleerly And it 's before shewn how Scripture plainly affirmeth That Jesus Christ as the publick Man is by vertue of his sufferings and Oblation offered to God glorified with the Glory he as the Son of God had with the Father before the World was and That he is made The Christ and The Lord of all The Saviour of the World The Head of the Church The Mediator between God and Men The great High-Priest yea all Power and Authority is given to him yea Power to give Repentance and Remission of sins to open blinde eyes to communicate the Priviledges of sons to raise the Dead and to judge all Men according to the Gospel and to give rewards to his Servants the Saints both small and great to sit on the Throne of David and set his suffering-Saints on Thrones with him and all this the Fruit of the Death Oblation and Purchase of Christ and attained by him and to be believed O let not Believers be so puff'd up to think all this must be bestowed on them all Scripture is against it let none suffer himself by such dangerous Expressions to be occasioned to fall into the Condemnation of the evil Angels that were not content with their place But let this be waved as not intended though the Expression giveth Ground for it and waving this the Expression is waved as false and dangerous but take it in the best sense we can it is a confessed Truth That the Gifts of Apostles Prophets Evangelists The visible descending of the Holy Ghost The Gifts of speaking with divers Tongues The Gifts of Miracles were all fruits and effects of the Death Oblation and Purchase of Christ as hath been shewn in plain Texts and were procured by him into himself to be bestowed as Fruits of his Death before we believed And the Spirit saith That all these are not given not only not to every one for whom Christ died but even not to every Believer and Member of the Church So that this Expression as it's derogatory to Christ so it is contradictory to the plain Testimony of the Spirit in the Scripture But let leave be given to wave this though the Expression will not admit the waving it seeing these are things by some attained to and to be believed But if no more is meant but those Graces necessary to sonship and eternal salvation yet the Expression crosseth the plain sayings of the Gospel still that intimate to us the perishing of some for whom Christ died and hath plainly foretold us That some will deny the Lord that bought them yea the Scripture setteth forth the Death Oblation and Purchase of Christ as the Ground of the Lordship of Christ and of his raising the Dead and of the Equity of his judging according to the Gospel which is all denied by this Expression And yet here is more confusion and darkness in this Expression in a mistake of that for what Christ offered himself a sacrifice to God if not a short coming also in that which he offered surely in his paying the debt he died that is true and yet here is more than simply Death in the Oblation giving or Ransom or Sacrifice even Death Resurrection Ascension and giving himself to God that which he gave and offered to God for us was himself his own Body as is foreshewn And that for which he gave himself was for Men for sinners ungodly c. for us even for our sins to take them away and for our nature and persons to purchase us into his dispose as is fully shewn and proved True if there had been any that God had chosen and given to Christ to die for c. as Mr. Owen intimates in some of his Expressions then they were God's Elect and Christ his peculiar by donation of the Father before his Death and so his Death and Oblation could not be for them to purchase them or that they should be his by vertue of that Oblation and Purchase of his seeing they were his Father's Elect and his by gift before no need to buy after that which was given before therefore it must not be for them but for something else for them And what that is Mr. Owen's Expression hinteth and in other his writings he expresseth as if Christ in giving himself to God did purchase of his Father by his Death and Sacrifice certain Graces of Repentance Faith Love and other spiritual Gifts to be bestowed on some certain persons fore-given him to die for That such gifts are the effects and fruits of the Death and Oblation of Christ is true and granted because he by his Oblation procured that power and furniture when he purchased us and an Inheritance for all that believe on him by which he giveth and worketh these Graces though purchasing such Graces be no Scripture-phrase and yet this is still more unscripture-like in intimating as if all these Graces and Fruits were not in the Hands of Christ to bestow though purchased by him but deposited into the Hands of God c. Very true for they are all deposited in to the Man Christ in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily Col. 2.3 9 10. Isa 42. 1-7 and 61.1 2. And to him it belongs to give Repentance Faith Love and to communicate the Priviledges of sons and this Power and Authority he purchased when he purchased Mankinde to be given into his dispose Par. 1. ch 7. so that this Expression suits not to any plain sayings of Scripture nor to the approved Rule to which he commends us for trial 4. That there was but one type of Christ his intercession principally namely the entrance of the high Priest into the holy of holies e Pag. 216. Sect. 3. Surely he must comprehend a great deal in the High-Priest's entrance into the holy of holies to make that any direct Type of the Intercession of Christ at all much more to make it the principal one for the High-Priest entred into the holy of holies once every yeer
of all that debt in and by the Gospel and the mâans used towards us have still many following and daily sins and defilements and need this spiritual Application and sprinkling of his Blood for our cleansing and peace and we are found weak in believing and need that spiritual sprinkling of his Blood to confirm our Faith in him for the Promises of the New Testament all which things how he is furnished to help us hath been foreshewed But he is righteous holy harmless in him never was or is or will be any sin and for what cause he should be sprinkled with his own Blood who will fancy Sure I will not believe because it is Scriptureless and agreeth not with the Rule given and consented to pag. 26. As for those Expressions of Christ dying for his Elect seeing that there could be none elect in him but as he is beheld as having died offered his Oblation nor is any of Mankinde reprobated but as thus are beheld rejecting him that offered the Oblation And so though it be true That Christ hath once died and offered the Oblation both for those that now are elect and those that now are reprobated and by vertue of the same Oblation will eternally save the one and justly condemn the other yet he died and offered the Oblation for no Man as elect nor for any Man as reprobated but for all Men as sinners fallen in Adam Therefore that Expression of dying for his elect or dying for the reprobate are neither the one nor the other found in the Holy Scriptures but in the sayings of those that strive to shun or shadow the Light These and such-like Expressions being not in the Scripture may by the Rule be easily avoided And enough is said and plain sayings of Scripture directed to in treating of the Oblation Part 1. ch 7. to fence against all such-like Expressions therefore they are forborn here CHAP. 10. Some Instructions from the Gospel-Testimony of the Oblation of Christ about Christ and the Gospel of Christ FRom that is in Scripture testified concerning the Oblation of Christ what was offered by whom to whom for whom for what and to what End we may perceive learn and know certainly 1. That Jesus Christ is the last Adam the second publick Man 1 Cor. 15.45 46 46.47 Rom. 5.18 Gen. 3.15 Heb. 2.14 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Joh. 5.6 7 8. the spiritual Man the Lord from Heaven the quickning Spirit in whom there is a full Restauration of the Nature of Man and for Mankinde compleated as there was depravation in the first Adam And so that he is the promised Seed that hath by his own Oblation in himself as the publick Man taken away sin overcome Death and destroyed the works of the Devil and is furnished to do and will do the same in others according to the Agreement between the Father and him for Mankinde for the good of Men and the everlasting benefit of all that unfeignedly believe on him Gen. 22.18 Gal. 3.13 14 16. Gen. 7 5 6 7. Is 53.8 9.6 Ioh. 10.58 Rom. 9.7 8. Act. 13.32 33. Is 9 6. Is 49.1 2 3 8. Hos 12.4 Heb. 5.7 9. Mat. 6.6 Joh. 4.42 and so he is that true Seed in which is blessing for all Nations that all believing in him may receive it yea the true spiritual Abraham the everlasting Father the true spiritual Isaac or Son of promise in whom the Seed shall be called the true Israel that hath prevailed with God by whom God speaks with us yea he is the great and true Prophet Act. 22. the great and only true high Priest Heb. 3.1 and 7. the true and spiritual David and King Ezek. 34. and 37.24 Rev. 22.16 Heb. 7.1 In a word he is the Christ the Son of the living God the Saviour of the World yea and so neerly related to us that he is the Son of Adam Abraham David yea the Son of Man our Kinsman that loves us is allied to us and in our Nature who came to save sinners 2. That Jesus Christ in respect of his Oblation Jam. 1.13 1 Cor. 5.17 Rev. 3.14 Rev. 5.1 Col. 1.18 Is 42.1 Rev. 1.18 Tit. 3.5 6. Rev. 1.11 17. 22 5 6 7. compleated is the beginning of the Creation of God the new Creation called Emphatically The Creation of God he is the first-begotten and first-born from the Dead the first elect that was once dead and is now alive for evermore and so he is the Fountain of the proceeding and compleating of the whole new Creation of Regeneration of Adoption Gal. 4.5 of Election 2 Thes 2.13 of Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.21 22 23. yea the Alpha and Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end in all these yea so it pleased the Father that he should be the first and that all fulness should dwell in him that in all things he might have the pre-eminence Col. 1.18 19 20. 3. That Jesus Christ in respect of this his Oblation Is 23.16 Heb. 6.1 Is 32.2 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 3.11 Act. 4.11 12. Eph. 2. â8 Joh. 14.6 10.7 9. compleated is that precious stone so tried in his Power Love and Faithfulness by so great sufferings and proved excellent and prevalent with God and for Men which God hath laid in Sion for a Foundation a Foundation of Repentance and Faith and for Believers to rest and be built upon yea he is the only Foundation and there is no other whereby Men may be saved yea he is nor only the Foundation but the true door and way of all right and true approach to God and of entrance into fellowship with and service of him and his people yea he is the Way the Truth and the Life 4. The Testimony of Christ being comprehended in the Testimony of his Oblation and Mediation and glorious coming again this of his Oblation and its prevalency with God for Men in that he obtained and is become which includeth and assureth though it explicate not his Mediation and second coming it is and is rightly called both The Word of the Beginning of Christ and The Vision of All. First Heb. 6.1 it is called The Word of the Beginning of Christ or as some translate it The Doctrine of the Beginning of Christ of his Incarnation See the eight first Chapters of this par 2. Death Resurrection Ascension Sacrifice offered the Ends and Vertues thereof the Peace he hath made thereby the Overthrow he hath given to Sin Satan Death the Redemption he hath obtained and the fulness of Spirit he hath received even for the Rebellious that the Lord might dwell among them he being the Saviour of the World the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World the Lord of All so as whoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life and he the Judge of All and the Love of God to Manward herein testified This the Word of the Beginning of Christ and the Beginning of
them and extending to some Revelation Demonstration and making known his minde and goodness to them and also dealing with Men from and for God in opening their Eyes and moving their Hearts to turn to God and look to him and be saved and again still dealing with God for Men for patience pardon and means still to be extended to them that so they might come to Repentance and Faith and that he in his Father's way may freely give it to them By which means and in which patience he is striving with Men in opening their Eyes and moving at their Hearts that they might believe and so from the prevalency of his Mediation by vertue of his Oblation he is giving them Faith and Repentance and such a Mediator he is for all Men yea so set to be of his Father and hath himself accepted to perform this Office also and is furnished for it with the vertue of his Oblation and Immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost being faithful able and constant in performance and so in respect of his receiving from the Father and so from God dealing with the people calling and making known God's minde being full of Spirit Love and Faithfulness he calls enlightens moves and so strives with all 2 Isa 42 1-7 45.22 49.6 8. 55.5 61.1 2 3. Joh. 1.4 5 7 8 9 10 11. Rom. 2.4 5. as hath been foreshewn a. And whereas men closing their Eyes which he hath opened c. not owning and receiving his reachings and motions which is the sin of the world he yet by vertue of his Blood and Oblation once offered so intercedes with God as to procure such forgiveness that they are not cut off presently for these transgressions but that longer time and patience and more mercies and means be extended towards them and farther strife with his Spirit that they might yet repent believe and be saved A gracious Mediator intimated to us in the Parable of the Vine-dresser Luk. 13.8 9. Lord let it alone this yeer also till I dig about it and dress it and if it bear fruit well if not then after c. If any say This is meant of the Church the Vineyard of the Iews I answer However meant it is spoken of particular Trees therein of some of which our Saviour saith Ye are of this World Joh. 8.23 Joh. 1.29 but it is plain express by Iohn Baptist Behold the Lamb of God which taketh or beareth away the sins of the world In which it appeareth evidently he speaketh of more than the Atonement and Purgation made and so of the sins taken away from before the Face of God at once by that one Oblation of his once offered yea he speaketh of a continued act by vertue of his Oblation in Mediation he taketh that is spoken of a present and continued business he taketh or beareth away the sin of the world that is his Office and his continued work That he is faithful in doing and how he doth it was long before prophesied Isa 53.12 He poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with transgressors and he bare the sins of many And then speaking of another and farther business done by vertue of the former he faith also And made intercession for the transgressors A little of which we may see fulfilled in Christ's praying for them that crucified him Father forgive them they know not what they do Luk. 23.34 And this Prayer of his was answered yea in as full a sense and farther degree than that of Amos and they so forgiven this great Transgression that they were not presently cut off Amos 7.2 3 4 5 6. Luk. 24.47 Act. 2.38 3.26 5.31 32. but patience and forbearance and more and greater means extended and used towards them yea the Gospel after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ first preached to them and Remission of sins c. according to Christ his Order so rendered and given to them And many of them did believe and receive the same And in like manner he procured patience and long-suffering for other great Transgressors even for the same gracious end That they might repent 2 Pet. 3.9 Rev. 2.21 2 Pet. 3ââ5 whence we are willed to account That the long-suffering of the Lord is salvation Yea we are instructed into the knowledge of this Mediation of Christ by the Types of old the Truth of all being fulfilled and found in Christ Heb. 9.28 For Christ was once offered to bear the sins of man and unto them that look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation It is evident in this place That more is here spoken of and meant than bearing of sins in his Oblation-offering 2 Pet. 2 24. Col. 2.14 Rom. 4.25 Heb. 9.14 1 Ioh. 2.1 Rom. 6.9 for those he bare in his Sufferings and Death and nailed them to his Cross so as he did them all away in his Resurrection and then by the eternal Spirit offered himself a spotless Sacrifice to God in the Heavens nor can there be any more sin so imputed to him or so born by him he is just and can die no more but his bearing sins now is his taking them away and keeping the punishment of them off from us And this was also figured to us in the two Goats one slain for a sin-offering figuring out the Atonement made by the Death of Christ the other a living Goat Levit. 16.9 10 20 21 22. 1 Cor. 15.17 Rom. 4.25 over whom was confess'd all the iniquity of the Children of Israel and he bare them away into a Land of separation where no man dwelt to be charged with them So figuring out the Resurrection of Christ for our Justification and bearing away our sins the forgiveness whereof men perceive and receive in confessing and believing on him and yet a farther bearing away of sins was here typed 1 Joh. 1.7 9. in that it was of sins confessed after the Atonement was made over the live Goat that carried them away c. But I will not urge that but come to that which is more full and plain for this purpose Aaron the High-Priest did bear the names and the Judgement of the Children of Israel Exod. 28.29 30. when he went into the holy place continually and he with his Sons the Priests were to bear the iniquity of the Congregation to make Atonement for them before the Lord Levit. 10.17 and this was besides the Atonement made in the holy of holies once in the yeer And what bearing of iniquity this was may be cleer to us not that the iniquity of the people was imputed to the Priests and confess'd over their heads and they to suffer the judgement and punishment due to the peoples sins and to be offered in Sacrifice for them not so But as skilfull Hebricians say The word signifies and the Greeks translates so to bear and take away yea Numb 18.1 2
3 4 5-22 23. it is so opened to us in the Scripture to be by their service and Ministration in the Sanctuary by vertue of the great Atonement made and so by all their Sacrifices Purifications in their Ministration to take away the peoples sins Wherce it is plain their bearing of iniquity was a taking of it away by ministring about and ordering of the holy things burning Incense offering Sacrifices sprinkling the unclean c. which the people were not betrusted to do but the Priests that they might have God's Ordinances and his presence therein with Mercies continued to them and how should the High-Priest bear both the Names and Judgement of the Israelites on his heart but in tender compassion and love to them and care for them so to minister and order the whole Ministration in their behalf And now sure the Truth of all this is found in Christ Heb. 9.24 Iob 5.29 Heb. 2.17 4.15 5 1-9 he doth still appear before God in the heaven of heavens by vertue of his Oblation and Sacrifice by him once offered to take away and so is taking away our daily sins and he able faithful and full of compassion Nor is any other betrusted with this business nor left to approach to God in his own Name All flesh is grass but the word of the Lord that was made flesh endureth for ever But I need say no more to this the words are so plain by Bear to mean it To bear after his offering and By vertue of his offering which was to that end also offered Christ was once offered to bear or that he might bear the sins of many Heb. 9.24 But who are those Many It is evident they are such as are still found Transgressors and have sins daily to take away yea surely such work enough they might finde him so that he might justly complain of them That they trouble him not with their holy Desires Prayers and spiritual Sacrifices for him to persume with his Odours and present to his Father But they make him to serve with their sins Isa 43.22 23 24.25 Amos 2.13 and so weary him with their iniquities that he is pressed with them as a Cart is pressed with sheaves yet he mediateth for pardon yea this many also are more than such as will be eternally saved for it is not said And unto them whose sins he did bear or those many whose sins he beareth he will appear the second time without sin unto salvation But expresly Unto them that look for him which is a distinct expression of a peculiar called out of a general which can be no other but so many of those many whose sins he bears as through his graciousness are drawn to believe in him and love him and so look for his coming to such he shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation So that it is evident here Compare Rom. 5.12 15 18 19. with Rom. 3.23 1 Tim. 2.6 That Many in one sense is as large as All as is elsewhere often But yet it is both here and in some other places in great wisdom express'd in the word Many which will bear out All men living upon the earth in any one age or generation of men And so from Age to Age and from Generation to Generation from the beginning of the World to the end thereof And Christ his interceding for Transgressors is at an end for them at farthest when they die and so all men for whom he offered his Oblation to God not living upon this earth at once in one Age or Generation his Mediation and Intercession that is by vertue of his Oblation once offered is for men in their several Ages And so for some it is past and for some it is to come and for the present living it is now a doing he is now mediating with God for men yea all living on earth that are not yet blotted out of the Book of Life and they are many in which respect also it is said Etcles 9 4 5. 1 Tim 2.5 Isa 53.12 A living dog is better than a dead lion because to him that is joyned to the living there is hope so that by the Types we are led to minde what is found in the Truth according to what is plainly affirmed even That Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and Men and that he maketh Intercession for the Transgressors Heb. 7. yea and that this may more fully appear what a Mediator he is I may also say as he was figured by Mechizedec that was a Priest of the most high God and a King c. not limited to Abraham's Family or the Israelitish Nation but even over the World 1 Tim. 2.5 6. so in some sense Jesus Christ is a Priest over all the World in that he offered his Oblation for all men and is the Mediator between God and Men in general And he also in such-like sense is a Prophet for the whole World Joh. 1.4 5 7 8 9. Act. 10.36 Mat. 28.18 enlightning every one that cometh into the VVorld and so likewise he is the King and Lord of all in whose hands the power and ruling and Lordship over all is God administring his Providence through the Mediator Christ so that there is such a Mediator between God and Men as is both King Priest and Prophet yea such a one as hath given himself a Ransom for men yea such a one as is one with God the same God and one with men having the Nature of man and so Emmanuel God with us even the Man Christ Jesus who is full of Compassion Love Faithfulness and Power and the prevalency of his mediation by vertue of his Oblation is seen in the preservation of man and other Creatures for man's use and in the patience and long-sufferance of God extended and the means used towards them to bring them to Repentance and Faith and so bringing many thereto All which our sins against Light would deprive us of but for the mediation of him that taketh away the sin of the VVorld Oh gracious and unwearied Mediator And this his general Mediation is for all men as afore opened even for the Transgressors and in saying for all men Believers Saints are included who are also usually called men though not usually called the Transgressors yet as they are men and do in many things offend and so in a senfe are Transgressors they do both need and have their part in this Mediation or the Mediation of Christ thus considered And that Mediation which is more special for Believers or the Mediation of Christ as it is more specially considered as it is for Saints it hath in it also a great deal of tendency for the good of the men of the world seeing his Mediation for the Saints and its prevalency with God for preserving them in the world after they are chosen out of it Joh. 17.15 20.23 and their Sanctification Union Ministration and
of which is spoken in many places a Deut. 18.18 Psal 16.10 40 6-9 Isa 53. 1-10 Zach. 9.9 Psa 68.18 and so he is already come and hath compleared that Work done in his own Body and can die no more nor will offer any other or more Sacrifice but liveth for ever in that glorious Body once offered in Sacrifice remaining still a continual Mediator and High-Priest by vertue of that Oblation 1 Joh. 4.3 2 Joh. 7. 1 Joh. 42. and he that denieth and confesseth not this and doth not in the belief thereof worship God is led by the Spirit of Antichrist The true Spirit confesseth this And of this coming is spoken in the former two Heads of his Oblation and Mediation by vertue of his Oblation all his stretching forth his power in providential Comings in Mercies and Judgements and in gracious Visitations or spiritual Comings are the effects and fruits of his Oblation and Intercession in his Administration in his bodily Absence But the second and next personal and bodily coming of Christ is in Glory and to take unto him his great Power and Raign and to receive to himself to raign with him all that have believed on him and suffered with him b Col. 3.4 Rev. 11.17 18. And this is the coming again of Christ which is here to be treated of in this Head and this his personal coming in Glory is that which was also spoken of by the Prophets Zachary The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee c Zach. 14 1-5 Malachi The Son of Righteousness shall arise with healing c. d Mal. 4.1 2. Isaiah of the encrease of his Government and Peace no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom c. e Isa 9.7 And upon the first coming of Christ even before he had actually offered his Oblation this was declared in his personal Ministration by himself both to his Disciples saying For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels f Mat. 16.27 and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory g Mat. 24.30 Mar. 13.26 Luk. 21.26 and I will come again and receive you to my self c i Joh. 14.3 And also to his Crucifiers Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hard of Power and coming in the clouds of Heaven k Mat. 25.64 Mar. 14.62 Luk. 22.69 And so it was likewise declared by the Angel The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David and he shall raign over the house of Iacob c. l Luk. 1.32 33. And again upon his Ascension the Angel said This same Iesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven m Act. 1.11 And the same hath been also taught by the Apostles And he shall send Iesus Christ c. n Act. 3.20 21. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout c. o 1 Thes 4.16 Unto them that look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto Salvation p Heb. 9.28 And this is testified to be the Promise of Christ and the Desire of those led by the Spirit of Christ q Rev. 22.20 Whence all unfeigned Believers are said to wait for his coming r 1 Cor. 1.7 Phil. 3.20 21. 1 Thes 1.10 And the Crown of Righteousness to be given at that day to them that love his appearing s 2 Tim. 4.8 And concerning this his next personal coming there is declared in the Gospel and Testimony of Christ these three things First The manner of his coming Secondly The Ends of his coming Thirdly The Time though not the day and hour of his coming Let us consider what the Scripture saith of each of these and first of the first point The manner of his coming It is expresly said 1. It will be sudden in an hour not known before he come Mat. 24.27 44. Mar. 13.36 1 Thes 5.2 3. Rev. 16.15 1 Cor. 15.52 even to his own and as a snare to all the Inhabitants of the World in a moment in the twinkling of an eye as a flash of lightning 2. It will be visible openly and discernable to every eye yea all the Believers those that are asleep Mat. 24.30 Mar. 13.26 Luk. 21.27 Rev. 1.7 Mat. 24.27 and those that are at that time living on the earth not one before another but them that are asleep being first raised then all at once together shall see him 1 Thess 4.15 yea every eye and all the kindreds of the earth shall see him it will be as visible as the lightning that shines from the East to the West 3. It will be with Power and great Glory 2 Thes 1.7 Zach. 4.5 his mighty Angels and all his Saints meeting and coming together with him And in such a sudden visible and glorious manner will Christ come CHAP. 17. Of the second Point The Ends of the coming of Christ. THe Ends of the next coming of Jesus Christ is for the fulfilling his Word and Promise in doing those things he hath said and that are testified of him to be then done by him which I may comprehend in the naming under these four Heads that is to say 1. To raise the Just that sleep in the Lord and change and make immortal the surviving Believers that have suffered with him 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. this is affirmed as necessarily included in the belief of all that do indeed believe Jesus to have died and rose again if we believe this then this also That even so them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord That we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend c. And the dead in Christ shall rise first that is before we which live shall see him then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up c. being in the very moment of their raising 1 Cor. 15.52 53. 1 Cor. 15.23 24. changed and for the Resurrection it is said Every man in his own order Christ the first Fruits that was in his personal Resurrection who is now ascended afterwards those that are Christ's at his coming And then speaking of another Time he saith Then the End when or then cometh the End and when is that End when he shall have delivered up c. As it is given out with an Oath That there should be Time no longer Rev. 10.6 7. Rev. 8.2 6 Rev. 11.15 1 Cor. 15.24 25. but in the dayes of the voiceÌ of the seventh Angel which Angel is to found the last Trumpet which beginneth in Christ his beginning to Raign and endeth in Christ
Saints be joyful in glory c. Psal 149.5 6 7 8 9. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth or throat and a two-edged sword in their hand to execute vengeance upon the Heathen and punishments upon the people to binde their Kings in chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron to execute upon them the judgement written This honour have all his Saints Hallelujah Mal. 4.3 For in that Day they shall tread down the wicked and they shall be as ashes under the soles of their Feet and so in the great straight to give the great Overthrow to the Enemies at the Day of the Lord 's coming it is said Zach. 14.1 2-6 Rev. 19 11-21 2 Pet. 3.5 6 7 8-10 The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee And so the Armies in Heaven follow him to the taking of the Beast and the false Prophet and casting them into the Lake of Eire and slaying the Remnant with the Sword c. when also the Earth with the Works that are therein shall be burn'd up and destroyed as the old World was with Water And this being done the next work is 3. To restore all things so said Peter Act. 3.19 20. When the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you And so as in the beginning of the first Creation the whole business is first set forth in general Gen. 1 chap. and then the things done in the same time more particularly set forth and explicated chap. 2 and 3 So here in the dissolution of the Old and compleating of the New Creation the things done are in general related Rev. 19 and 20 chap. and then more particularly opened Rev. 21.7 5. chap. 21 and 22. And so Iohn saith He saw a new Heaven and a new Earth c. And the Lord saith Behold I make all things new c. And again These words are true and faithful And so the Believers when that great Overthrow is given to the wicked 2 Pet. 3.12 13. do look for a new Heaven and new Earth according to his promise for so when he cuts off the wicked Isa 65.12 15 17. he hath promised to create new Heaven and a new Earth c. And this is assured to be in that Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God that the Creature even the whole Creation shall be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God who shall then enjoy the Adoption Rom. 8.19 20 21 22. Heb. 2.5 6. with Psal 8.4 5 6 7 8. Rom. 4.13 Heb. 11.16 Isa 58.12 the Redemption of the Body which they now wait for This the World to come whereof we speak this the World to come of which Abraham shall be an Heir this the Country he and our Fathers waited for and then shall inherit so as Christ in this respect also is the Restorer of paths to dwell in And having thus renewed the Heaven and the Earth the next work which is done in compleating this is cleerly shewn 4. Rev. 11.18 Luk. 14.14 Joh. 14.3 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 1.5 5.10 Luk. 22.28 29 30. Mat. 19.28 29. To take unto him his great Power and Raign and so to give rewards to his Servants the Prophets and to the Saints and to them that fear his Name small and great and so to receive to himself all that have formerly believed on him lived to him and suffered with him that they may raign with him yea eat and drink at his Table in his Kingdom and sit on Thrones c. In which Raign and Kingdom of Christ with his Saints when he comes and takes it divers things are considerable as expresly declared and affirmed in the Scripture as about the place of his raigning and the place of his Throne and the extent and manner and prosperity and duration of his Kingdom CHAP. 18. Of the things considerable about the Kingdom of Christ THat mentioned in the Scripture about the Kingdom of Christ is 1. The place of his Kingdom and Raign it shall be upon the Earth the Earth being renewed This is plainly intimated in Heb. 2.5 6 7 8. compared with Psal 8.4 6 7 8 9. and affirmed both of him and his Saints upon the making of the new Heaven and the new Earth I Iohn saw the holy City Rev. 21.1 2. new Ierusalem coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband Is not this the Spirits of Just Men made perfect receiving their Bodies raised immortal Heb. 12.22 23 24. Gal. 4.26 1 Cor. 15.51 52 53 54. 1 Thes 4.15 16 17. glorious powerful and spiritual and the living Saints in the same moment of their Resurrection changed and made like them and so both together ascending and meeting the Lord in the Air or Heaven and so coming down with him as is foreshewn And that we may rightly understand the meaning of the Vision declared he farther saith Rev. 21.3 4 5 6 7. Zach. 14.9 Psal 72.8 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and so on Yea the Raign of Christ is expresly affirmed That it shall be on Earth and the Raign of the Saints with him that it shall be on Earth also so they confess Thou hast made us unto our God Rev. 5.10 Psal 37.9 10 11. Kings and Priests and we shall raign on the earth And so it is said When the wicked are cut off and shall not be then the meek that wait on the Lord in these dayes of his patience shall inher it the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace But this will still more appear in the Points following and so I will proceed to them 2. The place of the Throne it shall be Ierusalem the great and Holy City in the midst of Canaan in which Abraham walked and sojourned as a Stranger though then renewed and enlarged Jer. 3.17 and so it is said At that tune they shall call Ierusalem the Throne of the Lord And all Nations shall be gathered unto it Isa 24.23 to the Name of the Lord to Jerusalem c. The Lord of Hosts shall raign in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously Isa 33.17 20 21 And again Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty c. Look upon Sion the City of our solemnities Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation a tabernacle that shall not be taken down c. There the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams c. Oh Jerusalem the holy City Isa 52.1 henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean Rev. 21.10 11-27 Isa 2.3 Mic. 4.2 Isa 62.7 Ezck. 38.35 Psal 122.5 Mat. 19.28 according to that Rev.
