of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Paulus How is this Faith attained Evangelus It is attained by a conscientious use of the Word and increased by Prayer and Sacrament Paulus What is Prayer Evangelus Prayer is the pouring out of our souls unto God in the Name of Christ by the help of the Spirit and with faith on the Promises for those things which are agreeable unto his Will Paulus This I remember for it has been told me a great while ago Evangelus You understand herein I shall examine by asking you several questions concerning this duty as first ought we to pray unto God and only unto him Paulus Only unto him excepting Saints and Angels Evangelus How do you mean Saints and Angels I hope you don't hold praying to them Paulus Nay I cannot think any otherwise but that it is lawful to pray to them for they are those who do make a way unto God the Father for us Evangelus I deny it and therefore shall affirm that Christ only is the way to the Father but that I might further clear this truth observe 1. Prayer is a part of Divine Worship which all grant and God only is the object of Divine Worship therefore to pray unto any besides God is a perfect violation of that Command Deut. 6 1â— Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve 2. Consider we have but one Intercessor and Mediator in Heaven and therefore it is a high affront unto Christ to make any use of others in that kind 3. Consider that excellent place of Scripture Rev. 19 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant And in the last place consider here is but little encouragement for any of us to pray unto Saints because the best Saints in Heaven is ignorant of our conditions here below Isa. 63.16 John 14.21 Paulus Why truly all this is clear none can deny Evangelus Well friend what think you of this question can one pray and not speak Paulus No surely that can't be Evangelus Yes one may for there is vocal Prayer and mental Prayer Vocal Prayer is the expressing our desires unto God by the words of our lips and Mental Prayer is the offering up of our desires unto God without the help of words as Hannah prayed when her voice was not heard 1 Sam. 1.13 Paulus How may I pray so as to finde acceptance with God Evangelus First direct your supplications unto God Secondly Pray in faith Thirdly with a sense of your wants Fourthly with a sense of your unworthiness to have any of your wants supplied Fifthly with Sincerity and Perseverance Sixthly beg what you beg in the Name of Christ. Seventhly conclude your Prayer with a Doxology being this For thine is the Kingdom Power and Glory for ever and ever Amen Paulus I thank you good Sir for this seasonable advice Evangelus What think you now of the Sacrament Paulus It is an Ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ himself Evangelus A Sacrament is a seal of the Covenant of grace whereby as God doth oblige himself to give unto us all the benefits contained therein so we in like manner do by that oblige our selves to be the Lords and to be true and faithfulâ— unto him Paulus This I now do understand Evangelus Very good now how many Sacraments are there of use in thiâ— Gospelâ— Dispensation Paulus Surely there are but two Evangelus Thou sayst right and therefore the Papists herein are to be blamed whâ— say there are seven Sacraments whereas we do deny any such number and do affirm that there are but two Sacraments viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing with waâ—er in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ the Lords Supper is a Sacrament wherein these things given viz. Bread and Wine are signified exhibited and shewed forth unto us the Body of our Lord Iesus which was broken and his blood which was poured out abundantly for the remission of our sins Circumcision and the Passeover was in the Law in room whereof comes Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism in the room of Câ—rcuncision and the Lords Supper in the room of the Passeover Paulus In this I am also very well satisfied Evangelus I am glad of that but what think you of this Is the bread really transubstantial and turn'd into the Body of Christ Paulus Yes that is really my belief for does not our Saviour say This is my Body 1 Cor. 11.14 Evangelus Friend believe it not because there is not Grounds whereupon Reason should be built much less faith Observe what I have to say contradictory to it and you will finde that such an opinion is against Scripture Sense and Reason Consider these words This is my body is no proper but figurative expression were all Scriptures to be understood literally then there would be some reason for the understanding of this expression to be as you would have it Paulus What do you tell me of Figures surely our Saviour would have spoken more plainly to his disciples than so especially in the instituting of an Ordinance Evangelus Christ spoke intelligible enough but tell me is not that plain enough when we take the words as they are frequently and commonly used in Scriptures Paulus Yes That I can't deny Evangelus Well then these words are common and frequent in Scripture John 6.14 is thus written I am the Way so John 10. I am the Door Christ properly is no Door but only as a Door is an entrance into a Place so Christ in this respect is an entrance into Heaven Now compare this with the other Place of Scripture This is my Body the true meaning is This is a figure sign and Pre-Presentation of my Body This is my Body that is as Bread doth nourish strengthen and refresh the Body and satisfie the natural appetite so the Body and Blood of Christ received by faith doth strengthen nourish refresh and satiate the spiritual appetite Observe I pray you how oppugnant this is to reason for is it not absurd that bread should be turn'd into another substance and yet the accidents remain the same there is the colour â—asâ—e and smell of the bread if the bread in the Sacrament is turn'd into the real Body of Christ then the Nature End of a Sacrament would be destroyd the nature of a Sacrament is to be a Sign and the Ends of it is to be a remembrance of Christ both which supposes Christs Body to be absent Again observe our Lord Iesus mentions Bread after the words of Consecration saying the bread which we break 1 Cor. 10.16 He that eateth this bread 1 Cor. 11.27 28. If the bread is turn'd into the real Body of Christ then wicked Communicants may receive Christ and Christs