their time in their several places for Gospel-preaching among them and those that in hearing heard are gathered in and the sins of Opposers grown full and ripe and so when the Kings of the Earth the ten Horns that have helped to uphold the eighth and seventh Head of the Beast Rev. 17 with 16 18. that double Beast on whom the Whore did ride shall hate the Whore and have made her desolate and naked and eat her flesh and burn'd her with fire and so when the great Babylon as well as the mysterious Babylon is fallen then will he come Which things appear in a great forwardness but not yet fully done of which Rev. 19. many have written and I forbear to speak it being not my business in this Tract but when the twelve Tribes of Israel are come from all parts of the World into their own Land Dan. 12.11 12. then forty five yeers after will Jesus Christ visibly appear But then some may reply and say That the Day may be then known as a day is taken for a year to be forty five yeers just after the Jews coming in again to Canaan and the day of their coming in again may be known by the same place in Dan. 12.11 to be 1290 yeers after the abomination that maketh desolate is set up To this I thus far yeeld That to such as God gives understanding in these Visions toward the time of fulfilling they may come very nigh to know the neer-approaching but I suppose not certainly the very yeer before it cometh for these Reasons 1. Because our Saviour saith We know not the hour or day of our Master's coming as hath been shewn 2. Dan. 9.1 2 3 c. Because Daniel that knew the time of their then Captivity to be express seventy yeers and understanding by Books the number of the yeers neer out yet did not certainly determine the expiration as one certainly knowing with which of their goings into Captivity to begin the account but set his face to seek the Lord for the same and so for their return 3. Rev. 6.9 10 11. Because the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and the Testimony which they held being under the Altar in the presence of Christ they yet knew not the certain time of the coming of this Day and though as Daniel the time drawing nigh they long for it yet with all the refreshing flowing on them they are bid rest for a little season c. but the period of time no farther declared but only that it is a little season and shall we think to know the time more certainly when than they 4. Because among many learned godly and laborious Men in this business which by occasions I have read I finde great difference in their account some whose accounts are already past and divers that do much differ hundreds of yeers one from another and some make it to be a hundred yeer longer than I will name or can believe and yet probably some might do it from a mistake of the end of that great Day in the final Judgement of the wicked for the beginning of that Day in the Resurrection of the Just Gen. 17.24 25.26 47.9 Heb. 11.9 Exod. 12.40 41. Gal. 3.17 in Christs first glorious appearing and others might happily lose some yeers in account as some have done in counting but 430 yeers from the first making of the promise to Abraham to the Law giving on Mount Sinai whereas from the promise-making to Abraham to Jacob's Birth was 61 yeers from that to Jacob's standing before Pharaoh 130 yeers which 191 yeers they lived by Faith in the Land of Promise as Sojourners And after the Promise or living by Faith as Sojourners in the Land of Promise the Children of Israel sojourned 430 yeers in Egypt before the giving of the Law of which the Apostle speaks And so by some 191 yeers may be lost by that account What more between Moses and Samnel and after I have not time and ability to search And since all Chronologers agree not for the time since the Creation no wonder if good Men have been mistaken for that which is to come And of them that produce strong Reasons and have been skilled in Chronicles and course of times and agree neerest among themselves in this I speak but as in such Books I have read some speaking of the time of his coming say It will be in the yeer of the Lord 1688 others 1689 others 1700 and others 1701 others make more It is very like they come neer but that they are not under or over I dare say of none till their time be past but for those Worthies who as I suppose go the surest way to work to begin their account from the total destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem so as one stone was not left upon another and so the daily Sacrifice wholly done away and the abomination of desolation set up in Julian's time which some say was in the yeer 360 and some say 367 others 368 or thereabonts And from thence reckon Daniel's 1290 to the Jews coming in which will fall out to be 1656 or 1657 or 1658 or there-abouts yet the Chronologies are not so uniform and certain that they can all agree and pitch upon that yeer of his coming in certainty though I suppose they come neer yet if it were even now or should certainly be that they come into their Land this next yeer 1656 which O that it might so be yet to pitch upon the last yeer of the next 45 to end is not so easie as I have sometime thought it because it is not certain whether we shall begin the 45 at the first assay of some for entring or at some more general settlement of them in the Land after some Battles fought and then 45 yeers after in their greatest strait he comes to overthrow their Enemies of which proceeding I conceive we may learn something by the manner of God's dealing for them when he led them out of Egypt into Canadn Isa 11.11 12.16 because the Lord speaking of what he will do for them in this great work in that Day concludes it thus saying Like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the Land of Egypt and then follows the Song of Thansgiving Isa 12. I shall but propound May not there be first a stirring up of the Spirit of some eminent ones as of old Moses and Aaron to begin to stir up others and lead the way while yet the generality of the people are ignorant and untoward as they of old Somewhat of this may be included in that said Zech. 2.6 Jer. 3.12 14. and 31.6 May not also some notable things be done in plagues on the people that would detain them as to the Egyptians of old may not something of that be in Zech. 2.8 9. and so set them a going is not this intimated Isa 11.11
12 And when they come to be discouraged by the tongue of the Egyptian Sea with its seven streams or the great River Euphrates as the Israelites of old by the Red-Sea may not the Lord destroy and divide the same Isa 11.15 16. literally that such as are thereby hindred may go over dry-shod and metaphorically in overthrowing the Turkish and Egyptian Enemies for the time that those that are thereby hindred may come into their Land Rev. 16.12 yea and in that coming rejoyce much as Israel when they were passed through the Sea and saw the Egyptians drowned and yet upon some Trials Ezek. 20.34 38. have many rebellious among them still in due season to be purged out as it was with Israel of old may there not in all this time as in the time of Moses contest with Pharaoh and leading the people through the Sea in during the peoples grievances till they were fed with Mannah and in some settled order that Jethro kept Moses Wife and Children and then brought them to Moses and gave advice to Moses even so the Gentiles or People of the Nations some of them be very serviceable to preserve help forward and bring in of the people of Israel into their own Land Isa 49.22 and advise and help forward toward their settlement and yet after all this as Israel of old had many and great Plagues and Wars with many and great Kings till the Rebellious were purged out as well as those Enemies overthrown so these also have like Troubles and Wars with like Afflictions and Purgations Zech. 14.1 2. as well as Victories And after all this as they of old had a Jordan to pass over and a Jericho to overthrow so these shall have their potent Enemies and Besiegers to try them more Dan. 12.2 and for God to shew his Wonders more among them this their being in their own Land being a Metaphorical Resurrection of which some are to shame and some to contempt their first Conductors being not so prosperous as to be Instruments of the conversion of the generality of them no more than Moses and Aaron of old yet God may be so gracious to them as to Israel of old in giving them a Joshuah to be their Leader so to send Elijah the Prophet Mal. 4.5 6. Isa 31.8 9. Isa 66.19 20. to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to their Fathers and upon this the great Conversion among them and many not before come in to them now coming with weeping and supplication And as Rahab was helpful of old so now the Gentiles may also be more abundantly serviceable to fetch and bring them into their Land and the Enemies still opposing while God is by his mighty power as of old dividing Jordan and taking the shame of Egypt off from his people and to overthrow Jericho about to shew his great wonders and to take the shame of all people from off his people Israel and free them from all Captivity the Enemy still strengthening themselves to oppose then in that strait as to Joshuah of old so to these now Jesus Christ himself appears and comes and all the Saints with him Zech. 14.3 4 5.9 and gives the total overthrow to the Enemy which being done the last 45 yeers is expired I determine not things to be done according to my expressions but such-like things and in a true sense according to the expressions of the Scripture quoted will be done yea even so that it will be done to them like as it was to Israel when he came out of Egypt So that when the 45 yeers are out is easie to be known but when they begin whether at their first assay to enter or in their beginning to settle I know not but could I surely know of the least beginning of these things I should as assuredly know the Lord is so nigh coming as that as one might say he is risen up and on his march and if the 45 yeers be not entred they will presently enter So for Israel and now for our selves that are not natural Israel we may learn something for our information about the time of the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Cnrist in comparing the things and events coming to pass with Israel of old from their coming out of Egyyt unto the first coming of Christ with the things and events coming to pass with and among Christians from the first coming of Christ 1 Cor 10.18 vers 1.6 11. to the second and glorious coming of Christ we are in many things willed to behold Israel after the flesh and they are affirmed to be figures and examples for us and those things to be written for our warning and instruction and concerning God's dealing with them in giving them the Law by Moses and their demeanor towards him Christ uttered a Parable which may be read Mat. 21.33 34. and Luk. 20 9-17 and so for his dealing with Christians from first to second coming and their demeanour towards him he uttered a like Parable which may be read Mat. 25 14-30 and Luk. 19 12-27 Therefore it it is useful for us to consider and compare the same things in reading the Histories of them and we may discern there is hath been and will be some Agreement 1. When God by Moses the Mediator gave them the Law and set their Priesthood Sacrifices and Temple-worship in order the people were generally and many of the Captains and Levites stubborn and rebellious all the dayes of the personal Ministration of Moses so in the dayes of the personal Ministration of Christ the Mediator of the New Testament while he was ministring the Gospel and working Miracles to save the lost sheep of the House of Israel to whom in Ministration he was especially sent yet while he was chusing Apostles and Evangelists and giving them his Gospel and his Ordinances to have ministred to them yet were the people generally with their High-Priest and Priests and Lawyers stubborn and rebellious and but few of them that came in to believe on him 2. In Joshuah's time when Moses was taken away the people were more generally obedient and followed the Lord more fully though some trouble by Achan And so in the dayes of the Elders that out-lived Joshuah So in the Apostles and first Witnesses dayes after Christ left the World and went to the Father both Jews and Gentiles came in apace the Churches encreased and prospered and grew in Grace and kept the Faith sound notwithstanding some harm done by false Prophets for the Spirit of Antichrist began even before their departure to work yet the Churches kept the Faith sound in their dayes and in the days of the Churches of those first times that next succeeded them and received the Gospel from their personal Ministration 3. After Joshuah's time and the time of the Elders that out-lived Joshuah the people learned the manners of the Nations and went
as the Chief the King of Righteousness and King of Peace c. And Christ knew all and needed not this Revelation Heb. 7 1-25 Ioh. 1.18 1 Ioh. 2.20 but was one with the Father in revealing and he in and by whom it was revealed he being greater than all the Blesser and Anoynter c. But I shall consider what of the same Testimony of Christ fore-revealed and taught was now more fully revealed to these three Abraham Isaac and Jacob and this was 1. That whereas the Nations were now multiplied and divided and many Men and Families in them all it was hard to know in whose Loyns the promised Seed Christ according to the Flesh was and so out of which Family or Man for there were many even of Sem his Posterity also Christ should come This was now immediately revealed by God himself to Abraham saying In thee shall all Families of the Earth be blessed And In thee explicated to be meant Gen. 12.3 Gen. 22.18 Gen. 26.4 Gen. 28.14 Gal. 3.13 14 16 26 29. In thy Seed and so to Isaac after And again the same in both Expressions to Jacob. And this Seed in the personality of the Man as the Root and Fountain of blessing affirmed to be Christ and in the multiplicity and union in enjoyment of the blessing in him to be all that unfeignedly believe in Christ 2. That in this Seed which is Christ all the Nations Gen. 22.18 26.4 12.3 28.14 yea all the Families of the Earth shall be blessed which can be no less than that there is blessing prepared and given in him for all Nations that in minding of and believing in him they might receive it according to that Isa 45.22 and 49.6 Act. 13.47 1 Joh. 5.11 12. and 2.2 and also That in believing on his Name every of them so believing do receive and shall participate of the blessing according to that Joh. 1.12 and 3.16 and also that there is a time coming in which all the ends of the World shall remember and turn unto the Lord and worship before him and sing unto him according to that Psal 22.27 and 66.4 and 86.9 3. That for multiplying of this spiritual Seed in bringing Men into union with Christ Gen. 13.16 17.6 12 13. Exod. 12.48 Deut. 1.10 11. 10.22 he told Abraham That he would multiply to him a Natural Seed a great Company that should come forth of his Bowels and others by gracious providence or proselyting be put into and made of his Family that so out of much or many People a spiritual Seed may be drawn according to that Act. 18.10 4. That God by his blessing and Spirit in the means he would afford him Gen. 15.5 Rom. 4.13 14 18. Isa 53.8 Rom. 8.16 17. Ioh. 17.21 22. Gen. 12.3 28 15. would multiply to him a spiritual Seed in such number that no Man shall be able to number them and that all this spiritual Seed shall in all their encrease and numerousness be one Seed still yea so spiritually one that Christ and those spiritually united to him are joynt-Heirs and in a measure alike beloved of God with the same Love so that God will bless them that bless this Seed and curse them that curse it either in the Head or Members 5. That whoever of any the Sons of Men do in hearing and believing this preparation of Blessing and Life God hath made for us Gen. 15.5 6. Rom. 4.13 14 16 18 22 23 24 26. Gal. 3.6 7 9 26 29. and given us in Christ so minde it that they are thereby led to believe in him for the Promise of Eternal Life and the Inheritance which is yet to come so walking as strangers on the Earth in that Faith and Hope it shall be imputed to them for Righteousness and so they counted of the spiritual Seed 6. That Abraham Isaac and Jacob with the Man Jesus Christ Gen. 13.15 17. 19.18 26.3 28.13 1 Chron 16.16 17 18. Psa 105.8 9 10 11. Heb. 11.9 Isa 65.17 Gal. 3.8 16. and all his spiritual Seed shall one day enjoy in a heavenly pure peaceable and joyful manner all that very Land much enlarged which Abraham saw and had Liberty to and did walk in the length and breadth of it and sojourned with Isaac and Jacob therein and so the Holy Ghost teacheth us to understand it but then it will be renewed and so a new Heaven and a new Earth And so was Christ revealed and the Gospel preached to Abraham Isaac and Jacob these three Fathers And it was confirmed in Christ to them by a free absolute and everlasting Covenant immediately made with them by God that gave to them an outward Covenant in the Flesh as a sign of the Righteousness of the same Faith for them to testifie with also to others of which remains to be spoken in treating of the Covenants And for the way of making the Gospel thus revealed known to others to draw them in to God it was even all that mentioned in the first Revelation and the farther Teaching of this revealed Explication with the Promises and Covenant made for which God did chuse and approve of these three primely yea first and chiefly Abraham and after and with him Isaac and Jacob who though his Sons yet were with him the Fathers naturally of all Israel and spiritually of the faithful among them and in all Nations following They the first that received and taught and walked in the Faith of the Gospel and Covenant as thus explicately revealed and come forth And they besides the former helps they had in common with all that feared the Lord as forementioned were yet more abundantly furnished 1. By God his immediate speaking to them and making this Everlasting and sure Covenant fore-confirmed in Christ personally with them for themselves and their Seed Whence he is said to make his Covenant with Abraham and to remember his Covenant made with Abraham Isaac Gen. 17.1 8. Psal 105.8 11. 1 Chron. 16.15 16 17 18. Lev. 26.42 Psal 25.14 and Jacob confirmed with an Oath to them for them and their Seed for an Everlasting Covenant to them and their Seed And the Children of Israel willed to remember the Covenant so made with those three And God in promising to do the People god saith He will remember for them his Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob with the residue of his Seed No mention yet that it was or is though one day in performance it shall be personally made with them but onely the same shewn to them And enabling them as Abraham's Seed to believe his performance for Abraham's sake and no otherwise was this Covenant made with any that is made known to us till it was with David more explicitely in respect of the Kingdom but to these three it was so made and they thereby so abundantly furnished to teach it 2. They were marvelously and supernaturally enlightned in the
writings we may discern that all the Sriptures testifie of Christ CHAP. 6. Of the next and sixth Revelation of Christ his person and personal coming in the flesh THe next Revelation of Christ was of his person and personal coming in the Flesh who he was what a one he was and wherefore come c. and this was first to Zacharias by an Angel Luk. 1.13 14 15 16 17. declaring his Son that should be called John to go before him in the Spirit and Power of Elias c. him before whom he should go the Angel called The Lord their God then by the Angel to the Virgin Mary her self declaring his conception and birth and who Luk. 1.26 27 35 Luk. 1.41 42 43 48 55 67 68 69 79. Mat. 1.20 21 23. Luk. 2.10 11 14 16 17. and what a one he should be and that he should have the Kingdom of his Father David then by the holy Ghost in the Prophecy of Elizabeth my life of Zacharias then by the Prophecy of the Virgin Mary the Mother of Jesus then by the Prophecy of Zacharias being filled with the holy Ghost then by an Angel to Joseph the espoused Husband of the Virgin Mary then to Shepherds by an Angel with a multitude of Angels confirming the same declaring his birth with the day and place thereof and that he is the Saviour even Christ the Lord and this tidings of great joy which shall be to all people And then by the Shepherds when they had both heard and seen unto others then by old Simeon who had it revealed to him and was inspired by the holy Ghost Luk. 2.25 28 32 35. and came and took him in his arms and declared him to be God's Salvation which he had prepared before the face of all people a light to enlighten the Gentiles and to be the Glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.36 38. And then by one Annah a Prophetess And after all this by certain wise men that came from the East to Jerusalem being directed to him by a Star Mat. 2.1 2 9 10 11. who declared him born King of the Jews and worshipped him and offered him gifts And after all this to John the Son of Zacharias declaring this Jesus to be The He Joh. 1.31 33. Luk. 3.1 2 3. The Christ c. to which John the Word of the Lord came at that time mentioned Thus and in many things now came to pass according to fore-prophecies Christ was declared to be already begun to be come in the Flesh and to be the Son of God and the Son of David the King of the Jews and the Saviour of the world the great Prophet and Messiah promised and that this very Jesus that was born in Bethlem of the Virgin espoused to Joseph and seen of the Shepherds and taken in the arms of old Simeon and witnessed to by Zacharias and John his Son even this very Jesus is he even the Christ c. and ready to set on his work And now the person of Christ thus come and thus witnessed and pointed out who he is and that he was personally on the earth and ready to set on his great business doing and that that very Jesus is he is more than ever was so revealed and manifested before and the beginning both of the performance and the more cleer opening of all the prophecies that have been of him from the beginning and so light began to shine forth more cleerly And now in this Revelation of Christ and for making him known according to this Revelation Isa 40.3 4 6 7 8. Mal. 3.1 Luk. 1.13 14 15 16.17 76 79. 3.15 16. Joh. 17.20 23. Luk. 1.15 44 76 78 79. Luk. 1,17 to prepare men that they might come into the acknowledgement of him it pleased God to chuse in Christ the Messenger of the Father and his own Messenger also fore-purposed and now declared to be his immediate Fore-runner to go before his Face to prepare his way and him he approved for this Ministration And for this blessed Ministration he was abundantly furnished in that he was filled with the holy Ghost from his Mothers Wombe and was confirmed by all the Declarations and Prophecies fore-mentioned given to him by the Spirit in the Prophecies and Instructions of his Father and was himself indued with the Spirit and Power of Elias to go on in his Ministration before the Lord and had the word of the Lord came to him revealed and inspired by God into him both in the Doctrine he had to teach and how to apply it to his hearers and also commission to testifie the Truth of it by baptizing with water And in this receit of the Word of the Lord that came to him he received his Commission to set on the business of preaching and babtizing and so did set on it in the fifteenth yeer of the raign of Tiberius Caesar Luk. 3.1 2 3 4. when Poutius Pilate was Governour of Judea and Herod the Tetrach of Galilee and Annas and Caiaphas High-Priests and what his Testimony and Doctrine was appears in that which is recorded of what he taught and delivered to be 1. That Jesus Christ is the Word that was in the beginning with God that was God and that was with God Joh. 1.1 2 3 14. Gen. 3.15 by whom all things were made that are made and that this same Word was made Flesh and dwelt among them Emmanuel God with us in our Nature and for us even he that was promised and manifested to do that great work for taking away our sins and destroying the works of the Devil 1 Ioh. 3.5 8. Ioh. 1.4 7 8. 9. so that in him is Life and the Life is the Light of Men and he is the true Light that enlightneth every one that cometh into the World 2. That he is the onely begotten Son of God and yet very Man full of Grace and Truth and being in the heart Joh. 1.14 16 18. minde and bosome of the Father knowing all his counsels and being one with him in his will and design and so in all his decrees and purposes and as Man having commission from him he hath revealed and declared him so as in knowing him his minde is to be known 3. That he the Man Jesus Christ being the Son of God Joh. 1.11 and perfect Man the Mediator between God and Man full of Grace and Truth declaring the Father he is so loving to Man and so bountiful to all that receive his Declaration and so believe on him that he giveth them of his own Priviledges even to be the Sons of God and so dispenseth to them of his own fulness so that as the Law discovering sin and sentencing to death and that part of it also which by types and figures in Sacrifices and purifications shadowing out a better hope to be looked to in Christ to come though afar off came by Moses even so Grace and free favour in forgiveness of
this that in due time he will in that body of his personally come again and receive them to himself and then take his great power and raign and they shall raign with him nor need they be deceived about this his coming Mat. 25.32.46 Joh. 5.28 29. for it shall be so personal open and visible that every eye shall see him and when he doth sit upon the Throne of his glory then shall all Nations be gathered before him and having raised all the dead will separate those that have believed in him and lived to him from those that have rebelled against him setting the one on his right hand and the other on his left hand and then judge and give sentence on both and the righteous that are on the right hand shall go into everlasting joy and the wicked that are on the left hand shall go into everlasting Fire there to be tormented for ever and that all that believe on him may with patience and comfort wait till that day come he taught and assured them that he would not leave them as Orphans comfortless Ioh. 14.16 17 18 26. but by his word and Spirit in that word he with them and in them and by that Spirit both minde them of Joh. 16.13 14 15. 15.4 7. 1 Pet. 1.5 Joh. 14.6 10.9 14.9 10. and teach them the words that he had fore-given them and also so take of the things of Christ and shew to them that he should present him glorious to them and lead them into all truth that by Faith well-pleasedness in him they may be made fruitful and preserved to the inheritance and that he thus discovered is the door and way of access to the Father and entrance into the Church yea the Father is in him and he in the Father and all that is the Father's is his so that in seeing and having him they see and have the Father also and that he is the Truth and the Life in whom they have Wisdom Righteousness 1.3 Sanctification and Redemption Covenant quickning and all spiritual Riches and Life yea he is such a sure Rock that whoever is found in believing built on him Mat. 16.18 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. the gates of Hell shall not prevail against him his Flesh even his Body as given for the Life of the World is Bread of Life and Meat indeed and his Blood as having confirmed the New Testament is Drink indeed Joh. 6.51 58 63. 15.10 17.24 and what Spirit or Soul of Man soever eateth and drinketh hereof shall never die but have everlasting Life his words are Spirit and Life and as the Father hath loved him even so hath he loved those that believe in him and will come again and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also So that in all this is a blessed clear great gracious and glorious Revelation of Jesus Christ in his own personal teachings Yet to free them from mistakes and inform them cleerly how by him this blessed and saving work shall be carried an end till his coming again that there may be a spiritual Seed encreased and preserved to him till then he instructed them how Men and Women should be brought in to God namely John 3.14 15. Tit. 2.3 Mar. 16.25 Rom. 16.26 that He even Christ the Son of God and Saviour of the World as thus manifested to them must be by them so made known to others yea lifted up and made manifest by preaching his word he had taught them and this to all Men all Nations and in and about this right preaching manifestation elevation declaration and tenders of Christ he taught them much and many things as appears plainly by his own sayings to them and theirs which they learned of him as to instance some of them 1. That it be Jesus that be lifted up and exalted as the Christ Joh. 8.14 15. Luk. 24.47 43. Joh. 15.26 Rom. 1.1 5. 16.25 26. 1 Cor. 22. 3.10 11. 2 Cor. 4.5 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. 5.6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Isa 49.6 the Son of the living God the Propitiation for our sins he in whom God is well-pleased who by vertue of his death is the Lord of all the onely Rock and Refuge in whom whoever believeth shall receive forgiveness of sins this Jesus the He and not the works of the Law not any order or sort of men not any dreams or devices nor any personal endowments or gifts nor any internal Lights and Operations but onely Jesus Christ to be the Lord the Foundation the He in whom all Peace Righteousness and Eternal Life is prepared of God for us and given us of God in him even in Jesus Christ that in believing in him we may receive it and have it And this is plain in comparing his sayings and theirs 2. Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Joh. 4.9 10 14. Rom. 5.6 7 8 9 10. Tit. 3.4 5. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 21. That both this gift of Christ the Saviour of the World and the setting him forth and tendering him in the Gospel is and is to be affirmed a fruit and witness of the love of God to the world to Mankinde even sinners and ungodly ones and the love Grace and good-will of God here-through commended and tendered to them that they might repent and believe and in believing receive remission of sins and eternal Life and this is plain in comparing his sayings and theirs according to that prophesied Psa 36.6 7 8. 145.8 9. Isa 55.4 3. That the end and purpose of God in this gift of Christ and so setting him forth Joh. 3.17 Luk. 9.56 Mat. 18.11 Joh. 12.47 Isa 42.6 7 8. 49.6 8 9. 55.4 5. 63.1 2 3. Act. 3.26 14.15 26.17 18. Joh. 12.35 36 46. 9.5 Joh. 1.4 7 8 9. and making him known and witnessing and commending his love through him and so the end of Christ his first coming and Ministration and of his continuing the same Ministration of the Gospel in which he is still sent held forth and tendered to men till his personal coming again is that the world might be saved yea sinners and the chief sinners that the eyes of the blinde might be opened c. and men brought in to believe and so turned from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God that so they may receive Remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith that is in Jesus Christ and this is plain in the sayings of Christ by himself and by his Spirit in the Prophets and by his Spirit in the sayings of those that learned it of him whence he saith of his Ministration that while he is in the world he is the Light of the World and so before was and in the Ministration of his chosen Witnesses will be till his coming again Mat. 5.13 14 15 16. whence his Servants as Ministers of the Gospel are also called
and stay and so the Truth is the upholder and stay of the Church and the giver of Authority to it and not the Church the stay of and Authority-giver to the Truth yet even in this respect also as Christ is the Head of the Church and his Truth and Spirit and he thereby an Indweller in the Church so they in holding forth the Truth are instrumental upholders of it Act. 9.15 2 Tim 4.7 Mat. 5.14 and maintainers of the Faith to the World and so the Light of the World and in respect of some in the outward Court that turn the Grace of God into wantonness pervert the Gospel deceive the World and labour to beguile Believers in turning them from the Faith These are the Keepers of the Faith by teaching it and opposing and fighting with the sword of the Spirit against their prophaness and errors and so maintaining the Faith against their falshoods And in all these senses the Church that are these Witnesses 2 Tim. 4.1 7. 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6. Jude 3 4. is the Pillar of Truth and yet more fully in one sense more including all the former in it This Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth taking in as is given us both the words that is to say 5. As they were of old to write the Commandments and Statutes of the Lord upon the door-posts of their house Deut. 6.9 11.20 and their gates as the Ten words were written in Tables of stone that they might be seen and read and as some say The Prophets did hang or fasten their written Prophesies upon one of the Pillars in the Temple as is the use of the chief Magistrate to have his Proclamation fastned on some noted post or pillar in the Market-place where all the Country may take notice of it and read it so these are the Church or House and so that post and pillar the Table or Ground in and upon whom the Truth is so written that all may read it though some with likement and some with dislike as the Apostle hath plainly affirmed saying to the Church Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts seen and read of all Men forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone as the Law of old was but in the fleshly Tables of the heart in which there is a performance spiritually by Christ of that said to the Prophet of old Write the Vision Feb. 2.2 and make it plain upon Tables Isa 29 11 12. that he may run that readeth it and being taken with that read he may read to others even that Vision of All and others may read it on him And this writing is the very work of Christ by his Spirit in Ministery of the Gospel We never read that Christ did personally in his own Body write any part of the Scripture that work he left for his Servants by his Spirit to do yet once we finde that he wrote with his Finger on the ground as not regarding his Tempters Joh. 8.6 yet what he wrote is not said but to say the Apostle alludeth to that I dare not nor yet will I say it was an intimate Instruction of his own work so freely to write by his Finger which oft signifieth his Spirit his Epistle in the ground of the heart of his unworthy ones but this I may say in treating of his spiritual writing To allude to this is no error But however it cleerly appears this Society and Church spoken of is the Pillar and ground of Truth where Truth is written and holden forth to be read 1 Tim. 3.16 yea even the Truth that is the Mysterie of godliness that great Mystery God was manifested in the Flesh justified in the Spirit c. And so these unfeigned Believers united to Christ having his word as delivered by his Apostles in their heart be his Witnesses now and the Ministers he hath chosen for this Ministration to minister according to the grace and gifts given them none presuming beyond these are the holy City and Sanctuary of his building and the Ministers of the things thereof Rev. 11.1 2 3. to whom he gives Spirit and Power that they may witness him even to the World and among these is the true Altar even in this Temple and these are the Worshippers thereat and because of the Gospel in their hearts and there through some portion of these forementioned spiritual gifts by which they witness him hold forth the word of life with their tongues therefore their tongue is said to be as choice silver and their lips to feed many Prov. 10.21 22. Pro. 15 10. Psa 35.28 71.24 119.172 51.31 1 Thes 1.8 1 Cor. 3.3 18. Gal. 5.22 23. their tongue useth knowledge aright and speaks of God's righteousness and praise all the day yea even so as sinners may be converted to him and so from them the word of God soundeth forth And also by the same Spirit in the Gospel their hearts being framed to the minde and design of Christ they so have a Christ-like Spirit springing up Love Joy Peace c. which leadeth them to walk in Faith and Love in Holiness and Mercy Mat. 5.16 c. So that also hereby they do witness of him and hold forth the word of Life also in their conversation in good works and holy profession whence the Fruit of the Righteous is called A Tree of Life Prov. 11.30 Ezek. 47.12 Rev. 22.2 2 Cor. 9.2 and a way of winning Souls yea their Fruit is for Meat and their Leaf for Medicine so their Conversation winneth and their Zeal provoketh many and because the Spirit of Glory resteth on them 1 Pet. 4.10 11 14. and giveth them power to glorifie God in witnessing both these wayes though through sufferings Therefore in respect of their twofold witnessing and holding forth the word of Life to glorifie God and do good to Men convincing by Truth and comforting with Truth and confuting falshood Rev. 11 4. They are also called the two Witnesses that witness yea that witness the Truth on God's part against the Man of sin and God of the World and the two Olive-Trees that bring forth that good Fruit whence the good Oyl runneth and the two Candlesticks that hold forth the true Light that shineth so that every way it appears that these unfeigned Believers united to Christ in him by Faith and he in them by Word Spirit are his chosen Ones to bring forth Fruit his Ministers for carrying an end the Ministration of this last Revelation of Christ till he come again these are the Temple of God the House of God the Church of God I need not to use worldly terms else I might shew how these are the Achademah or School University and Colledge in which are all the Scholars that are taught of God And
VVord recorded by my first Witnesses that received it immediately from me they in believing come in to me receiving my words they receive me So that I by my word and in that by my Spirit with all the heavenly riches and treasures I am filled with in their Nature am thus spiritually in them and pray that I may so be still and more abundantly Vers 23. 23. And thou in me the Father is in the Son and all that is the Fathers is the Sons so that as he that in believing receiveth the Gospel doth receive Christ therein and he that receiveth Christ receiveth the Father and so from both that Holy Spirit that uniteth both to Father and Son and frameth to oneness of minde love and design and so for that farther end also here exprest that being made perfect in one and so in this unity of Spirit in love and design their design may prosper in this That the world may know that thou hast sent me the Saviour of the World and that the World through me might be saved and so that I am the Christ and that thou hast loved them these that believe in me and in love minister Gospel to them in my Name as thou hast loved me Which if any one come to know and believe what a one Christ is and how he loves and approves them and their Ministration who also are as patterns to them this will draw them also to believe and be pulling them out of the VVorld into the Church Joh. 4.10 1 Cor. 2.8 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3 4. Joh. 17.24 The next Petition is for glory to be conferred on them after their Ministration the hope whereof is an encouragement and support to them in their Ministration through all sufferings And by all this our Saviour gives us to understand both who be his chosen Ministers and also what their Furniture is and the same that appears in our Saviour's Prayer is to be seen likewise in the practice and counsel of the Apostles who were so filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit as to be unerring both in delivery of their Doctrine and direction for the Ministration 2 Tim. 1.13 Gal. 1.8 2 Tim. 3.4 4.5 1 Cor. 11.2 23. 2 Tim. 1.14 1 Tim. 6.20 so as it is well done of their followers to keep both Gospel and Ministration as they delivered the same and they committed the Gospel and things thereof to such as were known to be faithful and endued with the Holy Ghost and charged them to commit the same to faithful Men not limiting it to outward Officers though in such an Epistle as was most needful to name them 2 Tim. 2.2 if such a thing had been intended but to faithful Men whether such Officers or no. But more need not be said of this enough is shewn before proving these the spiritual House the royal Priesthood the chosen Generation his chosen Ministers to shew forth his praises But yet a word or two more to make plain the Furniture those following Ministers have and in this Revelation of Christ we shall also finde that for Furniture 1. They have the VVord or Gospel discovering Christ Joh. 14 21 22 23. 1 Joh. 2.14 24. Isa 59.21 2 Joh. 2. Eph. 3.17 Heb. 12.22 Isa 78.16 46.13 1 Pet. 2.6 Isa 40.9 and so Christ in that Gospel in their heart and so are come to Sion and so are of Sion and the Foundation is laid in Sion that is Christ as set forth in the Gospel for Sion to hold forth to others the same Foundation that they may come in and be built thereon yea this word hath come from Sion Jerusalem that is above and is the Mother of us all Joel 2.23 Gal. 4.26 and is in the Heart Fellowship and Ministration of Sion that part of it which though in heart and Spirit above Phil. 3.20 Col. 3.1 yet in Sion hath God taken up his rest and will abundantly bless her Psa 132.13 14 15. Joel 3.21 Psa 77.2 he dwelleth there yea the Lord loveth the Gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Jacob besides And so we may say This Ministration more then all that fore-went it So that the word of Truth of Life and Salvation is here as in the outward record so in the understanding and heart and floweth forth from hence as a first fruits of that Isa 2.3 Mic. 4.2 2 They in believing and imbracing this word have with it the Holy Spirit Isa 59.21 Rom. 8 9 10. 1 Joh. 2.20 3.24 Eph. 4.7 2 Cor. 12.4 7 11. Jer. 30.17 Isa 35.2 3. Cant. 6.8 9. Cant. 1.7 8. effecting the Spirit and Minde of Christ in them all and in some good measure enduing them with all the first mentioned spiritual gifts among them to every one some though not to all and every one alike Thus are they furnished And this may be truely said of Sion whom no Man seeketh after they are in worldly appearance made so like their Lord and there are so many Concubines though this Beloved be but one and the onely one of her Mother that for discerning her that prayer is needful Shew me where thou feedest c. and the direction there given needful and to such as do discern it it may be said as Psal 48.12 13 14. But now because these following VVitnesses that part of Sion yet below have not the Gospel and these spiritual gifts so immediately from Christ and so not in so full a measure as that they are alwayes infallibly freed from erring in every particular thing altogether in delivery of Doctrine and Ministration as the first witnesses were but as they have received their Doctrine and Ministration mediately in belief of and receiving the Doctrine and Gospel as delivered by them that are Sion now above so their preservation from error in Doctrine and Ministration is mediate likewise Prov. 6.20 23. 1 Tim. 4.15 16. 2 Tim. 3.14 17. Col. 3.16 even in heeding the Gospel received from God and Christ by them and delivered by them to us and so both the Commandment of our Father and the Law of our Mother in one to be imbraced and kept by us and so we are directed and commanded and promise of guidance given us therein And so 3. Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 They are furnished with Matter Rules Directions and Cautions in this Doctrine of the Gospel as delivered and recorded by the Apostles and which they also in believing it have in their hearts savingly working And this helpful 1. For speaking right and wholesome words in Faith and Love and to edification Pro. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 11. learning and comfort Rev. 19.10 2 Tim. 1.13 1 Cor. 4.6 and 14.3 2. 1 Cor. 4.6 Prov. 22.21 Rom. 15.4 Col. 2 18. For keeping measure and due order in our speakings that upon no pretence or presumption of Learning Parts Invention or Office we presume to speak of things we have not seen in the word of
kinde which is altogether impossible for any to do so that there can be but one Faith that is really true and holy in its kinde IV. Rom. 16.25 26. Eph. 3.3 9. 2 Cor. 3.12 14. That the fullest and cleârest Revelation of the Mystery of Faith is that given immediately by Christ himself and left upon Record by his Apost es and Evangelists and so the cleering up of all the former Revelations and the sense and meaning of the Prophets is most cleerly and in plain Words to be sound in their Writings and so the Gospel as delivered by them because of the abundance and plainness of Truth and fulness of spiritual Evidence in it is truely and indeed and so called Rom. 1.16 17. The Power of God unto Salvation to bring every one that believeth c. for therein is the Righteousness of God not any deceit or fable or pretence equivocation or falshood but the Righteousness of God in his Words saying or mises revealed not hinted in parabolical and cloking terms but revealed opened brought to light from Faith to Faith from one Revelation of Christ the Object of Faith to another and so to another more cleer from assuring him to come suffer to assure him to be already come and to have suffered and to come again in Glory from Faith in him being so come from believing in him through Types Shadows Prophecies to believing in him now from a cleer Demonstration of his having compleated Righteousness and the Father's face shining in him and so now and from believing this Testimony of him to confiding in him and so from one Degree of Faith to another till he come to Vision and yet all the way one Faith still as it is the same strength encreasing in them in which they are said to go from strength to strength till they appear in Sion and so the Just shall live by Faith Psal 84.7 And here we have the fullest and plainest Revelation of it And so we are to heed all and none but those Purposes Promises and Covenant of God which are set forth in this Testimony and Revelation Christ An Explicite Declaration of the Testimony of Christ c. PART IV. CHAP. I. Of the Purpose of God in general THE Eternal and Immutable Will of God Psal 33.11 Isa 14 24 26 27. Eccles 3.14 or his Decree and Purpose concerning all that in his infinite Wisdom Soveraignty and Goodness he hath freely purposed to do hath in his seasons from the beginning now doth and for ever shall take place and be done even so as he hath purposed and no power of Creatures can or shall hinder the same yea none can alter it or add thereto or take therefrom And it must needs be so for he is of one Minde Job 23.13 14. Psal 119.90 91. 103.19 66.7 Deut. 29.29 and none can turn him and his Word is established for ever in Heaven and his Kingdom ruleth over all and he ruleth by his power for ever and all are his Servants yet of this his Will Decree and Purpose in respect of the particulars no more belongs to us to search into then himself hath revealed to us but what he hath revealed by his Work in which his Purposes are brought forth Eph. 1.11 for he worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will so that in the event as things are indeed done we may so far know his Decree and Purpose Psal 39.9 118.23 126. and so far to know the same is of good use for us and likewise what he hath revealed in his holy Word of his Decree and Purpose concerning those things that are already done and those things that he will yet now and hereafter do which Word of his is as himself true from the beginning Psal 119 140 160. Prov. 8.6 7 8. Joh. 17.17 Pro. 22.20 21. Ecclis 12.10 and being breathed forth by his Spirit is the most cleer declarer of his Decree and Purposes his Word being pure and without any wreathedness yea the Truth and therefore written that we might know the certainty of the Words of Truth and that which is written is upright even Words of Truth And according to the discovery of the Decrees and Purposes of God in his holy written Word and by his Works they are to be heeded and believed by us as true certain and good and of good usefulness to us and other imaginations and devices by whomsoever Isa 8.20 and how appearingly goodly soever we are not to heed believe or own Now then the Purpose of God which in respect of the things purposed are called Purposes that I am to treat of are Isa 49.20 Job 27.12 Isa 25. 1. Psal 2.6 148.6 Job 14.5 26.10 28.26 Prov. 8.29 Jer. 5.22 That or those about the Eternal Salvation or Damnation of Men which by these two the Word and the Works of God are revealed to us which though the Will and Purpose of God be one yet in respect of the things willed purposed and decreed are called Many and so Purposes of which is here to be spoken these being all ordered and set in that one Will Counsel Purpose and Decree of his that we are to know and believe hereof is that which by his Word and Works is revealed to us whether in terms of Counsel Will Purposes or Decrees all which terms signifie the same thing and so to begin with that which prepares to the right understanding of all and then so to proceed as by Word and Works we are led we finde 1. Prov. 8.22 23 24 25 26 30. That the Purpose of God was in the first place To exalt his only begotten Son The Word The Wisdom of God equal with God to shew forth his Glory through him and by him bring forth all his glorious Works to glorifie him with his own self to establish him the supream Lord and Governour of all in his own person and all this freely before any view or consideration of any his following Works as moving causes thereto And this he did to his Son the Word Joh. 1.1 2 3. Col. 1.15 16 17. Heb 1.2 3. Joh. 17.5 Phil. 2.6 Rom. 11.36 and so he was possessed in the beginning of his way and exalted from everlasting and brought forth before all things one with the Father in all his Decrees glorified with the Father 's own self and by and for and to him were all things decreed and made that are decreed and made Now in the Son of God The Word The Wisdom The Power of God in this consideration as thus purposed and exalted it was peculiar to his Person as the Son of God onely and there was not in him the Nature of Man in this consideration nor any one of Mankinde elected or purposed to be elected in him into Union and Fellowship and Conformity with him in this Prerogative and Glory in which he was equal with the Father no Scripture
on to Eternal Salvation Rom. 3.10.20 1.18 28. but also some of all sorts if not most of all sorts persisting in rebeâlious wayes leading to Eternal destruction Scripture and Mens manners so fully shew this that it needs no farther proof 2. As God in his Works hath put so in his Purpose he decreed to put a great difference between some Nations and other Nations as one to be greater and endued with more Priâiledges then the other yea sometime the lesser people or younger to be the chief and the greater or elder people to serve the younger and yet neither doth this Purpose or the fulfilling of it necessitate or imply the Eternal Damnation or hindring the Eternal Salvation of the inferior appointed to serve Deut. 7 6 7. 14 2. Psal 147. 19.20 Rom. 9.6 27. Act. 10.35 or of the Superior to be served So Israel a peculiar people above all other Nation though fewest in number yet were not all this Israel the Israel of God indeed in acceptance of and answering their Priâiledges and so not every of them eternally saved nor were all and every of the other Nations Eternally damned that Rule true according to his Purpose Rom. 2.6 11 25 26. and 3.9 but this is most cleer in those two people mentioned Gen. 25.23 And the Lord said unto her that is Rebecca Two Nations are in thy Wombe and two manner of People shall be separated from thy Bowels and the one People shall be stronger then the other and the elder shall serve the younger or Rom. 9.11 as some read it The greater shall serve the lesser Now Christ being to come of Jacob Esau or any of his Posterity in serving Christ that was to come of Jacob and so in a willing service of their Brethren the Sons of Jacob attending the Word and Oracles given them might through Grace be saved as no doubt some of them were Deut. 23.7 8. and means was by God appointed thereto And whereas many for their wilful refusal and violence though constrained did yet in another way serve Obad. 9 10 21. Amos 9.12 with Jer. 49.7 11. Job 2.11 Psal 87.4 5. 60.8 yet for that refusal and violence did perish yet of that Race it is found in Scripture many are eternally saved Isa 60 7-14 And as God in his Purpose differenced one Nation from another in superiority and inferiority so he purposed divers means for divers Ages in the World and to divers People and some means excelling other to some People the Word Oracles Gospel c. to other People onely a rumour of these with such teachings as are natural or by natural Mediums in the Works of Creation and Providence yet the Repentance and so the Faith and Obedience he requireth being no more or greater then according to the means he vouchsafeth and that such will be accepted and where more is given more is required This Purpose of such difference and the fulfilling it in extention of such different means hindreth not but that Rom. 2.3 4 9 12 13 14 15 17 26 27. of those that have but the lesser means yielding to repent believe and obey according to the help therein afforded shall be Eternally saved and those that have the greater means rebelling against the help therein afforded and so persisting in Impenitency Unbelief and Rebellion shall be Eternally damned Let this Caution be heeded God hath purposed some things that he will bring on all Men both those that shall be Eternally saved Caution III. and on those that shall be Eternally damned as namely That 1. Isa 45.23 Rom. 14.11 12. Joh. 12.32 Phil. 2.9 10 11. All Men one and other shall come before him and his Son Christ and he by vertue of his great suffering and Sacrifice offered for Mankinde and the Power Authority and Spirit received thereby shall draw all Men to him and they shall come and bow before Jesus and confess him Lord to the Glory of God yet onely those that by his goodness discovered and bands of love extended are prevailed with in this Day of Grace Rom. 10.9 10. Isa 45.24 Joh. 6.37 40. and so found coming to him and believing on him here with the Heart unto Righteousness and confessing him with the Mouth unto Salvation these shall say Surely in the Lord have I Righteousness and shall be Eternally saved All shall come to him but him that cometh now in the Father's drawing he will Eternally save and all that rebel against these drawings and persist so doing shall yet by his irresistable Power be raised from the dead Joh. 6.37 16.8 9. Isa 45.24 Phil. 2.10 11. and convinced of their sin for not believing on him in the Day of Grace and then to their shame and his Glory confess him Lord to the Glory of God before the sentence pass on them 2. Heb. 9.27 Heb. 11.13 1 Thes 4.14 Rev. 14.13 John 8.24 Eccles 11. All Men shall once die or suffer a change sutable to Death which is the way of all Flesh yet of these some die in the Faith and so sleep in the Lord and these shall be Eternally saved but others die in their sins and unbelief and these shall be Eternally damned 3. All Men shall also rise again by the Power and Authority of Jesus Christ at his voice 1 Cor. 15.21 22. Joh. 5.28 29. Luk. 14 14. Act. 24.15 but the Just such as have believed in Christ and done good shall rise in the Resurrection of the Just unto Eternal life and the impenitent and unbelieving in the Resurection of the unjust unto Eternal condemnation 4. 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 2.16 Mal. 25.34 46. Rev. 20.13 15. After Death all being raised they shall all come before the Judgement-Seat of Christ and be judged by him according to the Gospel and then all those that have believed in him and lived to him in the Day of Grace shall enjoy Absolution Eternal Life and Joy with him and all that have throughout the Dayes of his Grace and Patience rebelled against him shall then be cast into the Lake of Fire which is the second Death Let this Caution be also heeded For of all Purposes as set forth in these three former Cautions is not in this business directly but onely inclusively to be spoken God hath set in his Counsel Caution IV. Psal 145.8.9 1 Tim. 1.17 Joh. 12.13 Jer. 32.18 19 20. Isa 25.1 40.14 Prov 22.20 21. Act. 20.27 Psa 33.11 Eph. 1.11 and Purposes concerning the Eternal salvation of Mankinde or the Damnation of any of them an holy wise and heavenly Order agreeing with the Nature and Being of God his Soveraignty Wisdom Holiness Love Mercy Truth Justice and the Testimony of his Spirit concerning his Son Jesus Christ and his Love to Mankinde manifest through him all agreeing in one without any contrarying of one by another Hence his Purposes called his Counsel and said to be brought forth according to the Counsel of
Branches of his Purpose compared with that said in the second Chapter of this fourth part in the Cautions there given But now because we read of many that depart from the Faith some may desire to know what his Purposes are concerning such as are once brought to believe who of them shall be eternally saved and who not To which a short answer might serve Joh. 3.16 Heb. 11.13 2 Pet. 2.20.21 That no unfeigned Believer shall perish but have everlasting life and so all that live and die in the Faith shall be eternally saved only those that fall from their Faith and die in unbelief shall be eternally damned which is a true full answer but it will not satisfie all that enquire I shall therefore endeavour to set forth the Purpose of God concerning these as set forth and explicated in Scripture concerning these who are once brought to believe and in that sense called Believers and so let the term be understood CHAP. 5. Of the Purposes of God concerning Believers BY Believers I mean not such as onely feign pretend and profess themselves to believe and do not nor doth the Scripture anywhere call any upon that account Believers but Hypocrites But as in Scripture-account so by Believers I mean such as do indeed in some measure believe the word or Testimony of Christ and so though that Testimony be but one and Faith one and but one true believing yet of those that do indeed believe the same Testimony confess the same Faith I finde two sorts of Believers as is before shewn at large First See Part 3. ch 17. such as in hearing and minding the Testimony of Christ do indeed believe it to be true and good but are not yet prevailed with and overcome by that believed as to part with all other designs and confidences for life and to believe on Christ for all promised c. as foreshewn Now the Purpose of God concerning these is That they continuing in his Word that is in belief and minding his word they have heard and believed Joh. 8.30 31 attending it and beholding him as discovered therein in which they are his Disciples indeed that is such as he teacheth and do begin to learn of him Joh. 10.26 27 Joh. 8.32 33 36 and so are the Sheep of his Ministration they shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make them free which as yet appears in the following Verses was wanting to them This said Jesus that was in the bosome of the Father and spake nothing but what the Father gave him to speak and so declared nothing about this but what was in Truth the real Minde and Purpose of his Father and himself yea this suits with that declared by the Prophet and this is affirmed to be the End and so the Purpose of God in sending forth his Son the Saviour of the world Isa 45.22 Luk. â 60 69 70 71 76 77 Joh. 3.14 15 16 17 5.34 Mar. 1 â 15 16 Act. 10.43 and declaring him in the Ministration of the Gospel And thus hath Christ spoken since concerning every one that believeth the Testimony of the Gospel He shall be saved and by his Spirit in all his Prophets and Apostles Such shall receive Remission of sins they shall be saved he doth not so express it as affirming of them all that which may be affirmed of some even as many as believe with the Heart unto Righteousness Rom. 10.9 Rom. 10.10 1 Cor. 1.18 2 Cor. 2.15 Eph. 2.5 2 Tim. 1.9 and confess with the Mouth unto Salvation that they are saved Neither doth this hinder this understanding of this phrase That there is for these saved Ones a continued saving in preserving them from error in Judgement and Life in the believing remembrance of this Testimony in which they shall be so saved 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4 and a compleat Salvation with which they shall be saved after they have endured to the end inasmuch as in respect of the begun Salvation they are already saved and so affirmed to be which our Saviour saith Mat. 24.13 1 Cor. 6.11 Col. 1.12 13 was yet wanting to these Believers he spake to Joh. 8 30-36 Nor can this said of this Purpose be waved off with this That here is no more said to these Believers then to all unbelievers and mis-believers of whom also it is said his sending forth of Christ in the Ministration of the Gospel is That they might be saved and that also in looking to him Joh. 2.14 17 5.34 Act. 26.18 Isa 45.22 and believing on him they shall be saved All which is true and yet not all said to these Believers for unbelievers and mis-believers are not entring the way of Salvation nor anywhere said to believe in his Name or believe in him so far as to believe the Testimony of him true and good and so it 's never said to them If you continue in your minde or way that is in your unbelief or mis-belief ye shall be saved but the very contrary Nor is it said Joh. 3.36 8.24 If they continue in his words for if they have not rejected them yet they have not received them in believing though it may be in memory to abuse and make ill use of But these spoke of Joh. 12.47 48 15.20 Mat. 26.61 believed his Words and in believing had so received them that our Saviour saith If ye continue in my words ye are my Disciples indeed and ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free and elsewhere shall be saved which yet they were not and if the Word of Faith they believed though yet they saw not all that was in it were not true and saving or if their believing were not true and of a saving Nature such as though yet it had not would in continuance drink in more saving efficacies then by cotinuance therein they could no more be saved then by continuance in unbelief or mis-belief but our Saviour affirms of these Believers If they continue in his words they believed they should be saved In which saying he hath plainly asserted the Minde and Purpose of God concerning such and that there are many Believers in the outward Court of the Church that yet are no farther wrought on then these is evident enough probable also such were in the outward Court in the first and choice times by that phrase Act. 2.47 The Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved it 's neither said Such as were saved nor such as against all contradiction shall infallibly be eternally saved but such as should be saved that is according to our Saviour's Doctrine continuing in his words they had believed and of these added Ones we read of two notable Ones among them Act. 5.1 10 that miscarried for want of heeding the Word testified by the Holy Ghost and for this cause because the Devil knows That when the Word is come into the Heart
few but as a thing learned believed and known of all that unfeignedly believe in Jesus and we know all we are assured of this That all things work together for good to them c. So that we have here to note for this business is a double or twofold Description of those that are the Sons of God by Faith to whom all things shall work together for good The first Description of the Sons and Heirs forementioned is this They are Lovers of God The second Description is this Vers 15 16 17 They are called according to Purpose The words are plain To them that love God who are the called according to purpose In which words it's plain That none love God but such as are called according to purpose and that such as are called according to purpose do love God and that the Apostle speaketh here in Vers 28.29 30 c. of none but such as love God and are called according to Purpose Let these evident things be minded in these three Verses 1. Those spoken of here are such as do love God Now every Man will be ready to say Pro. 20.6 26.23 26 Gal. 6.3 1 Joh. 3.18 Tit. 1.16 1 Joh. 2.4 Rom. 11.35 1 Joh 4.9 10 16 19 He loveth God but Mens own saying so is no proof of it his own Heart is deceitful and his perswasion and profession no sufficient Testimony for love in conceit and tongue when it 's not in deed declaring it is not love indeed nor is that love indeed that we love God first and so claim right in his love but that he loved us and gave his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins and making that known so as we believing it do therefore love him because he loved us first and so this true love of God is that love 1. 1 Joh. 4 10 16 19 3.16 Tit. 3.4 5 1 Pet. 1.8 Rom. 5.5 6 VVhich springeth from the great love of God to Mankinde appearing in the gift of his Son to be the Saviour of the VVorld believed by us 2. VVhich in this springing floweth upon and is set upon God in his way Joh. 8 4â Cant. 1.2 Joh. 14.7 10 Rom. 8.32 15.30 Ioh. 14.21 23 Psa 119.97 155 165 Psa 26.8 27.4 that is first on Jesus Christ the Son of God whom he hath given and so loveth God for giving Christ and so loveth him in and through Christ and so loveth the Spirit and whole Government of God that proceedeth from him and therein the Word and Doctrine and Sayings of Christ and so the Ordinances of God in fellowship with his people and so with intire affection and delightfulness the Brethren that believe in and love the Lord Jesus Christ 1 John 4.20 21. and 5.1 2. and with compassion to all those in that Nature in which Christ died 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 20 Psa 119.127 159 167 1 Joh. 2.4 5 2 Tim. 4.8 and so purchased them with his Blood though not yet corgregated them to himself thereby so as though hating their evil wayes yet pitying them and desiring their Salvation and endeavouring it and in this love of God and Men for his sake loving to walk in his Commandments in exercise of Faith and Love and so loving the appearing and coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ 3. Gal. 5.6 Joh. 14 21 23. 2 Joh. 11 This love so springing and flowing doth work from the Faith and belief of the goodness of God in Christ that bringeth it forth and so Faith worketh through Love to the flying all evil and doing good according to his Commandments And this is the Love of God and they that so love are Lovers of God and such as so love God are the Called according to Purpose which is the next Description of them 2. To them who are the Called according to Purpose minde this well he saith not To them whom God hath or had purposed to call or And so according to his Purpose hath called Eph. 1.11 nor can such meaning be foisted in or tolerated for God worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will and doth nothing beside or contrary to his Purpose Prov. 1.23 24 25 c. Jer. 6.16.30 Hos 11.3 4 7 and yet he hath called and doth call many that perish for refusing to turn at his call though some are of this minde That it is those purposed to be called and so translate the words as nigh as they can called of purpose but that cannot bear out that sense because it crosseth other places of Scripture that saith He calleth all and Isa 45.22 Mat. 22.14 many are called and few are chosen and yet he calleth none that he purposed not to call But the words are plain Them who are the called according to purpose Rev. 17.14 which indeed are none but the Lovers of God that are called and chosen and faithful so that for right understanding the VVords we have three things here to consider what the Scripture will tell us of them 1. What this Purpose of God is that is here meant 2. What the Calling is that is here meant 3. What that is meant here by being called according to Purpose I. The Purpose of God here meant appears in Scripture to be that Purpose of God which was for the good of fallen Mankinde consisting to our apprehension in these four Branches 1. That he purposed Joh. 3.16 17 1 Joh. 3.5.8 4.9 10. 1 Tim. 1.15 2.4 5 6 and so according to his purpose sent forth his only begotten Son in Man's nature to make propitiation for our sins and to be the Saviour of the World that whoever believeth in him might be saved 2. That God in his Purpose farther purposed to give forth such evidences of his goodness through his Son Pro. 1.22 23 9.1 2 3 4 5 6 Isa 45.21 22 55.1 2 3 7 and so to set him forth and lift him up in means using as thereby to call Men and strive with them by his Spirit opening their eyes and moving their Hearts that they might believe and so repent and come in to him and be saved and so to call all in their several Ages according to the means he useth towards them 3. He in this Purpose yet farther purposed Joh. 3.15 16 Isa 45.22 Rom. 10.9 10 13 That whoever according to the means and light he extendeth to them to make known his Son and Grace through him do hear and behold and so believe in him they shall not perish but have everlasting life 4. He in his Purpose yet farther purposed That his Purpose should abide Rom. 9.11 11.4 5 6 7 stand and take place in Men for saving them and investing them with Priviledges of Sons and eternal life according to the prevalency and Election of Grace displayed and believed and not according to the workings of Men. And in all these together is the purpose of God as hath been