â—hough Satan doth in Chains of Darkness ly â—et hath he pow'r on Earth mens Soules to buy â—ut that's but limited for here you see â—im foyl'd God my Gratious God to bee THE YOUNG MANâ— Conflict with and Victory over The Deviâ— by FAITH OR A True and Perfect Relation of the Experiences 〈◊〉 T. P. begun in the 15th and continued till tâ—â— 17th Year of his Age who upon his first Coâ—victions having an earnest desire to serve Chriâ—â— in the Work of the Ministry was much tempteâ— to make a Contract with Satan who often appeared visibly and made Eminency in Learning thâ— grand Bait to catch his Soul but by an Omnipâ—tent Hand was Prevented from that Agreement Pubâ—ished for the Benefit of such who have bin or shall 〈◊〉 tempted in the like manner And Composed by way of Dialogue between four Interlocutors Viz. Evangelus a Minister of the Gospel Paulus a young Convert Demas an Apostate Apollion the Dâ—vil By T. P. MIC 7.8 Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy whâ—â—â—â— fall I shall arise when I sit in darkness the Lord shall 〈◊〉 a â—ight unto me LONDON Printed for Iohn Hancock Sen. Iun. at 〈◊〉 three Bibles in Popes Head Alley in Cornhill 16â—â— To that little Flock in and about the County of Hartford the Author sends Greeting SIRS WHEN I take a View of the Wonderfulness of Gods Providence in bringing me first among you together with those Bonds of Love by which I am held so fast that it is my quotidian and daily study how I may be further capacitated to serve you and the Church of my Lord Iesus Verily I must confess you are the People that have all my thoughts And besides this you are those who have the greatest interest in my Prayers Others have some of my heart but next to God you have all my heart I have heard much of the love of a Minister to his People as that I could scarce give credit unto it but I do now believe it because Experience has taught me so though that by which I am obliged unto you is not the same as with a Minister and his People it being only a sincere Love begotten by my frequent painful and laborious Preaching unto you without any further charge and yet notwithstanding how do I love you and pray for your happiness in this World and the World to come I can't endure to think of your damnation no not any of you I am sick at the heart many times through fear lest I should rise up in judgement against some of you because there are those amongst you that seem to takeiittle notice of God Christ and their immortal souls though through grace all of you are not molested with the Contagion of this Distemper which is so Epidemical not only in foreign Places but likewise in our English Island as that it doth many times occasion Floods of Tears to run down from the eyes of Gods precious Servants who as so many Lots do bewail the iniquities of this Land Sirs I have thought good to reach you with my Pen when my Tongue cannot and hence it is that I dedicate this unto you in part though it is possible I could have found out many others whose Names I might affix in the Frontispiece of this Book only my Love is most endeared to you and wherefore do you think it is that I should concern my self so much with you would you know take then these few Reasons First because God made me not altogether for my self but for you and others we were not made for our selves and therefore we act most like beasts when we only minde our selves and not others who are our Kinsfolk according to Creation but when that goodness that is in us is so diffusive as that it leads us forth to succour those who srand in need of our help then we act as our selves and like rational creatures it is God that created me and why did he create me but that I should serve him and in what better way can I do it then in the first place to seek my own salvation and after that the salvation of you and others But Secondly the End of my Creation is not all by which I am induced to concern my self thus with you but likewise the End of my Redemption requires me so to do I you and all of us were no sooner created but we fell from God and through Adherence to the Devil lost that glorious Image which he had invested us with and thereby forfeited the favour of God and so became the Children of Wrath but now Iesus Christ that immaculate and spotless Lamb of God who knew no sin became sin for us by assuming the humane nature and taking upon him the guilt of all our transgressions Isa. 53.6 How then can I you or any of us be slothful in Gods service when he hath done so much for all of us as he hath done May we not say as Bernard did concerning Christ Thou hast loved me Oh Lord more then thy self And now the End wherefore Christ did all this was that we might be restored to Gods Image again and to serve him in all manner of holiness And in no better way can I do this then in looking after my own soul and the souls of others Thirdly the End of my Redemption doth not only require me thus to concern my self with you but likewise the End of my Sanctification I am sanctified as I hope and am washed with the water of Regeneration Now it is the duty of those who are sanctified to lead other in the way to Sanctification and obedience of the Spirit This our Saviour lays down as a Rule to Peter That when he was converted he should strengthen his Brethren But Fourthly the very End of my Ministry requires me to have a diligent care of your souls 'T is a duty of us who are Preachers of the Gospel to pity and look after poor souls that are in their blood and God yea Angels and my own Conscience do bear me witness how I pity your souls and that I could go hundreds of Miles barefoot â—o do any of you good though never so mean in life and descent I was devoted from the Womb to the Ministry and now when I come forth unto it shall I not in any wise answer the end thereof the Lord forbid Fifthly and lastly not onely the End of my Creation Redemption Sanctification and Ministry but likewise the end of my Preservation doth thus oblige me to you Hath God done for me what he hath done and shall I not to the utmost do what I can for him Hath he wrought such deliverances for me and shall I be slack and negligent in his service far be it from me and all those who have experienced the like that I have And hath he moreover kept me hitherto and must I not seek his glory to such perverse walking the Lord put an end Many other Obligations
there are by which I am bound to look after you viz. I am a dying Creature and therefore whilst I have life I must act for God because when I am in the Grave I cannot write unto you My Preaching-Work then will be over And hâ—nce it is that I do think it meet whilst I am in this earthly Tabernacle to put you in mind of these things and to stirr you up to the doing thereof And as the consideration of my Mortality should move me to do what I can for God and you see likewise the consideration of yours should make you more willing to hear and receive what I and others do both Preach and write unto you And now Sirs what remains but that you would follow those Practical things which the good Spirit of God may by these Lines put you in minde of Consider you must one day render an Account for all the good Sermons that you have heard the Word will either prove a savour of life or of death you will either be the better for Sermons or the worse and therefore to you now I speak that have often heard the vociferation of the Gospel but are not as yet reformed Consider after Death comes Iudgment and then what will you do will you not wish that you had taken the good Counsel of God given by his Ministers will you not then remember these Sermons which once you forgot as soon as ever you went out out of the Church and will not the remembrance thereof be as a Worm gnawing of your Consciences in Hell Oh with what shame and confusion will ye then be cloathed when all those secret sins which you