difference prevailed with to believe in Christ and in that believing have been through the excellency and operation of that grace believed prevailed with to let all go for Christ to enjoy him and so severed from their Union and Fellowship with the World and their former vain confidences and designs and so chosen through the Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth and set for love-services though through sufferings These are the Lovers of God and the Called according to purpose And of these and only such as these the Apostle speaketh in this 28 v. and these only are the Subjects of that he speaks in the two Verses following which are the reason ground and proof that he gives to confirm the Truth of this he hath said v. 28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God c. for or because view the verses CHAP. 7. Of Romans 8.29 30. FOr whom he did foreknow Rom. 8.29 30 he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the first-born among many brethren moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Let the words be minded he saith not here or anywhere else That there were a sort of people foreknown and elect of God and given to Christ to die for them such a Saying would cross all the Doctrine of the Gospel and the very place it self for if any were so elect then Christ could neither be the Root nor Fountain nor Pattern of Election and so in these respects not the first-born among many Brethren as this place affirms him to be Nor doth the Apostle here or any otherwhere say That some of Adam's Sons were predestinate to be eternally saved and some to be eternally damned before the World was and that Christ came to save the one sort and not the other nor doth he here paint out any of fallen Mankind considered as sinners and unbelievers to be foreknown of God and thus predestinated by him nor is it appearing anywhere in Scripture That God hath foreknown or doth know own and approve any of the fallen Sons of Adam that live in unbelief 1 Pet. 2.9 Rom. 9.25 26 Psal 101.4 5.4 5 either before or in the beginning of the world or since or any till they be brought to believe in his Son yea to affirm such a thing is to deny and affirm cross to the whole Scripture and no way agreeing with this place which brings in onely the Lovers of God that are the called according to purpose as those and only those who have been thus foreknown and predestinated and are the onely subjects of this Election and Predestination here spoken of and so the saying is brought in to uphold and comfort such in the services of love and sufferings to which they are called and that we may cleerly understand the sense it will be profitable for us to minde according to Scripture-language what is meant 1. By Foreknowing 2. By Predestination 3. By Calling 4. By Justifying and Glorifying 5. What the end and scope of the Apostle here is And 6. what the way he takes to accomplish his end In all which the sense appears fully 1. Rom. 8.29 By foreknowing is cleer to be meant fore-owning approving loving and taking well-pleasedness with otherwise in our vulgar sense of the word knowing God foresaw and knew all things good and bad Luk. 13.27 Mat. 7.23 Psal 101. â Psal 1.6 but in the Language the Scripture here speaketh the Lord doth not never did nor will know an unbeliever hypocrite and wicked Man but he knoweth that is upholdeth approveth loveth accepteth the way of the righteous and so though God be full of compassion and hath given his Son that we might live through him yet is he well pleased with none that having light and means in any measure extended do not accordingly believe in him and love him such however in love of compassion pitied and forborn and still called on and striven with to repent and believe yet till they do so repent and believe he is displeased with them Joh. 3.36 Psal 18.43 Isa 55.5 Rom. 9.25 26 1 Joh. 4.16 19 1 Cor. 8.3 and they abide under wrath and displeasedness And as they know not that is do not own and love the Lord so likewise they are not so known and owned of him and so while they remain such they are in this sense of approbation and special love not known not his people not beloved But if any man through the belief of God's love do love God that same is known of him so the Apostle brings it in as after their believing and turning from serving Idols when they knew not God Gal. 4.9 nor were known of him but now after ye have known God or rather are known of him for known unto God that is approved of God and well pleasing to him are all his works from the beginning of the World Act. 15.18 Joh. 6.29 1 Pet. 1.21 Rom. 5.5 8 10 when he hath made known his love through his Son and so brought Men to believe in his Son and in that belief shed abroad his love in their heart and so sprung up love to his Son and to him This is the work and he approveth it and loveth and approveth such Lovers of him Act. 15.19 Joh. 14.21 23 See ch 10. And this the Apostle affirmeth to prove it an evil work of any to trouble such in such Faith and love and so our Saviour affirmeth He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self unto him if any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our abode with him So that these Lovers of God as they are the called according to purpose So they are the elect and owned known and approved of God even all of them and no other but them as is plain and evident in the Scripture As for the word foreknown or as some translate hath foreknown or as others knew before This word before doth no whit obscure the sense that is given or cross any thing said for if Men would take before Joh. 3.16 Rom. 9.8 11. 11.5 6 7 Eph. 1.11 as relating to the purpose of God mentioned vers 28. then it could be no other then his provision to own such lovers of him according to his order for his purpose standing and taking place for saving Men as is foreshewn which will run into one with that said and to be said But it is cleer the word fore or before knew hath not relation to the persons spoken of in vers 28. as considered before or otherwise then as they were lovers of God and the Called according to purpose and so considered as Lovers of God and the Called according to purpose
it hath relation to them with an especial relation to that which follows namely predestinated and called and justified and glorified such foreknown lovers of God being the subjects of this predestination call c. and this writ for the consolation and support of such And this will cleerly appear in the words and scope of the Apostle and in all other Scripture and so 2. To see what is meant by predestination here I shall note three things 1. Who they are that God hath thus predestinated 2. What that is to which they are predestinated 3. To what end he hath predestinated them to the same In all which together it is cleer The great design of God is the glorifying his Son that his Son may also glorifie him and so Joh. 5.20 22 23 17.1 Col. 1.15 17 18 19 that as in the counsels and so in these works of God he may have the pre-eminence as the first-born first lover of God first elect predestinate c. And so if any would pry into the secret of the counsel of God the most and fullest revelation thereof that is since the ascension of Christ in this matter is this that God chose his own Son Psa 40.6 Luk. 24.26 Isa 42.1 Part 4. ch 3. Isa 50.4 5 6 Phil. 2.7 8 9 Isa 50.7 8 9 Mat. 17.5 and appointed him to suffer and offer sacrifice and through suffering to enter into glory and so he predestinated him the first elect to be both his Servant and Son to do the great business as is foreshewed And in due time God called and sent him forth to this great work and he shrunk not back but most readily obeyed and did it and God did justifie him and hath glorified him in Man's Nature at his right hand And so hath God according to his purpose elected and predestinated him Heb. 8.1 12.2 Rom. 5.18 1 Joh. 4.14 Joh. 1.12 13 14 16 17 18 1 Cor. 1.30 Eph. 2.5 6 Phil. 2.10 11 and called and justified and glorified him and so hath set him forth as the second publick Man by and in whom propitiation is made and provision also for all Men that they might be saved he is the Saviour of the World and such fulness compleatness for acceptance of Believers in him and communicating his Son-like Priviledges to them that all that unfeignedly believe in him he his Priviledges are theirs and so they reckned after him and so in him are they elect predestinate called justified glorified he is the head of the Church the first-born among many Brethren yea he is so chosen and exalted that all shall confess him Lord and he shall judge all even those that have rebelled against him so that no particular or individual person was elect in Christ before the World began much less before him But in that very election of the Man Christ such provision was made that in purpose all this spiritual species or kinde of Men believing in him were foreknown approved elect in Christ but none elect in their particular persons till by grace they believed in Christ and yet in respect of him and his election they may be truely said to be elect in him before the Foundation of the World And this might be understood by the Scripture-Language in contrary things Ezek. 23.1 2 3 4 5 19 as to Israel of old it 's said There were two Women the Daughters of one Mother they committed whoredoms in Egypt in their youth there were their breasts pressed there they bruised the teats of their Virginity their names Aholah the elder that is Samaria and Aholibah her sister that is Jerusalem Aholah plaied the Harlot first and Aholibah afterwards Now in Egypt it was but one Woman all Moses time when they were come out of Egypt it was still one Woman all Joshua's time that led them into Canaan and the time of the Elders that out-lived him it was still one and all the time of the Judges from Othniel to Samuel it was still one and all the Raign of Saul and David and Solomon it was but one Woman still in Rehoboam's time Jeroboam with the ten Tribes made the rent 2 Chron. 15.2 4 and then they became two Women two Churches two Nations two Kingdoms And this Aholah went a whoring a long time first or before the other and afterwards the other sister also yet now being charged with the sin of their whoredoms it is for the time of their beginning of whoredomes not reckoned according to the Branches sinning onely what they did when divided but it is reckoned upon the account of the several Branches for the time of the beginning of their sinning Ezek. 20.8 from the root when in their Mother they went a whoring in Egypt and this is understandable enough yet heerer can we understand how a Man in murthering his Brother or a Saint doth therein approve of Cain's murthering Abel 1 Joh. 3.12 Jude 11 Mat. 23.35 Rom. 5.12 18 19 and so makes himself guilty of Cain's sin in killing his Brother And can we understand a Man by propagation from Adam born a sinner that his sin is as old as from Adam's fall and may not a Believer as easily understand of those by a new Birth come in to the spiritual Man that he that yesterday was brought in to Jesus and so believing in him is through the Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth united to him and so chosen and approved in him is now in him and reckoned after him the spiritual Man the prime elect and so partaketh of that election that was his and of and in him for all Believers before the World began and so as the grace and righteousness in him even so election c. when we by Faith receive it is become ours and this grace and righteousness and so election which we receive in receiving Christ is for the antientness and the beginning of that grace and righteousness not reckoned according to the time of our receit 2 Pet. 1.20 21 2 Tim. 2.9 10 Joh. 1.12 1 Cor. 1.30 but of the being and compleatness of it in Christ we partaking of no other Sonship Election Righteousness or justification but what is his and was in him for us before we knew him and now knowing him he communicates to us his own Priviledges In which sense he that in his own person was but yesterday chosen out of the world in and into Christ may be truly said to be chosen in Christ before the foundation of the World And this is a full and plain sense not crossing but agreeing with the place the residue of the Scriptures to satisfie those that desire to look into the inmost of the mystery Yet still agreeing with the same the sense is more plainly opened in the words those three things in them propounded considered with this premise That the whole sentence be taken according to its own import of two things performed in it that
c. for it is written Mat. 4.6 with Psal 91.11 12. he shall give his Angels charge concerning thee and in their hands they shall bear thee up c. as if he should say If thou be his Son God hath absolutely engaged himself for thy safety and thou canst not mis-carry But he subtilly left out the middle clause in which was the Order of the Purpose and Promise to keep thee in all thy ways too neer which fault they come who asserting Believers kept by the power of God unto Salvation citing the Text 1 Pet. 1.5 leave out the middle clause the way in which he keeps them that is through Faith but our Saviour minded the Promise as it was and depended on his Father in his way and resisted the Devil with It is written Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God so am I by that which is written led to refuse this notion and to imbrace for Truth all that is said 2 Tim. 2.8 11 12 13. according to all which the Apostle also directeth Timothy concerning others and bids him Charge them before the Lord 2 Tim. 2.14 That they strive not about words to no profit as all invention of Purposes or of Election or of any terms or Allegories which are not in Gal. 1.6 7 8. 2 Cor. 11.3 4 5. or are beside the Gospel delivered by Christ and his Apostles are but to the subverting of the hearers amazing and troubling their mindes into wavering and doubting of the Truth And so he chargeth Timothy himself 2 Tim. 2.15 Rev. 19.10 1 Cor. 2.2 3. Luk. 24.47 2 Cor. 5.14 19. Joh. 3.14 17. 2 Tim. 1.11 2.11 12 13. 3.16 17. Study to shew thy self approved unto God a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of Truth which is the Testimony of Christ and him crucified and Repentance and Remission of sins in his Name Surely this is the Foundation and the right dividing it is with that form of sound Words which in the Gospel he had heard of Paul in Faith and Love And this applying according to the faithful saying here mentioned to every one instruction reproof comfort or terror as need was for which the Scripture did furnish him and then he farther warns Timothy to shun prophane and vain bablings as all their Fables and fancied Allegories 2 Tim. 2.16 foolish and vain Queries and opposition of Science falsly so called are which Peter prosessed was not in his preaching 2 Tim. 2.18 23. 1 Tim. 9.20 2 Pet. 1.16 2 Tim 2.16 3.13 2 Tim. 2.17 and here is a reason given For they such bablings and they that use them will increase unto more ungodliness and their word will cat as doth a canker or gangrene and so he names some of them of whom is Hymene us and Philet us who concerning the truth was not this the Testimony of Christ the Object and Foundation of Faith have erred yea departed and blasphemed or spoken reproachfully of it as is the use of such as turn the Truth into Allegories counting the plain Testimony of the Truth it self but a fleshly thing and the knowledge and belief of it but a fleshly knowledge and Faith but their Allegory a spiritual business 1 Tim. 1.19 20. with 2 Tim. 2 1â as appears in their saying The resurrection is past already which could be no other then in some dreaming Allegorical Resurrection they pretended to have obtained which so took with the heares that thereby they have overthrown the Faith of some So that we have three here that were sometime of great note and eminency in the Church Hymeneus Alexander and Philetus that putting away a good conscience had made shipwrack of Faith themselves and two of them at least excommunicated yet by their corrupt teaching and vain babling they did also overthrow the Faith of some others And in the first Epistle he warned Timothy by the fall of these to look to his own standing And in this Epistle he warns him by the same to look to others and against all the discouragements that might befal him from the departure of such eminent ones and others also turned from the Faith by them tells them The Foundation of God standeth sure c. which is evident to be such a Foundation as bears forth the Truth of all the former faithful Sayings as he and all Believers are brought to and know and by abiding on may be fafe And this is no other but Jesus Christ And he being so often and plainly affirmed the Foundation and that there is no other given unto Men it may be marvelled why so many Worthies should upon this place say That God's Eternal Purpose and Election is the sure Foundation Let the Words be viewed to see if they import any such thing CHAP. 10. A view of 2 Tim. 2.19 to see what 's there meant by The Foundation NEvertheless 2 Tim. 2.19 the foundation of God standeth sure or steady having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity Nevertheless Notwithstanding those that turned their eye from Truth slighted the Foundation aspired in a Dream 2 Cor. 11.1 2 3 4 5 6 11 12 13 14 15. defiled their Conscience and so cast away Faith and others in listning to them as Evah did to the Serpent and so not heeding to the Truth or cleaving to the Foundation are overthrown weakned in or broken off from the Faith yet notwithstanding all this the Foundation of God standeth sure Now the chief business for me in this is to demonstrate what is here meant by The Foundation of God and though other places of Scripture have fully and plainly told us already yet we may minde what this place saith in observing three things What the Apostles scope was What was in his view What the words and terms with their several Branches and Distinctions are In all which it appears what the Foundation is and that it is Jesus Christ as set forth in the Gospel consider it well 1. The scope of the Apostle appears in this and the following Chapter to be to stir up Timothy and so others to faithfulness and diligence in the Ministration of the Gospel 2 Tim. 2.1 2 3 14 15 4.2 2.8 16 22 23 24 25 26 Jude 21 22 23. to be strong in the Grace of Christ for it and instant and fervent in it and for this end to endure hardness and avoid such things as might hinder him to flie youthful lusts vain bablings unlearned questions c. and to minde Christ risen from the dead that so he might with tender love and compassion endeavour the preservation and edification of those which did believe and the recovery of such as were departed and taken in the snare of the Devil some with compassion some with fear all with meekness and to encourage him in all this he tells him The Foundation of God standeth
sure Isa 4.2 32.1 2. 55.1 7. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 20 21. Tit. 3.2 3 4 5. c. as a known thing to relie on and to hold forth to others as that which is alwayes the same and is not impaired by our transgressions but hath enough in it to uphold us with desires and endeavours for such as are turned aside and to allure them if they will hear and minde it to turn in again And what can this be other then Jesus Christ as he is set forth in the Gospel having made peace by his Blood and the love of God to Man-ward commended through him Surely the belief and telling of an eternal Purpose of God to save some certain persons of fallen Mankinde having elected them and to damne all the residue having reprobated them and the most of both sorts unknown and the one sort however for the present it be with them shall be eternally saved the other sort shall never attain any saving Faith and what seeming soever they have it shall be taken away and the Purpose and Election of the one sort to be the Foundation that standeth sure Surely this can produce no such effects to encourage to such diligence in Ministration or to help any by it Seeing if this be true it could be no otherwise with any then it is come to pass yea if this Doctrine be believed and minded for Truth it will naturally of it self produce other Fruits for both Scripture and rightly-ordered-Reason will lead us to conform to the will of God to rest well pleased with it yea pray that it may be done in Earth as in Heaven And why then should any be grieved for such as God in his Will and Purpose hath absolutely excluded life and reprobated to damnation that they pesist in unbelief or if at any time believing depart from the Faith and become reprobate seeing nothing is done but God's will and no remedy to have it any better Psa 58.10 107.40 41. Isa 66.23 24. Rev. 13.14 17. Surely when any through their own fault are in that remediless state of perishing the righteous are said to see it and rejoyce And why should any murmur against God and repine at the fulfilling of his will according to his Purposes or stir to pray or use means to assay to cross or hinder the same 1 Sam. 3.18 2 Sam. 15.25 26. but rather submit with quietness to it as in other cases some have done so that such a thought would have made Timothy quiet and sit still and not to trouble himself with desires prayers and preaching to such an end But the Apostle that had experience what the knowledge and Faith of Jesus Christ Rom. 5.5 8 10. 1 Tim. 1.15 Rom. 1.14 15 16. and God's love appearing through him to Man-ward would effect what a sure fruitful Foundation Christ was how it reconciled him to God how it moved him to count himself a debtor to all Men and to pity them 2 Cor. 5.11 14 15 19 20. Rom. 9.1 2 3. 10.1 2 3 4. 11.4 14. 1 Cor. 9.19 20 and adventure his life to bring in Men to believe yea to desire and endeavour earnestly the return and Salvation of Israel those rejecting and cast-off Brethren whereas had he had in his heart that opinion and thought before mentioned he could not have so done But he had in his heart a better thought even the Testimony of Jesus Christ and that did so lead him and therefore he layes the same before Timothy even so to lead him yea I suppose any unprejuced will in reading Paul's Doctrine and Writings and his scope here to Timothy confess that it was Christ according to the Testimony of Christ that he propounded and laid before Timothy as the Foundation to encourage him and not a hidden and secret Purpose in respect of Particulars 2. This still farther appears by that which the Apostle had in his view and which he suggested to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 2 Tim. 2.14 16 23. 2 Pet. 2.18 19. Jude 16. as that which threatned some danger to which he opposeth Nevertheless the foundation c. which is clear to be the blasphemy of those that had made shipwrack of Faith in their words tending to no profit but to the subversion of the Hearers their prophane and vain bablings tending to increase unto more ungodliness their foolish and unlearned questions their great swelling words promising liberty perverting the Gospel and giving out as if Jesus that was born of the Virgin Mary and died and was buried and rose and ascended in that Body into Heaven c. were but a fleshly Christ and the knowledge of and Faith in him as having died for us and being risen and at the right hand of God interceding c. a fleshly and literal knowledge and faith and the looking and waiting for his personal coming again and the Resurrection of the dead Bodies a vain hope keeping to the Letter and under Bondage But their devised allegorical Christ that is dead and risen in them is the true spiritual Christ and the imbracing and believing this being dead to the former confidence in Christ this Christ according to the Spirit is come to them and in them and they are risen Heb. 13.8 1 Pet. 1.24 25. the Resurrection is past c. O lofty O vain Dream How should any that have once believed in and professed Jesus Christ and the Resurrection from the dead be drawn to this Is not Christ alwayes the same The Word of the Lord that endureth for ever Yes surely but these like the fallen Angels were not content with their place Jude 6. Col. 2.18 2 Cor. 11.3 4 13 14 15. Gal. 1.6 7 8. 2 Tim. 2.18 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Isa 40.8 9. 1 Pet. 19.25 Heb. 13.7 8. in the light and knowledge afforded them in the simplicity of Christ as set forth in the Gospel but would be intruding into things not seen and so pervert the Gospel as if they would declare a more spiritual Jesus a more pure Spirit and more heavenly and spiritual Gospel and truer Resurrection then the Letter as they call it of the Gospel doth declare and so they have erred and departed from the Truth which if they had minded and abiden in would have preserved them from such error Nevertheless The Word of the Lord the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Gospel for the Foundation standeth sure abideth and remaineth for ever the same though they boast of such a glorious change from Christ in the Flesh to Christ in the Spirit from Letter to Mystery yet he is the same and had they abode in belief of that Truth they had not so erred VVherefore let none believe or admire their fancies for though they be changed in their thoughts of Christ and the Truth yet he is the same and whoso holdeth to and continueth in his Words he will preserve for though they have erred from the
Truth Joh. 12.47 48. 2 Thes 1.10 yet nevertheless the Truth standeth firm and will one Day judge these Apostates and justifie such as believe in him So that by this opposition it cleerly appears he means Christ to be the Foundation 3. This also appears in the Words themselves with their Order and several Branches and Distinctions let them be every one considered 1. Isa 28.16 Psa 18.22 Mat. 21.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Act. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 3.11 The Foundation of God standeth sure Is not this plain in Scripture-Language to be the Foundation God purposed and promised to lay in Sion which Purpose and Promise was before the laying of it and now according to Purpose and Promise he hath laid it and Jesus Christ expresly affirmed to be this Foundation the Love and Wisdom of God in his will found out and purposed this Foundation and according to his Purpose his Hand hath laid this Foundation and hath declared his Purpose of saving all that in believing are by Faith built on him who onely is the Foundation and there is no other The knowledge of this Foundation and so of the Love and Purpose of God according to which he is laid meet us with bands of Love to draw to him and fasten upon him or if declined to return to him that is so sure immovable and precious a Foundation And this cleer-here that none needed have imagined another nor feigned the Purpose to be the Foundation but to proceed 2. Having this seal This is plain This Foundation hath a Seal on it an evident and known Seal it is a sealed Foundation and so the Seal is distinct though not divided from the Foundation it is in it and upon it even that by which it is marked out to be known and to be sure and stedfast even that which God hath appointed and sealed in which Seal also is the sealing and approbation of all that through believing come to be built on him So that it is a demonstrating living quickning and confirming Seal and so Christ the Foundation was sealed approved testified and confirmed both by voice and works to be The Christ Isa 28.16 Mat. 3.17 17.5 Joh. 5.37 Joh. 6.27 Isa 55.4 1 Cor. 2.2 Isa 42.4 Rom. 8.28 8.2 Isa 28.16 8.16 51.4 2 Cor. 1.22 5.14 Eph. 1.13 Isa 2.3.4 Mic. 4.2 3 Isa 8.20 14 15 16. 28.9 16. 29.11 12. 42.21 49.6 13.47 Mat. 5.14 15. Phil. 2.15 16. Joh. 1.4 7 9. 5.35 Isa 44.26 Heb. 2.3 4. The Son of God that precious tried Stone laid for a Foundation and upon this ground he exhorteth to seek of him the Bread that endureth to Eternal Life which he will give to such as come to him for it because or for him hath God the Father fealed yea he being given as the VVitness or Testimony of God's Will Love Purpose and Faithfulness and so preached by the Apostles and for the Law which the Apostle calls The Law of Faith The Law of the Spirit of Life This the Foundation laid in Sion The Law and Testimony bound and sealed up among the Disciples of Christ The Law proceeding out of his Mouth and he doth therewith so seal those that believe in him that he indues them with his own Spirit operating in them so that the same Law and Testimony goeth forth from them to others And this is the Law and the Testimony to which we are to resort for the knowledge of all Truth though because of its crying down all flesh and the reproach it is in in the World and among the Children of the Bond-woman in the Church it is to them as a book pretended by the Learned to be sealed and by the unlearned to be out of their ability to read yet with Christ and in him the Lord is well pleased yea and for his sake with all that believe in him and will magnifie the Law and make it honourable yea he hath given him for a light to the Gentiles and to be his Salvation to the ends of the earth yea he will confirm and hath confirmed the same in making those that believe in him the light of the VVorld in holding forth the VVord of Life and bearing witness of him the true light and he will confirm the Testimony delivered by his Servants yea he hath abundantly confirmed this Testimony already Eph. 2.20 21 22. so that Jesus Christ as set forth in the Testimony of the Gospel he is the Foundation laid by God and ministerially by the Apostles even that Foundation on which the Apostles and Prophets yea the whole Church both of Jews and Gentiles are built and by whom as the Corner-Stone they are united in one and there is no other Foundation but this And this Foundation is sealed and hath the Seal on it which will be sealing all that come to be built on it so that hitherto even by this Word having this Seal We are led to own Jesus Christ for the Foundation on which the Seal abideth Now let us consider what this Seal is and that also is express 3. That Lord knoweth them that are his This is plain the Apostle delivereth not this the Lord knoweth them that are his as the Foundation which by his manner of delivery appears to be some distinct thing forelayed yea even before sealed but distinctly plainly and expresly as the Seal on the Foundation which it alwayes hath on and with it and that is this The Lord knoweth them that are his View the words in their own simplicity according to Gospel-Language and it will appear plainly That The Lord is the Name frequently throughout the Gospel as now come forth given to Christ a Act. 2.36 10.36 9.17 29. 11.16 16.31 20.35 Rom. 14.9 1 Cor. 1 2. 8.6 2 Cor. 1 2. 13.14 Gal. 1.3 6.18 c. but if any will take it for God the Father it will come to the same for the Father and the Son are both one and the same God b Joh. 2.1 2 one in divine Essence and in VVill and Design and in Testimony and Working c Joh. 10.29 30. 1 Joh. 5.7 Joh. 5.17.19 22 23. 14.6 10. 16.14 15. Heb. 1.3 yea the Father doth nothing but the Son doth the same yea he doth all by the Son that all Men might honor the Son as they honor the Father nor can any come to the Father but by the Son and all that is the Father's is the Son 's and through him his glory appeareth The Lord knoweth This Word is more then seeth discerneth and so knoweth Joh. 2.24 25. 16.30 Dan. 2.22 Isa 66.18 Luk. 16.15 Deut. 31.21 2 King 19.27 Isa 37.28 Jer. 48.30 Psa 138.6 139.1 5. for so God yea God in Christ and so Christ knoweth all things yea he knoweth what is in the darkness though onely the light dwelleth with him he knoweth the hearts of all Men even the worst of Men also yea
their abode and going in and coming out and rage against him yea he knoweth the proud afar off and therefore he is fit to judge all and this is for the comfort of his Servants also yea he knoweth them and their thoughts and their wayes a good Meditation for them but knoweth in this business signifieth more then all this yea more then to say See part 4. ch 7. The Lord knoweth who they be that are his and who are not for the word here importeth special Grace Favour and Protection as hath been shewn The Lord knoweth that is the Lord owneth approveth chuseth delighteth in protecteth leadeth upholdeth manifesteth himself to and vouchsafeth fellowship with and maketh use of them to shew forth his vertues and praises by and so the word is used Psal 1.6 explained God is in the generation of the righteous God loveth the righteous Psal 14.5 146.8 37.17 112.6 5.12 1.6 146.9 37.17 112.10 The Lord upholdeth the righteous The righteous shall be in ever lasting remembrance For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield And this knowing of the righteous is opposed to the perishing of the way of the wicked his turning of the way of the wicked upside down so as the arms of the wicked shall be broken and the desire of the wicked shall perish yea to this understanding of the word knoweth here we are led by Christ and his Apostles yea the learned and godly Writers with one consent so take the word knoweth importing Approbation and Election The Lord knoweth them that are his These words by the connexion with the precedent and following words and the Apostle's scope appear plainly That By Them that are his are not meant all that are his in any sence as all that he hath right in to dispose of yea and to bring about his own ends by and to judge c. for so Psal 24.1 119.91 Joh 12.16 Psal 2.7 9. Rom. 13.9 Act. 10.36 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Phil. 2.9 10 11. Joh. 5.28 29. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein yea All are his servants The deceived and the deceiver are his yea God hath given to Christ upon the account of his sufferings and sacrifice all Nations of Men yea all Men to be disposed by him and he to be the Lord of them all and they are all obliged to him to live to him and will they nill they they shall all come one day before him and confess him Lord and he shall judge them In which sense all Men are his which though some through unbelief deny and will not acknowledge the Lordship of Christ upon this ground yet will none plead for them that are his to be taken in this sense here and it hath been often proved before That none that live in impenitency and unbelief can be reckoned in the number of those that are here meant by them that are his By Them that are his evidently appeareth here to be meant them that are his peculiar or his in a peculiar manner that is them that in the heavenly Call by the Gospel in discovery of his great Name Joh. 6.44 45. 14.21 23. 17.2 6 7. Rom. 9.24 Heb. 3.1 6. 1 Cor. 1.24 2 Cor. 8 5 Tit. 3.3 7. Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.29 Rom. 8.28 2 Thes 2.13 2 Pet. 1.2 Hos 2.23 Rom. 9.25 26. 1 Cor. 8.2 3. Gal. 4.8 9. 1 Cor. 6.11 1 Thes 5.4 5. Eph. 2.3 10. that is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and God's love and propitiousness to Mankinde through him are prevailed with to believe in Christ and so through the Grace believed united to him and so wrought up to love God and yield up themselves to trust in him and live to him and in the abounding of this love believed springing up this Faith and Love in them he returning with more discoveries of Love and so approving delighting in and chusing them These are the Children of the Promise that are Christ his peculiar and Heirs according to Promise The Called according to Purpose that love God and Christ The Elect and chosen through Sanctification of the Spirit c. These are them that his his people in such a sense as before this they were not his people and so both knowing God and rather so known of God as before they were not so now in Christ in the light his Children and peculiar people which before they were not And this understanding of these and no other to be his peculiar people and chosen and elect Generation we are fully and plainly taught as all that will read and minde 1 Pet. 2.2 3 5 9 10. may see without interpretation or gloss and so it 's plain these are those here meant by Them that are his And we have the same from our Saviour's own Mouth who is the Foundation and the first sealed known approved and elect Joh. 14.21 23. 16.27 15.16 19. 17.6 10 16. Joh. 3.14 15 16. 16.24 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him c. And The Father himself hath loved you because ye have loved me c. and these he saith He hath chosen out of the world and they are not of the world And these are the Father's and these are Christ's so that it is plain these are The Them so known and owned of which Paul speaks here to Timothy and if any Man would put any into this number that are not of this Them the Scripture is directly against him So that in this 2 Tim. 2.19 according to Scripture-Language we have set forth intimately the Purpose of God and expresly and distinctly The Foundation of God that is laid according to his purpose Isa 28.16 1 Pet. 2.6 and the Election of those that are prevailed with by Grace to believe in and relie on Christ according to his Purpose also the Foundation is first laid and upon the account of the preciousness of this Foundation the owning and election of those that believe on him they shall not be ashamed I know not what can be more plain and evident and yet that which follows confirms all hitherto said 4. And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity If any will take this as the flourishing of the Seal whereby it is demonstrated to others I hinder him not nor doth it hinder the scope aimed at yet I rather conceive it distinct for it is not said These Seals but this Seal which mentioned what it is he comes in with an and distinctive though not dis-junctive differenced though not divided both distinctive and copulative neither the Foundation nor the Seal yet an instruction and warning taught by the Foundation Tit. 2.11 12. Pro.
these Promises to be spoken of this is taken as granted without question they are Believers and have Faith already to whom these following Promises are made so as here is no condition required to be sought or brought but onely the use and exercise of that which of it self is working and fore-freely given not an ear but the use of an ear to hear given not an eye but the use of an eye to see freely given not a mouth but the use of a mouth given not a hand but the use of a hand given not simply life from death but the exercise of life freely fore-given So that here is fitness capacity and furniture as well as interest to receive these Promises and onely usefulness of that given which apts also to usefulness required for receiving these Promises which are not made to all Men nor to any Men simply as sinners and under no other consideration or qualification yea they are not directly made to any unbelievers upon condition of believing but onely so propounded that whoever believeth in Christ shall in that believing receive that grace which will interest them in them all so as they then appertain to him being a Believer and not before for the Promises to be spoken of are made to Believers the Disciples and Scholars of Christ and these may be ranked into four sorts 1. To Believers in several spiritual frames and exercises 2. To Believers abiding in their Faith Confidence and Love 3. To Believers for their abiding c. 4. To Believers for receiving after they have lived and died in the Faith CHAP. 2. Of Promises to them that are indeed Believers two sorts of Promises 1. THe first sort as I name them of Promises made to Believers are the Promises made to them in spiritual frames fellowship exercises and temptations in spiritual frames of poverty of Spirit mourning Mat. 5.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Luk. 6.20 21. meekness hungring and thirsting after righteousness mercifulness purity of heart gracious promises to every one of the Disciples in all these frames It 's evident these Promises were made onely to Christ his Disciples though in the hearing of the multitude to allure them to become his Disciples that so in becoming his Disciples they might enjoy them but to the Disciples they were expresly made and given neither were they given to those frames and qualifications nor upon a condition of having them but expresly to the Disciples already so framed and under such qualifications though in some sense they were sinners still And this is cleer in comparing the places where they are recorded together though here one of them and there another be in divers places of Scripture beside In spiritual fellowship when Believers are drawn together by and in the Name of Christ for Fellowship in the Gospel and Ordinances thereof there are gracious Promises to them of his presence and blessing * Psal 36.8 9. 65.4 92.12 13. Mat. 18.20 also there are gracious Promises to the Believers in their spiritual exercises as of Meditation a Psa 37.30 31 Prayer b Joh. 16.23 24 hearing reading and preaching of the word c Rev. i. 3. Mat. 28.20 Mar. 16.15 and also gracious Promises are made to Believers in their sufferings for righteousness and the Gospels sake Mat. 5.11 1 Pet. 4.13 14. d 2 Tim. 2.12 Mat. 19.29 Mat. 10.19 20. 1 Cor. 10.13 Isa 43.1 2 3. Heb. 12.5 11. yea even when they are tempted by Men or Satan opposing the Truth that is in them yea though as need is God's own correcting hand be upon them yea even in their bodily death Rev. 14.13 and many-like gracious promises these I onely quote for the Reader to search because I know not of any opposition by Brethren to these 2. The second sort of Promises are to Believers abiding in their faith confidence and love and so persevering in their faith love and noliness to the end and so not to any condition but to them that have faith already and enough in and from the Lord to keep them with him he promiseth them in their abiding in and with him many gracious things to be so received Gen. 31.3 32.9 2 Chron. 15.2 Mat. 28.20 Jer. 42.10 11 12 13 14. Hos 6.2 3 Heb. 3.6 14. 10.35 38. 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. Eph. 2.22 4.12 16 Joh. 15.4 8 9 10 11. Psal 81.6 8 9 10. Rom. 6.11 14. 8.11 12 13 14. Gal. 5.16 Col. 1.22 23. 2.6 7. Mat. 24.13 Rev. 2.10 2 Tim. 4.7 8. as to instance a few first That the Lord is and will be with them that is on their side to assist and deliver them and do them good much like that to the Apostles an illustration whereof we may have in another business in our types and also That these revived Believers in following on to know shall know the Lord more fully yea also in this fast holding of and abiding in their Faith they are and remain his house and partake more of Christ and shall be built more upon him and grow up more in him unto an holy Temple yea and yet farther in this abiding they shall bring forth much fruit and glorifie God yea they shall abide in the love of Christ and his joy be in them that their joy may be full yea if they attend still to hearken to his voice the Commandments shall be turned into Promises to them so as he will so write his Law in their hearts That they shall have no other God but him and shall open their mouth wide and he will fill it and though they have flesh yet lusting in them yet it shall not have dominion over them nor shall they fulfil the lusts of the flesh but grow rooted and stablished in Christ yea not onely all this but enduring and abiding faithful unto the end even to death they shall be saved with an everlasting Salvation and have the crown of life Are not here gracious Promises Is there not enough in the Promiser and in him in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen And in his spiritual presence and in the Spirit of faith love power and a sound minde given them and the tastes of the first fruits of his graciousness dispensed to them to allure hold and keep them with him yea to make them break forth and say with Peter Joh. 6.68 Lord thou hast the words of eternal life and we know and are sure that thou art the Christ c. whither should we go from thee yea with contentment and hearty desires Psa 73 23 24 25 26. to say as David Lord who have I in heaven but thee c. And whereas the flesh will be bogling Are not all the threats and curses denounced and annexed in the Demonstration of God's Minde against departure a good and gracious help for Believers to view and therewith to oppose terrifie and silence all the reasonings of the flesh And when the Wisdom
in reverence of him have been forborn let become of our Opinions what will let God be True and every one that swerves from his sayings a Liar as for Saints by turning aside to fall depart c. Mr. Owen and all of his Opinion grant a falling may be and a grievous one also yea a departure though not total and final yet such as will be visited with grievous corrections such as may be as fire in their bones And we believe and Mr. Goodwin nowhere denieth Ier. 3.6 14 22. Hosea 14.2 4. Iude 22 23. but that there are Promises for these departed ones still That upon God's correcting recalling and renewed strife with them in which he will not be wanting in repenting and returning they shall be forgiven and received into former favour and renewed to former gracious consolation and hope again What needed then this harsh Censure and what profiteth the Opinion of the infallible certainty of the Saints perseverance When some of the Saints never attain this certainty Pag. 294. and some lose it in whole or in part yea many of the Saints who are not enabled all their dayes to mix the Promise of perseverance with faith and on that account do never all their dayes get free from some bondage c. So saith Mr. Owen whereas all that are justified by faith in Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 2. Gal. 1.1 have peace with God c. What is contended for If it were to help the Saints to persevere and to the Faith thereof then Mr. Goodwin his warning of the danger to avoid it and setting forth the Foundation on which they may safely rest and not be deceived is more farthering that business then the maintaining an impossibilty of final falling and set forth no Foundation for Believers to rest on for it in which they may enjoy it And surely these gracious Promises given to Believers abiding in the Faith with all the Cautions mixt with them are very helpful to Saints perseverance yet seeing there are Promises to help yet farther I will endeavour to quote some of them for the Reader to turn to and mind CHAP. 3. Of Promises to Believers that they may abide in the Faith THe third sort of Promises are to Believers that they may abide in their Faith and holiness Prov. 28.26 and not be left to trust on their own faithfulness for their abiding which would be unsafe for them and folly in them yea if any of them because of their love faithfulness and zeal toward the Lord or any attainments got or resolution made should thence resolve and conclude Isa 50.10 11. Mat. 26.33 35 Rom. 11 18 20. and rest thereon that they shall not depart from him or forsake him this though in the best Saints would certainly presage a fall for their standing and perseverance therefore that it may be by Faith Hab. 2.3 4 Gal. 2.20.1 Pet. 1.5 Gal. 5.5 and so that they may live by Faith and be kept by the power of God through Faith which is the onely way of attaining God in and through Christ hath given many gracious Promises which being mixed with Faith in Believers they will be enabled to follow the Lord fully as Joshua did and so be preserved till they come to the heavenly as he did to the earthly Canaan Psal 125. for the Lord forsaketh none that trust in him they shall be as Mount Sion c. Let us then search the Scripture where these Promises are 1. Psal 84.12 29.11 5.12 Isa 26.3 4. Jer. 17.7 8. They are blessed that believe or trust in the Lord he will bless them with peace and compass them about with favour as with a shield and keep them in perfect peace so as they shall take root and be established be green and fruitful and not wither 2. Deut. 33.3 Ioh. 10.28 29. Psa 18.30 Deut. 23.25 27. Rom. 16.20 Mat. 16.18 They are in the hands and under the wings and protection of the Lord and none can pluck them out of his hands so that he is and will be a Buckler to them and an Enemy to their Enemies and turn them back yea he will tread Satan under their Feet and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them 3. He will preserve and strengthen them he will preserve their souls Psal 31.23 24. 97.10 Prov. 2.8 Deut. 31.6 Heb. 13.5 Psa 37.28 their way their feet in his way 1 Sam. 2.9 yea he will never leave them nor forsake them but preserve them for ever so as they shall be safe through all dangers and set on high c. Psal 91. throughout 4. Isa 57.13 Psal 34.22 They shall possess the promised Land and inherit his holy Mountain and none of them shall be desolate Can any that believe Christ and therethrough trust God in his Word and so believe his Promises but that according to their Faith they are alike perswaded of his graciousness power truth and faithfulness according to these Promises to preserve their Souls in Faith and them in his Grace and way through Faith unto Salvation in his abundant goodness and truth And to help Believers to this believing and confidence these Promises are brought nigher to us Rom. 13.11 2 Tim. 1.9 10. 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. and made more open and easie to be believ'd then when first made before the first coming of Christ in that now 5. Christ hath come in the flesh and Jesus is the Christ and he The Lord Jesus Christ The Son of God The Son and Saviour of Man The Head and Brother of all Believers who hath suffered for our sins overcome death offered the acceptable Sacrifice and is exalted and immeasurably filled in the Nature of Man with the Holy Ghost and in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen all the Promises are his 2 Cor. i. 20. Joh. 1.12.13 Joh. 6.37 38 40 7.2 6. and to him it belongs by vertue of his purchase and the donation of the Father to give the Dignity and Priviledges to be the Sons of God to Believers and to keep raise and give eternal life to those by the Fathers testifying of him drawn in to believe in him as hath been shewn in the Declaration of the Purposes which are opened in the Promises And he the Lord Jesus Christ telleth us plainly That his goodness the choice benefits of all his sufferings and Sacrifice and Mediation extendeth not to the Father to help or add any thing to his perfection but to the Saints that are in the Earth Psa 16.2 3. compassed with infirmities and to the excellent yea even the Spirits of just Men made perfect who have not yet received all their happiness in whom namely those Saints both that live by Faith and that have died in the Faith is all his delight And he communicateth the Priviledges of Sons to all that believe in him and they are born of God and have eternal Life Joh.
perdition and destruction of ungodly Men yea of all that then will not serve Christ and his people yea all the Saints with him shall have this honor To execute vengeance upon the Heathen to binde their Kings c. as is said 3. Jer. 3.17 18. Ezek. 30.24 37.21 22. Isa 52.8 Jer. 33.7 8 9. Isa 19.24 25. Jer. 48.47 49.6 7. Rom. 11.15 26 27. Psa 126.1 2. Heb. 8.10 11. Jer. 31.31 33 34. 32.38 39 40 41 Ezek. 37.24 28. Yea they shall also be with him and see the natural Seed of Abraham that are at that time found surviving of the whole twelve Tribes of Israel from all the utmost parts of the World come into their own Land yea then will that be fully performed that is promised 2 Sam. 7.10 13. Isa 11.11 16. Jer. 31.8 9. And they shall not onely see this but they shall also see of other Nations come in together with them to worship God as Egypt and Assyria and of Moab and Ammon and Elam yea of all Nations that shall be left living upon the Earth Psal 66.4 and 89.9 O joyful sight what can this be to such as love God less then life from dead and ravishing and satisfying joy and yet this is not all for then also being with the Lord they shall themselves receive of the Lord the full of the Covenant and Testament he in the day of grace was for and to them being the Mediator of that Testament in their behalf the Minister thereof giving in a spiritual first fruits to their Spirits but now openly making it in performance both to Soul and Body and they shall also see it made with the whole house of Israel as it was fore-made for them with their Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob yea in a fuller sense because not to be looked and waited for by Faith then but to be enjoyed in performance both to their Fathers and them so as they shall then all know the Lord and there will be no more any remembrance of their sins by him they shall have no more any hunger thirst pain or any sorrow 4. Then also shall they see Jerusalem that great City Psa 128.5 Isa 33.20 66.13 Jer. 3.17 Isa 9.7 24.23 Luk. 1.32 33 Dan. 7.14 Psa 72.8 9 10 11. 106.5 Isa 65.17 2 Pet. 3.13 Isa 9.6 7. 11.1 9. Psa 72. 75.1 2 3. Heb. 2.8 Psal 8.4 5 9. Rom. 8.21 22. the praise of the Earth the Throne of the Lord a quiet Habitation yea then and there shall they see Jesus Christ in his glorious Body The Son of David The King in his Beauty and Glory sitting upon the Throne of David his Father and ruling before his Ancients gloriously in Jerusalem and over all the Nations and Kingdoms of the Earth under the whole Heavens then shall they see the good of his chosen and rejoyce in the gladness of his Nation and Glory with his Inheritance for then they shall have a new Heaven and new Earth wherein dwells Righteousness the Creation restored to its purity the light of the Sun as the light of seven dayes the Earth bringing forth plentiful encrease and all Creatures at peace among themselves the people among them all righteous and not one suffered to live among all Nations that shall rebel against them all Righteousness and Peace and Prosperity streaming among them through the blessed Restauration by and Government of the Lord Jesus Christ the King 5. The Tabernacle of God Jesus Christ in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily and the holy City Rev. 21.1 5. 1.6 5.10 2 Tim. 2.12 Mat. 19.28 29. Luk. 19.17 19. which are these that have died in the Faith being risen and meeting the Lord in the Air comes down from Heaven in which God then dwelleth with Men having made all things new and now shall these Children of the Resurrection be Kings and Princes and chief Rulers in the Commonwealth of Israel and shall judge or govern the World and rule the Nations and so raign in this flourishing Kingdom with Christ on whom they have believed and with whom they have suffered yea now the Lord Jesus the King of Kings as he hath secured them from any hurt by the second death Rev. 2.11 20.6 3.5.21 2.7 17. 22.14 Mat. 10.41 42. Luk. 14.14 Mat. 29.29 Rev. 7.13 17. 11.18 so he will give unto them to sit with him in white raiment on his Throne and give them a new white Stone with a new Name even of Victory in it and to eat of the hidden Manna and of the Tree of Life yea also Rewards according to all their services and sufferings for his sake yea the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens shall be given to the people of the Saints Dan. 7.27 Rev. 21.24 6. Isa 66.10 23. Psal 72. Their exercise shall be a joyful and continual Sabbath-keeping with the Lord in singing Hallelujahs and new Songs of praise and all Nations shall acknowledge them The beloved and blessed of the Lord Isa 60.3 14. 61.9 1 Joh. 3.2 1 Cor. 13.12 Phil 3.20 Col. 3.4 yea they seeing Christ as he is and as they are seen they shall be like him but how glorious this estate will be is not yet manifested and so beyond our conceptions but onely that we know that we are now Sons and that in a measure we shall be then like him in glory And all these things may be seen more at large before in Part 2. ch 18. III. For the Promises to be performed to them when Christ shall have finished the work of the Davidical Regiment raised and judged all the Serpentine Seed and cast the Devil and his Angels and all the Enemies the wicked into the Lake of Fire and then delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father the Promises to be then performed I finde no other but an Ascension or encrease of this happiness and glory in God being All in all onely this I finde That the Kingdom shall never end Dan. 7.14 27. Isa 9.7 60.19 20. 61.7 Luk. 18.30 1 Cor. 15.28 Psal 16.11 never pass to another people they shall be ever with the Lord and everlasting joy shall be upon them and they shall be in everlasting life for ever and for ever only the administration of the Government is exalted or ascended higher so as God is All in all in whose presence is fulness of joy and at whose right Hand are pleasures for evermore that this is and that so it shall be is exprest and so most certain and sure but what manner of glory it will be is not yet revealed nor will be till Jesus Christ come and take unto him his great Power and Raign And these be part of the Promises made to Believers to be performed to them 2 Tim. 4.8 after they have finished their course and at the coming of Christ and if Believers do well minde these Promises Rom. 8.18
Heb. 11.25 26 27 it will cause all services sufferings for Christ to appear but a little matter to be born yea it will lead to count sufferings for Christ greater riches then all the treasures of this World and strengthen them to endure as seeing him that is visible in which while these Promises are believingly viewed 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. our afflictions will work for us a far more exceeding weight of glory yea should temptation come so fiercely as to dazle the eye Psa 116.3 11. 31.22 23 24 56.4 10 11. or daunt the courage of our believing so as we fainted in the exercise of our Faith yet the minding of these Promises sealed by him that shed his Blood for us would make us cry to him in that fainting and he would hear us and help us comfort and enable us to comfort our selves in his word And will they not then allure and help to perseverance Surely Yes And thus I have briefly hinted the Promises of God through Christ to Mankinde to Mankinde believing to Believers in each condition and to them and Promises to be received after this life which heartily believed it would lead to cleanse from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 1.1 5.1 1 Joh. 2.24 25. and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord it would lead to perseverance and to cause to long and wait for our House from Heaven In all which we see That the Promises of God and the Purposes of God and the Testimony of God concerning Christ are all one and the same Doctrine declare the same thing the same minde of God by diversity of expressions setting forth and closing together in one and the same Truth and so as the knowledge usefulness of and in any one will be found the same of and in each and every one yet I to evidence this will a little go over what hath already been shewn in usefulness of the Testimony of Christ and of the Purposes to shew how we are taught the same in the Promises and how the knowledge of them as hath been set forth is helpful to us in many things CHAP. 6. How this knowledge of the Promises is instructive to us about understanding some Sayings of Scripture 1. THis will help us to understand that saying 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. It is evident That in this and the former Verse Rom. 1.1 2 3 4 5. Eph. 1.2 4 5 11. Act. 26.18 Peter was declaring the Furniture given him by God for his Ministration as was Paul's course oft in beginning of his Epistles and both his Furniture and Mission for the same end that Paul had his and so in the former Verse he tells us That the divine Power of Christ Joh. 15.26 27. Act. 1.4.5 Luk. 24.4 Joh. 5.25 11.25 26. and so of God in and through Christ which was the Holy Ghost inspiring them with the Testimony of Christ hath given unto them all things pertaining unto life and godliness To life that is to forgiveness quickning and life and being enlivened to godliness to right worshipping of God and living to him an = d uniting and conforming to him 2 Pet. 1.1 2. and all this he saith the divine Power gave them through the knowledge of him that is in the Testimony of the Righteousness of God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 1 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 Thes 2.14 2 Cor. 5.18 19. which the divine Power shined into their hearts in the face of Jesus Christ who hath saith he called us by glory and vertue or to glory and vertue whereby or by which divine Power and Spirit in the knowledge of Christ according to the Testimony put in our hearts are given to us that is for Ministration and to minister with exceeding great and precious Promises that by these ministred by us and heard and believed by you you might be Partakers of the divine Nature that you in hearing might believe and in believing being convinced and brought out of darkness might receive the light and so believing in Christ have Fellowship with and partake of the divine Nature and so the Promises here appears to be the same with Gospel-Testimony and the several Heads or Branches of Promises forementioned Consider it well 1. For fallen Man the Seed of the first Adam that are under sin and death that they may attain to life and godliness receive forgiveness and be accepted into favour and become of the spiritual Seed c. Needful it is That in that Nature of Man sin be condemned and punished blood shed death and curse suffered and overcome in the same Nature risen just ascended and offered to God a Sacrifice so as Aronement be made Redemption obtained Spirit and Eternal Life received in the Man to send forth that Men might believe Act. 13.31 32 33 38 39. Joh. 1.45 and that whoever believeth on him may receive forgiveness and life And such a Saviour God from the beginning promised to Mankinde and after more explicately to Abraham and by the Prophets and Jesus Christ that died and rose c. is this very Promise fulfilled as God hath now fulfilled this Promise in raising him from the dead Luk. 1.69 70 Joh. 14.6 Eph. 2.17 Rom. 3.25 1 Cor. 3.11 1 Pet. 1.21 25. Joh. 6.48 Isa 42.1 c. and so set him forth in the Gospel and this Jesus so set forth is the Way of approach to God The Propitiation for sins The Foundation The immortal Seed The Bread of Life The Elect of God The First-begotten and First-born Son of God that all that believe in him may through him approach to God receive forgiveness be united to and built on Christ and so become of the same seed born of God a Son of God by vertue of the Death and Resurrection of and union with the Son of God And this fulfilled Promise Joh. 3.14 15. Act. 2. 3.9 26. 13.38 39 and so the Promises under this first Head or Branch of Promises of things done are exceeding great and precious and to be held forth as the Promises of God fulfilled that in believing Men might be begotten by and born of the Word or Promise so that to conceive or suggest to any another Seed an elect Company for whom this Seed should come and die is altogether erronious there is but one blessed Seed in which blessing is and that is the Seed of the Woman of Abraham in which is blessing Gal. 3.16 26. And this Seed was not a People for Christ to die for but it is Christ dead and risen and by his communicative vertue all those that through Grace are brought in to him and united to him as such a Seed to bring Men in therefore to be of this Seed this Promise fulfilled in him is to be preached 1 Cor.