thought were impossible to be brought to light shall be made manifest before the Lord Iesus who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 light it self Moreover consider that without you have an Advocate theâ—e is no standing at this Tribunal and who is this Advocate but Iesus Christ will plead to the utmost for you if you can but make sure of him for without him nothing can be done in order to your being sheltred from that wrath of God which then shall be revealed on all those who have slighted this Advocate and have accounted Sermons of no worth further believe and consider that if you have not the Lord Iesus to stand as your friend you must be thrust down into Hell and there howl with the damned for ever And what think you now of these things do you stedfastly believe them if you do not search the Scriptures and there you will finde what I have said to be true if you do believe them why then do some of you live as if there were neither God Heaven Hell or Iudgement if these things are sincerely believed by you stir up then and lay hold upon God and claim of him deliverance from wrath to come for it is hastning apace and wâ— unto you if you lay up nothing against this burning wrath of God for the time to come is as sure as the time that is present why therefore are you all for the present time assure your selves that the walking in repulse against these Considerations and the sweet motions of the Spirit will make you smart one day But Finally if you will all observe these things to do them what a blessed Meeting shall we have how wide will the Gates of Heaven stand open for uâ— what a Welcom will God the Father give us the very thoughts of it doth glad my very heart and soul Suffer therefore the good Word of God to take Impression upon you Endeavor to live a life of Grace here that so you may live a Life of Glory hereafter Persevere in all good hold out to the end for the Crown will make amends for all Be constant in the use of means Follow Peace with all men be useful in your several Vocations that in all things â—u may be fit for the being received 〈◊〉 into the Heaven of Heavens â—hich is and ever shall be the desire â—d Prayer of him Who is SIRS Your Souls Friend THO. POWELL PAULUS in his Unconverted state AEtatis suae 12. Evangelus WELL met Friend Whither are you going Paulus I am going to see a Play for they say it is very well worth ones observation Evangelus How to see a Play I would not have you for a World could I but hinder you I would for there is nothing but wickedness and Profaneness for your Contemplation and if this is worth your observation judge you Paulus You talk more like a Phanatick then a Civil and honest man for I verily believe there may be as much good gather'd from the observation of such a sight as somtimes hearing of a good Sermon Evangelus Oh what Prodigious and black ignorance is this to think that more benefit may be received from open Profâ—neness then from hearing the Word of God Have you not yet known the difference between evil and good Paulus There are some I believe as good and as wise as your self that goes to such places and certainly if it be lawful for them it is lawful for me Evangelus That is true friend if lawful for them then it is for you but it is not lawful for them and therefore let such be never so wise yet if they go to such Places as you plead for they do in that fall short of being wise men And moreover herein is shewed much of your folly in grounding lawfulness for the same on no other Foundation but because such and such do so whereas we that are Christians should endeavour to make our lives congruous with the Sacred Writ yea that which the Prophets and Apostles have built upon should be our Foundation Paulus Pray Sir keep your breath to cool your own Pottage for every Tub must stand upon its own bottom therefore catechise not me for I will not be catechised by you and as long as I have a mind to go I will go Evangelus Friend be not so touchy for I mean you no hurt nothing I am â—o you it is true and that every Tub must stand upon its own bottom I know yet considering that â—very one was not made for himself but for the Glory of God â—he good and benefit of each other therefore it does behove us to be giving one another good Counsel If you know any thing more then me I 'll learn of you and if I know any thing more then you you shall learn of me if you please Paulus Nay this is very fair I must needs confess Evangelus Well then my friend if it may sâ— please you to deny your self of going tâ— that Place first intended by you I wiâ—â— then tell you what we will do in steaâ— thereof Paulus I don't much care if I do foâ— once Evangelus What think you then of going tâ— yonder Grove where we may sit down in the shade and discourse concerning Soul-Affairs Paulus With all my
stood fast Heb. 11.3 Through faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear So Rom. 4.17 Paulus All this now is very clear unto me Evangelus I am glad of it and therefore bless God And now tell me I pray you what you what is your belief concerning the Incarnation of our Saviour Paulus I do believe that Jesus Christ did come into the World to save sinners Evangelus And that he was made Man Paulus No I cannot think so in regard that it is impossible for God to become man Evangelus Herein thou art grossly ignorant because thou doest believe Christ came into the World and yet cannot think he was made man Paulus No nor I shall not except you give me good Scripture for it Evangelus Nay you are to be commended for that because you are not to take any thing from me or any man without Scripture and therefore if Scripture will do the business Scripture you shall have enough See John 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth So 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Paulus I see Scripture does hold forth this truth but who would think that this should be so Evangelus It is so and that for these Reasons as I suppose 1. Gods Iustice by Man was offended therefore by Man it was to be satisfied 2. Christ was Man that he might die for had he not been Man he could not have died 3. He was Man that he might sympathize and condole with us in all our conditions and infirmities 4. He was Man that he might be dâ—â—ompleat Mediator 5. He was Man that he might make Man Partakers of the Divine Nature Paulus Then by this reckoning you must make Christ a sinner Evangelus So he is i.e. by Imputation Paulus This is strange doctrine methinks to make Christ a sinner 〈◊〉 if also he is man then consequentially he is not God Evangelus Your consequence is false my Friend for Christ is God-Man God that he might satisfie Man that he might die 2.5 Paulus Well these things are very deep and profound therefore I pray you ask me somthing else and I will meditate upon them when I come home Evangelus Very good the next Question then shall be this what think you then concerning the Resurrection Paulus Truly Sir this has been ever obscure to me I could wish you would inform my judgement concerning it Evangelus With all my heart for I like this enquiring mighty well Now that there shall be a Resurrection it is evident from these Places of Scripture Dan 12.