15.14 15. Indeed to witness this of Christ that he is dead and risen again and alive for evermore that whoever believeth on him may live if it were not so indeed would be a false witness-bearing of God and so a vain preaching and so likewise to preach this as good News and Gospel to any for whom Christ did not indeed die and rise Act. 3.26 10.34 43 13.38 39 47. 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6 7. 2 Pet. 1.20 21 23 24 25. and give himself a Ransome so as there is forgiveness and life in him for them that they might believe and in believing receive the same were a false witness-bearing of God and Christ of which the Apostles freed themselves when they preached this to Jews to Gentiles to all Men where-ever they came affirming the same for Truth and so this the first Promise in which the Foundation is held forth and the immortal Seed effused and so Peter preached this Promise 2. That sinners ignorant blinde weak and dead Men may be enabled to believe and so come upon this Foundation and be united to and quickned and born of this Seed and so partake of life and godliness and therein of the divine Nature needful it is That this Foundation be discovered to them and light shined on them with some spiritual fervour and power opening their eyes to see and moving in their hearts that they might believe testifying to them That if they in seeing see c. following Grace shall flow into them enabling them to believe and that in believing they shall receive Remission of sins and life and that this is the very end of God in sending forth the Gospel to them and all this God hath promised and is doing as hath been shewn in the second Head or Branch of Promises and this Promise See Part 5. ch 1. with the Promises contained in it are given in the Gospel also to be preached yea so as in the plain Declaration of the Gospel See Part 4. ch 4. with invitation of Men by it to be reconciled to God God be affirmed to be fulfilling these Promises also reaching forth his hand to such a Performance that Men might indeed Joh. 3.14 15. Act. 3.26 26.18 Act. 11.20 21. 2 Cor. 3.3 5.20 Act. 17.30 31. Hos 11.3 4. Joh. 6.27 32 33 62 63. Mat. 4.15 16 17. 1 Pet. 1.12 Act. 5.22 1 Rom. 1.16 Thes 2.12 13. 1 Pet. 1.20 21. by that he discovereth in his Son believe and so be built on the Foundation united to and born of the immortal Seed and so the Preaching is said to be for this end to enlighten and save and the hand of the Lord to be with them and do this work in this Ministration and so God is affirmed to beseech in their beseeching by the Gospel yea in the Ministration of the Gospel of Christ risen from the dead to be giving Faith to all Men to be giving the Bread of Life drawing with the Bonds of Love and the Cords of a Man taking the yoke from off the Jaws and laying Meat before Men to give Light to them that sit in Darkness whence Peter confident of his Master's Truth in his Word Mat. 28.20 Joh. 15.26 27. doubted not to affirm That they preached the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven and That the Holy Ghost did also witness of Christ in their witnessing and so these Promises were also exceeding great and precious which they had also to preach so as whoever as Light came discovering Christ and opening their eyes to see did but then and so behold him this Word would work so in them that they should by him believe on him and so be enlivened and partake of divine Nature and so through this Promise received united to the former Promise fore-fulfilled and so born of that Promise fulfilled through this Promise now in performing 3. That these weak Believers and new-born Babes may be more and more built on Christ and grow up in him and so live through him and so have life more abundantly and be and live godly in partaking of the divine Nature in Interest in Union in Fellowship in Usefulness in Conformity and in assured Expectation of a compleat Enjoyment in due season See before ch 2 3 4 5. Eph. 1.18 2 Thes 2.14 Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.1 3 4 5 6 7 2.3 4 5 9. 2 Pet. 1.1 2 5 11. needful it is That following Grace be vouchsafed to them opening to them the Inheritance and affording them Blessing in divine spiritual Presence in all their spiritual Frames and Services in their Temptations and Sufferings in their Abiding and for their Abiding and assuring them of Help and Preservation to the end and the Inheritance in its season which are all given us in the Gospel and set forth in the third Head or Branch of Promises and these Promises also be exceeding great and precious and Peter had them also to preach to the same end and so did these being the Promises to the Hope whereof Believers are by the Word begotten and born And so of the Promises given them II. This will also help us to understand Rom. 9.8 The Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed In that by that said it 's cleer both who be the Children of Promise and in what sense they are said to be born of the Promise and so of VVater and of the Spirit yea of God and from above which onely they are that being born of the immortal Seed are reckoned one with it and so after it and so counted for and are the spiritual Seed 1. They are born of the Promise that is of Christ promised to be the Saviour which Promise is now fulfilled Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.20 21 23. Joh. 1.12 Isa 53.8 10. and he so held forth therein as The Propitiation The Foundation The immortal Seed The Word of the Lord that the Love of God appearing in him they beholding are by him begotten quickned born and so are accounted his Generation This the Promise of which borne 2. They are born through the Promise that is the Promises God hath made of filling Christ with Spirit which is done and sending forth Spirit through him Isa 42.1 8. 55.4 5. to open the eyes of the blinde c. and so to allure and bring in to him in performance of which Promise in the heavenly Call the Word becomes effectual in the heart of those that in hearing hear 1 Pet. â 25 Gal. 4.23 and so prevails with them to answer the Call in believing that set before them in the first Promise seen fulfilled which therein quickens them and brings them forth to the birth and so of that Promise through this Promise they are born 3. Gal. 3.16 26 29. 4.23 18 31. They are in this Birth born Heirs to the Hope of the Promise even the Promises of and pertaining to the Inheritance And these Promises coming all
also and rejoyce for the same being Heirs together of the Grace of Life and so of the Promises mentioned in the third Head or Branch of Promises IV. This Consideration of the Promises of God to fallen Mankinde sinners in the first and second Consideration and his Purposes alike ordered and the Testimony of Christ in the Gospel declaring and witnessing the same will keep us from wresting and lead us to a profitable understanding of that in Act. 13.48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed This some to favour some Opinion wrest to mean as many as from eternity were in their persons absolutely decreed and elected to eternal life believed so leaving all the rest of Mankinde but that elect number as from eternity decreed to be damned a harsh and untrue position cross to all the plain Declaration of the Gospel and the Purpose of God in giving and sending his Son and causing him to be preached and the Promises of God to fallen Mankinde sinners in first and second Consideration and to the Holy Spirit 's Discovery of the Elect and those that are counted or the Seed and cross to the Text for if as many as were ordained as they say from Eternity decreed to eternal life did then believe then was there no more to be converted and that would not have filled the Disciples with joy nor would the Word of the Lord have been farther published to others still there it were better to acknowledge such a Sentence deep and difficult and wait till we be helped so to understand it as agreeing with the Testimony of Christ then to fancy a sense quite cross to it all as this appears to be nor is there a word here to countenance it for it is not said As many as were from Eternity ordained to eternal Life believed If any say It must be so taken because of the contrary saying in Jude 4. Who were ordained of old to this condemnation I answer They mistake both places for the word in Jude 4 is either forewritten or ordained of old which is not so far as from eternity no not in the works of God Israel said The Lord bath appeared to me of old which could not be from eternity Jeâ 31.3 though far off in many Ages past and so this fore-writing and Ordainment of old was fore-written by the Prophets And two things are note-able in Jude 4. First Who they were that were thus ordained and that is See Part 4. ch 4. not particular Men as Adam's Sons fallen considered but such as to whom Grace hath been extended and Light opening their eyes to see and so called to yield to the Teachings of it and they willingly close their eyes and pervert the Tenders of Grace and abuse it to take Liberty to satisfie the Flesh and in that sense ungodly and that such as so considered are ordained to stumble is foreshewn Secondly note what that is they are here said to be ordained to and that is to be the Tryers Exercisers and Adversaries of the Saints in contending against their Faith and so to this Judgement Contention or Condemnation to be also contended against by the Saints Gen. 4.15 Prov. 29.27 Psa 101. 139.19 22. which Ordainment and fore-writing is declared of old and may be read and such as persist in the ungodliness are ordain'd to the vengeance of eternal fire and not else as that whole Epistle shews And this Jude 4. speaking of a direct contrary Ordainment to that Act. 13.48 helps to a right understanding thereof namely That such as when means of Grace and the Call of God therein is extended to them and light so given as they are brought to hear and understand and they do in hearing hear and in seeing see and so receive and like the Reproof and Call such are ordained to have Christ made to appear more precious to them and so believe and in believing to have eternal Life as hath been shewn both in Purposes and Promises Par. 4. ch 4. Part 5. Chap. 1. which helps to understand this and according to the Testimony of Christ and the Purposes and Promises set forth in the Gospel is this to be understood And for the words in it 1. Some accounted well skilled in the Greek say It 's thus to be read Act. 13.48 As many as believed were ordained to eternal Life Which however the saying and sense in it is true and safe to be received as Truth which the foresaid contradicting sense cannot be for this agreeth with the residue of the Gospel and the Purposes and Promises of God But grant this Saying to be not fit and proper in this place as other skilful Grecians say it is not yet if we look well into the words as used in Scripture-Language 2. If we should take ordained as some press for it Prov. 1.23 1 Pet. 2.3 4 7. Joh. 5.25 Mat. 13.12 c. to be pre-ordained or ordained of old or fore-written yet the sense is given us in Scripture to be That God hath ordained that when he declares his Grace in Christ and therein opens Mens ears to hear and their eyes to see and puts forth his hand in his Call moving at their hearts that such as then by the Grace extended do in hearing hear and in seeing see and so receive his Words more Grace shall flow in to them so as they shall believe and have eternal life and so it stands well here As many as were ordained to eternal life that is were so prepared by the Grace extended believed This shewn in Purposes and Promises 3. If we take ordained as some skilful in the Greek say The word signifies for ordered or fitted and so for an act of the following Grace of God where his preventing Grace was not rejected but entertained and so such as harden not their hearts against preventing Graces but receive and own it to them more abundant and following Grace is given and so they fitted to prize accept and receive Christ Heb. 3.7 Joh. 4.10 10.38 Joh. 5.38 40 44 10.26 27 12.38 39. Acts 13.39 40 41 47. in whom eternal Life is and so to accept and receive it in God's way and so being ordered inclined and fitted for eternal Life they do in that gracious Operation believe Just as it is said of Despisers of the Word and Resisters of preventing Grace They cannot believe They put away eternal Life from themselves as is seen in the Verses before this Text And so likewise when in this preventing Grace the Lord Jesus was held forth to be a Light to the Gentiles and God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth which is the same with The Propitiation for the sins of the whole World The Saviour of the World that died for all and gave himself a Ransom for all and upon that ground Isa 45.22 Prov. 8.4 5. Act. 13.44.45 all the ends of the Earth called to look to him and be saved when this
through Christ with Mankinde in beginning was and so still is 1. Act. 14.13 14 15 16 17. 17.25 28. Rom. 1.19 20. 2.4 5. Psal 19.1 7. Prov. 1.20 23 24. 8.1 6. Joh. 1.4 5 7 8 9. Isa 45.22 23 That he would extend Mercy use Means and give forth such Testimonies of his Goodness in and through Chrst the promised Seed to all men that they might behold and in beholding repent believe and be saved yea so verily That whoever did not then repent and believe it was because he was then found hardening his own heart and willingly refusing In which God is was and will be found faithful for ever and Refusers left without excuse when Believers saved 2. Iob 37.2 Prov. 3.5 6 32 33. Isa 45.21 22. Iob 35.10 11. Psal 33.8 Psal 14.2 3. Rom. 2.10.22 23. Psa 36.6 7. 100.1 2. 117.1 2. 130.4 That Men should hear his Voice minde and behold his Goodness and so believe him to be Great Righteous and Gracious and so fear him and stand in awe of him and in this belief and awe of him to acknowledg the Righteousness of that Obligation which naturally obligeth them to love the Lord with all their Heart and Soul and Strength and their Neighbour as themselves and to walk in that Love and so their own short coming of it and inability to answer it and their due and just desert of curse thereby and inability of themselves to avoid it and so being abased in themselves and believing his Goodness and Mercy to hope therein and cry to him for it and so believing in him in Testimony of Thanks to yield up themselves according to light and strength given and received to live to him which is the most in this Covenant required 3. That those who by the Testimony of his Goodness do thus believe him to be Psal 107.43 33.15 16 18 19. 36.7 8 9. Lam. 3.25 26. Heb. 11.6 and to be Great and Gracious and from thence abasing themselves do hope in his Mercy and are so found coming to him he will give them Understanding and bless and save them yea even in such believing how weak soever it be if it be according to the Light and Strength in the means given and received And this is all I can finde to have been in the beginning and from the beginning of any Covenant made by God with Mankinde through Christ and under this Covenant in their time ever were still are and will be all Men in their several Ages from the beginning to the end of this World If any reply That here is nothing mentioned of Men that they have engaged themselves to God in for performance of and how can that be called a Covenant where both parties have not engaged I answer Where there is an Engagement between two and the one a publick Man the several Engagements of the Particulars concerned in that publick Man is not necessary to make it a real Covenant And this will be yielded if Reason it self were made Umpire That a Lord of a Mannor may make a Covenant with his eldest Son about the disposal of his Lands Rents Goods and Priviledges to such and such Children Servants and Strangers also that are yet to be born on such and such terms to receive all engaged to them and this a Covenant to stand firm to all effects and they all as they come forth be accordingly engaged and so to receive that given or else be rejected and shall not Faith acknowledge That The Great and Mighty God Psal 24.1 2 5. Mal. 1.6 The Father of Jesus Christ The Lord and Master of us all may make such a Covenant for Men who are his own Creatures and pass it over to his own Son his first-Born and shall not all Men be engaged in it for receit or for rejection were not the denial of this unreasonable But if Understanding and Faith be asked they will soon tell us That both parties have engaged in this Covenant that God made with Christ the second publick Man for Men seeing he interposed for and undertook in the Nature of Man Gal. 4 4. 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Deut. 29.14 15. to satisfie the Obligation under which Mankinde was fallen and having so bought them he as their Lord and Representative did in his Father's Engagement to him so engage for them and are they not then all engaged yea have they not all in the publick Man engaged and are by him engaged could Moses the Mediator between God and Israel enter into Covenant those that were far off and yet to be born and shall not the Lord of Moses The Mediator between God and Men do as much for all Men and was that a sin in those 1 Tim. 2.5 2 Sam. 21.1 7 9 14 15 16. that so many Generations after thought themselves not engaged in the Covenant made by Joshua their Leader into Canaan and the Elders of Israel though unadvisedly made and took courage to break it and will it not be a greater sin in any Man to think himself not engaged in this Covenant made by Jesus Christ the publick Man in the behalf of Mankinde surely all that know this Obligation will confess it a gracious Covenant and themselves engaged in it And yet I may say both That all Men are engaged in it by their natural Fathers in that Adam Seth c. yea Cain also did subscribe to iti n their offering of Sacrifice and after Noah also the Father of all Mankinde now living and many have been and are that have personally engaged according to that Testimony Joh. 3.33 he that hath received his Testimony hath set to his Seal That God is true for so those that believed the Graciousness of God in this Obligation and profess themselves That they would so seek and serve him they and their house as Joshua did did therein subscribe to the Goodness and Equity of the Obligation Josh 24.15 and therein engaged themselves and those under their Tuition to the observance of it Ier. 2.20 21. 1 King 2.38 42. And if such willingly turn aside their sin is so much the greater and their Condemnation will also be verified just from their own Mouth But we need not reason it out it is expresly writ That some in the acknowledgment of it did offer Sacrifice did call upon and were called by the Name of the Lord Gen. 4.3 4 26. 6.2 and these with all under their Tuition in that Profession were called The Sons of God Gen. 6.1 till the Profession received in that Tuition were cast off and the residue of Men called Men or the Sons and Daughters of Men. And those that were under this Obligation not onely Subscribers Gen. 4.3 4. 5.3 22. Heb. 11.2 3 4 5 6 Gen. 6.8 9. 1.7 but upright in believing with the Heart and so walked with God they were accepted and approved of God also and called
this Covenant was so made that it might have divers times of fulfilling one in the outside of it Iosh 22.4 Isa 42.6 Luk. 1.71 76. Heb. 9.15 8.1 2 6. in the Types in having some rest in Canaan another in Truth and spiritually in Christ in his first coming having finished his first Work and being set forth in the Gospel and so given for a Covenant Act. 3.19 20 21 2 Pet. 3.12 13. Isa 55.5 1 Pet. 1.21 23. Gal. 3.8 6.26 29 Ier. 31.33 34. Heb. 8.10 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5. Eph. 1.13 Col. 1.3 4. 1 Thes 4.14 15 18. and remaining the Mediator and Minister of it and the next last and compleat fulfilling according to Spirit and Letter both at the next and visible appearing of Jesus Christ yea and also a divers fulfilling of it in particular Believers as first VVhen through the evidence of Truth in Gospel-Testimony glorifying Christ a Man is brought in to believe in Christ and so made of the Seed Secondly When and as in believing a Man through the quickning Spirit of Christ comes to be more built on Christ and so sealed in him being indued with a first-Fruits of the Spirit promised Rom. 8.23 And thirdly VVhen the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear in Glory and the Just be raised so to appear in Glory with him to possess c. 1 Joh. 3.2 IV. That this Covenant was made with Christ as the publick Man Heb. 1.2 Eph. 1.14 Psal 89.28 Isa 53.10 11. Gen. 17. Act. 7.5 Heb. 11.9 10 14 16 40. Psal 105.8 9 10 11. Rom. 9.8 9 10 11. 4.10 11 12 17 23 24. Gal. 3.7 8 16 26 27 28 29. 4.25 26 28 30 31. and the everlasting Father upon the account of his Sufferings and Sacrifice and so the inheritance is his first he is the Heir as the Son of God by Nature and as the publick Man by Purchase and by Covenant for himself and his spiritual Seed to be after brought in to him for there could be none before him And this Covenant was confirmed in Christ to Abraham and so made with Abraham for himself and for his Seed after him also and confirmed to him with an Oath and so to Isaac and Jacob in like manner and so still for them and their Seed that were to come of them and after them so as Abraham was Heir not onely by a spiritual Birth but also by a Covenant made and confirmed with an Oath fastening the right of Inheritance upon him and intailing it upon his Seed and so in like manner was Isaac and Jacob Heirs with him of the same Promise and Promises and promised Inheritance which they never yet enjoyed but in due time assuredly shall when all their Seed is come in to inherit with them And this Covenant is confirmed to Israel for an everlasting Covenant in being so made to Abraham Isaac and Jacob and confirmed with an Oath to them That all that are born of the Promise that by the Grace of God discovered in Christ do believe in him they are the Sons of Abraham and his Seed and so as Isaac and Jacob of the same Seed Heirs by birth of the Promise given to and believed and preached by Abraham Isaac and Jacob and also confirmed Heirs by the Covenant made with Abraham Isaac c. by which through Faith they are assured of the Inheritance V. That this Covenant being so made with Abraham for himself and for all after-Comers that are his Seed Act. 7.2 3 4 Heb. 11.8 Isa 51.2 that they as his Seed may know their Interest in it and have by Faith the same usefulness of it this is farther to be minded That Abraham was a true Believer and justified before God and so by spiritual birth of the Seed of Christ and so an Heir and walked in Faith as a Son before this Covenant was made with him so that this Promise and Covenant was not given to him to beget Faith or to make him a Son or upon condition of his believing All which was wrought in him and he so living and walking in Faith before this Covenant was made with him but it was made with him as a justified Believer to confirm and encrease his Faith and so for the exercise of his Faith in waiting for so blessed a Hope as set before him and given him in this Promise and Covenant and in the same manner it was after made with Isaac and Jacob the Promise of the Inheritance being in order after belief and new Birth The promised Seed is the Promise of which one is so born the Promise of Means from and through that Seed The Promise through which a Man is so born and The Promise of the Inheritance the Promise to the Hope whereof Believers are born And so this Promise and Covenant made with the Fathers is not fastened on any to make them Believers and Sons or on condition of believing Rom. 4.16 8.17 Joh. 1.12 13. Gal. 3 26 29. Heb. 6.17 18. though in believing is the way to meet with it but the Interest in it and the Assurance of it as made to the Fathers for them is given to such as are Believers in Christ and so the Sons of God by Faith who are Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to Promise to confirm and encrease their Faith and for the exercise of their Faith in waiting for so blessed a Hope VI. The freeness largeness Gen. 17.4 8. 1 Chron. 15.15 19 and everlastingness of this Covenant the dependency it hath on the Truth and faithfulness of God for its performance all being put on himself to perform Psal 105.8 11. Ioh. 5.19 20 21. Heb. 9.15 16 17. 13.20 2 Sam. 23.5 who hath confirmed it with his Oath yea and having first made it with Christ his Son upon the account of his Purchase the Son being one with the Father in all he doth he also was one with the Father in making this Promise and Covenant to Abraham for him and his Seed and hath confirmed the Covenant with his own Blood and by vertue thereof extendeth the Performances So that this is a sure and everlasting Covenant ordered in all things This is all express in the words and terms of it VII When this free and everlasting Covenant was openly made and confirmed with an Oath Gen. 17.9 10 11.12 13 23 27. it had also added to it an outward and sensible Testimony Token Sign and Seal to be set on the flesh of Abraham and all his natural Seed according to the flesh that is all by natural birth born of him and all so of him as that by gracious Providence they were put under his care and tuition whether born in his House or Family or bought with his Money so as they were under the Government of him or his Family and also that were proselyted and so come to live under their Profession Exod. 12.48 49 with all under their Tuition and Government likewise And this visible
other of an heavenly Inheritance with promise in their believing of Spirit to teach assist comfort and lead them They both were confirmed with Blood but not with like Blood the one with the Blood of Bullocks and Goats the other with the precions Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ They both had the Mediator in whose Hands they were given to officiate between God and the People to make known the minde of God unto the people and teach and guide them and to deal for the People with God in Prayer for the pardon of their sins and continuance of Mercies and Helps that they might come to the promised Rest but they were not both alike the one was a faithful Mediator a Man of Peace and loving the People Heb. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. 8.1 6. 7.25 yet not a Prince of Peace that could create or instill Peace into the People nor sway their Hearts to his directions nor could he enter them into that Canaan but the other the Son of God and Son of Man Emmanuel God with us one with God and one with us the Prince of Peace that can create and infuse it and is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him I might add two things more namely That they both had the Gospel and everlasting Covenant Deut. 4.34 30.11 15. Rom. 10.4 5 6 10. 2 Cor. 3.3 4 5 6 18. to preach in and under the Ministration of the Testaments but the one in and with the Letter giving no Life but requiring doing for Life and the other in and with the Spirit giving Life requiring onely believing and so receiving that which would work in which they might live And they both had Ministers the one Elders Priests and Levites to minister the first Testament in which was carnal Observances the other Apostles and Ministers in preaching the Gospel to hold forth and minister the New Testament in which his Spirit goeth forth to write it in the Hearts of Men. In all which Agreements and Differences between them and the excellency of the New Testament above the Old we may conceive what probably the New Testament is And yet with all this 2. That chiefly to be minded is that general and positive Rule Gal. 2.20 Gal. 3.20 A Mediator is not of one but God is one If this new Covenant were such as those with whom it was once made were in no sort Transgressors or alienated from God or if the Covenant were so made that the People with whom it is made there could be no Transgression on their part occasioning displeasure and difference then there would have needed no Mediator of this Testament If any say There needed a Mediator to make peace between God and fallen Mankinde This is very true but here is treated of a farther Mediation that is by vertue of that Blood Heb. 9.15 by which that Peace was fore-made by the Mediator If any say There needeth such a Mediator with God for procuring Patience Eph. 2.13 14 16 17 18. 1 Tim. 2.5 Mercies and Means to bring in fallen Mankinde for whom the Peace is made that they may know it and believe This is very true also and Jesus Christ is so the Mediator also but yet the Mediation here treated of is a Mediation for those who by his former Mediation are brought in to him and in Covenant with him for it is the Mediation of a new Covenant coming in after and making old that by Moses Abraham was first called and found faithful with God and then he made the everlasting Covenant absolutely with him which was confirmed in Christ the Mediator but not then mentioning a Mediator to mediate for his enjoyment of it being immediately given But when a Covenant is exprest to be given in the hands of a Mediator and the Mediator set to be the Mediator of that Covenant that those covenanted with may receive and enjoy that promised there is an import of some weaknesses and breaches and dangers thereby in those for whom the Mediation is made that they may be preserved to receive Till I saw this I judged the first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant to be the New Testament verily and onely and so this New Testament to be as absolutely made and as free from all respect of any thing on the Believers part as the Covenant made with Abraham was or that with Noah either But now I see my thoughts must be rectified yet is this no discouragement nor damage to me nor need be to any Rom. 8.32 36. 5.8 10. Heb. 9.14 15. 8.2 6 10. 7.25 Eph. 5.25 26 27. Isa 61.4 See par 2. ch 13. considering what a Mediator we have what he hath done for us how he is furnished for us how vertuous his Blood is and how for that cause he is the Mediator of this better Testament consisting of better Promises even to this end That the called may receive the promised Inheritance This being his work to wash and cleanse Believers that he may present them spotless and to give them beauty for ashes c. so that here is strong consolation against our weakness And in all hitherto said we may discern that the New Testament is something more then the Declaration of the Gospel as now come forth in mentioning the beginnings or declaring the Covenant made with Abraham or declaring the New Testament it self and yet something less then the New Covenant as made with Abraham or as to be made with him and all his Seed together and though a Dispensation of the first Fruits of the Spirit of the everlasting Covenant be in this New Testament yet that is also according to the New Testament both held forth and dispensed and if that already said will not shew what it is I will assay to more cleerness 3. For Scripture Expressions to help us I shall put a few to be considered Joh. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. Here is first affirmed That the Law that requiring so exact a Righteousness as it discovered and in every one sin sentenced to the Curse yea even for the least short coming and so killing and that of Levi and the Priesthood enjoyning so many Sacrifices and Ceremonies to be done or else every Transgression received a just Recompence of Reward and though done yet they did not purifie the Conscience nor make the comers to them or doers of them perfect but onely shadowed out him that was to come that they might look to him and be saved This Law came by Moses God gave this Covenant by him But Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ This next affirmed Grace that is free undeserved and rich Favour and Mercy in forgiving sins and accepting into Favour and Sonship by Jesus Christ that died for our sins and so fulfilled Truth and satisfied Justice and so made the Atonement and rose just as the publick Man for our Justification and
things to them till they were fit to be taught what he now writeth and so would he in his Ministration where he met with them but not for fear of these leave off his intended business thus directed to such as were capable to receive profit by it that also one Reason 4. Because if there should be any among them of their Society to whom he directs this Epistle that have not onely known by a ministerial Teaching the Foundation what it is and the Oracles of God in and by it what they are and the first Principles thereof and so hold them all in Opinion but in the Ministration of the Gospel and their understanding these things have been illuminated by the Holy Spirit and so wrought to Repentance from dead works and such Faith towards God as they tasted of the heavenly Gift and so that the Lord is Gracious and in usefulness of the Doctrines of Baptisms with Word Water Afflictions and Spirit were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost in his spiritual Evidences Operations and Gifts and in the Assemblies Prayers and laying on of Hands of his People have tasted of the good Word of God in his faithful performance of his Promises and in the belief of the Resurrection and eternal Judgement have tasted or felt the spiritual efficacies or powers of the World to come all which he believeth to be in these he writes to And if such do fall away he will not say there is any such among them he is better perswaded of them but if any such he saith not if any that are yet ignorant of the first Principles for notwithstanding their declinings they may be hopefully taught them again but if any such as they fall from the Foundation and first Principles and so fall away even as to the Galatians Whosoever of you of you that received the Spirit of Adoption in belief of Christ crucified for you are justified by the Law Gal. 1.6 3.1 4.4 7. 5.2 3. and so Christ become of no effect to you ye are fallen from Grace And so here they that having received all this before mentioned if they fall away it is impossible to renew them again to Repentance c. and so the laying again of the Foundation and opening the Principles to such Chap. 6.4 5 6. will not be of any profit for them therefore the thoughts of such shall not hinder But he will forbear further discourse in this Epistle of those first things and proceed to his intended business and that another Reason and in them all a full Answer of the cause of his present leaving such a discourse Quest 4. What that going on to perfection is he craveth Liberty for and therein exhorteth them to the same Answ That is evident and manifest in all this Epistle to be no other but to instruct them Ch. 5.10 17. 6.19 20. 7.1 25. 8 9.12 28. 10 c. and that they might be instructed farther in the Ends Vertues and Excellencies of the Cross of Christ his Blood and Sacrifice his Oblation declared in the word of the beginning of Christ as declared discovered and shewn forth in the Excellency and Prevalency of his ever-abiding Priesthood after the Order not of Aaron but of Melchizedec and of his Mediation of the New Testament and of his continual Intercession by vertue of his Blood and Sacrifice once offered and all this Mediation and Intercession for his called that come to God by him to fit them for and preserve them to the Inheritance that they may live by Faith in him and look for his coming again and then receive it that by instructing them in the Knowledge and Faith hereof Eph. 1.17 20. 3.14 15 20. 2 Pet. 1.1 2 8. they might be more built on Jesus Christ and grow up into more Union and Fellowship with him and Conformity to him And in these Answers we may be helpt to see his meaning and drift in saying Therefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ let us go on to perfection CHAP. 5. Of Hebrews 6.1 NOt laying again the Foundation of Repentance and of Faith towards God As if he should say Do not put us to that by such discourse to be still and again laying the Foundation and so to hinder us from building thereon In which manner speaking we may note 1. That the Foundation was forelaid among these The Oblation of Christ taught Heb. 10.32 3.1 6 14. 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. Gal. 1.6 9. 3.1 4.7 c. with the first Oracles thereof and the first Principles opened and pressed and the same heard known and in believing received and the spiritual Efficacies experimented by these Hebrews who were illuminated Holy Brethren Partakers of the heavenly Call as it was with the Corinthians they had not onely heard but received that in which they stood and in retaining should be saved and so the Galatians 2. That the Foundation laid was not the Principles here named as Repentance Ezra 4.10 5.16 Zach. 4.9 c. but the Foundation is that in which are and from which the Oracles come that teach the Principles and on which they are founded it being the Ground Motive Builder and Foundation of them as the Foundation of an House or Temple is not the House or Temple but that on which the House or Temple is builded 3. That the Foundation is that which is first brought forth and laid 1 King 5.17 6.37 38. yea perfectly and-compleatly laid before any other thing be laid or built on it and so nothing laid under it or before it not any thing to be built on before it or besides it but it first and first compleat and then all that House or Temple and every stone to be laid on and builded comes after and is builded on that first-laid Foundation and so the whole House and building being on that Foundation that is sure and firmly laid the Foundation is the Upholder and Bearer of all the whole building that is builded on it This is plain to any âuk 6 48. 4. That in spirituals of all the Principles here mentioned and of all that farther growth and excellency the Apostle presseth to of all Repentance towards God Faith in God Love to God Walking with God Hope in God of Vocation Sanctification Election of Union and Fellowship together with him of Teaching Baptizing Praying of Perserance and Enjoyment of the Inheritance Jesus Christ as set forth in the Gospel in which he is Evangelized in respect of what from eternity he was 1 Pet. 1.25 Phil. 2.6 10. Rom. 3.25 1 Cor. 1.17 18. 2.1 2. Heb. 7.27 28. 1 Tim. 2.7 1 Joh. 4.14 2 Cor. 5.18 19. Part 4. c. 10. and what he became and what in himself he hath suffered and done and what received in the Nature of Man and for Men and what he is set forth to be for Men him and him crucified with the Vertues and