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the Earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting ' contempt Iohn 5.28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of damnation So see 1 Cor. 15. and Rev. 20.12 13. Paulus Well this truth I also believe for I see there are many Scriptures for the demonstration and proof of the same Evangelus What think you now concerning the last Iudgment do you believe it or not Paulus I do believe that Jesus Christ will come at the last day and judge the world Evangelus And are you willing friend that I should try your knowledg in this necessary truth Paulus Willing why do you think I should be unwilling pray don't question that for I am so willing as that I shall look upon you as my best friend if you take the pains to inform me in this Evangelus Well then seeing that I have such a free access unto you I shall ask you these several Questions in order to your better understanding of this great truth what then is the last Iudgment Paulus The last Judgement is a day as I suppose wherein Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour shall come down from Heaven with great Glory to judge the whole World and give unto every one according as his works shall be Evangelus Very well my friend for your Answer pleases me exceeding well but how manifold is the coming of Christ Paulus How manifold is the coming of Christ why is there more comings of Christ then one Evangelus Yes friend the Scriptures do hold forth unto us a threefold coming of Christ the first was in the flesh about sixteen hundred years ago when he came in the forme of a servant taking upon him our sins the second is his coming now with the Power of the Gospel in the hearts of sinners and the third is his future coming when he shall in the end of the World come in glorious Glory not to be exprest And this is called his second Appearance to Iudgement Acts 10 42. Christ is appointed by God the Father Iudge both of the quick and dead So Acts 17. Paulus These are wonderful things pray tell me now how Christ will judge the World Evangelus Visible in the clouds for even as he ascended so shall he descend but wherefore do you think my Friend Christ will judge the World Paulus That he may render eternal life with fulness of joy unto the godly and eternal punishment to the wicked Evangelus You answer right but what do you think will be the Order of this Iudgement Paulus Truly Sir I know not very well Evangelus My friend observe there are certain Transactions that do prâ—cede this day certain Transactions done in the day and certain Transactions that does ensue this day First some things there be that arâ— antecedent to or coming before this day which will be these 1. A Subversion of the Roman Empire and the Man of Sin revealed 2. The Rising of false Christs and false Prophets 3. Signeâ— that shall be in the Sun and Moon 4. The Gospel being preached throughâ— out all Nations 5. Obedience yielded unto the Gospel by Iews and Gentiles and all that do pertain unto the Election of Gods grace Secondly those Transactions done in this day are these 1. The Son of Man shall be seen in the Air. 2. The dead shall rise both righteous and unrighteous 3. Christ shall separate the bad from the good and denounce the last sentence Thirdly that which follows this day is the proportioning of a reward unto every Mans work and now tell me what thou thinkest of these things Paulus Truly they are things that I never knew till now Evangelus Bless God then for what you know and answer me this
thy Holy Spirit against Heaven and in thy sight and we are not worthy to be called thy children and therefore most iustly mayst thou pour down thy displeasure upon us and empty the Vials of thy wrath upon us and ours it is mercy nay infinite mercy and free grace that we are this side of Hell and the Grave but much more that we have an opportunity to plead with thee how many are there in Hell that would give ten thousand worlds for what we enjoy and have We bless thee O Lord for Iesus Christ by whose blood these Mercies were Purchased and the Priviledges which we now enjoy receive him for us and accept us in him magnifie thy grace in and through him towards us by pardoning our sins remiting our transgressions sanctifying our nature washing our souls in the water of Regeneration and by evidencing thy favour unto us under all our cloudy and gloomy dispensations and this is that O God which we are come about at this time it is the Sun-shine of thy countenance and strength against our adversary the Devil Behold O Lord thy servant before thee that is molested by Satan and burried with his temptations Behold O Lord the enemies which he hath to wrestle with how are they increased both from without and from within increase his faith that his spiritual existence may be sustein'd let him not perish in his distress and warfare for want of thy assistance seeing O God that we sue not to thee for any terrene or earthly enjoyments but for grace that we may through strength received therefrom be enabled to repel and quench all the fiery darts of the evil one and therefore for the sake of thy Son Iesus hear us and strengthen thy servant whereby he may now at â—ist conquer Satan who has so much â—â—deavored to overthrow him Apâ—ear for him O blessed Iesus unto â—hom all Power is given in Heaven â—nd in Earth and being tempted â—nowest how to succour those that be â—empted And with us sweet Father â—e mindful of all thine throughout the â—hole World Bless thy Church and Ziâ—n bring home Iews and Gentiles and â—ll that belong unto the Election of thy â—race Give unto thy Son the Heaâ—hens for his inheritance and the utâ—ermost Parts of the Earth for his Possessions O Lord keep up England â—rom falling from thee let it not languish nor decay in Godliness and let â—ot wantonness under the means of â—race procure any want of grace thou â—ast divided us bring us together again And thou who art a God of Order O settle Order in thy Church â—â—d Vnity among thy Saints Let â—uch as do erre out of ignorance learn â—nowledge and such as have sinn'd against knowledge finde repentance Enduâ— the Magistrates with the knowledge of thy Spirit of Grace and Wisdom as well as with Power that wâ— may live a peaceable and quiet life under them in all godliness and honesty O let thy Ministers be cloathed with holiness write it on their Breasts give them the Urim and Thummim and let them shine by holiness of life as well as by doctrine and Crown all their labours with a Garland of Souls Remove not O Father thy Candlestick from us for our unworthiness of it and unthankfulness for it but pardon our unproâ—â—ableness under it and teach us to profit more and more And now O Lord comfort thy afflicted Servant before thee stand by him and be his Help and all this we beg in the Name and for the sake of Iesus Christ to whom with thy self and ever blessed Spirit of Grace enable us to ascribe as is most due all Power Praise Glory and sincere obedience from us and all thine now henceforth and for evermore Amen Well I 'le detain you no longer only take this from me Do not give place to the Devil Reader Take notice that this poor young â—onvert having taken his leave of this â—recious Minister doth in his return â—omewards meet with a cursed inâ—rument of the Devil being one Deâ—as by name a sad Apostate who â—â—swades him to throw off Religion â—nd to turn Atheist that is nothing at â—ll of which this ensuing Dialogue â—ill give a further account Demas How now why do you look somelanâ—holy no doubt but you have been with â—ome Phanatick Priest or another your â—ountenance is so dreadful Paulus I blame your folly for he whom â— have been with let him go under what notion soever is a holy man and has been one of great use to me Demas I sware you talk more like a mad â—an than any body else I tell â—ou if you believe all what they say you 'll be distracted if you are not already Paulus Whether I am distracted or no I matter not for take notice I must observe what they say unto me because it concerns what I am to do for God and for my own soul Demas Why doest thou think there is a God Paulus Yes as firmly as I do believe the Sun to be in Firmament on Noon-dayes Demas Doest thee I hope then before I shall have done with you to make you of the same opinion as I am Paulus What opinion I pray are you of Demas What opinion am I of why I am of such an opinion as that I can produce you one whom I 'le affirm to be God Omnipotent Omnipresent Omâ—iscient and more just then the God â—hom you serve for I shall tell you I have been of the same opinion with your â—elf and have believed on the same God â—hich you believe but now I am of anâ—ther mind and I question not but that â— shall make you of the same also if you â—e but ruled by me Paulus Pray what is he Demas A sober Gentleman Paulus Will he do one no hurt Demas No he will not hurt you for he is a harmless Gentleman you may see him if you please Paulus Pray then bring him and let me see him Demas Rather than that I would have you come to my House about ten a Clock toâ— morrow morning and then we may talk together without any interruption You know where I live Paulus Well then I le be sure to come if I am in health Demas Be sure you do not fail me Reader Now followeth another Conference between Evangelus a Minister of thâ— Gospel and Paulus the young Convert who endeavours to hinder him from going but cannot Evangelus So So I see I am forc'd to visit you before you will visit me Paulus Truly Sir I can't help it for I have been so out of order both in soul and body since I saw you last aâ— that I am not fit to keep any body Company Evangelus Why did you not send for me all this while if you had I should have come for I doubt you have had no company since I have been with you Paulus Yes Sir I have had some Company with me Evangelus What company I pray good company
you not know that God is a Spirit John 4.24 Paulus I do believe God is a Spirit Apollyon Why do you then contend with mâ— any further who am so fully God as have declared unto you Paulus Did you create the Heavens and thâ— Earth and all thing contained therâ— in Apollyon Yea and you too Paulus Lord have mercy upon me Apollyon Nay him whom thou thinkest to be God I made Paulus Pardon me then blessed God that I have offered to conâ—end thus with thee â—als by I pray my â—alapert audacious â—nd rustical carriage â—owards thee for I see now I am â—ike the woman of Samaria who through ignorance ascribed the title of Sir ship unto him that was King over Heaven and Earth even as I have done towards thee Apollyon I pardon thee because what thou hast done has been through ignorance Paulus Yea good Lord that it was Apollyon Well time doth call me away for indeed I have many souls to look after therefore I must leave you only desiring you to remember those three things once Propos'd viz. 1. The denying of God which once you serv'd 2. The abstaining from those Ministers which once you frequented 3. The believing what I have said and shall furthermore say unto you Paulus With all my heart good Lord. Apollyon Farewel ther to-morrow-morning I 'le come and see you again Paulus Oh my Lord go not away so sooâ— from me Apollyon It matters not as long as I shall come so quickly unto you again Paulus Then farewel my Lord. Reader Take notice that when the Devil had parted from this Youth Demas the day after comes according to promiss But Apollyon is not with him from whence we may gather thus much It is impossible for the Devil to keep his promiss in regard that he is the father of lyes and lyers The end wherefore Demas came you will understand by the ensuing discourse Demas How do you my friend Paulus As well as any damned creature can do but where is my Lord. Demas He could not come through excessive want of him at another place but why doest thou say thou art damned for if so then thou art irrecoverable which if thou wert Apollyon would not undertake to do any thing for you neither should I have brought him to you Paulus I believe you good Sir and therefore do desire to bless God for you because you brought me acquainted with him Demas Alas I have tried all ways but could finde no rest till I met with him and so it will be with thee Paulus Ha how may one be deceived for I thought that I was in the right way and worship'd the true God but it seemes it is otherwise do you think therefore your God will receive me after I have been serving a strange God Demas Yes yes I 'le warrant that Paulus When will he come to me then Demas Tomorrow morning precisely at five of the Clock I came therefore as desired by him to inform you of it and likewise from my self to advise you of several things Paulus Speak on and well come Demas First be sure you do remember and â—eâ—r in minde what Apollyon said unto you last Now that which I have from my self unto you is this Whatsoever my Lord shall require of you condescend unto it immediately therefore if he should require your self give up your self unto him by a free Resignation of spirit withâ—ut any doubting for if you should in the juncture of time that he requires any thing of you seem to refuse he then departs from you totally and finally This I know because through fear I had like to have given him occasion my self and hence it is that I caution you Paulus The Lord your Master treble it into your bosome for what you have done unto me Demas Nay my Work is wages Paulus I Question not but it is Demas Well I must bid you adieu Paulus And you also but be sure yoâ— bring my Lord with you Demas Don't question that Reader When this young Convert had departed from his two supposed friends and from one especially he walks abroad and in his return homewards finds a letter directed unto him by that Choice Minister of Jesus Christ from whom he had abstein'd so long and by whom he could not be found through obligation unto a Promise The Letter is as followeth To the Beloved of my Soul T.P. My Son FOR so I may call thee because in the Lord Iesus I begot thee in whose Name I command attention unto the affectionate Exhortations of your distressed father who through thy disobedience unto God has almost brought his hoary head with sorrow unto the Grave and for which cause I have