desire whereof and confidence in God for his gracious Answer they lift up their hands to God g 1 Tim. 2.8 whence Prayer is so named lifting up the hands to God h Psal 141.2 and in Testimony of their desire and confidence in God for his gracious answering they laid on hand on the parties prayed for i Act. 8.17 28.8 Such and in such manner their laying on of hands 2. The Doctrine of laying on of hands it is that Doctrine or teaching of the Gospel of Christ and him crucified in which Believers are directed and encouraged to pray for good things to God with Promises of a gracious hearing that so they may pray and lift up hearts and hands in confidence in God and lay on hands in Testimony thereof And this being one of those Principles that by the Oracles of God were taught to all Believers of the Oblation of Christ it must needs be as common to all Saints as the Faith of the Oblation of Christ and the Oracles proceeding from it known and believed and so it cannot be meant of the act of laying on of hands for giving and receiving the visible Gifts of the Holy Ghost for speaking with other Tongues for such laying on of hands appears to be peculiar to the Apostles and was not common to all the first Witnesses Act. 8.5.15 17 19.6 1 Cor. 14.22 12.29 30. Eph. 4.7 8 13. Eph. 1.17 3.14 17. Col. 3.9 10. 1 Thes 3.12 Eph. 6.19 2 Thes 3.1 2 Tim. 1.6 Act. 6.6 1 Tim. 5.22 Rom. 15.30 31. Act. 13.3 Jam. 5.14 15 16 20. Philip though an Evangelist and had the gift of working Miracles and did many yet for this the Church sent two Apostles Peter and John and so it was an Apostle that laid on hands for this gift another time and not this onely but the gift of Miracles and miraculcus healing though given to more then the Apostles yet not to all Saints even in those first times when Miracles were most needful till Christ had been fully taught and Jesus proved to be he nor are these gifts affirmed to be of like continuation with other spiritual gifts so that that which the Gospel in the Doctrine of laying on of hands teacheth that is of continual use for all Believers is that here meant and that is for venting our desires by Prayer to God in the Name of Christ for his mercy and free-favour through Christ to be given in blessing with encrease of and establishment in the Faith to Believers and for fitting and furnishing such as have the word of Grace in their heart to preach the Gospel and to bless their Ministration and for Believers approbation fitness faithfulness and blessing that are chosen into Church-Offices and for ability faithfulness preservation and blessing for such as are sent and imployed in Message or business for the Church and Church-Affairs and for gracious support and helpfulness in and seasonable deliverance out of any temptation sickness affliction or distress that any Believer is in and such-like as for that anointing with oyle in the Name of the Lord mentioned it appears to be taken in a metaphorical and spiritual sense because oyle and anoynting used of old was a type of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost Psa 45.7 Isa 61.1 with which Christ was anoynted immeasurably and with which he in the Gospel anointeth Believers which in Scripture is called oyle and anointing and anointing with material oyle is neither commanded nor anywhere in Scripture mentioned to be done much less set forth as an Ordinance since Christ's ascension into Heaven and pouring forth the Holy Ghost in which Truth being come Types and Shadows cease nor is it but once mentioned that I finde while he lived on earth Mar. 6.13 Cant. 1.3 1 Joh. 2.20 27 28. and that was when bodily cures by Miracles were most in use but this is a constant Truth His Name is as an Oyntment poured forth and so those that believe in him are said to have received an unction from him yea an anointing that teacheth and so to anoynt those we pray over with oyle in the Name of the Lord Phil. 1.8 9 10 11. is in Faith and Charity fervently streaming both in Prayers and speaking so to declare that Name in the Vertues of the Blood and Sacrifice of him and the Love of God appearing therein with the reviving Instructions and Consolations it affordeth that the savour of his Oyntments may refresh the heart And this to be the Apostles meaning Jam. 5.16 20. appears in his own after-Explanation So that the Prayer of Faith and of the Faithful is the chief Ordinance meant here with lifting up the hands in confidence to God or also with laying on of hands in Testimony of confidence in God Mat. 7.7 11. Mar. 10.24 Joh. 16.23 24. he being a God hearing Prayers which is the Doctrine of laying on of hands or that which the Gospel teacheth concerning it namely the gracious Minde of God that in all our needs we should by the Prayer of Faith and of the Faithful seek help of him and that he will hear and help us graciously according to his word Psal 64.5 And yet to cleer it 3. This is farther to be noted That in Scripture Language 1 Cor. 11.20 23 24 28. a whole Ordinance in which are many particular Acts is sometime called by the name of one particular Act in it as The Supper of the Lord in which is Blessing Prayer Instruction Praise taking and breaking Bread and distributing Wine eating drinking and comemmorating the Death of Christ Act. 20.7 Act. 2.46 c. is called by the name of one particular Act in it even Breaking Bread When the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul preached c. Yea sometime that one Act is named so as to imply all the Ordinances Believers had in Fellowship among themselves and so the Temple of God Isa 56.7 his House where Sacrifices Offerings and burnt-Offerings and all Temple-worship was rightly used and so there Accepted is even therefore called The House of Prayer And so this Ordinance of Prayer in performance of which is Confession Petition Praise with bowing the knee lifting up the eyes the voyce the hands and sometime laying on of hands as it is sometime called Prayer sometime pouring out the heart c. so it is sometime named by one particular Act in it sometime by one Eph. 3.14 1 King 8.54 Psal 123. Judg. 21.2 2 Chron. 5.17 Act. 4.24 Joh. 7.27 32 33 34. 8.27 sometime by another sometime bowing the knees somtime lifting up the eyes sometime lifting up the voice but most frequently is the Ordinance of Prayer called by that Act in it of lifting up the hands Psal 8.2 When I lift up my hands c. and Psal 63.4 While I live I will lift up my hands in thy Name Yea the whole great suffering and so the Oblation and Sacrifice of Jesus
from the belief of this mentioned whence the Metaphor yet this is not it nor is it that surrection or quickning and giving life where none was before whether in the natural and first birth of a man or in the new birth that is spiritual in the Souls of Believers who though before in that respect dead yet in that respect they were never alive before and so not a resurrection though a surrection live-making Eph. 2.1 2 3 4 5. Col. 1.13 But it 's evident the Resurrection here meant is of the Body that once was alive but ãâã dead and gone from among the living in raising and making alive again that very Body This appears clearly to be that Resurrection the Sadduces denied Mar. 2.18 27. Luk. 20.27 38. Act. 17.18 31. 2 Tim. 2.18 1 Cor. 15.12 Joh. 5.28 29. 1 Cor. 15.3 4 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 54. for which our Saviour said They erred not knowing the Scripture nor the power of God Mat. 22 23-32 This that Resurrection the Heathen Philosophers scoffed at This that which the Apostates and false Teachers craftily and hiddenly denying fancied into an Allegorical and Metaphorical Resurrection saying It was already past with them and so overthrew the Faith of some by which seducements some among the Corinthians fell to doubt of and deny this Resurrection the Resurrection of the Body which is the Resurrection taught by our Saviour Christ and by the Apostle in 1 Cor. 15. proving from the Resurrection of the body of Christ the resurrection of the dead and sheweth the order and several times of the Resurrection of dead Bodies first Christ the first Fruits then they that are Christs at his coming again after the wicked at his delivering up the Kingdom to the Father and giving the total overthrow to death and then affirming That the very individual Bodies that died shall rise again that very thing it that was sown or laid and covered in the earth in corruption dishonor and weakness shall be raised again even it that very thing raised in incorruption glory and power 1 Cor. 15 42 43 44. 1 Thes 4 14 15 16 17. Joh. 11.24 Act. 23.6 24.15 1 Cor. 15.21 22. Luk. 14.14 Rev. 20.5 6 12 13. and so affirming the same to the Thessalonians even of them that sleep in Christ and are dead from among men And this Resurrection hath been believed confessed and hoped for by all that believed the Testimony of Jesus so that in the last day all the bodies of Men that are dead shall be raised by Christ the Just in that beginning of the day to receive rewards and the unjust at the end of the day to receive the terrible sentence of which enough hath been said And this the Resurrection meant 2. What the Doctrine of Resurrection of the dead is And this also may be cleerly seen in the Scripture to be 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 1 Tim. 2.7 Rom. 14.8 9. 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Rev. 1.18 Joh. 11.25 5.28 29. 12.32 33. Phil. 2.7 8 9 10 11. 1 Thes 4.15 16. Isa 26.19 Rom. 14.9 12. 5.24 25. Act. 17.31 1 Sam. 2.6 Hos 6.1 2. Psa 90.3 Heb. 13.20 21. 2 Tim. 2.3 Rev. 1.18 19. Rom. 4.24 25. 5.8 10. 1 Pet. 1.3 2 Cor. 1.9 10. 4.11 14 Prov. 3.21 26. 24.20 Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. 2 Cor. 12.9 10. Rom. 6.3 4.11 8.17 2 Tim. 2.11 12. Joh. 13.15 Heb. 11.13 that Jesus Christ as the publick Man that died for all Men for their sins and gave himself a Ransome for all that he might have them both living and dead in his dispose he is risen from the dead and alive for evermore the Lord of all and that by vertue of this his Resurrection and victory over death and Sacrifice offered and Power received He is the Resurrection and the Life and will raise all men and bring them before him to acknowledge him Lord the just in that Union with him in which they ãâã the unjust in that Relation in which they are obliged to acknowledge him Lord and that in the Resurrection of Christ from the dead and therein overcoming death and assuring the Resurrection of the dead is demonstrated and made known to be believed the Righteousness of God and his infinite power and faithfulness to do all things to fulfil his word even to kill and make alive again to send down to destruction and return again and so to uphold help and deliver in the greatest distresses and death and that such as believe in Christ that as the publick Man is risen from the dead and alive for evermore may be quickned to a living hope to be saved and preserved by him to the heavenly inheritance and eternal life through Faith and so to depend on him for such supports and deliverances in greatest temptations and distresses as is truly good for them and also that in this confidence in him that raiseth the dead they may be kept from fainting in the day of adversity and so be made willing to be made like Christ in the fellowship of his sufferings and in deaths knowing his strength is manifested in our weaknesses and that as we are conformed to him in his death so we shall likewise also be to the likeness of his Resurrection If we suffer with him we shall raign if we die we shall live he being the Resurrection and the Life so as thus believing in him as risen from the dead we may persevere and live and die in the Faith and such thing are taught by the Oracles of God in the Doctrine of the Resurrection from the dead or of the dead 3. What the Principle is Principle 5. that is by the Doctrine of Resurrection of the dead taught to and received in the believing heart that appears to be Such an inward perswasion and belief of 1 Thes 4.14 15 17. 1 Pet. 1.3 Rom. 4.24 5.8 10. Phil. 3.7 8 9. Rom. 6.3 4 5 6. 2 Cor. 4.10 14. Rom. 6.4 7.6 Heb. 11.13 and in Jesus Christ risen from the dead as makes confident in him for preservation through all sufferings and death and raising out of death at his coming to enjoy the inheritance and eternal life so as it frames to a willingness to be conformed to Christ in his death that one may partake of the vertue of his Resurrection believing that according to our dying with him and for him we shall be more abundantly quickned and enlived by him and live with him by the power of God whence issueth that desire and hope of the vertue of his Resurrection for newness of life and perseverance in the Faith even to the death and dying in the Faith to rise to everlasting life And in this Principle also are three things cleerly observable viz. 1. That it is founded upon Rom. 8.32 39. 5.8 10. and produced by the Oblation of Christ believed in his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice offered for us by vertue whereof he
ever liveth to intercede for us and will come again and raise us 2. That this Principle is onely in those that through believing in Christ and him crucified Rom. 5.1 2 3 4 5 6. 2 Tim. 1.9 10 11 12. have been framed to Repentance from dead works and to Faith towards God and therein to some conformity to Christ in his death confidence in him for his Promises of which some experiments in answer of Prayers they have found 3. That this Principle inclines the heart to live by Faith in all conditions and so to walk in the strength of the Lord Gal. 2.20 21. 5.5 2 Cor. 4.13 Phil. 4.4 11 13. 2 Cor. 1.9 10. And this is the Principle begot in the heart by the Doctrine of Resurrection c. CHAP. 9. Of Hebrews 6.2 3. HEb 6.2 And of eternal judgement This also by the connexion of the words appears to be the Doctrine of eternal Judgement and it also appears in that it is coupled and mentioned after the Resurrection of the dead to be that Judgement which shall be after men have died in their Bodies and are raised and made alive again according to that said As it is appointed to men once to die and after this the judgement to which Judgement Heb. 9.27 Joh. 5.27 28 29. 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 2.16 Jude 14 15. by the voyce of Christ All that are in their Graves shall come forth and appear before his Judgement-Seat and be judged by him of this our Saviour warneth us Luk. 12.4 5. and 21.34 as did the Preacher of old Eccles 11.9 and 12.14 and the Apostles since 1 Pet. 4.5 2 Tim. 4.1 As for the word Judgement it is used sometime for a right discerning and estimate of Men or things as they are good and bad sometime for Authority Order and Rule given sometime for giving sentence and causing the execution of that sentence and in this sense directly with inclusion of both the former it is meant here and so in this Judgement 2 Tim. 2.10 Heb. 9.15 Mar. 3.29 Rev. 21.8 some shall be sentenced to and possessed of an eternal inheritance with eternal glory and some sentenced to eternal damnation and cast into eternal fire of both which are spoken at large Mat. 25.31 to 46. And this Judgement is called Eternal because the sentence passed shall never be reversed nor the thing sentenced ever be removed nor they on whom the sentence passed ever cease to be but shall remain for ever in everlasting joy or torment according to the sentence and judgement given forth and passed on them and so the Doctrine of Eternal Judgement or that which is in the Gospel by the Oracles of God taught concerning it hath these Instructions in it that is to say 1. That there are some judgements both in sentence and execution in this life âccles 9.1 5. both in mercies and corrections in destructions and deliverances and salvations which are but for a time and dure not for ever by which also Rom. 2.4 Joh. 33.29 30. special love or positive hatred are not demonstrated of which I have no cause here to speak any more but this That they both are used in this Day of Grace to lead men to Repentance and turning unto the Lord. 2. That according to the Word of the Lord and in the Ministration thereof a sentence of Life or a sentence of Death may pass on a Man in this Life and yet it may so come to pass that without any alteration of the Minde and Purpose of God the sentence may be so changed as the execution shall not be on that Man on whom it was denounced according to that 1 Sam. 2.30 And so the Lord hath explained his Minde to be Jer. 18.7 19. That when the sentence of death is given out against any if thereby they be smitten and turn from the evil against which it was given forth God will take away the threatned evil And when a sentence of life and good passeth on a man if he take liberty to go on to do evil the Lord will take away the good he said he would do unto them And so again he saith Ezek. 33.13 14. When he saith to the righteous that he shall surely live if he trust to his own righteousness and commit iniquity all his righteousness shall not be mentioned to him but for his iniquity c. he shall surely die and likewise when he saith to the wicked Thou shalt surely die if he turn from his sin and do that which is lawful c. he shall surely live he shall not die And all this grounded upon this Ezek. 33.10 11. 18.30 31 32. That God hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live And therefore he calls and promiseth and threatens and correct and useth means that they might turn and live and on the same ground and from the same and like places Rom. 9.19 20 21. to ch 10. 11.7 10 17 23 11 14 32. the Apostles have taught the same Dectrine to Believers warning the believing Gentiles that were grafted into the true Olive-Tree and partook of the fatness of it That if they abode not in his goodness they also should be cut off and tells them also That the reprobated Jews the branches broken off if they persisted not still in unbelief they shall be grafted in againâ for God is able to graft them in again yea his mercy shewn to the Gentiles hath such an end and tendency in it yea he hath concluded all under unbelief that he might have mercy on all c. 3. That though through continuance in wilful Rebellion against light and many covincements and warnings a Man may come to that height of sin Prov. 1.24 25 31. Jer. 6.27 28 30. Ezek. 24.13 14. Mar. 3.29 even in this life as to be reprobated and given up to Satan and so left to that eternal Judgment yet to come yet that is so hardly discernable to any in this life that it is not safe for us to judge farther of such then that they are in danger of eternal damnation for though such transgression shall not be so forgiven but that it shall be verily and remarkably punished yet if by the means used with all punishments they be regained to repentance the soul may be saved in the day of the Lord. Whence we are not absolutely forbidden to pray for such a one 1 Joh. 5.16 but that we pray not for such a transgression to be forgiven and taken away so as all punishment be removed for of necessity that must be visibly and sorely punished here or hereafter 1 Cor. 5.5 1 Tim. 1.20 whence the delivery of such a one to Satan hath such an end and tendency while means and life is continued to destroy the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord for while life and means is vouchsafed there is hope
Hebrews was neither acquired nor humane notions and motions but the work of the holy spirit affording spiritual operations 2 That those that fall away from Christ when they have so known him it is impossible to renew them c. 3 The reason of that impossibility 1 For the first of these It is evidenced in so many operations of the Spirit as hee had formerly mentioned principles Vers 4 5 And so hee saith who were once that is those fallen if any such should bee among them which he will not say are but where-ever they are they once were as those written to are and not only were seeing they retain it they are 1 They were inlightened whence hee bids them call to remembrance the former days in which they were illuminated Psal 36.9 John 1.9 12 Eph. 5.14 Psal 19.8 119.130 Prov. 6.23 2 Pet. 1.19 2 Cor. 4.6 Eph. 1.17 18 5 13 Iohn 16.7 8 9 10 11 Prov. 1.23 Acts 26.18 1 Pet. 2.9 Chap. 10.32 The Scripture shews the fountain of this light and inlightening to be Christ in the appearance and discovery of whom Gods gracious mind appears the medium and instrument bringing it and opening the eyes Is the Testimony of Christ the Gospel the command or word of grace the light entering that which openeth the understanding enlighteneth the heart and enableth it to discern Is the holy Spirit comming forth from Christ in and through the Gospel with divine and supernaturall light and inspiration to the mind and heart The first effect of this inlightening is convincement of sin of righteousnesse and judgement c. And where any receive this reproof and by the light and strength of it turn to the Lord repentance from dead works is wrought and such are brought out of darknesse into his marvellous light And so lively and evangelicall and effecatious was their repentance with such spiritual illumination from Christ by his spirit with his word 2 And have tasted of the heavenly gift the fallen had and these writ too both had and in some measure still did though through their dulnesse the edge of their appetite and liveliness of relishing in their Pallate had some abatement whence the Apostles discovery of fears Chap. 3 4 5 6. and setting forth such danger and giving such warning are intermixt to quicken up the same again for they have tasted and have yet an appetite to be quickened Now the word Tasting in this businesse appears to bee both eating feeding savouring and relishing and discerning the goodness and pleasantnesse of that is eaten or tasted And so the word Tasting in Natural things is put for eating and feeding 2 Sam. 3.35 Jonah 3.7 And for discerning and relishing 2 Sam. 19.35 Iob. 6 6. and 12 11. Ioh. 2.9 10. And so for spirituals when the words of God are received into and laid up in the heart as food They prove sweeter than honey to the taste Job 23.12 Psal 119. 103 104. 34.8 Cant. 2.3 whence when men are exhorted to make tryal of the goodnesse of the Lord by trusting in him they are bidden to taste and see that the Lord is gracious And the Church professeth his fruit sweet unto her taste c. of which tasting Peter speaketh 1 Pet. 2.2 3. and so this Apostle here for there is no other sence of tasting in this businesse given us in Scripture For the thing tasted that is in some measure eat and drunk of and the sweet savour relished that is expresse to be the heavenly gift The same by which that principle called faith towards God was affected and with which it closed and that is no other but Christ The oblation of Christ the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus Christ as he hath suffered for our sinnes and offered himself a sacrifice to God for us and so filled with spirit to send forth to us and in the Gospel set forth the propitiation for our sins wisdome Iohn 6.35 48 50 51. 3 16 17. 4 10 Isa 9.6 Acts 3.26 Gal. 3.1 Iohn 6.32 Rom. 8.32 Iohn 1.12 1 Iohn 5.11 12 Iohn 6.51 52.64 righteousnesse sanctification and redemption for us and the mediator between God and us so hee so as the true bread of life which came down from heaven and which God so graciously and for so gracious an end hath given the gift of God the heavenly gift And which in the Ministery of the Gospel hee sendeth tendereth and giveth yea and no other giveth hee for any to feed on but this true bread of life And in giving him will with him give all things that are good and in beleeving on his name hee is received and in with and from himself and in exercise of faith in receiving the grace that flows through him and so resting on him and taking latislying 1 Pet. 2.2 3 4 5 and well preasednesse in him And in that he hath done and is become and doth and will do men do eat of his flesh and drink of his blood And so tasting the graciousnesse of the Lord are by him more inlived and bunt upon him And such the tasting here meant of the heavenly gift Gal. 4.15 5 2 4. 2 Pet. 1.9 by which that principle of faith towards God was wrought in exercise of which faith also is still the tasting of the heavenly gift As for those fallen away they did once taste of the heavenly gift and then it was precious to them and of high esteem with them Iohn 6.29 37 47 51 54 56 58. though now having crucified it it is of no effect with them And our Saviour saith not he that once came that once beleeved that hath once eaten but he that commeth that beleeveth that eateth as speaking of a present and continued act Heb. 3.1.6 7 13 14 15 1 Pet. 2.1 2 3 4 5 6 which was not in those fallen ones But in those writ too it was they did still in some measure eat and so taste and relish for they had the rejoycing of hope and the beginning of confidence which they are exhorted in beleeving still to hold fast even on like ground as Peter exhorted those new born babes that tasted To whom he wrote And so the principle of faith towards God Being produced through the righteousnesse of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ which is manifested in and through the oblation of Christ and being also built upon Christ the foundation accompanied with such spiritual operation affording such tastes of goodnesse in the heavenly gift It is for the kind of it 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3 4 5 9 10 the same precious faith the Apostles had And so Peter affirms it to the Beleevers giving them the same warning in case of the losse of those tastes and relishings which the Apostle doth here so the faith the same of the same kind I say not of the same degree and measure for growth and establishment yea the drift of the Apostle was to lead them to farther
growth and establishment in this Faith not to another faith 3 And were made partakers of the Holy Ghost This as suted to the principle of the Doctrin of Baptisms declares its own meaning to bee not only of those vertues and springs of love joy peace c. Gal. 5.22 effected by the Holy Ghost in the spirit of Beleevers but also together therewith certain spiritual gifts Eph. 4.7 and operations for usefulnesse whereof to every Beleever is given some in some measure And so these in being baptized in to the death of Christ by all the mediums with water word afflictions and spirit extended to them they did also partake of the vertue of his resurrection so as they were also therein indued with such spirituall gifts as whereby they were inabled in exercise of faith and love to speak spiritually in prayer and praises to God and spiritually and profitably in instruction admonition exhortation and consolation to men as appears in comparing the Promise Act. 2.38 39. and 11 15 16 17. and Rom. 6.4 5 6. with the performance to beleevers 1 Cor. 1.4 5 6 7. And not to every one the same usefull gifts or the same measure in the gifts given but to some one to some another to some more to some less Ephe. 4.7.8 12 14 15 16. 1 Cor. 12.2 4 5 6 7 11. 2 Pet. 1.8 2 Tim. 2.21 Rom. 12.3 6 7 8. 1 Pet. 4.10 11. Col. 2.18 1 Tim. 3.6 And so to every one some according to the measure of the gift of Christ in and with which they were fitted to bee fruitfull and in exercise of the same in faith and love according to their measure and the divine vertues in them they should neither bee barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of Christ but Vessels serviceable for their Masters use in the House of God Whence Beleevers are directed in all their speaking and use of spirituall gifts To keep this Rule in going forth according to the proportion of faith given them and the measure of spirituall gifts givenand received by them 1 Cor. 12.7 1 5 6 7. 1 Thes 5.8 He that by any other acquired knowledge or learning presumeth to speak besides or beyond this Rule is like to fall into the condemnation of the Devill that was not content with his place These spirituall gifts being given to profit withall and tending to open and confirm the Testimony of Christ And as of the Romanes ability through these gifts Rom. 15.14 15. so of these Hebrews Hee was perswaded they were also and not like the fallen ones that had deprived themselves thereof but these retainings were capable of that hee indeavoured even to lead them to farther usefulness and fruitfullness They were made partakers of the Holy Ghost 4 Vers 5. And have tasted of the good word of God And this also suited to the Principle of laying on of hands shews its own meaning to be Mat. 7.7 11. Ioh. 16.23 24. that whereas God by his Son had graciously promised to hear their prayers put forth in the name of his Son and to give them his good Spirit and every good thing they should and did so ask of him And this in speciall manner for things of neerest and greatest concernment When two or three of them did assemble together in his name and desired any favour of him Mat. 18.19 20 Hee will bee in the midst of them and it shall bee done in Heaven for them They had tasted that is found sweetness and refreshing in experiments of his truth mercy and goodness in answering their prayers Psal 65.2.4 18.6 7. 10 3.1-10 and manifesting his gracious presence in the assemblie of his people in performing his promises when they have prayed and in confidence lift up hands to him and sometime in that confidence Act. 21 24-3â as a testimony of it laid hands on parties prayed for And so have had experience of the graciousness of the Lord in his pity towards them and of his truth in his promises and of his infinite love power and faithfullness in hearing of prayers and so not executing deserved threats but freely performing his promises of good whence called the good Word unto them And how this doth comfort sweeten enlarge and oblige the heart to cleave to God and continually to love and call on him Psal 17.4 and keep to the assemblie of the Saints is fully professed by the Prophet in the whole 116 Psalm and else where And in this was set out the greatness of Solomons sin 1 King â1 9 That hee departed from following the Lord that had in such evident manner appeared to him twice And this shews the greatness of the sin of those fallen in forsaking the assemblies of the Saints Heb. 10.25 26. and crucifying to themselves him from whom they had tasted so much of his graciousness in performing his promises and hearing the prayers and blessing the assemblies of Beleevers And therein shews the great incouragement and obligation these Hebrews had to continue in their faith Heb. 10.19 20 22 23 24 25. and fellowship and approaching to God and provoking one another to love and good works having had so many experiments of the graciousness of the Lord. His drift being to stir them up more hereto in that hee hath farther to say to them who have tasted of the good Word of God Heb. 6.5 and of the powers of the World to come This Word being in the Plurall Number The powers of the World to come doth sute this sentence to the two last Principles That is the Doctrin of the Resurrection of the dead and of eternall Judgement Both being grounded on the Resurrection of Christ and his comming again and both the Resurrection of the dead which is first and the eternall Judgement which follows that Resurrection appertaining to and to be done not in the time of the World that now is but in the World to come at and after the visible appearing of Jesus Christ so that of the powers in the Doctrin of both these and the spirituall efficacies of both these in that Doctrin beleeved and of the power of the Spirit that in that Doctrin doth in some measure present or shew them to the view of faith and assertain their being really done in the due time of these powers of both these hee speaketh and of the same say they have tasted that is they have discerned savoured relished and experimented the efficaciousness of the Divine Power by which these shall bee effected 1. In their new birth even when they were dead in sins Ephes 1.19 20. 2 4 5 6. Rom. 7.9.24 25. cast by the sentence of the Law when sin accused and all their righteousness failed and dispair of all hope in themselves ceised on them And while they were in so great blindness and death The Power of this grace in the Doctrin of Christ raised from the dead 2 Tim. 1.7 8. Rom. 7.6