made my tears my meat and drink day and night ever since I saw thee last Ah Child thou art gone which vexeâ— me sore but the consideration of thy being gone from God vexes me sorest of all how happy wouldest thou make me if I could but see thy face before I go from hence and be seen no more I long to understand thy Conflicts as once I did that I might thereby administer something of comfort and advice in a more sympathizing and condoling manner then ever The thoughts of thy groans pierces me to the heart but the thoughts of thy trials and temptations doth so oppress my spirits as that I know not what to do Art thou not therefore blame-worthy to carry thy self in such an occult and secret manner as thou doest fall down I beseech you through the sense thereof think not of being freed from Satan while thou art such a friend unto him in keeping of his counsel The Devil is a subtile enemy adhere not to him believe him noâ— and give no credit unto any of his suggestions to be ruined is sad but to be instrumental to thy own ruine is more sad Something of the Devils wiles thoa hast already sâ—â—n O therefore let such an Experiment anticipate all his other designes from having effect keep off from him have nothing to do with him for there is nothing but malice and evil in all his designes I hear you make a strict Inquisition after Satan I pray wherefore is it Have you a minde to lose your soul Are you in love with your own damnation Is the loss of Heaven and the Enjoyment of God nothing Will the Devil ve a better friend to you then God Will the Flames of Hell be as sweet as a Bed of Roses Will weeping in the Labyrinth of eternal misery be more pleasant then the singing Hallâ—lujahs in the glorious Heavens which is best to be chosen misery or felicity Iudg you which would you chuse to sit at Gods right Hand or his Left why I tell you if you combine with the Devil you will then take Gods greâ—test Enemies part and thereby will lose all those perpetual heavenly and celestial Ioys Promised and Prepared for Gods Elect. If thou believest and
know what heaven is live then as one that knows the same Oh go to the throne of grace and leave it not till thou doest find the grace of God and the Oyl of Consolation Pour'd into thy heart and for the order of your appearing unto God demean your self as the Prodigall Luke 15. Cry as David Psalm 38.18 For I will declare my Iniquities and will be sorry for my sins how thy state now is I know not and therefore after what maner to write to thee I know not I do believe your case is dreadfull by the oppression of my own spirlt and your being so long absent from me and whether now this may come to you I cannot tell therefore I shall desist from writing so amply as I would Aug. 16. 1672. Your Father in the Lord Jesus W. W. The young Man having received this Letter reades it and having read it he considers upon it and at last is affected exceedingly therewith but these two Deceivers coming unto him again doth through their vain discourse and diabolical concernment make this Youth to yield unto them so as that he forgets the Letter which came from his dear friend in which was conteined such wholesom seasonable and compassionate Instructions Demas and Apollyon So what now I hope you have not transgress'd Paulus Not I indeed Apollyon How then comes it to pass you look so sad Paulus I have by an unparalleld providence received a letter from one who lov'd me which is strange in regard that he knew not where I dwelt Apollyon Sha Providence there 's not such things as that for those things which you call Providence are only things which falls out by chance and you also talk illiterately and foolishly to say that was unparallel'd because such as this has bin common ere now Paulus Nay I do not know but none shall make me to believe any otherwise but that it was Miraculous if it will not hold with being unparallel'd Demas Pray let me speak a word in your ear Paulus With all my heart Good Sir Demas Pray now have a care of carrying your self foolishly left thereby you occasion him to depart as I told you once before Paulus Well I will Apollyon How are you compos'd in minde Paulus Not very well My Lord. Apollyon How can you call me Lord and adjoyn such an epâ—thite as my thereto whereas you have not given up your self unto me Paulus Will you accept of me Oh Lord Apollyon If I had meant otherwise I should not have ask'â— you Paulus Lord I am at your service do with me as seems good in thy sight Apollyon Has that God which you serv'd been good to you Paulus Truly I must needs say this that though I had many things of the other â—od whom I serv'd yet he would not give me all as I desir'd Apollyon That I believe and shall I tell you those many things which you had of him were not so reall as they were Presented to you being only shadows Paulus It 's likely so truely Apollyon Well if you are willing as you say to be my Servant meet me about five of of the Clock at night by the place where we use to meet and bring with you your Penknise Paper and Pen this is all only be sure to meet me without fail or else be it to your own peril Paulus I 'le be sure not to fail you Apollyon Till then farewell Reader Thus thou seest how this poor Convert is tossed up and down through the wiles and Machinations of Satan how Sollicitous have been the vety powers of Hâ—ll to destroy the soul of this young man how have they Combin'd together for the making of their stratagems effectual For once he went with an intent to meet the Devil and as he was entring into the appointed place the Spirit of God interrupted him by setting home this Scripture with such power Mat. 16.26 For what is a man profited if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul At that he was forc'd to return home again and ask God for pardon and yet nevertheless Corruption being very prevalent and the Devil mighty busie he was thereby impuls'd to make another attempt in the like manner who accordingly did as you may understand by what shall follow Apollyon Well met my Paulus why doesâ— thou muse with thy self Paulus I am at a stand and know not what to do Apollyon At a stand why so Paulus You know O Lord the business which we are met about and the weightiness thereof therfore I hope reason will shew why I look so Apollyon Friend As for my part it matters not whether or no you consent to what I require it was for your happiness that I requir'd this from you but to conclude take notice that I will not be made a fool by such an one as you Go therefore to your other God and see what â—e can do for you for I scorn to receive you Paulus Good Lord fret not your self so for I am not going away from you only I desire deliberation suiting with a work of so great a concernment as this Apollyon Nay call not me Lord except you were my servant and as for your deliberation you have had time enough already Paulus Ha but I never did deliberate upon it till now Apollyon If so be you could not deliberate when you had time enough expect it not now Paulus Well if so you will not give me leave to satisfie my self herein I know not what to say to you Apollyon You know not what to say to me say somthing or nothing and if in this you be not satisfied a Fig for you Paulus Be not angry I pray Apollyon Here is cause to be angry when you deal thus with me who am so fully God Consider the aggravation that does attend it therefore in this one minute resolve me either in the negative or affirmative Paulus What would you have me to do Apollyon Only this Put Pâ—n to Paper and write thus Paulus Well I will write thus For Apollyon Proceed why stay you your hand Paulus I know not what the matter is for I cannot move my hand Apollyon You had as good go on now seeing that you have written the first word viz. For for you are mine by what you have done already Paulus I defie you as yet for I know what I have done Apollyon A Nuncupâ—tiâ—â— Well is as good as a written one so that what you have not done by Pen you have done by word of Mouth and therefore it is all one Observ. I. The young man supposing him with whom he had conferr'd so long to be the Devil breaks forth into these breathings of spirit unto the true God whom once he serv'd viz. Now now now O precious Saviour give me somthing for my faith to act upon by making of thy self unto me â— present
ingaged more than ever Evangelus First believe that God is still able and willing to save thee Secondly confess thy iniquities be sorry for them and then ask forgiveness with a firm resolution in the strength of Christ to do so no more Thirdly by the greatness of thy sins plead for a Pardon from God Fourthly make Christ the Way to the Father excluding altogether your own works and righteousness from justification and salvation Fifthly omit no duty for your life Sixthly endeavour to be content in all states and conditions Seventhly be not a friend io the Devil by concealing any of his Suggestions Eighthly tempt not the devil Ninthly For the future live with a more holy jealousie then â—ver Paulus This together with what you have formerly done for me I shall remember I hope as long as I live Evangelus Nay many things I have to say but you cannot hear them now I shall therefore reserve them till another opportunity that you and I may have but in the mean time the God of Heaven bless you and so farewel FINIS Courteous Reader Which Title thou shalt well deserve if thou wilt but excuse the Author from such Errata's as have escaped the Press being very many and great his distance from the City not giving him the opportunity to peruse the sheets as they were done the most material whereof are here subjoyn'd and do beg the coverture of thy candid censure ERRATA in the Epistle Dedicatory Line 31 read not of any of you line 177 leave out and. line 218. read but Iesus Christ who will plead Errata in the Book Page 3 line 4. in the Margent put Eph. 2.20 p. 8. l. 6 put three for two page 22. l 1. for 1 Iohn 5.7 put Acts 5.3 p. ib. l. 6. for I say r. I see p. 34. l. 3. for 4. r. 24. p. 35. l. 1. for your r. you p. 49. l. 3. for it r. them p. 42. l. 17. for you understand r. your understanding p. 57. l. 5. for that r. thus p. 66. l. 3. for gratia r. gratiae p. 66. in the last words of the Margent r we are hindred from effecting what we intended p 67. in the Margent for does r. dâ— p. 75. l. 4. for I shall r. shall I. p. 79. l. 13. for as yet r. as that Thus with many more which would be tedious and somwhat vain to particularize besides the mis-placing of Comma's Periods and Marginal Notes An Advertisement to the READER REader Thou art desired to take Notice that by Evangelus one of the Interlocutors is signified a holy Man and Minister who often conversed with the Author when he was in his deplorable condition By Paulus the Author himself considered in his unconverted and converted estate together with his Conflict By Demas an Apostate and Atheist who was instrumental to the bringing of the Author to his sad condition And by Apollyon is signified the Devil himself who often appeared visibly designing thereby the Authors destruction Vale. A CATALOGUE of BOOKS Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock Sen. Jun at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes-Head Alley TWelve Books Publishâ—d by Mr. Thomas Brooks 1. Precious Remedies against Satans devices or a Salve for Believers and Unbelievers Sores 2. Heaven upon Earth or a Discourse touching a well-grounded Assurance 3. The unsearchable Riches of Christ. 4. Apples of Gold for young Men and VVomen 5. String of Pearls or the best things reserved till last 6. The Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod. 7. An Ark for Gods Noahs 8. Crown and Glory of Christianity 9. The Privy Key of Heaven or A Discourse of Closet Prayer 10. A Heavenly Cordial 11. A Cabinet of Choice Jewels or A Box of precious Oyntment 12. London's Lamentations Mr. Calamy's Godly Man 's Ark. * Dilexisti me Domine magis quam â—ipsum Luke 22.32 Post mortem nulla Paenitentia Christi revereâ—se Tribunal Scio Domiâ—e Iesu quod districtus arbiter â—mnium venâ—urus clandestina hominum facta verba cogitâ—ta in lucem proferes Gâ—rhard de extremo judicio The first Salutation Whaâ—soever is sinfull is delightfull to the carnal eye It is the work of a Minister to anticipate every sinful enterprize A carnal man knows no difference between things spiritual and temporal 1 Cor. 2.14 A Reproâ—f How will sinners plead for the satisfaction of their sensual desires from evil examples An Answer â—o the aforesaid Plea Eph 2.20 This is a Proverbial speech amongst the Naturalists The End of our Creation are these two 1. The Glory of God 2. The good of each other Divine contâ—ivement Providentia guber nat omnia Practical Question Heaven though it is a Saints yet it may be call'd in question by a Saint Wicked men think they bring assurance of Heaven with them into the world Questioning of our selves is a demonstration of our sincerity Strict Godliness in the eyes of the World is censuring A Soul-searching question Naturalists think God has no other Attribute then his Mercy to glorifie We are fallen with Adam Matters of sublime spirituality are new things to the carnal eye Cum multis aliis A true Miâ—ister iâ— loth that any should perish and go out of the World mistaken Faith can puzzle carnal reason at any time Upon this Rock many are split Whether ignorance is the Mother of Devotion I leave it for you to judge but ignorance I am sure is the 〈◊〉 that breeds high thoughts of our selves and low 〈◊〉 of our Lord Jesus Eph â— 5 8. By grace ye are saved There is a â—ind of zeal to be found in Naturalists So Carnality affects What a sad conâ—â—deration is this that when God has sent hiâ— Son into the World he is not known by the best part of 〈◊〉 Behold the vast difference between a believer and an unbeliâ—ver One depends upon Christ for salvation and the other depends upon duties for salvation A true Believer is willing to be nothing so that Christ may something whereas an unbeliever acts to the contrary Joh. 4 24â— â—imonideâ— the more he stuâ—ied to know what God was the harder still it seemed unto him God cannot bâ— defined Some do think if they do but read Gods Word it is sufficient thougâ— they take no notice oâ— wâ—at 〈◊〉 contained therein Chrisâ—uâ— Leo dicitur propter fortitudinem Agnus propter inno entiam Leo quod invictus Agnus quia mansuetus Ipse Agnus occasu vicit Leonem qui circuit quaerens quem devoret Diâ—bolus Leo dictus â—eritate non virtutâ— Aug. Habitatio Diabâ—lorum est pâ—rtim Aâ—â— partim inâ—ernus putat Aug. 1.8 de Civ Dei c. 22. Illos usurpasse â—erem ad exercendaâ— sâ—am dominationem in homines vult Ambros. in â—p ad Eph. Ipsos antequam ad detâ—â—iora conversissent â—â—ris administrationem habuisse tradit Theodor. epitom divin Decret Denique Lombard l. 2. sâ—nt dist 6. cap. solet Author est Luciferum Principâ—m Diabolorum religâ—rum manâ—re in inferno