word in them they shall be fruitful and so they shall be good trees and bring forth good fruit For so they shall observe the counsel of our Saviour Mat. 12.33 Make the tree good and his fruit good c. For we can no otherwise make the tree good but in beleeving on him and according to grace given yeelding to the teachings of his Spirit And seeing every good and perfect giving comes from him and that his Spirit is good and his operations and fruits good and that an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit what are all those confessed works of the Spirit and whence flows that faith and holiness really true in its kind upon account whereof men are called Beleevers and Saints What is that change of judgement affection and conversation that light love joy zeal obedience true in its kinde sincere and not hypocritical whence come they to do so worthily in their generation and all acknowledged an effectual work of the Spirit Can there be such rightness even from the Spirit and the tree not good or is there any other trees among beleevers to bring forth good fruit of another nature Surely if we minde the proofs and our Saviours words they shew there is but one kinde of faith to bring forth good fruits and this even it set out Heb. 6 Gal. 2.20 This place doth open that already said The Apostle having spoken of being justified by faith shews how he lived not Gal. 1.6 4.6 7. Gal. 2.13 Rom. 4.4 6 7 9. but Christ lived in him and he by the faith of the Son of God to which he endeavoured to reduce the Galatians whom he testifieth to have received the same faith at the first and so exhorted the Hebrews and shews his manner of obtaining it to be in the same way with others 1 Joh. 3.12 This place hath not one word of two divers kinds of faith or of divers manner of obtaining it nor of any habit of one beleever more than in another Joh. 1.12 but affirms That he that hath the Son that is beleeveth in his name hath life that is in having the Son by faith Joh. 3.36 He hath also that eternal life that is in the Son by faith also which is true of all that by grace beleeve in Christ 2 Cor. 5.17 This is true of all that by faith are in Christ Jesus who as and so far as they are in him are affirmed new creatures as is fore explicated though the fulness and compleatness of it is in the resurrection of the just but no word here of a second kinde of faith or of newness in some true beleevers that is not in other true beleevers the words plain If any man in Christ 1 Thes 5.23 This is not an affirmation of what was yet attained but a prayer for what was desired and hoped for and so not to the purpose for which it was quoted unless to mollifie the expressions of the saying Gal. 5.22.25 This place is a discovery of the fruits of the Spirit that were in the beleeving Galatians that were scarce so far grown as the Hebrews And what was done in beleeving on Christ crucified How the flesh with the wisdome and whole bent of it with the affections and lusts of it were crucified that is made vile condemned and begun to be mortified by the cross of Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed and then an exhortation to walk after the Spirit Gal. 6.14 Rom. 6.6 just as to the Romans Ephesians Collossians and Hebrews And not a word of a peculiar kinde in some beleevers and not in other beleevers that are true in their kinde also 1 Joh 3.9 This place faith not a word of any difference between beleevers some true in one kinde and some in another Nor saith it Some that are born of God Nor saith it He that hath been born of God but having said before Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not And having warned them not to be deceived 1 Joh. 3.6 7 8 9. saith speaking in the present tense He that doth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous or in his righteousness and as he hath promised And then having given warning against being deceived and going on in sin c. He cometh to mention the abiding in him and doing righteousness Again and hee doth it in a third term comprehending both saying Whesoever is born of God doth not commit sin that is approve and act it See this before â 414 415. going on so to do And that the word Born of God is first appliable to that sight beleef and acknowledgement of Christ and so that new disposition begot thereby in the heart is clear in this Epistle where this is called That which is born of God 1 Joh. 5.1 2 3 4. Mat. 16 17. Eph. 2.8 Hence both faith and confession are said to be of God and the gift of God and so he that in this revelation and operation of the Spirit in and by the Gospel is prevailed with to beleeve and yeeld up to it and so far become one with it so as he beleeveth Jesus to be the Christ and so beleeving in him confesseth him to be the Lord He also on that account is said to be born of God And so likewise the being prevailed with by this grace To hold fast this confidence 1 Joh. 5.2 Ioh. 1.12 13. Rom. 10. â 10. and so to abide and go on in the faith of Christ and love of him and one another is the operation of God and hath the same promises to it and so is likewise called a being born of God here in 1 Joh. 4.7 8 3 5-10 And that this is the sense here appears cleerly in that the same thing for the same business expressed here Born of God Heb. 3.1 6 14. is a little before exprest by a perfect continued act Abiding in him 1 Ioh. 3.6 7. and doing righteousness And the same there also affirmed such sin not such are righteous And also this appears to be the sense in that it is opposed to a continued approbation acting of and going on in sin for so the devil committeth sin and sinneth from the beginning without repentance or breaking off his course But who ever is born of God he committeth not sin that is doth not approve and so commits but abideth in and goeth on beleeving in Christ and loving him without repentance of it or breaking off that course And it farther appeareth that born of God is in this place abideth in Christ holding fast confidence in and love of God through Christ because it is said His seed remaineth in him that is the divine influence and Spirit of Christ with divine force and vertue abideth and remaineth in him according to that promise Heb. 3.14 And this the constant language of Christ and the Spirit of Christ Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God He
but turning aside and departing from him they lose their principle and wither that remaineth in Christ from whom they are departed and cannot be retained and found abiding and dwelling in any but by or in beleeving on him so as departing through unbeleef Rom. 11.22 Heb. 3.13.6 14. Rom. 7.2.5 8.2 Prov. 13.13 14 6.21 22 23 14.26 27 brings loss and perishing but in beleeving on him the dwelling in the heart of this principle is enjoyed he is the fountain and he that beleeveth on him receiveth from him The law of Grace which as it comes from him and his Spirit in it is called a fountain of life And so the fear of the Lord effected thereby even the faith in and love of adoration and acknowledgement of God in Christ is a fountain of life and this upon the account of Christ the fountain from whom the streams bearing his name do flow And in beleeving on whom they are received and do operate in the beleever even all those principles mentioned Heb. 6.1 2 5. All which run in one living principle which because of its springing and living efficacies is called a Spring or Well of living waters in which from Christ beleevers act in bringing forth the motions of the Spirit Joh 4.10 14. 7.37.38 39 Psal 68.27 Phil. 4.13 Ioh. 15.4.8 Yet the beleevers being still men and having in them another cross inclination abiding to molest them they need still those admonitions Jam. 3.8 9 10 11 12. Rom. 8 5-13 Gal. 6.8 Heb. 3.13 12.15 17 c. 4 That the spiritual Acts Works and Duties be here rightly understood and distinguished and considered that we confound not the workings of God in the beleever inabling and moving him to work with the workings of the beleever in and through the workings of God Ro. 12.1 2 5. Phil. 2.1 2 12. for so all the exhortations given and obedience called for and disobedience reproved will be made void and null and that we may rightly understand view the place quoted Philip. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to Will and to Do even of his good pleasure He in the former verse intreated them as he did the Romans even by that done by Christ and that now in him and flowing from him in them As they had alwayes obeyed not as in his presence onely but now much more in his absence so now saith he to them Work out your own salvation with fear and prembling 1 Ioh. 5.12 Ioh. 1.12 Minde the words he saith not Work for or to get salvation Nor speaks he onely of salvation as it is by and in Christ wrought for them but of that as it is by Spirit in the Gospel applyed to and by faith received in them and so it is their own Christ and that which is his is made theirs 1 Cor. 1.30 3.22 23. Rom. 5.1 2 3-5 Tit. 4-4 7 Tit. 2.11 12 13. and in beleeving this they are saved or have this salvation working within them like as is said in verse 12. And this salvation within them is teaching and working in them with motions To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world and wait for the blessed hope c. Gal. 5.22 23. Col. 3.9 10 12 13. 1 Thess 5.11 20. Rom. 6.16.19 12.1 2. Gal. 5.16 25. Eph. 4.21.25 5.1 2. Col. 3.9.12 And therein stirring them up to live by faith in God and so to love joy peace patience meekness c. To bowels of mercy kindness c. And so to pray to and praise God to exhort one another c. Now all these are the works of God in his grace bringing salvation And as these mercies of God in this salvation given you works within you so do ye obey yeeld up your selves as servants to righteousness Sow to the Spirit And so work out your own salvation with fear and trembling For it is God which worketh in you It is he which gave his Son for you and made him known to you and so inabled you by him to beleeve in God and so forgave your sins and filled you with this consolation of Christ and comfort of his own love and fellowship of the Spirit which by the same Spirit in the operations of this grace moveth you To Will to live by faith to deny ungodliness c. to live soberly c. to pray c. to shew mercy c. And to Do He doth not say It is God that willeth in you that beleeveth prayeth c. Neither doth he say in any other sense than as expressed by giving light motion or power to Will and to Do That God hath given and wrought the will and the deed But it is he that worketh in you both to Will and to Do of his good will or pleasure so as still to Will and to Do is the beleevers work which he cannot do of himself yer in this gracious season by this preventing grace light motion and divine power of God working within him he may both will and do if he yeeld up to this grace and herein is his obedience which being with a willing minde is accepted according to that he hath And in murmuring and withdrawing from this and so grieving the Spirit and sowing to the flesh is his disobedience that he will be reproved and chastened for And so in this saying is a great and forcible motive and encouragement to obedience it is God that in the operations of this salvation worketh in you to Will and to Dâ yea he dâth it of good will So that entertaining his motions and yeelding up according to his strength given into you sowing to the Spirit in willing and doing according to his motions by his strength afforded you have God on your siâe his favour and strength is with you to accept defend assist bless and follow on with more grace and you shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal 6.8 And here is a forcible admonition against disobedience It is God that by these operations worketh in you c. If you sleight refuse turn away and disobey Psal 8.11 Heb. 12.25 Eph. 4.30 1 Thess 4.8 5.19 you sleight and refuse God you turn away from God that speaks from heaven and disobey God and grieve and resist his Spirit and so endanger your selves c. Whence suitable to all this follows that exhortation vers 14 15 16. Do all things without murmurings c. Suitable to all said to the Hebrews and like this the other quotation 1 Pet. 1.22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfained love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently This appears to be an exhortation to stir them up to such love not an affirmation that it would infallibly so be in and with them but an exhortation that it might so be and that neither in vain
but for the present The Spirit is life for righteousness sake yet the body is dead because of sin yea and something savouring of death is also in and troubling their souls But through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ as they in beleeving walk after the Spirit they are made free and enlived from the sentence and fear of death and filled with the promise and hope of life which comfort in so great love of God enlives us in love of the brethren And 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we have passed from death to life 1 Joh. 4.7 16. 3 6 9 5.2 because we love the brethren c. We that are born of God that have beleeved the love wherewith God hath loved us and so abide in Christ keeping his commands of faith and love We know we are passed from being judged by our works according to the law which sentenceth to death into the gracious acceptance and favour of God in Christ and so into the liberty and life of Christ and enjoyment of his gracious Spirit which brings forth this fruit of love which whoever hath not abideth in death And this is true of all abiding in the faith without difference Eph. 2 2-5 and Col. 2.13 Speak of that quickning Act. 10.43 Joh. 3.16 18 36. which is through beleeving in Christ in which remission of sins and hope of eternal life is begun to be received which all true beleevers receive without difference though not in like fulness in every beleever And on that ground Rom. 6.11.13 8 9. Are exhortations to persevere walking in faith and love Secondly From darkness to light This is true though that quoted Act. 26.18 doth but shew the end of Gods sending the Gospel to be ministred to men Mat 4 13-16 without difference of any to whom it is so sent which where it comes light springs up And Eph. 5.8 shews what beleevers without difference are in the Lord Eph. 5.8.9 15. since called and inabled to beleeve and that pressed as a motive to abide and persevere walking in the light And 1 Thess 5.4 5. shews that beleevers are not in darkness of ignorance and unbeleef and how efficacious the light of truth beleeved was in them They were born of it They were he saith not some but all the children of light c. From whence he presseth an exhortation Not to sleep as others but to walk ãâ¦ã c. And Col. 1.13 Is a blessing of God in giving him thanks for having delivered them he faith not from all darkness but from the power of darkness Col. 1.12 13.23 24. and having translated them into the Kingdome that is the spiritual Kingdome or government and interest in and hope of that promised Kingdome of the Son of his love for which cause he presseth their abiding and continuance And 1 Pet. 2.9 shews That Gods elect and chosen people are such as he hath called out of darkness into his marvellous light to shew forth his praises And what this light is 2 Cor. 4.6 and where it shineth is plain to be in the face of Christ Gods prime Elect. And this is true in a measure of all unfained beleevers let them minde this That conceit an elect company before the appointment of Christ to dye to be given him to dye for and demonstrate what they are and reconcile them into one condition with these Thirdly From an universal habit of uncleanness unto holiness In a begun inclination and through all the powers a tendency thereto that there may be a proceeding to perfection in holiness this is true But Ezek. 36.25 speaketh directly of the Jews when he hath returned them to their own land And as in reference to a first fruits in beleevers in this life Ezek 36.24 25 26 27-37 Eph. 5.23 26 27. It speaks of that God will do to them after he hath called them to beleeve in Christ And so of a continued business on and in beleevers till it be compleat for which he will be sought of them And 1 Cor. 6 11. speaks of a work begun and so in the beginnings of it done in them In the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God And this given as a ground both to reprove some evils and uncleanness in them 1 Cor 6. 1 9 11 2 20. and to warn them from sinning and to stir them up by the same Name and Spirit to press on to further holiness And Tit. 3.5 shews the manner of this work and by what means and to what end it is done and so the beginning and proceeding but shews not the accomplishment as yet to be in them And Heb. 10.22 is not an affirmation of what is attained but an exhortation to use the right way for having a continual increase of renued holiness Heb. 10 12-18 19 20 24 25 12 12 14. upon that very ground of what we have in Christ and have begun to receive and may be daily receiving from him that so in holding last our confidence and profession we may follow after holiness Fourthly From a state of enmity stubboruness rebellion c. into a state of love obedience and delight This is no other but in change of an expression what was confessed to be in the first kinde of beleevers and Saints And indeed it is true of both alike for both so far as true are one Rom. 6.11 speaks of that done and compleated in Christ and not yet in us but by degrees and in due season to be done Rom. 6.11 12 13 14. And that laid as the ground in beleeving on him both to reckon our selves after him and in that account yeeld up our selves to live to him in which that will be verified of us that is said from vers 17 22. and so it plainly appears to be understood Eph. 2.12 13. Speaks of that state of Gentilism enstrangement to God all we Gentiles were in before Christ came in the flesh and offered up the acceptable Sacrifice and the priviledges confirmed before to the Jewish Nation were set open to the Gentiles Chap 3 3-6-9 and they made nigh by the blood of Christ that made peace broke down the partition wall slew the enmity c. and came and preached peace by which peace preached in his Name all that beleeve in him have access by one Spirit to the Father that is clear Col. 1.21 Speaks of the enmity in their mindes and of the efficacie of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ and peace made thereby and Gods love there-through appearing displayed and beleeved how it reconciled them to God And that to this end Col. 1.4 5.20 Tit. 3.4 5. Rom 5.8 10. Eph. 5.25 26 27. Col. 23 24. Heb. 8.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10. Heb. 12.22 23 24 25 26. To present them in the body of his flesh through death holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight if they continued in the faith
in the mediums begetting faith examples from vers 8. to 31. of the adding to the medium the written word and prophesies and faith begotten thereby Examples from vers 32.37 and then the most clear and full discovery in and through Christ the Author and finisher of faith Chap. 12.2 And yet all the way but one faith and for the nature and property of this faith he saith It is the substance or ground or representation or confidence of things âoâed for The evidence argument or proof of things not seen 1 The evidences and testimony given from God 1 Joh. â 9 Rom. 1.18 19 20 10 21. Joh. 3.19 2 Thess 2.10 Rom. 10.6 8 9 hath in it and brings with it such light power demonstration and evidence of truth and goodness as is fit and able to open the eyes to discern the manifestation and to gain credit and beleeve yea there is more in it to gain beleef then in the testimony of any men to gain beleef to things of men affirmed by them yea if men do not close their eyes harden their heart unrighteously hold and detain and refuse its operations it will draw to beleeve and so save and for that end it comes nigh to the mouth and the heart of man 2 This Testimony evidence 1 Joh. 5.10 1.1 2 3 Rom. 1.16 1 Thes 2.13 Rom. 5 1-5 Phil. 2.1 2 and demonstration of God beleeved and so received hee that beleeveth hath the Testimony and evidence in himself and in or with that Testimony Christ by his divine presence in the vertue of his oblation and in that the Father in his love streaming in the heart and so this word or Testimony beleeved worketh savingly and powerfully in the heart yea it drinks in of the influences of Christ from the right hand of God and carries the heart and spirit in and makes things absent and to come as present in their vertue solace and comfort to the heart they having the word and Testimony of Almighty God his power truth mercy faithfulnesse his son as a witnesse of all This is ground sufficient for all they hope for and evidence enough for them to beleeve and declare to others the truth of those things that are not seen about Creation Redemption the person of the Redeemer and what he hath done doth and will do the resurrection of the dead the new heaven and new earth c. So Faith is not such a thing as hee that hath it is left to build his Faith on mans Testimony and to have a Ministery all his life long to tell him whether his faith bee right or no though Ministery is profitable for his growth and fruitfulnesse but Faith hath its evidence in it self And this the Apostie proves by many demonstrations in such as had it as 1 That God approves and bears witnesse to such Heb. 11.1 2.3 4 5 7 2 That it opens mysteries to them and gives them understanding in things not seen with the eye nor comprehended by reason 3 It stregthens and encourages to approach to God 4 It inables them to walk with God yea to do and suffer great things and to wait with assurance of enjoying a Kingdome in his season yea so evidencing and powerful is Faith When Gods spake in divers manners or by parââââ how much more now hee speaks by and through his Son as set forth in the Gospel And if any desire a Discription of this beleeving Loe it is all expresse in Heb. 11.13 and plain in three words 1 A discerning according to the demonstration of his goodnesse to look to mind encline the ear and so a discerning 2 A perswasion or credit giving not reasoning against but beleeving his testimony as true and good 3 An imbracing it when it s beleeved with all acceptance and delight that is true beleeving and the grace of God so beleeved operateth in the heart and life as followeth in ver 13 14 15 16. But these things are all shown at large before yea so as the object of Faith is so set forth in Scripture that all might beleeve and such assurance given to beleevers as may encourage both to beleeve and persevere beleeving to help the reader whereto I leave him to consider what is writ in the Treatise and desire that what the scripture plainly saith and in the plain sayings of the Gospel affirmeth may in their own plain import and simplicity of asseveration bee received Pag. 26. in 2 Epistle p. 8 yea Mr. Owen consenteth in this also besides all his sayings forementioned saying ãâã in his Epistle to the learned that which wee account our wisdome and learning may if too rigorously attended bee our Folly when wee think to sharpen the reason of the Scripture wee may straighten the efficacy of the spirit of it It s often times more effectual in its own liberty then when restrained to our methods of arguing and the weapons of it keener in their own soft breathings then when sharpned in the Forge of Aristotle And or of Ramus either There is a way of perswasion and conviction in the Scriptures that is more Divine and sublime than to bee reduced to any rules of Art that men can reach unto God in his word instructs men to make them wise unto salvation Sillogismes are not doubtlesse the only way of making men wise with humane wisdome much lesse divine so far he If hee should or have warved from his own rule hee can not but bee willing in that to bee refused so that with consent wee all say what is written how readest thou Beleeve the scripture And the Lord in mercy make us ready and constant in imbracing the Truth in his sayings as prayeth the unworthiest of all his people Thomas Moor FINIS
other Churches yea doth not the Apostle profess himself not to be without Law to God but under the Law to Christ and doth not the opposition of these two Laws that of Moses and this of Christ in Rom. 8.2 3 4. suit and agree in one with the terms of those two Covenants mentioned Heb. 8.2 6 7 8. and so mentioned as the two Testaments that of the Letter and that of the Spirit the Old and the New in 2 Cor. 3.5 14. and it being a Law of Faith Love Liberty requiring nothing but what it giveth and inclineth to and giving pardon for all weaknesses accepting the will for the deed Surely those that believe his great Love and Faithfulness will confess his Truth Mat. 11.30 1 Joh. 5.3 and say That his yoke is easie and his burthen light and his commandments are not grievous And more I need not say to shew there are Engagements on both parts in the New Testament or what the New Testament is even that Obligation or Covenant made with Believers in and upon the Dispensation of the first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant to them and grounded on the death and sacrifice of Christ and the love of God commended therethrough which known and believed effecteth Faith in him and love to brethren and both obligeth and moveth and affordeth Grace to live by Faith and walk in Love and so to wait for all his Promises and not be offended And surely such as know and taste this Grace will not count harsh nor take offence at or evade as not spoken to them but count good needful and profitable for them whose standing is by Faith that worketh through Love even all those caveats given against departing and all those Exhortations to abiding given in the Gospel nor can they be displeasing or hurtful to any or hindring their Faith and Consolation in Christ that do believe Christ to have died for the ungodly and by his Grace commended to them therethrough to have called them and enabling them to believe and so given them the Spirit of Faith Love Power and a sound minde when he made this Covenant with them In which also is assured assistance from him forgiveness of their failings on confession of their sins and turning to him forgiveness and healing of their backslidings he also by vertue of his own Blood remaining the Mediator of this Testament for them and the Dispensor also to them affording them in all this To ask what they will in his Name Psal 138.8 Phil. 1.5 6. 2 Tim. 4.18 and he will do it yea if it be even to perfect all that concerneth them never forsaking the work of his own Hands but perfecting his begun-good work and delivering them from every evil way and so bring them to his Kingdom Who but those that desire Liberty for the Flesh can desire a better Liberty and Consolation then this or a greater for sure other Liberty to frail Men cannot be good and of the Covenants made I know no more then these already declared and Christ given for a Covenant and this New Covenant thus given by him to Believers the choise of all as made but yet as to be made there is still more or greater CHAP. 4. Of the Everlasting Covenant as remaining to be made IT is evident That the Covenant remaining to be made is no other but a new manner of making of the same everlasting Covenant that was made with and confirmed in Christ at the beginning for him and his spiritual Seed and after declared as confirmed in Christ to Abraham and so immediately made with him and Isaac and Jacob for them and their Seed which should be of the same Seed still and afterward in respect of the King and Kingdom so also made with David for him and his Seed which should be of the same Seed still and so because this Covenant was first opened to and made with Abraham it is called God's Covenant made with Abraham and because it was after in like manner made with Isaac and Jacob Abraham's Sons and so every of all those three being the Fathers of all Israel therefore it is called The Covenant of their Fathers and because in respect of the Kingdom it was after also so made with David it is sometimes called The Covenant made with David and this Covenant still called The everlasting Covenant and The Covenant of the Fathers which was made to these Fathers for them and for their Seed to wait for the performance thereof by Faith the first Testamental Covenant given in the beginning of a literal performance was for nurture of the Seed till Christ came and then to be shaken and pass away and the Second or New Testamental Covenant given in the Dispensation of the spiritual first Fruits of the everlasting Covenant to nurture Sons for walking in Faith and Love till they come to the Inheritance when the fulness of the Everlasting Covenant will be performed to Soul and Body both when though the first Fruits abide in the Harvest Rom. 8.24 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12 13. Heb. 12.26 27. yet the Obligation in respect of living and waiting by Faith and use of suitable outward Ordinances will be shaken and pass away also in the coming in of that fulness so that the Everlasting Covenant in the fulness and compleatness of it is that which is waited for and remaineth to be made not to be waited for by Faith in carnal observances as till Christ came nor with the first Fruits of the Spirit to wait for the fulness by Faith in use of spiritual Ordinances as since the giving of Christ for a Covenant to his coming again but to be made in and by a compleat performance of it as all that is said in the Promise of making it doth evidence And of this making the Everlasting Covenant foremade with Abraham for him and his Seed then with him and all his Seed in performance I am now to treat and though in the Revelation of it and Promises of it it be foreshewn yet as it is insured in the Promise as a Covenant to be made I will note a few things about it that are cleerly set forth in the Scripture as 1. The Time when it is to be made 2. The Persons with whom it is to be made and 3. What is to be done in this manner of making it all included and not darkly but cleerly intimated and exprest in that known place Jer. 31.33 Jer. 31.33 34. But this the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people And they shall teach no more every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother 34 saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will forgive their iniquity and
I will remember their sin no more Minde these words and see That this Covenant was not then made when Jeremiah wrote it he saith neither I have made nor I do make but I will make nor doth he say I will presently make for the old faulted Covenant yet was and for a long time to be in force but After those dayes I will make the last of those dayes being not yet come and so the Covenant yet not so fully made as here is promised to be made and so in them I will view the three things mentioned I. The Time when this Covenant is to be made is cleerly express to be after those dayes he saith not these dayes as speaking of the dayes of his prophecying onely or those neer following after but the dayes of which he prophesied that must first come and the things therein to be done first done and then after those dayes and those things done in them he will make this Covenant it is nowhere said in respect of the fulness That he will make it before as for a dispensation of a spiritual first Fruits and a New Testament made to nurture Sons to wait for the fulness in the making this Covenant to come in its time this was to be and hath been done by Christ at and since his first coming and is here intimated verse 31 c. as is foreshewn But for the fulness before that be done and the Covenant so made the whole House of Israel that are then surviving even Israel and Judah the natural seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob must be first brought into their Land and converted and then Jesus Christ the Son of Abraham and David must visibly descend from Heaven and all the Saints be raised and changed and come with Jesus Christ and break the power of all Oppressors And then when these things are done after those dayes he will thus make this Covenant as is said And this is that said here by this Prophet as elsewhere by the rest of the Prophets This Prophet speaking of all the Families of Israel to whom God will do this saith Behold I will bring them from the North-Country Jer. 31.1 2 3 4 6 7 and gather them from the coasts of the Earth with them the blinde and the lame the woman with childe and her that travelleth with-childe together a great company shall return thither They shall come with weeping 9 and with supplication will I lead them I will cause them to walk in Rivers of waters in a straight way where in they shall not stumble For I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first-born He that scattered Israel 10 will gather him and so on to verse 16. in which he promiseth That the Children of Rachel shall come again from the Land of the Enemy to their own Borders including the Children slain by Herod in and about Bethlehem Mat. 2.17 18. which shall be then also raised and so on to the 27 v. Behold 16 27 the days come saith the Lord that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast 31 33. and so on to verse the 31. saying Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new Govenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah And what and when it shall be he sheweth in verses 33 34. and pointing to the time he saith After those dayes that is those dayes as then to come and in the greatest measure and full sense yet also which he prophesied of from the 8 verse to the 30. And this he again after affirms and explains Behold Jer. 32.37 38 39 40 41. 3.14 18. 24.6 7. 30.16 22. Ezek. 11.17 18 19 20. I will gather them out of all Countries whither I have driven them in mine anger and I will bring them again to this place and I will cause them to dwell safely and they shall be my people and I will be their God c. and I will make an everlasting Covenant with them c. And so elsewhere and so other Prophets Thus saith the Lord I will gather you from the people and assemble you out of the Countries where you have been scattered And I will give you the Land of Israel and they shall come thither and they shall take away all the detestable things and all the abominations thereof from thence and I will give them one heart and I will put a new Spirit within you c. And again For I will take you from among the Heathen Ezek. 36.24 25 26 27 28 38. 34.22 23. 37.22 23 24. Zach. 14.5 and gather you out of all Countries and bring you into your own Land Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean c. A new heart will I give you c. So the Time is cleer and that Christ the Son of David and all the Saints raised must first come with him and then in that time this Covenant be made it is cleer in many places as is shewn Part 2. chap. 17. and chap. 18. part 3. chap. 5. part 5. chap. 5. Now if any demand Why I call not these things the making of the Covenant in performance seeing there is a performance of so gracious and great things in them all I answer Because 1. The Text doth not so call them but speaks of these things to be performed first and of the Covenant to be after-made which is a good answer 2. This Covenant is to be made with the spiritual Seed which all these were not till then so made If any say They were both before the spiritual Seed by Election for as touching Election they were beloved for the Fathers sake That hath been already answered the Election mentioned Rom. 11.28 is not of the persons cast off but of the Fathers whose natural Seed they were for of these scattered it is said I will have mercy on Jacob and will yet chuse Israel Isa 14.1 2 3. Zach. 1.17 Ezek. 20.5 Ier. 2.2 1 Deut. 7.6 8 Rom. 11 26 27 28. and set them in their own Land and strangers shall be joyned with them and they shall cleave to the House of Jacob c. And again The Lord shall yet chuse Jerusalem So as the Lord of old chose Israel by bringing them out of Egypt and giving them his Statutes c. and so planted them a noble Vine wholly a right Seed and this for the love of the Fathers So the Lord will again chuse Israel and make them wholly a right Seed by the personal coming of Christ again who shall come out of Sion and turn away ungodliness from Jacob and then make the Covenant with them and this for the Fathers sakes Which gives farther answer 3. The persormance of those mentioned things Levit. 26.44 45. Deut. 4.30 31. Psal 105.8 are from the remembrance of the Covenant made with