nec aâ— nos tentendos accedere alios vero Diabolos alternis vicibus huc 〈◊〉 ferno ad animos hominum cruciandos vel deduce 〈◊〉 ad infernum venirâ— qui â—liis sucâ—edentibus ipsis 〈◊〉 tantur in infernum Angeli sic â—oâ—is excâ—nt ut inâ—â—rnis contemplaâ—ionis gaudils non priventur Greg. Tres vitales Spiritus câ—eâ—it Omnipotens unum qui carne non tegitur alium qui carne tegiâ—ur sed non cum carne moritur alium qui carne te giâ—uâ— cum carne moritur Primus Angelorum â—ecundus Hominum tertius Brutorum est Alsâ—ed Prov. 8. John 10 30. Ego Pater sumus unum Christ is equal with the Father according to his Divine Nature but inferiour according to his Humane The Phiâ—osophers 〈◊〉 this Maxime Ex â—ihilâ—â—â—hil fit Oâ—id Metaph. After thâ— old Chaos was brought into formâ— the Poets did feign That the World was divided into four Ages The first was the Golden Age the second was the Silver Age the third the braâ—en Age and the fourth the irâ—â— Age The four Ages whereof by Perdicâ—â—â— is compared to the four Seasons of the Year the first resembling the Spring time the second Summer the third Autumn the fourth Winter Munâ—us magnuâ— homo homo parvus mundus esse dicitur Mundus est Speculum Aâ—ributorum Deâ— When we receive any benefit from God we should keep â—une with the Pâ—almist â—enediâ—ite bless ye the Lord. The Bereans were commended for examining of the Apostle Pauls doctrine Hâ—â— Mysterium est absconâ—iâ—um a seculis patefactum in tempore Paradoxum impossibile visum Iudais Gentibus aestimatum dâ—piis tanquam maâ—eria sotidi Gaudii consolatiâ—â—is â—â—de in Beâ—am in lib. Confession is Christianae fidei c. 3. artic 19. Deus homo fit ut homo divinae gratiae naturae particeps fiâ—t Gerâ—â—â—d med 14. p 52. Jesus Christ is the greatest sinner in the World saith Luthâ—â— by imputation Vide Bezam iâ— lib. Coâ—fessionis Christianae fidei p. 13. c. 3. â—rtic 20. 1 Tim. This â—ruth the Sadduces denied Mat. 22.23 The great Mystery contained in this Truth made the Philosophers to dream of a Transformation one body being transform'd into the shape of another or a Transmigration â—oul taking its flight out of one body into another They could not think that one numerical and individual body after it is corrupted in the water consumed by fire converted into earth vanished into air nay eaten up by fishes and those fishes eaâ—en by men it was above them to think that this same body should rise again When Paul disputed this Point at 〈◊〉 the great Philosophers of the Epicurâ—â—â—s laughed at him What will this Babler say They lookt upon this as babling Extremum judicium est quando Dominus Iesus Christus in adventu suo cum virtuâ—e magna Majeâ—ate extremam omnibus hominibus juxta sua facta sententiam feret aequam irrefragabilem tum pils tum impiis aut ad vitam aeternam aut ad supplicium aeternum Et hoc frequenter debemus meditari cuâ—â— Hierâ—nymo qui ait Quoties illum diem considero toto corpore contremisco five enim comedo sive bibo sive aliquid aliud facio semper videtur illa tuba terribilis sonare auribus meis Surgite mortui venite ad judiclum Christ coming threefold Venit Christus occulte judicâ—â—dus venieâ— maniâ—este judicaturuâ— Antecedent Concomitant and Subsequent 2 Thes. 2. Mat. 24. Luke 21. Mat. 25. 2 Cor. 3.6 I 2.59 â—1 1 John 2.20 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12 13. 2 Cor. 2.21 22. 2. Tiâ— 3.16 2 Pet. 1 20.21 Rom. 1â— 17 1 Pet. 2.2 Ou Prayers are our Sacrifices and Christ alone is the Altar where on we must offer them to God the Father Prayer is the wing wherewith the soul flyeâ—h to heaven and Meditation the eye wherewith we see God Amb. Whether it is lawfull pray unto Angels John 14.6 2 Timâ— 15. Mat. 69. Mat. 6. Est Promissionis divinae sigi num a Deo institutum constat autem Elemento verbo ut extâ—t memoria Promissionis There are but Sacraments in the Christian Church Of Transubstantiation Three Acceptations of a Door in Scripture threefold 1. It is an Entrance into the heart Cant. 5.4 Psal. 24.9.2 Church Iohn 10.1 3. Heaven Mat. 25 10. A Salutation aâ— before Especially of his future â—state The worke of God upoâ— a convertâ—â— soul is one of the greatest wonders and miracles in the world A Declaration of Gods Work upon his soul and the blessed effâ—cts it has produced which may serve as an Item to others God must have all the Glory because it is he that worketh all our works in us and for us Either to despair or presume is many times our condition A converted soul is mighâ—y inquisitive Joh. 14.6 A sincere Saint bleseth God for every mercy They part from each other Ministers are glad when they can have any opportunity wherein the Work of the Lord may be carried on The sufferings of our Lord Jesus are not only applicatory but exemplary These two extreams undoes many elther we are prone to think our conditions better then they are or worse then they are Job 19 2â— Miserius nihil est misero se non miserante None are in misery but they that can't pity themselves The sin against the Holy Ghost is a final impenitency Augustinus intelligâ—t percatum in Spiritum sanctum â— auâ— finalem impaeniteâ—iam in iis qui non accipiunt Evangelium aut desperationem Quiâ— haec peccata proprio pugnant cum gratia 〈◊〉 abjiciunt Nam caterâ—â— peccata cum fugimus ad graâ—tam remiâ—tuntur Ideo sic interpretatur Augustinus dictum Christi Qui dixerit verbum contra Spiritum sanctum id est qui â—â—bum gratia quod praedicatum confirmatum est Testimoniis spiritualibus finaliter repudiat is habet peccatum in Spiritum sanctum Peccatum in Spiritum sanctum est cum quis divina veritati quidem Evangelio cujus fulgore sic perstringitur ut ignorantiam causari nequeat taâ—â— destinata malitia resistit in hoc ut resistat Alsted Sinners under â—heir first convictions takes themselves to be of all most miserable The Devil doth what he can to divert us of those opportunities which he thinks may prove most advantageous unto us many times by deseâ—â—ing we are hindred from effecting what we hindred As the Devil does endeavor to hinder Ministers from doing their Fathâ—rs Work so Ministers in like manner does endeavor to hinder the Devil from the Accomplishment of his cruel Designes The Devil can frame excuses at his will It is the duty of Christians to pray one with another â—e datâ— locum Diabâ—lâ— Eph. 4.27 Accusâ— tuam stuâ—titiam The wicked of the World do â—ccount godly sorrow nothing but madness distraction None are so impiouÌ„s and sinfully audacious as such who have fallen from the truth wherof they were once Professors There are many opinions in